The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association have reached an agreement allowing for certain social messages to be displayed above the numbers on the backs of jerseys when the league resumes play July 30.
According to the sources, the messages allowed will be
Black Lives Matter; Say Their Names; Vote; I Can’t Breathe; Justice; Peace; Equality; Freedom; Enough; Power to the People; Justice Now; Say Her Name; Sí Se Puede (Yes We Can); Liberation; See Us; Hear Us; Respect Us; Love Us; Listen; Listen to Us; Stand Up; Ally; Anti-Racist; I Am A Man; Speak Up; How Many More; Group Economics; Education Reform; and Mentor.
The future of the rest of the NBA season occurring had been in doubt as players sought to leverage the remainder of the season in order to procure concessions related to social justice that must be met for them to play, particularly keeping Black Lives Matter front and center.
While all the above messages are now allowed in support of the cause, no others will be considered. If a player did not want a Black Lives Matter reference or rallying cry on the back of their jersey, but would rather have different messaging, such as a Bible verse (John 3:16, 1 Corinthinans 6:9) that would be prohibited.
