In this day and age, big corporations usually take a stand for anything with a potential dollar sign behind it.  Conversely, it’s quite rare that they show their care for a situation that doesn’t stand to be of immediate gain to them.

So, consider it a mild surprise that Billy Hunter, the executive director of the NBA Players’ Association, released the following press statement:

The recent passage of the new immigration law in Arizona is disappointing and disturbing. The National Basketball Players Association strongly supports the repeal or immediate modification of this legislation. Any attempt to encourage, tolerate or legalize racial profiling is offensive and incompatible with basic notions of fairness and equal protection. A law that unfairly targets one group is ultimately a threat to all.

We applaud the actions of Phoenix Suns players and management and join them in taking a stand against the misguided efforts of Arizona lawmakers. We are consulting with our members and our player leadership to determine the most effective way for our union to continue to voice our opposition to this legislation.

The Phoenix Suns are known on the basketball court for being very offensive.  But the organization made a decisive defensive stance which will garner more support from a huge segment of their fans, while it may outrage others.

In Game 2 of their playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs, the Suns will wear their “Los Suns” jerseys – to pay homage to the Latino community (which is exponentially larger in the southwestern U.S.).  Team owner Robert Sarver had the following to say about the decision:

“However intended, the result of passing the law is that our basic principles of equal rights and protection under the law are being called into question, and Arizona’s already struggling economy will suffer even further setbacks at a time when the state can ill-afford them.”

Former clutch shot-maker and current Suns’ GM Steve Kerr had much to contribute regarding this issue:

“It’s hard to imagine in this country that we have to produce papers. It rings up images of Nazi Germany. We understand that the intentions of the law are not for that to happen, but you have to be very, very careful. . . . It’s important that everyone in our state and nation understands this is an issue that needs to be explored. So, we’re trying to expose it.”

Steve Nash addressed the jersey selection as well:

“I think it’s fantastic. I think the law is very misguided. I think it’s, unfortunately, to the detriment of our society and our civil liberties. I think it’s very important for us to stand up for things we believe in. As a team and as an organization, we have a lot of love and support for all of our fans. The league is very multicultural. We have players from all over the world, and our Latino community here is very strong and important to us.”

Steve Kerr and the Suns are speaking out about the happenings in Arizona.

“It’s a clear-cut issue for me. I don’t agree with this bill. I don’t agree with the spirit of the bill or the message it sends, not only to people in our community but how it represents our community across the country and the world.

“I think the bill opens up the opportunity for racial profiling, racism. I think it puts the police in an incredibly difficult position that isn’t fair to them. It’s an infringement on our civil liberties to allow the possibility for inequality to arise in our community.”

The San Antonio Spurs – also driven by a large Latino following – agree with all of the statements being made by the Suns and the NBA.  Spurs’ coach Gregg Poppovich said:

“It’s kind of like 9/11 comes, and all of a sudden there’s a Patriot Act, just a knee-jerk sort of thing, and it changes our country, what we stand for. This law smacks of that to some degree. So, I think what he’s (Sarver) doing . . . is very wise and very correct.”