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The NBA fined Miami Heat center Meyers Leonard $50,000 and suspended him from team facilities and activities for one week after he used an anti-Semitic slur during a Twitch stream on Monday, the league announced Thursday morning.
Leonard, 29, must also participate in a cultural diversity program.
“Meyers Leonard’s comment was inexcusable and hurtful and such an offensive term has no place in the NBA or in our society,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. “[Wednesday,} he spoke to representatives of the Anti-Defamation League to better understand the impact of his words and we accept that he is genuinely remorseful. We have further communicated to Meyers that derogatory comments like this will not be tolerated and that he will be expected to uphold the core values of our league – equality, tolerance, inclusion and respect – at all times moving forward.”
Leonard made the comment while playing “Call of Duty” on a live stream.
“F–ing coward. Don’t f–king snipe me, you f–king k–e b—h,” Leonard said during the stream. He issued an apology on Tuesday.
Leonard lost multiple gaming sponsors and was cut loose by professional esports organization FaZe Clan.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra and captain Udonis Haslem condemned Leonard on Wednesday.
“We can’t tolerate that here,” Haslem said of Leonard’s use of the slur. “Right is right and wrong is wrong. And since I’ve been here in this organization, to the day I leave this organization and beyond, we’re going to try to be on the right side of everything — especially issues like this.”
Leonard is making $9.4 million this season with the Heat. There is a team option on his contract for the 2021-22 season at $10.1 million.
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