NBA Announcer Placed on Leave for Saying 'All Lives Matter'

Sacramento Kings broadcaster Grant Napear was put on administrative leave after tweeting "All Lives Matter" in response to a question from NBA star Demarcus Cousins asking his view on the Black Lives Matter movement.

"Hey!!!! How are you? Thought you forgot about me, Haven't heard from you in years," the play-by-play radio host replied to Cousins, who played for the Kings for years. "ALL LIVES MATTER...EVERY SINGLE ONE!!!"

The controversial phrase is seen as belittling claims of racial injustice, something that has come to the forefront following the killing of George Floyd, but Napear said in an apology later published by The Sacramento Bee that he was not aware of this.

"I’m not as educated on BLM as I thought I was," he said. "I had no idea that when I said ‘All Lives Matter’ that it was counter to what BLM is trying to get across."

Fellow Kings broadcaster Jason Ross announced on Monday that Napear had been placed on administrative leave following his tweet.

"Grant Napear has been placed on administrative leave while we are investigating the statement that was made on Twitter," Ross said.

The Kings also addressed the topic, stating that Napear's comments were not in line with the organization's views and values, adding that it would be "reviewing the matter further" with its broadcast partners.

Napear further apologized on Twitter for coming across as "dumb," but it did not stop Cousins, along with former Kings players Chris Webber and Matt Barnes, from ridiculing him.

"Lol as expected," Cousins replied.

"Would expect nothing less from a closet racists," Barnes chimed in.

Webber also weighed in on the matter.

"Demarcus we know and have known who grant is. The team knows as well. I’ve told them many times. They’ve seen it. They know who he is," he tweeted.

• Celebrities Who Have Joined Protests Against George Floyd's Death
• UnitedHealth Donating $10M to Honor George Floyd’s Memory