With all the celebrities dropping out of a planned concert and local July 4th celebrations being called off in communities across the US, it’s hard to find much patriotism within traditionally left-leaning institutions these days.
But with the nation’s 250th anniversary just around the corner, the NBA is shedding its reputation for supporting leftist causes for a moment to actually pay tribute to the occasion.
TheBlaze provided this report:
Now, in a league where players are quite literally rewarded for their activism, a partnership with sports trading-card company Topps and other America-focused groups is taking a front-row seat at the NBA Finals.
ADVERTISEMENTFor the series between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs, the players will wear patches that read “USA 250” on their jerseys to celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States, the NBA reported.
According to Topps, players’ patches will be removed after every game, and “select game-worn patches” will be featured inside “ultra-rare” trading cards.
The initiative is part of the NBA’s year-long celebration of the United States, which was announced in January, alongside partnerships with several groups, some of which are less controversial than others.
Naturally, there was more than a little social media skepticism about the actual motivation of both the NBA and Topps:
Why of course let’s not just celebrate the country
Let’s make it into so cash grab— EDR (@EDDAVI) June 1, 2026
The most American thing ever. Monetize celebrating its 250th birthday. Anything to make a quick buck.
— Cheli (@fullcheli) June 1, 2026
Others are looking forward to the tribute:
that patch thing sounds like it could be a cool nod, wonder how it’ll actually look on the court
— SharpSide (@TrySharpSide) June 1, 2026
Fans of other leagues could soon have similar America 250-themed promotions to look forward to, as the Washington Examiner reported earlier this year:
President Donald Trump is expected to meet with the commissioners of four major sports leagues to discuss celebrations marking the United States’s 250th birthday in July.
ADVERTISEMENTThe NFL’s Roger Goodell, the NBA’s Adam Silver, the NHL’s Gary Bettman, and MLB’s Rob Manfred are likely set to speak with the president next week, according to TheAthletic. The Washington Examiner reached out to the Trump administration for comment but did not receive a reply.
The developments come as the White House has spurred a variety of sports-friendly initiatives to
honor the semiquincentennial, including a UFC fight on the White House lawn in June. Trump, known for his love of sports, announced last month that the Patriot Games will also debut at the White House, touting the “unprecedented four-day athletic event” that will gather high school athletes from every state to Washington.
Here’s a flashback to Trump’s remarks:
Join the conversation!
Please share your thoughts about this article below. We value your opinions, and would love to see you add to the discussion!