The 76ers on Friday issued an apology to National Anthem singer Sevyn Streeter and invited her back to perform at a future game, a move that came after players "voiced displeasure in a meeting with a team representative," according to Keith Pompey of the PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER. The singer was removed from performing the National Anthem before the team's season opener last week after she wore a "We Matter" T-shirt. The 76ers' contract for National Anthem singers "prohibits political statements." Most of the players "weren't aware of what happened" until the following morning when they "met with the team representative." Pompey noted the players "weren't the only ones disappointed." A source said that the decision to "not allow Streeter to sing was made by a couple of individuals -- not the team as a whole." Another source said that 76ers ownership "wasn't notified before the game about the decision." Team ownership "had a meeting Thursday -- as did the Sixers' business department -- to find a way to rectify the situation and counter the negative press caused by the decision" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 10/29).
BACK IT UP: The AP's Dan Gelston noted the 76ers "backtracked from their original stance." A source said that Streeter "would be allowed to wear her 'We Matter' jersey if she decided to sing," though she has yet to inform the team of her decision. The 76ers in a statement said, "We are sorry that this happened" (AP, 10/28). The INQUIRER's Pompey said, "I feel as if the Sixers could have been a little more transparent. I think their statement was a little bit reactionary as opposed to staying out in front of it. ... This whole thing would have been alleviated or they wouldn’t get the backlash if they would have come out with a more transparent statement initially after it happened, not after the fact” (“Locked on 76ers,” Philly.com, 10/28).
IN A TOUGH SPOT? FS1's Colin Cowherd said leagues are "in a tough spot" when dealing with social protests. Cowherd: "The best thing to do and it's why I agreed with the NFL: Empower them, over time if players don't feel muted, if they feel empowered, they'll go back to their sport." But asked if the 76ers made the right decision in inviting Streeter back, FS1's Jason Whitlock said, "Not in my opinion. We're letting Twitter and everybody's feelings dictate everything ... They don't want to bring politics into the National Anthem ... (and) turn the National Anthem into some divisive, controversial event" ("Speak for Yourself," FS1, 10/28). But ESPN's Rachel Nichols said, "I really appreciate what the Sixers did here. When their players and front office staff had an issue, they listened. ... Then the Sixers publicly acknowledged that they were wrong, they said that they were changing their minds and they apologized, an apology that actually sounded sincere" ("The Jump," ESPN2, 10/28).
