E-40, Kings say 'miscommunication' led to rapper's ejection from game

Rap legend Earl «E-40» Stevens and the Sacramento Kings said in a joint statement Wednesday that a «miscommunication» led to the Golden State Warriors fan being ejected from Game 1 of the teams' first-round NBA playoff series on Saturday night in Sacramento.

«After a series of thoughtful and transparent conversations, both parties agree that there was a miscommunication regarding the circumstances that occurred during the Kings vs. Warriors game on Saturday night,» the statement read in part.

The organization said it looks forward to «welcoming him back to our arena in the future.»

Stevens, in a statement Monday, said that «racial bias» led to his dismissal from a front-row baseline seat near his beloved Warriors' bench during Saturday night's game at the Golden 1 Center. Videos show the rapper talking to arena security in the fourth quarter before he was ejected. In his statement explaining his side of the events, the Vallejo, California, native said that after being «subjected to disrespectful heckling» throughout the game, in the fourth quarter he «turned around and addressed one heckler in an assertive but polite manner.»

Sources told ESPN's Andscape on Monday that Golden 1 Center security believed Stevens stood excessively, blocking the view of fans behind him, and refused to comply with a warning after many complaints. An NBA source reiterated this sentiment, telling ESPN's Andscape that Stevens bothered fans by «standing excessively» during the game and also violated the NBA fan code of conduct.

A spokesperson for Stevens, however, said he was never given a warning from Golden 1 Center security.

«Contrary to speculation, Mr. Earl „E-40“ Stevens did not stand excessively from his ticketed courtside seat; the