Hornets, Knights join Panthers in ending ties with CPI Security over CEO’s remarks
The Charlotte Hornets and Charlotte Knights have joined the Carolina Panthers in severing ties with CPI Security in the wake of controversial comments its CEO made regarding local George Floyd protesters.
“Our chairman (Michael Jordan) has been very clear about his thoughts surrounding the issues of racial equality, social justice and diversity,” the Hornets said in a statement. “We believe it is appropriate at this time to end our partnership with CPI.”
The minor-league baseball Knights said it will end sponsorship and branding ties to CPI, adding, “We stand with those in our community and across the country who are working to affect change to bring an end to racism and discrimination.”
The CPI controversy centered on CPI CEO Ken Gill’s response to a mass email sent out by a local nonprofit, Queen City Unity, which called for action in response to killings of black people like George Floyd by Minneapolis police.
“Please spend your time in a more productive way,” Gill responded in an email, which Queen City Unity leader Jorge Millares posted on Facebook. “A better use of time, would be to focus on the black on black crime and senseless killing of our young men by other young men.”
Gill later apologized for his comments.
The athletic programs at NC State and South Carolina also announced Sunday, via Twitter, that they were ending sponsor relationships with CPI Security.
The Panthers announced late Saturday that they were ending their longtime sponsor relationship with CPI, in response to comments by Gill.
In a statement, the Panthers said: “Last Saturday, we said we are committed to doing our part and we mean it. CPI has been a long-term partner but, upon reflection, we feel that it is right to end our relationship. We have informed Mr. Gill of our decision tonight.”
CPI has been one of the Panthers’ closest local partners for many years, featuring recently-retired star linebacker Luke Kuechly in frequent commercials.
Jordan addressed racism
Jordan spoke passionately Friday, in an exclusive interview with the Observer, about ingrained racism. Jordan and the Nike division that bears his name, Jordan Brand, have pledged $100 million over the next 10 years to support groups pursuing social justice issues.
Jordan said the death of African American Floyd in Minneapolis, when a white policeman kneeled on his neck for more than eight minutes and Floyd said he couldn’t breathe, has become a tipping point in not tolerating racism and brutality toward people of color.
“We have been beaten down (as African Americans) for so many years. It sucks your soul. You can’t accept it anymore,” said Jordan, the only African American majority owner of an NBA team. “This is a tipping point. We need to make a stand. We’ve got to be better as a society regarding race.”
Gill’s apology
Millares posted on Facebook that, because of Gill’s “insensitive and racist comments,” Queen City Unity was seeking a boycott of CPI. Queen City Unity says on its website that its mission is to drive equity and equality for all in Charlotte.
In his apology, Gill stated his remarks “did not directly address the public’s outcry for racial justice and equality in the wake of George Floyd’s senseless killing.
“Let me say that CPI, and I personally, stand against racism and discrimination of any kind... I fully support the call for racial equality and justice in our community and our country,” Gill said.
This story was originally published June 7, 2020 at 3:51 PM.
