Basket Coach Suspended for Homophobic Slur

ALBANY, NY -- Albany Patroons coach Micheal Ray Richardson was suspended by the Continental Basketball Association on Wednesday for anti-Semitic comments and use of homophobic slur.

The former NBA player told the Albany Times Union during an interview that he had "big-time Jew lawyers" working for him.

"They got a lot of power in this world, you know what I mean? Which I think is great," Richardson said in the interview. "I don't think there's nothing wrong with it. If you look in most professional sports, they're run by Jewish people. If you look at a lot of most successful corporations and stuff, more businesses, they're run by Jewish. It's not a knock, but they are some crafty people."

The paper also reported that Richardson yelled a gay slur during the Patroons' game against Yakima Tuesday.

Patroons owner Ben Fernandez denounced Richardson's comments, saying "We will not tolerate - and the league will not tolerate - bigots."

The Patroons apologized to the public in a release issued Wednesday.

"The Albany Patroons' organization sincerely apologizes to any individuals or ethnic groups that these alleged statements may have offended.".