How One Wrong DEI Action Can Take Down a Team – Or Company

It is a sports PR nightmare. One of the team’s executive staff or players makes a homophobic, insensitive or racist comment during a game. On a live microphone. During a televised match. That was the scenario facing Phoenix Rising FC’s Director of Communications and Marketing Jason Minnick and the team’s ownership.

Last season, one of the Rising players used a homophobic slur against San Diego Loyal’s openly gay player. During the confrontation, the coach was heard over a live microphone not only defending the player but dismissing the incident as part of the game. The team worked with Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Consultant and IABC Phoenix Board Member Curtis Steinhoff to handle the initial crisis, create a personal development plan for the coach and implement an outreach plan to the LGBTQ community.

How organizations react to this type of crisis situation not only potentially impacts their reputation, but their bottom line. Join Jason and Curtis for an inside scoop on what exactly happened, how the team reacted and what they have done since the incident to improve the team’s commitment to DEI. It is a session any communications professional will find engaging.

Part 1 | Lunch & Learn: How One Wrong DEI Action Can Take Down a Team – Or Company! (10/20)

Join us for our October Lunch & Learn featuring Phoenix Rising FC’s Director of Communications and Marketing, Jason Minnick and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Consultant and IABC Phoenix Board Member Curtis Steinhoff as they give us the inside scoop on what exactly happened, when one of the Rising players used a homophobic slur against San Diego Loyal’s openly gay player. During the confrontation, the coach was heard over a live microphone not only defending the player but dismissing the incident as part of the game.

Learn how the team reacted and what they have done since the incident to improve the team’s commitment to DEI. It is a session any communications professional will find engaging.

Register for Lunch & Learn

Part 2 | IABC discount tickets to the Phoenix Rising game VS Sacramento (10/23)

Please join us as we celebrate Oktoberfest on Saturday October 23rd at 7:30pm as we take on Sacramento FC.

It will be an experience! Ticket prices are $14-$30 each

Buy Tickets