Rapper E-40 Said He Was Kicked Out the NBA Playoffs Game Due To "Racial Bias"

E-40 speaking to security before being ejected at the NBA playoffs game. Photo/Getty

The rapper E-40, legally known as Earl Stevens, was removed from last week's NBA playoffs game between the Sacramento Kings and the Golden State Warriors in Sacramento. According to the rapper, the King's security wrongfully escorted him out the game after he responded to a white female who was heckling him during the game as he sat in his courtside seat. It is unclear what the heckler said to him during the game.

However, the entertainer is a regular courtside seat holder and released the following statement: "On Saturday night, I was subjected to disrespectful heckling over the course of the Warriors-King game in Sacramento. During the fourth quarter, I finally turned around and addressed one heckler in an assertive but polite manner. Yet, shortly thereafter, Kings' security approached me, assumed that I instigated the encounter, and proceeded to kick me out of the arena." He continued to say, "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 my 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."

The Bay Area rapper reportedly has a great relationship with the Warriors franchise and joined the team during their White House visit in 2022 to celebrate their championship win. Former NBA star and sports analyst Jalen Rose Tweeted, "My brother @ E-40 should be receiving an apology." Rose furthered to say, "I've known him for over 30 years, and he don't even move like that, he moves with integrity."

ESPN contended that part of E-40's frustration with the situation was that he attended the game with a friend who was white, and his friend was not kicked out of the game with him. Yet, according to an update from ESPN, E-40, and the Sacramento Kings reconciled the matter and issued the following joint statement "After a series of thoughtful and transparent conversations, both parties agree that there was a miscommunication regarding the circumstances that occurred during the Kings vs. Warriors game on Saturday night."

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