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The
The correspondence comes after the senators questioned the league's relationship with the Rwandan government, led by President Paul Kagame. Tatum pointed to the recent removal of the Armée Patriotique Rwandaise (APR) basketball team from the
Addressing Sanctions and League Policy
In his letter, Tatum confirmed that the APR would remain ineligible to participate in the BAL for as long as the current
Instead, the deputy commissioner stated that the league’s mission is to connect people through the sport of basketball across more than 200 countries and territories. He noted that while the NBA’s global business model is not uniform, the league condemns human rights violations wherever they occur. Tatum concluded by affirming that the organization will continue to monitor and adjust to changing circumstances as required by U.S. policy.
Context of the Partnership
The scrutiny from Sens. Merkley and Blackburn follows recent U.S. government announcements regarding new sanctions on Rwanda, citing the nation's alleged support for the M23 rebel group in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Human rights organizations and various governments have previously raised concerns regarding the Rwandan administration, including allegations of the imprisonment and mistreatment of political opponents.
The NBA’s expansion into Africa has been heavily centered on the 10,000-seat arena in Kigali, which has served as a primary venue for the BAL. This is not the first time the league’s involvement in the country has faced public pressure; the senators had previously written to Commissioner Adam Silver two years ago regarding the partnership. Other major international sports entities, including Arsenal and Bayern Munich, have previously faced calls to terminate sponsorship deals with Rwanda, with both clubs confirming the end of their respective partnerships last year.