The New Zealand’s BNZ Breakers will not wear the rainbow Pride Progress Flag on their uniforms during the Australian National Basketball League’s (NBL) Pride Round early next year.
The Auckland-based club said the decision was made collectively by the team, following internal discussions around the league’s voluntary policy for wearing the insignia, which celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community.
“In line with the league’s voluntary participation policy to wear the patch, the players discussed the matter as a team,” the club said in a statement. “Some players raised religious and cultural concerns about wearing the insignia.
“To protect individual players from being singled out for their beliefs, the team collectively decided they would either all wear the insignia or none would.”
The Breakers are now the second team in the Pride Round’s short history to adopt a full-team stance of opting out. In 2023, the Cairns Taipans also chose not to wear Pride-themed uniforms during the inaugural Pride Round.
Interestingly, the Breakers did participate last season by wearing the Pride jersey.
Over the years, individual NBL players have also opted not to wear the insignia during Pride Round, citing personal beliefs. However, the club reiterated that its decision this year does not reflect a rejection of the event’s values.
“The club strongly supports this event, and is open and inclusive, and will celebrate the diversity of LGBTQIA+ players, members, volunteers and supporters,” the Breakers stated. “We are committed to ensuring the Breakers are a safe, welcoming and inclusive place for all, both on and off the court.”
The 2025 Pride Round, running from 21 January to 1 February, will be observed across both the NBL and WNBL, and aims to promote diversity and inclusion throughout the basketball community.
This season, the Breakers will play four matches during the round, with three on the road. Notably, they’ll host the Adelaide 36ers on 23 January at Spark Arena. The 36ers’ roster includes centre Isaac Humphries, the NBL’s only openly gay player.
As in past years, basketball courts during the Pride Round will feature the Pride Progress Flag integrated into the floor design. Players, coaches and staff have also previously taken part in Pride in Sport training sessions to better understand the challenges LGBTQIA+ athletes face and the importance of inclusive language and culture.
The NBL isn’t the only code facing public discussion over Pride-themed apparel. In 2022, seven Manly Sea Eagles players refused to wear a rainbow-accented jersey in the NRL, while in 2023, former All Blacks coach Steve Hansen praised the Rugby Football Union for flying the Pride flag over Twickenham during a match that featured Israel Folau, whose career with Rugby Australia ended after controversial anti-gay remarks.
