Suspended Sydney Kings owner Paul Smith defends Wildcats Indigenous singlet criticism
Sydney Kings owner Paul Smith has released a controversial statement defending a critical tweet of Perth’s indigenous singlet that saw him fined and suspended. FULL STATEMENT HERE.
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The NBL has fined and suspended Sydney Kings owner Paul Smith for one game following a league investigation into his public comments during the NBL’s Indigenous Round.
The NBL found Smith’s comments on social media breached the league’s code of conduct and he has been fined $5,000 with $2,500 suspended for a period of 12 months. The fine will be donated by the NBL to Australian Indigenous Basketball.
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Smith has also been suspended for one NBL game, which is also suspended for 12 months. Smith and the Kings revealed they will not lodge an appeal.
On Wednesday the Kings owner released a statement defending the tweet.
“I hold close to me my views on the importance of allowing Indigenous culture to remain clear, unique and authentic, and on Saturday I made a Twitter comment that was not defamatory, negative about Indigenous people or culture, or the Indigenous Round, that the Kings and Hawks had inspired. I am saddened by anyone that misinterpreted the meaning of my original comment - it was never my intention to offend,” part of the statement read.
BELOW: READ PAUL SMITH’S FULL STATEMENT TO KINGS MEMBERS
Smith sent the internet into meltdown on Saturday when he accused the Wildcats of using their indigenous singlet to boast about their on-court success.
“Mmmmm - as opposed to using the guise of indigenous singlet cultural engagement and reconciliation to promote 9 championships, 33 finals appearances and a heavy travel on a singlet,” Smith tweeted.
Smith was called out by NBL fans for his initial statement and subsequent replies doubling down, before the Wildcats released a statement, calling the comments “appalling” and “ignorant”.
“The comments are both highly offensive to the Perth Wildcats and disrespectful to leading Australian indigenous Statesperson, Dr Richard Walley OAM - who developed the cultural narrative and designed the uniform,” Perth’s statement said.
“The Wildcats believe the comments have unfortunately tainted the inaugural NBL indigenous Round, in what has otherwise been a significant step forward in the journey of reconciliation for clubs and fans.”
— Paul Smith (@psmithtse) February 3, 2020
Smith released his own statement on Monday, saying he had spoken to indigenous elder Richard Walley and the pair had agreed to move on.
Their meeting was set up via Kings Adviser and Boomers legend Luc Longley, who hails from Perth.
FULL STATEMENT FROM PAUL SMITH TO SYDNEY KINGS MEMBERS
“I wanted to write directly to you, our members, to update you on an issue that arose from a Twitter comment I made on my personal account on Saturday night. To address the matter properly and directly, I wanted to provide you with some perspective.
As the owner and Chairman of the Sydney Kings since April 2019 and a part owner prior, I have been committed to transforming the organisation into a basketball club that players and fans are proud to be part of.
My own principles, established through a professional career in sports since 1988 and from my family upbringing, are very much what guides me and the organisations that I am associated with.
Honesty and integrity sit at the core of what I believe in and what I expect of the people around me. I will stand up for and say what I believe is right, and I will happily debate these matters with people that may disagree with me.
In May 2018, the Sydney Kings initiated and innovated as an NBL club to celebrate NSW’s strong Indigenous culture for the upcoming 2018-19 season. Included in this was a jersey designed by a young indigenous man whose design reflected the landscape of the Sydney basin and the powerful attributes of basketball players generally.
At the same time the Illawarra Hawks, our brother club in NSW, had also embarked upon this same path and following their own successful recognition game against the Sydney Kings, we staged our first Indigenous recognition game against the Cairns Taipans who also embraced the concept.
The NBL Indigenous Round was a consequence of this innovation and we embraced this broader platform being created on the understanding it would build to grow meaningful initiatives and recognition. I can tell you with certainty that the Sydney Kings are committed to making a difference for Indigenous Australians.
I hold close to me my views on the importance of allowing Indigenous culture to remain clear, unique and authentic, and on Saturday I made a Twitter comment that was not defamatory, negative about Indigenous people or culture, or the Indigenous Round, that the Kings and Hawks had inspired. I am saddened by anyone that misinterpreted the meaning of my original comment - it was never my intention to offend.
Myself and my family have been subject to a barrage of abuse simply because I expressed a view, a view based on my own experience and respect for Indigenous culture.
I was accused of offending the artist, Dr Richard Walley, OAM. On Sunday Dr Walley and I agreed to speak and discuss the matter and I will respect Dr Walley’s request for the conversation to remain private, but I can say that we shared our views and we respected one another’s perspective and he stated to me he was not offended.
Today I have been found guilty by the NBL for bringing the game into disrepute, following a complaint lodged by the Perth Wildcats. I had no opportunity to present my case other than a letter that had to be sent to the NBL in 24 hours, and I had no access to the evidence that the NBL used to determine its findings.
Setting aside the process, if stating an opinion is bringing the game into disrepute then I am clearly guilty, and will not be appealing the finding.
I believe basketball in Australia has boundless potential through its global appeal and inclusiveness. A big part of realising this opportunity is for the sport to allow for robust public debate that generates discussion, and consequently broadens our profile. I have passionately engaged with as many people as possible across social channels, at events and games, with corporate and government leaders, all with the intention to grow interest in our team here in Sydney, and more broadly basketball. This matter won’t stop me from continuing this approach.
I hope that by accepting the NBL’s finding, public discussion on this matter will conclude. I want our members and all Sydney sports fans to focus on our team who are pursuing an NBL first, holding down top spot on the ladder for an entire season, and ultimately striving for a successful post-season.
Our team have played with passion, commitment and unity all season and I am immensely proud of them. Our coaches, players, Kings staff and I all look forward to everyone associated with our Club embracing the most important part of our season.
I will make no further comment on this matter.”
Originally published as Suspended Sydney Kings owner Paul Smith defends Wildcats Indigenous singlet criticism