On his HBO series “Real Sports” last night, former “Today” and “Early Show” anchor Bryant Gumbel took aim at NBA Commissioner David Stern in a scathing commentary.

Gumbel compared Stern to a plantation owner for the way he has handled NBA lockout negotiations:

“Stern’s version of what has been going on behind closed doors has of course been disputed, but his efforts were typical of a commissioner who has always seemed eager to be viewed as some kind of modern plantation overseer, treating NBA men as if they were his boys. It’s part of Stern’s M.O., like his past self-serving edicts on dress code and the questioning of officials. His moves were intended to do little more than show how he’s the one keeping the hired hands in their place.”

As CBS Sports notes, this isn’t the first time Gumbel has invoked race when discussing matters of athletes and owners.