STATEMENTS FROM PROFESSIONAL SPORTS TEAMS AND LEAGUES ABOUT RACISM JULY 1, 2020 Copyright 2020 Sports Philanthropy Network. All Rights Reserved. 675 Lakeview Parkway, Suite 5591, Vernon Hills, Illinois 60061 T: 312-498-4653 www.SportsPhilanthropyNetwork.org @SportsPhilanNet Page 2 Table of Contents Introduction Letter from Roy Kessel ............................................................................................................. 3 NBA Racism Statements ................................................................................................................................... 4 NFL Racism Statements ..................................................................................................................................... 5 MLB Racism Statements .................................................................................................................................... 6 NHL Racism Statements .................................................................................................................................... 7 MLS Racism Statements .................................................................................................................................... 8 WNBA Racism Statements ................................................................................................................................ 9 NWSL Racism Statements ............................................................................................................................... 10 Governing Bodies Racism Statements ............................................................................................................. 11 Sports Related Organization and their Statements ........................................................................................... 12 College Conferences Racism Statements ......................................................................................................... 13 Closing Letter from Roy Kessel .................................................................................................................... 14 _______________________________________________________________________________________ 675 Lakeview Parkway, Suite 5591, Vernon Hills, Illinois 60061 T: 312-498-4653 www.SportsPhilanthropyNetwork.org @SportsPhilanNet Page 3 July 1, 2020 To the Sports Community and the World: The mission of the Sports Philanthropy Network is to build stronger, healthier and more inclusive communities through sport. We assist sports organizations, athlete foundations and sports nonprofits by: • Obtaining additional media coverage. • Shining the spotlight on the work they are doing through our podcasts, blog, research and event calendar. • Providing professional development and education programs, as well as creating interactive forums, conferences and networking events to foster collaboration. • Convening high-level leaders in the sports, sports business and sports for good communities. • Seeking additional opportunities and resources to support and develop our mission. Today, we are pleased to host our Town Hall Meeting on Racism, Tolerance and Reform. We are excited to generate conversation, but more importantly, this Town Hall will result in the creation of a Sports Philanthropy Task Force which will evaluate the issue of racism on an ongoing basis. We will convene leaders on a regular schedule to examine the issues, make recommendations and encourage accountability. This report is one-step in that process. We have compiled the statements issued by every team in these major sports leagues. We are encouraged by their words and sentiments. We will be even more encouraged if we see the action that supports and follows up on these statements. Our belief is that actions are of paramount importance. We want to encourage each and every organization on this list to follow through with their commitments. We will work with you to spotlight your efforts! Thank you for being part of our Sports Philanthropy Network community. We hope that this resource will prove useful as you impact our world. Let’s make change together! Live Generously. Roy Kessel, Founder, Sports Philanthropy Network Copyright 2020 Sports Philanthropy Network. All Rights Reserved. _______________________________________________________________________________________ 675 Lakeview Parkway, Suite 5591, Vernon Hills, Illinois 60061 T: 312-498-4653 www.SportsPhilanthropyNetwork.org @SportsPhilanNet Page 4 National Basketball Association Statements (NBA) Organization/ Team Date of Statement Link Adam Silver & NBA Teams Comments11-Jun-20 https://www.nba.com/article/2020/05/31/nba-teams-respond-tragic-death-george-floyd Atlanta Hawks 5-Jun-20 https://www.nba.com/hawks/news/statement-principal-owner-tony-ressler-and-atlanta-hawks-state-farm-arena?utm_source=w_h&utm_medium=lnb&utm_campaign=1920releases&utm_term=resslerstatement&utm_content=0605 