NBA fans rip into commissioner Adam Silver as he hails late former US secretary of state Henry Kissinger as ‘one of the great global diplomats’

Fans and media are ripping into NBA commissioner Adam Silver after he praised Henry Kissinger while discussing the global impact of sport on the Pat McAfee Show.

Kissinger, the former US Secretary of State, died last week at the age of 100.

And Silver invoked the ex-diplomat when asked by McAfee whether he felt an obligation to be involved in international relations.

‘I was reading a lot of those long obituaries around Henry Kissinger’s death at 100… he was sort of an exemplar of one of the great global diplomats,’ Silver said.

‘I of course believe we have to have a strong military, I’m a big believer in it. At the same time, call it soft power, or call it diplomacy, I think through sport, through culture, through arts – it brings connectivity together with people of diverse cultures and backgrounds.’

Silver was roundly panned for his remarks.

‘Henry Kissinger is not someone I’d want to compare myself with, yikes,’ one X user responded to Awful Announcing’s post of the video.

Adam Silver invoked Henry Kissinger as he explained the NBA’s foreign impact 

‘I don’t care how many successful in-season tournaments he rolls out, this guy’s always gonna be a clown to me,’ another said.

‘What’s killing me is this guy said this unprompted,’ a different fan added. 

Kissinger was the prime architect of US foreign policy under President Nixon, and is known, among other things, for his efforts leading to the diplomatic opening of China, as well as his highly controversial role in the Vietnam War.

And while Silver has undoubtedly helped the NBA become more global with overseas games and the integration of international players, fans did not agree with him connecting himself to Kissinger.

‘That’s a big misep for Adam Silver, woooooof,’ another said.

‘Wait… Adam Silver said he read Henry Kissinger’s obituaties and took away that he was an ‘exemplar of one of the great global diplomats,’ wrote Sam Neumann, who works for Awful Announcing.

‘I could not think of a dumber, more out-of-touch thing to say. Good lord man. Have some shame.’ 

Henry Kissinger, a foreign policy behemoth, passed away at his home at age 100

The New York Yankees also shared a tribute to Kissinger last week – which they were also heavily criticized for.

The German-born Jewish refugee was an avid Yankees fan since his youth.

‘The Yankees are profoundly saddened by the passing of former United States secretary of state Henry Kissinger, who performed varied and vital diplomatic and advisory roles throughout his distinguished career,’ a statement released on Wednesday read.

‘A lifelong friend of the Yankees organization, he was a frequent welcome guest of the Steinbrenner family at Yankee Stadium. We offer our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and all who had the privilege of knowing him. He will be deeply missed.’