Sports boardrooms so white.
Sports boardrooms so male.
It is a step in the right direction when these facts about the sports industry are being recognized and that concrets steps have to be taken to fix this problem.
The Seattle Storm have been a franchise that has not only talked the talk but walked the walk. From its unapologetic support of Planned Parenthood to endorsing Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in last year’s presidential election, the Storm have excelled at reading the room and understanding that one must put in the work to usher in social change.
It was announced that the Storm are now part of an extensive partnership between Seattle University and other area professional teams as part of a new MBA in Sports and Entertainment Management that emphasizes diversification of the sports industry.
The other teams included in the new pact are the NHL’s Seattle Kraken (whom the Storm will share Climate Pledge Arena with) as well as the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks, MLB’s Seattle Mariners, MLS’ Seattle Sounders and Oak View Group who developed the new Climate Pledge Arena.
Honored to join @seattlekraken @Mariners @SoundersFC @Seahawks @oakviewgroup @ClimateArena in support of @seattleU newest graduate program, an MBA in Sports and Entertainment Management with a focus on diversifying leadership in the industry.
📖⬇️https://t.co/XPpEDxgGAp pic.twitter.com/chKzC8xV2o
— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) March 4, 2021
We’re excited to partner with all the Seattle sports teams, @oakviewgroup & @ClimateArena to support @AlbersatSU’s new sport & entertainment MBA program which will focus on diversifying leadership within our industry.
Learn more → https://t.co/mN5j02edoT pic.twitter.com/2dadN5AKy4
— Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) March 4, 2021
The Kraken themselves have also taken its own small step in making the sports industry less white and male. It recently announced that its games will be carried on radio station 950 KJR with Everett Fitzhugh doing play by play for the new hockey team.
The Seattle Storm is honored to join our fellow professional sports franchises in support of Seattle University’s MBA program focused on diversity in the sports and entertainment industry.
–Alisha Valavnis, CEO, general manager, Seattle Storm (release)
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion lie at the heart of the Storm’s core values, business practices and platforms. Given the tremendous organizational alignment with Seattle University’s program, Force 10 Enterprises & the Storm are thrilled to be involved.
–Alisha Valavanis, CEO, general manager, Seattle Storm (release)
The release says the curriculum will center on venue management, sustainability and operation as well as diversity, equality and inclusion. It will also include anti-racism in the sports and entertainment realms.
A new BIPOC-led advisory group will be formed that shall comprise of faculty, partners and students.
Our newly launched MBA in SEM has partnered with seven of Seattle’s most widely admired sport and entertainment organizations: @SeattleKraken @Mariners @seattlestorm @SoundersFC @Seahawks @oakviewgroup and @climatearena. Read about it here: https://t.co/i7FNStI5NH pic.twitter.com/AaKagC6NuW
— Albers School of Business and Economics (@AlbersatSU) March 4, 2021
