#NBA fires photographer for offensive Kamala Harris meme

The NBA terminated a photographer covering games as an independent contractor after he published an offensive meme of Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris to his Facebook account, according to various reports. The post drew widespread attention when it was shared and condemned by Basketball Hall of Famer Sheryl Swoopes.

Houston-based photographer Bill Baptist was let go from the NBA’s COVID-19 protective bubble at Disney World. He has covered the Houston Rockets for decades.

Baptist changed the official logo of presidential nominee Joe Biden’s campaign from “Joe 2020” and used a derogatory term for women instead of the year.

“So this guy works for the NBA but covers the Houston Rockets,” Swoopes, the WNBA of the Houston Comets, wrote. “Has been around for awhile. Even worked for the Comets. It’s amazing how people will smile in your face but eventually their true colors will show. @NBA and Houston Rockets he needs to GO!!! So disrespectful. Bill Baptiste (sic) shame on You!!!”

Baptist apologized in a statement released to KPRC-TV in Houston:

“I deeply regret posting on my Facebook page a phrase that I saw and copied from others as a sample of some people’s reactions to Biden’s selection of Senator Harris as his choice for VP,” he wrote.

“The phrase I posted does not reflect my personal views at all. I should not have been so insensitive to post the statements by others. I sincerely apologize to all of those who have rightfully been offended and I have taken the post down from my FB page. It was a horrible mistake on my part.”