1 00:00:10,640 --> 00:00:13,680 Speaker 1: Welcome to Playmakers. I'm Haley Ellwood and today my guest 2 00:00:13,840 --> 00:00:17,400 Speaker 1: is Angela Lichica. Angela is the president and CEO of 3 00:00:17,480 --> 00:00:20,520 Speaker 1: Lichica Sports and she also serves as the managing director 4 00:00:20,600 --> 00:00:23,280 Speaker 1: of the Player's Coalition. So, Angela, thank you so much 5 00:00:23,360 --> 00:00:25,720 Speaker 1: for coming on, Thank you so much for having me. 6 00:00:25,760 --> 00:00:27,400 Speaker 1: I'm excited to be here. I know we were just 7 00:00:27,400 --> 00:00:30,000 Speaker 1: talking off camera. This is like the magic of Playmakers 8 00:00:30,040 --> 00:00:32,760 Speaker 1: because earlier this season I have Tracy Odie Blunt from 9 00:00:32,760 --> 00:00:36,360 Speaker 1: the NFL on we finish, and instantly after the conversation, 10 00:00:36,440 --> 00:00:38,199 Speaker 1: She's like, you know what you need to connect with 11 00:00:38,360 --> 00:00:41,320 Speaker 1: You need to connect with Angela because obviously so much 12 00:00:41,320 --> 00:00:44,320 Speaker 1: in twenty twenty has happened, and there's so many conversations 13 00:00:44,360 --> 00:00:46,720 Speaker 1: that we need to continue to have, and so I 14 00:00:46,760 --> 00:00:49,600 Speaker 1: really really look forward to this one today. It's great. 15 00:00:50,200 --> 00:00:53,320 Speaker 1: So you created Lichica Sports in two thousand and seven. 16 00:00:53,360 --> 00:00:57,680 Speaker 1: You have over two decades experience in sports, media philanthropy. 17 00:00:57,920 --> 00:01:02,880 Speaker 1: Why did you choose to create Lichika Sports? I, like 18 00:01:03,000 --> 00:01:04,679 Speaker 1: you had mentioned, you know, I've been in sports my 19 00:01:04,680 --> 00:01:07,160 Speaker 1: whole career, and I had always known that I wanted 20 00:01:07,200 --> 00:01:09,000 Speaker 1: to have my own company, and it was really important 21 00:01:09,000 --> 00:01:11,360 Speaker 1: for me to not only be able to diversify outside 22 00:01:11,360 --> 00:01:13,639 Speaker 1: of just you know, one sport work in front office, 23 00:01:13,959 --> 00:01:15,959 Speaker 1: but also to be able to conduct business the way 24 00:01:16,040 --> 00:01:18,440 Speaker 1: I thought it should be conducted. Our industry could be 25 00:01:18,480 --> 00:01:21,920 Speaker 1: pretty difficult at times, and I thought it was important 26 00:01:22,120 --> 00:01:24,960 Speaker 1: for me to be able to maintain my moral integrity 27 00:01:25,000 --> 00:01:27,679 Speaker 1: as I continued. And then secondly, in something that I'm 28 00:01:27,720 --> 00:01:30,040 Speaker 1: the most proud of is that where women led organization, 29 00:01:30,760 --> 00:01:33,360 Speaker 1: there's eleven us. And when I was coming up, you know, 30 00:01:33,400 --> 00:01:36,520 Speaker 1: I had a job with Santego Statement's basketball team where 31 00:01:36,520 --> 00:01:39,080 Speaker 1: Coach Fisher sat me down and said, I cannot have 32 00:01:39,240 --> 00:01:42,840 Speaker 1: you here as a female. And I couldn't understand that, 33 00:01:42,840 --> 00:01:45,440 Speaker 1: and I beg begged him, and to think about that 34 00:01:45,520 --> 00:01:49,240 Speaker 1: today happening, you know, would just be crazy. And so 35 00:01:49,320 --> 00:01:52,040 Speaker 1: for me to be able to have an opportunity to 36 00:01:52,120 --> 00:01:55,360 Speaker 1: hire other women and to be women led in a 37 00:01:55,520 --> 00:01:58,240 Speaker 1: male dominated industry has been really really important to me. 38 00:01:58,240 --> 00:02:00,240 Speaker 1: And one of the things I'm most proud of. Yeah, 39 00:02:00,240 --> 00:02:01,840 Speaker 1: you led me into my second question, which was going 40 00:02:01,880 --> 00:02:04,520 Speaker 1: to be about that that stew Fisher conversation. Though, that 41 00:02:04,680 --> 00:02:08,080 Speaker 1: is incredible because, and I think relatively a short amount 42 00:02:08,120 --> 00:02:11,320 Speaker 1: of time, so much progress has been made, But just 43 00:02:11,400 --> 00:02:14,600 Speaker 1: how special is it for you to have created that 44 00:02:14,680 --> 00:02:17,720 Speaker 1: and given the opportunities for women so much? And I 45 00:02:17,800 --> 00:02:20,480 Speaker 1: tell Coach Fisher all the time, you know that his 46 00:02:20,600 --> 00:02:23,760 Speaker 1: decision and his leap of faith in me changed the 47 00:02:23,840 --> 00:02:26,920 Speaker 1: trajectory of my career. So that was over twenty years 48 00:02:26,919 --> 00:02:29,200 Speaker 1: ago now, and he was just coming off of Fab 49 00:02:29,280 --> 00:02:31,360 Speaker 1: five and didn't want to deal with any of the 50 00:02:31,480 --> 00:02:34,639 Speaker 1: drama that he assumed I would bring. He was very traditional. 51 00:02:35,040 --> 00:02:37,320 Speaker 1: But what that ended up doing and my time at 52 00:02:37,320 --> 00:02:40,080 Speaker 1: San Diego State traveling with the team, being in the 53 00:02:40,080 --> 00:02:42,240 Speaker 1: locker room day in and day out with the team, 54 00:02:42,280 --> 00:02:46,040 Speaker 1: and maintaining my professionalism. That then opened the door for 55 00:02:46,080 --> 00:02:48,720 Speaker 1: a position with the San Diego Chargers of San Diego 56 00:02:48,760 --> 00:02:51,800 Speaker 1: Chargers at the time, and that allowed me to have 57 00:02:51,800 --> 00:02:54,480 Speaker 1: an opportunity with the former PUER director Bill Johnston, to 58 00:02:54,560 --> 00:02:57,959 Speaker 1: be able to do visiting locker room interviews and supporting 59 00:02:58,000 --> 00:03:00,800 Speaker 1: the media where they hadn't previously let a woman in there. 60 00:03:01,280 --> 00:03:04,480 Speaker 1: Because of my experience with Coach Fisher, I was able 61 00:03:04,520 --> 00:03:07,440 Speaker 1: to get that opportunity and then things just continued to grow. 62 00:03:07,480 --> 00:03:09,760 Speaker 1: So without Coach Fisher, you know, I give him so 63 00:03:09,840 --> 00:03:14,000 Speaker 1: much credit and trust in me and I. You know, 64 00:03:14,040 --> 00:03:16,440 Speaker 1: I knew that I was also setting an example for 65 00:03:16,520 --> 00:03:18,440 Speaker 1: any other woman that was going to come behind me 66 00:03:18,480 --> 00:03:20,640 Speaker 1: and want that same opportunity. So I knew that I 67 00:03:20,639 --> 00:03:23,840 Speaker 1: had extra pressure to make sure that everything was above 68 00:03:23,960 --> 00:03:26,680 Speaker 1: board and that he never regretted that decision. Well, let's 69 00:03:26,720 --> 00:03:28,960 Speaker 1: talk about that trickle down effect. Because I started with 70 00:03:29,000 --> 00:03:31,720 Speaker 1: the Chargers in twenty fourteen. I initially was a part 71 00:03:31,760 --> 00:03:34,280 Speaker 1: time writer for them, but that was my job. It 72 00:03:34,360 --> 00:03:37,440 Speaker 1: was working game days, going down into the locker room postgame. Obviously, 73 00:03:37,480 --> 00:03:40,240 Speaker 1: twenty twenty a little bit of a situation now, but 74 00:03:40,440 --> 00:03:44,000 Speaker 1: thank you for that, for the opportunity that you initially had, 75 00:03:44,160 --> 00:03:47,440 Speaker 1: because that's it. It's it's set that set the tone 76 00:03:47,480 --> 00:03:50,600 Speaker 1: for other women obviously to be down there too. It's 77 00:03:50,640 --> 00:03:53,160 Speaker 1: a normal thing, and it's a normal thing now, and 78 00:03:53,200 --> 00:03:55,960 Speaker 1: it's almost like one of those issues where you don't 79 00:03:55,960 --> 00:03:58,520 Speaker 1: even make it an issue anymore because there are more 80 00:03:58,560 --> 00:04:01,080 Speaker 1: of us who were down there when those instances happen. 