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Lebron James: “Black Lives Matter… when you’re black it’s not a movement, it’s a lifestyle.”

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The NBA spent a good portion of its COVID-delayed season trying to figure out how to spread messages to combat social injustice, when its game resumed. The league has allowed players to wear social justice sayings on their jerseys, and each court has "Black Lives Matter" painted on it.

Now that its playoffs are about to wrap up, and playoff ratings are at a 40-year low, the NBA commissioner said that social justice messages won't be prominently displayed when the 2020-21 season begins.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver says the league will depend upon its teams and players to deliver those ongoing messages largely outside of the playing arena. Silver said it's a conversation that will be held between the league and its players before the next season commences in a few months.

"I would say, in terms of the messages you see on the court and our jerseys, this was an extraordinary moment in time when we began these discussions with the players and what we all lived through this summer," Silver told ESPN's Rachel Nichols before Game 4 of the NBA Finals. "My sense is there'll be somewhat a return to normalcy - that those messages will largely be left to be delivered off the floor."

A 2020 Black Lives Matter movement ignited in the country after the May 25 death of George Floyd, who died while in custody of the Minneapolis Police Department. Prior to that, Breonna Taylor was shot to death in her Louisville, Kentucky home by local police.

Nationwide protests sparked internal social justice movements within professional sports leagues, from the NBA to NASCAR. The NBA allowed its players to wear social justice sayings at the top portion of their jersey backs, where the player's name would typically be seen.

In addition, at the Disney World "Bubble" where games were being played in Orlando, Florida, there was "Black Lives Matter" painted onto each court.

Meanwhile, the NBA ratings have plummeted during the league's restart and subsequent playoffs. Silver did not say it was a reason to pull the social justice messages directly from the players and its court, but did say the league would still back those messages.

However, during the league's restart, players and teams began a boycott-of its own games-after the shooting of a Black man named Jacob Blake, who was shot by police in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

"The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association today announced that in light of the Milwaukee Bucks' decision to not take the floor today for Game 5 against the Orlando Magic, today's three games - Bucks vs. Magic, Houston Rockets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Lakers vs. Portland Trail Blazers - have been postponed. Game 5 of each series will be rescheduled," the league stated after the boycotts.

That reportedly led to more people not watching the NBA games, and Silver responded to those potential viewers.

"I understand those people who are saying 'I'm on your side, but I want to watch a basketball game,'" Silver said.

The league's ratings were down 20 percent from last year, according to ESPN. But when the playoffs started, the ratings sank even lower. Then, when the NBA Finals tipped off, the ratings hit the bottom of the tank-the worst in league history. Following that up was even worse ratings for Game 2.

This has happened while the league's best player, LeBron James, was front and center in the Finals.

Ratings have continued hit all-time lows as the NBA Finals near. The league struggles to keep up with Major League Baseball playoffs and NFL football games-and even some college games.

The NBA's admission to removing social justice statements from basketball courts and player jerseys comes at a time when contracts need to be renewed between the league and its partners.

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

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As Finals Ratings Tank, NBA Commissioner Will Nix Social Justice Messages

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NBA commissioner Adam Silver said there could be a "return to normalcy," and that social justice messages will "largely be left to be delivered off the floor."

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LeBron, AD, Kawhi, PG Lock Arms And Kneel During National Anthem Before Lakers-Clippers Game

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NBA and players agree to ‘Black Lives Matter’ and other messages to wear on jerseys

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NBA and players agree to ‘Black Lives Matter’ and other messages to wear on jerseys

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NBA and players agree to ‘Black Lives Matter’ and other messages to wear on jerseys

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The NBA and its players agreed on messaging that could be on the backs of jerseys for the first four days of the league’s reboot near Orlando, Fla.

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NBA and Social Justice Messaging During COVID-Delayed Season

1. Social Justice Efforts:

Players wore social justice messages on jerseys.

