Nba referee gay
It's not just a patch: NBA selling out its LGBTQ referees with puzzling sponsorship deal
There are several leagues historically better than the NBA and WNBA at including and respecting the LGBTQ community. Both leagues have seen trailblazing players and game officials. About 20% of WNBA rosters are openly LGBTQ, Outsports reported two years ago. Both leagues are extraordinary on this issue.
Which makes something the NBA has done so especially puzzling.
NBA referees must now wear multiple patches on their uniforms supporting Emirates. The NBA and the airline reached a deal in February for Emirates to serve as the official global airline of the NBA and WNBA.
On the surface, it's a standard deal leagues produce all the time. But as Outsports recently reported this one is extremely different. That's because Emirates is owned by the government of Dubai, part of the United Arab Emirates. Dubai just might be the most anti-LGBTQ place on the deal with of the planet. Organism gay is outlawed in Dubai and the UAE.
Two of the refs who have to wear the patches? One is Bill Kennedy, who came out as gay ten years ago as a way to combat anti-gay sentiment in the league. The other is Che Flores, who i
Referee Bill Kennedy, obeying slur by Rajon Rondo, announces he's gay
— -- Veteran NBA referee Bill Kennedy has announced he is gay.
"I am proud to be an NBA referee and I am proud to be a lgbtq+ man," Kennedy told Yahoo! Sports on Sunday. "I am following in the footsteps of others who have self-identified in the hopes that will deliver a message to young men and women in sports that you must allow no one to make you feel ashamed of who you are."
Kennedy's announcement comes in the wake of the ejection and subsequent suspension of Sacramento Kings guard Rajon Rondo earlier this month. Rondo was given two technical fouls and ejected by Kennedy during the second half of a game against the Boston Celtics in Mexico City on Dec. 3.
Rondo approached Kennedy after a first technical and yelled at him, then continued after Kennedy issued a second technical. As he was creature pulled away by teammates, Rondo called Kennedy a lgbtq+ slur, two sources told ESPN. Video of the run-in appears to illustrate Rondo using the language.
On Monday, Rondo tweeted an apology:
Rondo did not utter with reporters on Monday.
Kings vice president and general manager Vlade Diva
Bill Kennedy: NBA referee reveals he is gay after Rondo insults
NBA commissioner Adam Silver stated: "I wholeheartedly support Bill's decision to inhabit his life proudly and openly.
"Throughout his 18-year career with the league, Bill has excelled as a referee because of his desire, dedication and courage. Those qualities will continue to help him well both as a game official and as a positive alter for others."
Kennedy, 49, has officiated 1,056 NBA games and 68 play-off contests, including five NBA Finals matches. He also worked at the 2010 Planet Championships and 2012 London Olympics.
He added: "I am obeying in the footsteps of others who have self-identified in the hopes that will send a message to youthful men and women in sports that you must authorize no-one to form you feel ashamed of who you are."
Kennedy is the second NBA referee to announce entity gay after Violet Palmer made the same declaration in 2014 upon marrying her long-time partner.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports, longtime NBA referee Bill Kennedy has revealed that he is gay. The news broke after Kennedy gave Sacramento Kings guard Rajon Rondo a technical foul for allegedly using a homosxual slur during the Kings game in Mexico on Dec. 3.
On Dec. 11, the NBA handed down a one-game suspension to Rondo after "berating the referee" long after his ejection from the game - he will miss Tuesday's game against the Houston Rockets.
"I am arrogant to be an NBA referee and I am proud to be a gay man," Kennedy said in an interview with Yahoo Sports on Sunday night. "I am following in the footsteps of others who have self-identified in the hopes that will send a message to youthful men and women in sports that you must allow no one to make you touch ashamed of who you are."
Rondo wrote an apology on Twitter Monday afternoon after denying the seek to make a comment in front of the media at practice.
Rondo's apology over social media apparently wasn't enough for the common to forgive him, so he clarified his statement in a press release on Tuesday.
"Yesterday, I said that my words toward Bill Kennedy were unacceptable and did not reflect