The National Basketball Association (NBA) plans to resume the 2019-2020 season tentatively on July 31 in Orlando, Florida as a single site. 

NBA
(Photo : Reuters Connect)

The 2019-2020 NBA season went into hiatus on March 11 due to the threat of the global pandemic. When it resumes on July 31, the league plans to address issues on social injustice and racial inequality as one of its central goals. 

An article published on NBA's official website stated that as soon as the season restarts, the league will be calling attention to what is called "sustained action on social injustice, including combating systemic racism."

Planned efforts will include expanding educational and economic opportunities across the Black community, enacting meaningful police and criminal justice reform, and promoting greater civic engagement.

NBA Leading Men's Sports for Diversity 

NBA remains the men's sports in the league having diverse players or of different races. Global Sports Matter reported in 2018 that 80.7 percent of its players are coming from different colors. 

Meanwhile, the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport at the University of Central Florida released its annual National Basketball Association Racial and Gender Report Card in 2019 that showed the league being the leader in hiring players from different races according to ESPN.

During the 2018-2018 season, 33 percent of the head coaches in the NBA were from different colors while players of color increase to 81.9 percent compared to the 80.7 percent in the previous season. 

Last year, Civil rights leader Rev. Jesse L Jackson told the ESPN that he commended and applauded NBA's commissioner Adam Silver for being consistent in showing sensitivity to players of color and "creating an atmosphere of fairness and equality that produces high levels of talent in coaching, management and leadership positions off the court."  

NBA's Adapts COVID-19 Measures as the Season Restarts

Strict measures will be implemented and observed as the NBA season restarts after an almost three months hiatus due to the health threat of COVID-19. 

The safety and health measures were consulted from medical experts including the country's leading infectious specialist, Dr. Anthony Fauci. 

The NBA released a 108-page file on medical protocols that all players must follow. Some of the highlights are the following:

  • Players must shower in their individual hotel rooms instead of the game or practice arenas.
  • Be part of a contact tracing program.
  • And that it is "recommended that coaches wear face coverings pre- or post-game where feasible." 

NBA also added that each team can bring 35 people as part of the basketball operations group, which includes players, a senior executive, an athletic trainer, a strength and conditioning coach, an equipment manager, and security.

Other plans of the league include mental health professionals being available for players and coaches, pregame chapel services to be done virtually, yoga and meditation, three meals a day and four meals on game days, and restaurant availability.

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