The NBA will auction game-worn jerseys for the Player’s Justice Fund.
Among the four major U.S. sports leagues, the NBA has been at the forefront in trying to enact change on the social justice front. NBA players have been vocal about Black Lives Matter in the Orlando bubble, the league painted “Black Lives Matter” on the courts at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, and both the NBA and National Basketball Players Association have agreed to form a $300 million foundation called the Player’s Justice Fund.
The league also allowed players to choose from pre-approved social justice messages to have emblazoned on the back of their jerseys for the NBA restart. Now, it appears those jerseys will go to greater use than just raising awareness.
According to The Undefeated’s Marc J. Spears, game-worn jerseys from the league’s first weekend of seeding games during the NBA restart were auctioned off on Wednesday afternoon, with the proceeds going to the newly created Player’s Justice Fund.
Players were allowed to choose from messages like “Black Lives Matter,” “Equality,” “Vote,” “Peace,” “I Am A Man” and many more, though several players like LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons chose not to. Nonetheless, their jerseys were included in the auction as well.
Per Spears:
"“Money raised from the auction is expected to be given to a diverse group of local and national community-based organizations as part of the NBA’s recently announced long-term commitment to drive the push for social justice and economic empowerment in Black communities in America and Canada.”"
This is another example of the association putting its money where its mouth is. Though this league restart was more about money than anything else, it has also given these players a platform to make their messages for social justice heard, particularly when teams knelt in solidarity during the national anthem.
With $300 million being spread over 10 years, the money from this auction, which featured bidding on such unique jerseys we’re unlikely to see again, will go to a good cause.