Andrew Bogut makes explosive allegations after lockdown protests

Andrew Bogut has made a series of accusations as he posted an explosive clip raging against lockdowns being imposed on Australians.

Australian basketball legend Andrew Bogut has posted an extraordinary rant about coronavirus lockdowns as he made a series of accusations about how the pandemic is being handled and why more people aren’t speaking up.

The former NBA star has been vocal on social media for a long time now criticising some of the restrictions being enforced on Australian citizens — particularly in Victoria — as health professionals and politicians try to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Bogut uploaded a fiery video on Instagram this weekend where he said he was speaking on behalf of the “working class” who have been disadvantaged by lockdowns that have put people’s jobs in danger, as officials try to balance protecting public health and restarting the economy.

Bogut said even though he is in a comfortable position financially and far luckier than most, he will continue to speak up for those less fortunate even though he receives nothing in return.

He posted a second video on Sunday where he called on politicians at all levels to take 50 per cent pay cuts to prove they were making sacrifices just like their constituents, and he singled out the Prime Minister.

“If they had some skin in the game I think their message becomes more acceptable and comes with a lot more vigour,” Bogut said.

“ScoMo, take a damn pay cut because you definitely need to take one.”

Bogut’s comments come after thousands of people marched in defiance against lockdown rules on Saturday. Police arrested 218 protesters in Melbourne as violent scuffles broke out, while 260 fines were issued in Sydney.

Bogut is furious at some people’s work being deemed “essential” while others’ jobs aren’t, and questioned why more Australian celebrities — including fellow athletes — aren’t blowing up about being kept in lockdown.

He said it’s “two per cent (of celebrities) at best that are speaking out against this government in Australia”, but that was purely anecdotal. Bogut also denied he was venting because of a political agenda.

“This isn’t a left vs right and you people that are on team politics, either side, left or right, you’re missing the point,” Bogut said. “You’re being divided, you’re being tallied up against each other, right.

“But you athletes and you influencers that have all these sponsors and marketers behind you pushing promos to the plebs that buy your s**t, where’s your voice? Why aren’t any of you speaking up?

“The very people that buy your f***ing deodorants and your moisturisers and your candles and your Nike shoes, whatever it is — the very people that buy that are the ones that are most affected by this s**t.

“Imagine being told you’re not essential to go to work and make money for your family.

“The people that are labourers and out in the public and in the workforce and out on the road all day, they’re deemed not essential? Nah, I’m not rolling.”

Andrew Bogut was never one to keep quiet and dribble.

Bogut said it was unfair someone like himself was allowed to work while commentating the Olympics for Channel 7, while others who need to make money for their family and earn a living didn’t have the same opportunity.

He continued his stunning spray, saying the “silence is deafening” from people in privileged positions, before making more allegations.

“When we have people that have a following, that have thousands upon hundreds of thousands upon some millions of people that follow their every word, that respect what they say for whatever reason … whether you’re an actor, an actress, a sports star, an influencer from getting a nice boob job and looking good, I don’t care. Whoever you are, why don’t we hear you speaking up?” Bogut said.

“The silence is deafening. Let me give you the reason why.

“Last year about three or four months into this pandemic, I got a message from somebody. I’m not going to name who it was or where it came from. I got offered money to put out a public service announcement, for you everyday plebs to stay home. It would have been something like this: ‘Hi I’m Andrew Bogut … it’s your duty to stay home. Do the right thing for the community’.

“‘You stay home, do the right thing for the community, we are all in this together’. I refuse to do that s**t.

“Put two and two together. Why do you think a lot of these people haven’t put these messages out? Why do you think people put contra messages out saying, ‘Do the right thing. Don’t do this, don’t do that. You’ve got to stay home. You’re not essential, I am’.

“They’re getting paid for that s**t for the most part.”

Protesters march through the streets during an anti-lockdown rally in Melbourne on Saturday.

Bogut did not mention specific examples, and did not raise the possibility that fellow celebrities aren’t speaking out against lockdown because they may not share his opinions.

The basketball icon then alleged athletes in Australian leagues “have been muzzled" from criticising state and federal governments’ approaches to dealing with the pandemic.

“Athletes on contract in our biggest leagues in Australia … they’ve been told you are not to make anti-lockdown, anti-government statements on social media, period, no matter how drastic they are, because it affects our league staying open and you getting a salary,” Bogut said.

“That’s why these people aren’t batting for you.”

Bogut did not provide details of any specific examples of this.

Bogut said because he is in a privileged position he doesn’t feel threatened by speaking out in the same way others would if their income and livelihood was on the line.

“I don’t need to rely on anyone for my money. I’ll be fine, I’ll be OK. So I’m enemy number one, because I’m not on anyone’s teat. They can’t shut me up,” Bogut said.

“For those of you out there scratching your head in these tough times thinking, ‘Where are all these people, these influencers, these sports stars that I’ve supported with my minimum wage or middle class wage, buying jerseys for my kids and tickets — where are these people? Why can’t they go in to bat for me?’ That’s your reason.

“This is a bit of a rant, I get it, but I want to let people know what really goes on behind the scenes. What really happens. Why certain people cannot speak up.

“It’s crazy. It’s something we need to keep chatting about out in the open.”

Originally published as Andrew Bogut makes explosive allegations after lockdown protests