Interrupting Sports

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In this episode, we got Christian Blake here, Director of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion at MLSE Foundation and MLSE LaunchPad . 

Christian Blake is a catalyst for more open and generous community institutions, an advocate for greater equity in sport, art and culture, and an Occupational Therapist. He is also Adjunct Faculty at the University of Toronto, where he teaches, and supervises research that explores the linkages between engagement with sport, the arts, health and well-being. Christian continues his practice as an Occupational Therapist through Level Up Gaming, an organization which he co-founded.

In this episode, we discuss Christian's journey to MLSE, his work in D&I, and hopes and aspirations for the role and its place in the organization. 

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In this episode, we got Moezine Hasham here, Founder and Executive Director of Hockey 4 Youth Foundation, a charitable organization that provides new Canadian youth with an opportunity to play ice hockey. This episode is titled SpaceIce! because as Moe says it "we are literally creating space on the ice for newcomer youth to play our great game! ".

Moe was born and raised in Vancouver but now calls Toronto home where he lives with his wife, Monika. He has a background in Corporate Philanthropy, Community and Media Relations and Non-Profit Management. He is a die-hard Canucks fan and misses the Vancouver mountains and sushi joints!

In this episode, we discuss Moe's relationship with hockey, how that led to the development of Hockey 4 Youth, and where he is hoping to take his work further. 

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In this episode, we got Marsha-Gaye Knight here, a proud Jamaican, former NCAA sprint-hurler, a notable sports marketer for CBC Sports and sports business professor, and let’s not forget the founder of the Black in Sports Business (BSB) initiative. 

Marsha-Gaye has worked as a sport marketing professional for over 10 years with notable companies like Mosaic Sales Solutions, Rogers and the National Hockey League (NHL).  As a Partnership Marketing Manager with CBC Sports and Olympics, she works with production and partners to weave brands authentically into the Olympic story.

In this episode, we discuss Marsha-Gaye's journey through track, how that led to a career in sports, and what she is working on now.

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In this episode, we got Sean McMorrow (The Sheriff) here, a former professional hockey player and current host of The Sheriff Podcast. After a phenomenal hockey career with 443 penalty minutes in 176 regular-season games in the AHL, and a debut in the NHL, The Sheriff continues to contribute to the game as a content creator.

Sean has always been a fan favourite with his tremendous efforts in giving back to the community and passion for lending a helping hand. It is no surprise that he was awarded the Man of The Year award three times for his outstanding contributions to the local community and charitable organizations. 

In this episode, we discuss Sean's journey growing up as a black hockey player in Scarborough, his community involvement efforts, and his life as a podcaster. 

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For the first episode of the season, we got Erica Ayala here, a freelance multimedia sports journalist. Erica is a trusted voice in sports, especially on gender and racial equity.

Erica has traveled to China to cover Black Athletes competing in the 2022 Winter Olympics for American Legacy Network. She will also cover the women's and men's hockey tournaments for various outlets.

In this episode, we discuss Erica's journey sharing knowledge in women's sports, her efforts to provide a new lens in sports journalism, and telling the lion's story. 

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Thanks so much for all your support over the past 2 seasons of the show with 474 episode downloads and counting!

In season 1 you heard my story, in season 2 you heard a variety of unique perspectives,  but now what does season 3 hold?

1. Bi-weekly interview episodes with vital influencers in the d&i sports space
2. Even more content on social media including Instagram Reels and TikToks, and YouTube
3. Insights from the Olympics, Black History Month, the Super Bowl, and much more!

Stay tuned for episode 1 launching on February 4th!

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This week, joining me is Alanna Hernandez. Alanna joins us this week to discuss her work with Wasserman in fostering an inclusive workspace for her colleagues and clients!

