It is Friday, I know yesterday seemed like a Friday, and well everyday seems like just a combination of days that end in -Y, but it is Friday. Today’s links again are focused on what matters, social justice and highlighting the players, fans, teams, and leagues that are addressing systemic racism. Real Salt Lake, you may have heard, had a very bad day yesterday with their owner speaking against his players decision to strike, that has its own section as it just grew through the day. Lastly, soccer news is at the end of today’s hybrid links.

Yesterday, we took a break from traditional links. It was important to highlight the movement that was starting and what the leaders wanted everyone to know. If you want to see what players across all leagues said Wednesday, yesterday’s links are here. A couple of resources were provided in the article but importantly the resources shared in the comments are a great place. Sounder at Heart has also provided resources in the past on BlackOutTuesday and the General Strike that are worth revisiting.

Across borders, across courts, fields, and arenas players and fans are coming together (socially distant and via the internet mainly) to say Black Lives Matter. Social Injustice must end. Systemic Racism must end. Today, leagues are likely to announce plans to restart play over the weekend but I can guarantee the players will not let us forget what they stand for. As Stefan Frei said reminded us, human rights are bigger than sports and it’s important to be on the right side of history.

Black Lives Matter and Social Justice

Baseball traditionally has a rocky relationship with social justice and while three MLB games were not played Wednesday, many were played. Of the three that were not played Wednesday, all three were played as part of doubleheaders on Thursday. The Red Sox-Blue Jays and Mets-Marlins were two of the main teams that decided to strike. The Mets specifically did after Dominic Smith’s heartfelt comments Wednesday night. Red Sox-Blue Jays, Phillies-Nationals among 7 MLB games postponed.

After significant criticism by many, including San Jose Shark Evander Kane, the NHL decided to postpone games scheduled for Thursday and Friday. Action is set to resume Saturday. NHL playoff games on Thursday, Friday called off; action to resume Saturday

The NBA appears to be coming back, though they postponed all games yesterday, the league does appear to be coming back this weekend from the player votes and comments by Clippers coach Doc Rivers. Clippers' Doc Rivers says players ready to play again after thinking NBA season was over

ESPN Daily hosted by Pablo Torre talked with Malika Andrews on what happened Wednesday in the bubble for the Thursday podcast. If you are interested in how people inside the bubble experienced the day and what the meetings were about, it is worth a listen. You also get to hear Malika Andrews be warned about a snake.

But I texted Ariel yesterday and I said, ‘Have you talked to the team about sitting today out?’ And she said, ‘No, we haven’t talked about it. We made T-shirts. We have statements.’ And I said, ‘I challenge you to think about sitting out.’ Op-ed: Natasha Cloud’s call to stand up as human beings and ‘not just athletes’ – The Athletic

WNBA players continued to strike on Thursday with all games being postponed. Nneka Ogwumike and Sue Bird joined The Jump to talk about the strike and how the WNBA plans to move on.

The NFL may not be in season but teams across the league did cancel practice in solidarity with the striking teams. The Baltimore Ravens led the way with the statement they released.

Women’s Super League players explain how and why they will show support for the Black Lives Matter movement during the new season. Black Lives Matter: Women’s Super League players to ‘show solidarity’ - BBC Sport

Earthquakes captain explains motivations, reasons for refusing to play Wednesday. Earthquakes’ Wondolowski talks reasons for player strike, next steps - Center Line Soccer

Every CPL player from all eight teams took to the pitch on Thursday afternoon to show solidarity with people of colour, the BLM movement, racial equality and a variety of other social justice issues. CPL players from all 8 teams show support of social justice issues during Ottawa-Cavalry match – Canadian Premier League

The Chicago Fire’s USL affiliate is protesting the police shooting of Jacob Blake. Forward Madison postpones Sunday’s match, calls for action on racial injustice - Hot Time In Old Town

Today, athletes all across America, including MLS players, took a stand because social justice for the Black community still shows no signs of improving after the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin. As in the case of the NFL’s Colin Kaepernick, it serves to focus on the why, and not the what or how. Four years after Colin Kaepernick, MLS players take a stand | Steve Zakuani | MLSsoccer.com

NWSL players aren’t listening to their Black teammates as a united front, and that’s a problem. NWSL lags far behind WNBA in social justice efforts - All For XI

