Silver said that the tradition of being socially aware and active has always been a part of the league's DNAESPN/GETTY IMAGES
NBPA Exec Dir Michele Roberts said NBAers are more able to speak out on social issues than NFLers because the NBA is "smaller" and "in significant ways, our fanbase is different." Roberts, appearing on "The J.J. Redick Podcast," said, "It's younger, some say it's hipper. I don't know that it's necessarily more progressive, but we do have a fanbase that is demonstratively different than the NFL. I think our ownership is also different and much more entrepreneurial. It's younger, and that makes a significant difference in terms of how the league is going to respond to things." Roberts noted NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has always been "respectful" of NBAers in a way that is "a little different" than how NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell treats NFLers. Roberts: "There's a comfort level that our players have that I, unfortunately, don't think the football players have." Roberts continued: "I've always taken umbrage with people who presuppose that any athlete had a responsibility to say anything. We have the right as Americans to be verbal or agnostic, and so I respect players who don't choose to take sides" ("The J.J. Redick Podcast," THERINGER.com, 6/1). Silver said he is "carrying on a tradition in this league" of being socially aware and active, as he views it as "more based on values than politics and culture and it's always been part of the DNA of this league." Silver: "The last thing I think we should be doing is sticking to sports, and that's not a business judgement on my part, it's that it's incredible the impact sports has had and will have on our society. It can be used for such a positive force, to build bridges to bring people together" ("NBA Live at the Finals Pregame," NBA TV, 6/3).
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ME AND YOU: In Boston, Gary Washburn wrote the one primary difference between Silver and Goodell is the NBA commissioner's "positive relationship with players." Most NBAers "genuinely like Silver, and they believe he at least attempts to understand their issues and concerns." Silver's statements put the "mostly African-American NBA membership at ease" with him. There is "harmony on this issue between the NBPA and the NBA, which is a testament to the bond that has been established since Silver took over three years ago" (BOSTON GLOBE, 6/3).
