NBA reopens investigation after videos of Jaxson Hayes and his ex-girlfriend surfaced in 2021

Warning: This article contains statements about domestic violence.

The NBA is reopening its investigation after a video of Los Angeles Lakers player Jaxson Hayes and his ex-girlfriend was released in 2021.

“As a result of the media report and video released this morning, we are re-opening our investigation.” NBA spokesman Mike Bass made a statement to ESPN.

TMZ published the video. It lasts five and a half minutes early on a Sunday morning. The document includes surveillance footage showing Hayes and his then-girlfriend Sofia Jamora during an argument, where Hayes can be seen pushing her and spitting on her. At one point, he is seen entering Jamora’s room, followed by a loud crash and Jamora can be heard crying, asking him to stop.

Jaxson Hayes arrest in July 2021

The video is from July 2021, when Hayes was with the New Orleans Pelicans, but the incident took place in Los Angeles. Police were called and Hayes was arrested and initially charged with 12 misdemeanors for fighting with officers during his arrest. Those charges included three counts of corporal injury to a spouse, two counts of domestic battery, one count of battery on an officer, one count of false imprisonment, three counts of vandalism, one count of aggravated trespassing and one count of resisting arrest.

Hayes made no objection Another 10 misdemeanors for false arrest and resisting a police officer were dismissed on February 24, 2022. He was sentenced to three years probation, 450 hours of community service and a year of weekly domestic violence classes.

The NBA launched an investigation into Hayes after his arrest in July 2021, but did not take any disciplinary action.

Why is this coming up three years later?

The NBA is reopening its investigation due to the release of the video, but why was the video released more than three years after the incident occurred?

According to ESPN, the video is part of a new lawsuit filed by Jamora’s lawyers, in which Hayes is accused of paying damages to one of the officers involved in his arrest for unknown reasons.

“There is already a comprehensive investigation in place where we are cooperating with the league, and we will continue to do so once that investigation is reopened,” a spokesperson for Hayes told ESPN on Saturday.

A Lakers spokesperson told ESPN that the team is cooperating with the NBA. A spokesperson for Jamora told ESPN that, as a victim of domestic violence, he “welcomes” an investigation into Hayes’ actions and will cooperate fully.