"Black Lives Matter" was painted on courts in the Disney World "Bubble."

Actions related to national protests following the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.

2. Player Activism:

Teams boycotted games following the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

NBA postponed games in response to the boycott.

3. Background:

Nationwide protests began after cases of police brutality spread in 2020.

Other sports leagues, like NASCAR, also promoted social justice measures.

4. Challenges Faced:

Figuring out the balance of activism and entertainment.

Addressing the audiences diversity of perspectives.

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‘Black Lives Matter, people’: How the NBA’s social justice efforts dominated the season

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‘Black Lives Matter, people’: How the NBA’s social justice efforts dominated the season

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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - "Black Lives Matter, people."

Those are the words Miami Heat All-Star Bam Adebayo often said at the end of his media interviews throughout the NBA's restart. And at the conclusion of the 2019-20 season, with the Los Angeles Lakers crowned NBA champs after defeating the Heat in Game 6 of the Finals on Sunday night, those are the words that the league hopes will continue to resonate.

"It's one of those things that I started doing so people can respect it," Adebayo told The Undefeated. "Black Lives Matter isn't just a movement. It's a lifestyle. A lot of people know that. A lot of people are scared of that. ... I embrace it because I'm a Black man. My mother is a Black woman. At the end of the day, it could have been either one of us that could have been killed, shot, sprayed with mace.

"I say Black Lives Matter at the end because I feel that people forget."

No one will forget this NBA season in which the Lakers won their 17th NBA title, LeBron James earned his fourth Finals MVP trophy and the league created a safe bubble in which no one tested positive for COVID-19. But when the history of the season is written, perhaps it will be remembered most for how the league and its players used their platform to fight for social justice.

Before the restart of the season in July, many players had participated in the nationwide protests against racism and police brutality sparked by the killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor by police. Some players were concerned that their voices wouldn't be heard if they played basketball in a bubble. Ultimately, the NBA and National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) agreed to resume the season with a commitment to use their platform to address social justice issues.

NBPA executive director Michele Roberts said playing was the best option.

"Some of our players, obviously, because of the number of followers they have, will have an audience that's vast," Roberts told The Undefeated. "But I believed then, and I believe now that the fact that the games played enhanced the audience that was going to be available for our players to convey their messages. ...

"Having our games highlight the continuing discussion about these issues, I think moved the conversation forward, well beyond where we would have been able to move it had we not done the games. I'm satisfied that the players as well believe that they did the right thing and decided to play."

From the start, the message was clear. The Toronto Raptors arrived in a black bus that read "Black Lives Matter." Players wore T-shirts and masks with the words, "Black Lives Matter." And the NBA painted "Black Lives Matter" on the courts.

Dallas Mavericks forward Dwight Powell, who was involved in the discussions with the NBPA on the season's restart, said he is proud of the league's efforts.

"The phrase 'Black Lives Matter' simply means that we believe Black lives matter," Powell said. "I don't understand how there can be any pushback to that statement in and of itself. Now, tying organizations to it and their history or whatever it may be, is another story. But I know for a fact the players in this locker room that have 'Black Lives Matter' on their shirts when they're warming up and stand on that court proud, what they mean by that statement is that equality is the most important thing in terms of our society and social justice and having a fair community to live in. ...

"So, in this specific instance, the focus that we've had is on Black lives not being treated with the same level of value as other lives. And that's been shown in some of the lives we've lost over the last several months, and really over the last several years and decades and generations."

The NBA and the NBPA also worked collaboratively to allow players to wear a number of social justice messages on their jerseys during the remainder of the season. It was an idea sparked by Oklahoma City Thunder guard and union president Chris Paul. The messages included:

Black Lives Matter, Say Their Names, Vote, I Can't Breathe, Justice, Peace, Equality, Freedom, Enough, Power to the People, Justice Now, Say Her Name, Sí Se Puede (Yes We Can), Liberation, See Us, Hear Us, Respect Us, Love Us, Listen, Listen to Us, Stand Up, Ally, Anti-Racist, I Am A Man, Speak Up, How Many More, Group Economics, Education Reform and Mentor.

