The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport (TIDES) released the 2016 Major League Soccer Racial and Gender Report Card today.
Landy Jones College Jersey . The MLS earned an overall grade of 84.7 points, a B+ and an increase from the 2015 report card. This grade is a result of a B+ in racial hiring practices and a B in gender hiring practices. I, along with my co-author Erin Davison, commend Major League Soccer for the improvement in inclusion and for being one of only two mens professional leagues to earn a B for gender.That being said, I also believe the MLS is in a unique time and place in American sports. As a country, it seems we are finally getting behind soccer. In addition to various expansion teams, internationally famous players such as David Villa, Kaka, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard have brought heightened attention and prestige to the league. Ive dedicated my life to fighting for those without a voice through the power of sport, and I believe theres an opportunity to set a standard for inclusion.This summer I witnessed one MLS teams commitment to inclusion and the power of sport. On the morning of June 12, my wife, Ann, and I wondered how Orlando would ever be the same after the news broke that a man pledging allegiance to ISIS killed 49 at the Pulse nightclub. But, as the citys sports teams plans to honor and support the victims became clear, so, too, did the path ahead.I will never forget the atmosphere inside Camping World Stadium as Orlando City SC hosted the San Jose Earthquakes the first Saturday after the tragedy. The entire game was a moving tribute to the victims. Forty-nine empty seats were marked with rainbow balloons, the game paused for a moment of silence during the 49th minute of play, first responders were honored on the field and a gay mens choir sang the national anthem. The fans matched the support by organizing on Facebook to paint the bowl rainbow. Fans in each section wore the same color shirt, and the next section wore a different color and the stadium looked like a rainbow flag. The crowd sang along with John Lennons Imagine in the stands. In the wake of horrific tragedy and demonstration of hate, Orlando City SC used the power of sport to spread love.I was proud that former DeVos Sport Business Management students helped plan that inspiring night for Orlando City SC. At DeVos, we not only understand the power of sport, but also understand the importance in having diversity in our league front offices. In the 2016 MLS report, the league office continued to be the standard for the entire league with people of color making up 36.4 percent of all professional positions, and women holding 37 percent of these positions. At the team level, people of color held 14.7 percent of all senior administration positions, and women held 25 percent of such positions. It is noted that this is the first time in six years there was an increase of women in team senior administration positions. It was also the first time in six years there was an increase of people of color in team professional administration positions, now at 17.6 percent.People of color holding head-coaching positions increased from 10 percent to 20 percent. Latinos lead the Colorado Rapids, Houston Dynamo, New York City FC and FC Dallas. Meanwhile, people of color hold 13.6 percent of assistant-coaching positions. That is the worst in professional sport.Major League Soccer teams are also the worst in professional sport for hiring people of color to vice-president positions. Currently, only 4 percent of team vice presidents are people of color, and 16.2 percent are women. In addition, there is only one president/CEO of color.For many years in America, football, basketball and baseball have dominated. But everywhere else in the world, soccer is king. Franklin Foer, author of How Soccer Explains the World, said: Soccer isnt the same as Bach or Buddhism. But it is often more deeply felt than religion, and just as much a part of the communitys fabric, a repository of traditions. According to FIFA.com, approximately 3.2 billion people watched the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. There is an estimated 3.5 billion soccer fans globally, nearly half the worlds population.Despite the fact that children of every color, language and religion can be found playing soccer in the streets of any corner of the globe, discrimination is still prevalent in the sport. I have previously written about the prevalence of racism in international sporting events, especially soccer. In 2016 alone, two major top-tier games in Spain and Italy were suspended briefly because of racist chants. For the past few years, numerous games have been played in empty stadiums as a result of racist chants by fans. The FARE Network reported 92 incidents of discrimination by Russian soccer fans during the 2014-2015 season.2016 also saw the emergence of the U.S. Womens National Team wage discrimination dispute