NBPA, Russell Westbrook find workaround for limited new uniform policy
By Amy Kaplan
NBPA, Russell Westbrook find a workaround for restrictive new uniform policy.
The NBA did a wonderful thing then they allowed players to don messages of social and racial justice on their jersey’s for the 2020 season but that good step quickly turned to a less than positive experience for some players who were not allowed to print the messages they wanted.
The NBA pre-approved the following messages for jerseys: 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.
However, players had other ideas they wanted for their backs that were not approved by the league. Now, they’ve found a way to celebrate those messages their own way.
Sources: Message options for new NBPA/Russell Westbrook lifestyle shirts: Systemic Racism, Police Reform, I Can’t Breathe, No Justice No Peace, Break the Cycle, Strange Fruit, By Any Means, Power to the People, Equality, Am I Next? https://t.co/N5uXh7Ss9L
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 19, 2020
According to reports, the NBPA and Russell Westbrook’s apparel company, Honor The Gift, have joined forces to create a line which will include more options including Systemic Racism; Police Reform; I Can’t Breathe; No Justice No Peace; Break the Cycle; Strange Fruit; By Any Means; Power to the People; Equality; and Am I Next?
The apparel will be in the form of shirts worn by the players.
Next. Norman Powell wants more options for NBA’s jersey messages. dark