The NBA considering allowing players to put social messages on their jerseys when the league returns next month in Orlando was a big topic of discussion on yesterday’s sports talk TV shows, with ESPN’s Jalen Rose saying that would present an “amazing opportunity for the most powerful conglomerate amongst black men playing basketball in the NBA.” Rose said, “You can read the jersey, you can see it on the floor, you can physically see it on the television with the graphics during the commercials, during the entertainment. It doesn’t feel like a distraction, it feels more like an outlet” (“Jalen & Jacoby,” ESPN, 6/29). ESPN’s Israel Gutierrez said the messaging “creates the uncomfortable conversations that a lot people have to have.” He added, “I do believe that’s a large part of the reason that a lot of players are okay with … coming back to play because they can still get messages across” (“Around The Horn,” ESPN, 6/29). ESPN’s Dan Le Batard said this is a “concession to any guys who feared returning to games, like Kyrie Irving, would cause a distraction from greater societal cause.” Meanwhile, ESPN’s Domonique Foxworth said this “should be connected with some sort of tangible action, which I think the NBA will announce at some point.” Foxworth: “This alone shouldn’t satisfy anybody” (“Highly Questionable,” ESPN, 6/29).
SOME CONCERNS COULD EXIST: The Undefeated’s Marc Spears said there are “some concerns” with the messaging that could be used, including whether players will “say something that could be deemed offensive.” But Spears believes “this is going to be about social issues.” Spears: “It could be a charity, something personal to guys. But it's something that they're hoping could happen and be worn through the entire season.” ESPN’s Jay Williams: “I do like that this is a subset of the plan, to continue to sustain the conversation.” ESPN’s Rachel Nichols noted jerseys likely will become “very popular sales items … for Nike, so I would certainly challenge them to donate proceeds from these jerseys.” Spears said for the next three-and-a-half months “with the NBA you’re going to get that message” about social justice, “whether it’s PSAs, whether it’s things on the floor.” Fans will be “inundated with so many messages over the course of this season that you’re going to be woke by the time it’s over with” (“The Jump,” ESPN, 6/29).
STAYING AHEAD OF THE CURVE: NBA TV’s Channing Frye said the NBA has been “ahead of the curve for a long, long time,” as the players “have such a huge voice” (“Gametime,” NBA TV, 6/29). ESPN’s Elle Duncan said the NBA has “always been the league that’s ready the quickest to adapt to the changing relevance of what’s happening on the cultural esthetics” (“Around the Horn,” ESPN, 6/29).
MESSAGE ON THE COURT: In L.A., Dan Woike cites sources as saying that "Black Lives Matter" will be "painted on the NBA's courts inside the ESPN Wide World of Sports campus" when the league returns next month. The on-court message will be among the "most visible signs of activism that the NBA and its players have committed to" when they come back (L.A. TIMES, 6/30).
