They had stopped playing in support of Jacob Blake and to protest against police violence. Three days after the boycott of players, the NBA and the players' union (NBPA) announced Friday that play-off matches would resume on Saturday.
"All parties have agreed to resume play-off matches on Saturday, August 29," wrote the bosses of both instances Adam Silver and Michelle Roberts, claiming to have had "a frank, passionate and productive conversation Thursday between the players, the coaches and team owners on the next steps to deepen our collective efforts and actions for social justice and racial equality ”.
Forcing franchise owners to "be proactive"
The hour-long telephone meeting on Thursday, also involving representatives of the players' union as well as Michael Jordan in a role of mediator with the franchise owners - himself being the only black to be so with the Charlotte Hornets - was decisive, even if the players had voted that very morning for the resumption.
The goal was to launch action plans to accentuate the fight against racism and to urge franchise owners in particular "to be proactive and not reactive", according to The Athletic citing players.
A coalition for social justice
Three main axes were detailed in the press release from the NBA and NBPA. The NBA and its players will "immediately create a coalition for social justice, which will focus in particular on improving access to the vote and advocating for meaningful reform of the police and criminal justice". "The bosses of franchises, owners of their room will work with local election officials to convert it into a voting place for the next elections, in particular intended for communities vulnerable to Covid-19", continues the text.
Finally, “the league will work with players and partners to create and include commercials during each play-off match dedicated to promoting greater civic engagement in national and local elections. "
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Police violence: NBA postpones Thursday's three games, Trump denounces "a political organization"
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