Three hundred of the 350 players wore jerseys with those messages, including prominent white players and international stars. The jerseys worn on the first day were auctioned off online for the new Players' Justice Fund, which has raised more than $700,000 from the auction so far, Roberts told The Undefeated. The NBPA is expected to pick charities soon that will receive the money.

"This just reminds me that sports in general and basketball in particular, we are an example for the rest of the country to emulate, because in that locker room, there are friendships and bonds that form, notwithstanding race," Roberts said. "They've learned to respect each other as men, and therefore can empathize with each other as men. So, watching white players say Black Lives Matter on the back of their jerseys, it was just amazing.

"And it's certainly equally amazing having international players agree that this was a discussion they wanted to be a part of, and then wanting to make sure that their countrymen understood this discussion by putting it in their language. It was as happy a moment as I can imagine."

Throughout the past three months, NBA players and coaches have also shined a light on victims of police brutality and racism while speaking during media sessions. On Aug. 26, the Milwaukee Bucks made the biggest statement by opting not to play in a playoff game against the Orlando Magic in protest of the shooting of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin. The rest of the NBA teams still participating followed suit - as did teams and players in other sports - and no NBA games were played for three days. After a tense meeting involving players and coaches, the majority vote was to resume play with a renewed focus on voting and pushing NBA governors to use arenas as polling sites for the Nov. 3 presidential election.

"It just took a toll on everybody," Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum said. "They needed to kind of step back, reevaluate and figure out how we could move forward, and try to create positive discussions, positive dialogue and comfortable dialogue, which hopefully can lead to change, especially from a voter suppression standpoint with the vote coming up and being so important."

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, reflecting Sunday after losing to the Lakers in the Finals, made it a point to speak on the importance of the social justice movement in the bubble.

"I think we have all been inspired that, not only that we see something that's absolutely wrong and you don't want to just talk about it, you want to actually be a part of the change," Spoelstra said. "We don't want any one of us to forget about everything that's still happening out there and because of the color of someone's skin."

It's anyone's guess when the NBA's 2020-21 season will begin. Roberts acknowledged that a February or later start is possible as the NBA tries to get fans back in the arena in a healthy way. In the meantime, it will be interesting to see how players use their platforms going forward.

James, who has spearheaded the More Than A Vote program, believes players have "strength in numbers" as they continue to use their voices collectively outside the bubble.

"Where do we go from here? We don't stop," James said during the Finals. "I hope people continue to use their platform. Use their individual social media platforms, if they're doing it that way, or if you are an individual that goes into your community and does it that way.

"However you can continue to create change for the better of all of us, it only makes us all better. It doesn't matter what race you are, it doesn't matter what color you are, no matter how tall or whatever the case may be, because we all want to see better days. No matter if you agree or don't agree with some of the things that are going on, I think we'd all love to see better days and see more love than hate."

On Sunday night, while accepting his Finals MVP trophy, James added that it was a team effort in the bubble: "It's been unbelievable. Adam [Silver], everyone from the NBA, NBPA, putting this thing together and us using our voices, us being together - you hear Golden State always use the phrase 'strength in numbers.' And that's exactly what it was while we were here."

Marc J. Spears is the senior NBA writer for Andscape. He used to be able to dunk on you, but he hasn't been able to in years and his knees still hurt.

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'Black Lives Matter, people': How the NBA's social justice efforts dominated the season

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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - "Black Lives Matter, people." Those are the words Miami Heat All-Star Bam Adebayo often said at the end of his media interviews throughout the NBA's restart.

