For Prokhorov, no doubt an easy --and basketball-- decision

Mikhail Prokhorov declined Sunday to offer any comments on the signing of Jason Collins to a 10-day contract.  His spokesman said that team statement, that didn't mention Collins sexual preference would suffice. It's a basketball decision.  It's not as if he keeps quiet  when the Nets do a big deal. When the team introduced basketball legends Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Jason Terry in July, he flew from Moscow to Brooklyn, talked to reporters and flew out ... the same day.

That said, Prokhorov has a strong record on gay rights, in the midst of a country where homophobic attitudes have led to a ban on "gay propaganda", code for banning most public discussions of LGBT issues.

He campaigned against such attitudes in 2012 when he ran for president of Russia and when the law was passed in June, he publicly condemned it and the attitudes behind it as head of the political party he formed.

"I think we are breaching the international convention of human rights and freedoms we have signed. My position is very simple: This is a personal affair. It is a personal affair who has sex with whom," he said, then quipping, "For instance, I am against both heterosexual and gay pride parades."

This is an infringement on personal freedom, Prokhorov added.

• Prokhorov opposes 'gay propaganda' and adoption bans - Russia Beyond the Headlines