NBA, NBPA send players memo seeking ideas for social changes

To that end, the National Basketball Association is looking to not merely deal with the aftermath of whatever protests or statements the players might make regarding these issues, but is working to actually foster a conversation in advance so that the league can support the players, but also so that it can try and prevent incidents that could harm their image or sponsor relationships.

The league and the Players’ Association, working together, have begun developing substantive ways for us to come together and take meaningful action.

The memo was sent on the same day that each player on the WNBA’s Indiana Fever roster took a knee and linked arms with a teammate.

The letter mentions the ESPYs speech by Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade in which they spoke out against “senseless acts of violence” as an example of how players can discuss issues that are important to them.

In a letter sent to each of the nearly 500 players under contract, NBA commissioner Adam Silver and NBA Players’ Association executive director Michele Roberts are urging teams to reach out to organizations and law enforcement officials in their city to hold community discussions. The 49ers quarterback told NFL.com’s Steve Wyche in August he was “not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color”. Or we will continue to wake up to stories of USA being shot down like WE don’t matter.

Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson also weighed in after the latest killings.

Since taking over as commissioner at the beginning of 2014, Silver has backed players’ rights to use their platform as public figures to voice opinions on social issues.

The NBA’s first pre-season games begin late next week, the regular season opens October 25. The memo read that Roberts and Silver will be working with each team during training camp to gather ideas to create change.