Bulls Waive Guard Jaden Ivey After Anti-Gay Social Media Rant

The Chicago Bulls terminated guard Jaden Ivey’s contract on Monday, stating his conduct was detrimental to the team. The action followed an Instagram livestream in which Ivey criticized the NBA’s promotion of Pride Month and expressed anti-gay viewpoints.

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Jaden Ivey, the No. 5 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, played 30 games for Detroit before knee problems limited his output. The Bulls acquired him in February 2024, but he was shut down for the season after four games due to a sore left knee. While injured, Ivey posted at least three hour-long Instagram livestreams covering religion and cultural topics, including anti-gay remarks. He is the son of Notre Dame women’s basketball coach Niele Ivey.

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• 2022: Drafted No. 5 overall by Detroit.

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• Early 2024: Traded to Chicago Bulls.

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• Feb 11, 2024: Last game played.

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• Early Feb 2024: Bulls announce season-long shut-down for sore left knee.

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• Feb 26, 2024: Bulls waive Ivey for conduct deemed detrimental after anti-gay livestreams.

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The waiver highlights the NBA’s enforcement of conduct standards linked to its LGBTQ+ inclusion efforts and illustrates the tension between personal religious expression and team professionalism. Chicago also gains a roster spot and salary-cap flexibility.

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The Bulls said Ivey’s conduct violated team standards, emphasizing the need for professionalism and mutual respect. Coach Billy Donovan said the organization expects all members to uphold high professional standards.

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Team staff called Ivey “preachy,” noting his remarks caused discomfort. The anti-gay livestream content conflicted with the NBA’s LGBTQ+ inclusion stance.

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• “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.” — Jaden Ivey, Instagram livestream

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• “I'm alive in Christ no matter what the basketball setting is.” — Jaden Ivey, post-game locker-room comments

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• “preachy” — team staff members (as reported by ESPN)

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Ivey becomes a free agent. The Bulls will review roster options and conduct policies. The NBA may monitor similar cases.

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