Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James didn’t hesitate when asked which city he doesn’t like to play in, and it’s one where he co-owns another sports franchise.
“Why do you hate Boston?” asked Paul Rivera on the latest episode of “The Shop.”
“Because they’re racist as shit, that’s why,” James replied. “They’ll say anything… and it’s okay, it’s my life, I mean, it’s shit I’ve been dealing with my whole life.”
He said a beer was thrown at him as he was leaving a game in Boston, adding that fans wear T-shirts that say “Fuck LBJ” at games.
Several high-profile athletes have complained about their treatment in Boston.
Five-time Major League Baseball All-Star Torii Hunter said in 2020 that he had a no-trade clause for Boston.
“I’ve been called the n-word in Boston over 100 times,” he said. “All the time. The little kids and the adults sitting next to them didn’t say anything.”
Last year, Brooklyn Nets All-Star Kyrie Irving said he had also experienced racism from fans in the city.
“I am not the only one who could attest to this. But it’s just… you know… it is what it is. Everybody knows it,” he said, according to CBS News.
The escort of the Celtics, Marcus Smart, has also spoken about it.
I’ve heard a couple of them. It’s sad and disgusting.” he told Atlético. “Even though it’s an opposing team, we’ve got guys on your home team that are saying these racial slurs and they’re hoping to come out and play for you. It’s hard. We just want everyone to be respectful.”
While James doesn’t love the Boston fans, he does have some investments in the city’s sports scene.
James and his business partners last year bought a stake in the Fenway Sports Group, the company that owns both the Boston Red Sox and its stadium, Fenway Park, as well as Liverpool Football Club.
