Renie Anderson, Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer, NFL Partnerships
Kate Jhaveri, Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer, National Basketball Association
Michele Meyer-Shipp, Chief People and Culture Officer, Major League Baseball
Moderator: Mina Kimes, NFL Analyst, Senior Writer, Podcast Host, and Television Contributor, ESPN


MPW Summit 2020: Taking the Lead

Renie Anderson, EVP & CRO, NFL - Kate Jhaveri, EVP & CMO, NBA - Michele Meyer-Shipp, CPO, MLB

Uncategorized

The sports world is stepping into the forefront on diversity, speaking out on social justice, and forging the way forward.


in just a moment, we're going to talk about how professional sports is taking a stand and taking action on diversity, uh equality and racial injustice. We will be hearing from Rini Anderson NFL Executive vice president and chief revenue officer, uh Katie Javari NBA Executive vice president and chief marketing Officer, Michelle Meyer, stiff MLB chief people and culture officer. And they will be led in conversation by NFL analyst, writer, podcast host, ESPN contributor and former member of the Fortune Family Minniecon. Just before we bring in our discussion leaders, some thoughts on equality from our premier partner worked at at work today. We want to see a more equitable future and we're committed to closing the opportunity gap, valuing talent of her titles, seeing potential, not privilege and closing the gap between what is and what could be because equality doesn't exist until it exists for all of us. Yeah. Mm. Hello, I mean at times uh ESPN NFL analyst, former writer at Fortune magazine and I am so delighted today to be hosting this panel, joined by some of these panelists you heard about earlier coming on the screen with me, we've got Rini Anderson Katie, very Michelle meyer ship. I think I will. Okay, I'm going, yeah, if you go kind of counter oh no, I went category. Well, I'll say their names for asking questions. I'm so excited to be joined by you guys today for this panel because that's incredible and historic summer in sports, overcoming tremendous challenges all three of your leads to put on these games, it's not only been historic because of what you've overcome in terms of the pandemic, but also because force lead teams, athletes have really been at the forefront of pushing for social justice and all three of your leaks. I think I've made very interesting strides, interesting decisions in that regard. So kate aside start with you first because I think it's safe to say NBA players have not only been outspoken on this for a long time that have been uniquely outspoken. We just lost kate on camera. That would care of that thing. The question. All right, I'm gonna put a pin in that for kate until we get her back on camera and shit Sereni with the NFL Rini. You know, the league is coming going on right now. But this has been a topic of discussion all summer as players and their teams in the league itself have discussed, how can we advocate for social change, racial justice? Um, talk about issues like police brutality, how can the league and players kind of work arm and arm on this? And I wanted to ask you, how has the approach evolved this year in particular and what steps do you feel like the league has taken to enable players to have a platform to speak out on these issues? Yeah. Thanks Nina. I think one thing I would say is that we didn't just start with the, um, events that have happened this year, the unfortunate murder of George Floyd and uh, and so many others with the hand of police brutality. Our players have been focused on social justice for years and um, I think it took us some time to really separate the difference of looking at social justice and then understanding that kneeling in protest isn't in protest of the american flag, um, and of the anthem. And so we've really been focused the last couple of years to make sure we're really understanding what's important to our players and they're out there working in their markets to make a difference. If that's doing it right along with police, that's pushing along legislation. We're working with our ownership as well as with our clubs to make sure that we are where they are. And we also have the Players Coalition, which has got so many men that work tirelessly in these markets this season. Specifically as I'm sure, you know, during the off season, our players really spoke out and really challenge the lead to make sure that we stand up against racism, which we obviously do. Um, and we also want to make sure that our efforts are there. And as a season has unfolded, we've worked with many of our players, like a lot of the other leagues to show a visual sign of support, um, an awareness for some of those, um, injustices, but also continuing to make a commitment in key markets, not just from giving, but also focused on the digital digital divide in key areas and making sure that underserved communities have support. And so it's something that we are completely focused on and we're doing it hand in hand with our players rather than us leading them, were there really leading us in the direction that we need to go. Uh and because we have such a huge platform, we're really focused on that with our players hand in hand. Um Rachel that you mentioned that this isn't especially for these players, many of them have been leaders on these issues in the communities for quite sometimes, even though people necessarily weren't aware of that. And I think that's especially true of the NBA Kate from the NBA joins us again. She's back kate not only have like the way you guys have been talking to the players, okay, how can we use the platform? But while you've been putting on the playoffs, the postseason, some of the regular season in a bubble, you actually had a brief work stoppage after the shooting of Jacob blake, the league and the players association navigated that together. I was wondering, you can speak from your perspective in new york, what that was like perhaps and how you've addressed the players concerns. Okay, not only do we have this platform, but is it enough? Thanks for the question. I think when we looked to the restart in general, we knew that we had a unique opportunity with this single site to really think about how we could bring attention to these issues. And so it was part of our decision making process all along too. Keep the, these social justice issues at the forefront. Then when Jacob blake was shot in Kenosha, the Milwaukee Bucks did not play their game. And really, um, that was the moment for us to step back and really think are we doing enough and how can we continue to further our collection collective action? And so during that day, instead of playing, um, the players got together with coaches, public officials and our governors to have some discussions about what would be next and coming out of that was a social justice coalition that was really focused on three main issues. One is um addressing uh criminal justice reform. The second is really ensuring um that we are focused on voting and voter access. And the third is um, ensuring that we are pushing our players and our families to have greater access to civic engagement. And to date, um, 22 teams uh, and 60 league teams have offered their arenas or practice facilities for voting