The NBA is dedicating a lot of very expensive TV time to remind viewers that NBA players are philanthropic nice guys rather than… well, I’m afraid to guess what they think they need to overcompensate for. Not only has ABC/ESPN enlisted Def Leppard and Tim McGraw to record the cheesy country music song “Nine Lives” to lead into broadcasts of playoff games (really, ABC, that’s who you think is the core demographic of a professional basketball game?), but each game is peppered with promotional spots for the “NBA Cares” campaign, which consists of NBA stars visiting children’s hospitals, signing autographs and rebuilding homes. It doesn’t need to be said that the charity and volunteer work is commendable, but why the self-congratulatory “ads”? Shouldn’t these extraordinarily wealthy role models being doing this sort of thing anyway?
Bill Gates’s philanthropic foundations impact local and international causes to the tune of billions of dollars annually and I’m not forced to watch a video of Bill visiting hospitals in Africa every time I boot up my computer. What if the money the NBA spends promoting their superstars’ caring ways was donated to causes NBA players and their fan base are invested in? –Ryan Quinn
on May 15th, 2008 at 9:29 AM
These so-called public service commercials are hilarious. Beyond playing upon the sham in their multi-million dollar nature, the players also receive huge tax write-offs for doing these charitable efforts. Please remember any time donated to charity is deductible, and these guys need to protect their salaries. All charitable work done by the rich is likely suspect, done at the request of tax attorneys and league officials. And, the tax sheltering culprits belong to all sports, not just the bad boys of basketball. I suppose the less cynical would say everyone wins…except integrity.
on May 17th, 2008 at 4:55 PM
While the NBA may be flogging their good deeds, at least they are doing them. Following their steroid scandals, did we see MLB players “visiting children’s hospitals, signing autographs and rebuilding homes?” Are NFL or NHL players doing anything for anybody?
on May 18th, 2008 at 1:55 PM
I agree with canmark. Since when has doing good deeds for others become a negative? As much as I enjoy this site – it seems that when it comes to reporting on the NBA – the tone is generally slanted towards the negative; even when the subject itself is positive. If rugby players or tennis players or swimmers were taking out ads to highlight their humanitarian endeavors – I doubt it would be perceived in the same manner.
on May 18th, 2008 at 5:35 PM
Lots and lots of players from all leagues are doing charitable deeds. The NFL runs commercials constantly during the season touting their helping the United Way. MLB runs commercials constantly for their official charity, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. I actually don’t know what the NHL as a league does, but certainly individual teams and players are doing things. I don’t see the NBA ads as anything different.
on May 18th, 2008 at 9:55 PM
Another thing to remember – these charitable acts are actually required as part of each player’s contract as set forth by the Collective Bargaining Agreement. I used to work for an NBA team in their Community Relations Department, and every player was required to participate in at least 3 personal appearances and 3 team appearances (which is often times when they film the pieces that go into these ads). Any appearances they agreed to do above and beyond that (whether for a tax-exempt or for-profit) they were entitled to EXTRA compensation by the organization requesting the appearance.
on Feb 27th, 2009 at 10:12 AM
that looks like 2 men lol