Christian NBA star has contract terminated after speaking out against Pride Month

James Saunders
Tue, 31 Mar 2026 00:55:49 +0000

A Christian basketball star has had his contract terminated after speaking out against Pride Month.

Chicago Bulls guard Jaden Ivey was "waived" after he shared a lengthy video blasting the NBA for promoting Pride Month - saying it celebrates "unrighteousness".

"The world proclaims LGBTQ, right?" Ivey said on an Instagram live stream.

"They proclaim Pride Month and the NBA does, too. They show it to the world.

TRENDING

Stories

Videos

Your Say

"They say: 'Come join us for Pride Month to celebrate unrighteousness.' They proclaim it on the billboards. They proclaim it on the streets. Unrighteousness."

On Monday night, he was shown the exit door before the Bulls' game in San Antonio over "conduct detrimental to the team".

Coach Billy Donovan told reporters that his teammates hoped Ivey, 24, could be part of their long-term future when they bought him last month.

But because he did not reach an agreement over a contract extension with the Detroit Pistons last summer, he will be a free agent heading into the NBA off-season.

On February 19, he was left out of the side uninjured for the first time in his career.

Afterwards, he told reporters he "wasn't the same player as he used to be," referring to his religion.

"I'm not the JI I used to be. The old JI is dead," Ivey said. "I'm alive in Christ, no matter what the basketball setting is."

The 24-year-old had been outspoken about his Christian beliefs during his stint at the Detroit Pistons, but he is said to have grown more religious during his time in Chicago.

LATEST US SPORT:

Travis Kelce's close relation drops surprising bombshell ahead of NFL star's Taylor Swift wedding

NBA in talks for new European basketball League with discussions underway despite backlash

Tiger Woods and Vanessa Trump relationship update after arrest of golf legend

According to ESPN, this agitated some staff members - who described him as "preachy".

Responding to his waiving, Ivey said in another live stream: "They said your conduct has been detrimental to the team. I haven't been with the team.

"I haven’t even been with the team because I’ve been rehabbing... How's my conduct been detrimental to the team?

"Did I say: 'You suck' to the players? That would be detrimental to the team."

He went onto add that there was "nothing good in the world" besides following Jesus Christ.

"May Jesus bless y'all," he said. "My God is willing to save the dirtiest of sinners."

The Bulls acquired Ivey in a trade on February 3.

He went on to appear in just four games before being shut down due to left knee issues.