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Last Updated:March 31, 2026, 17:53 IST
The Bulls waived Jaden Ivey after anti-LGBTQ and religious remarks sparked backlash.
Chicago Bulls' Jaden Ivey (AP)
For the umpteenth time, hear me out when I say this: sport doesn’t exist in a vacuum.
And Jaden Ivey just learned that the hard way.
The Chicago Bulls waived the 24-year-old guard on Monday, citing “conduct detrimental to the team," after a series of controversial comments targeting the NBA’s support for the LGBTQ community and organised religion.
Comments That Crossed the Line
The fallout began with an Instagram Live session where Ivey criticised the NBA’s celebration of Pride Month.
Jaden Ivey calls out the NBA for celebrating Pride Month“The world proclaims LGBTQ, right? They proclaim Pride Month—and the NBA does too. They show it to the world. They say, ‘Come join us for Pride Month, to celebrate unrighteousness.’"
(@esidery)
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 30, 2026
“They proclaim Pride Month in the NBA… they say, ‘Come join us for Pride Month,’ to celebrate unrighteousness," he said. “They proclaim it on the billboards… in the streets — unrighteousness. So how is it that one can’t speak righteousness?"
If being socially ignorant wasn’t enough, Ivey then also sparked religious outrage by taking aim at Catholicism, writing: “Catholicism is a false religion… (it) does not lead to salvation in Jesus Christ."
Of course, those remarks quickly drew backlash, placing the Bulls in a real pickle.
Bulls Respond Swiftly
But Chicago acted fast.
Head coach Billy Donovan made it clear the franchise wasn’t aligned with Ivey’s views.
Billy Donovan explains the Bulls cutting Jaden Ivey after the guard posted a homophobic video today.“Organizationally, there’s certain standards I think we want to have as an organization and live up to those each and every day." pic.twitter.com/uodtclRUe2
— Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) March 30, 2026
“Everybody comes from different walks of life, but we’ve got to all be professional," Donovan said. “There’s got to be a high level of respect for one another… and accountability to those standards."
The decision to waive Ivey came just two months after he arrived via trade from the Detroit Pistons.
Talent Meets Turbulence
Drafted fifth overall in 2022, Ivey was once seen as a rising star. But injuries have stalled his progress. He featured in just 37 games this season, only four for Chicago, averaging 8.5 points.
Off the court, things have been equally turbulent. Ivey has spoken openly about battling depression and recently began posting extended religious content online.
Jaden Ivey on IG Live: “All I’m preaching is about Jesus Christ and they waived me. They say I’m crazy, I’m psycho…God let these things happen for a reason…When I came into the league all I wanted to do was win championships, get millions of bucks, get that next contract, get… pic.twitter.com/WU7Fas23SC— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) March 31, 2026
Unfortunately for Ivey, the path forward just got a lot more complicated.
(with agency inputs)
First Published:
March 31, 2026, 17:53 IST
News sports nba Chicago Bulls Draw The Line: Jaden Ivey Gets Cut After Pathetic Anti-LGBTQ Rant
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