Boston Celtics 31-May-20 https://www.nba.com/celtics/news/pressrelease/statement-boston-celtics-1 Brooklyn Nets 31-May-20 https://www.nba.com/resources/static/team/v2/nets/2019-20/pdf/Joint-Statement-from-the-BK-Nets_LI-Nets_NY-Liberty_BC-(05.31.20).pdf?camefrom=CFC_NETS_SITE_TOPSLIDER Charollette Hornets 31-May-20 https://www.nba.com/article/2020/05/31/charlotte-hornets-michael-jordan-statement-george-floyd Chicago Bulls 31-May-20 https://www.nba.com/bulls/community/statement-chicago-bulls Clevland Cavaliries 29-May-20 https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/releases/altman-bickerstaff-statement-200529 Dallas Mavericks Jun-20 https://www.mavs.com/ Denver Nuggets 31-May-20 https://www.nba.com/nuggets/news/kse-statement-053120# Detroit Pistons 2-Jun-20 https://www.nba.com/pistons/news/statement-tom-gores-and-detroit-pistons Golden State Warriors 30-May-20 https://www.nba.com/warriors/news/statement-20200530 Houston Rockets 31-May-20 https://twitter.com/HoustonRockets/status/1267233707351511044/photo/1 Indiana Pacer 31-May-20 https://twitter.com/Pacers/status/1267180754473291782/photo/1 LA Clippers 31-May-20 https://twitter.com/LAClippers/status/1267119951162171392/photo/1 LA Lakers 30-May-20 https://www.nba.com/lakers/releases/lakers-statement-200530 Memphis Grizzlies 8-Jun-20 https://www.nba.com/grizzlies/news/statement-from-the-memphis-grizzlies-200601 Miami Heat 1-Jun-20 https://twitter.com/MiamiHEAT/status/1267467188799242242/photo/1 Milwaukee Bucks 31-May-20 https://twitter.com/Bucks/status/1267139343300415488/photo/1 Minnesota Timberwolves 2-Jun-20 https://www.linkedin.com/posts/minnesota-timberwolves_activity-6671790971035914240-_trR National Basketball Coaches Association1-Jun-20 (NBCA) https://www.nba.com/article/2020/06/01/national-basketball-coaches-association-statement-george-floyd New Orleans Pelicans 1-Jun-20 https://www.nba.com/pelicans/news/statement-new-orleans-pelicans-and-saints-owner-gayle-benson-social-justice New York Knicks 9-Jun-20 https://twitter.com/nyknicks/status/1270381440530821121/photo/1 Oklahoma City Thunder 1-Jun-20 https://www.nba.com/thunder/news/statement-200601 Orlando Magic 31-May-20 https://twitter.com/OrlandoMagic/status/1267185902880776193/photo/1 Philadelphia 76ers 31-May-20 https://twitter.com/sixers/status/1267146333661601795/photo/1 Phoenix Suns 31-May-20 https://twitter.com/Suns/status/1267168656980537344/photo/1 Portland Trailblazers 30-May-20 https://www.nba.com/blazers/statement-trail-blazers-organization-and-players Sacremento Kings 30-May-20 https://www.nba.com/kings/news/sacramento-kings-statement-tragic-death-george-floyd San Antonio Spurs 3-Jun-20 https://twitter.com/spurs/status/1268244810441412608 Tornonto Rapters 1-Jun-20 https://twitter.com/Raptors/status/1266912283294302209/photo/1 Utah Jazz 31-May-20 https://twitter.com/LHM/status/1267177326745227266/photo/1 Washgiton Wizards 6-Jun-20 https://twitter.com/WashWizards/status/1269252738598211585/photo/1 _______________________________________________________________________________________ 675 Lakeview Parkway, Suite 5591, Vernon Hills, Illinois 60061 T: 312-498-4653 www.SportsPhilanthropyNetwork.org @SportsPhilanNet Page 5 National Football League Statements (NFL) Organization/ Team Date of Statement Statement Links Intresting and Related Links Arizona Caridnals 6/11/2020 https://www.azcardinals.com/news/cardinals-players-organization-speak-against-racism-killings?fbclid=IwAR2oUPbJI5ULFMkuxt5SV0dx5P3QiBDdQDD8Pgd5k48k4szDZpu9EpnAzfw Atlanta Falcons 30-May-20 https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/arthur-blank-statement-on-bringing-atlanta-togetherhttps://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/29271194/falcons-quarterback-matt-ryan-donating-500000-support-atlanta-black-community Baltimore Ravens 1-Jun-20 https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/ravens-commit-funds-to-baltimore-area-social-justice-reformhttps://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/ravens-commit-funds-to-baltimore-area-social-justice-reform Buffalo Bills 1-Jun-20 https://www.buffalobills.com/news/a-statement-from-kim-and-terry-pegulahttps://www.buffalobills.com/news/sean-mcdermott-listening-and-leading-to-help-bills-navigate-current-racial-injus Carolina Panthers 30-May-20 https://www.panthers.com/news/carolina-panthers-statement-on-george-floydhttps://www.panthers.com/news/matt-rhule-time-for-change Chicago Bears 1-Jun-20 https://www.chicagobears.com/news/mccaskey-issues-statement-about-george-floyd-protests Cincinati Bengals 10-Jun-20 https://www.cincyjungle.com/2020/6/10/21287151/bengals-release-statement-on-supporting-players-calling-for-changehttps://www.bengals.com/news/bengals-listen-first-pledge-action Clevland