The Adelaide 36ers have lodged a formal complaint with the NBL over body-shaming comments allegedly made by Sydney Kings co-owner and assistant coach Andrew Bogut.
In another twist to the bitter ongoing championship series, the Sixers on Monday accused former NBA player Bogut of making “persistent and repeated personal attacks” towards 36ers owner Grant Kelley.
Reports emerged over the weekend that Bogut and Kelley had a heated exchange after Adelaide’s defeat of the Kings in game two of the championship series. Kelley claimed Bogut made comments about his weight in the tunnel, which Bogut later disputed.
“Let’s just say I’m the size of Akebono the sumo wrestler, that’s my journey, that’s my issue,” Kelley told Code Sports on Sunday.
“Andrew is a three-time Olympian, this is probably a power trip for him because he thinks he’s better than other people because he’s a tall slim guy and an Olympic athlete. We’re not all born that way.”
After the Kings’ win in game three Bogut posted on Instagram saying: “Nice to get back to the locker room unencumbered tonight, in what one can only assume was a rush to major sponsor Hungry Jack’s drive-thru outlet.”
In the wash-up from Friday’s game, Bogut shared an image on X of Family Guy protagonist Peter Griffin holding basketballs.
On Monday morning, the day after Sydney took a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five championship series, the Sixers released a statement addressing the conduct of “a Sydney Kings co-owner and assistant coach”.
Bogut is the only member of the Kings ownership group to also sit on Brian Goorjian’s coaching staff.
“The Adelaide 36ers are aware of persistent and repeated personal attacks by a Sydney Kings co-owner and assistant coach directed towards our owner Grant Kelley,” the statement said.
“The 36ers understand that body shaming is not a joke, but rather a very real source of anxiety and emotional distress for people of all genders and ages. We also stand against cyber-bullying in all its forms.
“Accordingly, we have today given notice to the NBL of our concerns and will address the matter further with them and other regulatory authorities during the NBL off-season.”
Sydney Kings did not address the allegations of body-shaming directly but chief executive Mark Thompson said the club did “not support any commentary from either team that goes beyond the court”.
“Emotions run high during championships, which we have seen from both sides over the past three games,” he said in a statement.
“This series is shaping up to be one of the greats, and our focus is on supporting our players, coaches, support staff, and fans, and what happens on the court is our number one priority.”
The Sixers’ hopes of a first title since 2002 hinge on a game-four win in Adelaide on Wednesday night.
• In Australia, support is available at Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, Lifeline on 13 11 14, MensLine on 1300 789 978 and at the Butterfly Foundation on 1800 33 4673
