One question that a few folks have asked, is would Colin Kaepernick have a job in another sport had he protested the National Anthem as a member of the NBA? Two very large figures in the NBA, say yes. Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, in an email to the Washington Post, believes that owner culture is a primary factor in the former 49er quarterback being unemployed in the NFL, rather than in the NBA.
“I don’t know what his status is in the NFL, but I’m glad the NBA doesn’t have a politician litmus test for our players, I’d like to think we encourage our players to exercise their constitutional rights. The NBA is such a global game, I think our players exposure to different political systems among their teammates may help them appreciate our country even more and encourage their participation.”
Lead NBA Color Analyst Jeff Van Gundy believes that it’s culture that Commissioner Adam Silver sets as a leader. Van Gundy, also believed that Kaepernick’s protest would bring welcome discourse between individuals in the NBA:
“Commissioner [Adam] Silver embraces all kinds of different ways of thinking. I think he encourages activism. And because of that, I believe, some of our players in the NBA feel very empowered to speak their mind. That’s healthy that we embrace different thoughts. You can agree with Kaepernick, you can disagree with Kaepernick, but what I don’t think you should believe is that he doesn’t have the right or he should be muzzled in any way.”
Silver, having removed from the NBA All-Star Game from Charlotte, NC a year ago over issues with House Bill 2, which forced transgender people to use the bathroom of their gender origin. Other individuals like Steve Kerr and Gregg Popovich have often spoken their mind on current events, so whether one believes that Kaepernick’s situation is an American problem. At the end of the day, maybe it’s just an NFL problem.
(Via The Washington Post)
