Sports Stay Vocal

As protests continued across the U.S. in response to the killing of George Floyd in police custody, the sports world continued to react in different ways.

• Leagues, teams, athletes, and brands across sports participated in #BlackOutTuesday messaging.
• In particular, athletes are using their social media platforms to share messages opposing police brutality and equality – a group that is quickly becoming more diverse.
• Team owners are also getting involved, ranging from Philadelphia Eagles Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie leading a team meeting on race relations to Baltimore Ravens owner Steve Biscotti donating $1 million to fund Baltimore-area social justice reform.
• New York Knicks owner James Dolan sent an email to MSG staff explaining the company’s decision not to make a public statement yesterday. “We vehemently condemn and reject racism against anyone, period. It is against every value that we hold dear,” the email said.
• Looking to make a more profound commitment to diversity and inclusion, CAA appointed Lisa Joseph Metelus to its executive board. Metelus, who serves as CAA’s co-head of basketball marketing, works with clients like Dwyane Wade and Zion Williamson.
• The Big Ten Conference created an anti-hate and anti-racism coalition that will include student-athletes, coaches, athletic directors, presidents, and others. Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren became the first African-American commissioner of a Power Five conference when he was appointed to the position in 2019.