NBA Commissioner believes one of the focuses of the Trump administration should be “re-emphasizing the importance of freedom of expression.”
Even with the reelection of US President Donald Trump, the NBA believes sports can unify people in spite of race and color.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver believes having Trump in the White House again won’t hinder the league and its players from speaking on relevant issues in society.
"The NBA has a long tradition of allowing its players to speak out on issues that matter to them. That didn’t change under the Biden administration, and it won’t change under the Trump administration either. We hope that sports can serve as a unifying force, both in the United States and internationally,” Silver told reporters.
Silver added that Trump’s administration could resolve big issues in the sports industry.
“Interestingly, President Trump is a big sports fan. That’s something we have in common with him, our players, and the league as a whole. I think there are significant issues related to college basketball, and I believe the Trump administration may address them."
Asked what Trump’s government should focus on regarding sports and media content, Silver expressed how vital freedom of expression is.
"There are lessons that have been learned from President Trump’s first term, as well as from President Biden’s time in office. It’s worth noting that several of Trump’s supporters are influential figures in major media platforms. I believe the direction for the United States should involve re-emphasizing the importance of freedom of expression, and this extends to NBA players voicing their political opinions,” said Silver.
“From what we’ve seen on social media, there shouldn’t be censorship—except for obscene or harmful content, especially for children. We need to uphold the principle of free speech and hope this will be supported by the new administration."
