XPost: alt.tv.pol-incorrect, alt.fan.rush-limbaugh, alt.politics.usa
XPost: alt.sports.basketball.nba

The virtual-signaling, very woke National Basketball Association has
reportedly settled on a list of social justice messages that can be
displayed on the back of player jerseys for the first four days of the restarted season.

The suspended NBA season is scheduled to restart on July 30 at the ESPN
Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Fla., at the Walt Disney World
Resort. The NBA has reportedly already agreed to paint the words Black
Lives Matter inside the sidelines on all three arenas that will be in use
when the games begin.

Given massive guaranteed salaries and other forms of leverage, the players pretty much run the NBA, even though there is no constitutional guarantee
of free speech in the private sector workplace. Thus, the league and the players’ union (i.e., billionaires and millionaires) reportedly ironed
out, as it were, the following list:

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
Mentor

Players, who generally seek blue-check Twitter applause for their activism/brand above all else, can opt for just a traditional jersey
containing their last name, but the peer pressure in the locker room is
going to be enormous to go with the customized messaging.

“After the first four nights, a player can simply go back to their last
name. If they choose to continue showing a social message, their name
would go below the number,” ESPN explained.

“The NBA and NBPA announced an agreement on June 24 to continue to discuss fighting systemic racism and to make it one of the focuses of the
restart,” ESPN added.

Over the past few years, NBA TV ratings have trended downward
substantially.

The vast majority of NBA fans regardless of background or ideology watch
games as an escape from politics and other serious concerns, so it remains
to be seen how social justice messaging will affect 2020 viewership. The National Football League may encounter the same dilemma when, as expected, players kneel during the National Anthem.

These will perhaps be more test cases for the get woke, go broke concept.

That aside, many have pointed out that messaging supporting Hong Kong democracy, All Lives Matter, pro-life, or MAGA-related would never have
had a chance.

I’m not seeing “Free Hong Kong,” on the list. Probably just an
oversight. https://t.co/x8EGMVFCrX

— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) July 4, 2020

The Hong Kong issue is particularly relevant in that hypocritical NBA luminaries such as LeBron James, Steve Kerr, and Greg Popovich have consistently ripped America generally for its shortcomings and President
Trump personally for his, but have clammed up about China’s human rights
abuses and the CCP’s crackdown on Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement.

Last year, the Houston Rockets general manager caused an international
ruckus with a simple pro-Hong Kong tweet because the cash-hungry NBA,
China, and Nike consist of a three-legged stool. China is the NBA’s
largest overseas market.

Former Fox Sports host Jason Whitlock maintains that because of the deal
cut between owners (now called governors) and players about jersey
messaging “NBA games will be 94-feet, divisive political rallies. The
players prioritized social media brand building above enticing and
pleasing the largest American television audience possible…The NBA no
longer even pretends to care about American sports fans. Working at the
behest of its de facto parent company and mentor (Nike), the NBA adopts practices and standards that smear America and please China.”

Glossing over the lack of freedom under Beijing’s dictatorship, an authoritarian regime that would never allow social justice messaging on
team uniforms, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said recently that he hopes
that the U.S. and China “can find mutual respect for each other.”

Now-woke Twitter reacted to the NBA’s corporate-approved social justice slogans:

A giant corporation giving their employees a pre-approved list
of social justice messages they can choose from. This is the
most hilarious “revolution” in history.
— Tragic Bronson (@Lumbergh88) July 4, 2020

“Defund the refs” is next
— Ethan (@EthanFr77779567) July 4, 2020

It isn’t really free speech if your speech contains one of 29
pre approved messages. That said, I am the dope for thinking an
organization in bed with China gives a crap about the First
Amendment.
— Joseph Aubry (@joew8302) July 4, 2020

Does Affirmative Action fall under systemic racism?
— Tony Balboa (@ADChill320) July 4, 2020

Won’t be watching the NBA or NFL this year. Not really about the
message itself just that I want to watch sports to escape from
politics. That’s why Americans love sports so much. Its always
been a place where we can relax and enjoy ourselves or with
others.
— Jarrod Newton (@JCNew82) July 4, 2020

How about “Capt. Dorn”, or maybe “FREE Hong Kong”?
— B&B FOREVER (@BBFOREV89770409) July 4, 2020

I’m done with American pro sports. Absolutely done
— Mr AJ (@MiamiAJ4) July 4, 2020

@NBA I’m sure this was just an oversight, that “Free Hong Kong”
was left off the list. I’ll look for an amended list soon.
— Jeff (@jbird_98) July 4, 2020

What should be added to the list to wear “HYPOCRISY’
— michael parker (@parker825) July 4, 2020

How bout ‘ Oppression Made Me A Millionaire ‘
— Jack Fistfight???????? (@JackFistfight) July 4, 2020

How about the name of the 3 year old from Chicago? Nike won’t
allow?
— Bruce Krause (@BruceKrause13) July 4, 2020


--
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love this country.

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