- NBL Pride Round from January 21 to February 1 next year
- New Zealand Breakers won’t wear rainbow flags on their jerseys
- Decision based on religious and cultural beliefs of some stars
A number of stars from the New Zealand Breakers will boycott wearing the rainbow flag during this season’s NBL Pride Round, the club has confirmed.
Daily Mail understands the move is to support some teammates who do not want to wear the insignia based on their religious and cultural beliefs.
The development comes ahead of the competition’s annual celebration of the LGBTQI+ community, from January 21 to February 1 next year.
In a statement, the Breakers confirmed the decision.
‘In line with the league’s voluntary participation policy to wear the patch, the players discussed the matter as a team,’ the statement read.
‘Some players raised religious and cultural concerns about wearing the insignia.
A number of stars from the New Zealand Breakers (pictured) will boycott wearing the rainbow flag on their jerseys during this season’s NBL Pride Round, the club has confirmed
Daily Mail understands the move is a show of solidarity for some teammates who do not want to wear the insignia based on their religious and cultural beliefs (pictured, Aussie singer Dannii Minogue with a rainbow basketball ahead of the NBL’s 2024 Pride Round)
The NBL has the only openly gay male professional basketballer in the world in Adelaide star Isaac Humphries (pictured)
‘To protect individual players from being singled out for their beliefs, the team collectively decided they would either all wear the insignia… or none would.’
In 2023, during the NBL’s inaugural Pride Round, the Cairns Taipans also boycotted the insignia on religious grounds.
The NBL has the only openly gay male professional basketballer in the world in Adelaide star Isaac Humphries, who came out three years ago.
During Pride Round, New Zealand is slated to play Adelaide – Humphries’ current club – on January 23.
It is understood the Breakers have agreed to participate, but drew the line at rainbow flags on their game-day attire.
‘The club strongly supports this event and is open and inclusive and will celebrate the diversity of LGBTQI+ players, members, volunteers and supporters,’ a statement read.
‘We are committed to ensuring Breakers are a safe, welcoming and inclusive place for all, both on and off the court.
‘The club respects the human rights of all individuals, including their right to freedom of expression.’
According to Code Sports, the NBL said it remained ‘committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful environment where everyone feels welcome.’
In 2022, Manly’s NRL season turned upside down when seven players refused to play against Sydney Roosters.
It came after the club failed to inform them of a plan to wear pride-themed jerseys, with Josh Aloiai, Jason Saab, Josh Schuster, Haumole Olakau’atu, Tolutau Koula, Christian Tuipulotu and Toafofoa Sipley all sitting out the clash at Brookvale Oval.
‘The Manly Seven’ all pointed to cultural or religious beliefs as the basis behind their decision.
