ESPN & Beyond Sport debut Return to Play Fund PSA
JANUARY 30, 2023
AMID DECLINE IN SPORTS AND PLAY, ESPECIALLY IN COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, RETURN TO PLAY FUND PROVIDES RESOURCES TO HELP GET KIDS PLAYING AGAIN
ESPN and Beyond Sport debut new PSA narrated by SportsCenter anchor Jay Harris in support
New York, NY – In all its forms, sports and play can make people feel safe, part of and connected, especially kids. Participation can instill community and bring people together to help forge a sense of belonging. However, according to research, only 47% of Hispanic parents and 42% of African American parents anticipate their child resuming sports at the same or higher level than pre-pandemic. Black and Brown kids also have less access to safe, affordable play spaces that don’t require transportation. (Aspen Institute Project Play, 2021)
In response to the substantial disparities which were further exacerbated by the pandemic, global sport for social change foundation, Beyond Sport, and leading multimedia sports entertainment brand, ESPN, co-founded the Return to Play Fund (RTPF) in 2021 to use sport to promote youth mental and physical wellbeing, address racial inequities and increase access to safe facilities for recreation.
Guided by an Expert Advisory Council encompassing specialists in public health and trauma-informed responses, diversity, equity and inclusion and youth sports programming, the collaborative Fund supports nonprofit community sport organizations that are not only dedicated to getting young people of color moving again, but also in providing them with guidance and opportunities to grow, succeed and be confident in their abilities.
To engage the public in the effort, ESPN today released a Public Service Announcement (PSA) that calls for equal access for all kids to the resources they need to play sports, especially in underserved communities. Featuring SportsCenter anchor, Jay Harris, and youth from a Bronx, New York Boys & Girls Club, the spot will air across ESPN’s TV and digital platforms with an audio version running on Sirius XM Radio.
“At ESPN, we’re committed to continuing our support of communities of color to gain greater access to youth sports especially since sports and play provision for Black and Brown communities has always been inadequate and have become even more vulnerable following the coronavirus pandemic,” said Vice President of ESPN Corporate Citizenship, Kevin Martinez. “In addition to providing critical resources through the Return to Play Fund, we’re proud to use our media platforms to support this new PSA to bring greater awareness to this important issue.”
The PSA directs the audience to the RTPF campaign site, where digital resources for parents and guardians, young people, coaches and youth sports providers are available – in English and Spanish – to help navigate a healthy and equitable return to play. Beyond Sport compiled the resources from the Fund’s Expert Advisory Council members and other trusted sources to support active youth, diversity and inclusion, health and well-being and knowledge-building.
“The Return to Play Fund was created to address the needs of youth across the US at the intersection of race, sport and community development, targeting the systemic structures and behaviors that marginalize Black and Brown communities,” said Executive Director of Beyond Sport Fred Turner. Sport has the unique ability to bridge divides, teach and provide a safe space to work through adversity. Beyond Sport and our partners are proud to offer resources to help navigate a healthy and equitable return to play and thank ESPN for providing its powerful platform to expand the reach.”
The Return to Play Fund is supported by Founding Partners Beyond Sport and ESPN, Funding Partner The Pincus Family Foundation and Media Sponsor SiriusXM. To date, ESPN and The Pincus Family Foundation have invested $1.5 million across the three RTPF pillars of capacity building, infrastructure and advocacy.
For more information, please visit beyondsport.org/returntoplayfund. Partnership opportunities are available.
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CONTACTS:
BEYOND SPORT - Karen Asare, [email protected]
ESPN CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP – John Manzo, [email protected]
ABOUT BEYOND SPORT
Since 2008, Beyond Sport has supported initiatives, generated ideas and built partnerships that purposefully use sport to address the world’s most pressing social issues. Employing a unique and holistic approach, Beyond Sport’s programs leverage a global network of sport for social change innovators, progressive organizations and expertise built up over more than a decade to tackle challenges head on and collectively. To date, the organization has provided approximately $7.5M in grants to 258 projects, using 54 sports across 66 countries. www.beyondsport.org
ABOUT ESPN CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP
ESPN believes that, at its very best, sports uplift the human spirit. Its corporate citizenship programs use the power of sport to positively address society’s needs through strategic community investments, cause marketing programs, collaboration with sports organizations and employee volunteerism, while also utilizing its diverse media assets. www.espn.com/espn/citizenship
ABOUT SIRIUS XM HOLDINGS INC.
SiriusXM is the leading audio entertainment company in North America with a portfolio of audio businesses including its flagship subscription entertainment service SiriusXM; the ad-supported and premium music streaming services of Pandora; an expansive podcast network; and a suite of business and advertising solutions. Reaching a combined monthly audience of approximately 150 million listeners, SiriusXM offers a broad range of content for listeners everywhere they tune in with a diverse mix of live, on-demand, and curated programming across music, talk, news, and sports. For more about SiriusXM, please go to: www.siriusxm.com
ABOUT THE PINCUS FAMILY FOUNDATION
The Pincus Family Foundation was formed in 2005 by Philadelphia philanthropists David and Geraldine Pincus, who dedicated themselves to learning first-hand about the challenges children face worldwide and helping to address those challenges. It supports its nonprofit partners to develop and enhance programs that improve the lives of children, their families and their communities. Funding priorities include Creative and Performing Arts, Education, Health & Wellness and Play and Recreation. www.pincusfamilyfoundation.org