E-40 ejected from Warriors-Kings Game 1, alleges racial bias originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
Bay Area rapper and noted Warriors fan E-40 was ejected from Saturday night's NBA playoff game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento and, in a statement the next morning, alleged racial bias as the reason behind his removal.
Video of E-40's ejection posted by a fan shows him talking to security and then being escorted out of the arena. He then talks to fans in the crowd by the Warriors' bench while on his way out of the building.
The Vallejo native shared his point of view on what happened in a statement to The Athletic's Shams Charania on Sunday, and called for the Kings to investigate the incident.
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"On Saturday night, I was subjected to disrespectful heckling over the course of the Warriors-Kings game in Sacramento," E-40 said in the statement. "During the fourth quarter, I finally turned around and addressed one heckler in an assertive but polite manner. Yet, shortly thereafter, Kings' security team approached me, assumed that I instigated the encounter and proceeded to kick me out of the arena.
"Unfortunately, it was yet another reminder that -- despite my success and accolades as a musician and entrepreneur -- racial bias remains prevalent. Security saw a disagreement between a Black man and a white woman and immediately assumed that I was at fault.
"I've attended countless NBA games throughout my lifetime and have always prided myself in professionalism, so this experience has been jarring. I was absolutely humiliated by the Kings' security team and I'm calling on the franchise to investigate the appalling conduct that transpired.
"I'm truly grateful for my fans and supporters who have reached out to express their concern and disappointment regarding these disheartening circumstances and I hope those involved are held accountable for their behavior."
The Kings later issued a statement to Charania, which reads:
"The Sacramento Kings take these claims seriously and are investigating the facts and circumstances regarding the situation, as we do anytime an accusation like this is made."
Andscape’s Marc J. Spears cited sources in reporting that arena security believed E-40 stood excessively, blocking the view of fans behind him and refused to comply with a warning after many complaints. A source close to E-40, however, told Spears that security never gave the rapper a warning for standing excessively.
Game 2 of the first-round series is scheduled for Monday night in Sacramento.
