NBA, Teams, Players Honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. On-Court, In Communities
Thursday, January 13, 2022 at 11:03PM By Barry Janoff
January 13, 2022: Building on its just-released multi-media campaign commemorating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “Imagine,” the NBA said all 30 teams and WNBA teams would activate within their respective home venues and communities prior to, on and after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 17
Teams will use the weekend and the following week to “honor Dr. King’s fight for justice and examine the history and impact of inequality in America.”
NBA teams playing Jan. 13-17 will wear custom Nike NBA MLK Day warm-up T-shirts designed in collaboration with the National Basketball Players Assn., The King Center and Martin Luther King III.
The front of the T-shirt features words from Dr. King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech given at the March on Washington on Aug. 28, 1963, “Now is the time to make justice a reality for all.”
The back reads “Honor King,” with the lettering adorned with Dr. King Jr.’s signature.
Both messages are printed in a font derived from the signs people carried during Dr. King Jr.’s memorial march on April 8, 1968.
During the week of Jan. 17, the Sacramento Kings and Milwaukee Bucks will take the lead to commemorate MLK Jr. Day with a Week of Action as part of the fourth installment of Team Up for Change, “an initiative focused on uniting, inspiring and activating around a shared commitment and call for racial equality and social justice.”
Team Up for Change was started by the Kings in 2019 in partnership with the Bucks “born from each team’s encounter with injustice.”
Participating teams will “deepen connections with their communities by hosting micro-events for youth that spur dynamic conversations and promote healing.”
In addition to the Kings and Bucks, Team Up for Change activations are scheduled to take place with teams including the Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks and Wings, Indianapolis Pacers and Fever, Los Angeles Clippers, Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx, Orlando Magic, San Antonio Spurs and Utah Jazz.
“I am really proud of our collective efforts and our continued commitment to lift up our young Black leaders and invest in transformative and sustainable change,” Vivek Ranadivé, Kings owner and chairman, said via the team
“Through Team Up for Change we are working to provide the support and create an on ramp for all youth to succeed, allowing young people to control their own narrative.”
This multi-faceted initiative has evolved to include The Huddle, described as "an intimate conversation with a young person and NBA or WNBA player or coach and Week of Action featuring community activations across the country in each team’s market."
“The Milwaukee Bucks are deeply committed to generating impactful change in our communities by empowering and championing our youth,” Peter Feigin, Bucks and Fiserv Forum president, said via the team.
“We are honored to continue our Team Up for Change partnership to advocate for transformational change in the fight for social, racial, and economic equity alongside many NBA and WNBA teams.”
On Jan. 15, the Memphis Grizzlies and National Civil Rights Museum will host “The Intersection of Race & Sports” on Grizzlies.com/MLK and the Grizzlies YouTube Channel (6 PM CT).
The virtual discussion with Undefeated’s Marc Spears, National Basketball Social Justice Coalition executive director James Cadogan and WNBA star A’Ja Wilson will focus on issues impacting Black athletes.
Also, as part of the team’s 20th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration Game, they will honor Muggsy Bogues, Elvin Hayes and Allan Houston with the National Civil Rights Museum Sports Legacy Award presented during the Earl Lloyd Sports Legacy Symposium.
(See a full schedule of Memphis Grizzlies Dr. King Jr. activities here.)
The Washington Wizards will begin honoring Dr. King on Jan. 14 with a virtual roundtable discussion featuring WNBA Washington Mystics players Natasha Cloud and Alysha Clark, Wizards player Daniel Gafford and former player Etan Thomas.
The roundtable will “highlight the responsibility and role sports and athletes play in social activism and community.”
The “Imagine” campaign is the latest iteration in the league’s 75th Anniversary Season “NBA Lane” campaign.
The anchor “Imagine” spot features and is voiced by NBA legend Dwyane Wade.
“Imagine” has been running during NBA telecasts on TNT, ESPN, ABC and NBA TV. As well as across NBA social and digital platforms.
It will air throughout the day on Jan. 17 during NBA on MLK Day game programming.
The tradition of NBA basketball on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day began when the national holiday was established in 1986 to honor the civil rights leader.
“Imagine” incorporates footage of the Civil Rights Movement and powerful soundbites from Dr. King’s “The American Dream” speech.
NBA on MLK Day National TV Schedule:
• Charlotte Hornets vs. New York Knicks NBA TV (1 PM ET)
• Chicago Bulls vs. Memphis Grizzlies TNT (3:30 PM ET)
• Milwaukee Bucks vs. Atlanta Hawks TNT (6 PM ET)
• Utah Jazz vs. Los Angeles Lakers NBA TV (10:30 PM ET)
D-Wade Leads NBA Multi-Media Campaign To Honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Back to Home Page