Real Salt Lake

If you haven’t heard by now, Real Salt Lake’s owner, Dell Loy Hansen, metaphorically salted the Real Salt Lake soccer fields, after his team refused to play Wednesday night, joining LAFC in striking in Sandy, UT. After saying some absolutely terrible things about his team and his lack of desire to support his own club financially, it just got worse. I tried to keep the articles in chronological order as it started in the morning and just kept unraveling through the day, culminating in the racist and sexist history of Dell Loy Hansen coming out in multiple articles. If MLS does not suspend and force the sale of Real Salt Lake, then they are telling the employees and players that their experiences do not matter. Dell Loy Hansen says players “don’t support local issues” after protest, strike - RSL Soapbox

The club is in crisis. Full transcript of Dell Loy Hansen’s comments on Radio from Hell - RSL Soapbox

It can’t come soon enough. Jozy Altidore: DLH “needs to sell the team”, says he’s invested in a group ready to buy - RSL Soapbox

Jozy was not the only star to talk about DLH needing to sell, this one is much closer to Sandy.

MLS owner Dell Loy Hansen was blasted by current and former players after criticizing his team’s decision not to play Wednesday to protest racial injustice. MLS owner Dell Loy Hansen blasted after criticizing Real Salt Lake players' decision not to play Wednesday | Yahoo Sports

There’s no surprise here, but it needs to be shared. Rimando: “I am disgusted by DLH’s comments” - RSL Soapbox

The defender is almost certainly not alone in this. Onuoha: “I don’t want to be here” after DLH comments - RSL Soapbox

It’s an unprecedented move by management at the club on an already unprecedented day. Report: RSL players barred from training at practice facilities morning after protest - RSL Soapbox

Hansen has used racist language to employees and players in his time in charge of RSL, the Utah Royals and Real Monarchs. Dell Loy Hansen has history of racially-charged comments as RSL owner – The Athletic ($)

Where do we even start on this? MLS, NWSL issue statements on Dell Loy Hansen - RSL Soapbox

The first-round pick stands with Real Salt Lake players in solidarity. Royals rookie Tziarra King: DLH comments “completely unacceptable” - RSL Soapbox

He might have a lot of money, but he’s also a racist. Utah Royals owner Dell Loy Hansen must go - All For XI

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With yesterday’s links focusing solely on the social justice movement and strikes by the players, a bit of news was missed, today we catch you back up on that below.

MLS/NWSL/USL

Recent reports state the Barcelona legend could end up in the Big Apple in as little as three years. Lionel Messi’s potential transfer to Manchester City could result in NYCFC move in future - Hudson River Blue

The USL notified Hartford Athletic today that the league will not be pursuing disciplinary action against Head Coach Radhi Jaïdi. USL Statement on Hartford Athletic Head Coach Rahdi Jaïdi

Thanks in part to the SEC’s decision to delay its fall sports season, the NWSL will enjoy unprecedented access to over-the-air TV for its recently-announced Fall Series. How college football’s postponements opened a window for the NWSL on CBS – The Athletic ($)

World

Angela Merkel and the minister presidents appear to have decided that large events, including football games, will remain banned for the public. Bundesliga stadiums to remain empty for the remainder of 2020 - Bavarian Football Works

Manchester United confirmed that superstar midfielder Paul Pogba has tested positive for COVID-19. Man United star Paul Pogba tests positive for COVID-19 | NBC Sports

The Saturday 3pm TV blackout will be lifted when the new season starts, making it almost certain that all Premier League games will be available for broadcasting in England. All Premier League games may be televised after 3pm blackout lifted | Sport | The Times

Spanish-language report that Man City will be offering a player swap (3 for 1) to get Messi. That said, the FC Barcelona President volunteered to resign if that kept Messi so maybe this City offer will not matter. The City already prepares the offer by Messi

Manchester United’s Harry Maguire says he feared for his life when Greek police arrested him last week. Harry Maguire: I feared for my life during arrest in Greece - BBC Sport

MLS has a salary cap but no one in the English system had, till now. After the League One and League Two vote to implement a cap we get thoughts from inside the game on its impact. 'A really bad thing for players': views on the Football League salary cap | Football | The Guardian

He is reportedly in Italy for a physical. The Old Lady might be getting a new American face. Weston McKennie rumored to sign with Juventus - Stars and Stripes FC

The U.S. men’s national team midfielder is set to leave Schalke and join Ronaldo and Andrea Pirlo in Italy. Juventus set to land American midfielder Weston McKennie in transfer deal as early as this week - CBSSports.com