Menu
Download the app

SBJ subscribers – Enhance your experience with the revamped iOS app

Leagues and Governing Bodies

NBA Memo Offers Teams Ways To Create Community Dialogue, Reinforces Anthem Rule

The NBA on Friday sent a memo to its teams that "offered several ways that teams can continue to create dialogue with their players and the community about the protest movement that has spread across the sports world," according to Tim Bontemps of the WASHINGTON POST. The memo, written by NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum, also gives teams a "blueprint for how to approach the issue, stressing that team owners and executives meet with their players to get a clear understanding of their players’ perspectives on the matter." There also were "several proposals for initiatives teams could create between now and the start of the season, as well as things teams could do before or during their opening home game of the season." The memo reiterated that there is a "league rule stating that players, coaches and trainers must stand for the national anthem." That rule has been "in place for decades, and was originally intended to ensure players weren’t shooting or stretching while the anthem was being played before a game" (WASHINGTON POST, 10/1). ESPN.com's Zach Lowe reported the memo "instructs teams that 'the league office will determine how to deal with any possible instance in which a player, coach, or trainer does not stand for the anthem.'" Tatum "suggests teams might address the current political climate by having players and coaches give a joint pregame address at their first home games." The memo also "suggests teams might prepare a video tribute or public service announcement featuring 'team leadership speaking about the issues they care about'" (ESPN.com, 9/30). 

EASY TO MAKE A CALL NOW: ESPN's Mina Kimes said the "real decision" for NBA Commissioner Adam Silver will be "when a player kneels -- and a player will kneel -- and he has to decide whether to actually suspend them." Kimes: "If he actually did something like that, I think he would have a real controversy on his hands” (“Highly Questionable,” ESPN, 9/29). ESPN's Bomani Jones said, "Now is not the time for a commissioner to flex. Now is the time for him to go talk to his players” (“PTI,” ESPN, 9/29). ESPN's Jackie MacMullan noted that she has heard Silver "has already had conversations” with the NBPA about the issue. The N.Y. Daily News’ Frank Isola noted players like Cavaliers F LeBron James and Rockets G Chris Paul have stated they would stand for the national anthem. Marquee names like that carry voices that are "pretty powerful." Isola: "The NBA looks at it, ‘We’re going to tackle a lot of issues. We’re not going to get sidetracked with everybody talking about are we protesting the anthem?’” ("Around The Horn," ESPN, 9/29).

TEAMS MAKE PLANS: Lakers coach Luke Walton said that the team "plans to lock arms during the national anthem throughout the season," beginning with Saturday night's game against the T'Wolves. Walton said, "I feel like we are showing that there are issues in this country, and it is a chance for us to raise awareness and still make it a talking point. If you do nothing, then it kind of goes away, and if it goes away, then nothing changes." The T'Wolves last night "also locked arms and stood" before the game (ESPN.com, 9/30). In Ft. Lauderdale, Ira Winderman notes the Heat stood "with locked arms" during the anthem prior to their preseason home game against the Hawks last night. They "began with the approach at the start of last season and will continue" this year. Heat President Pat Riley before training camp said, "The decisions that players make, athletes, people make to speak their conscience is their choice. ... I'm cool with that. But if one player wants to separate himself from the pack and stand out there then that's his choice and that's his conscience" (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 10/2). Heat G Wayne Ellington said that he is "not sure if Heat players will express themselves in other ways as the regular season nears." Ellington: "I don't know if you get much out of it. But I think locking arms and just showing that we’re together is good. I think that’s a step in the right direction" (MIAMIHERALD.com, 10/1).

NO PROTEST FOR WARRIORS: The Warriors on Saturday "elected not to participate in a protest demonstration" prior to tipoff of their game against the Nuggets. The Nuggets chose to "lock arms." Warriors F Andre Iguodala: "We've done enough. We talked about how we've done enough and how we're going about things a certain way. We feel like our voices are being heard." Warriors F Draymond Green: "Everyone knows where we stand" (ESPN.com, 9/30). In San Jose, Dieter Kurtenbach wrote the Warriors "made the right decision in standing" for the national anthem (San Jose MERCURY NEWS, 10/1). In S.F., Bruce Jenkins wrote despite the Warriors not protesting before the game, they will "challenge social injustice with their words, and they will seek direct, personal connections to the issues whenever possible" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 10/1). Warriors G Stephen Curry, in response to critics who believe he is unqualified to speak out on social injustice due to his wealth and stature, said, "I've heard a lot of backlash from this whole thing about how much money we make and 'what are we complaining about?' and 'we're in a bubble, we don't have the same struggles and stresses of life (compared) to other people. ... How that all takes shape is ridiculous to me -- trying to minimize what we're talking about because we have money. That doesn't make any difference to us. And hopefully with that money, we can do a lot of good with it. We still have family and people that we are connected to, that we feel what real life is like" (ESPN.com, 9/30).

SBJ Morning Buzzcast: March 25, 2024

NFL meeting preview; MLB's opening week ad effort and remembering Peter Angelos.

Big Get Jay Wright, March Madness is upon us and ESPN locks up CFP

On this week’s pod, our Big Get is CBS Sports college basketball analyst Jay Wright. The NCAA Championship-winning coach shares his insight with SBJ’s Austin Karp on key hoops issues and why being well dressed is an important part of his success. Also on the show, Poynter Institute senior writer Tom Jones shares who he has up and who is down in sports media. Later, SBJ’s Ben Portnoy talks the latest on ESPN’s CFP extension and who CBS, TNT Sports and ESPN need to make deep runs in the men’s and women's NCAA basketball tournaments.

SBJ I Factor: Nana-Yaw Asamoah

SBJ I Factor features an interview with AMB Sports and Entertainment Chief Commercial Office Nana-Yaw Asamoah. Asamoah, who moved over to AMBSE last year after 14 years at the NFL, talks with SBJ’s Ben Fischer about how his role model parents and older sisters pushed him to shrive, how the power of lifelong learning fuels successful people, and why AMBSE was an opportunity he could not pass up. Asamoah is 2021 SBJ Forty Under 40 honoree. SBJ I Factor is a monthly podcast offering interviews with sports executives who have been recipients of one of the magazine’s awards.

Shareable URL copied to clipboard!

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2017/10/02/Leagues-and-Governing-Bodies/NBA-Anthem.aspx

Sorry, something went wrong with the copy but here is the link for you.

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2017/10/02/Leagues-and-Governing-Bodies/NBA-Anthem.aspx

CLOSE