So…..our old Purdue buddy has certainly caused a culture war. In case you haven’t heard by now he was waived by the Bulls last night for behavior detrimental to the team. This was just after a social media live where he spoke against Pride Night, LGBTQ, called Catholics a fake religion, etc. So he is being hailed by many for being a Christian hero, standing up for his beliefs, and of course, the Bulls defamed for being woke and anti Christian. However, many people have been worried about Jaden for awhile. On a podcast last year he talked about dealing with depression, not feeling loved as a child, and being sexually abused. Last evening after being waived, he did an IG live on a plane ( not private ) where he ranted about Steph Curry, LeBron not being saved, etc. He allegedly was always preaching on the locker room and when reporters asked him about his injuries, he asked them if they were fornicators. He did another post today where he said his wife wasn’t taking his calls and his family thought he was crazy. His mom is long time Notre Dame women’s bball coach. It appears to me he is having mental health issues and is in desperate need of help. He’s going to be on a podcast tonight…
I saw he was waived and didn’t see much else beyond that. I saw some far right conservative facebook connections posted about this claiming anti-Christian bias, but there was no mention of mental health struggles…
I hope he gets the help he needs and that this doesn’t end badly for him.
@zeke4ahs what did he actually say? I see the headlines and overall story, but can't find the specifics of what he said.
How bad was it? Would it have been enough for a star player, not a bench player, to get waived, cut or suspended? I don't watch the NBA and had forgotten about him altogether. My guess is if Jokic, Wemby, SGA or Doncic said the same thing, the circumstances would be different.
@jdb Here is part of what he said. It all started with him calling out the NBA for promoting Pride Month.
EDIT TO ADD: To be honest, I think Victor Wembenyama, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic said anything similar, teams might issue a statement about it being handled internally and be done with it. Pro sports are still going to value a players' ability to win and put butts in the seats above all else.
Case in point, TreVeyon Henderson of the New England Patriots reposted the above quote and said something about Ivey being prosecuted for his Christianity and the Mike Vrable and the Patriots said they were going to 'educate' him.
https://twitter.com/CollinRugg/status/2038738011270316391
It's capitalism. Know your role Jaden and shut the fuck up.@zeke4ahs what did he actually say? I see the headlines and overall story, but can't find the specifics of what he said.
How bad was it? Would it have been enough for a star player, not a bench player, to get waived, cut or suspended? I don't watch the NBA and had forgotten about him altogether. My guess is if Jokic, Wemby, SGA or Doncic said the same thing, the circumstances would be different.
The NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is a massive, complex legal document, and while teams have broad power, they rarely waive a high-profile player without a specific contractual "hook."
In Jaden Ivey's case, the Bulls utilized a combination of the standard Uniform Player Contract (UPC) and specific CBA articles to justify the move as "Conduct Detrimental to the Team." Here is how his actions specifically triggered those violations:
1. The "Conduct Detrimental" Clause (Article 35)
The primary mechanism used was Article 35 of the NBA Constitution and the CBA, which covers "Misconduct."
-
Violation: This clause allows teams to discipline or waive players for behavior that harms the team’s reputation, its business interests, or its locker room cohesion.
-
The Case against Ivey: The Bulls argued that his "unrighteousness" comments regarding Pride Month directly attacked the league's business partnerships and inclusivity initiatives. Coach Billy Donovan’s statement emphasized that Ivey’s comments did not reflect the "values of the organization," which is the legal precursor for a conduct-based termination.
2. The Uniform Player Contract (Paragraph 9)
Every NBA player signs a standard UPC. Paragraph 9 specifically mandates that a player must:
"...conform to high standards of personal conduct and not do anything that is detrimental or prejudicial to the best interests of the Club or the Association."
-
The Violation: The Bulls cited the persistent nature of his livestreams. While a single religious statement is usually protected, the "rant" format—specifically one that continued on a team-related flight after being asked to stop by staff—was classified as a failure to "conform to professional standards."
3. The Social Media & Media Policy
The NBA has strict guidelines regarding how players represent the league on social media.
-
Violation: Ivey’s comments were flagged as "Public Criticism of the League." By specifically calling out the NBA’s billboards and promotional strategies as "celebrating unrighteousness," he moved from personal religious expression into a direct attack on his employer’s operations.
