NBA teams BOYCOTT playoff game

NHL postpones four playoff games
on Thursday, Friday
after players push to suspend play

USA TODAY

"After much discussion, NHL players believe that the best course of action
would be to take a step back and not play tonight's and tomorrow's games
as scheduled," the statement reads. "The NHL supports the players' decision
and will reschedule those four games beginning Saturday and adjust the
remainder of the Second Round schedule accordingly.

"Black and Brown communities continue to face real, painful experiences.
The NHL and NHLPA recognize that much work remains to be done before
we can play an appropriate role in a discussion centered on diversity,
inclusion and social justice."

The move came after several players made public calls
for the league to suspend play.

Baltimore Ravens call for
'arrest and charge' of police officers
in Breonna Taylor killing, Jacob Blake shooting

USA TODAY
On a day in which several NFL teams canceled practice to discuss police
brutality and racial injustice, the Baltimore Ravens outlined a desired
course of action.
The team also listed six other actionable points in its statement, including
demanding Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell bring the George Floyd
Justice in Policing Act of 2020 to the floor for a vote. The bill, passed in the
House of Representatives in June, would limit the use of qualified immunity
as a defense and authorizes the U.S. Department of Justice to issue
subpoenas when investigating police departments for a pattern of discrimination,
among other things.

The organization also is seeking "prison sentencing reform that is fair
and equitable" and asked for "every citizen to act with respect and
compliance when engaging with the police."

Almost 100 NBA employees stage walkout
to support NBA, WNBA players in
protesting social injustice

USA TODAY

Nearly 100 NBA employees across departments staged a one-day walkout Friday
in solidarity with NBA and WNBA players to protest social injustice, and
they were contacting Wisconsin law enforcement and elected officials in an effort
to effect change, a person familiar with the situation told USA TODAY Sports.

One NBA employee who walked out wrote an out-of-office email response
explaining their reasons for protesting:

"I am virtually walking out of the office in opposition to systemic racism and
police brutality in this country in solidarity with our NBA and WNBA players"

The NBA and National Basketball Players Association issued a joint statement Friday
confirming the playoffs will resume Saturday. The statement also outlined initiatives
the two sides will work on together to push the social justice movement forward:

1/  The league and players will "immediately establish a social justice coalition,
with representatives from players, coaches and governors, that will be focused
on a broad range of issues, including increasing access to voting, promoting civic
engagement, and advocating for meaningful police and criminal justice reform."

2/  Team governors will work with local election officials in cities where the
"league franchise owns and controls the arena property" to convert those
facilities into an election facility for the 2020 general election "to allow
for a safe in-person voting option for communities vulnerable to COVID."

3/  The league and players work with broadcast partners to "create and include
advertising spots" in every remaining playoff game that will be dedicated
to "promoting greater civic engagement in national and local elections
and raising awareness around voter access and opportunity."