Beyond Sport & ESPN embark on new series that convenes senior leaders in sport, business and government

Ahead of the anticipated annual Beyond Sport United event this summer, top representatives from the U.S. major leagues, global brands and innovative development organizations gathered in New York to discuss the importance of responsible leadership.

Beyond Sport, the leading global organization in sport for social change, cemented its US presence through a new partnership with renowned sports brand, ESPN, on Wednesday March 3rd, with the launch of the ESPN Leadership Dinner Series.

As part of Beyond Sport’s on-going commitment to promoting the power of sports to drive positive social change, the ESPN Leadership Dinner Series will provide Beyond Sport with a year-round platform in the US to further the discussion on the role sport can play in breaking down barriers and creating a positive impact in communities. The series is an expansion on previous work achieved with Founding Supporters, MLB, MLS, NBA, NFL, NHL and WNBA at Beyond Sport United, Beyond Sport’s annual US flagship event, hosted at the Yankee Stadium since 2011.

The ESPN Leadership Dinner Series opened with an influential gathering, examining the role of leadership in both sports and civil society. Speaking at the event, New York City FC President and CEO, Tom Glick and Lord Michael Hastings CBE Global Head of Citizenship at KPMG, discussed the role major sports teams can play in communities and how sports, business and politics can work together to leave a lasting social legacy.

“It’s a privilege to be in New York and we have to earn the right to be thought of as a club that serves its fans and this city. We need to use the power of soccer to inspire and empower people,” said New York City FC CEO Tom Glick.

Other guests on the night included: New York Jets President and CEO, Neil Glat; Don Smolenski, President, Philadelphia Eagles; Caryl Stern, President & CEO, US Fund for UNICEF; Brett Yormak, President & CEO, Brooklyn Nets and Greg Del Monte, Managing Director, Investment, Barclays amongst others.

Speaking of Beyond Sport’s progression in the US, Nick Keller, Founder of Beyond Sport commented:

“Being the first organization to bring together all the major sports leagues in the US and now partnering with the biggest global sports brand, ESPN, is an extremely exciting step for Beyond Sport. We’re proud to call ourselves a global organization and the expansion in the US reiterates this. ESPN are at the forefront of American and world sports and with this power ESPN can be a driving force to continue the conversation on how leaders in sports and business can play a role in creating positive social change.”

“We are so proud to work with Beyond Sport. At ESPN we hope to empower and engender change wherever we can. Sport has taken on a new role and we have to be conscious of that,” said Kevin Martinez, Vice President, Corporate Citizenship, ESPN.

With a network of 2,214 organizations from 145 countries, and an already established international global events portfolio, Beyond Sport is proud to have worked with some of the world’s leading brands including Founding Partners: MLB, MLS, NBA, NFL, NHL and the WNBA; Global Partners Barclays, TIME and UNICEF, as well as ESPN. Previous events have brought together the likes of former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, Muhammad Ali, David Beckham, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, NBA legend Dikembe Mutombo, Chairman and CEO of the Special Olympics, Timothy Shriver and NFL legend, Brian Dawkins amongst others, to discuss how sports can be used to combat key challenges in todays’ society.