Kyrie Irving has been opposed to NBA players participating in the resumed 2019-2020 season in Orlando, feeling like this was the time for major change.
Irving helped organize phone calls with his fellow players on Friday and Monday, according to reports. He said that he was willing to give up everything.
“I don’t support going into Orlando. I’m not with the systematic racism and the bulls—. Something smells a little fishy,” Irving reportedly said on Friday’s call.
It’s unclear how much support Irving’s movement has, but one player like LeBron James has not supported Irving’s plan, because the Los Angeles Lakers star believes he can make a difference and play in the NBA at the same time.
So what was Irving’s revolutionary plan?
According to the New York Daily News’ Stefan Bondy, Irving proposed to players in a group chat with his Brooklyn Nets teammates that they start their own league.
In a recent chat group with Nets players, Kyrie Irving lobbied for skipping the bubble, the Daily News has learned. In that chat, he also proposed that the players can start their own league, according to a source. https://t.co/SqC0wcccPJ
— Stefan Bondy (@SBondyNYDN) June 16, 2020
When Irving talked about the systematic problems, it seemed like his issue was black players playing for and enriching mostly white owners. That seems to be his belief, even though the NBA has over time began to have minority owners like Michael Jordan (Charlotte Hornets), Vivek Ranadive (Sacramento Kings) and Joseph Tsai (Nets).
The players have undeniable star power, followings, and are major attractions. Starting a completely new league though comes with numerous challenges that would be difficult for anyone to navigate. Look no further than the XFL and AAF for examples of how much risk and difficulty starting a new league entails.