with U.S. Soccer. The United States Senate called upon U.S. Soccer to immediately end gender pay inequity and to treat all athletes with the respect and dignity those athletes deserve. Meanwhile, women in Afghanistan not only suffer discrimination but also live in danger for playing soccer. Julie Foudy, Mia Hamm, Kobe Bryant and many others showed support on social media for the Afghanistan Womens National Team. Yet, it is evident that sexism still exists in soccer around the globe.The 2016 Racial and Gender Report Card found that 43.3 percent of players in Major League Soccer are now international. This percentage has grown steadily over the years from 20.6 percent in 2006, which was the first year TIDES collected data on international players. This growth has been reinforced by the MLS designated player rule, allowing teams a better chance to penetrate the international market. It has also been paralleled by a growth in the percentage of people of color playing in Major League Soccer (38.7 percent in 2006 vs. 52.5 percent in 2016).Last Saturdays MLS Cup sold out in three minutes from the time the tickets went on sale. Seattle and Toronto played in front of a packed and intense crowd despite the freezing temperature. Watching Toronto fans passionately sing along with the Canadian anthem reminded me of Orlando City SC fans equally passionately chanting Vamos Orlando! The global popularity of soccer and MLS fans demonstration of multiculturalism go hand in hand.There can be no argument that soccer is the most loved sport worldwide. And it is clear MLS is beginning to solidify its place among the better soccer leagues of the world. Therefore, now more than ever is the time that MLS team and league offices must be more representative of the world. Major League Soccer has the chance to set the standard for the world. It can show that there is no room for racism or sexism in soccer. Displays such as the one I witnessed by Orlando City SC prove the MLS cares about diversity, inclusion, the community and the healing power of sport. I hope to see this sentiment reflected with more women and people of color given a leadership voice in front offices, as coaches, and as owners, vice presidents and presidents.Richard E. Lapchick is the chair of the DeVos Sport Business Management Graduate Program in the College of Business Administration at the University of Central Florida. Lapchick also directs UCFs Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport, is the author of 16 books and the annual Racial and Gender Report Card, and is the president of the National Consortium for Academics and Sport. He has been a regular commentator for ESPN.com on issues of diversity in sport. Follow him on Twitter @richardlapchick and on Facebook. Erin Davison was Lapchicks graduate assistant and is now research manager for the Intel Team at Turnkey Sports and Entertainment.
Sterling Shepard College Jersey . On Mar. 16, coming off a "fight of the year" performance at UFC 154 the previous November, St-Pierre faced Nick Diaz at UFC 158 in what would be his eighth defence of the welterweight title. Using his superior athleticism, St-Pierre cruised to a five round, unanimous decision victory setting up a much-anticipated title defence against number one contender Johny Hendricks.
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http://www.cheapoklahomajerseys.com/?tag=oklahoma-durron-neal-college-jersey . The return match will take place next Wednesday. Udinese leads Fiorentina 2-1 in the other semifinal. Napoli staged a second-half comeback from two goals down after Gervinhos opener and a stunning strike from Kevin Strootman. The NBA pre-season has been fun, but nothing beats the real thing and storylines are plentiful as we head into the 2016-17 campaign.Cleveland Cavaliers, the reigning champions, have brought the band back for another title run, with LeBron James up front, while Golden State Warriors have added former MVP and four-time scoring champion Kevin Durant in a bid to regain the trophy.The Knicks have built their own version of a super team, led by the signings of Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah, and Dwight Howard looks to be happy again in his new surroundings in Atlanta.With so much taking place in the offseason and so much too look forward to, were here to break down every aspect of the coming season.Division BreakdownAtlanticBoston Celtics, Toronto Raptors, New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ersIts tough at the top, but Knicks fans, sorry, your team isnt included in that statement. Derrick Rose says the Knicks, like the Warriors, have built a super teams, but were not sure what hes trying to achieve with his statement; the Knicks have next to no chance of reaching Warriors-like levels.Its a coin toss between the Celtics and Raptors for who will win the division, and they should both clear the 50-win mark.The Nets and Philly are likely fighting it out for the No. 1 