As part of the NBA's plan to highlight social just issues, the league and the players' union have decided to paint 'Black Live...
As part of the NBA's plan to highlight social just issues, the league and the players' union have decided to paint 'Black Lives Matter' onto courts at ESPN's Wide World of Sports Complex near Orlando, Florida when the season restarts next month.
The Daily Mail has confirmed the story, which was first reported by ESPN, but has not been officially announced by the league.
The NBA will use three arenas at the Disney site as 22 of the league's 30 teams conclude the regular season beginning July 30. The playing courts are all expected to be emblazoned with 'Black Lives Matter.'
(Pictured) The HP Field House at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. As part of the NBA's plan to highlight social just issues, the league has reportedly decided to paint 'Black Lives Matter' onto courts at ESPN's Wide World of Sports Complex near Orlando, Florida when the season restarts next month
NBPA president Chris Paul, an Oklahoma City Thunder guard, recently told ESPN that the players got permission from the league to wear words promoting social justice in place of their names on uniforms: 'We're just trying to continue to shed light on the different social justice issues that guys around our league continue to talk about day in and day out'
The National Basketball Players Association and the league have discussed methods to promote messages of equality and police reform since the death of George Floyd prompted nationwide and worldwide protests.
NBPA president Chris Paul, an Oklahoma City Thunder guard, recently told ESPN that the players got permission from the league to wear words promoting social justice in place of their names on uniforms.
'We're just trying to continue to shed light on the different social justice issues that guys around our league continue to talk about day in and day out,' Paul said. 'People are saying that social justice will be off of everybody's mind in Orlando. With these jerseys, it doesn't go away.'
According to Paul, phrases such as 'Black Lives Matter' or 'I Can't Breathe' or the names of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor or Ahmaud Arbery could be seen on uniforms. Taylor and Arbery were also killed in shootings this year.
The killing of George Floyd (pictured) at the hands of Minneapolis police last month sparked a renewed interest in social justice issues among NBA players and teams
According to Oklahoma City guard Chris Paul, phrases such as 'Black Lives Matter' or 'I Can't Breathe' or the names of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor (left) or Ahmaud Arbery (right) could be seen on uniforms. Taylor and Arbery were also killed in shootings this year
December 8, 2014: Then-Cavaliers star LeBron James wears a t shirt to honor Eric Garner during warmups before a NBA game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Brooklyn Nets
The WNBA also might follow the NBA's lead and put 'Black Lives Matter' on its courts at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, for its 2020 season, according to ESPN. The report added that WNBA players might wear pregame shirts with the phrase, 'Say Her Name,' seeking to keep the focus on Taylor and other women who are victims of alleged police brutality.
This is a departure for the WNBA, which is owned by the NBA and once warned players from three different teams in 2016 against wearing 'Black Lives Matter' warmup t-shirts in protest of racist police brutality. As a compromise, the players wore all-black warmup jerseys before later games, but were still fined by the WNBA for violating a league rule 'that uniforms may not be altered in any way.'
WNBA players and many others were outraged that they would be fined after LeBron James and other NBA players wore 'I Can't Breathe' warmup t-shirts in the wake of Eric Garner's death at the hands of New York police in 2014.
Ultimately the WNBA rescinded those fines.
The WNBA warned players from three different teams in 2016 against wearing 'Black Lives Matter' warmup t-shirts in protest of racist police brutality
As a compromise, the players wore all-black warmup jerseys before later games, but were still fined by the WNBA for violating a league rule 'that uniforms may not be altered in any way'
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