Free agency is among one of the most exciting parts of the sports calendar, as athletes are able to pick and choose where they want to play and cement a legacy.
The man who helped make it possible will be honored for it.
Basketball Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson will be honored with the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage at the 2025 ESPY Awards, USA TODAY Sports exclusively reports, for his work is establishing free agency in the NBA. The award is given to a ‘deserving member of the sports world who has made a difference beyond the field of play by fighting for what they believe in, ultimately impacting people worldwide.’
Known as ‘The Big O,’ Robertson remains one of the most talented basketball players to ever play the sports. A multi-time college basketball player of the year at Cincinnati, Robertson was the 1964 NBA MVP, an NBA champion, a 12-time All-Star and in 1962, became the first player in league history to average a triple-double in a season.
But for all of the on-court achievements, it’s what Robertson did off the court that left an everlasting impact in the sport. During his playing days, NBA teams retained the rights of players, even if their contracts expired. The only way players could really move teams was either by trade or being released, and free agency was rare.
Robertson became president of the NBA Players Association in 1965, and in 1970, he filed an antitrust lawsuit against the NBA. The lawsuit aimed to block the league’s merger with the ABA and end contract restrictions players faced from the moment they were drafted. Owners pushed back on the suit and threatened the league wouldn’t survive if players were given more power.
‘Many players shied away from the fight, worried that they would lose their jobs, but Robertson persisted, acutely aware that the status quo was unjust and unnecessary,’ ESPN said.
The lawsuit delayed the NBA-ABA merger and in 1976, the players association and the league reached a settlement that established restricted free agency. While it didn’t guarantee players full freedom in free agency, it laid the groundwork for higher player salaries and for the free agency the NBA knows today, where players can freely decide where they want to play.
‘Acting as an advocate for players’ free agency to improve their lives and the NBA was one of the most important acts I did in my career, and I will forever be proud of the impact it had on all professional sports,” Robertson said in a statement. ‘It’s an incredible achievement to be recognized with the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage for my advocacy on and off the court.’
Named after the transcendent tennis player, the Arthur Ashe Courage Award was first awarded at the inaugural ESPY Awards in 1983, when it was given to Jim Valvano and he delivered his iconic ‘ don’t give up’ speech. The 2024 winner was former NFL player and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) advocate Steve Gleason.
The 2025 ESPY Awards will air July 16 at 8 p.m. ET/PT at The Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Hosted by comedian Shane Gillis, it will air on ABC and stream on ESPN+.
