We Seek to Help Level the Playing Field

Change must happen. It’s long overdue.

We stand with our teammates, athletes, and communities in the fight against injustice, racism, and intolerance.

We refuse to sit on the sidelines.

We also recognize we don’t have all the answers. We aren’t always going to get it right. Our intentions for and commitment to real change run deep, and we know we have a lot more to learn to be a better partner.

We’d be remiss not to thank our global team and members of our extended Wilson family for their support and willingness to have meaningful conversations. We are listening. We are setting forth a path that will foster a more diverse team – at all levels of our company – and create a more inclusive and equitable work environment.

We know it is only in the acknowledgment and celebration of diverse voices, perspectives, and backgrounds that we all become stronger and act with greater purpose. These conversations will never stop – nor should they – as they will help us every day become a better team, company, and employer.

We are re-laying a foundation and will build upon it. These are our first steps toward helping to build stronger, more equitable communities:

• We are working with our nationwide partners like Good Sports, Pitch in for Baseball and Softball, USTA Foundation – among others – to provide greater access to play and sports. We believe that physical activity and playing sports can be a difference-maker in people’s lives.
• Our immediate goal is to donate 100,000 new pieces of gear and apparel to our partners, which will be directed to Black, Indigenous, and People-of-Color (BIPOC) communities and minority-focused sports programs. This includes building on our initiatives in the only hometown we’ve ever known, Chicago.
• We understand that injustice, racism, intolerance, and inequality isn’t just about sports gear and playing sports. Over the next six months, we will roll out new give-back programs. Funds and resources from these programs will be donated to organizations fighting systemic racism and injustice, as well as groups who champion education, career opportunities, and mentoring for BIPOC people in the sports industry.
• We’re partnering with our Advisory Staff, minority-owned businesses, and BIPOC creators and collaborators to support and amplify their voices and stories.
• We have kicked off Wilson Action Days; an effort focused on supporting and growing the communities we serve, including and importantly Chicago. Wilson Action Days will increase access to the joy of play, emphasize food and nutrition, and offer mentorship opportunities for BIPOC people interested in careers in the sports industry.
• These Action Days extend to our individual team members too, where we are helping connect our team members with their passions. Every Wilson team member has three paid days off a year to volunteer and give back to their communities in ways they choose. This amounts to a collective 20,000 hours to fight for and support our communities.

We believe sports can bring people together, deepen understanding, open opportunity, better lives, and incite fundamental change. And that we can use our platforms, resources, and sports to challenge bias and create greater equality.

We understand we have more to do. And as we learn more, we will do more and create more.

Most importantly, transformation takes collaboration. We invite your input as we work as one to fight systemic racism and injustice together.

Please send your feedback to letsmakechange@wilson.com.