-
The Airplane Incident: CBA rules require players to follow team and travel safety protocols. Ivey's refusal to end his Instagram Live when asked by flight attendants (citing potential interference with plane systems) was used as evidence of a "willful failure" to follow professional instructions.
4. The "Ready and Able" Requirement
There is a technicality in the CBA regarding injured players.
-
The Twist: Under the CBA, a team generally cannot waive an injured player to avoid paying their salary (the "Injury Protection" clause).
-
The Counter-Argument: Because Ivey was on an expiring contract and had already been "shut down" for the season with a sore left knee, the Bulls argued that the "Conduct Detrimental" took precedence over the injury. By waiving him for behavior rather than performance, they sought to distance themselves from the PR fallout while legally clearing the roster spot.
5. Standard of Professionalism (Section 6.1)
The CBA requires players to "render services" in a professional manner.
-
Locker Room Impact: The Bulls reportedly documented that Ivey’s "preachy" tone—which included telling teammates and staff that their lifestyle or beliefs (specifically targeting Catholicism and secularism) were "false doctrines"—created a hostile work environment. Under labor law and the CBA, an employer has a right to intervene if one employee’s religious expression infringes upon the "respectful environment" of others.
Why this is a "Grey Area"
This is why the controversy is so intense: the CBA does not explicitly define what constitutes "unrighteousness" or "offensive" speech. Ivey’s legal camp (and his supporters) argue that his speech was a "sincere religious exercise," which is protected. The NBA/Bulls argue it was "harassment and disparagement" of other protected groups (the LGBTQ+ community), which is a fireable offense under the same agreement.
@jdb what he said in the one clip wasn’t that bad, but a lot of the other rants are. From what I read from a sports guy covering Bulls this was just the final straw. He called a couple weeks ago to tell them Jesus had healed him and he was ready to play. That’s when they sent him for an MRI and shut him down. I went to his Instagram page to see some of his stuff. But some is gone now
Sounds like they dumped him for being an in-your-face PITA.The NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is a massive, complex legal document, and while teams have broad power, they rarely waive a high-profile player without a specific contractual "hook."
In Jaden Ivey's case, the Bulls utilized a combination of the standard Uniform Player Contract (UPC) and specific CBA articles to justify the move as "Conduct Detrimental to the Team." Here is how his actions specifically triggered those violations:
1. The "Conduct Detrimental" Clause (Article 35)
The primary mechanism used was Article 35 of the NBA Constitution and the CBA, which covers "Misconduct."
Violation: This clause allows teams to discipline or waive players for behavior that harms the team’s reputation, its business interests, or its locker room cohesion.
The Case against Ivey: The Bulls argued that his "unrighteousness" comments regarding Pride Month directly attacked the league's business partnerships and inclusivity initiatives. Coach Billy Donovan’s statement emphasized that Ivey’s comments did not reflect the "values of the organization," which is the legal precursor for a conduct-based termination.
2. The Uniform Player Contract (Paragraph 9)
Every NBA player signs a standard UPC. Paragraph 9 specifically mandates that a player must:
"...conform to high standards of personal conduct and not do anything that is detrimental or prejudicial to the best interests of the Club or the Association."
The Violation: The Bulls cited the persistent nature of his livestreams. While a single religious statement is usually protected, the "rant" format—specifically one that continued on a team-related flight after being asked to stop by staff—was classified as a failure to "conform to professional standards."
3. The Social Media & Media Policy
The NBA has strict guidelines regarding how players represent the league on social media.
Violation: Ivey’s comments were flagged as "Public Criticism of the League." By specifically calling out the NBA’s billboards and promotional strategies as "celebrating unrighteousness," he moved from personal religious expression into a direct attack on his employer’s operations.
The Airplane Incident: CBA rules require players to follow team and travel safety protocols. Ivey's refusal to end his Instagram Live when asked by flight attendants (citing potential interference with plane systems) was used as evidence of a "willful failure" to follow professional instructions.
4. The "Ready and Able" Requirement
There is a technicality in the CBA regarding injured players.
The Twist: Under the CBA, a team generally cannot waive an injured player to avoid paying their salary (the "Injury Protection" clause).
The Counter-Argument: Because Ivey was on an expiring contract and had already been "shut down" for the season with a sore left knee, the Bulls argued that the "Conduct Detrimental" took precedence over the injury. By waiving him for behavior rather than performance, they sought to distance themselves from the PR fallout while legally clearing the roster spot.
