A living legend finally gets his flowers!
At this year’s ESPY Awards, NBA Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson was honored with the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage, presented by Russell Westbrook, for his pivotal role in establishing free agency in the NBA. As president of the NBA Players Association from 1965 to 1974, Robertson led a landmark antitrust lawsuit that forever changed the league’s rules, and players’ futures.
The 1970 lawsuit challenged the NBA’s grip on player movement and salaries, eventually opening the door for free agency and better pay for generations to come. Robertson was also the first Black president of any pro sports labor union, ESPN reports.
“It’s important to be persistent, or as I’ve been called, stubborn,” Robertson said. “… It’s important to do the right thing even if it comes at personal sacrifice… I saw our six-year legal battle as a question of fundamental economic rights.”
Robertson, 86, now joins the ranks of Muhammad Ali, Billie Jean King, Maya Moore, and Bill Russell, all past recipients of the award.
Cover photo: Russell Westbrook Honors NBA Icon Oscar Robertson With Arthur Ashe Award at the ESPYS / Photo Credit: Westbrook Enterprises