Chicago Bulls Waive Guard Jaden Ivey After Anti-LGBTQ Comments

The team cited 'conduct detrimental to the team' as the reason for Ivey's release.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 4:54pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a basketball game, with sharp geometric shapes in navy, red, and gold overlapping to create a sense of motion and multiple perspectives, conceptually representing the complex issues of inclusion and diversity in the NBA.The Chicago Bulls' decision to waive Jaden Ivey over his anti-LGBTQ comments reflects the ongoing struggle for inclusivity in professional sports.Chicago Today

The Chicago Bulls have waived guard Jaden Ivey due to 'conduct detrimental to the team' after he made anti-gay comments during a live stream on Monday. Ivey addressed being released by the Bulls, calling the team 'liars' and questioning their reasoning. Bulls head coach Billy Donovan also commented on the situation, stating there are certain expectations and standards the team has.

Why it matters

Ivey's comments and subsequent release highlight the ongoing tensions around LGBTQ+ inclusion and acceptance in professional sports. The NBA has made efforts to be more inclusive, but incidents like this show there is still work to be done in creating a welcoming environment for all players and fans.

The details

Ivey made the anti-gay comments during a live stream, saying '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.' They proclaim it on the billboards. They proclaim it on the streets. Unrighteousness.' The Bulls then waived Ivey, citing 'conduct detrimental to the team' as the reason. Ivey disputed the team's reasoning, saying they should have just said they disagreed with his stance on LGBTQ+ issues.

  • On March 31, 2026, the Chicago Bulls waived guard Jaden Ivey.
  • On March 31, 2026, Ivey made anti-gay comments during a live stream.

The players

Jaden Ivey

A fourth-year NBA guard who was recently acquired by the Chicago Bulls from the Detroit Pistons. Ivey was waived by the Bulls after making anti-LGBTQ comments during a live stream.

Billy Donovan

The head coach of the Chicago Bulls, who addressed Ivey's release and the team's expectations for player conduct.

Chicago Bulls

The NBA franchise that waived Jaden Ivey for 'conduct detrimental to the team' after his anti-LGBTQ comments.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“'There's a certain level of expectations and standards that are here. Everybody comes with their own personal experiences, right? But we have to all be professional, there has to be a high level of respect for one another, and we've got to help each other and be accountable to those standards.'”

— Billy Donovan, Head Coach, Chicago Bulls

“'[The Bulls] said my conduct is detrimental to the team. Why didn't they just say, 'We don't agree with his stance on LGBTQ'? Why didn't they say that? ... How is it conduct detrimental to the team? What did I do to the team? What did I do to the players?'”

— Jaden Ivey

What’s next

Ivey is now an unrestricted free agent and will look to sign with another NBA team. The Bulls will continue their season without him, focusing on building a more inclusive team culture.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges the NBA and other professional sports leagues face in creating inclusive environments for LGBTQ+ players and fans. While progress has been made, there is still work to be done to ensure all athletes feel welcomed and respected, regardless of their personal beliefs.