New York’s Pride march yesterday was "awash in sports, with the MLB, NHL, NBA, WNBA and NFL all participating," according to Jim Buzinski of SB NATION. The UFC "sent three openly LGBTQ fighters ... to march with the Outsports contingent," and Billie Jean King "was the march’s grand marshal." The participation of so many leagues is a "sign that they realize that LGBTQ people are a part of sports in the 21st century" (SBNATION.com, 6/24). Among the more than 200 NBA employees and dignitaries in attendance were Commissioner Adam Silver, Deputy Commissioner & COO Mark Tatum, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer Oris Stuart, T'Wolves GM Scott Layden, Knicks President Steve Mills, Knicks coach David and Fizdale WNBA President Lisa Borders (NBA). Knicks F Michael Beasley posted a photo to Instagram about the march that said, "Gay, straight, lesbian, him, her, she, he, trans, tall, short, dark or light. Be prideful of whoever it is that you are and respect of who the next person wishes to be! Equality and Selflessness is a great start to being a better person. Thanks for a lasting FIRST ( of many ) experience!" (INSTAGRAM.com, 6/24).
SHOWING SUPPORT: MLB.com's Mandy Bell noted "approximately" 175 MLB employees attended the march, including Deputy Commissioner of Baseball Administration & Chief Legal Officer Dan Halem, Data Engineer Mary Burford, former umpire Dale Scott and Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer Renee Tirado. Tirado and Halem "worked hard to assure that MLB would be represented with a float" (MLB.com, 6/24). The NHL had more than 60 people marching, including VP/Special Projects & Corporate Social Responsibility Jessica Berman, Exec VP & CMO Heidi Browning Pearson, Exec VP/Social Impact, Growth Initiatives & Legislative Affairs Kim Davis, VP/Corporate Social Responsibility Omar Mitchell, Senior VP/Technology Grant Nodine and VP/Business Development & Int'l Affairs Kevin Westgarth. MLS also was represented at the march, including Senior VP/Consumer Products & Licensing Maribeth Towers, Senior Legal Counsel Guiselle Torres and Senior Dir of Retail Development Katie Eaton (THE DAILY).
N.Y. Pride March
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