Kanter has been critical President Tayyip Erdogan.
Enes Kanter is a player who isn’t afraid to speak out on issues that mean a lot to him. Kanter is Turkish descent and has been extremely critical President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his regime. The Trail Blazers big man has stated that Erdogan is a dictator who tortures those who oppose him from a political point view. Because these criticisms, Kanter has been deemed a terroristic threat to the entire country which has made it impossible for him to return. Earlier in the year, Kanter was actually worried about going to Europe out fear assassination.
Now, it is being reported that S Sport, Turkey’s NBA broadcaster, is refusing to broadcast the Western Conference Finals between the Golden State Warriors and the Portland Trail Blazers. Commentator Omer Sarac spoke to Reuters about the decision and doubled down, saying the ban will continue if the Blazers move on.
“I can say clearly that we will not be broadcasting the Warriors vs. Blazers series,” Sarac said. “Furthermore, if Portland makes it to the finals, (that) will not be broadcast either. This situation is not about us, but it is what it is.”
Interestingly enough, the Turkish broadcaster will be showing the series between the Toronto Raptors and the Milwaukee Bucks.