Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving was elected as a vice president of the NBA Players Association on Monday, the organization announced.
Irving is replacing former NBA star Pau Gasol, whose three-year term came to an end.
Gasol retired from the NBA following last season.
Irving said in a statement he wants to take on a bigger role in the union and help with social issues and business plans.
“I have been an observer and a participant in union affairs for a while, but for the most part, I was off on the sidelines, supporting our Executive Committee as they made important decisions. At this point in my career, I wanted to join forces with those guys and take a bigger role outside of the basketball court and within our union. I want to help move the union forward with innovative ideas, not only on social issues but also with business ventures into a new space.”
In 2018, Irving enrolled in a Harvard business school program designed to help athletes prepare for “business activities during and after their active sports careers,” according to Boston.com.
Outside business dealings include his Nike shoes contract and partial ownership of the Uncle Drew character, according to Forbes.
Irving has been also been outspoken about social issues. He wore an “I Can’t Breathe” t-shirt in 2014 following the death of Eric Garner and spoke out against the Dakota Access Pipeline.
A nine-year NBA veteran, Irving is an NBA Champion and six-time All-Star. He has played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets.
Irving joins an executive committee with president Chris Paul, first vice president Andre Iguodala, secretary-treasurer Anthony Tolliver and vice presidents Bismack Biyombo, Malcolm Brogdon, Jaylen Brown, CJ McCollum and Garrett Temple.
“We are thrilled to have Kyrie join us as the newest Vice President,” Paul said in the statement. “Having a player of his caliber coupled with his off the court business acumen will help us to continue to strengthen the union as a whole and empower our individual voices as players.”
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