The lack of value he placed on black fans and even their money. The refusal to recognize their humanity. That's no way to do business in the NBA, particularly in Atlanta, where African-Americans are such a prominent part of the business, political and social scene.
Black players make up about 75 percent of the league's players and 45 percent of the sport's television viewing audience. But rather than find ways to appeal to the core constituency, Levenson preferred to marginalize them in order to pursue white fans. He had to go. What incentive would there be for black fans to buy tickets from a man who didn't appreciate their money? And what assurances do we have that something similar won't happen again? These moments are setbacks for what is America's most progressive league, the one that regularly earns A's on Richard Lapchick's racial and gender report card and keeps making breakthrough hires at various levels of the sport.
But it's still only one Levenson email or Donald Sterling conversation away from reverting to square one. Even when it's not as blatant, it's still a factor, as explored by Marcus Thompson's thoughtful, nuanced look at the role race -- but not racism -- played in the Golden State Warriors' firing of Mark Jackson.
One thing that emerged from Lee Jenkins' Sports Illustrated profile of Adam Silver is that Silver's teenage friendship with an African immigrant might have better prepared him to be NBA commissioner than his degree from Duke.
To be effective in this league, to collaborate rather than merely work, white people on the ownership side have to be comfortable with black people. That comes from having black friends, black business partners, perhaps even black bosses along the way. But that would require people exiting their comfort zone, and how many people are willing to do that?
Don't underestimate rich people's desire to continue having things their way. The leaked Donald Sterling audio was actually about his exasperation that V. The last three NBA teams that have made GM and president hires have done so without hiring any minorities.
All are white men. Since , 30 NBA positions for president of basketball operations or general manager have been filled with six African-Americans hired, according to Comcast Sports Chicago. Michele Roberts, executive director of the National Basketball Players Association, is interested in discussing the possibility of the NBA adding its own version of the Rooney Rule to facilitate more diverse hiring in the executive and coaching ranks.
Higgins has 14 years of front-office experience that also included stops with the Washington Wizards and Golden State Warriors. The former NBA player was general manager of the Bobcats from and president from Those teams had a combined record of under his stewardship.
The Warriors made the postseason once, advancing to the second round of the playoffs after upsetting the win Dallas Mavericks in the first round. The Bobcats were swept out of the first round of the playoffs.
After stepping down as president of the Bobcats on June 13, , Higgins has not been contacted for another president and GM position. I have not been contacted for a [GM] job. There are a ton of guys capable of doing the job. While Billy King had stops as GM of the Philadelphia 76ers and the Nets before resigning from his position with the latter this year, most black GMs have not received a second chance.
The Hall of Famer has yet to return to a management position, but a source close to him told The Undefeated that he is still hopeful for the right situation. Newton is also now available. What about the emerging candidates? Who are they? Roth, who has represented Peyton Manning and Warren Sapp, noted that 22 of the teams in the NFL have been owned by the same person or family for at least 20 years.
Related: Carolina Panthers sold to hedge fund founder. Last year, when the owner of the Carolina Panthers said he'd be putting the team up for sale, an opportunity to increase the diversity of the NFL's ownership group arose. Sean Combs, otherwise known as Diddy, tweeted his interest in purchasing the franchise.
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft commended Diddy for being a "good businessman" and said he respected the mogul. Neither Combs nor the Panthers commented on whether Combs made an official bid.
But on Tuesday the team sold to hedge fund billionaire David Tepper , who is white. That means there are still just two people of color among the principal owners of the NFL's 32 teams. The NBA's 30 teams have a bit more ownership diversity. Major League Baseball, which also has 30 teams, is the least diverse.
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