Editor’s Pick
MAY 17, 2011 10:25AM
Phoenix Sun's CEO Rick Welts Makes a Courageous Disclosure
Professional sports is a homophobic world. Sexual orientation is part of the 'trash talk' that occurs constantly in sports. Sometimes, it becomes public. A recent example was a homophobic slur by Kobe Bryant that was directed at a referee. Unfortunately for Bryant, this utterance was caught on a national telecast of the game. The National Basketball Association (NBA) fined Bryant $100,000 and the subsequent apologies from Bryant followed.
There is no openly gay male who is playing in the NBA. In fact, there is no open gay athlete, participating in any professional American sport. This is what makes a recent self disclosure by Rick Welts so ground breaking. Rick Welts is the Chief Executive Officer of the NBA Phoenix Suns and he is gay:
"... In an interview with The Associated Press on Monday, Welts explained why he chose such a public forum to announce his sexual orientation.
"One was to engender conversation about the topic, which is not discussed in our industry," he said. "The other was if there was a chance to do some good for people, young people, who are struggling with their own issues and wondering whether or not they could pursue their passions and have a chance to have a successful career, whether that was team sports or something else.""
This is an act of courage and there has been a highly supportive response for Mr Welts. The question is whether it will make a significant difference in the locker room. For the Phoenix Suns, with respected veteran players like Steve Nash and Grant Hill, the disclosure may be a welcomed part of the organization's culture.
The next major step will be the open disclosure of an active athlete. In the news media, CNN broadcaster Don Lemon has disclosed that he is gay. Mr Lemon acknowledges that his openness comes with risk, especially for an African American male.
For Mr Welts and Mr Lemon, their personal lives have become part of the news headlines. Progress may be measured when such private personal matters no longer generate intense media scrutiny... and risk.
Catherine Forsythe
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Erica K
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Comments
Rated with hugs
also, as I read somewhere (Espn.com?) it would be more meaningful in role model terms if an athlete or coach "came out'. Mr. Welts works on the "business side" of the sport.