The day the NBA announced the creation of a $300 million fund for social justice matters focused on education, job creation and career advancement, Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Chris Paul spoke about the importance of that fund.
The president of the National Basketball Player’s Association, Paul said it is a “big reason” players agreed to join the bubble and finish the season.
“I think getting that money allocated to the foundation, to the fund, and for players to have a say-so on where that money is going is huge. It’s huge,” Paul said after the win over the Lakers on Wednesday.
“It’s one of the biggest reasons guys said we can come down here and play in the bubble.”
Every NBA team owner will contribute $1 million annually to the newly formed NBA Foundation over the next 10 years, which will create a base of $300 million throughout the lifetime of the agreement.
The foundation’s primary focus will be on career growth and advancement through increasing access and training opportunities.
Money will go toward organizations around the country that are centered around education and employment from youth jobs and internships through career advancements at older ages.
Paul credit the players and league for working together to put the plan together.
“We got a special league. The players as well as the executive committee,” he said. “Over the course of this time, obviously there’s been so much discussion about the jerseys, Black Lives Matter on the court, and the work. The real work. … We’re excited about the work ahead.”
