• April 1, 2009

They might seem like strange bedfellows, but the National Basketball Association and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) which counts actor Robert Redford among its trustees, launches its first "Green Week."

Through April 10 the NBA will show new on-court apparel, run auctions to support environmental preservation organizations, do community service projects, and launch a PSA ad featuring Redford. NBA.com will launch a new micro site, www.nba.com/green.

The apparel element includes Adidas made organic cotton shooting shirts featuring the NBA Green logo. The Denver Nuggets, Charlotte Bobcats, and the Chicago Bulls will wear green-colored uniforms, which includes sock made from organic cotton during select home games throughout the week. The NBA.com will host an online auction of Spalding basketballs made of recycled materials and autographed by NBA players. All proceeds benefit NRDC.

Each of the league's 30 teams will do such community service events as tree plantings, recycling drives, park clean-up days, the creation of "green" Reading & Learning Centers and hosting "Go Green Awareness Nights" in game arenas.--Karl Greenberg