Our teams and players have a long history of using their influence to address important societal issues and make a lasting impact in communities everywhere. And our commitment to improving people’s lives through basketball has never been stronger.
—Adam Silver, NBA Commissioner
Join us, for a look back at our work over the 2023-2024 season – and a reminder, of
Launched in 2005, NBA Cares is the league’s global social responsibility program that builds on the NBA’s history of addressing important social issues.
Provided 7.4 million hours of hands-on service
Created more than 2,320 places in 40 countries where kids can live, learn or play.
Donated $3.9 million, through the NBA Cares State Farm Assist Tracker, impacting more than 650,000 youth throughout 90 communities.
The NBA partnered with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada to dedicate a newly renovated space and equipment upgrades to the Donald W. Reynolds Boys & Girls Club in Henderson, Nevada.
The NBA and Pacers Sports & Entertainment hosted more than 50 social impact and youth basketball events as part of the all-star celebration.
The West All-Stars played for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis and the East All-Stars played for the Special Olympics, raising more than $600,000 for the organizations.
The NBA partnered with the Boston Celtics and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Boston to create a safe space for youth at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston’s Berkshire Partners Blue Hill Club.
The NBA and the Dallas Mavericks partnered with the East Dallas Boys & Girls Clubs to renovate a STEM lab and multipurpose play space.
The NBA has also worked to inspire communities to:
During Mental Health Awareness Month, Mind Health designed an engaging online experience for audiences to identify and learn about their go-to mental health style — be it move, play, pause, learn, connect or nourish.
NBA Green inspires fans and partners to minimize environmental impacts and activate broader progress through our actions, transparency, education and engagement. In 2024, NBA India announced “Nets for Change,” a pilot program to recycle discarded underwater fishing nets into basketball nets for local communities.
The NBA, in partnership with MLB and the NHL, launched a campaign that encourages responsible betting in sports.
The NBA and its teams and players have a long history of working to advance social justice. The values of diversity, equity and inclusion that guide our league today were shaped by our early pioneers.
Unveiling of the sculpture commemorating the 1967 Cleveland Summit.
Unveiling of the sculpture commemorating the 1967 Cleveland Summit.
THE NBA FAMILY IS COMMITTED TO COLLECTIVE ACTION THROUGH:
The National Basketball Social Justice Coalition
The promotion of greater civic engagement
Support for historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs)
The NBA Foundation.
The National Basketball Social Justice Coalition, a joint venture of the NBA, NBPA and NBCA, turns people power into public policy.
The Scoreboard is a snapshot of the Coalition's key policy, public engagement, and partnership metrics.
The Scoreboard is a snapshot of the Coalition's key policy, public engagement, and partnership metrics.
On March 1, the Detroit Pistons and the Coalition joined leading community organizations to host an expungement clinic resulting in 168 Michiganders initiating their record clearance process.
The Coalition supported UT Senate Bill 163, which was signed into law March 13. The law removes financial burdens for thousands of low-income Utahns seeking record clearance
In advance of Election Day, NBA players and teams urged fans to “Get in the Game: Vote” through in-game messaging, community and fan registration events and support for election workers and nonprofit groups.
The NBA HBCU Fellowship provides career development opportunities in the business of basketball. The 10-week program places undergraduate and graduate students in roles at NBA teams and the league office. To date, 31 HBCU Fellows have earned career placements following the program.
The NBA Foundation invests in local and national organizations that promote school-to-career employment opportunities — including job readiness, skill training, job placement and career advancement — that target Black youth, ages 14-24, in NBA markets.
THROUGH THE CORE VALUES OF TEAMWORK, RESPECT, DETERMINATION AND COMMUNITY
The NBA and other league properties are helping to develop and engage not only the next generation of players but also the next generation of fans, business leaders, community champions and more.
In 2023, multiple NBA and WNBA players and legends took part in groundbreaking Her Time to Play Clinics in eight countries, across four international regions, impacting more than 1,000 girls.
The Jr. NBA reached 43 million people across 173 countries, including 554,000 youth participants and 107,000 coach participants.
The Jr. NBA reached 43 million people across 173 countries, including 554,000 youth participants and 107,000 coach participants.
The Jr. NBA aims to teach the fundamentals and core values of the game to youth around the world and to help grow and improve the youth basketball experience for players, coaches and parents.
THE REACH HAS TRULY KNOWN NO BORDERS OR BOUDERIES
BASKETBALL WITHOUT BORDERS
In 2023, a total of 282 players from 90 countries participated in four camps hosted across the different regions — Johannesburg, South Africa (Africa); Montreal, Canada (Americas); Abu Dhabi, UAE (Asia); and Wroclaw, Poland (Europe).
NBA BASKETBALL SCHOOL
The schools served more than 25,000 players with opportunities to develop their skills and be part of the NBA ecosystem across 250 locations in 18 countries.
BASKETBALL FOR ALL
In April, all 30 NBA head coaches wore custom designed Autism Acceptance-themed sneakers and Autism Acceptance pins to help raise awareness for autism resources and services.
NBA PLAYER DEVELOPMENT ENSURES PLAYERS HAVE ACCESS TO CRITICAL EDUCATION RESOURCES, SUPPORT AND OPPORTUNITIES.
This includes:
Teaching leadership skills to players at all stages of their careers.
Assisting new players as they transition into life as a professional
Pairing players with established entrepreneurs through the Business Mentorship Program.
The NBA invests in strategic partnerships, targeted development opportunities and uplifting engagements to recruit, develop and retain a multifaceted workforce.
WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP FORUM
This annual opportunity brings together innovative women leaders in discussions that empower participants to take charge of their career journeys, recognize and support our unique differences, and set a new standard for the workplace.
BLACK LEADERSHIP FORUM
Dream in Color, the NBA’s Back Employee Resource Team, held the league’s inaugural Black Leadership Forum in 2023, engaging members and allies to discuss and learn more about career development, allyship, the many elements of innovation and total well-being.
We constantly are evaluating ways to elevate our policies, programs and practices to drive greater accountability and impact.
This includes the:
Business-to-Business Diversity Program
Coaches Equality Initiative
Referee Operations HBCU Initiative
Future Health and Performance Stars program
The league has seen its spending among all diverse-business classifications grow as a result of the Business-to-Business Diversity Program’s RFP process:
WE ALWAYS ARE LOOKING FOR WAYS TO BUILD COMMUNITY AND CONNECTIONS BETWEEN EMPLOYEES.
The NBA’s employee resource teams (ERTs) contribute directly to our strategy to drive business outcomes and an inclusive culture through community building. ERTs drive diversity and mitigate risk through efforts aimed at recruiting, retaining and advancing employees from underrepresented groups and allies. ERT co-chairs and members enhance their leadership mindset through stretch assignments, event organization and strategic planning.
EMPLOYEE RESOURCE TEAMS
COMMUNITIES OF INTEREST (COIs)
The WNBA, WNBPA, teams and players dedicated the season to women’s health equity, working to bring awareness to some of the most critical health matters facing women — particularly women of color.
In addition, the WNBA highlighted national organizations doing meaningful work across the four identified pillars by making financial contributions and partnering on community initiatives and awareness campaigns.
The 31 NBA G League teams hosted a total of 335 youth basketball camps and clinics, serving more than 40,000 youth across the globe.
The NBA 2K League remains focused on equity and access, mental health resources, and supporting HBCUs.
The BAL held its first-ever wheelchair basketball games in Cairo and Kigali. The league remains focused on gender equality, professionalization of the game, inclusivity and community engagement.
