The Shift | Identity

adidas Canada announces Hockey Diversity Alliance co-founder Akim Aliu as national brand ambassador

adidas Canada has announced the official signing of a long-term partnership with Akim Aliu, professional hockey player and co-founder of the Hockey Diversity Alliance.

Black women sweep the podium at 2022 U.S. Gymnastics Championships

History was made at the 2022 U.S. Gymnastics Championships as for the first time in history, three Black women swept the podium at the competition.

Serena Williams’ legacy, on and off the court

Serena Williams’ legacy reaches beyond what she achieved on the court, and what she championed off the court will positively impact future generations of female tennis players.

How has the NHL supported the LGBTQ+ community since Luke Prokop’s coming out?

Since his coming out, here’s what Luke Prokop and the league have done to continue supporting LGBTQ+ people in the sport of hockey and beyond.

Transgender runner Nikki Hiltz becomes newest lululemon ambassador

Nikki Hiltz, a transgender and nonbinary mid-distance runner, signed a partnership with lululemon yesterday as the brand’s newest ambassador and will wear the brand in their upcoming race.

World swimming bans transgender athletes from women's events

World swimming’s governing body has effectively banned transgender women from competing in women’s events, starting Monday. FINA members widely adopted a new “gender inclusion policy” on Sunday that only permits swimmers who transitioned before age 12 to compete in women’s events. The organization also proposed an “open competition category.”

Hockey Diversity Alliance launches youth ball hockey skills program in Toronto

The Hockey Diversity Alliance, an organization aiming to eradicate systematic racism and intolerance in hockey, has launched a grassroots program in Toronto for children who want to play ball hockey.

New York Rangers announce Jessica Campbell as coach for 2022 development camp

The New York Rangers have announced that Jessica Campbell will join their 2022 Development Camp as a coach, becoming the first woman in the history of the Original Six franchises to serve in such a role.

MLS and Black Players for Change set to commemorate Juneteenth

MLS and Black Players for Change, an independent organization consisting of Black players, coaches and staff from the league, have teamed up to commemorate Juneteenth. MLS teams will be wearing jerseys during the weekend of June 18 and June 19 to celebrate the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans.

Mellody Hobson set to become first Black female NFL team owner

With the Denver Broncos' $4.65 billion sale agreement in the final stages of approval, Mellody Hobson is set to become a part-owner of the team and the first Black female NFL owner.

NFL's 1st trans cheerleader to 'break down' doors

Raptors launch petition for National Gun Violence Awareness Day in Canada

The Toronto Raptors have launched a petition to observe National Gun Violence Awareness Day in Canada, where Canadians can honour the victims and survivors of gun violence and bring awareness to the issue.

Candace Parker named to the 2022 TIME 100 list of most influential people

A day after she became the oldest player ever to record a triple-double in WNBA history, the accolades continue to roll in for the Chicago Sky’s Candace Parker as she was named to the TIME 100 list of the most influential people in 2022.

Saroya Tinker wins PHF Foundation Award, donates to Black Girl Hockey Club

Toronto Six defender Saroya Tinker of the Premier Hockey Federation has won the 2022 PHF Foundation Award.

SI commemorates 50 years since Title IX

Sports Illustrated’s June cover commemorates 50 years since Title IX and the legacy it holds. In June of 1972, a federal civil rights law passed in the United States of America as a part of the Education Amendments of 1972. Title IX recognized gender equity in education as a civil right and prohibited sex-based discrimination in any school or any other education program that receives funding from the federal government – changing women’s sports forever.

More than 60 diverse nominees for NFL's inaugural coach and front office accelerator program

Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich are among more than 60 diverse head coach and general manager candidates slated to attend the inaugural coach and front office accelerator program next week at the NFL spring meetings in Atlanta. Each NFL team nominated at least one candidate to attend the two-day program, which is scheduled to take place on Monday and Tuesday to coincide with the NFL's meetings.

Jake Daniels' teammate apologizes after homophobic tweets resurface

In light of Daniel’s announcement, fellow Blackpool FC teammate Marvin Ekpiteta has released an apology over some homophobic tweets from 2012 and 2013 that had resurfaced. Ekpiteta has deleted the offensive posts and addressed the issue publicly saying, “I want to wholeheartedly apologise for the offensive and completely inappropriate language I used, and for the sentiments I expressed…Yesterday, I was proud of Jake and all involved at Blackpool FC for what is a hugely positive moment for football as a whole…I am embarrassed by the comments I made as a 17-year-old, nearly a decade ago, which do not in any way reflect the values I hold now or the beliefs I have as a person or as a team-mate.”

U.S. Soccer equalizes pay in milestone with women, men

The U.S. Soccer Federation reached milestone agreements to pay its men's and women's teams equally, making the American national governing body the first in the sport to promise both sexes matching money.

Naomi Osaka leaving IMG to launch her own sports agency

Tennis star Naomi Osaka is moving on from IMG as her representation and is launching her own sports agency titled EVOLVE, per Sportico's Kurt Badenhausen.

Naomi Osaka pushes her mental health advocacy forward with newest partnership

The four-time Grand Slam champion is continuing to use her platform to help others and announced this week that she will be joining forces with Modern Health, a workplace mental health platform, to raise further awareness and destigmatize mental health care among younger generations and marginalized communities.

Afghanistan women's national team plays first competitive match in exile

Eight months after being forced to flee for their lives as the Taliban seized control of their homeland, the Afghanistan women's national team marked another monumental step in their journey on Sunday, officially returning to competitive football. On a small pitch at Delahey Reserve, half-an-hour's drive west of Melbourne, Australia, the national team in exile took to the field for the first game of Victoria's 2022 State League 4 campaign, playing out a scoreless 90 minutes against ETA Buffalo.

Steph Curry launches junior golf tour to help underprivileged kids

Steph Curry is launching a junior golf tour to help make the game more accessible to underprivileged kids.

Osaka launches site to empower girls

First Indigenous woman to scout in NHL calls for more diversity, inclusion in hockey

Brigette Lacquette recalls trying out for her first summer hockey team with her sister and the unwelcoming vibe that greeted them in the dressing room. The First Nations siblings from Mallard, Man., had already navigated the barrier of extensive, expensive travel just to be there.

NFL warned to improve treatment of women

The attorneys general of six states have written to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell , expressing concern over the league’s treatment of female employees and admonishing him for a lack of improvement to the league’s workplace culture. Without improvement, the attorneys general warned of potential legal action.

Record attendance: 91,553 watch women's game in Barcelona

Women's soccer celebrated a milestone Wednesday when a world-record crowd of more than 91,000 people watched Barcelona defeat Real Madrid 5-2 in the Champions League at the Camp Nou Stadium.

Pride apologizes for not allowing display of 'Gay' banner

NHL trailblazer Willie O’Ree joins Boston Pride’s ownership group

The Premier Hockey Federation’s Boston Pride announced on Thursday that hockey legend and Hall of Famer Willie O’Ree is joining its ownership group.