Two former Brooklyn Nets employees are claiming they were fired on the basis of race and political associations.

The employees released a mutual statement on Instagram, suggesting there were “inconsistencies” behind termination and claiming the two were penalized for their stances on the Black Lives Matter movement.

A spokesperson for the Nets claimed the team had the option not to renew the employees' contracts for the 2020-21 season, which is the option they chose:

“The decision on whether or not to rehire seasonal part-time employees is an organizational matter that is carefully and thoughtfully evaluated,” the spokesperson said in a statement, via Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News. “We are entirely comfortable with our decision not to rehire these two individuals.”

The attendants, Eddie Bolden and Juwan Williams, were two of five black attendants on staff, and claim they were the only ones both with “high-level access to the players” as well as being openly supportive of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Winfield reported Nets personnel have said the non-renewals and cutbacks were made in light of the coronavirus pandemic. Bolden and Williams however, suggest their firings are merely indicative of a larger picture.

There is some movement to create a labor union for ball boys and team attendants, and both Bolden and Williams said they have received support from former team staffers.

The Nets pledged a $50 million investment to social justice initiatives this past summer and launched a Supplier Diversity Program. However, Brooklyn faces questions about its internal culture and upward mobility for non-White team attendants and employees.