The Collective® and Pro Sports Assembly partner to research the experience of professionals entering the sports industry

• The study proves the continued trend of inherent bias and resource inequity for underrepresented people in the business
• The research originates from a new partnership between the organizations, centered around research and insights for equity in the workplace

Los Angeles / Austin (September 27, 2022) – The Collective^®, the women-focused practice of Wasserman, has announced a new partnership with Pro Sports Assembly – the association for professional sports business leaders – providing the sports industry with research and insights around equity in the workplace. For their first official collaboration, The Collective® Think Tank – a global consortium of academic partners dedicated to research on gender equity – contributed to the unprecedented, bellwether research exploring how privilege shapes access to opportunities and career development in sports. Participating Think Tank members include UMass, Ohio University, University of South Florida and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

This study – designed as a benchmark for examining cross-generational and cross-industry progress – presents clear proof of the continued trend of inherent bias and resource inequity for underrepresented individuals. Think Tank researchers sought to understand early work experiences in sports, and how a diverse work environment can provide professional experiences in regard to interpersonal dynamics, business performance and industry culture.

New Member Resource Groups Offer PRO Members a Space to Engage, Equip, Educate, Empower and Elevate Pro Sports Leadership 

Austin, TX - April 11, 2022 – Pro Sports Assembly (PRO), the association for professional sports business leaders, has introduced the first seven Member Resource Groups (MRG's), made up of cross-sport, cross-geographical PRO members who are committed to leading professional sports organizations into the future.

MRGs offer a think space for leaders and learners, at all levels, to gain perspectives, share best practices, ideate and problem solve. The groups are formed based on professional discipline and areas of interest including Analytics, Diversity & Inclusion, Event & Venue Operations, Finance, Human Resources & People Operations, Partnerships, and Social Impact.

MEDIA ALERT - Pro Sports Assembly To Host The Assembly: Pro Sports Leadership Retreat and Workshop 

Austin, TX - March 23, 2022 – Pro Sports Assembly (PRO), the association for professional sports business leaders, is hosting The Assembly a Leadership Retreat and Workshop for PRO Members. The inaugural event is Chaired by Brittanie Boyd, Philadelphia 76ers SVP Marketing and Antony Bonavita, Cleveland Cavaliers EVP Venue Operations.

WHAT: The Assembly Leadership Retreat and Workshop is an intimate gathering for professional sports business leaders who are not only influential in setting an agenda and strategy for their organization, but who are also invested in a more diverse, inclusive and fair future across all aspects of professional sports.

A recap of what Pro Sports Assembly members did to celebrate and support Black History Month:

Arizona Coyotes 

The Arizona Coyotes hosted a ten-week mentorship program for approximately 30 students enrolled in sports business programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Coyotes staff constructed, decorated, and stocked a library full of books featuring characters of color and ethnicity. They also donated art supplies and their mascot, Howler, spent the afternoon interacting with students at Advance U Elementary. The Arizona Coyotes also hosted a panel discussion focused on increasing access to careers in sports for Black professionals, as well as conducted a month-long campaign honoring Black Arizona leaders and trailblazers. Lastly, four Directors and Executive-level staff contributed to the creation of the Arizona Pro Sports Diversity Coalition, focused on leveraging the collective power of professional sports in Arizona to increase diversity in the field.

https://www.nhl.com/coyotes/community/bhm

New Associate Team is Made Up of Graduate and Undergraduate Students

Austin, TX - March 9, 2022 – Pro Sports Assembly (PRO), the association for professional sports business leaders, has announced its first team of Quality Assurance Associates (QAA), who will help support the organization’s membership and partnership initiatives.

As part of the QAA team, following the first two independent QAA’s, Taylor Middleton and Kayla Dickerson, the organization welcomes graduate and undergraduate students, Sally Cangelosi, George Fisher, William Lee and Derek Osburn.

Ann Seeney of the St. Louis Cardinal’s Elected to Serve as Inaugural Chair

Austin, TX - February 1, 2022 – Pro Sports Assembly, the association for professional sports business leaders, has announced its first Board Chair along with the addition of five new Governing Board members who will guide the organization through 2024 with the goal of creating more opportunities for diverse and inclusive leaders in sports.

