The National Basketball Association has decided that they will do everything in their power to increase voter turnout in 2022, which appears to be simply not playing any games on that day.
Executive Director of the NBA Social Justice Coalition, James Cadogan, claims that the move is quite “unusual” but argued that the day is so important for “our democracy” that it had to be done.
“We don’t usually change the schedule for an external event,” Cadogan explained to NBC News’ Shaquille Brewster. “But voting and Election Day are obviously unique and incredibly important to our democracy and that’s part of the value proposition that we want to make sure people understand, that voting is unlike anything else.”
Brewster then asked what critics were saying, that it’s merely a symbolic gesture.
“I would say to them the symbols really matter,” the director responded. “So if we do something that some might call a symbol, I would say that’s a good symbol. If we were talking about getting out, registering, voting, making your voice heard in whatever way you think is most important, those are symbols that I think most people can and would support.”
SCOOP: The 2022 @NBA schedule will show NO Election Day games.
Instead, all 30 teams will play the Monday before on a themed “civic engagement night,” to encourage fans, players and staff to vote in this year’s midterm elections.
(More on @NBCNews)
— Shaquille Brewster (@shaqbrewster) August 16, 2022
“We don’t usually change the schedule for an external event,” @caduggy to @NBCNews. “But voting and Election Day are obviously unique and incredibly important to our democracy.”
In 2020, the NBA worked with cities to convert 23 arenas and team facilities in voting centers.
— Shaquille Brewster (@shaqbrewster) August 16, 2022
The social justice coalition was created in the wake of the death of George Floyd, a move that irked many Americans who view sports as a way to get away from reality, even if just for a few hours.
This move has seen a similar response, with some wondering whether the NBA thinks people would actually want a game than go vote:
“i was gonna vote but the denver nuggets were playing the washington wizards”
— Neil Diamond Hands (@BGray8ful) August 16, 2022
China giving marching orders
— Greg Hall (@GregHal10891668) August 16, 2022
That’s stupid pic.twitter.com/OTHkjUP3b0
— J (@TheJgriff73) August 16, 2022
Anyone who chooses sports over civic engagement is best left off the tally anyway.
Unless it’s a kid’s little league game. Can’t miss those precious moments.
— Charlie (@DionysosPint) August 16, 2022
Imagine taking your vote so seriously that it could be interrupted by the Pelicans-Nuggets matchup. I’m sure this will really shift the electoral dynamic
— Andrew McCarthy (@AMcCarthyNY) August 16, 2022
Will they stop scheduling games for the three weeks of early voting before?
— Cranky MJ (@getcomeuppance) August 16, 2022
So no NBA on some Tuesday a week or two after I’ve dropped off my ballot. OK then.
— Kurt Zimmer (@KRZediting) August 16, 2022
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Sierra Marlee is a millennial whose hunger for the truth in a world of fake news has led her to BizPac Review.
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