NBA Legend Oscar Robertson Receives Arthur Ashe Award for Courage

Oscar Robertson, the NBA Hall of Famer and former president of the NBA Players Association, will receive the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage at the 2025 ESPYs for his instrumental role in establishing free agency in professional basketball. In 1970, Robertson filed an antitrust lawsuit against the NBA to block the NBA-ABA merger and challenge restrictive player contracts that limited athletes' freedom of movement. Despite facing threats and opposition from league owners and other players, his efforts led to the 1976 'Oscar Robertson Rule,' which introduced restricted free agency and paved the way for the full free agency system that arrived in 1988. Beyond his labor activism, Robertson's basketball legacy includes being a 12-time All-Star, 1964 NBA MVP, an NBA champion, and the first player to average a triple-double for a season. His courageous fight for players' rights significantly impacted the sports world beyond the court, earning him recognition alongside other sports figures who have made a difference beyond their athletic achievements. This award highlights both his on-court excellence and his transformative influence on professional sports labor rights.