In July 2021, Los Angeles police were called to the home of the then New Orleans Pelicans center Jaxson Hayes after his then-girlfriend Sofia Jamora’s cousin called 911 during a domestic dispute. That incident ended with him getting into a scuffle with officers and police using a taser on Hayes to subdue and arrest him. Hayes was charged with 12 felonies in Los Angeles County, and he was ultimately sentenced to three years probation, community service and domestic violence classes.
The NBA chose not to suspend, fine or take any disciplinary action against Hayes following the incident. Jamora, claiming this was not the only time he abused her, sued Hayes in a case still working its way through the court system.
The NBA has reopened its investigation into the incident after TMZ posted new security camera footage from that night, a story that was broken by ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
The video shows Hayes appearing to pull Jamora out of a doorway as she can be heard saying, “Stop. Let me go.” Hayes can be heard replying, “What the f— is wrong with you?” …
Hayes and Jamora are then shown leaving the apartment and continuing their argument in the driveway. “I’m not going to let you hit me anymore,” Jamora can be heard saying in the video. “What the f— do I look like, a punching bag?”…
“As a result of the media report and video posted this morning, we are reopening our investigation,” NBA spokesman Mike Bass told ESPN in a statement.
Hayes’ representatives said they are cooperating with the league and noted that an extensive investigation has already been conducted. The Lakers have officially said they are cooperating as well. At the time the Lakers signed Hayes, GM Rob Pelinka was asked about signing a player after a domestic violence allegation and said they did a full vetting process, including talking to Hayes about it, and that “we felt like he owned up, took responsibility for it and will be a better person on the other side of it.”
This wouldn’t be the first time a video surfaced changed the perception and dynamics surrounding a domestic violence case.
Hayes is in the second year of a veteran minimum contract that he signed with the Lakers in the summer of 2023. This season, coming off the bench behind Anthony Davis, he is averaging 5 points and 4.2 rebounds per game.
