Black Leaders In Sport Network’s Post

💡 Insight: nearly all Black soccer fans believe the sport's popularity has skyrocketed in their community, but fewer than 50% believe opportunities to participate have kept pace. We connected with participants of Black Star—our player and fan engagement brand facilitating growth of soccer in Black communities—to help marketers and other industry stakeholders better understand how this audience views their soccer (and non-soccer) interests. Read up on insights from the following areas: ⚽ Opinions on participation and representation ⚽ Origins of soccer fandom ⚽ Favorite leagues, teams, and players ⚽ Soccer consumption habits ⚽ Favorite music, favorite snacks, and more!

Honoring Excellence and Embracing Inclusion: Recognizing Negro League Records Alongside MLB Historic Records Let's celebrate the marking of a significant milestone in the journey toward genuine inclusion in the world of baseball. The official integration of Negro League records alongside Major League Baseball (MLB) records is not just a rectification of historical oversight; it is a celebration of excellence and an acknowledgment of the indomitable spirit of the athletes who played under the most challenging conditions. This inclusion is a powerful testament to the fact that celebrating all isn't exclusive but a sincere form of honest inclusion. By recognizing the achievements of Negro League players, we are not only honoring their extraordinary contributions to the sport but also reinforcing the continued importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in every sphere of life. In our journey toward a more equitable society, it is essential to remember that DEI is not merely a policy or a set of guidelines. It is a commitment to acknowledging and valuing the diverse experiences and talents that everyone brings to the table. Just as the Negro League players have enriched the legacy of baseball, so too does a diverse workforce enrich our organizations, drive innovation, and foster resilience. As we celebrate this momentous step in baseball history, let us also renew our commitment to DEI in our professional and personal lives. Let us continue to create spaces where every voice is heard, every talent is recognized, and every individual has the opportunity to excel. #Inclusion #Diversity #Equity #NegroLeagues #MLB #HonoringExcellence #DEI #CelebrateAll #BaseballHistory #InclusionMatters

South Carolina won, with a perfect 37-0 record and new fans of women’s basketball continue repeating the tired refrain that “Caitlyn single-handedly revolutionized women’s basketball.” This discourse seems to suggest that commercials, interviews, magazine covers, sponsorships and promos invest in themselves. CC is an exceptional offensive talent, but the overinvestment in her brand is what made women’s basketball more watchable. Clark literally cannot do that herself. Just because you never watched women’s basketball before does not mean there was no prior electrifying talent worth the same investment Clark is now receiving. The fact that so many people are spending more time playing defense for Caitlyn (something she doesn’t do very well), and less time celebrating South Carolina’s 37-0 victory, shows me how and why CC has the fandom she does: we are more invested in racial narratives (about Black girls as “ghetto,” “mean,” etc. and white girls as “classy”) than we are in the beauty of the sport itself. To be clear: talking about race does not take away from Caitlyn’s greatness. It just exposes the lie that greatness never existed before her.

On today’s Black History Month edition of “Who signed this off??”… One of the more ergrigious posts I’ve seen from a brand I’ve loved my entire life, The Premier League. Don’t get me wrong, Mo Salah is definitely a Premier League hero, a legend and a magnificent football player. But one thing he most definitely is not, is Black. The Premier League has a wealth of Black heroes to celebrate. Whether the glaringly obvious choices like Thierry Henry, Rio Ferdinand or Didier Drogba, or the “Streets Won’t Forget” players like Hugo Rodellega and Asamoah Gyan. But in the ONE MONTH reserved for celebrating Black Excellence, they chose to celebrate non-Black player. When we talk about Black erasure, this is a prime example. Racism isn’t just abusive and derogatory language, it’s also an absence of acknowledgement. Despite a barrage of criticism, the Premier League stood by their decision unapologetically (this screenshot is today years old). A blatant disregard for the Black players who helped make the Premier League the most exciting and profitable football league in the world, and its Black fans with one horribly misguided post. Another shining example of the calamities that come with a non-diverse workforce. #premierleague #BlackHistoryMonth #BHM #Football #DEI

Stephen A. Smith and the Lack of Black Coaches in the NBA In this video, we discuss why Stephen A. Smith missed an opportunity to advocate for more black coaches in the NBA. Join the conversation as we analyze the impact of representation in the league. #StephenASmith #BlackCoaches #NBA #RepresentationMatters #SportsTalk #BasketballAnalysis #RaceInSports #DiversityandInclusion #SportsCommentary #NBAUpdates

