NBA Sent Memo To Teams On National Anthem Protocol

On Friday, the NBA league offices sent a memo to teams reminding them that players are reminded that they have to stand for the national anthem. The move came on the heels of the “displays of unity” that took place across the NFL after President Donald Trump called players “sons of b*tches.”

Trump also uninvited the Golden State Warriors to the White House after Steph Curry indicated his preference would be not to go. This caused a firestorm response on social media and at the opening of training camp from various NBA players, including LeBron James who called Trump a “bum.”

The NBA’s memo, distributed by deputy commissioner Mark Tatum, gives several methods for teams to participate in social activism. The memo was released a day after the NBA’s Board of Governors meeting where owners discussed at length social activism and the way teams could handle it in a unified manner.

The memo reminds teams of the league rule that requires all players and coaches to stand during the anthem, although that wasn’t the main purpose of its release.

The NBA is considered the most progressive league as far as social issues.

Read the full memo is below.

TO: NBA BOARD OF GOVERNORS, TEAM PRESIDENTS,GENERAL MANAGERS 
FROM: MARK TATUM, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER &CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER 
CC: LEAGUE OFFICE 
DATE: SEPTEMBER 29, 2017 
RE: NEXT STEPS: BUILDING STRONGER, SAFER COMMUNITIES

As a follow-up to our discussions at this week’s Board of Governors meetings, this document outlines suggested steps each team could take as we prepare for the start of the season and continue to develop impactful community programs.

I. ENGAGING PLAYERS AND SENIOR LEADERSHIP

If you have not done so already, we suggest organizing discussions between players, coaches, general managers and ownership to hear the players’ perspectives.

One approach would be for team leadership to review existing team and league initiatives and encourage players to share their thoughts and ideas about them. Following those conversations, teams could develop plans prior to the start of the regular season for initiatives that players and senior leadership could participate in, such as:

– Hosting Community Conversations with youth, parents, community leaders and law enforcement about the challenges we face and our shared responsibility to create positive change.

– Creating “Building Bridges Through Basketball” programs that use the game of basketball to bring people together and deepen important bonds of trust and respect between young people, mentors, community leaders, law enforcement and other first responders.

– Highlighting the importance of mentoring with the goal of adding 50,000 new mentors to support young people through our PSA campaign.

– Engaging thought leaders and partners. A variety of experts, speakers and partner organizations are available to players and teams as you continue these conversations and develop programming.

– Establishing new and/or enhancing ongoing team initiatives and partnerships in the areas of criminal justice reform, economic empowerment and civic engagement.

II. OPENING WEEK

As we approach opening week, each team could explore ways to use their first home game as an opportunity to demonstrate your commitment to the NBA’s core values of equality, diversity, inclusion and serve as a unifying force in the community, including:

– A joint address to fans featuring a player or coach prior to the National Anthem.This could include a message of unity and how the team is committed to bringing the community together this season.

– A video tribute or PSA featuring players, community leaders, faith leaders and team leadership speaking about the issues they care about and photos from past community events.

III. KEY MESSAGES

– These are difficult and nuanced issues.

– We support and encourage players to express their views on matters that are important to them.

– The NBA has a rule that players, coaches and trainers stand respectfully for the 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).

– Our team’s focus remains on unity and collective action that leads to meaningful change in society. The players have embraced their roles in those efforts and we are proud of the work they do in our communities.

– We believe sports are a unifier and this is an opportunity for the NBA to once again lead by its core values of equality, inclusion and unity and to bridge divides and bring people together.

Cavs guard JR Smith indicated on Twitter that he might be complying with the league’s request.