NBA

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NBA

The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball league in North America. The league is composed of 30 teams (29 in the United States and 1 in Canada) and is one of the four major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada. It is the premier men's professional basketball league in the world.[1]

The league was founded in New York City on June 6, 1946, as the Basketball Association of America (BAA). It changed its name to the National Basketball Association on August 3, 1949, after merging with the competing National Basketball League (NBL). The NBA's regular season runs from October to April, with each team playing 82 games. The league's playoff tournament extends into June. As of 2020, NBA players are the world's best paid athletes by average annual salary per player.[2]

Support to Black Lives Matter

Before the restart of the season in July 2020, many NBA players had participated in the nationwide protests against racism and police brutality sparked by the killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor by police. Some players were concerned that their voices wouldn’t be heard if they played basketball in a bubble. Ultimately, the NBA and National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) agreed to resume the season with a commitment to use their platform to address social justice issues.[3]

Combat systematic racism and promoting social justice

NBA commissioner Adam Silver said he is working with the players' association "on a shared goal that the season restart leads to collective action towards combating systematic racism and promoting social justice."

Silver also pledged "to increase Black representation in all positions across the NBA and its teams, ensure greater inclusion of Black-operated businesses across NBA business activities, and the formation of an NBA foundation to expand educational and economic development opportunities across the Black community."[4]

Social justice message on jersey

The NBA and the NBPA also worked collaboratively to allow players to wear a number of social justice messages on their jerseys during the remainder of the season. It was an idea sparked by Oklahoma City Thunder guard and union president Chris Paul. The messages included:

Black Lives Matter, Say Their Names, Vote, I Can’t Breathe, Justice, Peace, Equality, Freedom, Enough, Power to the People, Justice Now, Say Her Name, Sí Se Puede (Yes We Can), Liberation, See Us, Hear Us, Respect Us, Love Us, Listen, Listen to Us, Stand Up, Ally, Anti-Racist, I Am A Man, Speak Up, How Many More, Group Economics, Education Reform and Mentor.

Three hundred of the 350 players wore jerseys with those messages, including prominent white players and international stars. The jerseys worn on the first day were auctioned off online for the new Players’ Justice Fund, which has raised more than $700,000 from the auction.

From June to October 2020, NBA players and coaches have also shined a light on victims of police brutality and racism while speaking during media sessions.[3]

The truth is #BlackLivesMatter ad

The NBA has produced a new social justice public service announcement that was released through its social media channels. Combining images and footage of players speaking at protests across the country, the NBA video ends with the message, "Because the truth is Black Lives Matter":

This message comes in the wake of commissioner Adam Silver announcing "a shared goal" between the league and players for resuming the season on July 30 in Orlando will lead to "collective action towards combating systematic racism and promoting social justice."

Several NBA players, including reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, Malcolm Brogdon, Jaylen Brown and Damian Lillard, took part in protests against systemic racism and social injustice stemming from the killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor by police officers.[5]

References

  1. Rathborn, Jack. NBA Draft 2020: What time does it start in the UK, who has the No 1 pick and how can I watch it?.. November 18, 2020. independent.co.uk. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  2. National Basketball Association. Wikipedia. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Spears, Marc. ‘Black Lives Matter, people’: How the NBA’s social justice efforts dominated the season. October 12, 2020. theundefeated.com. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  4. Gianatasio, David. NBA Drops Powerhouse Black Lives Matter Ad Demanding Social Justice. June 28, 2020. nusebycl.io. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  5. Wells. Adam. NBA Releases Social Justice PSA Video: 'The Truth Is Black Lives Matter'. June 27, 2020. bleacherreport.com. Retrieved January 31, 2021.