related activities. And so we uh continue to think about how we can have um real sustained change. Um, and we know that that only comes with sustained efforts uh, and that's going to be where we focus for seasons to come. Michelle. I would say they feel necessarily has lagged in this regard. But I think this summer you saw players much more visibly taking a stand or any on these issues than they have in your past. I mean the same night at the same week that the box decided to not play in the NBA, you saw baseball teams of Milwaukee brewers making the same decision and I just wonder you being fairly new to the league this summer. Is there a moment that stands out in your mind as sort of a turning point perhaps for players as it pertains to using baseball as a platform to speak out on these issues? No thanks for the question mindy, you know, I think really what's happened here is what we've seen happen all over the nation, which is, we've had so many repeated incidences of, you know, these horrible tragedies against black men that I think it was time that the players really looked and said, you know what enough is enough. It was, we can't sit on the sidelines anymore and and be silent. We have to speak up and it was the players who raise their voices and who very much like, you know, the, the NBA and the NFL, they said, okay, we need to show that we see and we hear what's happening in the community. We need to show that we condemn it and we need to take actions, um, to support black people across the nation and fight against racial injustice and that's what they did. And I have to say to your point, you know, relatively new to major League baseball. You know, seeing this was really inspiring to watch because not only did the players raise their voices but our owners, um, and all of our professionals across the league supported them and leans into the need to take a stand. And what I've seen happen since then has been absolutely tremendous. I mean, we've launched a brand new players alliance. Um, both the MLB, the MLB players Association have donated $10 million for that alliance. That is really focused on issues around racial justice moving forward and how we support our players in that effort and coinciding with that, you know, inside of our own, you know, front offices, our employees have gotten the line, but that as well. Um, and like was mentioned by my colleagues, you know, it's been fascinating to see the uptick in our leagues engagement in kind of voting, um, and civil engagement in communities. So all in all, I think it's a great collaborative effort and I think our players have realized that their voices have great value in pushing the issue and driving the agenda around racial justice. So I'm really proud to see what's happening again, and not only with our players but with our owners, our teams and our professionals in our front offices. Um, we have a ton of time. So I'm going to try to get in one quick question for each of you. You know, we talk about structural racism, literally, that's been the buzzword, I think for every team that's put out statements and exactly what we talked about, the need to address it on that level, and that's not only looking externally, that's looking internally as well. Um, you know, in the front offices of teams at the highest levels of these links, whether there is not only diversity, but I think representation for women, um Michelle start with you. How do you think baseball fairs in that regard? Internally? Yeah. So we have work to do. I mean, I'll be honest with you and tell you, you know, we we know we can do better. So, you know, there's a great pipeline of programs that MLB runs right now to bring in talent at the junior level. Um but where we really need to double down our efforts is how do we get talented at that lateral and experienced higher level in our front offices? And then what are we also doing to help get, you know, black hispanic latino talent, etcetera in those key key roles on the field. So there are a lot of different programs that MLB has in place and they were in place before the summer. And I think what happened this summer and the attention, you know, that the spotlight that has been shown on racial justice has just made us realize that we have to double down and accelerate those efforts. And really, how about you and how about the NFL rather, you know, very similar to Michelle, but you know, diversity inclusion is a huge focus for us on the field. We have the Rooney rule, which is something that is very focused if we're doing any on field interviewing for positions, um that we have to continue to do better. But the key point is even in on the executive side, we have to begin to train people. Um, if there are, if the answer is, and oftentimes, well, there just weren't any people that were um completely ready or qualified for the position. Well then we need to begin on in the junior ranks, really focused on training individuals in key areas of focus from if that be sailed, if that be football, if that, the human resources or finance. And so, um, it's really up to us to make sure that we're helping grow the talent as well as out, you know, finding the right type of talent for the key opportunities, Kate. We were just talking about this actually around the horn today because in the NBA there's been some coaching openings and you know, where we've talked about, Okay, well the numbers of black coaches in the league right now is not what it's always been. And I'm not physically asking about coaches, but the same question applies. I think executives, people in high positions and we're not just talking about players, but in the league offices, where do you feel the league still needs to make advances in that regard? We've been on values based organization for a really long time and I think um now is an opportunity for us to take that introspective moment to really think about how we can be better and do more. Um and so coming out of a lot of the conversations that we've had with players and our governors, we actually kicked off an internal um social justice task force that is really focused on increasing black representative across the N. B. A. Um both in uh basketball side, as well as the business side of the of the league and greater inclusion um of of um are black owned businesses and ensuring that um it's not just um uh what you see on the court, but also around the business that we're embracing. Um and then lastly, you know, we um we started the first NBA Foundation um with that huge investment over 10 years, really focused on economic empowerment. And so I think, you know, we will continue to focus on um on diversity and inclusion as we have done for for the last several decades. Um and we know we have some work to do well guys, thank you so much. I age, I think remarkable the role that sports have taken in society, I think leading on a lot of these issues and as all of you have stressed and pointed out so much of this has been led by the players. And it's heartening to hear that the leaders are listening to the players and raising their ideas, empowering them to advance them through all the initiatives describe, and also acknowledge that, you know, we can still do better. So I I appreciate it very much. And thank you for your time today. Thank you. Thank you.