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.CentralIndiana Pacers, Detriot Pistons, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Milwaukee BucksThe toughest division in the East, with a fierce fight for the spots behind the Cavaliers. Milwaukee have impressive length all over the floor, but the loss of Khris Middleton hurts.Indiana and Paul George will once again be a force to be reckoned with, but the loss of Reggie Jackson will affect the early going for the Pistons even though Andre Drummond should be able to handle the load.What can you say about the Bulls? Theyve assembled an odd cast of non-shooters; if it works, theyll look like geniuses.SoutheastAtlanta Hawks, Miami Heat, Charlotte Hornets, Washington Wizards, Orlando MagicLittle bit of a mixed bag right here, with no clear standouts in this division. Still, we think Dwight Howard should be able to carry the Hawks on his enormous shoulders to the top of the division over the Wizards and Hornets.Can John Wall and Bradley Beal stake their claim as the best backcourt in the league? Plenty of changeover for the Hornets, and they will take time to jell; can they piece it together quickly enough?The Heat have had a tumultuous off-season and head into this season with plenty of question marks hanging overhead. Orlando, meanwhile, have a lot of promise and could actually surprise people this season.PacificGolden State Warriors, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings, LA Clippers, Los Angeles LakersThe Warriors and the Clippers are the top two teams in the West. The Warriors will win 60+ without fail and the Clippers should finally have luck fall their way and at least give the Oakland team a run for their money.The remainder of the division is less strong.Phoenix and the Lakers have plenty of young talent, which will make them fun to watch, but Sacramento could challenge for the worst reccord in the league and DeMarcus Cousins could force his way out of town if things take a turn for the worse.
Buddy Hield College Jersey. SouthwestHouston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks, New Orleans PelicansThe stereotypical Group of Death. Four of the five sides made the playoffs last season, a year after all five qualified. There should be at least three teams make the final eight again this time, with Dallas and New Orleans pushing for the final spot in the eight.San Antonio and Memphis will battle it out for the top of the division while James Harden will look to lead the Rockets further into the postseason.NorthwestMinnesota Timberwolves, Portland Trail Blazers, Utah Jazz, Denver Nuggets, Oklahoma City ThunderMore than two teams look likely to make a playoff run this season to turn around the fortunes of this division.Oklahoma finished ninth in the conference when last they didnt have Kevin Durant for a majority of the season; can Russell Westbrook lead the team? Utah are primed and look set to shake things up, while the Blazers now need to reap the rewards of having spent a lot of money.The Wolves will be one of the best teams to watch this season with their core, while the Nuggets have solid pieces in place and wont be a pushover.The Stars from Down UnderBen Simmons injury hurts not only the city of Philadelphia but also the entire Australian fan base, who have their fingers crossed that rumours of him missing the entire season dont ring true.Dante Exum has shown impressive glimpses throughout the preseason and looks set for a big season with teammate Joe Ingles and the Jazz. Matthew Dellavedova has the starting role in Milwaukee and looks ready made to become the leader, and Bucks teammate Thon Maker is in the perfect situation for his development.Aron Baynes will be hoping to carry his Olympics form into this season, and Andrew Bogut has to battle the undefeated Father Time in Dallas.Patty Mills and Steven Adams should challenge for the mantle of best NBA player from Down Under.Big PredictionsPlayoffs (1-8)West: Warriors, Clippers, Spurs, Jazz, Grizzlies, Thunder, Rockets, BlazersEast: Cavaliers, Raptors, Celtics, Indiana, Milwaukee, Atlanta, Wizards, PistonsNBA FinalsWarriors vs. Cavaliers: The two best teams.All Star TeamsWest: Russell Westbrook, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Blake Griffin, Kawhi Leonard; the West is loaded!East: John Wall, Kyrie Irving, Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James, Dwight Howard; thats a great team.MVP James Harden: Unpopular pick, but he will show why hes the best two guard.Rookie of the Year Buddy Hield: Lights-out shooter who will get plenty of open looks thanks to AD.Defensive Player Of the Year: Kawhi Leonard: Hands down the best defender in the league.Most Improved Player:?Myles Turner: Going to surprise a lot of people this season.6th Man:?Andre Iguodala: Will win the only individual award for the Warriors.Coach of the Year: Brad Stevens: He is a genius and deserves the recognition.
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