Silver, in a letter penned to league employees and which was acquired by The Athletic and Stadium, said he, players and team governors were part of a “candid and productive conversation” on Thursday to further support social justice and racial equality in America. Some of the key issues discussed included increasing voting access, civic engagement and advocating for police and criminal justice reform.
“First, let me say that I wholeheartedly support NBA and WNBA players and their commitment to shining a light on important issues of social justice,” Silver wrote. “While I don’t walk in the same shoes as Black men and women, I can see the trauma and fear that racialized violence causes and how it continues the painful legacy of racial inequity that persists in our country.”
MORE: NBA players to end boycott, resume playoffs with plan for ‘improved ways to make social justice statements’
Silver also said he understood calls for the NBA to do more toward furthering those endeavors, promising the league would continue its efforts to “effect change both within our organization and in communities across the country.”
His statement, in full:
Silver’s letter was preceded this week by NBA players’ decision to boycott their respective playoff games. That started on Wednesday with the Bucks, whose Milwaukee base is 40 miles from Kenosha, Wis., where police on Sunday shot Jacob Blake seven times in his back as he attempted to enter his SUV.
Milwaukee’s decision to boycott its game against the Magic had a domino effect, as each of the remaining NBA playoff teams decided to follow suit. The NBA in response postponed the playoff games originally scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday. League referees also showed their support by marching in protest of racism.
The ripple effect went beyond the NBA, with teams in the WNBA, MLB, MLS and NHL canceling games in an act of solidarity. Several NFL and college football teams also canceled or postponed practices.
The NBPA Executive Director Michele Roberts issued a joint statement later on Friday affirming much of what Silver said, confirming that playoff basketball would resume on Saturday and providing further detail as to what the NBA will do in its commitment to promote social justice.
“We had a candid, impassioned and productive conversation yesterday between NBA players, coaches and team governors regarding next steps to further our collective efforts and actions in support of social justice and racial equality," Roberts said. “Among others, the attendees included player and team representatives of all 13 teams in Orlando. All parties agreed to resume NBA playoff games on Saturday, Aug. 29 with the understanding that the league together with the players will work to enact the following commitments:”
This story has been updatedf rom a previous version.
