BNZ Breakers Spark Controversy by Refusing to Wear Pride Flag During NBL Pride Round

The BNZ Breakers have ignited a storm of controversy by deciding not to wear the rainbow pride flag during the upcoming NBL Pride Round. This decision marks a significant moment for the Auckland-based basketball team, making them the second club to opt out of this initiative since its introduction in 2023, following the Cairns Taipans' similar move.

The Breakers explained that some players had raised religious and cultural objections to wearing the pride insignia. To ensure no one player was singled out for their personal beliefs, the team collectively agreed that either everyone would wear the insignia, or none would.

The decision has drawn widespread criticism from many, including from Ian Roberts, the NRL’s first openly gay player, who described the Breakers’ choice as "cowardly." However, others, including University of Otago professor Sally Shaw, argue that name-calling and public shaming won't help move the conversation forward. Shaw, an advocate for LGBTQIA+ inclusion in sports, believes that meaningful progress can only occur through education and open dialogue.

Shaw, who is currently conducting New Zealand’s first academic study on homophobia in sports, stresses that the responsibility for fostering understanding lies with sporting organizations. "Without proper education and open discussions, nothing will change," Shaw stated. “We cannot continue doing the same thing year after year, patting ourselves on the back for one week of Pride celebration.”

According to Shaw, education is key to helping players better understand the importance of LGBTQIA+ inclusion, especially when their personal beliefs clash with the movement. She believes that sports organizations need to offer more than just a one-time event like Pride Round. Instead, they must integrate such conversations into the fabric of the season.

The Breakers' decision highlights a broader issue in professional sports: teams and leagues often fail to adequately explain the social causes they support. Shaw argues that players need to be convinced of the importance of initiatives like Pride Round before they can fully embrace them.

The situation has prompted a response from major sponsors like BNZ, who have expressed disappointment with the Breakers’ decision but acknowledged that the choice was made by the players in line with NBL's voluntary participation policy. Despite this, BNZ reiterated its strong support for the LGBTQIA+ community and stated that the team would still recognize Pride through other activities, such as in-game activations and stadium displays.

The NBL has yet to respond to questions about what educational resources are available to players to help them understand sensitive social issues.

The controversy surrounding the Breakers’ stance is far from unique. Similar incidents in global sports, such as football teams declining to wear rainbow armbands or controversies surrounding public figures like Israel Folau, highlight the ongoing challenges of LGBTQIA+ inclusion in sports. With Pride Round just around the corner, the Breakers’ decision continues to spark debate about how much work remains to be done in educating athletes about diversity and inclusion.