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The NBA and the NBPA released a joint press release this morning to announce that both sides officially agreed to resume playoff games today with the understanding that the league, together with the players, will work to enhance its social justice initiatives.
“We had a frank, passionate, and productive conversation yesterday among NBA players, coaches, and team governors about next steps to advance our collective efforts and actions in support of social justice and racial equality. Among others, attendees included players and team representatives from the 13 teams in Orlando. All parties agreed to resume NBA playoff games on Saturday, August 29 with the understanding that the league together with the players will work to enact the following commitments:
1. The NBA and its players agreed to immediately establish a social justice coalition, with representatives of players, coaches and governors, that will focus on a wide range of issues, including increasing access to voting, promoting civic engagement and advocating for meaningful police and criminal justice reform.
2. In all cities where the league franchise owns and controls ownership of the arena, team governors will continue to work with local election officials to convert the facility into a polling place for the 2020 general election by the end to enable a secure in-person voting option for communities vulnerable to COVID. If a deadline has passed, team governors will work with local election officials to find another election-related use for the facility, including but not limited to voter registration and ballot receiving meetings.
3. The league will work with players and our network partners to create and include advertisements in each NBA playoff game dedicated to promoting greater civic participation in national and local elections and raising awareness of access and opportunities. of voters.
“These commitments follow months of close collaboration around designing a safe and healthy environment to restart the NBA season, providing a platform to promote social justice, and creating an NBA Foundation focused on the economic empowerment of the Black community.
“We look forward to the resumption of the playoffs and to continue working together, in Orlando and across all NBA team markets, to drive meaningful and sustainable change.”
This news comes after the Milwaukee Bucks boycotted Game 5 of their first-round series on Wednesday in response to the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on August 23.
Rather than prepare for postseason basketball, the Bucks called Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul and Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes to discuss the next steps necessary to find justice for Blake.
Inside the locker room, the Milwaukee Bucks were in a conference call with Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul and Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes, sources told ESPN.
– Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 26, 2020
His strike not only brought the NBA to a halt, but several teams from the WNBA, MLS and MLB followed suit and refused to play games in protest of racial injustice and police brutality.
On August 26, 2020, games and matches in four leagues were boycotted or postponed.
NBA
WNBA
MLB
MLSAn unprecedented day in the history of sport.
– ESPN (@espn) August 27, 2020
Wednesday’s game roster resumes today, beginning with the Bucks and Magic at 3:30 pm ET, and ending with the Lakers and Blazers at 9:00 pm Below is a full look at the revised playoff schedule.
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