We know more about the NBA foundation mentioned this summer, created in particular to fight against ethnic inequalities. The league and the players’ union (NBPA) have just announced the names of the members of the board of directors of this new entity, drawn from among the leaders and the NBA players.
On the players side, we find Harrison Barnes and Tobias Harris, particularly invested in social issues in recent weeks. Franchise executives include Michael Jordan (Hornets), Gayle Benson (Pelicans), Larry Tanenbaum (Raptors) and Tony Ressler (Hawks). Adam Silver and the head of the players’ union, Michele Roberts, complete the picture.
They will therefore be responsible for piloting this foundation, which intends to encourage the economic autonomy of minorities through employment and professional advancement. The idea is to promote access to high school and university and to help organizations that offer professional training and supervision in NBA communities.
This will result in an investment of 300 million dollars in the direction of these structures, at the rate of 30 million per year over the next ten years. The 30 franchises of the league will be used.
As the NBA points out in its press release, this foundation is “ one of the aspects of the collective efforts of the NBA family to fight ethnic inequality and promote social justice, the goal of the resumption of the 2019-20 season in Orlando. In addition to creating this foundation, the NBA and NBPA are committed to increasing the representation of black people in the league and ensuring greater inclusion of businesses owned and managed by black people in the business operations of the NBA. »
