NBA, LegalZoom Align, Offering $6M To Support Thousands Of Small Businesses
Thursday, October 14, 2021 at 07:12PM By Barry Janoff
October 14, 2021: Calling it a “significant extension of our commitment to increasing economic opportunities for historically marginalized communities,” the NBA has signed a multi-year deal naming LegalZoom.com online platform for legal and compliance services an official partner of the NBA, WNBA and G-League.
The alliance begins with “Fast Break for Small Business,” a community initiative that will “award $6 million in grants and LegalZoom services to support thousands of small businesses throughout the country.”
According to the NBA and LegalZoom, “Our goal is to change the game for small business owners and remove the barriers often faced by minorities, women, immigrants and members of the LGBTQ+ community.”
Hall of Famer Grant Hill (pictured) will be an ambassador for the program.
“Our mission at LegalZoom is to democratize law in ways that help all small business owners thrive,” Dan Wernikoff, CEO of LegalZoom, said via the company.
“Our commitment to promote social equality and economic inclusion align perfectly with the values of the NBA, WNBA and NBA G League. The ‘Fast Break for Small Business’ program accelerates our ability to support both new and existing small businesses while reducing the endemic inequalities in the financial and legal systems.”
LegalZoom has also committed to be an associate partner at marquee events across the NBA, WNBA and NBA G League, including NBA All-Star, WNBA Commissioner’s Cup and NBA G League Winter Showcase.
There, they will “promote the 'Fast Break for Small Business' program and spark dialog of the inequalities it aims to address.”
“Our partnership with LegalZoom is a significant extension of our commitment to increasing economic opportunities for historically marginalized communities,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said via the league. “Together we will bring meaningful resources to entrepreneurs and directly address many of the challenges facing minority-owned small businesses.”
In an intro spot, Hill offers, “Success isn’t easy. On the court and in business, it takes a dream, hard work, commitment. And sometimes a little help from the outside . . . The NBA and WNBA are constantly working to stimulate growth and know how important small businesses are in communities where their teams play.”
“Small businesses across the country are really the heart and soul of who we are as Americans,” Hill said via the NBA. “They’re the life blood of our country and right now they’ve been through some tough times.
“I know first-hand the challenges and difficulties that exist with being a small business owner. But I also am impressed with the resiliency, the toughness and the commitment necessary to be successful. To be able to support and provide services and to be there for them, that’s a great feeling and something we all should be proud of.”
Applications for the first round of “Fast Break for Small Business” grants are open today through Nov. 23, 2021.
Grants and services will be awarded twice a year for the next three years, starting in January 2022.