About Alanna
Alanna Frisby Hernandez is the Executive Vice President, Business Affairs and Operations of Wasserman’s Team Sports division where she manages the legal and day-to-day operations of the group. In this role, Alanna has negotiated and finalized playing, endorsement, sponsorship and appearance contracts for Wasserman baseball, basketball, hockey, soccer, coaches and executives, and Olympic clients, and she is also charged with educating and informing the entire talent practice on important legal issues and industry trends, including the application of various Olympic rules, NIL, NFTs and inclusion riders in talent agreements. Alanna was a founding member of Wasserman’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council, and is a co-leader of the DE&I subcommittee which is dedicated to promoting and supporting women at Wasserman and within the industry as a whole.

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To start off this season, joining me is Natalie Thompson currently a goalie for the Ryerson Rams Women's hockey team. Nat joins us this week to discuss her experience as a varsity athlete and her journey as a female  hockey player, and proud LGBTQ+ member!

About Nat
She grew up her whole life as a hockey player and laced up her skates for the first time at 3 years old.  She has since played a high competitive level of hockey and finished off her minor career with the Toronto Junior Aeros where she was awarded goaltender of the year. Now, she is in her 4th year with the Rams, pursuing a degree in Criminology and minoring in French and Law. Natalie is hoping to continue her education next year with a Master's degree in Criminology.

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Women are systemically discouraged from going pro with only a 6.9% likelihood compared to 21% for men in basketball.

The landscape of intercollegiate sports is vastly different when comparing NCAA to USports.

Athletic scholarships are not one size fits all. 

Key Takeaways:

1. If you are trying to go pro, consider your sport choice
2. Consider the cost of education versus your athletic scholarship wherever you study. 
3. Your involvement in sports is not limited to a D1 NCAA scholarship - the opportunities to play are endless. 

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WNBA players have led the racial justice movement in professional sports.

NWHL increases their viewership in unprecedented times by capitalizing on video streaming trends using Twitch.

The discrepancy that exists between the salary of male and female athletes is at the forefront of wage inequality.

Key Takeaways:

1. Professional female athletes are paving the way for racial justice and still, they are unseen 
2. They are creating opportunity, following and fandom without the resources needed
3. Women do the most with half the money, praise and respect they deserve

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• The Cleveland Indians become the Guardians after decades of criticism. 
• After a year since the announcement that the Washington Redskins’ NFL will change their name, the change still remains to come. 
• The Chicago Blackhawks do not change their name despite precedence and controversy. 

Key Takeaways:

1. Indigenous names and mascots are disrespectful towards their people
2. The controversy exists as the names are racial slurs given their ability to justify racial oppression 
3. Sports symbolize identity and provide a political stance for what society stands for

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• Norway’s Women’s Volleyball team faces sexism from the IOC as they were fined for playing in shorts. 
• New Zealand weightlifter, Laurel Hubbard competes as the first transgender athlete in the Olympic games. 
• Mandy Bujold is eligible to compete in Tokyo 2020 after challenging CAS for eligibility restrictions for female athletes on maternity leave during the pandemic. 

Key Takeaways:

1. Female athletes need practical athletic apparel too - the regulations must adapt as society evolves.
2. Transgender athletes have a place in sport - it is up to us to be progressive and provide them a place to compete. 
3. Female athletes should not have to choose between having a family and pursuing their athletic dreams - they should be accommodated to accomplish both.

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Don Cherry was fired from Sportsnet after referring to immigrants as “you people”.

Toronto Raptors support the Black Lives Matter movement with branded apparel. 

Boris Johnson put on blast for failing to condemn UK fans for booing players taking the knee at Euro 2020. 

Key Takeaways:

1. Social Media is the powerhouse for cancel culture in sports. If we are able to use the tool effectively, we will have the most influential voice on the planet. 
2. Branding of sports organizations matters. Once a team/league sets a precedent, others follow to bring about positive change.
3. Sports and politics are intertwined - each has the ability to influence the other. As fans, athletes, leaders in sport, we have a platform to challenge systemic barriers. 

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(1:50) Fans stand behind the Montreal Canadiens after losing the Stanley Cup Final to the defending champions the Tampa Bay Lightning. 

(6:25) BlPOC players on the England national football team face racial discrimination by fans as they are blamed for costing the nation the Euro Cup. 

(15:08) Naomi Osaka was criticized by the media for withdrawing from the French Open in an effort to protect her mental health. 

