NHL unveils anti-racism plan
The NHL on Thursday unveiled a series of anti-racism initiatives for the predominantly white sport.
The league and NHL Players’ Association are planning mandatory inclusion and diversity training for all players at camp; partnering with the Hockey Diversity Alliance to launch a grassroots program for young players of color in the Toronto area; and working together on several inclusion committees aimed at encouraging diversity among executives, pro and youth players and fans.
The NHL agreed to establish committees for executive, player, youth and fan inclusion. The league also pledged financial support for the Center for Justice Research at Texas Southern University’s research program into improving the criminal justice system.
In addition to players going through inclusion and diversity training, league and team employees will take part in similar programs.
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NBA: The Hornets fired play-by-play radio broadcaster John Focke after he used a racial slur on his Twitter account last month. The team announced on Twitter that Focke wouldn’t return due to “a violation of the organization’s social media policy.” The decision comes after the team investigated the matter in which Focke used the slur while Tweeting about the Jazz-Nuggets playoff game Aug. 17. He has since deleted the tweet and apologized, saying it was a typo.
NFL: The Patriots named Cam Newton their starting QB and a team captain, according to reports. The 31-year-old former league MVP joined the Patriots on a one-year deal in June. ... The Seahawks re-signed suspended WR Josh Gordon. The 29-year-old former All-Pro applied for reinstatement in mid-June after he was suspended indefinitely in December for violations of the league’s policies on performanceenhancing substances and substances of abuse. Gordon’s reinstatement process is progressing well, according to reports. The Jaguars agreed to trade S Ronnie Harrison to the Browns for a 2021 fifth-round draft pick. Harrison, 23, is the third Jags starter in five days to be traded or cut. The team also traded disgruntled DE Yannick Ngakoue to the Vikings on Sunday and waived RB Leonard Fournette on Monday.