The NBA has a reputation as one of the most progressive sports leagues. Now, the NBA is taking another big step to support social justice with its newly established NBA Foundation which will donate $300 million over the next decade to boost economic growth in the Black community.
The new charitable foundation will support Black communities primarily through education and youth employment. The foundation will also assist local and national organizations that provide mentorship, training, and coaching in NBA markets across the U.S. and Canada. The funding for the foundation will come from all 30 NBA teams which will each donate $1 million a year for the next ten years. The funding allocation will be overseen by an eight person board of directors.
The NBA Foundation is another step in the NBA’s deepened commitment to racial justice. Supported by commissioner Adam Silver, the league relaunched play this summer with players and coaches taking a knee during the national anthem and courts featuring “Black Lives Matter” painted across them. Players are also replacing their names with messages of support for racial justice on jerseys.
According to The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sports, over 80 percent of NBA players are people of color with 74 percent of players identifying as Black. As an organization that profits heavily off athletes of color, it is encouraging to see the NBA create a long-term medium of support for racial justice.
