The Hockey Diversity Alliance has "sprinted to professionalize its voice in a way that has made it impossible for the league, players and fans to ignore," as it has "garnered funding and polished its messaging, with the support of behind-the-scenes advisors," according to Dan Robson of THE ATHLETIC. The HDA has sent the NHL a pledge with a "series of commitments it wants the league to make in an effort to combat racism and promote diversity in the game." The league has responded with commitments of its own, although they are "not quite as specific and fulsome as what the HDA is asking for." But it is undeniable that the HDA has had an "enormous influence in guiding the conversation about race within hockey." It has "pushed the NHL community to take a stand that, for many people, seemed impossible less than a year ago." The members of the HDA on July 14 "shared their vision" with the league, including NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and Senior Exec VP/Social Impact, Growth Initiatives & Legislative Affairs Kim Davis. HDA co-head and former NHLer Akim Aliu said that they "have yet to receive a formal response." NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly in an email said that the league "intends to keep its conversations with the HDA private between the two parties at this time" (THEATHLETIC.com, 9/8).
