Rachel Nichols argued that NBA gamers’ work “on the courtroom” contributed to cash that the Orlando Magic used to make its $50,000 donation to a brilliant PAC backing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in Might.
The Showtime host, in an interview with CNN’s Jim Acosta on Friday, defined that the contribution to DeSantis is “very troublesome to abdomen” simply days after the Nationwide Basketball Gamers Affiliation union known as the donation to By no means Again Down Inc. “alarming” as a result of Florida governor’s feedback and insurance policies.
“Because the Gamers Affiliation assertion identified, it’s their labor. Cash for NBA groups, the Orlando Magic’s cash that they donated to Ron DeSantis, doesn’t come from a magic tree elf. It got here from the work of these gamers on the courtroom,” Nichols mentioned.
“And the truth that their work has been was a contribution for somebody operating for president who has come out with statements that they assume straight oppose who they’re as individuals, that could be very troublesome to abdomen.”
An Orlando Magic spokesperson advised JS that the donation was made on Might 19, days earlier than DeSantis introduced his presidential marketing campaign, and it was made as a Florida enterprise supporting him “for the continued prosperity” of the area.
Nichols famous that particular person members of the NBA neighborhood have backed politicians however she hadn’t seen a franchise donating on to a brilliant PAC in her 25-plus years masking the league.
She went on to choose aside the Magic’s assertion on the donation, declaring that “everybody’s mom’s pets” knew of DeSantis’ presidential run on the time.
DeSantis, in comments on X (Twitter’s rebrand), responded to the NBA gamers union assertion and took broader intention on the league on Friday.
“It seems the NBA took a break from protesting our anthem and bending the knee to Communist China to chirp about my insurance policies,” wrote DeSantis in a nod to social justice protests and LeBron James’ remarks on a Houston Rockets govt’s help of anti-government protesters in Hong Kong.
Nichols mentioned the sensation across the league is that gamers have “mentioned their piece” and expressed their disappointment over the donation.
“He’s really utilizing elements of the [players union] assertion in fundraising text, I’d not count on the NBA as a league or the gamers themselves to take the bait right here,” Nichols mentioned.
“They know precisely what this sport is, and so they’re not going to provide him any extra oxygen on this, is my prediction.”
