Filed under: Basketball, News
Jay-Z is a beloved musician, but not everyone is in love with his actions. The NBA, in particular, has a bone to pick with him because of his visit to the University of Kentucky Wildcats' locker room on Sunday.
The NBA is investigating the rapper because as part owner of the New Jersey Nets, he's not allowed to have contact with amateur players who are not part of the NBA draft pool. The association sees it as a conflict of interest.
A similar incident occurred in 2007 when Danny Ainge, Boston Celtics president of basketball operations, was charged with "excessive contact" and fined $30,000 for sitting next to the mother of then prospect Kevin Durant at the Big 12 tournament.
Jay Z's meeting with the players may have also seemed innocent because the rapper was reported to have been in the hallway as the players were heading back to the locker room and was invited inside by a player. UK spokesman said the visit was not planned in advance.
Forward Terrence Jones told the Louisville Courier-Journal: "I said, 'Oh that's Jay-Z! We all gave him a handshake and he came in ... and we just kept screaming 'Jay-Z in the locker room!' He congratulated us, just said he was proud of us."
Still, the hip-hop mogul may be facing a fine once the investigation has been completed.