NHL in denial of race issues, Hockey Diversity's Aliu says

TORONTO • The National Hockey League is more interested in public relations than taking substantive action on the lack of diversity within the sport, said Akim Aliu, a founding member of the Hockey Diversity Alliance.

As Black History Month, which celebrates Black achievements, comes to a close on Sunday, Aliu lamented the lack of meaningful progress within the NHL to eradicate systemic racism and intolerance.

“It is one of those things unless you admit there is a problem there is no way to fix anything,” Aliu told Reuters.

He estimated that only 20 to 25 Black players will find their way onto NHL rosters this season.

“There are still owners in the league who don't even believe there is a problem,” Aliu said. “To me that is just unfathomable, 95 per cent of your league is white and you don't see there is an issue of race. It just seemed like for every problem they had an answer but no solution and didn't want to work with us on creating a solution. I think the league does more performative things than real actual change.”

The NHL did not respond to a Reuters request for comment on the HDA's concerns.

Grassroots groups and businesses, like Scotiabank, have got behind the HDA's effort to make hockey more inclusive and establish specific targets for hiring, promoting and partnering with Black individuals and businesses.

The NHL has its own diversity road map that steers clear of firm hiring targets while focusing on education and social engagement initiatives through its “Hockey is for Everyone” campaign.

HDA efforts are also focused on grassroots and education but have pushed the NHL to lead from the top by implementing hiring guidelines like the National Football League's Rooney Rule, which requires teams to interview minority candidates for all head coaching and senior football operation jobs.

The NHL rejected talk of hard targets, arguing there was not a big enough pool to choose from to hire people of colour, said Aliu, noting that in itself is an indictment on the past failed policies.