NBL TV ad branded racist

[rikhardur2]

Ten's basketball ad branded racist

* Basketball legends outraged by advert
* Taj McCullough jumps into couple's bed
* "It puts black Americans in a bad light"

A CONTROVERSIAL television commercial portraying a Sydney Kings basketball player hopping into bed with a married couple has been branded as racist and in appalling taste.

The offensive ad has outraged African American legends of the game and thrown the National Basketball League into turmoil on the eve of its first game.

In the closing scenes of the new ad, which sees a ball thrown around a suburban house, Kings import Taj McCullough is seen jumping into bed between the couple before nuzzling the woman beside him.

The ad has been on high rotation on Ten's One HD but outraged several black former NBL stars at the league's recent Hall of Fame dinner held in Melbourne.

For some, it immediately evoked memories of former Sydney Kings player Bryant Matthews, who was jailed for rape when he was found in similar circumstances as an unwanted third person in bed with a couple in Sydney in 2006.

"I couldn't believe it," Boomers and Brisbane Bullets legend Leroy Loggins said.

"Why would you show a black American jumping into bed with a man's wife to promote basketball? I don't even know how someone could think up a commercial like that. You would never see any other sport in the world, that takes themselves seriously, portraying a black athlete that way."

NBL legend Darryl McDonald said: "It puts black Americans in a bad light. That commercial has nothing to do with basketball. Nobody else would present their sport this way. It's supposed to be in fun but not everyone will think the same way."

NBL Hall of Famer Cal Bruton said he had contacted Basketball Australia and Ten about the offending ad.

"They are treading a minefield of racism," Bruton said.

He said he was told by BA chairwoman Diane Smith-Gander that the promotion would be "pulled", while Ten's head of sport David White told him via email his remarks were "pertinent and duly noted".

Yet the advertisement was still on air yesterday and Ten's head of sport marketing Sam Heard said there was no chance it would be axed.

"It is designed as a fun, light-hearted promo highlighting the fact the NBL is back in people's homes, on free-to-air air television," he said.

The NBL is desperate to rebuild its image after the collapse of several teams and the return of the Kings in the highly competitive Sydney sporting market.

"It was not meant to offend," BA's Larry Sengstock said.

http://www.news.com.au/entertainmen...d-branded-racist/story-e6frfmyi-1225925110322

Too much ado about nothing imo.

 

[Test2]

if you don't put a black man into commercial - it is racist...
if you put black man into commercial - it is racist too...

most of new movies and tv series features black people and they always are smartest guys in the room. if a black man in the movie is not some doctor or chess genius - it will be branded as racist too

 

[Lewis3]

this is just ridiculous
I wonder if those guys saying this is racist even finished elementary school

 

[Saskibaloia2]

if you don't put a black man into commercial - it is racist...
if you put black man into commercial - it is racist too...

most of new movies and tv series features black people and they always are smartest guys in the room. if a black man in the movie is not some doctor or chess genius - it will be branded as racist too

True to that!

 

[Delibasic2]

just like the rest of the bloody backward country. i've lived in australia for nearly 20 years now and there isn't a day that i haven't witnessed racism.

in oz if you're white, anglo background, christian and worship the dumbest sports of all like cricket and aussie rules footy, preferably get drunk every day on cheap VB, and blame every other ethnic group for your problems, then you have no dramas

at the moment aussie racists are after indian immigrants, in 50-60's it was greeks, italians and yugos commonly referred to by loving adjective wogs. in 70s it was chinese and viatnamese, in 80s it was arabs, now it's indians that cop it hard.

they're not even aware when they're being racist. 99% of population starts their arguments relating to racism with good old fashioned

"i'm not racist, but..."

 

[satria_muda2]

hey're not even aware when they're being racist. 99% of population starts their arguments relating to racism with good old fashioned

"i'm not racist, but..."

LOL!
but I dunnt think mostly aussies racist though, this's not something I should brag about,i ashamed even, but you know, if you ever visiting bali, you will see aussies girls, I mean alot aussies girls hanging out with local beach boys blatantly..

 

[sinobball2]

It's racist because there's no Asian in the commercial. Where's Darren "Doctor" Ng?

 

[Czarkazem132]

if you don't put a black man into commercial - it is racist...
if you put black man into commercial - it is racist too...

You can always count on white people for having the same jingoistic response.

most of new movies and tv series features black people and they always are smartest guys in the room. if a black man in the movie is not some doctor or chess genius - it will be branded as racist too

"Most"?! Really? Besides you talking out of your ass, I can't see anyone dumb enough to buy into your arguement.

True to that!

Never mind.

this is just ridiculous
I wonder if those guys saying this is racist even finished elementary school

Now since I don't think all white people are dumb (I'm not racist), I'm going to assume that most don't have such a knee-jerk reaction.

While I don't see the commerical as racist, there is of course the history of Western culture and black male sexuality. While the commercial most likey was not taking that into consideration and just making a joke, some may see the imagry of a white cuckhold with his wife and black "stud".

