Major sponsor Tamboran confirms company not involved in alleged Darwin Salties racism scandal

The Darwin Salties’ biggest sponsor has confirmed they were not involved in a racism scandal that left one of Australia’s greatest Indigenous basketballers shattered.

Darwin Salties player Nate Jawai. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson

Updated, August 2: A major sponsor of the Darwin Salties has confirmed they were not involved in the racism scandal involving a sponsor and a player.

It is alleged Salties star and former Boomer Nate Jawai was the victim of a racist incident while at a sponsor event.

As a result the individual was asked not to attend the semi-final.

Representatives of the sponsor did attend, though the club was made aware of further alleged poor behaviour from their sponsor’s box.

The sponsor in question has yet to be named, however major sponsor Tamboran has since come out stating the incident did not involve their company.

In a statement, the natural gas company, that became a sponsor ahead of the 2024 NBL1 season, said they were “100 per cent” in support of the club.

“We are aware of the incident that has been referenced in the media and can confirm it in no way involves our business, or any of our staff, contractors or guests at the semi-final,” the statement read.

“We have been briefed by the Salties on the incident and 100 per cent support the club’s response.

“As major sponsor of the Salties we congratulate all the amazing players, staff and fans for an incredible 2024 season and look forward to deepening our partnership next season and beyond.”

Basketball racism scandal involving star Boomer erupts

Initial: An alleged racial attack against former Australian Boomer and NBA player Nate Jawai is currently under investigation following the Darwin Salties knockout game.

Jawai, who plays for the Salties in the NBL1 North, was the victim was an alleged racial incident during a sponsor event.

The alleged incident was reported to the Basketball Australia integrity commission, with the individual, affiliated with one of the club’s sponsors, asked not to attend the historic semi-final match in Darwin at the weekend.

The sponsor allegedly subsequently emailed unknown people naming Jawai as the player and threatened to cease sponsorship of the club.

Representatives from the sponsor attended the semi-final on July 27, without the individual, but after the match the club was made aware of allegedly unacceptable behaviour from the sponsor’s box.

Jawai is one of the most decorated Indigenous basketballers known for his size (209cm) and power game.

Cairns' Nate Jawai shoots the ball in the National Basketball League (NBL) match between the Cairns Taipans and the Adelaide 36ers, held at the Cairns Convention Centre. Picture: Brendan Radke

He started his professional career with the Cairns Marlins where he earned his spot in the Taipans roster for the 2007-08 NBL season.

His career includes stints at NBA sides Toronto Raptors and Minnesota Timberwolves and also at the Perth Wildcats.

The power forward and centre won the NBL Rookie of the Year in 2008 and won an NBL championship with Perth in 2016.

He also represented the Australian Boomers at the 2009 FIBA Oceania Championship and the 2014 World Cup.

After his victory with the Wildcats he returned home to the Taipans only parting ways in 2022 before joining the Darwin Salties for their inaugural season.

“The Darwin Salties club does not accept racism in any form and in respect to the alleged incident will their player and their family,” a Darwin Salties statement read.

“Player wellbeing and the cultural values, integrity and diversity of our program remains at the forefront of everything we do, on and off the court.

“Going forward the club, consistent with its aim to continually improve the way it does things, will be working on improving its onboarding processes with sponsors.”

The Australian Basketball Players’ Association chief executive Jacob Holmes said, in a statement, that the association stood with Jawai.

“Nate’s wellbeing is our primary focus, and we ask that all parties concerned show respected to him and his family,” Holmes said.

“The Player’s Association are committed to ensuring basketball and events associated with basketball in Australia are safe, inclusive and welcoming for players at all levels.

“There is no place for racism in Australian basketball.”

Originally published as Major sponsor Tamboran confirms company not involved in alleged Darwin Salties racism scandal