NBA, NBCA Partner to Create 'Absolute Equal Opportunity' for All Coaches

The NBA and National Basketball Coaches Association will work together to improve and develop the pool of talent for coaching opportunities in the NBA, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle expanded on the initiative's goals: "We are not talking about a quota system. Rival leagues have proven that mandates and demands for diverse hiring practices do not work. Our goal is an absolute equal opportunity for all our members to develop their skills on a level playing field."

Wojnarowski wrote the groups want to particularly target "groups that are underrepresented, including women, minorities, and those of all religions and sexual orientations."

While Carlisle's comments didn't directly reference it, he was likely referring to the NFL's Rooney Rule, which requires teams to interview minority candidates for coaching and front-office positions.

The rule's intention was admirable, but its application didn't fully address the problem it identified. In some instances, teams adhered to the guideline but had no intention of hiring the minority candidate it interviewed. The NFL rolled out more requirements to strengthen the Rooney Rule.

MLB has a similar rule named after former commissioner Bud Selig.

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora told Sportsnet's Shi Davidi in April that he generally didn't think teams had abused the spirit of the rule when he interviewed in the past. However, the Puerto Rico native said he thought he was a token minority candidate in one instance and that it "felt like s--t."

The joint NBA and NBCA plan goes beyond mandates for the hiring process. According to Wojnarowski, it will have a database listing every coach with his or her resume and organize events during which coaches can network with team executives.

The lack of black head coaches in the NBA is a problem dating back years, while the league is still waiting for its first female head coach. Becky Hammon interviewed with the Milwaukee Bucks for their vacancy last May. They hired Mike Budenholzer, and Hammon received a promotion with the San Antonio Spurs.