But Shaw believes name-calling is not going to encourage anybody to have the discussions required to progress the matter. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re not going to get anywhere by taking sides and calling each other names about this,\u201d Shaw said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI get that response, that commentator\u2019s anger. I totally get it. But at the same time, name-calling is not going to encourage anybody to come and have a reasonable conversation about anything.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t believe that professional sports teams and leagues necessarily do a very good job of understanding why they\u2019re doing some of these social outreach, community engagement type things.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf the players are not convinced by it, then maybe the leagues need to look at themselves and say, well, we need to do a better job of understanding why we\u2019re doing this and explaining that to the athletes.\u201d<\/p>\n
The University of Otago’s Sally Shaw is undertaking the country\u2019s first academic study into homophobia in sport. Photo \/ Supplied<\/p>\n
Shaw said education is key as it helps people understand all kinds of diversity within sport.<\/p>\n
Pride and sport have drawn plenty of headlines over the past decade, from Israel Folau\u2019s comments, which led to him being sacked by Rugby Australia, to football captains not wearing rainbow armbands and the Manly Sea Eagles\u2019 pride jersey debacle.<\/p>\n
The Herald has asked the NBL what education is provided to players to give them a better understanding of sensitive topics.<\/p>\n
2degrees, which is a major sponsor of the Breakers, didn\u2019t want to comment on the club\u2019s decision.<\/p>\n
\u201c2degrees is a long-standing supporter of Aotearoa\u2019s Rainbow communities and is proud to hold the Rainbow Tick,\u201d a spokesperson said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe actively back a range of LGBTQIA+ initiatives and events throughout the year. As a company, our commitment remains unchanged \u2013 we\u2019ll continue to stand alongside and support our rainbow communities across Aotearoa.\u201d<\/p>\n
A BNZ spokesperson said the bank, which is another major sponsor, told the Herald it was a \u201cbig supporter of the NBL Pride Round and inclusion in sport for all people\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have spoken with the BNZ Breakers, and while we don\u2019t agree with the decision, they let us know the call on what the team will wear was made by the players themselves in line with the league\u2019s voluntary participation policy.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve confirmed that pride will be visibly recognised at the game and in the stadium, with activations supporting the rainbow community, and we look forward to celebrating the NBL Pride Round with the wider basketball community.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Herald has reached out to other major sponsors, including Burger King for comment, but is yet to hear back.<\/p>\n
The Pride Round this season will be held across the NBL and WNBL from January 21-February 1 to celebrate diversity and inclusion in basketball.<\/p>\n
The Herald also contacted the Adelaide 36ers, who have the league\u2019s only openly gay player, Isaac Humphries, on their roster and are scheduled to play the Breakers during the Pride Round. They didn\u2019t want to comment because they have a match on Wednesday night.<\/p>\n
The Breakers are back in action on Saturday when they face the Taipans in a bottom of the table clash.<\/p>\n