Year election ended in the United States and the NBA, through Commissioner Adam Silver, confirmed that the league will re-establish the policy for players to stand during the performance of the national anthem.
After what virtually all players, coaches and staff members will kneel to hear the national anthem on the bubble at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, earlier this year, Silver said he hopes the league will return to its policy of defending the anthem.
The commissioner, which did not disclose the reason why the same policy was not in force in the Orlando bubble, noted that the league has continued dialogue with players on the matter and although there will be no penalties if people choose not to stop, if there are changes in that policy that must be accepted by all.
Bigger than a team
“There has always been the notion that this league is bigger than a team, a player, a league office,” Silver recalled. in his annual talk with journalists prior to the start of the new season. “I think that’s why we have been so successful over the years, because we really came together and solved very difficult issues in some cases.”
Silver acknowledged that the issue is currently very emotional on both sides of the equation in the United States and found that it requires a real commitment rather than simply enforcing the rules.
The commissioner also said that after the NBA suspends random testing policy for marijuana this season, the league and the players union would discuss the matter further next offseason. Silver pointed out that although he opinedSince society’s laws on marijuana use have changed, different laws from state to state are something the league should consider before deciding how to proceed.
Bubble in the play-offs?
When asked about the idea that the league returns to a bubble for the playoffs, Silver said anything is a possibility, but his hope is that the vaccine for Covid-19 is successful enough. that when they start in late May, there is a chance that fans will return to the fields.
Silver recalled that the shortened 72-game season is scheduled to end in mid-July, what gives them the confidence that during all the playoffs their presence increases.
“We are hopeful that given the planned launch of the vaccine, we are heading in the right direction, and it will be increasingly likely that there will be a return to home advantage.”Silver said. “If the launch of the vaccine takes time and does not allow the real possibility of the return of the fans, then we can analyze a bubble-like environment again.”
No privilege with the vaccine
Silver also confirmed that the NBA will not seek to receive any type of privilege in order to receive the vaccine. and it will be submitted to the general process established by the health authorities.
Regarding the millionaire economic losses generated by the coronavirus pandemic, Silver acknowledged that they had opened the matter of a possible expansion within the league, which would allow an income of more than 1,000 million dollars that would be of great help to the financial activity of the teams. But nothing had yet been decided on the matter, nor was it a matter that had the highest priority within the league.
The NBA hasn’t added a team since it expanded to 30 by agreeing to add the Charlotte Hornets, then Bobcats, in 2002 (they started playing in 2004). If the league decides to expand, Seattle would probably be first in line, after the SupeSonics moved to Oklahoma City in 2008.
