BIG3 is calling for the NBA to amp up their social justice efforts to assist former NBA and WNBA players and coaches. The Ice Cube owned basketball league created a plan to help athletes beyond their careers in the professional sport.
“As you know, a shockingly high percentage of former NBA and WNBA players eventually face financial, psychological, and a host of other struggles,” reads a statement from BIG3. “Our players DESERVE a second act! BIG3 HAS a specific plan to address this: a foundation created to benefit former NBA and WNBA players move forward with their post basketball careers. A significant OWNERSHIP percentage of BIG3 will go to this foundation so BIG3’s success results in many decades of support long after a couple checks are cashed.”
The program would include the following:
- Funds and support will be granted and/or loaned to ex-players for new business ventures, education, charitable endeavors, and assistance in post career lives.
- Funds and support for ex-players to give back to their communities.
- The foundation will hire and provide ex-players with business consultants and experts in structuring new businesses, “pitch” assistance, tax experts, legal counsel, life counselors, access to medical support, substance abuse counselors, and job and education placement services.
- Funding for youth programs in struggling Black communities.
- Youth outreach/activities to take place in each BIG3 visited city.
- Ex-coaches are also eligible for the program and support.
- The only qualification is having played or coached in the NBA or WNBA; participation in BIG3 is not a requirement nor will it carry an advantage in decision making.
- “Success” in the league will NOT be a factor so that ALL ex-players are benefitted.
- A board will be set up consisting of both BIG3 and NBA/WNBA coaches and players to decide on disbursements of funds based on need and merit for projects and need for services and assistance. All applications are therefore peer reviewed.
- Sponsor support will supplement funds and allow the Foundation to start immediately.
BIG3 has been an amazing alternative for players and coaches who did not have the opportunity to take advantage of their time in the NBA. Unbeknownst to many, the league has been instrumental in employing black leadership and females to run the organization.
“The BIG3 is the first professional sports league with a Black Commissioner Clyde Drexler, a Black owner Ice Cube, a female Chairman Amy Trask, and four board members who are both Black and come from the player community, Corey Maggette, Chauncey Billups, Jermaine O’Neal, and Jerome “JYD” Williams,” the statement continues. “We were first to hire female head coaches in a men’s sport, Nancy Lieberman and Lisa Leslie.”
The NBA and NBPA released statements on Wednesday regarding a plan that targets social justice initiatives. The NBA is hoping to increase black representation across the league, include black owned businesses in its activities, and develop a NBA foundation that will extend educational and economic opportunities to the black community.
