New York (AFP)
The North American basketball league hopes to promote social justice and fight racism as soon as the season kicks off in late July, NBA boss Adam Silver and players' union representative Chris Paul said on Wednesday.
"The problem of systemic racism and police brutality in our country must stop," said Chris Paul, leader of Oklahoma City.
"It is our job, as players and as a league, to use our collective platform to shine a light on these issues and to weigh in to address them," he added.
After the death of George Floyd, who died suffocated under the knee of a police officer a month ago in Minneapolis, NBA players called for concrete actions against social injustice, particularly in hiring practices.
If no concrete plan has been decided yet, various proposals have appeared in recent days.
Among the players' requests, a better representation of blacks in the governing bodies of the league, donations in favor of organizations serving the African-American community or even create an NBA foundation to allow this community to benefit from better educational and economic opportunities.
"The league and the players have a unique position to have a direct impact on combating systemic racism in our country, and we assure that we will work together to build a more egalitarian and fairer society," said the boss. from the NBA, Adam Silver.
"When the season resumes (in Orlando, Florida), our common goal is to draw attention to these important topics of social justice," he continued.
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