NHL TO PARTNER WITH BILLIE JEAN KING LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE
June 28, 2019
This week, the National Hockey League (NHL) and the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative (BJKLI) announced a partnership at the inaugural Declaring our Principles - ADVANCING EQUITY: A Summit on Inclusion.
The partnership between the NHL and BJKLI will support research, action, advocacy and collaboration with organizations that have a significant community impact. The relationship includes a commitment to continue to elevate the dialogue on diversity through Hockey is For Everyone™, an initiative led by the NHL and NHLPA, to promote inclusion on the ice, in locker rooms, boardrooms and the stands.
The Summit focused on advancing diversity and gender equality across hockey and showcased the League's continued commitment to furthering these vital efforts.
The Summit featured speakers from sport and other industries, including NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and Billie Jean King, Founder of the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative, discussing the importance of women to the growth of hockey, business and society. In attendance at the Summit were senior leaders from NHL teams and other stakeholders across the sport.
"From the locker room to the board room, the National Hockey League understands that our future is linked to the continued development and promotion of women in all aspects of our sport. To further support the NHL's commitment to equality, we have partnered with the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative to support programs that champion our diversity and inclusion efforts," said NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.
"We are also thrilled to announce our first-ever Diversity and Inclusion Senior Leadership Council, and in partnership with the NHLPA, the Female Hockey Ambassador Program, both of which are aimed at increasing the participation of girls and women in hockey at the grassroots level and within the workplace."
"We are proud of BJKLI's partnership with the NHL and our combined commitment to diversity, inclusion and above all 'Advancing Equity'," said Billie Jean King, Founder of the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative. "Achieving equality is a long road but events and conversations like today pave the path forward. We are looking forward to a long-term and productive relationship with the NHL."
Today, the NHL announced the creation of the League's first-ever Diversity and Inclusion Senior Leadership Council, which will be co-chaired by Commissioner Bettman and Buffalo Sabres owner and President Kim Pegula. The Council will demonstrate the League's continued commitment to diversity and inclusion, and work to bring about internal change through workplace culture initiatives and employee engagement.
The National Hockey League is a Founding Supporter of Beyond Sport.