NBA reporter and prognosticator Adrian Wojnarowski is getting some support from the bench. A number of players from across the league are rallying on social media, protesting ESPN’s suspension of the network’s on-air talent. #FreeWoj began trending late Saturday night.
The issue began Friday, when Wojnarowski received a press release from Missouri’s Senator Josh Hawley’s office, the subject line of which read “Senator Hawley Blasts NBA for Kowtowing to Beijing & Refusing to Support U.S. Military and Law Enforcement.” It detailed Hawley’s letter to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver that, in part, framed the league’s plans to honor the Black Lives Matter movement as unpatriotic.
Wojnarowski responded “fuck you.”
Hawley was swift to share this brief correspondence on social media.
Wojnarowski, who sent the response from his work email account, quickly apologized, with ESPN adding an additional remark distancing themselves. Soon thereafter the reporter was suspended.
Fans of Wojnarowski’s “Wojbombs” (a nickname for the commentator’s basketball news scoops) were swift to dunk on ESPN, but the heartstrings really got pulled when the players themselves got involved.
Lou Williams of the Los Angeles Clippers, Anthony Tolliver of the Memphis Grizzlies, Jamal Murray of the Denver Nuggets, and Spencer Dinwiddie of the Brooklyn Nets all tweeted #FreeWoj.
NBA all-star and fellow commentator Isiah Thomas signed-off on Williams’s tweet with a “100” emoji.
Enes Kanter of the Boston Celtics got a little creative.
Myles Turner of the Indiana Pacers added a little humor, too.
Wojnarowski himself has been silent since Friday, but it’s clear many eagerly await his return.
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