An NBA photographer was fired following an offensive meme he posted this week on social media that referenced Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), former Vice President Joe Biden’s selected 2020 presidential campaign running mate.
Bill Baptist worked with the Houston Rockets for more than 30 years, USA Today reported. He was not only fired, but also kicked out of the NBA bubble at Disney property in Orlando, Fla.
Baptist posted a meme that included Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden’s official 2020 campaign logo. But instead of “Joe 2020” in the blue circle, it reads “Jo and the Ho.” He shared the photo on Facebook without comment.
WNBA Hall of Fame recipient Sheryl Swoopes chimed in on Facebook about Baptist’s termination:
“It’s amazing how people will smile in your face but eventually their true colors will show. @NBA and Houston Rockets he needs to GO!!! So disrespectful. Bill Baptiste (sic) shame on You!!!”
A spokesperson for the NBA told KPRC 2 that Baptist is an “independent contractor, and his services are no longer being used in Orlando.”
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Baptist shared a statement:
“I deeply regret posting on my Facebook page a phrase that I saw and copied from others as a sample of some people’s reactions to Biden’s selection of Senator Harris as his choice for VP,” Baptist wrote in the statement.
“The phrase I posted does not reflect my personal views at all,” he added. “I should not have been so insensitive to post the statements by others. I sincerely apologize to all of those who have rightfully been offended.”
