Player Strikes at NBA, MLB, MLS, WNBA Focus Attention on Systemic Racism

In the wake of the Jacob Blake shooting, player strikes calling for an end to systemic racism have caused several pro sports leagues to call off games. As this is a developing story, here is an updated updated list (as of 8/27) of current postponements, cancellations, and other announcements from pro leagues. Stay tuned to sportsvideo.org for more information on the impact to the sports-production industry as this story develops.

• ESPN reports that NBA players have decided to resume the Playoffs, but the league announced that the “NBA playoff games for today will not be played as scheduled. We are hopeful to resume games either Friday or Saturday. There is a video conference call meeting scheduled later this afternoon between a group of NBA players and team governors representing the 13 teams in Orlando, along with representatives from the National Basketball Players Association and the league office and NBA Labor Relations Committee Chairman Michael Jordan, to discuss next steps.” This follow a historic day on Wednesday the NBA in which all three playoff games were postponed following the Milwaukee Bucks choice not to play.
• Three MLB games were postponed on Wednesday, beginning with the Milwaukee Brewers and Cincinnati Reds unanimously deciding not to play on. The same decision was made to stand in solidarity later in the day by the Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres, as well as the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers.
• MLS postponed five of its six scheduled matches on Wednesday evening. Los Angeles FC midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye disputed this account, saying the players made the decision not to play the games.
• The WNBA’s three games scheduled for Wednesday night were postponed as part of the protest.
• The NHL and NHL Players’ Association have announced the postponement of all games scheduled to take place Thursday and Friday in a player-driven decision.
• The Detroit Lions became the first NFL team to cancel practice Tuesday. In addition the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington canceled their practices Wednesday night, and the Colts and Jets cancelled practice Thursday morning.
• In other related news, Kenny Smith, one of the hosts of Inside the NBA on TNT, walked off the set of the show on Wednesday night to show solidarity with the Milwaukee Bucks players.