On Friday, the NBA released a memo, suggesting different ways to express themes of unity and equality, rather than kneeling during the national anthem. Just one day after Commissioner Adam Silver said that he expected players to stand for the anthem upon the start of preseason.
In the memo obtained by The Associated Press, Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum encouraged teams to “demonstrate your commitment to the NBA’s core values of equality, diversity, inclusion and serve as a unifying force in the community,” with a video of players discussing the importance of unity. While reminding teams of the rule that players, coaches and trainers or obligated to stand respectfully for the national anthem.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
“The league office will determine how to deal with any possible instance in which a player, coach or trainer does not stand for the anthem. (Teams do not have the discretion to waive this rule),” the memo read.
The memo comes in the wake of Trump’s public feud with Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry, which prompted Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James to call out Trump in Curry’s defense. The incident came just one day after the celebrity-in-chief launched an attack on NFL players who kneel during the national anthem, which prompted several players take a stand against Trump’s divisive comments. However, since then, teams have come forward to alter the protest, saying they would be kneeling in unity before the anthem. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
As the merger between sports and politics continues, it will be interesting to see if Trump addresses the NBA’s memo. If so, it will be up to the NBA players to take a stand against Trump and inequality.
