'Black Lives Matter' to be painted on courts at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex for NBA's resumed 2020 season
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6/30/2020
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As part of its ongoing efforts to address racial inequality, the NBA and the players union have agreed to have “Black Lives Matter” painted on the courts inside both sidelines of the venues at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex when it resumes the 2019-20 season on July 30, a person familiar with the details told USA TODAY Sports. That person was granted anonymity because they were not authorized to speak about internal matters publicly.
© Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman
Atlanta Hawks player Trae Young gathers with other protesters in Norman, Okla.
The person added the slogans will be painted on the side of the court in front of the scorer's table and on the other side of the court in front of the broadcast booth.
The NBA and the NBPA had announced last week that it would pursue various initiatives involving racial equality amid ongoing protests more than a month following a string of incidents involving law enforcement killing Black people, including George Floyd, Rayshard Brooks, Breonna Taylor and Elijah McClain.
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NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said the league has created a foundation “to expand educational and economic opportunities across the Black Community.” Silver and NBPA president Chris Paul called on the league to improve its hiring practice for Black people, women and other minorities for front office and coaching positions. And the NBA’s 113-page health and safety protocol said it has a planned partnership with the National Urban League.
Neither party shared other specifics on any initiatives. It is not clear if the NBA will allow teams to protest during the national anthem after having a rule established in 1981 that requires teams to “stand and line up in a dignified posture.” But NBA spokesman Mike Bass told USA TODAY Sports recently “that we will work in partnership with the players on important issues like this.”
It is not clear if the NBA will wear “Black Lives Matter” on the back of their jerseys like teams in the Premier League have done, but Paul recently told The Undefeated that he likes that idea. Since George’s murder, NBA teams have held Zoom calls for guest speakers that specialize in social justice and racial issues.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Black Lives Matter' to be painted on courts at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex for NBA's resumed 2020 season
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