Adelaide 36ers engage sports lawyer after ugly incident with United; NBL hearing adjourned

The Adelaide 36ers have engaged a leading sports lawyer who specialises in dealing with “offensive language” to fight their case for players Kendric Davis and Montrezl Harrell, who face suspensions for an ugly altercation with fans in their recent NBL clash against Melbourne United.

As the league continues to investigate members of the public after the 36ers claimed racial abuse was directed at a player at John Cain Arena on November 17, it emerged on Friday that the 36ers had called upon experienced Sydney-based counsel James McLeod to represent Davis and Harrell.

Fate day: Adelaide 36ers pair Montrezl Harrell and Kendric Davis have appeared before the single member NBL tribunal as a result of this melee.Credit: Getty Images

The two players had expected to learn their fate in a single-member tribunal hearing over Zoom on Friday, but this was adjourned until Monday at the behest of the 36ers, with a high-level league source, who did not wish to be named because of confidentially reasons, saying the club was determined to have the best legal representation available. The 36ers have tabled a submission to the NBL.

“Over the past week the Adelaide 36ers have focused on supporting Kendric Davis and Montrezl Harrell, both practically and emotionally, in relation to the charges against them at Monday’s tribunal hearing,” the 36ers said in a statement.

“The club has retained highly experienced counsel James McLeod to represent both players. James has extensive experience in sports law, including in relation to racially based, derogatory or offensive language issues.”

McLeod was contacted for comment. He has previously represented players from the Sydney Roosters and New Zealand Warriors at the NRL judiciary, and athletes, sporting organisations and clubs before the Court of Arbitration for Sport, Football Federation Australia and the Racing Appeals Tribunal.

Harrell was charged by the NBL with two incidents of striking, engaging in a melee and inappropriate grabbing or handling of a spectator, while Davis was charged with inappropriate grabbing or handling of a spectator.

This masthead has confirmed that an allegation of racist language aimed at Davis formed part of Adelaide’s submission to the NBL’s integrity unit.

In a statement issued on Friday night, Melbourne United said they were “aware of speculation regarding racially based, derogatory or offensive language allegedly used by spectators during last week’s game against the Adelaide 36ers.”

“Throughout our own investigation and collaboration with the NBL investigation, the club has not been made aware that any such comments have been able to be substantiated or corroborated,” the statement continued.

“The club will continue to assist [the] NBL’s tribunal process.

“United is committed to ensuring basketball is a safe and inclusive place for all, and does not condone or accept inappropriate fan behaviour at our games.”

Harrell took exception to what was said to him by fans, with the former NBA star stepping over the sponsorship padding on the sideline and into the fans’ zone space next to the 36ers bench. He faces a ban of up to 10 games if found guilty of his charges.

There have also been reports that there was homophobic language directed at Adelaide’s Isaac Humphries, who came out as gay in 2022 while playing for United. However, a league source with knowledge of the incident, who wished to rename anonymous to speak freely, said Humphries had not directly heard any homophobic language.

Four fans, including one man wearing a grey hoodie, were evicted from the stadium after engaging in the off-court incident with 36ers players and staff. The man with the grey hoodie engaged in a physical altercation with Adelaide players, including star shooter Dejan Vasiljevic, and staff, and had to be held back.

United courtside seat holder Allen Ibrahim was reportedly seen high-fiving fans as he was also escorted out of the venue. Ibrahim was contacted for comment on Friday.

United officials, venue management and former NBL star Brad Newley helped to ease tensions before the four fans were ejected. Newley, who now works for United in their front office, was contacted for comment.

Last Sunday’s drama unfolded following a push and shove between Harrell and Melbourne’s Rob Loe after a foul call.

After Harrell pushed Loe, United’s Shea Ili joined the fray, shoving and verbally sparring with Harrell, prompting a melee between both teams.

Players returned to the benches for a video review of the scuffle, but tensions flared again minutes later when fans sitting courtside spoke with Harrell and other Adelaide players, including Davis. The tribunal will need to determine whether Davis put his hands on the fan first, sparking the ugly fallout.

Referees, security personnel and Melbourne United staff quickly intervened and separated the players from the fans. Ili and Harrell, a former NBA sixth man of the year, were ejected from the game.

The NBL said on Friday its integrity department’s investigation of fan behaviour from the game remained ongoing.

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