NBA Bubble Allowed Players To Streamline Their Messages, Says Jemele Hill
After the NBA restarted its season after an almost five month layoff due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The league was able to resume its season in August and during this time the NBA players took the opportunity to bring awarness to social justice issues.
Issues such as voter suppression, systematic racism, and police brutality against people of color [Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd]. Players also decided to even boycott some games to get owners to listen to their concerns.
And according to Jemele Hill, who is the host of the Jemele Hill is Unbothered podcast, players were able to streamline their stances as activists because of being in the NBA bubble.
“I think the bubble allowed them to streamline [their messages]. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, if you think about how many NBA games are played in a week. We are talking about pretty much every day of the week there was an NBA game and different national games, but nearly every game was on national TV in the bubble,” said Hill.
“That gave it a concentrated, focused so, whenever there was a sideline report or a post-game report to the players’ credit, they stayed on message. And there was no escaping what they were saying. I think the fact that it was the playoffs and in a bubble situation all of those things allowed them to tell people what was in their hearts. They were also able to signal to their communities that even though they have this fame, celebrity, and multi-millions in most cases.
That they don’t consider them to be distant from their communities that they came from and considered it their responsibility to those communities. Traditional sports shows that only talked about sports and not social justice and other issues forced them to change their conversations.”
Recently LeBron James and Michelle Obama partnered with other organizations to help get voters to vote early and provided food, protective gear, and free legal advice.
“Millions of Americans have already cast their ballots and with only 21 days until Election Day, making your plan to vote early is critical,” Michelle Obama said in a statement. “We can’t leave anyone behind.”
Landon Buford is an accomplished sports and entertainment journalist based in Richardson, Texas, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA, WNBA, NFL, WWE, MLB, and the entertainment industry. Known for delivering high-impact stories and headline-making interviews, Buford has earned a global audience through content that blends insider access with compelling storytelling.
He previously served as director of editorial and brand communications at PlayersTV, where he helped shape the platform’s editorial voice and brand identity. He is also the founder and editor-in-chief of LandonBuford.com—an independent outlet with more than 1.6 million views and syndication from major platforms including Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated and Yahoo Sports. Buford’s interviews with stars like Gary Payton, Kevin Durant, Mark Cuban and Chris Paul showcase his talent for meaningful, in-depth conversations.
His bylines have appeared in Sports Illustrated, Forbes, Heavy.com, Meta’s Bulletin and One37pm, where he has contributed exclusive interviews, breaking news and cultural insights. At Heavy.com, his work drew more than a million views in just eight months, and at One37pm, it contributed to record-breaking traffic numbers.
His work highlights the intersection of sports, fashion, music, and entrepreneurship—showcasing how athletes and entertainers use their platforms to inspire change, influence trends, and shape culture beyond the game. Landon has interviewed a wide range of figures from the NBA, NFL, and entertainment industries, consistently bringing authentic voices and untold stories to the forefront.
In addition to his journalism, Buford is an entrepreneur and content creator, dedicated to amplifying diverse narratives and driving meaningful conversations across media platforms. His passion for storytelling, culture, and innovation continues to make him a respected voice in the evolving landscape of sports and entertainment media.
