NBA players want ‘Equality’
The National Basketball Association halted play in mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic after Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for the virus. But the league has a return to play plan in place as teams start reconvening for the conclusion of the 2019-2020 campaign. The recent surge of COVID-19 cases across the United States is alarming, but the pandemic is not the only issue on player’s minds these days.
When the season resumes, players will have the option to have a social justice message printed on the back of their jerseys as opposed to their names and according to National Basketball Players’ Association executive director Michele Roberts, 285 out of 350 players have opted to do so with 17 choosing to go with their names instead. The soft deadline for players to decide is Monday, but Roberts suggested the NBPA is waiting on more players to decide.
The most popular social justice message chosen to be written on the back of players’ jerseys? “Equality” claims Roberts, with “Black Lives Matter” being the second most popular selection.
“The players have taken this seriously with what they’re going to put on their jerseys, understanding that they were going to have a platform giving a message to a wide variety of people,” Roberts told ESPN’s The Undefeated. “Given the large number of guys that are participating, I think these men appreciate that this is a chance to do exactly what they wanted to do. Keep the conversation going.
“The guys are excited to get back to the game. Hopefully, we can work to have some great basketball and give some great messages.”
Since the tragic death of George Floyd, demonstrations have continued to take place across the globe as protestors demand racial equality. NBA players and executives have not been shy about speaking out and letting the world know where they feel on the matter. A handful of players have already decided not to play for the remainder of the season, citing social justice reasons.
Messages will not just be appearing in English either according to Roberts, as she told The Undefeated that we will see messages in Italian, Slovenian, French Creole, Hebrew, Latvian, Maori, Bosnian and Portuguese. NBPA executive and Oklahoma City Thunder guard already revealed that he will have “Equality” printed on the back of his jersey.
“I chose ‘EQUALITY’ because it reminds us that in order to have real impact and change, we need to make a conscious effort to level the playing field and create systems that are not bias based on race, education, economics or gender,” Paul told The Undefeated.
Players will be allowed a first and second choice for their social justice message, as it will be displayed above the number for the first four days of the re-start. Following the first four days, players still have the option to display their social justice message, but it would be printed at the bottom of the number with the player’s name above the number. All NBA jerseys are made by Nike.