Key Takeaways:

1. Fan inclusivity is dependent on the success of their team. A winning team is always defended, a losing team may not have the same fate. 
2. Meia has the power to paint athletes in any light they wish which influences the perspective of the public at large. Either people are brought together or torn apart. 
3. Signing BIPOC players to a team does not make you inclusive, defending them when they are discriminated against earns the title of allyship.

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As of 2020, just over 74% of NBA players identify as black. 

As a black kid, the first thing you are asked by literally anyone is do you play basketball or run track. Every black kid gets this question at least once in their life. 

First of all, not only do people assume you play basketball or run track, they assume you’re an athlete in the first place! 

After basketball and track, I’d say the next assumed sport after that is football. The last thing they’d expect from you is to say hockey given that when it comes to hockey the ice is in fact white. So as a former black female hockey player myself, I am definitely an outlier here. 

These assumptions stem from our society’s habit of attribution bias - when people infer that a person’s behaviour is due to situational factors.  

These assumptions of athletic performance all tie back to the notion of “Black Athletic Superiority” which is a theory that states that black people possess certain traits that are acquired by genetics and the environment in which they live which allows them to excel over other races in athletic competition.  

A decade ago, the Journal of Black Studies published a research article analyzing the perception of sport socialization from the intercollegiate athlete’s perspective. What they discovered is that “an elevated level of sports socialization in the family, neighbourhood, and media exists within the African American community [which] creates an overrepresentation of African American males in certain sport”. 

In fact, when compared to whites, African American males are deliberately socialized to basketball by limiting their exposure to other hobbies with the intention of pushing sports as a possible career path. The research on this study concluded that 75% of respondents identified African American athletes as their role models. 

The most significant element of black culture that is now part of the game of basketball is Hip Hop. Elements of Hip hop culture have heavily influenced the game from everything from fashion to storytelling.

Because of the dominant black population in the NBA, of all major sports fashion has the strongest influence on basketball. This once again all goes back to history. Over time, as black people, we have an increased value in experiencing ourselves through our physical appearance in hopes of rebelling against the trends and expectations to dress and appear as white people. 

Summary: Basketball is black for the following reasons

1. Because society reinforced the stereotype that blacks are natural athletes because of their enslaved ancestors which ultimately socialized black people to sports. 
2. Because of the overrepresentation of black males in certain sports namely basketball due to a mentality that becoming a pro athlete is a feasible way for black males to make a name for themselves. 
3. As well, the increased socialization of sport in black communities allowed black culture to heavily influence the game of basketball with fashion being the most influential element of black culture shaping the sport. 

The saying “Those who can’t do… teach” is false. American author Brian Herbet said it best “ the capacity to learn is a gift; the ability to learn is a skill; the willingness to learn is a choice”.  But instead of waiting until we have children and grandchildren, we use our voice today.

Why? Because change takes time, effort, and a collective effort. If we start now, we are setting ourselves up for a better future tomorrow. 

So how do we make a difference? Let’s be the change and contradict the old saying let’s do and let’s teach. It is time for each of us to be the example and pass our learnings in all directions.

My first piece of advice: You must give people a reason to listen to you because no one will listen to someone who hasn’t done it before. 

How do you gain that expertise? You must apply your learning and get that “experience”. You can find work or volunteer opportunities that directly expose you to the industry and network of professionals. But what about if slots are filled? Do anything you can to make yourself a better version of you. 

1. Educate yourself: There are literally endless YouTube videos, TikToks, IG accounts and online courses that can teach you all you need to know about literally anything. 
2. Expand your network: LinkedIn is your friend. Talking to people is the best way to learn from others’ experiences and it allows you to develop personal and professional relationships to leverage later on. 
3. Be a creator: Build your own platform and before you’ll know it you’ll be more than ready for that one opportunity you’ve been waiting on. 

Recap: To be a spokesperson for change, we have to be the change by doing and teaching. We must ensure that the lessons we pass along are those which we live by because authenticity and truth sell. Then we apply our knowledge through work experience. If those opportunities do not exist, we educate ourselves, expand our network, and become creators of our own pathways. 

