The NBA and NBPA announced the NBA Foundation BOD, comprised of eight reps from the league BOG, players and execs from the NBPA and the league office. The Foundation’s BOD will provide strategic direction with respect to programming and grantmaking as well as oversee the organization’s activities to support and facilitate sustainable initiatives in team markets. The inaugural board members are: NBA Commissioner ADAM SILVER, Kings F HARRISON BARNES, Pelicans Owner GAYLE BENSON, 76ers F TOBIAS HARRIS, Hornets Owner MICHAEL JORDAN, Hawks Owner TONY RESSLER, NBPA Exec Dir MICHELE ROBERTS and NBA BOG Chair LARRY TANENBAUM (SBJ Unpacks, 10/9)
OWNERS IN THE NEWS: Golden Knights Owner BILL FOLEY "felt the effects of the wildfires in Northern California, as several of his wineries were temporarily shut down and one of his properties sustained extensive damage." Foley said, "It's been terrible." He said that the wine business "already sustained heavy financial losses during the coronavirus pandemic without visitors." Foley: "We've basically lost our vintage" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 10/12)....Pistons Owner TOM GORES "stepped down from the board of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art on Thursday night after calls for the billionaire’s ouster over his investment firm’s ownership of a prison telephone company" (L.A. TIMES, 10/9).
NAMES: The African American Sports & Entertainment Group has "added a number of influential members, which they hope will someday make up the first majority-Black ownership group in pro football." Among them is NBA agent BILL DUFFY, who has "more than 80 clients." The AASEG aims to convince the NFL to "bring a franchise back to Oakland" (SFGATE.com, 10/9)....Eagles S RODNEY MCLEOD and his wife, ERIKA, are partnering with WHYY-FM to "launch the initiative Game Changers, which will empower the Greater Philadelphia community and youth through education." The initiative will "focus on lifelong learning, leadership, amplifying voices and perseverance" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 10/9)....Warriors G STEPHEN CURRY teamed up with JOE BIDEN to "deliver a message to youth in Charlotte, North Carolina: Register, and go vote." A video posted to Biden's Instagram page shows the '20 presidential candidate "visited a gym in Charlotte" along with Thunder G CHRIS PAUL (San Jose MERCURY NEWS, 10/9).
