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Leagues and Governing Bodies

CAN'T SPELL OBESE WITHOUT A BIG O? MILLER UPSET AT MASCOT

          The NBPA "has filed an official complaint and is
     planning legal action" against the Suns and the NBA
     regarding an incident in which the Suns mascot "ridiculed
     the obesity" of Kings C Oliver Miller, according to Marty
     York of the Toronto GLOBE & MAIL.  Miller's agent Jeff
     Blakeley took his objections of the incident to the Kings
     and the NBPA, and "both complained formally to the NBA." 
     Blakeley said that NBPA lawyers are "determining what legal
     steps we must take on Oliver's behalf."  The Suns' Gorilla
     wore a Kings jersey with Miller's name and stuffed pillows
     under it and performed in front of the crowd.  Blakeley:
     "There's no doubt in my mind that that incident sent Oliver
     into a depression and caused him to put on even more
     weight."  Blakeley also "expressed concerns" that the Suns
     use of a gorilla as a mascot is "racist," and that the NBPA
     "has complained to the NBA about it" (GLOBE & MAIL, 3/26).

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