Top pro sports leagues’ commissioners join in antihate campaign

Top pro sports leagues’ commissioners joined in on a new antihate campaign spearheaded by New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft’s foundation. 

The campaign, launched by Kraft’s Foundation to Combat Antisemitism, released an ad titled “Time Out Against Hate” on Thursday. It was made in collaboration with the National Basketball Association (NBA), the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, the National Women’s Soccer League, NASCAR and the National Football League. 

The ad includes current and past sports heavyweights, ranging from Tennis legend Billie Jean King and four-time NBA champion Shaquille O’Neal to four-time WNBA champion Candace Parker. It will debut Thursday night as part of Amazon Prime Video’s football programming as the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks face off.

“The ‘#Timeout Against Hate’ campaign represents a powerful convergence of sports icons and leaders who are committed to fighting hate in all its forms,” Kraft said. “In sports, we call a ‘timeout’ when things are heading in the wrong direction and right now, in our country, hate is winning, and we need to change the momentum.”  

“Bringing together the commissioners of North America’s major sports leagues for this campaign is a historic and crucial step in our fight against all hate,” he added.  

The launch of the campaign comes days after an Anti-Defamation League (ADL) report said there have been more than 10,000 antisemitic incidents in the U.S. since the Palestinian militant group Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. 

Kraft said the campaign showcases the power of sports “extends beyond stadiums, arenas and fields, and into our communities.” 

“This initiative is a call to action for everyone to join us in creating a world where hate is met with a unified stand for empathy, understanding and respect,” he said. 

Kraft convened a meeting earlier this year with most of the commissioners where they discussed fighting antisemitism and other forms of hate.