A Seat At The Table
Recently, Sean P. Diddy Combs announced that he wants to buy a majority stake in the Carolina Panthers. The NFL Team is now up for sale after it’s owner, Jerry Richardson, has been accused of “workplace misconduct.” On Sunday, Diddy posted a video announcing his intentions to seek ownership of the team, and it sparked varying responses.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYc046YKzlw
Change The Game
It would be a game changer because there are no African Americans who are majority stakeholders of any of the 32 NFL teams. For the most part, the NFL is a white male club. The owner of the Jaguars, Shahid Khan, is the only NFL owner who isn’t white. If Diddy were to hold a majority stake in the Carolina Panthers, that could refocus the conversation on players’ rights to protest police violence. I suspect it would also open up new conversations about diversifying the league in terms of corporate, back office, and stadium employees. This could literally change the game, and ya’ll know we most definitely want to see Diddy produced halftime shows.
Teamwork Makes The Dream Work
Some pretty heavy hitters from the sports world have shown support for Diddy’s aspirations. Both Stephen Curry, of the NBA’s Golden State Warriors, and Colin Kaepernick have expressed interest in becoming investors.
I️ want in! https://t.co/XvvC1vo7xI
— Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) December 18, 2017
I want in on the ownership group! Let’s make it happen! https://t.co/sDR4ciciY8
— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) December 18, 2017
The owner of the New England Patriots, Bob Kraft, also weighed in, and showed support for Diddy.
“I’m a big fan of Diddy. … He’s a good businessman. He’s a very good businessman and I have a lot of respect for Diddy.”
-Bob Kraft
Player Hating Degree
While Diddy has received plenty of support, ya’ll know there’s always going to be somebody player hating from the sidelines. An African American anchor on a San Francisco news station has had to apologize for making racialized statement about Diddy’s Instagram video where he announced his desire to purchase the Panthers. Henry Wofford said:
“The guy looks high right there in this video. He looks like he just smoked a blunt and drank a 40. Come on, I’m not taking him seriously.”
I Thought I Told Ya That We Won’t Stop!
I’m looking forward to seeing how this plays out. It would be a moment in history and in culture, if a group of Black men can collaborate to make a play for an NFL team. If anybody can do it, Diddy can. He’s done similar things in the fashion industry and in the alcoholic beverage business. Something tells me that he won’t stop. The time is now.
Written By Nicci Page (Writer | Lawyer | Seaker | Creative)
@realglowandflow
Colin Kaepernick cares About Civil Rights