5. Standard of Professionalism (Section 6.1)
The CBA requires players to "render services" in a professional manner.
Locker Room Impact: The Bulls reportedly documented that Ivey’s "preachy" tone—which included telling teammates and staff that their lifestyle or beliefs (specifically targeting Catholicism and secularism) were "false doctrines"—created a hostile work environment. Under labor law and the CBA, an employer has a right to intervene if one employee’s religious expression infringes upon the "respectful environment" of others.
Why this is a "Grey Area"
This is why the controversy is so intense: the CBA does not explicitly define what constitutes "unrighteousness" or "offensive" speech. Ivey’s legal camp (and his supporters) argue that his speech was a "sincere religious exercise," which is protected. The NBA/Bulls argue it was "harassment and disparagement" of other protected groups (the LGBTQ+ community), which is a fireable offense under the same agreement.
The Bulls were going to let him walk as a FA after the season so they have their excuse to do it now. There is like only 6 games left. Who cares. If he were averaging 20+ ppg then we would have seen the Ja morant path of a suspension with counseling and a fine.
Educate him? Now Treyvion Henderson is a bad person? LOL. People are allowed to have to beliefs whether others like them or not. There is nothing worse than the Democrat racist hate plan that one must say and think what they believe or they are Hitler Nazis and there will be smears and cancellations coming to ruin one's life. Progressives are worst cult organization in the world though Zionist and Israel first people in the US are giving them a big run for the money.
The Bulls were going to let him walk as a FA after the season so they have their excuse to do it now. There is like only 6 games left. Who cares. If he were averaging 20+ ppg then we would have seen the Ja morant path of a suspension with counseling and a fine.
Educate him? Now Treyvion Henderson is a bad person? LOL. People are allowed to have to beliefs whether others like them or not. There is nothing worse than the Democrat racist hate plan that one must say and think what they believe or they are Hitler Nazis and there will be smears and cancellations coming to ruin one's life. Progressives are worst cult organization in the world though Zionist and Israel first people in the US are giving them a big run for the money.
It's all collectively bargained, so that really doesn't matter at all. You want to be part of a union that either bargained for or agreed to terms? Then you need to follow those terms. It's as simple as that.
@sig That’s a nice little rant, but anyone who listens to 30 seconds of his airplane rant can see he needs help. But then again, you may need some help too. May I ask if you are a fornicator?
You would think the Bulls or the league offices or maybe both would try to get him some help instead of just cutting him.
Maybe they are in the background, but that seems like a weird way to go about it.
Hope is not optimism, which expects things to turn out well, but something rooted in the conviction that there is good worth working for. - Seamus Heaney, Irish poet and likely Hoosier basketball fan.
POTFB
@jdb what he said in the one clip wasn’t that bad, but a lot of the other rants are. From what I read from a sports guy covering Bulls this was just the final straw. He called a couple weeks ago to tell them Jesus had healed him and he was ready to play. That’s when they sent him for an MRI and shut him down. I went to his Instagram page to see some of his stuff. But some is gone now
Sounds more like it wasn't this specific commentary, but rather it was the culmination of all of his shit?
The Bulls will apparently pay him every penny of his salary, so "suspending" him when he was injured and wouldn't have played any way seems to amount to virtue signalling. Him not losing any pay may also makes it less likely that he can pursue any grievance through the player's association.
"You can't make someone listen to reason if they aren't willing to think"-- Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451
The Bulls were going to let him walk as a FA after the season so they have their excuse to do it now. There is like only 6 games left. Who cares. If he were averaging 20+ ppg then we would have seen the Ja morant path of a suspension with counseling and a fine.
Educate him? Now Treyvion Henderson is a bad person? LOL. People are allowed to have to beliefs whether others like them or not. There is nothing worse than the Democrat racist hate plan that one must say and think what they believe or they are Hitler Nazis and there will be smears and cancellations coming to ruin one's life. Progressives are worst cult organization in the world though Zionist and Israel first people in the US are giving them a big run for the money.
What a wonderful contribution you have made here with this cheerfully laid out piece of intellectual introspection. Of course, the Jews would have to be involved in your thoughtful analysis. I would wager that your comment "though Zionist and Israel first people in the US are giving them a big run for the money" is a bit of a banality for you in this day and age.
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