Stephen A. Smith Offers Lengthy Rant On NBA "Owner" Term: Watch

BYAlexander Cole6.3K Views
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Stephen A. Smith

Smith feels as though eliminating the word "owner" is a step too far.

Over the past few months, there has been a debate surrounding the term "owner" and whether or not it's appropriate to use in the NBA. The argument is that the term "owner" has a bit of a racist connotation since it suggests the owners actually "own" the players on the team. This has created some friction between those who share opposing views. In today's climate, racial connotations can be a quite a sensitive spot and people feel extremely passionate about these topics.

During Tuesday's episode of ESPN's First Take, Stephen A. Smith let his thoughts be heard on the subject. Smith had already issued a hilarious rant on the topic last month but yesterday, he was much more diplomatic about it all. While speaking to Will Cain, Smith explained how he feels the term "owner" should remain and that it doesn't necessarily mean the owners "own" the humans on the team. Instead, Smith believes "owner" just means you have complete control over the operations of the team and even likened it to owning a home.

https://twitter.com/_/status/1166380728743059461

Smith's perspective is definitely an interesting one as most people seem to be all for the elimination of "owner." Adam Silver has come out in the past to say the owners are referred to as "governors" during meetings and that the league is sensitive to the racial implications involved.

Where do you fall on this issue? Let us know in the comments below.


About The Author
Alexander Cole is the current Managing Editor of HotNewHipHop. He started at HotNewHipHop back in 2018 where he began as a Sports and Sneakers writer. During this time, he has shown an expertise in Air Jordans, Yeezys, and all things that have to do with Nike. His favorite kicks are the Air Jordan 1 High OG, the Air Jordan 4, the Air Jordan 6, and the Adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2 in the "Beluga 2.0" colorway. Although his collection might not be the biggest, he is always looking to add new styles to it. When it comes to sports, Alex has a particular interest in the NBA and the NFL. His favorite teams are anywhere LeBron goes, and the Kansas City Chiefs. As a Montrealer, the Montreal Canadiens hold a special place in his heart, even if they haven't won the Stanley Cup in his lifetime. Alex also works for the Concordia Stingers, where he provides play-by-play and color commentary for the football, hockey, and basketball teams His favorite hip-hop artists are Kendrick Lamar, Playboi Carti, Travis Scott, and Lil Uzi Vert.