The upcoming NBA season will see the words ‘Black Lives Matter’ painted onto courts at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports Complex near Orlando, Florida. This move aims to draw attention to the racism issues prevalent in the sport and the United States.
According to the NBA, the league and the players’ union have jointly agreed to implement this initiative. The NBA will employ three arenas at the Disney site as 22 of the league’s 30 teams conclude the regular season starting on July 30.
Following the death of George Floyd, the National Basketball Players Association and the league have been engaged in discussions on how to promote messages of equality and police reform. These conversations were sparked by the nationwide and worldwide protests that followed Floyd’s death.
This year, the killings of Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery by White Policemen have also incited national outrage and protests.
It is reported that the WNBA (women’s basketball league) is likely to follow the NBA’s lead and display ‘Black Lives Matter’ on its courts at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, for the 2020 season. Additionally, WNBA players might wear pregame shirts with the phrase, ‘Say Her Name,’ in an effort to shine a light on Taylor and other women who are victims of alleged police brutality, according to ESPN.