NFL implements additional social justice initiatives, Dallas Stars lose season ticket holders over support of social justice, NCAA files trademark for bubble name, and Bronny James joins an esports organization.
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The NFL announced additional in-game social justice awareness initiatives on Monday. NFL end zones will be inscribed with “It Takes All Of Us” on one end line and “End Racism” on the other. The 2020 season kicks off on Sept. 10.
A t-shirt designed by Houston Texans safety Michael Thomas can also now be worn in warmups. The shirt has “Injustice against one of us is injustice against all of us” on the front and “End racism” on the back.
Players, coaches and on-field officials can wear helmet or cap decals with names of victims of racism and police brutality or choose one of four phrases announced by the NFL yesterday: “Stop Hate,” “It Takes All Of Us,” “End Racism,” or “Black Lives Matter.”
Other NFL Notes:
— NFL Players Association President JC Tretter outlined three key points players need to follow to have a successful season: mitigation, personal responsibility and small sacrifices for the greater good. “We have seen other sports experience setbacks and outbreaks, in part because they stopped prioritizing the safety measures put into place. Our collective efforts cannot stop until we complete a full season,” he said.
— The Carolina Panthers announced no fans will be at Bank of America Stadium for the team’s Week 1 game against the Las Vegas Raiders. As of Monday night, 25 teams have announced they won’t have fans for at least their first home game of the season.
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Professional athletes’ support of social and racial justice has faced criticism from some, but teams appear to be standing behind their players. Dallas Stars CEO Brad Alberts said the team has lost season ticket holders because of its support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Alberts reiterated the organization’s support of its players while saying a mix of individual and company season ticket holders had canceled their accounts. He added that all of the team’s advertiser relationships remained intact.
Last week in Edmonton, Stars player Jason Dickinson represented the team as speakers from the four Western Conference teams still in the playoffs held a news conference about the league postponing its playoff games. Dickinson, along with teammate Tyler Seguin and Vegas Golden Knights players Ryan Reaves and Robin Lehner, became the first NHL players in uniform to kneel for the U.S. national anthem on Aug. 3.
The prior day, Minnesota Wild defenseman Matt Dumba became the first player to kneel during the anthem. Dumba did not play in the game, instead delivering a speech about his work with the Hockey Diversity Alliance before the Edmonton Oilers and Chicago Blackhawks faced off.
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A college basketball bubble could be in the future as the NCAA has filed a trademark for “Battle in the Bubble.” No plans for a season have been announced, but the NCAA expects to make a decision on the start date by mid-September. As scheduled, the season would begin Nov. 10.
A “Battle in the Bubble” event proposal was reportedly pitched to the NCAA by a Houston-based event operator earlier this month. It could include 20 teams playing out a non-conference schedule.
While the ethics of holding student-athletes within a bubble are up for debate, a collegiate basketball season is financially important to schools, conferences and TV networks. For March Madness alone, CBS and Turner pay the NCAA $771 million for the media rights and the networks score more than $1 billion in ad dollars.
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Bronny James — the son of NBA superstar LeBron James — is joining FaZe Clan. While his basketball future is still up in the air, James is set to start streaming Fortnite and Call of Duty: Warzone for the esports organization under the “FaZe Bronny” handle.
At 15 years old, James is ranked No. 24 in ESPN’s 2023 basketball recruiting rankings. While he won’t be competing competitively, his entry into esports joins a growing list of athletes involved in FaZe Clan. Most recently, Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons invested in the team, joining Pittsburgh Steelers receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and Miami Heat forward Meyers Leonard.
James’ significant social followings will likely only grow with the content-creator partnership. FaZe Clan is one of the most popular esports organizations on social media, with more than 22.8 million followers across Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
Bronny’s Social Media Star Power:
— Instagram: 5.5 million followers
— TikTok: 4.3 million
— Twitch: 300,000
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The US Open is looking to use its platform this year to celebrate frontline workers as well as put a spotlight on social justice issues.
CNN is adding Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green as a contributor to its coverage; he is also a basketball analyst for fellow Turner-owned network TNT.
In a typical year, about 250,000 “Honey Deuce” collectible glasses and cocktails are sold at the US Open. With the 2020 event going fanless, sponsors like Grey Goose are pivoting to make sure they still connect with tennis fans.
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Do you plan to watch the U.S. Open?
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Monday’s Answer
21% of respondents said they have or plan to purchase a bike this year; 37% said they already have a bike; and 42% said they don’t plan to purchase a bike.
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