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The NBA will paint “Black Lives Matter” on the three courts it will use when it resumes the 2019-20 season at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, according to ESPN’s Zach Lowe and Ramona Shelburne.
According to reports, the phrase would appear within both side lines. Lowe and Shelburne reported that the WNBA is also considering a similar assent to the “Black Lives Matter” movement when it opens its 2020 season at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.
Oklahoma City Thunder star Chris Paul, who is also president of the National Basketball Players Association, told Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated that the union was working with the league to get players to carry “personalized messages of justice social, social cause or charity “on the back of their jerseys.
Las Vegas Aces star Angel McCoughtry first came up with the idea, sharing a photo of his 35th jersey with “Breonna Taylor” on the back.
Angel McCoughtry @ @angel_35
Say their names on our shirts https://t.co/AGF1r3Eqp2
Louisville Police shot and killed Taylor in her apartment on March 13 while placing a search warrant. Officers said they knocked on Taylor’s door before entering, but his family has disputed that narrative in a wrongful death lawsuit.
Lowe and Shelburne reported that WNBA players have also proposed wearing shooting shirts with the slogan “Say your name,” alluding to Taylor and other women who were victims of police brutality.
The murders of Taylor, George Floyd, and Ahmaud Arbery helped spark ongoing protests across the country. Protesters have demanded significant reforms that address police brutality, systemic racism and racial inequality.
The NBA announced on June 4 that its Board of Governors approved a plan to restart the current season in Orlando. However, some players questioned whether the restart could divert attention from the racial justice movement.
Shams Charania @ @ShamsCharania
Lakers’ Dwight Howard told @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium: “Our main goal is to raise awareness and gain transparency … Many of our fellow players are afraid to voice their concerns and continue to follow what they think they have to do.” “. https://t.co/dfTlSPBwpV
Bleach report @ @Bleach report
Kyrie on call with the players: “I am willing to give up everything I have (for social reform)”, according to @ShamsCharania https://t.co/nSlWOl7Bkm
ESPN Malika Andrews and Adrian Wojnarowski He spoke with Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Avery Bradley, who said he and a coalition of players wanted to see the NBA come up with more concrete steps to increase the level of diversity in training and in the office ranks. Another goal was for the league to establish official partnerships with black-owned companies and vendors.
The NBA subsequently issued a statement on June 24 to say that various parties around the league met to discuss how to address social justice initiatives:
“The group that met yesterday agreed in principle that the goal of the restart of the season in Orlando will be to take collective action to combat systemic racism and promote social justice. The talks also covered strategies to increase black representation in the NBA and its teams, ensure greater inclusion of Black-owned and operated businesses in NBA business activities, and form an NBA base to expand educational and economic development opportunities throughout the Black community. “
The NBA season will return on July 30 with a couple of games. The Utah Jazz will open against the New Orleans Pelicans, followed by a clash between the Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers.
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