Activism group disappointed in Provorov’s boycott

Published

2 years ago

January 19, 2023

admin

3:52 PM ET

You Can Play, the NHL’s longtime social activism partner, wants to work with Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov after he “negatively impacted” Pride Night by boycotting warmups.

Provorov did not take the pregame skate Tuesday night because he refused to wear the team’s LGBTQ+ Pride Night warmup jersey or use a stick with rainbow tape, citing his religious beliefs. He told reporters after the Flyers’ 5-2 home win over the Anaheim Ducks that it was his choice “to stay true to myself and my religion,” which he identified as Russian Orthodox.

“I respect everyone. I respect everybody’s choices,” he said.

You Can Play COO Kurt Weaver said his organization has reached out to the Flyers and Provorov to provide “additional information and a better understanding of the situation” in the aftermath.

“We do this with a lot of our partners where, after an incident like this, we’ll come in and run education sessions for the whole team, for the coaches, for the individual players on a one-on-one basis,” said Weaver, adding that the Flyers have used the organization’s education programs in the past. “A lot of times it’s just that they’ve never had proximity to someone in their life who’s been out. Just to meet somebody who’s another human being goes a long way.”

You Can Play has partnered with the NHL since 2013 and has been a driving force behind the league’s “Hockey Is For Everyone” campaign. Weaver said his team reached out to the NHL ahead of the league’s statement on the Provorov situation but did not have a hand in crafting that message.

The NHL, in response to ESPN’s request for comment, said Wednesday in a statement that players are “free to decide which initiatives to support.”

“Hockey is for Everyone is the umbrella initiative under which the league encourages Clubs to celebrate the diversity that exists in their respective markets, and to work to achieve more welcoming and inclusive environments for all fans,” the league said in its statement to ESPN. “Clubs decide whom to celebrate, when and how — with league counsel and support. Players are free to decide which initiatives to support, and we continue to encourage their voices and perspectives on social and cultural issues.”

Weaver expressed disappointment with the way the Flyers and coach John Tortorella handled the situation Tuesday night. The coach said he never considered scratching Provorov for missing warmups and said he respected the defenseman for “being true to himself and to his religion” in not participating.

“The concept of ‘team’ can mean a lot of things. I think more coaches have to ask what that cohesion of a team means to them. At what point does a decision like this that a player wants to make cross over into basically not showing up for your job?” Weaver said. “I think [Tortorella] did what a coach needs to do, which is support his player’s decision. But I would hope that, behind the scenes, there’s some more direct conversations around what it means to be a teammate.”

In particular, You Can Play was disappointed that Provorov chose not to take part in what was essentially a charity fundraiser. The Pride Night jerseys and sticks were auctioned off to support Flyers Charities, with proceeds going toward their efforts to grow the game in underserved communities. Several of the jerseys have already been bid over $500, with one cresting over $1,200.

“Players who do this sort of thing have a very short perspective on what it means. For me, religion is about charity and inclusion,” Weaver said. “This wasn’t just about a player and a jersey on a patch of ice. What else was affected by this? Visibility and proximity is what breeds understanding and inclusion, and those things were negatively impacted by this. It’s disappointing to see that’s the outcome from this.”

The Flyers have been one of the most ardent supporters of the LGBTQ+ community. They’ve held annual Pride nights. Players such as James van Riemsdyk and Scott Laughton have donated tickets to that community every home game. The team’s mascot, Gritty, also participated in the Philadelphia Pride parade.

“If you embrace the LGBTQ+ community, it will embrace you back. A whole new set of fans came aboard that day,” Weaver said. “Now, when you see an incident like this, how many fans were lost last night, despite all the good work the Flyers have done.”

That said, Weaver and You Can Play believe it’s important to focus on the strides the NHL and hockey have made in diversity and inclusion.

“We’re going to have individuals that don’t want to hop onboard the team. That’s unfortunate. But I’d say, 13 years ago, we might have had three people wearing Pride jerseys. Now we have one not wearing them. We have to acknowledge the progress,” he said.

Sports

Knight’s Choice salutes in Melbourne Cup boilover

Published

9 hours ago

November 5, 2024

admin

Knight's Choice salutes in Melbourne Cup boilover

Knight’s Choice has won the 2024 Melbourne Cup, defeating Warp Speed and Okita Soushi in a thrilling finish at Flemington on Tuesday afternoon.

The massive outsider saluted for Irish-born jockey Robbie Dolan, who claimed victory in what was his first ever ride in the “race that stops a nation”.

In what was a gripping 164th staging of Australia’s most-watched thoroughbred race, Knight’s Choice proved too strong in a sprint to the finish, pulling over the top of Okita Soushi and holding off Warp Speed by the barest of margins.

Trained by John Symons and Sheila Laxon on the Sunshine Coast, Knight’s Choice was well down the betting across all markets. It was Laxon’s second Melbourne Cup triumph after she trained Ethereal to victory 23 years ago.

