In a world where many billionaire sports team owners exemplify the worst in social awareness, there is a rare species named Arthur Blank.
Blank, the cofounder of Home Depot and owner of the Atlanta Falcons, has often demonstrated a perspective on issues often denigrated by the term “woke.” Many would characterize his philosophy as enlightened and refreshing.
As states all over the country, including Blank’s home state of Georgia, work to establish legislation that would hamper diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, Blank was asked his opinion of the recent spate of retrenching legislation. He did not equivocate:
“DEI covers all of us, whether you’re White or Black or Hispanic, or whatever you may be. So I’d be very much opposed to that. And you know, cutting back I mean.”
And
“The notion of pluralism and acceptance of everybody based on who they are and what they are and what they can do, et cetera, that should be the highest priority for our nation. And certainly, in terms of job placement, job opportunities, things of that nature. So I would not politically or socially be in favor” of efforts to roll back DEI.”
No mealy-mouth words. No wiggling.
Just full-on condemnation.
Meanwhile, the NFL’s Chief Diversity Officer was doing the exact opposite:
“We don’t really get involved in what’s going on with the states. What we’re focused on is what’s going on in the National Football League. We have our strategy, we have our vision, we have our goals and we’re going to continue that. That’s not going to stop, so we’re not really concerned about what’s going on specifically in the states as it relates to what our priorities are.”
Sounds like the wrong person is serving as the Chief Diversity Officer. Were that Blank could serve in that capacity.
At a time when it is popular in many circles to decry equality and fairness, Blank advocates for it in clear and unambiguous terms. It is easily to see why he is considered one of the League’s best owners by players, and why his occasional direct involvement in landing players has continually reaped benefits.
Unlike his fellow Home Depot cofounder Bernie Marcus, an unabashed Trump supporter who has decried the current work environment as socialist and responsible for making people “too lazy, fat, and stupid to work,” Blank demonstrates his understanding of current inequality.
One can hope that more sports owners will exhibit Arthur Blanks’ compassionate perspective.
Not likely, but one can hope.