Jaylen Brown contemplating legal measures against Beverly Hills
SAN FRANCISCO — Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown is contemplating legal action against the city of Beverly Hills, as he informed ESPN’s Andscape, following the police’s decision to terminate a private event he was hosting on Saturday during NBA All-Star Weekend.
Brown expressed to Andscape his feelings of embarrassment and frustration regarding the Beverly Hills police’s decision to shut down his event around 7 p.m. Saturday without prior discussions with him or the homeowner. He previously stated that the closure of the event, based on the assumptions of officials who did not enter the residence, “raises serious due-process concerns” and resulted in “significant financial and reputational harm.”
“I’m not one to pursue legal matters, but you have tarnished my brand and my team. I find that unjust,” Brown conveyed to Andscape. “And for you to continue to spread falsehoods in your apology statement, I feel insulted by it. I will consult with my team this weekend, and we will reach a decision.”
He further remarked: “It’s difficult to assert that you were not being targeted.”
The 2024 NBA Finals MVP, speaking to Andscape after the Celtics’ 121-110 win over the Golden State Warriors, mentioned he incurred $300,000 in expenses for the canceled event, while his sponsors contributed approximately $300,000 to $500,000.
The city of Beverly Hills issued an apology to Brown on Thursday, acknowledging that a prior statement regarding the reasons for the police shutting down the event was incorrect. Brown has continued to express dissatisfaction with the city’s actions, which he claimed were “based on biased information.”
The Boston Globe reported on Sunday that an event permit had been denied due to previous violations at the Beverly Hills residence owned by Oakley founder Jim Jannard. Brown refuted this claim, stating it was “completely false” since the event — intended to promote Brown’s Oakley performance brand, 741Performance — was a private, invitation-only gathering and not a commercial or public event that would necessitate a permit.
“Following a further internal review, the City has concluded that its earlier public communication contained inaccurate information,” Beverly Hills officials stated in a message on Instagram on Thursday. “Specifically, no permit application was submitted or denied for the event, and the residence does not have any prior related violations on record. The City takes full responsibility for the internal error that led to the dissemination of the inaccurate statement and is working to ensure it does not occur again.”
Beverly Hills City Manager Nancy Hunt-Coffey also extended an apology to Brown and the Jannard family but noted that city staff “observed circumstances that are believed to be City code violations, and for that reason alone, the event was concluded.”
Brown characterized those apologies on his X account on Thursday as a “half-hearted apology after the damage is already done.”
“I wanted to enjoy myself, and I felt that was taken away,” Brown told reporters after Thursday’s game, where he achieved a triple-double. “I was embarrassed. If it happened to me, I’m certain it has happened to many others in the past. I view it that way. There are likely many individuals who do not voice their concerns, which is unfortunate. I’m uncertain what the resolution will be. … Even the statement they released included inaccuracies, even in the apology.
“Thus, I do not find the apology acceptable. I lost a significant amount of money [with our] partners, among others. People were making assumptions that we did not follow the proper protocols. Overall, it leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I am extremely offended. My team is offended. I am unsure what the outcome will be. All I know is it’s some bulls—.”
Off the court, Brown is known as a socially conscious intellectual who has lectured at MIT and Harvard.
On Saturday, a panel discussion featuring National Basketball Players Association president Andre Iguodala was about to commence when police abruptly ended the event. Rap artist LaRussell spoke at an earlier panel. There were also plans for an afterparty expected to host 200 guests.
“The event was intended to discuss future culture, future leadership, and how various industries can collaborate,” Brown told Andscape. “Change does not stem from a single entity. It arises from collective efforts. I had leaders from diverse fields discussing what the next generation could and should resemble.”
When asked if he believed the shutdown was racially motivated, Brown responded to Andscape: “I cannot determine if it was a personal issue or a demographic issue. I cannot speak for them. All I know is: We were targeted. People can draw their own conclusions.”
Brown was noncommittal about meeting with Beverly Hills officials when the Celtics return to Los Angeles to face the Lakers on Sunday.
“What will be said? It’s already over,” he told Andscape. “Can’t reclaim that moment. Brand activation. All-Star Weekend. Can’t get that back.
“All those individuals won’t be present again. Moreover, All-Star Weekend has concluded. It’s like, what can you say?”
ESPN’s Baxter Holmes contributed to this report.
