Jazz Fan Permanently Banned After Altercation With Russell Westbrook

Westbrook heckler banned from all events at Vivent Smart Home Arena.

The Utah Jazz have announced that the fan who heckled Russell Westbrook, 45-year old Shane Keisel, has been permanently banned from all events at Vivent Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City.After Monday night’s game, Keisel told ESPN that he never cursed at Westbrook and that the Thunder star simply “went nuts.” However, the Jazz conducted an investigation through video review and eyewitness accounts that proved otherwise.

Shane Keisel, the Jazz fan who was involved in a verbal altercation with Russell Westbrook during the Jazz loss to the Thunder, explains his side of what happened. @KSL5TV @kslsports #nba pic.twitter.com/ScCSRttTCg

— Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) March 12, 2019

Shane Keisel, the Jazz fan who was involved in a verbal altercation with Russell Westbrook during the Jazz loss to the Thunder, explains his side of what happened. @KSL5TV @kslsports #nba pic.twitter.com/ScCSRttTCg

— Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) March 12, 2019

The Jazz statement reads in part, “The organization conducted an investigation through video review and eyewitness accounts. The ban is based on excessive and derogatory verbal abuse directed at a player during the game that violated the NBA Code of Conduct.”

Steve Starks, President of the Utah Jazz, added:

“Offensive and abusive behavior does not reflect the values of the Miller family, our organization and the community. We all have a responsibility to respect the game of basketball and, more importantly, each other as human beings. This has always been a hallmark of our incredible fan base and should forever be our standard moving forward.”