NBA, NFL MARK JUNETEENTH

Juneteenth was a paid holiday for NBA employees for the first time in league history on Friday. Several teams also afforded employees the day off in recognition of the commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States dating back to June 19, 1865. The Golden State Warriors, Atlanta Hawks, New York Knicks and Sacramento Kings were among the teams planning to recognize Juneteenth formally in the community.

The NFL also made Juneteenth a league holiday for employees, and several teams followed suit. Also Friday, the NCAA announced an expansion of its Confederate flag policy, banning all championship events from taking place in states where the Confederate symbol “has a prominent presence.” This applies only to Mississippi, whose flag features the Confederate emblem in its upper left corner.