Pro Sports Assembly Announces Partnership with Sodexo Live! as Presenting Sponsor for Innovative Inclusive Leadership Certificate Program

Dedicated 4-Month Curriculum Prepares Pro Sports Leaders to be High-impact, Inclusive Leaders

Austin, TX - March 20, 2023 – Pro Sports Assembly (PRO), the association for professional sports business leaders, is proud to announce an educational partnership with Sodexo Live!, hospitality partner to the world’s most iconic venues, to be the presenting sponsor of the PRO Certificate of Inclusive Leadership. Two cohorts per year will have the opportunity to learn about diversity and inclusion-related concepts, and become more effective leaders across all disciplines of the the sports, hospitality and entertainment industry.

Facilitated by RISE – a national nonprofit that educates and empowers the sports community to eliminate racial discrimination, champion social justice and improve race relations – the program empowers leaders at professional teams, leagues, unions and venues to engage with their organization more impactful and relevant on all equity, racism, prejudice, diversity, and inclusivity across all departments. Participants will emerge better-equipped to be champions of change to improve the long-term health and performance of their respective organizations.

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.

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.

Certificate of Inclusive Leadership In Professional Sports (Cohort 2) Complete

Over 50 Professional Sports Leaders Have Now Completed the Certificate

Austin, TX - October 6, 2022 – Pro Sports Assembly (PRO) and RISE have announced the second cohort of the Certificate of Inclusive Leadership in Professional Sports recipients – a cohort of 31 sports industry professionals from across the country that is now better equipped to discuss and address matters of racism, diversity, equity and inclusion within their industry and beyond.

The 31 participants underwent a series of workshops, which were designed and led by RISE, the national nonprofit that uses sports to combat racism and unite diverse communities. The courses offer a hands-on opportunity to discuss critical topics and issues related to inclusive leadership and provide an understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) core concepts through RISE’s multifaceted curriculum, which covers a wide range of topics and skills that increase an understanding of culturally competent and fair leadership.