In the '98 report issued by Northeastern Univ.'s Center
for the Study of Sport in Society, the NBA "received an
overall" A- for the hiring of members of minority groups and
B for its gender hiring, while the NFL had the lowest grade
for gender with a D+, but had a B+ for hiring minority group
members, according to Lena Williams of the N.Y. TIMES. MLB
received a B for race, but "was not graded on gender because
not enough information was available." Colleges are
"significantly behind the pros with C's for race and gender
diversity in hiring." Last year's report focused strictly
on race and the NBA received an A-, the NFL a B- and MLB was
"given a conditional C." Study of Sport in Society Dir
Richard Lapchick: "While the hiring practices in sport have
gotten better for people of color and women, there is
clearly significant room for progress in all sports.
Nonetheless, pro sport is measurably ahead of society in
these matters." The report examined the NHL, WNBA and MLS
for the first time, and although they were not graded, the
report cited MLS for the "best record for minority group
diversity, and the NHL had the "best opportunities for
women." The WNBA had "good records" in minority group and
gender diversity (N.Y. TIMES, 7/28).
LEAGUE RESPONSE: In Boston, Bob Duffy: "Using as its
barometer the federal affirmative action policy that the
makeup of the workplace should reflect the general
population -- which is approximately 12 percent black -- the
study graded the leagues accordingly": A (at least 24%
minority); B (12%); C (9%); D (6%) and F (5%). Duffy:
"Positions of authority remain problematic as pro sports,
with the exception of the NBA, have done little to alter the
perception that there is an artificial ceiling for
minorities and women." NFL VP/Communications Greg Aiello,
commenting on the grades: "We're pleased that the progress
we have made is being recognized. We also understand we
have more progress to make." MLB Dir of PR Rich Levin
called minority/gender hiring "an area in which we're going
to continue to work very hard" (BOSTON GLOBE, 7/28)
ATTENTION NEEDED ON THE CAMPUS: The percentage of
blacks who are Div. I college ADs decreased from 3.7% to
3.2% between '95-96 and '97-98. Lapchick: "Colleges haven't
quite recognized yet, as Division I sport becomes more of a
business, that it's also good for business to change the way
our athletic departments hire people" (USA TODAY, 7/28).
SEE FOR YOURSELF: The entire report can be downloaded
at http://www.sportinsociety.org (THE DAILY). See (#26)
