After Anti-Semitic Slur, NBA Player Meyers Leonard Suspended By Team, Dropped By Sponsors

In the wake of dropping a clear anti-Semitic taunt during a game of Call of Duty, NBA player Meyers Leonard has been suspended by his team, the Miami Heat, and dropped by a number of his sponsors.

https://kotaku.com/nba-player-drops-antisemitic-slur-during-call-of-duty-1846442138

Leonard—who last year was also the only player to remain on his feet before a game while his teammates knelt to support the Black Lives Matter movement—later apologised for using the term “kike bitch”, claiming to somehow have not known what it meant:

Miami Heat center Meyers Leonard releases statement apologizing for saying anti-Semitic slur on a livestream: pic.twitter.com/AOi7ZE6nCy

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 10, 2021

Despite this, Leonard has since been dropped by two of his sponsors, PC company Origin:

A comment was recently made by Meyers Leonard that does not reflect the values or views of ORIGIN PC. We have decided to cease our working relationship with Meyers as we look into it further.

— ORIGIN PC (@ORIGINPC) March 9, 2021

And controller makes SCUF (both companies are owned by Corsair):

A comment was recently made by Meyers Leonard that does not reflect the values or views of SCUF. We have decided to cease our working relationship with Meyers as we look into it further.

— SCUF (@ScufGaming) March 9, 2021

Leonard will also “be away from the team indefinitely” while the Heat—owned by Israeli-American businessman Micky Arison—and the NBA conduct an “investigation”.

Statement from the Miami Heat on center Meyers Leonard: pic.twitter.com/RmRaLZ1bxR

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 10, 2021

Gaming clan FaZe also noted that while Leonard wasn’t a member, they were nevertheless cutting ties with him:

A statement from FaZe Clan. pic.twitter.com/ePo1NGEaN5

— FaZe Clan (@FaZeClan) March 9, 2021

Update, 3/11/21, 2:56pm—As reported by CNN, the NBA has fined Leonard $50,000. Leonard also “spoke to representatives of the Anti-Defamation League,” according to a statement by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. CNN reports that the NBA “has also mandated Leonard to participate in a cultural diversity program.”