Former President Barack Obama has announced his latest venture this week, saying that he is joining the National Basketball Association to promote “social responsibility” in Africa.
“President Barack Obama will help advance the league’s social responsibility efforts across the continent, including programs and partnerships that support greater gender equality and economic inclusion,” the NBA said in a statement.
As part of the agreement, the NBA will be handing the Obama Foundation a minority equity stake in NBA Africa, which is the league’s division on the continent. Obama released a statement of his own saying that this deal will help spread liberal principles around the world.
“The NBA has always been a great ambassador for the United States — using the game to create deeper connections around the world, and in Africa, basketball has the power to promote opportunity, wellness, equality, and empowerment across the continent,” Obama said, according to ESPN. “By investing in communities, promoting gender equality, and cultivating the love of the game of basketball, I believe that NBA Africa can make a difference for so many of Africa’s young people.
“I’ve been impressed by the league’s commitment to Africa, including the leadership shown by so many African players who want to give back to their own countries and communities,” he added. “That’s why I’m proud to join the team at NBA Africa and look forward to a partnership that benefits the youth of so many countries.”
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver celebrated this collaboration with Obama as well, saying that there are “enormous growth opportunities” for sports in Africa.
“We are honored that President Obama has become a strategic partner in NBA Africa and will support our wide-ranging efforts to grow the game of basketball on the continent,” Silver said. “In addition to his well-documented love for basketball, President Obama has a firm belief in Africa’s potential and the enormous growth opportunities that exist through sports. NBA Africa will benefit tremendously from his engagement.”
Since leaving office in 2016, Obama has spent much of his time in the entertainment world, signing a multi-million dollar deal with Netflix to create content for the streaming service back in 2018. This seems to be his latest plan to use entertainment to push his various liberal ideologies.
Join the Discussion
COMMENTS POLICY: We have no tolerance for messages of violence, racism, vulgarity, obscenity or other such discourteous behavior. Thank you for contributing to a respectful and useful online dialogue.