"Corrupt Nike operates like a mafia": Enes Freedom accuses sports brand of being key reason behind Jaylen Brown Olympics snub
Human rights activist and former Boston Celtics center Enes Freedom accused Nike of being the key reason behind Jaylen Brown's snub from Team USA's 2024 Men's Olympic Basketball roster. A spot opened after Kawhi Leonard withdrew on Wednesday, citing a decision made by USA Basketball and the LA Clippers. Brown's Celtics teammate, Derrick White, was chosen to replace Leonard.
Freedom claimed on X/Twitter, that Nike "operates like a mafia" and that Brown's previous criticism of the sports brand led to his noninclusion.
"Jaylen Brown was the @NBA Finals MVP. The reason Jaylen didn’t get selected for the U.S. National team is because of his criticism of @Nike. Corrupt #Nike operates like a mafia. If you go against their agenda, they will find a way to silence you. Also, everyone knows that Nike hates Muslims. It's time to hold NIKE accountable for their crime against humanity. #BoycottNike," Freedom tweeted.
Nike is Team USA's sponsor for the upcoming Olympics, and the reigning NBA Finals MVP has not had a good relationship with the brand—even blocking out the "swoosh" logo on his kicks during games. Their beef reportedly began when Brown called them out for terminating the contract of his former teammate, Kyrie Irving, after Irving shared an antisemitic film in 2022.
Jaylen Brown calls out Nike after Derrick White replaces Kawhi Leonard in Olympics roster
Brown seemingly raised concerns over Nike's influence on the Team USA selection when he posted two cryptic tweets on X/Twitter..
The first tweet was a series of speculating emojis, while the second tweet was a direct call out to Nike where he implied that they may have had something to do with the decision.
"@nike this what we doing ?" Brown tweeted.
However, Team USA's managing director, Grant Hill, ruled out Nike's role in the decision and explained that the choice was solely based on basketball-related factors.
"You have to build a team. And one of the hardest things is leaving people off the roster that I'm a fan of, that I look forward to watching throughout the season, throughout the playoffs," Hill told reporters on Wednesday.
"Guys who've been Finals MVP, guys who have been a part of the program, guys who've won gold medals, guys who I respect, admire and enjoy watching. But the responsibility that I have is to put together a team and a team that complements each other."