NBA Tips Off Inaugural Green Week For Environmental Awareness

The NBA will hold its inaugural Green Week April 2-10 in partnership with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). The league-wide and environmentally-themed initiative will include special on-court apparel, charitable auctions, community projects and the launch of a PSA featuring NRDC Trustee Robert Redford. NBA.com has launched a new micro site in support of the campaign. Also, adidas will oufit all players with shooting shirts featuring the NBA Green logo. As part of the initiative, the Nuggets, Bobcats and Bulls during select home games throughout the week will wear green-colored uniforms and socks made from 45% organic cotton (NBA). Suns G Steve Nash: "I think it's great that we're taking the first steps to changing the culture and to moving in the right direction." Nash "sees plenty of waste during the season, from too many paper products in the arenas to too many hotel rooms that inevitably have all the lights on when he checks in." Nash: "I think that will be a great goal for people to come in contact with NBA green week, to come away from it with one new lesson and one new goal, one new change of habit so they can begin to lessen their impact on the environment as well" (AP, 4/1).

TEAMING UP: The NBA also has teamed with Autism Speaks to recognize National Autism Awareness Month in April. As part of the partnership, several NBA teams will show a special Autism Speaks PSA in-arena and during local broadcasts throughout the month. In addition, today is World Autism Awareness Day, and the Wizards and 76ers will feature in-arena and on-air messages and will distribute educational materials during their respective home games (NBA).