A picture shared on social media has led to criticism for the NBA, with fans citing the league’s alleged support for Zionist groups. On Saturday, X account @gaijingirl2004 shared what it claimed to be a picture from the ADL’s latest convention.
The photograph showed a list of ADL’s sponsors, including the NBA. The image led fans to claim that the league supports zionist groups and to criticize their actions on social media.
Here’s how fans reacted on X:
“The NBA proudly supports Zionist groups,” a fan said.
“Duh, Israel first Adam Silver is the commissioner,” another fan said.“Supporting ADL means adidas and NBA support a racist, violent Jewish extremist org that not only backs Israeli horrors in Gaza, West Bank, Iran and Lebanon, they also help ADL to shut down civil rights at home should anyone try to criticize Israel,” one fan commented.
“Good to know. Time to ask NBA players how they feel about it,” another fan commented.
“Have you seen the NBA commissioner?” a fan asked.
Some fans also pointed to how the league handled the Kyrie Irving situation after he was suspended for sharing “anti-semitic” content on social media.
ADL partnered with NBA star Kyrie Irving after his suspension in 2022
After Kyrie Irving was suspended in 2022, the Brooklyn Nets released a statement, saying that Irving would stay suspended until he completed “remedial measures.” This led to the Nets partnering with the ADL in “an effort to develop education programming that is inclusive.”
Here’s what ADL said about the situation in a statement:
“At a time when antisemitism has reached historic levels, we know the best way to fight the oldest hatred is to both confront it head-on and also to change hearts and minds. With this partnership, ADL will work with the Nets and Kyrie to open dialogue and increase understanding,” ADL’s CEO, Jonathan Greenblatt said. “At the same time, we will maintain our vigilance and call out the use of anti-Jewish stereotypes and tropes – whatever, whoever, or wherever the source – as we work toward a world without hate.”
Within the past years, the league has faced increased scrutiny because of its pro-Israel optics. Fans even criticized league legend, LeBron James, after he expressed a wish to visit Israel during the 2026 All-Star break. Deni Avdija, an Israeli international, has also faced significant criticism on social media.
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