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How an antisemitic slur ended Miami Heat center's NBA career
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- How an antisemitic slur ended Miami Heat center's NBA career
Back in March 2021, Miami Heat big man Meyers Leonard found himself at the center of a severe public backlash and disciplinary storm. While livestreaming a gaming session on the streaming platform Twitch, Leonard got frustrated at one point and made a terrible mistake with his reaction.
The 7-footer used a highly offensive antisemitic slur and his words did not go unnoticed.
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Leonard was heard saying , "F—king cowards. Don't snipe at me. You k—e b—h" when playing "Call of Duty: Warzone."
The incident quickly made rounds across social media platforms, making its way to the NBA league office. It sparked widespread condemnation from fans, advocacy groups and NBA officials, ultimately derailing his professional career.
The NBA's verdict
Following an immediate investigation into Leonard's livestream broadcast, the NBA levied significant penalties against the Heat center. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver himself announced that the league would fine Leonard $50,000, which represented the maximum financial penalty allowed by the organization's collective bargaining agreement for statements detrimental to the sport.
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In addition to the fine, Meyers was also handed a one-week suspension from all team activities and facilities. As part of the reprimand, Leonard was required to participate in an official cultural diversity education program.
Leonard regretted what he said
In the wake of the controversy, Leonard issued a formal public apology via his Instagram account. He expressed deep remorse for his actions, claiming that he had been entirely ignorant of the history, meaning and offensive nature of the slur to the Jewish community.
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"I am deeply sorry for using an anti-Semitic slur during a livestream yesterday," Leonard wrote in his apology post. "My ignorance about its history and how offensive it is to the Jewish community is absolutely not an excuse and I was just wrong."
Recognizing that ignorance was not an excuse, Leonard committed to making amends beyond just offering words. He subsequently met with representatives of the Anti-Defamation League or ADL, connected with South Florida Jewish leaders, spoke to Holocaust survivors and attended community events to properly educate himself.
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A refreshing yet short-lived NBA return
Despite Leonard's efforts to rehabilitate his image, the immediate fallout on his NBA career was severe. Soon after the suspension, the Heat traded him to the Oklahoma City Thunder , who promptly waived him. Moreover, Leonard was dropped by major gaming sponsors.
To make matters worse, Leonard underwent major ankle surgery in April 2021, which resulted in serious nerve damage in his right leg. The challenge of cultural exile and intensive physical rehabilitation kept the center off the court completely for nearly two full years.
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It was only in February 2023 when Leonard finally engineered an NBA return when he signed a 10-day contract with the Milwaukee Bucks . It was extended into a second 10-day contract and eventually a deal for the remainder of the season.
The conclusion of the 2022-23 season marked the end of Leonard's NBA career. He did not play the following season after being unsigned by any team.
In retrospect, Leonard's story serves as a poignant case study on the consequences of hate speech, regardless of whether it was intended or not.
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Meyers paid the full price for it. A major injury played its part, too, but his reputation was never the same after this incident.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on May 26, 2026, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
