• Loading stock data...
Saturday, September 13, 2025
Tuned In is Almost Sold Out! Limited Tickets Remain!

NBA Aims to Lead Leagues With Unified Response To Coronavirus

  • The league’s public service announcements have generated more than 46 million video views.
  • “NBA Together” campaign aims to engage and educate fans and the general public about the coronavirus response.
Mar 14, 2020; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; An outside view of Vivint Smart Home Arena where the game between the Utah Jazz and the Memphis Grizzlies was cancelled after the NBA suspended its season in response to the coronavirus outbreak. Mandatory Credit: Russell Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

When the NBA postponed its season on March 11, it set off a domino effect of other sporting leagues and events doing the same.

The league is now trying to maintain that leadership position in leading the response from the sports industry through the coronavirus outbreak.

FOS REPORT: 54.5% of industry executives believe that it would be at least 60 days before leagues resume play.

With several players diagnosed with COVID-19, the NBA has pulled together more than 20 public service announcements with various NBA and WNBA personalities to share messages of support and information with the league’s followers. 

The videos have generated more than 46 million views across NBA platforms. 

The NBA’s community efforts during the coronavirus outbreak are just an extension of its normal work, Todd Jacobson, NBA senior vice president of social responsibility, said.

“We always want to use our platform to engage and inspire,” Jacobson said. “Connectivity is important to who we are, and we’ll continue to use the platform globally to ensure people have the right information and shine the light on the community organizations doing the work. 

“Sports give us that platform, and we’ll continue to use it,” he said.

Building on the initial PSAs, the league is launching the NBA Together campaign, meant to engage and educate fans as well as the general public, Jacobson said.

“NBA Together is our collective campaign to make sure our fans, young families, youth, and the general public have the right information to be healthy and safe,” Jacobson said. “When it came time to help, everyone within the league wants to help and figure out how to use their platforms to make sure everyone has the right information.” 

The campaign acts as an umbrella for all the activities the league and teams are doing to support the global response to the coronavirus pandemic. From working with organizations like the Center for Disease Control and the World Health Organization to raising money for those impacted by the virus and organizations at the front lines – NBA and WNBA players and teams have already contributed more than $35 million.

The NBA Together Platform consists of four pillars: know the facts, acts of caring, expand your community, and NBA Together Live.

READ MORE: NBA 2K League Turns to Fan Tournament While Season is Delayed

The numerous PSAs help build the first pillar, informing viewers of appropriate social distancing efforts, easy ways to exercise, hand washing techniques, and ways to maintain mental health. Videos were from current stars like Chris Paul and Stephen Curry to Hall of Famers like Magic Johnson, Grant Hill, and Gary Payton.

The most recent video came from international players Danilo Gallinari, Rui Hachimura, and Ricky Rubio, sharing a message from the World Health Organization.

“We’re able to use the extensive reach to get the right, accurate information to millions of people,” Jacobson said. 

Jacobson said the second pillar is meant to be a call of action to inspire a million acts of caring. Those acts could be supporting a local food bank, picking up extra food for a high-risk neighbor, or phone calls to loved ones. 

“We want to make sure people are empathic and reflective during this,” he said. 

The third pillar, expanding your community, is meant to show that even while practicing social distancing, communities can come together, engage and grow, Jacobson said. He mentioned working with partners like Kaiser Permanente and Headspace to encourage physical and mental health maintenance.

“We know that communities need to expand,” he said. “It’s sharing things people can do to be healthy with sports.”

READ MORE: PGA Tour Adopts Four-Step Social Media Strategy To Combat Loss Of Events

The last portion of the campaign is NBA Together Live, which brings a player front and center for fans to interact with while pulling together the other three pillars. 

Every weekday at 3 p.m. EST, members of the NBA will take part in live interviews. The first two were Cleveland Cavalier Kevin Love and Portland Trail Blazer Damian Lillard.

“We knew we wanted to be supportive during this time and find fun ways to do that,” Jacobson said. “For us, it wasn’t a question of when – it was how quickly can we get things done and get out there in any way we can.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Sep 11, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) dribbles past Golden State Valkyries forward Janelle Salaun (13) in the second half at Target Center.

As WNBA Grows, Engelbert Says Its Playoff Field Won’t for a While

Eight of thirteen WNBA teams made the playoffs this year.
Sep 10, 2025; Uncasville, Connecticut, USA; Connecticut Sun forward Aaliyah Edwards (8) fights to keep the ball in-bounds during the second half against the Atlanta Dream at Mohegan Sun Arena.

Connecticut AG Demands Documents From WNBA About Sun Sale Process

The WNBA reportedly prefers to move the team to Houston.
Mar 3, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier (2) warms up prior to the game against the Washington Wizards at Kaseya Center.
Sponsored

Hornets Cancel Sports Betting Night Vs. Heat Over Terry Rozier Tie-In

Terry Rozier is under federal investigation for point-shaving in a 2023 game when he was on the Hornets.
Jun 27, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; A view of a Wilson basketball and the Dallas Wings logo during the game between the Wings and the Indiana Fever at the American Airlines Center.

Democratic Women’s Caucus Urges WNBA to End CBA Stalemate

The league and WNBPA must reach an agreement by Oct. 31.

Featured Today

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.
September 11, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
September 10, 2025

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.
Sep 7, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills fans react during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Highmark Stadium.
September 9, 2025

As Bills Ascend, Their Next Frontier Lies in Canada

Buffalo and the powerful Canadian entity MLSE come together in a new pact.
FIFA

Saudis Awarded 2034 World Cup in Uncontested Vote

Saudi Arabia was the only option after Australia decided not to bid.
May 20, 2024

Top Sports Business Jobs This Week (May 2024)

Each week, our staff combs through the thousands of job listings from…
The stands at the Solheim Cup
September 13, 2024

LPGA Apologizes for Solheim Cup Fan Bus Debacle That Left Stands Half-Empty

The USA-Europe women’s team golf event teed off Friday morning.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
October 3, 2022

Real Madrid President Renews Call for Super League

Real Madrid’s president believes that soccer is losing ground.
August 10, 2022

PGA Tour Touts Projected Earnings to Keep Players

The PGA Tour is asking its players to consider their potential futures.
August 10, 2022

Bayern Munich to Make Growth Push in U.S. Market

Bayern Munich is looking to expand its reach in the U.S.
Nintendo-logo
August 3, 2022

Nintendo Profits Underwhelm, Switch Sales Decline

Nintendo failed to meet expectations in the company’s latest earnings report.