How can we apply this to promoting inclusion in sports? As a spokesperson for change you now possess the qualities to leverage your platform and develop opportunities for others to take part. Here are 3 ways that anyone can do their part to promote diversity and inclusion in sports. 

1. Start at home and look at your friends and family. Lead by example and invite them to join you for a run or workout. By starting at home you are developing the next set of advocates for living a healthier active lifestyle. 
2. Volunteer your time. Sign up to support athletic events at your school or professional organizations  By volunteering your time, you are able to support their athletic journeys and act as their support for their success. 
3. Spread the word by highlighting the importance of healthy active living for kids through online webinars, social media, and even peaceful protests. Word of mouth marketing is a highly effective strategy to educate and to encourage participation because naturally, we trust in products and ideas that our friends and family tend to as well. 

Summary: The 3 ways that any of us can promote inclusivity in sport are by building a community of athleticism with our friends and family, volunteering at sporting events and on youth teams, and spreading the word on the significant role sports play in a child's life. If each of us is able to embody this mission, together we’ll be able to change youth sports for the better and one day that will lead to proper representation of marginalized communities (BIPOC, LGBTQ+, women) in professional sports. 

• Racial incidents remain present in the NHL
  • In 2011, a fan threw a banana at Wayne Simmonds 
  • In 2018, Devante Smith-Pelly was taunted with chants of “basketball”  
  • More recently, Akim Aliu revealed that his coach used a racial slur towards him because he didn’t like his taste in music 
• Hockey Diversity Alliance (HDA) split with the NHL 
  • The organization founded by BIPOC NHL players to “eradicate systemic racism and intolerance in hockey” 
  • Goes to show that the league isn’t listening. The HDA wanted to do something now, not eventually. 
  • As Akim Aliu highlighted, how can the NHL claim “hockey is for everyone” while only 5.7% of the league is made up of BIPOC individuals 
• Realization: there’s a lack of representation in hockey preventing the next generation of young back girls and boys from dreaming of being hockey players 
• Representation starts at the top and inspires those from the bottom  
  • Don’t believe me? Well ask yourself how many young black girls and boys dreamt of being President after Obama was elected compared to before that - that’s my point 

Did you know? (08:35)

• In the 2019 FlipGive & Scotiabank report on the Real Cost of Hockey, over 1000 North American hockey parents were surveyed
  • Did you know that “Nearly 60% of hockey parents spend more than $5,000 per year to fund the sport and 41% of hockey parents spend between $5,000 and $10,000 a year, while 16% spend upwards of $10,000 a year on hockey-related expenditures” 
  • Costs included: league fees, travel, camps and equipment 
• According to the last Census in 2016, there’s a high concentration of black individuals in the North York and Etobicoke area which is also the area where the highest average income bracket is $70k 
  • IMplication: for black parents in these areas to fund their kid’s hockey careers, they'll need to make major life sacrifices such as taking on debt, working another job, reducing other household budgets (groceries and entertainment)

The Takeaway (14:00)

• Right now hockey is not for everyone 
• We have an accessibility problem - Hockey is too expensive 
• We have a representation problem 
• Without accessibility, we will never have a true representation 
• As we follow the steps of the HDA and improves accessibility in minor hockey, this will lead to future generations of BIPOC children aspiring to be hockey players 

• MLSE’s EDI Commitment (1)
• My opinion: PR statements are great - I wish they outlined each of their commitments 
• What do we do? Re-post and go on with our day - Takeaway: This is not enough 

Point: (05:56)

• Awareness does not equal change. Awareness promotes action and action leads to change. 
• Sports analogy: the kid that gets cut every year at tryouts but comes back every season 
  • When will it be the year? 
    • When that kid takes the next step to push themselves to another level by changing his/her strategy 
    • Changing your perception of your role in a situation/environment provides the opportunity to work smarter

Why am I talking about this? 

