'Black Lives Matter' to be painted on courts at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex for NBA's resumed 2020 season

NBA players are deciding whether it's worth it to play this season

Wolverines Wire See more videos

SHARE

SHARE

TWEET

SHARE

EMAIL

What to watch next

• 

  Shorthanded Gators stun No. 6 Tennessee in dominating win

  
  Wolverines Wire
• 

  Report: Ravens expected to explore Lamar Jackson contract extension in offseason

  
  Wolverines Wire
• 

  Report: Lions will hire Brad Holmes as the team's new GM

  
  Wolverines Wire
• 

  Rockets trade James Harden to Brooklyn in deal landing Victor Oladipo, draft assets

  
  Wolverines Wire
• 

  Browns fan in hospice gets game day of a lifetime

  
  Wolverines Wire
• 

  Belichick and Patriots enter unfamiliar territory: a full rebuild

  
  Wolverines Wire
• 

  Why this year's Heisman race is different

  
  Wolverines Wire
• 

  Two Ohio State football players named Associated Press First-Team All-Americans

  
  Wolverines Wire
• 

  USA TODAY Bowl Projections: Win vs. Maryland could send Spartans bowling

  
  Wolverines Wire

Click to expand

Replay Video

• Shorthanded Gators stun No. 6 Tennessee in dominating win Though they were heavily shorthanded, Florida delivered an improbable dominant performance against Tennessee . UF picked up its best win of the season against the Vols, 75-49. The Gators led by 11 at halftime and only expanded upon that lead in the second frame Wolverines Wire
• Report: Ravens expected to explore Lamar Jackson contract extension in offseason Whenever the offseason begins for the Ravens, they’re expected to start negotiations on Lamar Jackson’s contract extension, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. He’s shattered records, created whole new milestones, and become the league’s MVP thanks to his electric ability on the field. Baltimore is still in the playoffs at the time of writing this — he’s rightfully earned a huge contract extension as the team continues to build around him. With each playoff game Jackson wins, his contract value continues to skyrocket Wolverines Wire
• Report: Lions will hire Brad Holmes as the team's new GM Numerous reports, including one from ESPN’s Adam Schefter indicates that the Lions are hiring Brad Holmes as the team’s new general manager. He has been the director of collegiate scouting for the Rams since 2010 and has spent his entire NFL front office tenure with the Rams organization. Per Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, Holmes and the Lions agreed to a five-year contract Wolverines Wire

UP NEXT

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. 

From NFL plays to college sports scores, all the top sports news you need to know every day.

MARKELLE FULTZ: NBA bubble will be like 'an AAU tournament'

NBA RESTART: How Disney employees will work inside the NBA's campus bubble site

CORONAVIRUS & SPORTS: Get the latest news and information right in your inbox. Sign up here.

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