NBA continues tradition of pause on Election Day

Observing Election Day on a strict schedule is a tradition the NBA plans to continue.

Several prominent coaches have called on Commissioner Adam Silver to avoid playing games on National Election Day every two years to allow employees, including league staff, team employees, coaches and players, to exercise their right to vote. Silver has been a strong proponent of that approach and the expansion of voter engagement efforts led by Warriors head coach Steve Kerr and Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich.

“The scheduling decision comes as the NBA family focuses on promoting nonpartisan civic engagement and encouraging fans to make a plan to vote during the midterm elections,” the league said of the 2022 policy.

Bucks guard Damian Lillard advised voters to understand that their responsibility goes beyond one day at the ballot box.

“Pay attention. Stay tuned,” he said in a recorded interview aired by the NBA last week.

Spurs guard Chris Paul and Lakers forward LeBron James emerged as vocal leaders of the league’s voter outreach in 2020 as part of a concerted effort to shine a light on initiatives to address racial inequality. Paul said in the “Get Out the Vote” ad campaign that aired during NBA games the past two weeks: “Voting is a team sport. Take people with you.”

Rockets forward Jeff Green said the election is important to him as a chance to “help put people who are less fortunate in a better position.”

Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma said it’s important for first-time voters to understand that they are “shaping the future.”

Since 2018, only four games have been played on Election Day in November.

Kerr was a speaker at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in August. He said Monday that Election Day should be viewed as significant and important no matter what side of the political fence a voter stands on.

“Go out and vote tomorrow. Choose who you want to vote for,” Kerr said. “But understand that these elections are legitimate. They are real. This has never been an issue, never, in my lifetime, has anyone even thought that an election was not legitimate until a convicted felon who is running for office again decided to do all this to sow fear in the air that represents a direct threat to our system and our democracy.”

–Media on the ground REUTERS