Senators Accuse NBA of Prioritizing Profit Over Principle in Relationship with Rwandan Dictator

Two U.S. senators, Marsha Blackburn and Jeff Merkley, have called out NBA commissioner Adam Silver for allegedly choosing profit over principle in the league’s dealings with Rwandan dictator Paul Kagame. The bipartisan letter accuses the NBA of hypocrisy, highlighting the discrepancy between the NBA’s self-proclaimed status as a champion of social justice and its partnerships with authoritarian leaders like Kagame.

The senators referenced an ESPN article that shed light on the NBA’s deepening ties with Kagame, emphasizing that the league turned a blind eye to egregious human rights violations in exchange for expanding its global reach, particularly in Africa. The letter pointed out Kagame’s oppressive regime, where dissent is met with severe repercussions, including incarceration, disappearance, and violence.

In addition to the controversial relationship with Kagame, the senators also brought up the NBA’s dealings in China, a topic that has been previously investigated by ESPN. The letter called on Adam Silver to provide clarity on the nature and extent of the NBA’s collaboration with the Rwandan government, as well as the measures being implemented to address human rights abuses perpetrated by Kagame’s administration.

NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum defended the league’s engagement with Kagame, stating that the conversations with the Rwandan leader were centered around uplifting the lives of the Rwandan people through basketball. He emphasized the potential of sports to inspire and connect communities, framing the NBA’s involvement as a means of creating positive change in Rwanda.

Despite the NBA’s intentions to promote social good through its global initiatives, the senators concluded their letter by admonishing the league for aligning itself with oppressive regimes. They argued that the NBA should not compromise its ethical standards for the sake of expanding its business ventures, urging Silver to reconsider the implications of engaging with dictators like Kagame. The letter served as a reminder of the importance of upholding moral values and human rights, even in the realm of sports business.