Tsais commit $50M to justice

Throughout the recent upswing of the social justice movement, many have offered the warning that actions speak louder than words. The Nets owners have pitched in to help with both, and did again Tuesday.

Joe and Clara Wu Tsai — who own the Nets, Liberty and Barclays Center — issued a joint social justice statement, including a five-point plan. They also pledged $50 million over the next 10 years to a fund aimed at helping minority communities, especially the black community.

“Alongside the leadership of our companies, we have spoken up against all forms of racism and made a commitment to work in partnership with our community to raise awareness and push back on racial prejudice,” Joe Tsai said.

“Brooklyn has long been a place where people of many different origins can engage in dialogue and find common ground, and we have seen the best example of that at the plaza in front of Barclays Center. Today, we present the framework for how we plan to accomplish the goals of justice and equality.”

The plaza at Flatbush and Atlantic became an epicenter for Black Lives Matter protests, and Tsai said it will be made available as a place for peaceful gatherings.

Their five-point plan includes, 1) establishing the fund “for social justice initiatives and community investments that will benefit the BIPOC (especially Black) community, with a priority on Brooklyn,” 2) supporting athlete voices, 3) creating a more inclusive work culture, 4) leveraging league-wide influence in the NBA and WNBA, and 5) ongoing community engagement.