NEW YORK (AP) — Kim Davis, a Black woman hired five years ago to help the NHL with diversity initiatives, was not surprised by much of the league’s first workplace demographic study.
“We are where we expected to be, but now we have the facts to back it up,” Davis said.
The data backed up the expectations: nearly 84% of employees across the league and its 32 teams are white, and nearly 62% are men. The 24-page report presented to the Board of Governors — the biggest topic discussed at their annual fall meeting — also shows the NHL’s path forward.
The NHL has received plenty of criticism for being slow in the diversity department. Now, with an independent race and gender report card on the way and a baseline set, observers expect to see signs of progress, which could potentially help hockey grow revenue beyond the record $5.4 billion from last season if the growth into some underserved communities happens according to plan.
“If the NHL is able to diversify its workforce and audience, then it can ensure that the league will survive and thrive,” said Mikah Thompson, an associate dean at the University of Missouri-Kansas City law school and an expert on racial diversity issues.
“While pursuing diversity and inclusion is the right thing to do, it is also good for the league’s bottom line,” Thompson added. “A more diverse NHL workforce, including more diversity among its player ranks, will result in greater interest in the sport. The NHL’s fan base will grow once diverse people see themselves represented in the league.”
Representation, Davis said, is key at all levels, not just players, coaches and hockey operations executives. There has been progress in the front office with San Jose making Mike Grier the first Black general manager and six women being named assistant GMs.
But it’s not as easy as recruiting people of color. While the NFL and NBA, in particular, have established a pipeline of talent in nonwhite communities, the NHL is still building one.
