The Milwaukee Bucks going on strike led to the postponement and cancellation of sports over many different leagues. These professional athletes want to use their platform to inspire change beyond that of a slogan on a shirt. All stemming from the most recent example of unjust police violence to Jacob Blake. New developments are occurring each day on what organizations and leagues are planning to do, keep it here for the latest.
August 26th
Wednesday in the afternoon began as any other for the NBA. They had three games set to go and the Milwaukee Bucks and Orlando Magic were set to start at 4PM ET. Minutes before tip-off and players were still not on the court. News became official that they were not taking the court, a strike to place focus on the bigger issues of racial injustice. This comes as a personal decision by the team as the shooting of Jacob Blake happened only hours away from Milwaukee. Even more so for Sterling Brown who two years ago had an incident involving police where they knelt on his neck and tased him for being illegally parked.
The Bucks decision carried over, as an hour later it was reported that the next two playoff games would be postponed. Following this, Inside the NBA analyst, Kenny Smith, decided to also join the strike as he walked off live on air saying, “I think it’s best for me to support the players”. Bucks later released a video statement where players explained how and why they came to this decision.
It proved to be a powerful one as just an hour later the Milwaukee Brewers were also in talks to not play their game against the Reds which was eventually postponed. The Seattle Mariners, San Diego Padres, LA Dodgers, and San Francisco Giants all decided to sit out as well to show solidarity with the protests. Their respective teams each put out statements that showed support for their teams decisions.
Perhaps one of the most powerful images of the strikes was followed by the WNBA. Just before their game the Washington Mystics donned shirts spelling out Jacob Blake’s name with seven bullet holes in the back.
Representative for all players of the WNBA, Elizabeth Williams, read a statement that announced that all games would be cancelled. The MLS also followed suit as five of their six matches were postponed in response to the NBA and WNBA strikes. Professional Tennis star, Naomi Osaka, also joined the many professional athletes in their strike for racial justice. She released a statement on Twitter where she explained, “Before I am an athlete, I am a black woman, I feel as though there are much more important matters at hand that need attention”.
This was a pivot point in all of sports as the NBA, and all other organizations did not expect this to occur. Adrian Wojnarowski reported that a meeting was scheduled for 8 PM where any NBA player could join to discuss how they would proceed from here. Woj continued to report that among the packed room, “the discussion is centering on whether to continue with the playoffs or not”. Players and coaches voiced opinions and the consensus after the meeting was for no playoff games to be had the next day. Another meeting was set up for the next morning to continue discussions and next steps.
August 27th
Discussions among NBA players were had until early morning as players and coaches continued to talk about what could be done to help the situation. These discussions also included owners and league executives on how to restart the playoffs. At 11:55 AM ET, Wojnarowski via Twitter reported that the playoffs would resume.
However, the three games that were supposed to happen Thursday night would still be postponed. The resumption to the season coming possibly by Friday but mixed reports saying the return would be on Saturday.
An owners only meeting was also scheduled and ESPN’s Jackie McMullen reported that NBA legend Michael Jordan emerged as the bridge between owners and players.
Michael Jordan, the only black majority owner in the league, made calls to NBPA President Chris Paul to make sure he had, “a better understanding of what the players hoped to achieve”. Owners held a virtual meeting to discuss the best way to move forward and sources claim that Jordan said, “Right now listening is better than talking”. To which many owners agreed and discussed how they could help amplify the voices of players.
In other news, Chicago Bears hall of fame linebacker, Brian Urlacher, voiced his opinion on the NBA series of strikes. He shared a post on his Instagram that read, “NBA players boycott the playoffs because a dude reaching for a knife, wanted on a felony sexual assault warrant, was shot by police”. Many voicing disappointment in Urlacher all over social media. Namely, former Bears star running back Matt Forte.
More strikes went on Thursday night as seven more games were postponed in the MLB in support of sports-wide cancellations due to racial injustice. Notably, the Mets and Marlins held a 42-second moment of silence before walking off. A commemoration that of course involved the first black player in the MLB, #42 Jackie Robinson. As they exited the only thing left behind was a Black Lives Matter shirt on the pitcher’s mound. More to follow tomorrow.
For more on the strikes in sports, click here.
