Frank Franklin II / Associated Press
NBA players may have the option to replace the last name on the back of their shirts with statements about social justice when the league restarts in late July, according to Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic.
Shams Charania @ @ShamsCharania
The NBA and NBPA are planning to allow players to replace the last name on their jerseys with a statement on social justice, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
The move is similar to a request by WNBA players, led by Las Vegas star Aces Angel McCoughtry, to allow players to put the names of victims of police brutality on their shirts.
Charania celebrated The National Basketball Players Association released details about the plan on Saturday night and is currently working with the league and its jersey partner, Nike.
Some players have been worried about the NBA’s return acting as a distraction from national protests against systemic racism and police brutality.
On a call in early June with multiple players, Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving argued opting for the league plan to resume the season at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World in Florida. Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard had also advised against resuming play, but cleared up The main objective was “to create awareness and gain transparency”.
NBA He says is taking steps to increase diversity across the league and will establish a foundation for better connecting with black communities
Many NBA players have been seen marching with protesters at Black Lives Matter rallies in recent weeks, including Giannis Antetokounmpo, Russell Westbrook, DeMar DeRozan, Tobias Harris, and Stephen Curry.
In previous conversations with the league, Los Angeles Clippers shooting guard Lou Williams raised the idea of players using “Black Lives Matter.” patches on their shirts as a potential option.
This is far from the first time that the NBA has seen players make statements about systemic racism or police brutality. In 2014, following the death of Eric Garner while in New York City police custody, several players, including LeBron James wore T-shirts with “I can’t breathe” written on them, the phrase serving as Garner’s last words.
Earlier that year, the Clippers protested then-owner Donald Sterling’s racist remarks by removing his team’s warm-ups on center court and leaving them there.
Historically, the NBA has supported its players who speak for social causes.
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