Aussie Basketball Team Opts out of Wearing Pride Jersey Due to ‘Barrage of Abuse’

Major sponsor disappointed with decision

Keanu Pinder of the Taipans in action against Dane Pineau of the Phoenix during the round 17 NBL match between South East Melbourne Phoenix and Cairns Taipans at State Basketball Centre in Melbourne, Australia on Jan. 25, 2023. Kelly Defina/Getty Images

Team members of the Cairns Taipans have decided against wearing a special Pride Round jersey in response to a “barrage of abuse and harmful commentary” targeting individual players.

The Australian National Basketball League (NBL) is holding its first Pride Round to celebrate the LGBT community from Jan. 25 to 30, with Commissioner Jeremy Loeliger conceding that the move would “conflict with some people’s beliefs.”