• We need to stray away from circular conversations 
  • Hope helps to inspire people and bring issues to light 
  • To take the next step we need to leap 
  • My first step is with this podcast - striving to get my generation not only talking about change but taking action
• What does it mean to work smarter?
  • Ability to adapt to a situation and put the most effective resources to use 
  • Get out of the “one size fits all” mentality - every situation is different 

Application to Sports: USTA (US Tennis Association) “Embrace All” campaign (2) (11:15)

• Relevance: It’s easy to identity issues what’s hard is holding ourselves accountable to change 
• Why I love this campaign: The mission is hard-hitting, purposeful and intentional 

So what’s the solution/how do we be the change?

• We lead by example and others will follow 
  • How do we get there? Become the best version of yourself! 

Becoming the best version of yourself (16:40)

Point: To become the best version of yourself and reach your full potential you need to focus on growing each and every day. 

•  Figure out who you want to become and earn it 
  • Set reasonable, achievable, and challenging goals - expand your personal bubble 
  • Develop the small habits to become this person 
• Set yourself up for success with the right mindset 
  • Accept your current situation and understand your worth - you deserve a better life for yourself 
• Hold yourself accountable - find your inspiration 

Personal Example: (20:25)

• I developed a “Watch Me” mentality as I heard stories of others being turned away. As I saw no one who looked like me achieve what I strived to. 
• How? I focused on what I had to offer and made it abundantly clear that I had value to add 
  • Don’t just tell them… Show them! - actions speak louder than words
• Relevance: People will want to hop on your grind 
• When others see what’s possible, their dreams now become more achievable in their minds

Relationship to Sports: Change comes with the right leadership 

• Example with the Toronto Raptors and how Kawhi Leonard led by example and lead to the Raptors Championship 2019 win

Summary of points: (24:50)

• We can do more than share a post on our stories. We can walk the walk and go the extra mile by leading by example rather than waiting for change. 
• We lead by example by developing a growth mindset to become the best versions of ourselves. We then develop small habits which over time transform us.

• Research in the early 2000s - Jackson and colleagues and Brown and colleagues
  • Higher athletic identity in black student-athletes resulted in dissociation of these individuals and their racial-ethnic group memberships 
  • Problem: the higher the athletic identity of these black students, the less they perceived racial discrimination to be a problem in the U.S
• Why am I talking about this? Athletic identity enhances one’s sense of self, self-confidence, & self-worth 
  • Feel accepted because of their athletic talents

My Athletic Identity (6:20) 

When I was seen as value-added to my hockey team - my racial identity never came to mind. 

• I got to forget that there were challenges being black (sheltered lifestyle)
• I was reminded when I had to think twice before retaliating to avoid harsher consequences - it looks worse if a black kid does it. I didn’t want to change how others perceived me

Relevance of Identity in Sports (11:00)

Sports should not be an escape from who we are, it should bring us together because of who we are. 

• Unique traits allow for stronger connections to ourselves and others 
• Improves performance - teammates with a stronger bond gel together 
• Olympic Games effect - nations come together and unify us all 

CTA: Check out Blog Post (15:00)

Check out my first blog post on interruptingsports.com to learn more about why it is time for the Interrupting Sports podcast. Drop a comment and share your thoughts. I would love to hear them.

Being Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable (15:25)

To bring about positive change we must become comfortable with being uncomfortable. Our inability to step out of our comfort zone limits our experiences 

Personal Anecdote (17:36)

 Growing up sheltered, I became comfortable being the only black kid in a room and uncomfortable being among black kids. I formed a community to overcome my uncomfortable state. 

Significance in Sports (21:19)

We need to have the difficult conversations to move beyond our ways.

• Get out of your comfort zone - be honest with yourself 
• Unlearn our poor behaviours - making assumptions/biases
• Acknowledge and embrace the good, the bad, and the ugly of our reality
• That is how we grow and progress the culture of sport - expand our minds and change our perspective 

Summary of Points (23:40)

• Recognize the components of our identity: racial, ethnic, and athletic identity - embrace who we are as individuals to unify us  
•  Acknowledge our realities and hold ourselves accountable to overcome biases and progress the culture of sports