May 24, 2018

NBA commissioner urges athletes to not just "stick to sports"

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. Photo: Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images

At the Sports Business Awards Wednesday night, NBA commissioner Adam Silver said athletes should use their status to affect social and political change and not simply "stick to sports," reports Sports Illustrated.

Why it matters: Silver's comment came hours after the NFL released a controversial policy that prohibits players from kneeling in protest during the national anthem. The NBA has signaled its progressive approach to social justice issues as players are allowed to use their celebrity to speak out on various issues.

Silver's remarks at the Sports Business Awards Wednesday night:

"There’s never been a time when sports has been more impactful on society than it is today. And whether it’s issues affecting race and gender, health, mental wellness or technology and media, what we all do in this room matters day in and day out. And finally, I encourage all of you not to stick to sports. Do not stick to sports. Embrace it, celebrate it, and let’s all use it to build bridges and bring people together. "

Go deeper: Milwaukee police release video of NBA player arrest

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Scott Rosenberg

32 mins ago - Technology

Facebook employees stage "virtual walkout"

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

"Dozens" of Facebook employees staged a "virtual walkout" Monday over the company's decision not to take action against President Trump's provocative messages in the face of nationwide protests against police violence, the New York Times reports.

Why it matters: While Twitter added fact-check labels and hid the president's most inflammatory tweet — "when the looting starts, the shooting starts" — Facebook has said Trump's statements do not violate its policies, and that the platform aims to promote free speech.

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Axios

Updated 35 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Trump lashes out at governors, urges them to "dominate" protesters

President Trump berated the nation’s governors in a video teleconference call Monday, calling many of them "weak" and demanding tougher crackdowns on the protests that erupted throughout the country following the killing of George Floyd, according to multiple reports.

The big picture: Trump blamed violence on the "the radical left" and told the governors, who were joined by law enforcement and national security officials, that they have to "dominate" protesters and "arrest people" in order to bring an end to the unrest.

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Axios

Updated 36 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Coronavirus dashboard

Photo Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios. Photos: Noam Galai, Jamie McCarthy, Josep Lago/AFP, Alfredo Estrella/AFP, and Narayan Maharjan/NurPhoto, all via Getty Images

Global: Total confirmed cases as of 12:30 p.m. ET: 6,206,773 — Total deaths: 372,752 — Total recoveries — 2,661,643 — Map.
U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 12:30 p.m. ET: 1,793,780 — Total deaths: 104,345 — Total recoveries: 444,758 — Total tested: 16,936,891 — Map.
Public health: Fauci says“My meetings with the president have been dramatically decreased” — Coronavirus looms over George Floyd protests across the country.
Climate: Your guide to comparing climate change and coronavirus.
Economy: A busy week for IPOs despite upheaval from protests and pandemic.
World: Former FDA commissioner says "this is not the time" to cut ties with WHO.

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