Welcome to Last Week’s Wins #9!
This week we highlight inclusion and opportunity creation.
Quick shoutout to now 7-time World Champion, Lewis Hamilton, who continues to break down barriers around the globe in his sport.
Every week the sports and entertainment industry takes positive steps forward and global audiences are noticing the impact. Let’s continue to build on these purpose-driven initiatives as an industry and lead the world in addressing the issues in front of us.
Thank you for following and sharing the Win-Win-Win Substack another week!
WINS THIS WEEK
Miami Marlins hire MLB’s first female GM
Formula 1 partners with W Series to promote female drivers
Torrey and Chanel Smith supporting Hilton Rec Center in Baltimore
WHY THESE WINS MATTER
KIM NG BECOMES MARLINS GENERAL MANAGER
On Friday, the Miami Marlins announced the hiring of Kim Ng as their new GM. She is the first female and first Asian American GM in major sports leagues in the United States.
The news traveled through not just the sports industry, and the general public quickly learned about Kim Ng’s extensive experience. Her baseball experience began in 1990 and includes time with the White Sox, Assistant GM roles for the Yankees and Dodgers, and nine years as SVP of MLB Baseball Operations.
Marlins CEO and MLB Hall of Fame 2020 Inductee Derek Jeter has fully endorsed her as the perfect leader to take on the challenge of developing a Championship contending MLB franchise.
"Her leadership of our baseball operations team will play a major role on our path toward sustained success. Additionally, her extensive work in expanding youth baseball and softball initiatives will enhance our efforts to grow the game among our local youth as we continue to make a positive impact on the South Florida community." - Derek Jeter
Ng has the perfect mix of baseball knowledge and community involvement. As GM for the Miami Marlins, she will have the opportunity to connect with a large South Florida community that has more than half a million children living under the poverty line.
"This challenge is one I don't take lightly. When I got into this business, it seemed unlikely a woman would lead a Major League team, but I am dogged in the pursuit of my goals. My goal is now to bring Championship baseball to Miami. I am both humbled and eager to continue building the winning culture our fans expect and deserve." - Kim Ng
When I saw this news, I immediately thought back to a “Diversity in Sports” panel hosted by the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies that I watched in August. Kim, alongside experienced professionals like Georgetown professor Jimmy Lynn, provided great detail about the development of their unique careers. Kim was an incredibly down to earth person and was open to discussing and learning from all participants.
FORMULA 1 x W SERIES PARTNERSHIP
Formula 1 has an extremely high barrier to entry. Over the past few years, F1 has focused on a variety of initiatives towards increasing diversity, inclusion, and sustainability. The #WeRaceAsOne campaign began in 2020 to bring the motorsport world together through the pandemic and in the face of global inequality.
To be fully transparent, there have been questions surrounding the authenticity of the initiatives and whether drivers speaking out have the true support of F1 and the motorsport community.
Despite these challenges, F1 has been spearheading a variety of initiatives such as a clear sustainability plan. F1 has now partnered with the W Series to promote women in motorsport. The W Series is the leading motor racing championship for female drivers. The series kicked off in 2019 and has agreed to feature as support races on eight F1 race weekends in 2021.
2019 W Series Champion - Jamie Chadwick
"Everything that made W Series so popular and successful in 2019 will remain. We want W Series to entertain, and entertain it will. But we also want it to become a crucial default-option stepping stone for any female racing driver who wants to carve out a professional racing career, and our proximity to Formula 1 will help and enhance that process.” - W Series CEO Catherine Bond Muir
This partnership is aligning W Series goals with F1 and opening more doors for inclusivity and diversity in motor sport. Willy T Ribbs and Lewis Hamilton broke barriers as black drivers, Alex Albon is breaking barriers as one of the first Thai drivers, and now opportunities will arise for women to break barriers in the sport on a global stage.
The biggest challenge to the authenticity of these inclusion initiatives is the fact that F1 races in countries like Saudi Arabia, where women’s rights and advancements are extremely hindered.
It will be interesting to see which eight countries will feature the W Series. It is expected that both the United States and Mexican Grand Prix will be included on the schedule.
This partnership is a win for inclusivity in sports. Now, the global audience in motorsport will have to closely monitor the decisions made by all involved parties to ensure accountability. There is a chance for long-term solutions and legacies to be created if these initiatives are operated authentically and with the right goals in mind.
TORREY AND CHANEL SMITH SUPPORTING HILTON REC CENTER IN BALTIMORE
Last Tuesday, former Baltimore Raven Torrey Smith and his wife, Chanel Smith, announced a partnership with Baltimore City Recreation & Parks to support the renovation and activities at the Hilton Recreation Center in West Baltimore . The Smith family is leading the partnership through their Level 82 organization.
Hilton Rec Center has been closed since 2008. This partnership will create new opportunities for youth in the area to have access to a safe place and great programming. The Smith’s admitted they are nervous for what is ahead, but are excited to develop more relationships in the community. It is clear that their intention to invest in Baltimore is authentic.
"Torrey and I became adults in this city, we grew to love the community and the people in it, and we really believe there's so much potential here in Baltimore." - Chanel Smith
When professional athletes come to Baltimore, they become attached to the atmosphere of the people in the city. Baltimore is also home to a variety of professional athletes. United Journey #2 focused on finding ways for athletes to make an impact. This win also highlights the potential of former athletes who want to make a difference in communities that influenced their lives.
“I am looking forward to continue to educate myself and continue to bring everyone together to help create a better Baltimore” - Torrey Smith