NFL
By: Zachary Draves
The NBA season has officially started and already it is mired in sensationalist controversy. There is ousting of former Phoenix Suns owner/governor Robert Sarver for his racist and sexist behaviors and actions. The cheating scandal on the part of Boston Celtics Coach Ime Udoka that spawned discussions about workplace conduct. Then there is the recent leaked video of Golden State Warriors power forward Draymond Green socking his teammate Jordan Poole in the jaw during practice. All of which gives the league a rather bleak perception right at the moment action begins.
However, there is at least one beacon of hope and that is the ongoing work of the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition. In the aftermath of the racial injustices of 2020 that saw the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery, NBA players, coaches, and owners/governors agreed to form a Social Justice Coalition that will give the league a platform to be able speak and work on various pressing social issues such as police reform, criminal justice reform, and voting rights.
(Courtesy: CBS Sports)
The board of the coalition is broken down by players, coaches, and executives. The players that are represented include Carmelo Anthony, Avery Bradley, Karl Anthony Towns, Sterling Brown, and Donovan Mitchell. The coaches are Doc Rivers of the Philadelphia 76ers and Dwane Casey of the Detroit Pistons. The owners/governors are Micky Arison of the Miami Heat, Steve Ballmer of the LA Clippers, Clay Bennett of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Marc Lasry of the Milwaukee Bucks, and Vivek Ranadivé of the Sacramento Kings.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and NBAPA executive director Tamika Tremaglio provide assistance when necessary but the man who is the Coalition’s go to person is former political strategist James Cadogan, who serves as executive director.
(Courtesy: James Cadogan)
Cadogan comes with an extensive background in politics and civil and human rights including working for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and serving in the Obama Administration as a senior advisor in the Department Justice. Thus, he is the perfect person to facilitate the recent resurgence in activism in the NBA.
Under Cadogan’s leadership, the Coalition is putting its muscle behind two major initiatives, the passing of the Equal Act and the upcoming midterm elections. The Equal Act is a federal bill that will eliminate sentencing disparities between those convicted for crack cocaine vs power cocaine which historically has been along racial and class lines. The bill was introduced by Congressman Hakeem Jeffries on March 9, 2021 and it passed the House of Representatives on July 19, 2022 with overwhelmingly bipartisan support.
It is now in the hands of the Senate and was intended to be part of a larger National Defense Reauthorization package in August, but that ended up not being the case and the bill’s future remains uncertain. However, the NBA has been active in pursuit of its passage. In conjunction with criminal justice reform organizations such as Families against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM), players have been meeting with congressional representatives to discuss the issue of unjust sentencing related to unjust drug laws and support this bill. All of which could spell progress given the cache players have and eventually push the bill across the finish line.
“All signs are positive in the right direction” Cadogan said to NBS back in August.
It was also during that month that the NBA took the unprecedented step by cancelling games on Election Day, which falls on Tuesday, November 8 and was spearheaded by the Coalition. The night before all 30 teams will be highlighting the importance of civic engagement during their respective games. This marks the first time the league has cancelled an entire day of usually scheduled games.
(Courtesy: Youtube)
For Cadogan, there are some things that are more important than basketball.
“The bottom line is we want to bring more people into the political process,” he said. “We want more people voting and more people registered and that starts with raising awareness.”
Given the NBA’s recent track record, they certainly have plenty going for them in a positive way. It was during the bubbled season of 2020 that players amplified their platform in extraordinary ways on social justice with voting being a crucial component. Players from LeBron James to Chris Paul organized and/or participated in voter initiatives such as More Than a Vote. This is the latest extension of that mission.
(Courtesy: TNS)
But Cadogan hopes that this won’t be a one-time thing. When asked if he foresees future Election Days to be a day of civic action as opposed to games he said:
“I hope so. Looking back at 2020, we are trying to build on that longstanding tradition year after year. We will look at how 2022 goes and go from there.”
As for the future of the Coalition, Cadogan intends to ensure that players, coaches, and executives will continue to find outlets to advocate for issues that are near and dear to them.
“We are thinking carefully about what our approach will be with all the major stakeholders in the NBA,” he said. “We are not losing the opportunity to make a difference.
With all the drama consuming the league right now for all the wrong reasons, the work of the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition offers a positive alternative. It is another reminder that this is a league comprised of individuals who are truly committed to the pursuit of a more perfect union. Every little bit of action helps and the NBA, at least on this front, is demonstrating that premise with organization and the right leadership.
Just because you put on a jersey that doesn’t strip you of your citizenship duties.
