A photographer who worked in the NBA bubble at Disney World was released by the league after posting an offensive meme about Kamala Harris, the newly announced Democratic candidate for vice president.
Bill Baptist is a freelance photographer from Houston who covered the Houston Rockets for a number of years and was in the bubble as an independent contractor. The mother he posted on Facebook saw a wider audience when it was shared by former Houston Comets superstar Sheryl Swoopes.
Photographer places offensive mother over Harris
Baptist posted a meme that included the official logo of Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden in 2020. But instead of “Joe 2020” in the blue circle, it reads “You and the Ho.” He shared the photo on Facebook without comment.
Swoopes called out Baptist on Tuesday hours after the vice president’s announcement was made.
‘That this guy works for the NBA but occupies the Houston Rockets. Has been a while. Even worked for the Houston Comets. It’s amazing how people will smile in your face, but in the end, they will show their true colors.
“@NBA and Houston Rockets he has to GO !!! That disgrace Bill Baptiste (sic) respect. ‘
The Comets, the first WNBA dynasty with four championships in the first four years of the league, met in 2008. Swoopes, a three-time MVP and Olympic gold medalist, is one of the league’s pioneers .
NBA removes bubble photographer
The NBA said in a statement to KPRC 2 in Houston that Baptist was no longer in the bubble.
“The photographer is an independent contractor and his services are no longer used in Orlando.”
Baptist shared a statement with KPRC 2, saying the post “does not reflect my personal views.”
‘I’m deeply sorry that I posted on my Facebook page a sentence I saw from others and copied as a sample of some people’s reactions to Biden’s selection of Senator Harris as his choice of VP. The sentence I post does not reflect my personal views. I should not have been so indecent to post the statements of others. I remain sincere to all those who have been rightly offended and I have taken down the post from my FB page. It was a terrible mistake on my part. ”
An NBA photographer is no longer in the bubble after sharing an offensive mom about Kamala Harris. (AP Photo / Jeff Chiu)
