Opinion

REPORT: NBA Might Ban The Term ‘Owner’ Due To Racial Overtones

Photo: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

William Davis Contributor
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The NBA might nix the term “owner” from its vocabulary so as to avoid the suggestion of racial insensitivity, according to a new report.

The report from TMZ Sports states that two franchises have already made the switch, referring to their majority shareholders by other names. Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Balmer is referred to as the team’s “CEO,” and the Philadelphia 76ers now refer to their main shareholders as “limited partners.”

The TMZ report pointed to an episode of LeBron James‘ HBO show “The Shop,” in which Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green appeared to take offense to the term “owner,” saying it fosters a “slave-to-master” relationship. (RELATED: Draymond Green Suspended. Could This Drama Derail The Warriors’ Dynasty?)

The NBA sent a statement to TMZ saying that the league already refers to its owners as “governors.”

“We refer to the owners of our teams as Governors; each team is represented on our Board of Governors,” the league told TMZ.

The NBA has always been at the forefront of corporate political correctness, and this is no different. Will banning the term “owner” be the straw that breaks the camel’s back and ends racism once and for all?

It’s possible, I guess, but I have my doubts.

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