Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: Basketball Legend, Cancer Survivor, Corporate Shill?
Kareem Abdul Jabbar’s recent announcement that he has leukemia is heartbreaking, yes, but listen: The famously private Hall of Famer wasn’t just diagnosed. After living with leukemia for over a year, why go public now?
Abdul-Jabbar’s ESPN interview was pretty standard. Questions about his health, family and his mission to get out awareness, but he plugs two websites on air (and reporter Josh Elliott makes sure to repeat the addresses). And he’s not directing people to the American Cancer Society. These sites are owned by Novartis, a multinational pharmaceutical company, and they’re likely paying him. Follow that link: "Novartis’ New CML Drug Outperforms Gleevec. . ."
He’s advertising.
Is Kareem an advocate for cancer patients or a company spokesman? If he’s getting paid to promote a product, shouldn’t that be presented in an interview? Now his Twitter account, which has more followers than CNN’s, is plugging the Novartis-owned sites.
He’ll always be one of the greats—scored 38,387, won a record six Most Valuable Player Awards and six NBA championships. And I believe he wants to "spread the word," but if he’s getting paid to do it, man, I want to know that. And any fans fighting cancer who are listening to him should know that, too.
comments
submit a comment11.12.09 at 11:11 pm
Forgiveness is key to G-d’s will. Remember that as you ponder upon a man who brought much joy to Jewish people. No, wait, ALL people! Throughout 20 years’ time on the basketball court.
Shalom.
11.13.09 at 5:11 pm
He could “spread the word”.. without becoming big-pharma whore.
12.31.09 at 1:12 am
Agreed.
01.24.10 at 8:01 pm
Damn, he’s a bigger corporate whore than I am!
03.04.10 at 9:03 am
Guys, cut the guy a little slack.
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