The Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality, founded by Dolphins Owner Stephen Ross, is "launching a new initiative called RISE to Vote, a year-long campaign that kicks off" today with the goal of "registering as many professional athletes as possible," according to Marissa Payne of the WASHINGTON POST. National Voter Registration Day is tomorrow, and RISE CEO Jocelyn Benson said, "We’re about amplifying athletes’ voices. We’re not about telling an athlete how to do that or what to say.” Benson said that prelaunch RISE to Vote events for the Dolphins, Falcons and Nets have all "been successful, and there are already 11 more events on RISE to Vote’s schedule, including an event" with the Hawks today. The organization said that it is "concentrating first on NFL and NBA teams, but has plans to eventually hold events for MLB, NHL, WNBA and other professional sports teams." Benson: “We encourage everyone in sports to recognize that whether you’re left, right, conservative or liberal, we all have a stake in making sure our society is one where we’re unified, and we are in the process of empowering these leaders.” RISE to Vote really "began to get organized in May" (WASHINGTON POST, 9/24).
