Tim Hardaway Relieved Of NBA Duties After Anti-Gay Comments

NBA Removes Hardaway (r) From Making Appearances On Behalf Of League

Former NBAer Tim Hardaway was “removed from further league-related appearances” after comments he made yesterday on WXYM-AM’s “The Dan Le Batard Show” about homosexuality, according to Ira Winderman of the South Florida SUN-SENTINEL. Hardaway had been part of the league’s Community Caravan leading up to the All-Star Game, including the launch of the NBA FIT program on Tuesday. NBA Commissioner David Stern: “It is inappropriate for him to be representing us given the disparity between his views and ours” (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 2/15). In his comments, Hardaway said, “You know, I hate gay people, so I let it be known. I don't like gay people and I don't like to be around gay people. I am homophobic. I don't like it. It shouldn't be in the world or in the United States.” He said of a gay player, “I wouldn’t want him on my team. And second of all, if he was on my team ... I would really distance myself from him because I don’t think that is right” (Mult., 2/15). During a telephone interview with Miami’s WSVN-Fox later Wednesday, Hardaway said, “I regret it. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said I hate gay people or anything like that. That was my mistake” (ESPN.com, 2/15).

AMAECHI: In Miami, Michelle Kaufman writes Hardaway is the “first NBA player -– current or former -– to make anti-gay statements since” former NBAer John Amaechi revealed his homosexuality last week (MIAMI HERALD, 2/15). Amaechi said of Hardaway’s comments, “I’m actually tempted to laugh. Finally, someone who is honest. It is ridiculous, absurd, petty, bigoted and shows a lack of empathy that is gargantuan and unfathomable. But it is honest. And it illustrates the problem better than any of the fuzzy language other people have used so far.” In Miami, Dan Le Batard writes, “Amaechi is grateful for Hardaway’s words, believe it or not. It gets the conversation going, and gets ugly things out in the light” (MIAMI HERALD, 2/15). Appearing on ESPN Radio’s “Mike & Mike in the Morning” today, Amaechi indicated that Hardaway’s comments “seemed to trigger similar statements from others.” Amaechi said of the e-mails he has received at his Web site: “He’s been a lightening rod for people to finally open the floodgates and decide that they can say some pretty awful stuff” (ESPN.com, 2/15).