#TBT: Missed Opportunities

Last Friday, unfortunately, the New York Rangers were hacked while entertaining their fans during an interview of their new defenseman, K’Andre Miller on Zoom:
Source: Why the Race Card is Played While the actions of the person or persons who interfered in the interview of Miller were shocking, it was just as disappointing that both the Rangers and the NHL took so long to respond to the offense. But the most disappointing part of this whole situation is the missed opportunity both the team and the league seem to be missing. Here is an opportunity for both the league and the team to put their money where their mouths are. Yes, folks are worried about COVID-19 but what better time to have their attention. The opportunity for “sports to be medicine” is ripe. People are stuck at home, bored and missing sports. Take the time to expand your credibility, gain new fans, increase your marketability and use your influence to help make the world a better place. By not completely addressing the issue, it appears these organizations either think the issue is resolved–believe me it is not–or look like they are in “compliance by their silence.” I don’t believe that to be true especially since a few of Miller’s new teammates–Jacob Trouba, Ryan Strome, and Tony DeAngelo–spoke up. And the Rangers were lucky they did as this story was significant enough in a dead sports world to be picked up by a respectable UK newspaper. With so much hate being expressed here in the United States, these organizations as well as many other sports leagues–NBA, MLB, NFL, MLS, WNBA, NWHL, WFA, etc.–and their respective teams could take the lead to provide education on why diversity and inclusion matters. Many athletes have made it clear that they have a vested interest in race relations, tolerance, and human rights from taking a stance on police shootings, reaching into their own pockets to take care of their fellow arena workers, and purchasing medical supplies and food for others during the COVID-19 pandemic, and making PSAs about equality and historical people just to name a few instances. If anyone questions whether the issue is over, then they can take a look at the next two tweets: Use players’ off the ice skills to create PSAs for tolerance. Create webinars or short videos explaining why certain behavior is unacceptable or expressing genuine gratitude for non-sports-related events or people from other cultures especially People of Color. Hell, the team could create a Family Feud-like tournament via the web with a couple of players on each team with a few fans. They could answer questions culturally related. Get the sponsors involved to create unusual prizes like Rao’s food baskets for the winners and so forth. But something has to be done. There is an image problem. More importantly, there is a relationship problem that could be solved. If the New York Rangers are not willing to put in the work–or the league for that matter–all the functions put together with the Black Girls Hockey Club or You Can Play or any other such organization will be for naught. It’s time to step up, don’t be a pigeon, and put the biscuit between the pipes . . . and preferably where mama keeps the peanut butter!
Source: Avry’s Sports Show