Fine for top basketball player Meyers Leonard who used “k*** bitch” slur on live video

A leading professional basketball player has been fined $50,000 (£36,000) by the National Basketball Association (NBA), after using the hate-speech “You k*** bitch” on a video.

In addition to the fine, the sport’s governing body suspended Meyers Leonard from team facilities and activities for one week after the Miami Heat player used the antisemitic slur. Mr Leonard was playing a live-streamed video game when he said: “Don’t f**king snipe at me, you k*** b*tch.”

He apologised the following day.

In a statement, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said that the comment was “inexcusable and hurtful” and that “such an offensive term has no place in the NBA or in our society.”

Mr Silver also said that Mr Leonard had spoken to Jewish groups and was “genuinely remorseful”, and that the NBA had also “mandated” him to participate in a “cultural diversity programme”.

Miami Heat said that it “vehemently condemns” the use of any form of hate speech and would “not tolerate hateful language from anyone associated with our franchise.”

The team’s statement also noted that Mr Leonard “will be away from the team indefinitely” and that the team would “co-operate with the NBA while it conducts its investigation.”

Campaign Against Antisemitism has expanded our coverage of antisemitism worldwide. Please contact us if you would like to share feedback or volunteer to assist with this project.