Super Bowl weekend in the spotlight for Black sports professionals

Record 123.7 million people On February 11, we watched Super Bowl LVIII as the Kansas City Chiefs won their second straight championship and R&B star Usher Raymond brought a taste of A-town to Sin City during his halftime show.

But outside of the big games, it’s the league’s behind-the-scenes professionals who keep the NFL and its players running efficiently. People representing athletes don’t receive as much recognition as players on the field. Meanwhile, it is commonly even harder for Black professionals to interrupt into the sports industry or obtain advancement opportunities. That’s why sports and entertainment attorney Jaia Thomas, Esq. fired Diverse representationa company dedicated to increasing the employment and exposure of African Americans in sports and entertainment.

“I was tired of seeing so many black athletes and black artists represented by white agents, white lawyers, white managers and white publicists. I wanted to make sure more of them were represented by people who looked like them,” Thomas said during Super Bowl weekend in Las Vegas. “The company started as a directory of all Black lawyers, agents, managers and publicists in sports and entertainment. Since then, we have branched out into different programs and events.”

Ahead of Sunday’s Super Bowl, Thomas teamed up with Minorities in the network of sports enterprises to host the second annual “Toast to Black Sports Luncheon” on February 8, honoring two of the five Black NFL team presidents: Jason Wright, president of the Washington Commanders, and Kevin Warren, president of the Chicago Bears.

“Typically, during Super Bowl weekend, there is a big emphasis on celebrating the players and people on the field. We just felt like we still didn’t celebrate enough of the people behind the scenes – the agents, the owners, the management team,” Thomas said. BLACK ENTERPRISES at lunch. “There really hasn’t been an event like this on Super Bowl weekend specifically for Black sports professionals. So we wanted to create a space to gather, celebrate and (and) connect with Black industry professionals.”

Will be held Breezea refined Italian steakhouse on the Las Vegas Strip, the intimate ceremony was attended by a select group of former NFL players, sports agents and executives from Goldman Sachs, which sponsored the event.

“Jason is the first black president in the NFL. “Kevin is the most recently hired president of the NFL, so they are kind of a lynchpin for black presidents in the NFL,” the Los Angeles attorney continued. “They both did incredible work during their terms as presidents, and we wanted to honor them, celebrate them and encourage them to continue their work.”

In accepting the award, Wright reflected on Warren’s legacy as a mentor and pioneering Black athletic director. Warren then shared a moving testimony of how he recovered from a devastating automotive accident as a toddler and has since relied on his faith for guidance, especially during difficult moments in his profession.

“They both gave amazing, fantastically inspiring speeches after receiving their awards. They really lit up the room and I think a lot of people left very inspired,” Thomas said.

In an announcement, Shaina Wiel, founder and CEO of Minorities in Sports Business Network, said she was proud to have curated an event “that not only celebrated Black athletic directors, but also created a safe space for togetherness, fellowship and relationship building.” It was like a family reunion.”

After lunch Warren said TO BE that the key to skilled advancement is faith and identity.

“We have to just accept our origins, our heritage, but in addition just have strong faith. I actually have found that life becomes simpler whenever you simply follow God’s voice, wisdom and listening,” he said.

Wright said TO BE that he’s optimistic about the NFL’s diversity efforts and expressed appreciation for the achievements of all three remaining Black team presidents: Sashi Brown of the Baltimore Ravens, Sandra Douglass Morgan of the Las Vegas Raiders and Damani Leech of the Denver Broncos.

“Sandra managed the league and ticket revenue. Kevin is making progress on a new stadium deal. Damani carried out a general renovation. The Ravens continue to outperform in their market. We led the league in all revenue growth categories,” he said. “Confidence in the Black intellect to run businesses in dollars and cents is growing, and more people will be given opportunities in the future.”

In addition to the luncheon, Diverse Representation has partnered with William Morris Endeavor, one in all the largest sports and entertainment talent agencies in the world, to host a networking event for a wide range of agents, executives and managers working in sports and entertainment. The lounge featured an open bar, light snacks and a present selection featuring Black-owned products corresponding to Tracee Ellis Ross PATTERN Beauty, Brandon Blackwood, STARRING Serena WilliamsAND Harlem Candle Co. The event also included an exclusive fireside chat with WME sportswriters and clients Jemele Hill and Cari Champion.

“There are a lot of attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion,” Hill said during the discussion, noting the weaponization of critical race theory by right-wing conservatives. “I have seen and witnessed that the same companies that just three or four years ago, after the unfortunate murder of George Floyd, made a commitment to listen to Black people and make things better for them, have failed,” she continued. “That’s the thing people need to understand about supporting marginalized communities: It’s an uphill battle.”

At one other point in the conversation, Champion praised Hill for her unwavering support throughout her profession and the opportunities Hill provided her while working for ESPN.

“When I didn’t believe in myself and didn’t think I mattered, she supported me,” Champion said. “When I didn’t think my voice was vital in sports and I didn’t think anyone cared about what I said, she invited me on her show to share my opinion. She helped me develop my voice. She already had street credibility, she already had smarts, and I used to be the latest girl coming in.