HoopsHype.com Rumors

Jason Collins, the NBA veteran who last week announced he was gay, is disputing reports from publishing insiders who say he is shopping a book deal. Officials at three publishing houses told The Associated Press on Monday that they had been contacted about a planned memoir by Collins, the first active player in any of four major U.S. professional sports leagues to come out as gay. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the proceedings. Washington Post

Jason Collins 

Collins tweeted that it wasn’t so: “I have no current plans to write any books. Sorry to disappoint my literary loving fans,” he said, adding a hashtag “GoingToTheGym.” Washington Post

Jason Collins 

The Democratic National Committee says NBA veteran Jason Collins will headline its annual lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender gala. Last week, Collins became the first active player in any of four major U.S. professional sports leagues to come out as gay. President Barack Obama called the 34-year-old athlete the same day to congratulate him and tell him he was proud of his courage. The DNC says first lady Michelle Obama will also attend the May 29 fundraiser in New York. Tickets start at $1,250 per person and go up to $32,400 per couple to chair the event. SportsNet

Jason Collins, Barack Obama, Michelle Obama 

Jason Collins, the NBA veteran who recently announced he was gay, is seeking a book deal, The Associated Press has learned. Officials at three publishing houses said Monday that they had been contacted about a planned memoir by Collins, the first active player in any of four major U.S. professional sports leagues to come out as gay. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the proceedings. Boston Herald

Jason Collins 

At least one publisher turned down the book, said one official, who noted the extensive media coverage of Collins and expressed concern that his story already has been told. Boston Herald

Jason Collins 

Jason Collins, the NBA player who came out as gay last week, is putting himself out there in the name of Democratic Party politics. Collins will headline a May 29 fundraiser with first lady Michelle Obama and Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz at the party’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Leadership Council gala event. Detroit Free Press

Jason Collins, Michelle Obama 

China’s state-owned television and Chinese users of Sina Weibo. Yesterday, China Central Television, better known as CCTV, ran a news spot tagged “An Example of Courage: Collins Openly Admits That He’s Gay,” noting that Collins had earned the support of US president Barack Obama, NBA president David Stern and Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant. Quartz

Media, Jason Collins, China 

You can add John Salley to the list of those speaking publicly in support of NBA center Jason Collins. Collins became the first American athlete from a team sport to acknowledge his homosexuality when he announced it via an exclusive first-person account that appeared at SI.com. There was a chorus of public support and Salley said late last week: “I’m proud of Jason. Whatever makes him happy, I’m all for it. Why is this a question? Why is the sexuality of anyone an issue? Detroit Free Press

Jason Collins, John Salley 

The Los Angeles Lakers player was hangin' out in Beverly Hills today when we asked about Jason's big announcement ... and the 36-year-old veteran had a lot to say. Antawn -- who's been in the league since 1998 -- told us he's glad Jason came out ... and he's happy the guy can "be who he really is." But Antawn says not everyone feels the same way -- telling us, "Of course, you're going to have some closed-minded people, let's be realistic." "That's life." TMZ.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Antawn Jamison, Jason Collins 

Jarron laughed, realizing that his brother’s announcement was not only career-defining but also life-defining. Now a part-time commentator and scout with the Los Angeles Clippers, Jarron couldn’t be more supportive of his brother. “It’s been a very interesting last few days,” he said. “I definitely understand the mind-set of his decision to come forward, being that he’s the first gay [male] athlete to go public with his intentions. I look forward to the day when this isn’t news when somebody comes out. Having said that, it’s kind of cool that my brother got phone calls from President Clinton and President Obama, Oprah [Winfrey], definitely weird to see CNN breaking news on my brother’s sexuality, but again, it is a very bold step my brother took and I admire him and support him.” Boston Globe

Jason Collins, Jarron Collins 

“My brother, it took him a little bit longer to know himself and to know how he feels comfortable with who he is and accepting of who he is, but we each know who we are as individuals,” Jarron said. “It’s not an issue. It was always the Collins twins, ‘are you Jason or Jarron?’ But now it’s Jason Collins, the first pro sport athlete who is [publicly] gay, and Jarron Collins. We’re separate in that sense.” Boston Globe

Jason Collins, Jarron Collins 

“I don’t want and Jason doesn’t want the fact that he’s gay to define who he is,” Jarron said. “That’s just part of who he is. My brother is someone who, his teammates can speak for him, coaches, general managers, anybody . . . he’s that hard-working, character guy that you don’t have to worry about in the locker room. He’s a guy that is going to put his work in, be supportive, be a great teammate, and who could not play for three weeks and some foul trouble happens and you don’t have to worry that he’s going to be late on a defensive rotation. He’s dependable in what he does.” Boston Globe

Jason Collins, Jarron Collins 

On Collins coming out: Mark Cuban: “I think it sets a platform for any athlete in any professional sport to realize that, hey, you can be you. It’s acceptable to come out and to be yourself.” Dallas Morning News

Dallas Mavericks, Mark Cuban, Jason Collins 

On whether he thinks others will come out: Mark Cuban: “Yes. No question about it. I just think it’s a very Darwinian business. Literally, right? Either you win or you lose and I think the support elements are there at such a younger age and there aren’t the phobias.” Dallas Morning News

Dallas Mavericks, Mark Cuban, Jason Collins 

On if Collins comes to him and says he wants to play for the Mavericks. Mark Cuban: “Fine. If you can play, you can play. End of story.” Dallas Morning News

Dallas Mavericks, Mark Cuban, Jason Collins 

“It’s a non issue” was the initial comment of Wolves’ GM David Kahn, whom we asked if now after the disclosure of the 34 year old center’s sexual identity, he would think twice to offer him a contract. “Νo I would not. Look, I have a 21 year old daughter and her generation doesn’t get affected by these issues. World is a place that happily accepts these issues of sexuality. Overtime it will be less and less discussed”. -But do you think that this disclosure may create a negative aura in the locker room of the team, that will sign Collins; “No I don’t”. EuroHoops.net

Minnesota Timberwolves, David Kahn, Jason Collins 

Leandrinho Barbosa: I really respect you @Jason Collins As the season went through a saw on you a great teammate, with a big heart and 100% professional #proud Twitter @TheBlur_Barbosa

Jason Collins, Leandrinho Barbosa 

Former Green Bay Packers safety LeRoy Butler was scheduled to speak at a Wisconsin church about the problem of bullying — that is, until he tweeted his support to NBA player Jason Collins, who recently revealed he is gay. The day after Butler tweeted about Collins, he was contacted by the church and informed that he was no longer welcome to give a speech. For The Win

Jason Collins, LeRoy Butler 

It's not all love for the first major (active) pro athlete to come out of the closet ... NBA player Jason Collins has also been the target of online death threats since announcing he's gay. The homophobic threats began appearing on Twitter right after Jason's big coming-out interview with Sports Illustrated. TMZ.com

Jason Collins 

Westboro Baptist Church plans to two NBA playoff games, using “#GodH8stheNBA” in its announcement on Twitter. Tonight’s game between the Houston Rockets and Thunder in Oklahoma City and Thursday night’s game between the Brooklyn Nets and Bulls in Chicago are the targets of their protests, which come two days after Jason Collins announced that he is gay. Washington Post

Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets, Brooklyn Nets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Jason Collins