![](\"http:\/\/cyber.law.harvard.edu\/blogs\/static\/dowbrigade\/shaqwade.jpg\")
The
\n entire Miami Heat basketball team was suspended from league play today
\n by NBA Commissioner David Stern. The suspensions
\n were announced simultaneously with the launch of an investigation of
\n players and some coaching staff for "inappropriate touching, hugging,
\n butt-patting and jumping on top of each other with open legs."<\/p>\n
Until the investigation is complete, none of the players
\n will be allowed to appear in a game, creating difficulties for the Heat
\n in their playoff series with the Detroit Pistons, currently tied at a
\n game apiece.<\/p>\n
According to anonymous sources in the league office,
\n an unnamed player filed a complaint with the Commissioner’s Office to
\n the effect that he, "felt sexually intimidated" and was subjected to
\n "unwanted intimate touching and groping."<\/p>\n
According to Dr. Pat Franahan, an expert in sexual harassment
\n in the workplace who serves on the board of the Massachusetts Association
\n to Control Hostile Actions (MACHA), "Although sexually charged touching
\n is common in all professional sports, the problem is particularly acute
\n in basketball because of the skimpy uniforms and silk shorts. In addition,
\n their official uniform shirts are what are commonly referred to as ‘wife
\n beaters’."<\/p>\n
Another unnamed sources close to the investigation said
\n that league officials are pouring over Heat game tapes, looking for "patterns
\n of excessive or uncalled for physical contact with possible sexual connotations."
\n They are especially interested manual-gluteus contact, and according
\n to the source are electronically timing the duration of all such contact.<\/p>\n
Sources say Commissioner Stern has yet to rule on how
\n many seconds of manual-gluteus contact are legal before the touching
\n becomes possible sexual harassment.<\/p>\n
The suspensions come a week after the Dallas Maverick’s Jason Terry was suspended for grabbing Michael Finley of The San Antonio Spurs by the groin.<\/a><\/p>\n In Coach Pat Riley stands by his players. "I really don’t As to the identity of the complaining player, Riley quipped, “I don’t know who she is and for her sake I hope I never find out.” <\/p>\n Results of the investigation are expected by the end The entire Miami Heat basketball team was suspended from league play today by NBA Commissioner David Stern. The suspensions were announced simultaneously with the launch of an investigation of players and some coaching staff for "inappropriate touching, hugging, butt-patting and … Continue reading
\n addition to specific actions by particular players, the investigation
\n reportedly includes team officials and Miami Heat as a corporate entity,
\n for "engendering an atmosphere conducive to and tolerant of physical
\n sexual harassment" and maintaining facilities, including the playing
\n court at American Airlines Arena, locker
\n areas, whirlpool and physical therapy areas, where unwarranted and unwanted
\n hugs and other touching took place.<\/p>\n
\n think there was anything sexual involved. Antoine Walker is just a very
\n emotional guy. He was doing the same stuff in Boston, plus the Wiggle!
\n And Shaq, he’s just a big teddy bear. He tries to hug everyone!"<\/p>\n
\n of the week, although if this target is not met or the results lead
\n to charges being filed, the outcome of the Miami-Detroit series would
\n be in the
\n hands of the Commissioner. Let’s keep those hands in plain sight at
\n all times.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"