At last week's Adidas Uprising Summer Championships tournament, LaVar Ball got into it with another official during Big Baller Brand's matchup against team Play Hard Play Smart.
The official, a female, gave LaVar a technical during the first half but when he continued to complain about her officiating and threatened to pull his team off the court, she was the one removed from the game and replaced with another ref.
After the game, LaVar told ESPN,
"She got a vendetta because she's a woman who's trying to act -- I get that she's trying to break into the refereeing thing," Ball told ESPN after the game. "But just giving techs and calling fouls, that's no way to do it.
"I know what she trying to say: 'Oh I gave him a tech. I'm strong.' That ain't got nothing to do with it. Just call the game. If you're going to be qualified, you better be in shape and you better know the game. And she's bad on both of them. She's not in shape, she's not calling the game right. And she don't understand.
"Don't try to step in the lane. She needs to stay in her lane because she ain't ready for this. [Ref] the little kids first and then come up. Because she ain't did enough. She ain't got enough on her résumé, I could tell."
As a result, Court Club Elite, the organization that provides the officials for the Adidas Uprising tournament has decided to cut ties with the brand.
Per CBS Sports,
"The events that led to the removal of a female official on Friday are something that shall not and will not be accepted within the officiating community," read a statement from Court Club Elite that was provided to ESPN.
"Adidas and their leadership acted in a manner that does not parallel our views on integrity or professionalism, and neither should be compromised as they were in this situation. It was clear that the actions of the official in enforcing and addressing unsporting behavior were defendable and fitting of the behavior displayed; however, the agenda and lack of courage to do the right thing by Adidas leadership sent a clear message that the game and those chosen to protect the integrity were not of priority."
Check out the statement from the National Basketball Referees Association below.
