Why is the NBA using MLK day to market to its audience? Can you think of any other professional sports in the world that markets a martyr to its fans? Granted, as someone who watches sports and a person of color I understand the logic. However, a big part of me feeling offended and intruded upon

MLK day for the NBA is nothing new obviously, this year was no different than the others. But as I get older and see sports differently, I can’t help but see things for how they are. Let’s try to understand the logic behind the NBA’s choice to honor Martin Luther king. Financially, the majority of NBA ticket holders are white, while its athletes are black.

If the NBA decides not to do an MLK day, does that make them racist? Let’s assume because the black athletes fill the arenas with white seats is the tipping point for NBA’s MLK day. Coupled with the wave of social justice reform and you have ethnic morals being used to create and sustain fanbases. I’m not saying this is right or wrong but it’s definitely offensive. Here’s why;

To the NBA’s credit, out of the 3 major professional sports the NBA has done more to fight racism within its own league even. For example; the firing of former Clippers owner Donald Sterling, and racist fans being banned. However, the ratio of black athletes is higher in the NBA than in other sports.

For those who are fanatics, this article may seem like a rant. However, If the NBA wants to truly acknowledge MLK day, they wouldn’t spend billions of dollars trying to entertain people. How can we change our communities by being distracted as sports fanatics? Where does sports rank on the priority list for black people to better their conditions as a collective?

One could argue that to even assume MLK would want to be associated with the NBA reeks of arrogance via white owners and GMs. Honoring MLK day by playing basketball is barely a step above the god forbidden club flyers with MLK photoshopped on them.

It’s interesting how even the most brainwashed can be deceived by an annual moral feel-good PR stunt. For one day we can pretend things are so much better. Despite a poll stating most people don’t believe much has changed since the civil rights era.

In fact, the first black NBA player played his first game 18 years prior to the death of MLK. I don’t claim to be an expert but, I can’t recall MLK taking time out to advocate for player’s rights in the NBA. The scary part is the majority of you reading this will not see the value and claim its not that big of a deal.

In conclusion, honoring a martyr in sports is a new low to garner sports fanatics attention. However in a capitalistic society its a perfect gumbo. It’s a national holiday, people are off work to attend games, and gives them high ratings on t .v. All the while giving the facade that a sports league can play the role of activist.

At the end of the day, the NBA can only go so far and will always be reactive with its activism depending on the pulse of society. Is NBA MLK day disrespectful to the legacy of MLK? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.