The following open letter was published in the Times of Israel. I share it here as well

https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/an-open-letter-to-nba-commissioner-adam-silver/

Dear NBA Commissioner Adam Silver,

In light of Spike Lee’s antisemitic attire at the NBA and the NBA’s failure to follow their own Fan Code of Conduct in this incident, I am writing this open letter to you about the NBA’s failure to follow your own fan code of conduct and choice to be silent in the face of blatant Jew hatred at your 2026 NBA All Star Game.

Your league’s code of fan conduct states, “The National Basketball Association seeks to foster a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable sports and entertainment experience in which:

• Obscene or indecent messages on signs or clothing will not be permitted.”

There are those who will make the argument that wearing the signs and symbols of Hamas are not obscene or indecent.  Your choice to allow Spike Lee to wear this at the game is a clear indication that you agree with them.  So let’s take a look at some actual examples of what you and the NBA does deem to be obscene or indecent based on your actions.

Last month, your league forced a fan to remove a shirt with a Pro-ICE message on it.

In January 2025, the Toronto Raptors forced a young fan to remove his Steph Curry Golden State Warriors Jersey after inviting him to the floor to participate in a pre-game competition.

Also in January 2025, the Dallas Mavericks removed two fans for wearing “Fire Nico” shirts and holding signs saying the same, in reference to the then General Manager of the team who had just traded star player Luka Doncic.

In 2018, a Philadelphia 76ers fan was stopped from entering the arena because of her attire.  She was wearing fishnet stockings, a leotard and a leather jacket.

In 2021, the Knicks removed a fan for wearing a “Ban Dolan’ shirt (referring to the owner of the team, James Dolan).

Yet wearing clothing and pins that glorify the massacre of 1,200 Israelis, the kidnapping of 252 people and them being held hostage, the rape of women, some repeatedly for more than 400-500 days, the murder of children and the elderly while the league ‘celebrates’ the first Israeli player in their all star game is totally acceptable.  No consequences for Spike Lee.  He wasn’t removed, he wasn’t asked to change his clothes.

Even worse, after the outrage from NBA fans and members of the Jewish community, you and your league continue to remain silent.  No statement issued.  No mea culpa.  No apology to Deni Advija, the Israeli NBA all star.

Even Spike Lee, with his long history of Jew hatred and antisemitism, realized he went too far because of the public outrage.  While his clarification isn’t really an apology or believable, he (or his publicist) knew he couldn’t stay silent.  To think that an NBA superfan, which Mr. Lee is, wouldn’t know Advija is Israeli, especially with the PR about him being the 1st Israeli NBA all-star and knowing that Mr. Lee attended a NY Knicks game against Advija’s Trailblazers is beyond the pale.  Yet he still had to make some statement, no matter how unbelievable it is.

Yet you and the NBA remain silent.  Perhaps you think we will forget.  Perhaps you think the game is so good that people won’t walk away.  I have bad news for you.  I’ve been an NBA fan since 1975.  I have followed the 76ers since that Dr. J, George McGinnis, and Darryl Dawkins team.  I grew up imitating the voice of Sixers PA announcer Dave Zinkoff.  I watched the tape delayed coverage of the 1977 NBA finals against the Trailblazers (yes, the NBA was so popular then that the finals were on tape delay).  I loved shouting out, “Julius Errrrrrrrrrrrving’ and still sing the classic 76ers theme song from the 70s and 80s.  Acquiring Moses Malone and winning the NBA championship is a signature moment in my fandom and Charles Barkley remains one of my all-time favorite athletes.  Allen Iverson was a can’t miss player. I ‘trusted the process’ and the horrible years of tanking.  I had season tickets to the then Washington Bullets when I lived in the DC area just to go to NBA games and now that I live in Orlando, attend Magic games including the playoffs against the hated Celtics last season.

No longer.  The NBA has showed me your true colors.  You have showed me what you really value.  You stand up for every minority except the Jews.  Despite having a Jewish commissioner.  Despite many Jewish owners.  And despite the first Israeli NBA All Star.

I am no longer an NBA fan.  I will no longer go to games, buy merchandise, or watch games on TV.  The NBA is Dead to Me.

There is a chance that perhaps the NBA isn’t dead to me and just on life support.  The ball is in your and the NBA’s court.  Do you stand for freedom or for hatred?  Do you stand for murderers, kidnappers, and racists or do you stand for those who value life?  Do you even care about your own players?

I look forward to your response.  I look forward to seeing the NBA’s response.  I look forward to seeing a response from the NBA Players Association.