by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 16, 2021

James Cadogan named NBA’s Executive Director of National Basketball Social Justice Coalition

Late last year, the National Basketball Association (NBA) and National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) announced the formation of the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition, an organization that will lead the NBA family’s collective efforts to advance equality and social justice.

This past Wednesday, the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition announced that James Cadogan has been appointed as its first executive director. Cadogan will start in this new role on May 10, 2021. He will be responsible for driving the strategic vision and day-to-day operations of the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition. He will lead the Coalition to address topics of racial inequality and advance social justice by raising awareness, educating, and advocating for meaningful change in areas including voting access and criminal justice system reform at the national, state, and local level.

“James’ expertise in public policy and record of success in vision and strategy-setting will help drive the priorities of the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition, and ensure we are creating meaningful impact in key areas of reform at the national, state, and local levels,” said NBA Deputy Commissioner and National Basketball Social Justice Coalition Board Member Mark Tatum in a written statement. “We are proud to name him as the first Executive Director of the Coalition and look forward to his leadership in furthering our efforts to advance social and equal justice.”

“The Social Justice Coalition cements the NBA family’s commitment to civic engagement and policy action at a crucial moment in our nation,” said Cadogan. “I grew up not only with an unwavering love for the game of basketball but also a deep respect for the NBA’s history of player activism promoting racial and social justice. Just as today’s grassroots movement for justice can trace its origins to the civil rights movement of the 1950s and ‘60s, this Coalition is rooted in the legacy forged by generations of NBA athletes, who for over sixty years have used their platforms to fight for civil rights and economic justice. I’m honored to be joining the team and look forward to helping today’s players, coaches, league officials, and governors build on that rich tradition.”

The National Basketball Social Justice Coalition Board of Directors includes NBA players Carmelo Anthony, (Portland Trail Blazers), Avery Bradley (Houston Rockets), Sterling Brown (Houston Rockets), Donovan Mitchell (Utah Jazz), and Karl-Anthony Towns (Minnesota Timberwolves); NBA Team Governors Micky Arison (Miami Heat Managing General Partner), Steve Ballmer (L.A. Clippers Chairman), Clay Bennett (Oklahoma City Thunder Chairman), Marc Lasry (Milwaukee Bucks Governor), Vivek Ranadivé (Sacramento Kings Governor and Chairman); Coaches Lloyd Pierce and Doc Rivers (Philadelphia 76ers) as well as NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, NBPA Executive Director Michele Roberts and NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum.


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