Following a controversial post about Mayor Zahir Mandani, star guard Sabrina Ilenas was cut by the New York Comets.
In a shocking turn of events that has rocked the basketball community and the political landscape of New York City, star guard Sabrina Ilenas’ contract with the New York Comets was terminated after she made a contentious social media post criticizing recently elected Mayor Zahir Mandani.
Less than 12 hours after Ilenas made the comments on her X (previously Twitter) account, accusing Mandani of being a “terrorist sympathizer” in response to his remarks regarding international conflict, the decision was made public on Wednesday morning.
The post went viral in a matter of minutes, sparking indignation from fans, civil rights activists, and community leaders. Since being selected first overall in the 2020 NFL Draft, the 27-year-old Ilenas has served as the team’s spokesperson. Known for her intense rivalry and close ties to the New York fan base, many were taken aback by her public outburst because they saw her as a professional role model.
The Comets released a short but firm statement Wednesday morning
The New York Comets are dedicated to promoting inclusivity, respect, and unity. Sabrina Ilenas’s recent comments go against the values and code of conduct of our organization. Her contract has been terminated with immediate effect as a result.
Her departure signifies the sudden termination of a $400,000, three-year extension that would have kept her in New York until 2025. Although the team chose not to comment further, several league sources verified that the termination was authorized by the Women’s Basketball Alliance (WBA) in accordance with the league’s personal conduct policy.
Days earlier, after a contentious election that split New Yorkers along cultural and ideological lines, Mayor Mandani, 34, became the city’s first Muslim and South Asian mayor. “Building bridges in a broken city” was the main theme of his victory speech, but Ilenas’ comments soon rekindled long-standing tensions.
In a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, Mandani discussed the matter, describing the incident as “unfortunate and deeply reflective of the polarization we face.” “We can disagree on politics, but hate has no place in our shared city,” he said, avoiding a direct condemnation of Ilenas.
Fans were divided on social media. Supporters framed her dismissal as a violation of free speech, and the hashtag #FreeSabrina trended for hours. Others praised the Comets for standing up to what they perceived as intolerable rhetoric.
The move reportedly caught teammates off guard. “We love Sabrina, but words have power,” a seasoned player, who wished to remain anonymous, stated. It matters what you post, particularly when you’re wearing this jersey.
Although insiders indicate the WBA Players Association is keeping a close eye on the case as the league moves closer to new collective bargaining negotiations, the organization has not yet provided an official response. According to people close to Ilenas, she has already attracted interest from a number of teams, including the San Francisco Valkyries, who are renowned for their strong locker room leadership and progressive culture.
The Comets must continue playing without their vocal leader and top scorer for the time being. The reigning champions have suffered a shocking defeat and must now redefine who they are on and off the court. It remains to be seen if this turns out to be a landmark case for free speech in sports or merely a warning about social media and its consequences.
