LAS VEGAS - NBA commissioner David Stern on Thursday distanced the league from former player Tim Hardaway, who said on a radio show he has a "hate" for gay people and wouldn't want to be on the same team as one.

Stern said Hardaway, who later apologized for comments he made in regard to former NBA player John Amaechi revealing he is gay, has been dismissed from all functions during All-Star Weekend.

"We removed him from representing us because we didn't think that his comments were consistent with having anything to do with us," Stern told reporters at the NBA Jam Session.

Hardaway was a guest on a Miami radio show Wednesday.

"You know, I hate gay people, so I let it be known," Hardaway said. "I don't like gay people, and I don't like to be around gay people. I am homophobic. I don't like it. It shouldn't be in the world or in the United States."

Hardaway, a former All-Star with Golden State and Miami who played 14 games in 2001-02 with the Nuggets, issued a statement Thursday.

"As an African-American, I know all too well the negative thoughts and feelings hatred and bigotry cause," Hardaway said in part.

"I regret and apologize for the statements that I made that have certainly caused the same kinds of feelings and reactions."

Stern said early Thursday night he was hopeful of talking with Hardaway later that night.

Hardaway had been in Las Vegas early in the week and had been scheduled to remain throughout the weekend for community functions.

"Every comment that (Hardaway) made is laden with hate," Amaechi, who revealed last week he is gay, said on ESPN Radio.

"(Hardaway's) comments and the comments of people like him . . . pollute the air."

Stern doesn't consider the comments a distraction this weekend and said "this is an issue overall that has fascinated America and it's not an NBA issue."

While first saying he wouldn't discuss the issue with NBA players, Stern later said it's "a subject that's probably worthy of inclusion" at the league's annual rookie orientation.