Ann Seeney, who currently serves as the Vice President of Human Resources for Major League Baseball's St. Louis Cardinals, has assumed the role of Pro Sports Assembly’s Governing Board Chair. The organization (PRO) also welcomes Arizona Coyotes Executive Vice President Public Affairs & General Counsel Marina Carpenter, Dallas Mavericks Chief Marketing Officer Iris Diaz, Miami Dolphins Senior Vice President Communications and Community Affairs Jason Jenkins, NBA Retired Players Association Senior Vice President Operations and Events Erin Miller, and MLB’s Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Justin Reyes.

As Hispanic Heritage Month wraps up, we recap teams across professional sports who recognized and celebrated the achievements, influences and contributions of Hispanic Americans in their teams, cultures and communities.

The Atlanta Hawks selected five local Hispanic businesses to provide valuable marketing exposure on the Hawk’s multiple digital platforms.

Austin FC celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month and Mexican-American artist Selena with its tifo before kickoff their game on September 26 against the LA Galaxy. The tifo is a traditional banner that is common to soccer and has a connection to the club and its supporters. Previous displays of a tifo for Austin FC: for the home opener and Pride Month.

PBSL and Pro Sports Assembly form strategic partnership to create international opportunities in the sports industry

The new partnership will provide members with coaching, mentoring, training and support to aid career progression 

June 7, 2021 (New York, NY) – [PRO] Sports Assembly and LeagueApps, the operating system and community for youth and local sports leaders, today unveiled a new partnership making the New York-based technology company [PRO]’s Official Youth Sports Platform Partner and a Founding Partner.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have become Founding Members of Pro Sports Assembly (“The Assembly”), a first-of-its-kind, industry-wide, and mission-driven 501(c)(3) organization for people who work in professional sports.

Designed to keep leagues, teams, unions and venues both knowledgeable and accountable for delivering an equitable and profitable future in professional sports organizations – The Assembly is a member-led community that challenges its industry to advance truly inclusive leadership. It believes that by developing cultural and gender intelligence, as well as setting best practices of stewardship, mentorship and allyship, professional sports properties can drive innovation, bolster financial performance, capture new markets and increase brand loyalty. The Assembly is aggressive in its vision and stance to enhance the future of its industry through the #PowerofProSports and aims, by 2030, to achieve parity in opportunity, pay and leadership across the industry.

Launched in September 2020, Pro Sports Assembly [PRO] is a first-of-its-kind, industry-wide, and mission-driven 501(c)(3) association for people working in professional sports. [PRO] was established to unite leaders across teams, leagues, unions and venues to advance the industry. From finance to innovation, operations and sales, to social responsibility, marketing, human resources and analytics, [PRO] aims to ensure there is a diverse and talented pipeline to lead its industry into the future.

Today, as part of its quarterly roundup of milestones and achievements, [PRO] announced that thirteen organizations have joined as founding members to help advance equity and achieve parity throughout the industry. The members include Atlanta Hawks/State Farm Arena, Austin FC, Cleveland Cavaliers/RocketMortgage Field House, Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Mavericks, Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment, Major League Baseball, Miami Dolphins, Olympia Sports and Entertainment, Pegula Sports and Entertainment, Spurs Sports and Entertainment, Texas Rangers, and World Wrestling Entertainment. Through their membership, each organization is not only providing leadership opportunities for their employees, but they are also creating the voice of the industry.   

MIAMI DOLPHINS JOINS PRO SPORTS ASSEMBLY

501c3 ORGANIZATION FOCUSES ON ADVANCING DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE LEADERSHIP IN PRO SPORTS; MIAMI DOLPHINS COMMITS TO HELP ADVANCE EQUITY AND ACHIEVE PARITY THROUGHOUT INDUSTRY

February 11, 2021 (New York, NY) -  In the spirit of community and unity, the Miami Dolphins today announced its pledge to join Pro Sports Assembly (“The Assembly”), a first-of-its-kind, industry-wide, and mission-driven 501(c)(3) organization for people who work in professional sports. The Miami Dolphins feature the NFL’s only Black head coach and Black general manager duo in Brian Flores and Chris Grier, and continue to remain committed to hiring diverse leaders and cultivating talent on the football and business side.  As a Silver-tier member, the Miami Dolphins will designate 30 of its employees to a member seat with The Assembly, who will have access to a number of professional development programs, events, tools and resources that can help advance their career in the sports industry.