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Athletes act: Stars rise up against racial injustice in 2020

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Athletes act: Stars rise up against racial injustice in 2020

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Athletes act: Stars rise up against racial injustice in 2020

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OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — As the NBA neared its restart in late July, its players vowed to keep the calls for social justice reform at the forefront in the wake of the police killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.

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Black Lives Matter Moves from Protest to Action for Athletes

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Black Lives Matter Moves from Protest to Action for Athletes

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News: Global Heroes: Black Lives Matter movement in sports

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News: Global Heroes: Athletes stand with Black Lives Matter and share action for athletes and empowerment stories from athletes

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Adam Silver Talk About NBA's Return & Racism on Inside the NBA

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Adam Silver Talk About NBA's Return & Racism on Inside the NBA

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Adam Silver Talk About NBA's Return & Racism on Inside the NBA

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Protest to Action for Athletes

1. Main Focus

The 2021 Black Lives Matter movement in sports saw a shift from public protests toward building changes, emphasizing organizational change, and establishing initiatives to promote inclusion and diversity in sports organizations.

2. Participants in Movement

Major sports leagues, such as Major League Soccer (MLS), have increased diversity programs in response to athlete and fan demand.

Athletes continued to engage in meaningful acts, such as Naomi Osaka putting on masks with their names at the US Open and Formula One displaying anti-racism phrases on steering wheels.

3. The Change

The Black Lives Matter message became part of game-day culture across multiple sports, with NAACP member Trovoon Williams highlighting the significance of transforming knowledge into systemic change.

4. Athletes Use Platform

Key people and contributions include Lewis Hamilton, knighted by Prince Charles, and Michael Holding, who encouraged more athletes to speak out against racism and utilize their platforms to talk about social issues other than sports.

The movement has brought global attention to systemic discrimination through sports, focusing on athletes' role as societal and cultural change advocates.

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1. The Role of the NBA During Racial Injustice Protests (Post-George Floyd):

Player Advocacy: Adam Silver has been vocal about supporting NBA players who speak out against racial inequality and injustice. He probably discussed how the league supported the players’ right to protest, especially during the bubble.

"Black Lives Matter" Movement: The NBA's embrace of the BLM movement, such as allowing players to wear social justice messages on jerseys, was likely addressed.

Community Engagement: Silver might have touched on the NBA’s work in the community, including initiatives to fight racial inequality, promote education, and support economic opportunities in underserved areas.

2. The NBA’s Responsibility and Future Commitment:

Ongoing Conversations: Silver might have talked about how the NBA continues to have tough conversations about race and how they aim to create a safe space for these discussions.

Commitment to Change: He likely emphasized the NBA's role in promoting positive social change and the league’s commitment to making basketball more inclusive, both on and off the court.

3. The Impact of Players' Voices:

LeBron James and Other Players as Activists: The importance of star players using their platforms to bring attention to social issues is a likely topic. Silver is generally supportive of players speaking out.

Unity in the League: He may have touched on the collective power of the league, from players to coaches to executives, in creating positive change.

4. Challenges and Criticism:

Navigating Controversies: There may have been mentions of the challenges the NBA faced when trying to balance the return to play with social justice issues, especially dealing with outside criticisms.

Public Perception: Silver likely addressed the criticism the NBA received from some politicians and fans regarding its activism and stance on social issues.

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Professional Sports Leagues Make Strides Regarding Social Justice, Black Lives Matter Movement

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Professional athletes have come a long way since Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the National Anthem against police brutality in 2016.

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in photos: sports protests around the world

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In photos: Sports protests around the world

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Since the death of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man who was killed in police custody in May, many athletes and sports leagues have been throwing their support behind the protest movement calling for change.

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Will the league’s plan to resume play distract from the movement to end police brutality and systemic racism?

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These athletes are using money and influence to make change.

Jrue Holiday, the New Orleans Pelicans' star guard, and his wife Lauren, a former starter on the U.S. women's national soccer team, recently pledged Holiday's remaining game checks this season - worth up to $5.3 million - to launch a social justice fund.

