According to ESPNโs Mark Fainaru-Wada, two U.S. senators sent a letter Tuesday to NBA commissioner Adam Silver accusing the league of โputting profit over principle,โ in response to an ESPN story that highlighted the leagueโs business relationship with Rwanda dictator Paul Kagame.
Senators Criticize NBA’s Relationship with Kagame
The bipartisan letter, signed by Marsha Blackburn and Jeff Merkley, claims the NBA often promotes itself as a leader in social justice but has instead been cozying up to dictators like Kagame. They pointed out an ESPN article from July detailing how the NBA’s partnership with Kagame was crucial for launching its first league outside North America, the Basketball Africa League, in 2021.
In response to our @espn story about the @NBA‘s relationship with dictator @PaulKagame, Sens. @MarshaBlackburn and @JeffMerkley sent a letter to Commish Adam Silver seeking answers about the partnership, accusing the NBA of "putting profit over principle:"
โ Mark Fainaru-Wada (@markfwespn) August 27, 2024
However, this collaboration forced the NBA to overlook ongoing human rights abuses. The senators wrote that anyone who challenges Kagameโs ruleโwhether opposition candidates or journalistsโis jailed, disappears or is brutally murdered.
Questions About Business Practices
The senators also questioned why the NBA continues doing business in China despite previous investigations by ESPN into human rights abuses there. They demanded Silver respond within a week with answers.
Fans think it’s really disappointing when big organizations ignore such serious issues.
Call for Transparency
The senators want Silver to explain exactly what kind of relationship exists between the NBA and Rwanda’s government and what steps are being taken to help Rwandan citizens suffering under Kagame’s regime. Kagame has been president since 2000 and was re-elected last month with an overwhelming majority.
NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum told ESPN that their conversations with Kagame have focused on improving lives through basketball: โHow can we create, how can we inspire and connect people through basketball?โ
Per Fainaru-Wada, they ended their letter urging Silver not to engage with brutal regimes but instead use its influence for good governance reforms.
Partnering with Rwanda helps Paul Kagame get away with his repressive government," says US Diplomat Elizabeth Shackelford, arguing that @F1 and @NBA should not work with him
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โ Xtrafrica (@xtr_africa) August 27, 2024
Kagame’s Human Rights Record
The U.S. State Department has repeatedly reported numerous human rights violations by Kagameโs government including imprisonment, torture and murder of political opponents as well as funding child soldiers in Congo. Despite these reports dating back to his first year as president in 2000, Kagame denies all allegations.
Elizabeth Shackelford told ESPN she wants an explanation from the NBA on why it partners with someone responsible for so much suffering both within Rwanda and beyond its borders.