Again, personally I think it is much to do about nothing, but it's not like they (the people that see racism in this) - while maybe a little to sensitve - are pulling this our of their asses. However, I am by far no expert on Australian cutlure, so I can't answer from that aspect.

 

[Saskibaloia2]

just like the rest of the bloody backward country. i've lived in australia for nearly 20 years now and there isn't a day that i haven't witnessed racism.

in oz if you're white, anglo background, christian and worship the dumbest sports of all like cricket and aussie rules footy, preferably get drunk every day on cheap VB, and blame every other ethnic group for your problems, then you have no dramas

at the moment aussie racists are after indian immigrants, in 50-60's it was greeks, italians and yugos commonly referred to by loving adjective wogs. in 70s it was chinese and viatnamese, in 80s it was arabs, now it's indians that cop it hard.

they're not even aware when they're being racist. 99% of population starts their arguments relating to racism with good old fashioned

"i'm not racist, but..."

Mate, I'm an ethnic Aussie like yourself and I can agree that it takes a while for the Aussie community to accept people.

However, I've lived overseas in Europe (Spain) and Latin America (Uruguay) and Australia by far is tame compared to those countries in my opinion.

 

[Delibasic2]

Mate, I'm an ethnic Aussie like yourself and I can agree that it takes a while for the Aussie community to accept people.

However, I've lived overseas in Europe (Spain) and Latin America (Uruguay) and Australia by far is tame compared to those countries in my opinion.

Absolutely agree with you. However I believe that we should not compare ourselves with countries and cultures where multiculturism and racism are widespread and ripe. We, as a country, should strive for more positive examples (Sweden springs to mind).

Saying things like - most anglo Aussies are racists but that is nothing comparing to countries such as ... is just (in my humble view) wrong. This gives biggots and racists clear avenue of attack.

 

[Saskibaloia2]

The new video to promote the NBL

The new video to promote the NBL

Check out the new video to promote the NBL!

 

[donmar2]

just like the rest of the bloody backward country. i've lived in australia for nearly 20 years now and there isn't a day that i haven't witnessed racism.

in oz if you're white, anglo background, christian and worship the dumbest sports of all like cricket and aussie rules footy, preferably get drunk every day on cheap VB, and blame every other ethnic group for your problems, then you have no dramas

at the moment aussie racists are after indian immigrants, in 50-60's it was greeks, italians and yugos commonly referred to by loving adjective wogs. in 70s it was chinese and viatnamese, in 80s it was arabs, now it's indians that cop it hard.

they're not even aware when they're being racist. 99% of population starts their arguments relating to racism with good old fashioned

"i'm not racist, but..."

Exactly the same here across the Tasman... they would say its part of being a Kiwi and that its not racism because its part of the culture... and as you pointed out, they're not even aware that they're being racist..

I presume some of you guys are aware of the recent racist comments (through radio and TV/separate incidents) by two NZ broadcasters... some people here even gave out excuses that people outrage by those comments are being too "PC"..

Anyway, most NZers (at least those people I know) are NOT racists... I've been here for 8 years and I meet a lot of friendly Kiwis around.. and I will not hesitate to invite my overseas friends to visit New Zealand... its a wonderful country....

 

[Saskibaloia2]

New Zealand... its a wonderful country....

It's Australia but a little smaller lol

 

[donmar2]

It's Australia but a little smaller lol

Exactly!.. if Australia is too big for you... come to New Zealand.. of course, its much better if you visit both...

 

[Saskibaloia2]

Exactly!.. if Australia is too big for you... come to New Zealand.. of course, its much better if you visit both...

If Uruguay's "Los Teros" makes it to the Rugby World Cup, I'll be heading over there with a mate of mine who's also a huge fan of "Los Teros".

I'M PUMPED! lol

 

[donmar2]

If Uruguay's "Los Teros" makes it to the Rugby World Cup, I'll be heading over there with a mate of mine who's also a huge fan of "Los Teros".

I'M PUMPED! lol

hehehe I think they will... I'm not sure if this one is right... North and South Americas have one qualifier for both right?.. if thats the case... Argentina as a semi-finalists is already qualified.. so the US and Canada are the only ones left to challenge...

Anyway, Commonwealth Games... NZ vs. Australia in the finals of Netball and Rugby Sevens... I think the game to watch is netball.. aside from the hotties playing.. its kinda hard to pick who will win it.. unlike the Rugby Sevens where the Kiwis are always the favourites ...

 

[pangleaa2]

if you don't put a black man into commercial - it is racist...
if you put black man into commercial - it is racist too...

most of new movies and tv series features black people and they always are smartest guys in the room. if a black man in the movie is not some doctor or chess genius - it will be branded as racist too

most of new movies and tv series features black people and they always are smartest guys in the room. if a black man in the movie is not some doctor or chess genius - it will be branded as racist too