🌟 #LaborDayWeekend celebrates the contributions and achievements of American workers. Our article, 'A Lost Century: The Economic Expansion and Exploitation of Black Teenage Hoopers,' serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of recent NIL trends and compensating NCAA athletes through media and sponsorships. These changes are crucial in bringing balance to the athlete, revenue, and compensation equation. 📈⚖️ #NIL #AthleteCompensation #FairPay #nobackboard #nobackboards #changethegame Link: https://lnkd.in/gmxMk4TC

Congrats Jason Tatum for your well deserved victories! In taking a closer a look at how culture makes profits for NBA2K , the data shows that 95% of the video game value comes from exploiting Black creativity, likeness & influence. (Kellogg Brand Report 2023) It’s not OK to exploit Black Athletes without reinvesting in Black communities. We call forward Take-Two Interactive, National Basketball Association (NBA) and THINK450 to ethical trade. Join the movement to change how the world participates with Black Culture. https://lnkd.in/grivzfwc #EthicalTrade #GetMADE Note: CALL FORWARD is an invitation to fix unacceptable behavior causing harm with a sustainable solution benefiting people, planet & profits.

Since 2021, the NFL has included “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” in the Super Bowl in honor of Black History Month. This year, the criticism seemed louder, calling the song divisive and even offensive to our national anthem. Some even booed Andra Day as she belted out the inspirational tune. Much of that criticism stems from the song’s nickname as the Black National Anthem. 📚Quick History Lesson James Weldon Johnson wrote, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” as a poem in honor of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. His brother set it to music and a group of school children performed it for a celebration for the late president. Fast forward to 1919, one of the most violent years for Black Americans post Civil War. The NAACP declared “Lift Every Voice and Sing” their official song. They began promoting it as the Black National Anthem and as a rallying cry for the fight for freedom and justice. In 1919, the United States did not have a national anthem. We didn’t get that until 1931 when Congress officially made the “Star Spangled Banner” our national anthem. So is “Lift Every Voice and Sing” divisive? I’d say quite the opposite. The song doesn’t say lift Black voices, but every voice. Singing it is recognizing and honoring our history. It doesn’t replace or compete with our national anthem. It is a song that inspires and envisions liberty and justice for all. For those who take issue with its 125 year old nickname, is it the semantics that’s the issue or just the concept of freedom and justice for all? https://lnkd.in/eTmg8MJJ #lifteveryvoiceandsing #blackhistorymonth #blacknationalanthem #nfl #superbowl #andraday #nationalanthem #bhm #dei #diversityequityinclusion #superbowl2024 #diversity #historyfacts #historylessons #naacp

⚽️ Black History Month: Time for Reflection and Action in Football 🖤 As we celebrate #BlackHistoryMonth, it’s crucial to shine a light on the current representation of Black, Asian & Mixed heritage (BAM) individuals officiating in English football. Despite the strides we’ve made, the numbers tell a different story. 🚨 Total referees: 37,248 🔹 BAM Officials: 3,537 (9.4%) 🔹 Female Officials: 3,139 (8.4%) 🔹 BAM Females: 243 (0.7%) 🔹 Male Officials: 34,109 (91.6%) 🔹 BAM Males: 3,294 (8.7%) When we look at the professional game, the gaps widen further: ⚽️ Male BAM Representation: 6% ⚽️ Female BAM Representation: 1% These figures are a stark reminder of the work that still needs to be done. Representation matters—not just in the stands, but on the field, in the boardrooms, and in every aspect of our beautiful game. 💬 We must continue pushing for change, creating pathways for future generations, and ensuring that the game truly reflects the diversity and talent of those who love it. 🏟️💪 #DiversityInFootball #BlackHistoryMonth2024 #InclusionMatters #RepresentationMatters #ChangeTheGame

Today, I want to highlight the importance of being intentional in recognizing and rectifying historical injustices. Major League Baseball (MLB) has taken a significant step by including the statistics of Black players who were previously excluded due to segregation. This long-overdue acknowledgment not only honors the incredible talent of these athletes but also sets a precedent for doing the right thing. One standout example is Josh Gibson, whose remarkable achievements were never fully recognized. In fact, Gibson's stats surpass those of legends like Babe Ruth. By including his and other Black players' records, we are finally giving them the recognition they deserve. Let's continue to strive for fairness and inclusivity in ALL aspects of life! We still have a long way to go!! full video here (snip of video attached) https://lnkd.in/exGjmkQn #MLB #Inclusion #HistoricalJustice #JoshGibson #IntentionalActions #recognition #honor #beintentional