Report: NBA, WNBA To Paint Black Lives Matter On Courts

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The NBA might be representing the Black Lives Matter movement by painting the phrase on the basketball court when the season returns at The Walt Disney World Resorts. According to ESPN’s Zach Lowe and Ramona Shelburne, the courts could see Black Lives Matter painted at midcourt, on the sidelines, and in the arenas where teams will be playing. Likewise, the WNBA will feature the phrase as it returns to action at Florida’s IMG Academy in July.

The NBA and the Players Association have struggled with the league’s return in light of the racial injustice protests that have swept the country. Some players worried that the league’s return would overshadow the importance of the ongoing protests.

According to ESPN, leaders from the WNBA have suggested players wear shooting shirts that read ”Say Her Name” to shed light on the killing of Black women at the hands of police.

Reporting with @ZachLowe_NBA : The NBA is planning to paint Black Lives Matter on the court inside both sidelines in the arenas it will use at the Walt Disney World Resort when it resumes the 2019-20 season late next month, league sources told ESPN.

— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) June 29, 2020

Statements On Jerseys

The NBA and the NBAPA plan to allow players to replace their last names on the back of their jerseys with statements calling for social justice, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

Over the weekend, Charania reported the “NBPA sent players initial details on the plan tonight, stating it is working with the league and Nike. NBA and the players union have been discussing various ways to allow players to express social justice issues in season restart.”

NBPA sent players initial details on the plan tonight, stating it is working with the league and Nike. NBA and the players union have been discussing various ways to allow players to express social justice issues in season restart. https://t.co/vw1RW2Z6Vj

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 28, 2020

Last week, commissioner Adam Silver and the NBAPA released a memo pushing for greater social justice.

“The NBA and NBPA are both committed to fostering an environment that encourages candid conversations between players and league and team leadership and finding tangible and sustainable ways to address racial inequality across the country,” The memo read. “The group that met yesterday agreed in principle that the goal of the season restart in Orlando will be to take collective action to combat systemic racism and promote social justice.”