Hall of Famer and Milwaukee Bucks legend Oscar Robertson added another award to his long list of accolades on July 16 at the ESPYS. This time, though, it was for his work off the court.The 1963-64 MVP and 12-time All-Star helped bring the Milwaukee Bucks their first NBA championship in 1971.Robertson was also the first player in NBA history to average a triple-double in a season.”The Big O” was recognized for his work as a pioneer to establish free agency in the NBA on July 16 at the ESPYS. There, Robertson received the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage. The award is given to a deserving member of the sports world who has made a difference beyond the field of play by fighting for what they believe in, ultimately impacting people worldwide.While Robertson was a player, NBA teams retained the rights of players, even if their contracts expired. Basically, the only way players could move to different teams was either by trade or being released, as free agency was rare.Robertson became the president of the NBA Players Association from 1965 through 1974. In 1970, he filed an antitrust lawsuit against the league, aimed at blocking the NBA-ABA merger and liberating players from exploitative contract restrictions. Owners threatened and dismissed him, warning that the league would crumble under the weight of this new labor power. Many players shied away from the fight, worried that they would lose their jobs. Robertson persisted, aware that the current situation was unjust.In 1976, after successfully delaying the merger, the Players Association reached a groundbreaking settlement with the league. It was deemed the “Oscar Robertson Rule.” The “rule” eliminated the “option” or “reserve” clause in the NBA uniform player contract. As mentioned before, the previous rules bound a player to one team for life at the team’s option. Players now had leverage in dealing with owners. The “Oscar Robertson Rule” created what we know now as “restricted free agency. This paved the way for greater labor gains down the road. MLB and NFL players soon won similar concessions.Previous recipients of the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage include the USA Gymnastics sexual abuse survivors (2018), Bill Russell (2019), Kevin Love (2020), Maya Moore (2021), Vitali Klitschko (2022), the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team (2023) and Steve Gleason (2024).Top HeadlinesRecovery effort underway for teen at Jaycee Quarry Park in SheboyganFranklin Walmart fire started by 10-year-old boy closes store indefinitelyUncle of abducted Milwaukee boy charged with firing shots at carWATCH Steel beam crashes down during museum ceremony in Milwaukee
Hall of Famer and Milwaukee Bucks legend Oscar Robertson added another award to his long list of accolades on July 16 at the ESPYS. This time, though, it was for his work off the court.
The 1963-64 MVP and 12-time All-Star helped bring the Milwaukee Bucks their first NBA championship in 1971.
Robertson was also the first player in NBA history to average a triple-double in a season.
“The Big O” was recognized for his work as a pioneer to establish free agency in the NBA on July 16 at the ESPYS. There, Robertson received the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage. The award is given to a deserving member of the sports world who has made a difference beyond the field of play by fighting for what they believe in, ultimately impacting people worldwide.
While Robertson was a player, NBA teams retained the rights of players, even if their contracts expired. Basically, the only way players could move to different teams was either by trade or being released, as free agency was rare.
Robertson became the president of the NBA Players Association from 1965 through 1974.
In 1970, he filed an antitrust lawsuit against the league, aimed at blocking the NBA-ABA merger and liberating players from exploitative contract restrictions. Owners threatened and dismissed him, warning that the league would crumble under the weight of this new labor power. Many players shied away from the fight, worried that they would lose their jobs. Robertson persisted, aware that the current situation was unjust.
In 1976, after successfully delaying the merger, the Players Association reached a groundbreaking settlement with the league. It was deemed the “Oscar Robertson Rule.” The “rule” eliminated the “option” or “reserve” clause in the NBA uniform player contract. As mentioned before, the previous rules bound a player to one team for life at the team’s option. Players now had leverage in dealing with owners. The “Oscar Robertson Rule” created what we know now as “restricted free agency. This paved the way for greater labor gains down the road. MLB and NFL players soon won similar concessions.
Previous recipients of the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage include the USA Gymnastics sexual abuse survivors (2018), Bill Russell (2019), Kevin Love (2020), Maya Moore (2021), Vitali Klitschko (2022), the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team (2023) and Steve Gleason (2024).
Top Headlines
Recovery effort underway for teen at Jaycee Quarry Park in Sheboygan
Franklin Walmart fire started by 10-year-old boy closes store indefinitely
Uncle of abducted Milwaukee boy charged with firing shots at car
WATCH Steel beam crashes down during museum ceremony in Milwaukee
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