The Cincinnati Bearcats' former star guard, Oscar Robertson will be receiving the 2025 Arthur Ashe Award for Courage at this year's ESPYs on July 16.
Oscar is receiving the award for his fight to establish free agency as we know it in the NBA and setting the example for anumber of Pro sports leagues across the globe.
Robertson filed a lawsuit in 1970 against the National Basketball Association. As the president of the NBA players association, he claimed the league violated federal antitrust laws. Robertson and the players' association argued that policies like the reserve clause, restrictions on player movement, and the college draft were anti-competitive and illegal under U.S. law.
The Lawsuit that was filed delayed the NBA-ABA merger to 1976, which players feared would reduce the leverage players had. The Oscar Robertson Settlement was announced just a month before the merger was finalized and ended the reserve clause, which meant that teams retained a player's rights even after their contract expired.
The reserve clause being eliminated paved the way for free agency, though with some restrictions. Teams losing a free agent could receive compensation from the league, which later evolved into restricted or unrestricted free agency. The settlement also paved the way for collective bargaining between the NBA and NBPA
Robertson is the reason why we see so many players flourish today. New scenery, new coaches, and new teammates can unlock a player's full potential, and it's been a long time coming since he got his recognition for changing the sport and putting his career on the line.