• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
The 2024 Best Employers in Sports Award winners have been announced! See the full list of winners

Cultural Change

Evander Kane
Photo Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

Just days after the NHL announced the creation of four commissions on diversity, several minority hockey players have launched the independent Hockey Diversity Alliance. The alliance, made up of seven former or current Black NHLers and led by Akim Aliu and Evander Kane, aims to “confront hockey’s culture of intolerance and promote diversity at all levels of the game.”

Discussions around forming the group started following Aliu’s Players’ Tribune article in May in which he spoke about racism he faced playing the sport. That accelerated in recent weeks as the national conversation around racism was heightened. The group even met with Colin Kaepernick recently. “We understand the culture in hockey and we want to help be a part of that change,” Kane said. “We are hopefully going to be able to expedite that change.”

A focus on diversity is happening at the team executive level as well, as Xavier Gutierrez is slated to become the first Latino club president and chief executive officer in the NHL with his hire by the Arizona Coyotes. It’s the second year in a row that the Coyotes have marked a first in the NHL – Alex Meruelo became the league’s first Latino owner when he bought the team in June 2019. Gutierrez most recently served as managing director of financial firm Clearlake Capital Group, and had previously been the chief investment officer of Meruelo’s holding company.

With 31% of Arizona’s population identifying as Hispanic, the new leadership group will likely impact how the predominantly white sport continues to grow in the state. Arizona hockey registrations with USA Hockey grew 22.6% the past five years, compared to 6.5% nationally.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Nov 15, 2024; Arlington, Texas, UNITED STATES; Mike Tyson (black gloves) fights Jake Paul (silver gloves) at AT&T Stadium.

Netflix Spectacle Made Tyson, Paul Top Trending U.S. Athletes of 2024: Google

The Yankees and Dodgers were among the top trending sports team searches in 2024.
Dec 7, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards guard Jordan Poole (13) reacts after the final horn against the Denver Nuggets at Capital One Arena.

Capitals, Wizards Owner Monumental Aims to Drive ‘Downtown D.C.’s Comeback’

Monumental Sports, which owns the Wizards, is ready to anchor a D.C. comeback.
Oct 22, 2024; Kansas City, MO, USA; TCU Horned Frogs center Sedona Prince (13) talks to media during Big 12 Women’s Basketball Media Day at T-Mobile Center.

Athletes in Landmark House Case Ask for College Players’ Association

Plaintiffs in the House v. NCAA case want more than just revenue-sharing.
Nov 2, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines cheerleader runs with a flag before the game against the Oregon Ducks at Michigan Stadium.
opinion

College Football’s Billionaire Backer Era Begins

Is this the new normal in CFB recruiting?

Featured Today

Nov 2, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Detailed view of a Wilson NBA basketball held by a referee during the second half between the Utah Jazz against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena

‘Obvious Weak Point’: Refs Remain an NBA Gambling Concern

A season after Jontay Porter, the biggest risk may not be players.
LA Galaxy forward Dejan Joveljic (9) celebrates with midfielder Riqui Puig (10) after scoring a goal against Seattle Sounders FC in the second half in the 2024 MLS Cup Western Conference Final match at Dignity Health Sports Park
December 6, 2024

With or Without Messi, Major League Soccer Is Barreling Into the Future

After the Cup final, the league looks to accelerate its growth.
Dec 18, 2022; Lusail, Qatar; FIFA president Gianni Infantino claps during the awards ceremony after the 2022 World Cup final between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium.
December 2, 2024

FIFA Wants More Matches. Resistance Is Growing Inside the Global Soccer World

Resentment and frustration over expanded schedules is nearing a breaking point.
November 30, 2024

U.S. Investors Are Gunning for England’s Small Soccer Clubs

Is another Hollywood-like success story possible among the U.K.’s smallest clubs?
FIFA

Saudis Awarded 2034 World Cup in Uncontested Vote

Saudi Arabia was the only option after Australia decided not to bid.
May 20, 2024

Top Sports Business Jobs This Week (May 2024)

Each week, our staff combs through the thousands of job listings from…
The stands at the Solheim Cup
September 13, 2024

LPGA Apologizes for Solheim Cup Fan Bus Debacle That Left Stands Half-Empty

The USA-Europe women’s team golf event teed off Friday morning.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
October 3, 2022

Real Madrid President Renews Call for Super League

Real Madrid’s president believes that soccer is losing ground.
August 10, 2022

PGA Tour Touts Projected Earnings to Keep Players

The PGA Tour is asking its players to consider their potential futures.
August 10, 2022

Bayern Munich to Make Growth Push in U.S. Market

Bayern Munich is looking to expand its reach in the U.S.
Nintendo-logo
August 3, 2022

Nintendo Profits Underwhelm, Switch Sales Decline

Nintendo failed to meet expectations in the company’s latest earnings report.