The Holidays aren't the only sports pros who have spoken out in support of racial and social justice and Black Lives Matter, with many sharing their support on social media, attending protests and donating millions to advance the fight for equality. Here are a few who are using their wallets and influence to advance the movement.

Pledged up to $5.3 million to start a social justice fund

The Jrue and Lauren Holiday Social Justice Impact Fund will spend most of its money on supporting Black-owned businesses in New Orleans, Indianapolis and Los Angeles, with up to $4 million going to those cities. Another $500,000 will support historically Black colleges and universities, with up to $1 million more being spread across 10 additional cities.

"Honestly when it came down to it, it was me and my wife talking about what we could do to kind of further this movement and progression and being able to help out our community and just being able to help," Jrue said in an interview with ESPN. "To be able to give away our money to help further this movement and Black-owned businesses that have taken a hit in COVID-19, to us, it felt like the perfect time and opportunity."

Voiced his support for Black Lives Matter protesters and formed a voting rights group

"If you still haven't figured out why the protesting is going on. Why we're acting as we are is because we are simply F-N tired of this treatment right here," he tweeted, linking to an interview in which Fox News' Laura Ingraham said that he should stop commenting on politics and "shut up and dribble" and another video of her saying Drew Brees is "allowed to have an opinion."

James added, "And to my people, don't worry I won't stop until I see CHANGE!!!"

The voting rights group, called More Than a Vote, will encourage African-Americans to register to vote and cast a ballot in November, while also fighting against voter suppression.

Called for NASCAR to get rid of Confederate flags

Racecar driver Bubba Wallace told CNN that he wanted NASCAR to remove Confederate flags from all racetracks.

"No one should feel uncomfortable when they come to a NASCAR race," he said. "It starts with Confederate flags. Get them out of here. They have no place for them."

On June 10, NASCAR announced that the Confederate flag will be prohibited from all future NASCAR events.

Wallace also drove a car with a Black Lives Matter paint scheme at the Martinsville Speedway race.

"I think by running this branding on our car, putting the hashtag out there, bringing more awareness to it, it lines up with the videos that we had put out as NASCAR," Wallace told CNN. "Listening and learning. Educating ourselves. So people will look up what this hashtag means. And hopefully, get a better understanding."

Publicly supported Alexis Ohanian's resignation

Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian announced that he was resigning as a member of the company's board so that his seat could be filled by a black candidate. Tennis pro Serena Williams - who has been married to Ohanian since 2017 - tweeted her support of his decision: "Having diverse views on any boards is important. So proud of you Alexis. I know [our daughter] Olympia will be too."

Participated in a Dallas Black Lives Matter protest

Miami Dolphins safety Kavon Frazier joined a peaceful protest in Dallas following George Floyd's death, USA Today reported.

"It sucks that we have to protest about this in 2020," he said. "It's unfortunate. But a change has to be made."

Called on other athletes to get involved

WNBA player Natasha Cloud of the Washington Mystics penned an article for The Players' Tribune on the need for other athletes to speak out against injustice.

"What's really going to move the needle here is everyone getting involved - and by that I mean all athletes," she wrote. "Because there's no room for any of that silence or 'neutrality' in the athlete community either. Those old excuses about not wanting to lose sponsorships, or not wanting to alienate certain types of fans, or how 'racists buy sneakers too' or whatever?? We don't have time for that. Not when lives are being lost. We need to meet this moment with accountability, and solidarity, and leadership. And I know it can be done."

Donated to the Black Lives Matter movement

After Korean pop group BTS announced that it would be making a $1 million donation to the Black Lives Matter movement, WWE star John Cena announced that he would also be making a donation.

"Very happy to join #BTSARMY in efforts to match @BTS_twt
tremendous donation #ARMYMatch1M," he tweeted.

In addition to athletes, a number of team owners have pledged donations.

