Adidas Issues Apology For Replacing Ref At LaVar Ball's Request

BYKyle Rooney43 Views
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Adidas admits they made the wrong decision.

Adidas has issued an apology in wake of the incident involving LaVar Ball and a female official which took place at the Adidas Uprising AAU tournament in Las Vegas last week.

At LaVar's request, Adidas event organizers removed a female official during a game, after she gave the Big Ballers head coach a technical and he threatened to pull his team off the court.

A male ref was ultimately put in place of the woman who T'd LaVar up. Ball was ejected shortly thereafter when he received a second technical foul. Referees eventually called the game when LaVar refused to leave the court.

According to ESPN's Darren Rovell, Adidas released the following statement.

"The referee substitutions made during our tournament last week are not in line with our company values," Adidas said in a statement Monday. "It was the wrong decision. We regret the situation and are looking into the matter to make sure our standards for sportsmanship, equality and fair play are met in the future."

The statement also said "any representation that we would compromise our values and inclusive approach for the benefit of any individual is inaccurate."

In an appearance on Mornings with Keyshawn, Jorge and LZ on ESPN LA 710, LaVar said he's being targeted by officials. 

Per ESPN,

"Of course I'm being unfairly targeted, but it's OK. Why wouldn't I be?" Ball said. "They say I got a big mouth anyway. They say we bad as heck. Of course you want to try to quiet me up. That's the way I've been coaching all the time.

"It's just entertainment. Instead of going to the movies, people are coming to the AAU game to watch a game."

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