Professional Athletes Boycott Games to Protest Police Shooting

Milwaukee Bucks trigger a walkout by teams scheduled to play
Player protests put NBA’s season in doubt for a second time

Referees huddle on an empty court at game time of a scheduled game between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Orlando Magic during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on Aug. 26.Photographer: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

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By Brandon Kochkodin

August 26, 2020 at 8:36 PM UTC

Updated on

August 27, 2020 at 1:49 AM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

The boycott over police shootings that started in the National Basketball Association has spread across U.S. sports. Teams in Major League Baseball, the WNBA and Major League Soccer joined NBA players in solidarity, prompting a spate of cancellations.

The disruptions pulled professional sports further into the national controversy over police shootings, threatening financial consequences for team owners and players, broadcasters, marketers of memorabilia and even betting houses. The growing protests especially threaten to disrupt efforts by the NBA and MLB to complete their coronavirus-shortened seasons.