NBA, NBPA Donate $2M Toward Coronavirus Relief as Part of $50M Commitment

The NBA and NBPA pledged $2 million of their $50 million commitment toward coronavirus relief Tuesday.

A joint announcement earmarked $1 million for the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for the World Health Organization, Direct Relief, Share Our Strength and other charities. The statement says funds will go toward aiding "relief efforts globally and locally."

The NBA announced the "NBA Together" campaign last week, which looks to pledge $50 million to aid those affected by the coronavirus. 

"The phrase 'bigger than basketball' is often used when discussing the efforts of a player or team to make a positive impact in their community," the NBA said in a press release. "The response to this global pandemic is the epitome of 'bigger than basketball' as the NBA looks to do its part to help people across the globe come together and work through these tough times."

The NBA is nearing two weeks without basketball as the league shut down indefinitely after Rudy Gobert tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Several other NBA players, including Kevin Durant, have also tested positive for the COVID-19 virus, many of whom are presenting as asymptomatic.

Other sports leagues, and most of the economy as a whole, soon followed in the NBA's lead. The United States government has recommended gatherings of no more than 10 people, and many non-essential businesses across the country have temporarily shuttered.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver told ESPN's Rachel Nichols last week that the league is currently looking into contingency plans to resume the season, but no formal plan is in place.