How Robert Kraft met with commissioners of all major sports leagues to launch his foundation’s latest campaign
Robert Kraft founded the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism. Getty Images
They’re in a league of their own!
Patriots owner Robert Kraft’s Foundation to Combat Antisemitism is launching a new campaign with the commissioners of all the major sports leagues.
To build his team for #TimeOut Against Hate, we hear that Kraft met behind closed doors earlier this year with sports commissioners including Roger Goodell (NFL), Adam Silver (NBA), Rob Manfred (MLB), Gary Bettman (NHL), Don Garber (MLS), Cathy Engelbert (WNBA), Gary Bettman (NHL) and Jessica Berman (National Women’s Soccer League), as well as NASCAR president Steve Phelps.
“The new ad spot and campaign is the first of its kind in uniting major sports leagues, its commissioners and star athletes to champion the fight against all hate,” the foundation said.
Roger Goodell and the sports commissioners met with Kraft. Getty Images
Adam Silver and Shaquille O’Neal are on board. Getty Images for Turner Sports
The organization revealed in a release, “The new campaign was inspired by and created from a closed-door meeting between FCAS Founder Robert Kraft and major sports commissioners earlier this year as an opportunity for each league and its teams to take a larger, active role in propelling the fight against antisemitism and all hate.”
The ad will feature sports legends Billie Jean King, Shaquille O’Neal, Doc Rivers, Jim Harbaugh, Joe Torre and many more.
The spot is set to debut tonight as part of “Thursday Night Football” when the San Francisco 49ers play the Seahawks in Seattle.
A new ad features Billie Jean King and other sports icons. Getty Images for Lesbians Who Tech & Allies
The campaign was a hit with MLB head Rob Manfred. Getty Images
A new ad will air during Thursday night’s NFL game. BillieJeanKing/Twitter
Kraft said in a statement: “The ‘#TimeOut Against Hate’ campaign represents a powerful convergence of sports icons and leaders who are committed to fighting hate in all its forms.”
The billionaire, who founded the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism, added, “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. By uniting under a common cause, we amplify our message and demonstrate that 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.”
The meeting of all the commissioners happened earlier this year. Getty Images
This week, Kraft also lit the Empire State Building in blue for his foundation which has previously run moving ads during the Oscars and the Super Bowl and created the viral “blue square” campaign.
The campaign has been supported by Tom Brady, Jon Bon Jovi, Dave Matthews and other stars.
