NBA cuts ties with its Turkish Twitter vendor after Kanter's criticism
The NBA has ended its relationship with the local vendor responsible for the NBA Turkey account, league deputy commissioner Mark Tatum announced Thursday.
This decision comes after Portland Trail Blazers big man Enes Kanter accused the NBA's Turkish Twitter account of "censoring" his presence in a Wednesday night post that was similar to what the main NBA account previously posted - with one distinct omission.
What a messed up country lead by #TurkishDictator @RTErdogan
— Enes Kanter (@Enes_Kanter) May 2, 2019
Only Turkish player out here tonight, and the official @NBA for Turkey @NBAturkiye is censoring me. They dont show blazers games in Turkey. The government controls people,this a problem. How can official NBA allow this pic.twitter.com/Zvny0NwF8C
Tatum also clarified that fans in Turkey can still watch Trail Blazers games through NBA League Pass and NBA TV International.
The National Basketball Players Association issued a statement of support for Kanter on Thursday.
"The NBPA fully supports our players using their platforms to stand up for their beliefs and the principles they support. We stand with Enes and, as with all of our players, will work to ensure that he is treated fairly and with respect," the statement read.
This incident is the latest in the ongoing divide between Kanter and the country's political leadership.
Kanter's passport was revoked in 2017 due to his association with exiled cleric Fethullah Gulen and his vocal opposition to Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan; the Turkish government cites Gulen as a proponent of the failed coup against Erdogan in 2016.
The teaching of Mr. Fethullah Gulen are about Tolerance, Peace, Love, Compassion, Education and finding a Common Language.
— Enes Kanter (@Enes_Kanter) February 7, 2019
For him it’s all about the
“Universal Peace” and
make the world better
“TOGETHER.” pic.twitter.com/wVfHK1ArSN
Those measures have prevented Kanter from traveling outside the United States. As a member of the New York Knicks earlier this season, the 26-year-old elected to skip January's neutral-site game against the Washington Wizards in London after expressing fear for his safety. After being waived by the Knicks and signing with the Trail Blazers, Kanter missed a game in Toronto in early March this season due to immigration issues.
Turkish prosecutors were seeking an international warrant for Kanter's extradition in January on allegations of membership of a terrorist group, according to The New York Times.
These recurring political factors have not gone unnoticed by some spectators.
Crowd is chanting "Kanter sucks!" and one yelled out, "Go back to Turkey, oh wait you can't!"
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) May 2, 2019
Kanter responded on Twitter to the heckler's comments.
"I wish I could go back to Turkey to see family. But I chose to support democracy, freedom and human rights," Kanter wrote. "I am grateful for most Americans supporting that right. (Nuggets,) take control of your fans. This is hurtful. Be grateful for the democracy and freedom we have here."