The NBA fined Meyers Leonard $ 50,000 and suspended him from all Miami Heat facilities and activities for a week in response to the use of anti-Semitic slander.
MIAMI – The NBA fined Meyers Leonard $ 50,000, the maximum allowed under league policy, and suspended him from using all Miami Heat facilities and activities for a week in response to the use of an anti-Semitic term.
Commissioner Adam Silver, in announcing these sanctions on Thursday, also said he believed Leonard “is genuinely sorry” for using the slander.
“Meyers Leonard’s comment was inexcusable and painful and such an offensive term has no place in the NBA or in our society,” said Silver.
Leonard will also be asked by the league to participate in a cultural diversity program. He has already met with representatives of the Anti-Defamation League, a prominent Jewish organization that works to prevent extremism and offers anti-prejudice education.
“We also communicate to Meyers that derogatory comments like this will not be tolerated and that he is expected to uphold the fundamental values of our league – equality, tolerance, inclusion and respect – whenever we move forward,” said Silver.
Under the league’s collective bargaining agreement, Silver could not exceed $ 50,000 as a fine for “any statement that has, or was designed to have, a detrimental or detrimental effect on basketball’s best interests.” He is allowed to combine the fine with a suspension and, as Leonard is absent for the rest of the season due to an injury, his salary will not be affected.
It was not immediately clear how the NBA penalties would affect Leonard’s position with the team in the attack. The Heat, just hours after the video was released, said Leonard would be away from the team indefinitely.
They issued another statement on Thursday, several hours after Silver announced the sanctions.
“While we remain hurt and disappointed by what he said, we are encouraged that Meyers has started to take the necessary steps to educate himself about why his comments were so offensive,” said the statement. “We will continue to communicate with Meyers and his representatives as long as he remains away from the team.”
Leonard apologized on Tuesday for using the term, insisting that he did not know what it meant when he used it the day before. The video drew harsh criticism from league officials, members of other teams, celebrities and even athletes from other sports.
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