Patriots owner Robert Kraft pledged $1 million "to local grassroots organizations - chosen in collaboration with Patriots players - that are fighting for equity, working to end systemic racism and creating meaningful change in our community."

Baltimore Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti pledged a $1 million donation in a collaboration between the Stephen and Renee Bisciotti Foundation and the team to "support social justice reform throughout the Baltimore community."

Jed York and the 49ers pledged a $1 million donation "to local and national organizations who are creating change."

Mark Murphy and the Green Bay Packers announced a $250,000 donation "to Wisconsin causes that support social justice and racial equality."

Bill Pohlad, whose family owns the Minnesota Twins, said that the family would be donating $25 million to organizations that seek racial justice, the StarTribune reported. "We condemn racism in all its forms, and we are firmly committed to this work beyond this seminal moment in our country's history," Pohlad said.

Minnesota Vikings owners Zygi and Mark Wilf announced a $5 million donation to social justice causes.

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LeBron James, Jrue Holiday and 28 More Sports Stars Spending Big and Speaking Out for Racial Justice

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These athletes are using money and influence to make change. Jrue Holiday, the New Orleans Pelicans' star guard, and his wife Lauren, a former starter on the U.S. women's national soccer team, recently pledged Holiday's remaining game checks this season - worth up to $5.3 million - to launch a social justice fund.

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Context of Video:

Gabe Kapler, manager of the San Francisco Giants, speaks on the role of athletes in social justice.

The video addresses systemic racism and the Black Lives Matter movement.

Notes-

Athletes' Responsibility:

Kapler argues that it shouldn't solely be the responsibility of athletes to protest or boycott games to highlight social issues like racism.

He believes athletes already face significant pressures in their roles and shouldn't carry the burden of advocating for systemic change.

Collective Action:

Social change requires efforts from all factors of society, not just symbolic actions from athletes or sports teams.

Structural reforms and active participation from broader communities are essential to create meaningful change.

Symbolic Gestures:

While game boycotts and other visible acts of protest are powerful, they should be supported by deeper, long-term actions.

Kapler encourages moving beyond gestures to implement policies that combat racial injustice effectively.

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Matt Barnes talks Bubba Wallace, Black Lives Matter movement and NBA Finals prediction | NBA on ESPN

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Matt Barnes talks Bubba Wallace, Black Lives Matter movement and NBA Finals prediction | NBA on ESPN

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**1. Bubba Wallace and the Fight for Racial Equality in Sports

Bubba Wallace’s Courage: Barnes praises NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace for his bravery in speaking out against racial injustice and for being the sport’s only Black driver. He highlights how Wallace became a central figure in the fight for racial equality in motorsports.

NASCAR's Support: Barnes likely discussed NASCAR’s response to Wallace’s advocacy, including their public support after the noose incident and the league’s decision to ban the Confederate flag from events. He notes the importance of NASCAR standing behind Wallace, even if there was initial resistance.

Bubba Wallace’s Legacy: Matt Barnes emphasizes Wallace’s role in inspiring change within NASCAR, drawing parallels between his activism and what athletes like Colin Kaepernick did in other sports. He views Wallace as a symbol of progress and change.

**2. Black Lives Matter (BLM) Movement and its Impact on Sports

Athletes as Activists: Barnes discusses the pivotal role that athletes have played in advocating for social justice, particularly during the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement after the killing of George Floyd. He reflects on how athletes using their platforms to push for change has made a lasting impact on both sports and society.

The NBA’s Response: Barnes praises the NBA’s leadership, particularly Adam Silver, in allowing players to speak out on issues of racial injustice. The use of messages like "Black Lives Matter" on jerseys and the player-led protests are mentioned as powerful examples of sports intersecting with activism.

Positive Change: Barnes also discusses the broader societal changes sparked by BLM, such as more awareness and support for equality. He underscores the need for continued activism and change, especially in areas like policing, education, and economic empowerment for Black communities.