“This is the pinnacle of all pinnacles, this is the Melbourne Cup,” Symons said.

Zardozi rounded out the first four.

As the field approached the final few hundred metres it appeared as though Jamie Kah, aboard Okita Soushi, would become just the second woman to ride the winner in the Melbourne Cup. But Okita Soushi was swallowed up as the winning post neared, with Knight’s Choice beating Warp Speed to the line after a peach of a ride from Dolan.

“We’ll be singing tonight after a few beers,” Dolan, who was a contestant on the 2022 edition of “The Voice”, told Channel 9.

“It is amazing and a lot of people doubted this little horse. Doubt me now.”

Laxon was more than happy with the ride, with Dolan threading his way through the field from near last on the bend.

“He started the race, and he knew how to ride him. We didn’t give him instructions, he knew what to do,” she said.

“I love it being down for the Australians. The Australian horse has done it, and Robbie is Australian now as well, so I’m thrilled to win the Cup, and it is the people’s Cup, and that’s what it is all about.”

Knight’s Choice is just the sixth Australian-bred horse to win since 1993, and the first since Vow and Declare back in 2019.

The five-year-old gelding carried only 51kg to victory and was making its first start over the 3200m trip. It had most recently come off a fifth-placed finish in the Bendigo Cup, but had showed sparing little form this preparation otherwise.

“I watched every Melbourne Cup for the last 40 years. I thought my best chance was to get him to stay the trip and, hopefully, he can run home and do the quick sectionals he can on a good track and he proved everybody wrong,” Dolan said.

Sports

Brewers’ Montas, Rea headed to free agency

Published

12 hours ago

November 5, 2024

admin

Brewers' Montas, Rea headed to free agency

Associated Press

Nov 4, 2024, 05:56 PM ET

MILWAUKEE — The Brewers‘ starting rotation could have a new look next season with right-handers Frankie Montas and Colin Rea heading into free agency.

The Brewers announced Monday that Montas had declined his part of a $20 million mutual option for 2025. The Brewers turned down the $5.5 million club option on Rea’s contract.

Montas receives a $2 million buyout and Rea gets a $1 million buyout.

In other moves Monday, right-hander Kevin Herget was claimed off waivers by the New York Mets, and left-hander Rob Zastryzny was claimed off waivers by the Chicago Cubs. First baseman Jake Bauers and right-hander Bryse Wilson cleared waivers and were sent outright to Triple-A Nashville.

Montas, 31, had a combined 7-11 record with a 4.84 ERA and 148 strikeouts over 150⅔ innings in 30 starts for the Cincinnati Reds and Brewers this season. He was 3-3 with a 4.55 ERA in 11 starts for the Brewers, who acquired him just before the trade deadline.

Rea, 34, was 12-6 with a 4.28 ERA this season in 32 appearances, including 27 starts. He struck out 135 in 167⅔ innings. Rea had an 8.31 ERA in September and was left off the Brewers’ NL Wild Card Series roster.

Herget, 33, had no record with one save and a 1.59 ERA in seven appearances with Milwaukee this year. He was 5-1 with four saves and a 2.27 ERA in 38 relief outings with Triple-A Nashville.

Zastryzny, 32, was 1-0 with a 1.17 ERA in nine appearances with Milwaukee. He pitched in 30 games with Nashville and went 4-0 with a 3.03 ERA.

The 29-year-old Bauers batted .199 with a .301 on-base percentage, 12 homers and 43 RBIs in 116 games this season. He also hit a seventh-inning homer that broke a scoreless tie in the decisive Game 3 of the Wild Card Series with the Mets, who rallied in the ninth to win 4-2.

Wilson, who turns 27 on Dec. 20, went 5-4 with a 4.04 ERA in 34 appearances, including nine starts.

Sports

Maton hits free agency after Mets decline option

Published

12 hours ago

November 5, 2024

admin

Maton hits free agency after Mets decline option

Associated Press

Nov 4, 2024, 05:41 PM ET

SAN ANTONIO — Right-hander Phil Maton became a free agent Monday after the New York Mets declined his $7,775,000 option in favor of a $250,000 buyout.

The 31-year-old was 2-1 with a 2.51 ERA in his first season with New York, which acquired him from Tampa Bay on July 9. Maton was 3-3 with a 3.66 ERA in a career-high 71 games overall and had a $6.25 million salary.

New York also announced left-hander Sean Manaea declined his $13.5 million option to become a free agent for the third consecutive offseason. Manaea agreed to a contract in January that included a $14.5 million salary for 2024, and the 32-year-old went 12-6 with a 3.47 ERA in 32 starts, striking out 184 and walking 63 in 181⅔ innings.

After dropping his arm slot in midseason, he became the Mets most effective starting pitcher and went 6-2 with a 3.09 ERA.