NBA Clears Jazz Lindsey After Accusations Of Racial Remarks

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The NBA announced it has cleared Utah Jazz Vice President of Basketball Operations Dennis Lindsey of making any racially motivated remarks towards former Jazz guard Elijah Millsap.

“The National Basketball Association announced today that the results of a joint investigation with independent, outside counsel to the Utah Jazz into an allegation made by former Jazz player Elijah Millsap on February 24, 20121 that team Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Dennis Lindsy made an inappropriate statement six years ago during Millsap’s April 2015 exit interview.

The investigation was unable to establish that the alleged statement was made.

As part of the investigative process, all participants involved in the 2015 meeting were interviewed and given the opportunity to provide any relevant evidence, including both Millsap and Lindsey. The investigation also involved other parties who might have been in a position to corroborate the allegation, and the review of meeting notes of the exit interview and other pertinent information.”

Official release form the NBA saying it couldn’t establish that the accusations by Elijah Millsap towards Dennis Lindsey were ever made. pic.twitter.com/RwYdSMfVyP

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) March 15, 2021

In February, Millsap claimed Lindsey made racially insensitive remarks towards him during an exit interview with the team.

“Almost 6yrs ago. On April 16, 2015, D. Lindsey made bigot remarks in my exit interview while conversing with Q. Snyder,” Millsap tweeted. “‘if u say one more word, I’ll cut your Black ass and send you back to Louisiana.'”

Jazz representatives told KSL Sports that “Dennis Lindsey categorically denies making that statement.”

The accusation was part of a thread of tweets discussing his motivation for speaking out.

“Bigot behavior is still very well present in our Country and should be exposed and expunged,” the thread began. “I believe “Truth” is the key to human evolution and must be shared to continually “Empower” the human consciousness of the people being oppressed.”

Former @UtahJazz guard Elijah Millsap accused Jazz VP Dennis Lindsey of racially pointed remarks in 2014. #TakeNote https://t.co/G56ETVChHD

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 25, 2021

After hearing of the accusation, Snyder said he couldn’t recall that conversation or the comments Millsap claimed Lindsey made.

“Honestly, I don’t remember the conversation,” Snyder said. “But I’d be shocked if — I can’t fathom Dennis saying something like that.”

The Jazz issued a statement shortly after the NBA released the findings of its investigation.

“As an organization, we take all matters of this nature seriously and have zero tolerance for discriminatory behavior of any kind. We appreciate the thorough process of the NBA’s investigation and thank all parties involved for their full cooperation. The league’s investigation was done in coordination with independent, outside counsel. We respect the league’s process and results announced earlier today. For more than 25 years, Dennis Lindsey has been a respected basketball executive around the NBA and a leading voice on social justice within our organization and community.”

Millsap spent the 2014-15 season and 2015-16 season with the Jazz, and was waived from the roster on January 15, 2016.

Lindsey has served in an executive role with the team since 2012.