81 00:04:01,800 --> 00:04:05,000 Speaker 1: That's exactly right. Yeah, and Bill Johnston, you know, when 82 00:04:05,040 --> 00:04:08,000 Speaker 1: he was trying to decide what he could use with 83 00:04:08,120 --> 00:04:10,840 Speaker 1: me of he did talk to coach Fisher and asked 84 00:04:10,880 --> 00:04:13,400 Speaker 1: about my conduct in the locker room. And if I 85 00:04:13,400 --> 00:04:16,400 Speaker 1: could share a quick story with you, We were playing 86 00:04:16,520 --> 00:04:20,360 Speaker 1: an AFC rival one year and their PR director had 87 00:04:20,400 --> 00:04:23,720 Speaker 1: a que me after the game of looking at some 88 00:04:23,760 --> 00:04:26,000 Speaker 1: of the players, you know, and I would go into 89 00:04:26,040 --> 00:04:29,160 Speaker 1: the locker room literally with my recorder and my hearing 90 00:04:29,200 --> 00:04:32,520 Speaker 1: out my feet or staring at the locker room up there, 91 00:04:32,520 --> 00:04:37,000 Speaker 1: you know, nowhere anywhere in this strike zone, right, And 92 00:04:37,080 --> 00:04:39,920 Speaker 1: the PR director had sent an email to Bill that 93 00:04:40,000 --> 00:04:42,400 Speaker 1: evening after the game, and Bill called me into his 94 00:04:42,440 --> 00:04:44,680 Speaker 1: office that next day and he goes, look this happened. 95 00:04:44,680 --> 00:04:49,280 Speaker 1: And I was horrified because I that that little complaint, 96 00:04:49,920 --> 00:04:51,920 Speaker 1: whether it's true or not, could change us, right, could 97 00:04:52,040 --> 00:04:55,359 Speaker 1: change our reputation. And Bill had so much faith and 98 00:04:55,400 --> 00:04:58,599 Speaker 1: confidence in me. He knew that that was so far 99 00:04:58,720 --> 00:05:01,480 Speaker 1: from beyond that, and he stood up to that particular 100 00:05:01,480 --> 00:05:04,280 Speaker 1: PR director. And I loved it because every year I 101 00:05:04,320 --> 00:05:06,400 Speaker 1: had to see that PR director and I made sure 102 00:05:06,480 --> 00:05:09,080 Speaker 1: he knew I was not going anywhere, you know, and 103 00:05:09,200 --> 00:05:11,080 Speaker 1: that was he was an AFC rival, so I had 104 00:05:11,080 --> 00:05:13,160 Speaker 1: to see him for thirteen years, you know. But you 105 00:05:13,160 --> 00:05:15,960 Speaker 1: can't get away with that and think that that's going 106 00:05:16,000 --> 00:05:18,800 Speaker 1: to be okay. You can't make accusations like that. So 107 00:05:18,839 --> 00:05:20,760 Speaker 1: I was fortunate that Bill had my back in that 108 00:05:20,839 --> 00:05:24,200 Speaker 1: situation and trusted who he had put in that position. Yeah, 109 00:05:24,240 --> 00:05:26,000 Speaker 1: and I think that's something too when we talk about 110 00:05:26,040 --> 00:05:29,640 Speaker 1: men in this industry, obviously us as women back then, 111 00:05:29,760 --> 00:05:31,320 Speaker 1: If you don't mind me saying that, it was a 112 00:05:31,320 --> 00:05:33,360 Speaker 1: little bit more different of a time because there were 113 00:05:33,480 --> 00:05:36,840 Speaker 1: fewer women who were doing jobs like that, but yet 114 00:05:36,880 --> 00:05:39,599 Speaker 1: to have male allies like that who knew that you 115 00:05:39,680 --> 00:05:43,440 Speaker 1: were holding yourself in a professional manner, that what that 116 00:05:43,480 --> 00:05:46,840 Speaker 1: person said you did was totally not correct because they 117 00:05:47,000 --> 00:05:50,640 Speaker 1: knew the type of person that you were. That's really special, 118 00:05:50,720 --> 00:05:53,839 Speaker 1: and it's still is important for women to still find 119 00:05:53,920 --> 00:05:56,480 Speaker 1: men like that in this industry because it's still is 120 00:05:56,520 --> 00:05:59,720 Speaker 1: male dominated. I'm so happy you said that because one 121 00:05:59,800 --> 00:06:02,680 Speaker 1: of the things that I loved to say is that, 122 00:06:02,760 --> 00:06:05,240 Speaker 1: you know, growing up, my mom taught me how to 123 00:06:05,360 --> 00:06:07,000 Speaker 1: be a woman. You know, she taught me how to 124 00:06:07,000 --> 00:06:08,440 Speaker 1: act like a lady. She taught me how to dress 125 00:06:08,480 --> 00:06:10,240 Speaker 1: like a lady. Particularly when I was working at San 126 00:06:10,240 --> 00:06:12,880 Speaker 1: Diego State men's basketball. I was on the bench, you know, 127 00:06:12,920 --> 00:06:15,359 Speaker 1: and it was sellout crowds and everybody could see me 128 00:06:15,400 --> 00:06:17,159 Speaker 1: because I was the only female down there, so I 129 00:06:17,200 --> 00:06:19,680 Speaker 1: was always in my suits and things I hated when 130 00:06:19,680 --> 00:06:22,240 Speaker 1: I was nineteen twenty twenty one years old, So my 131 00:06:22,279 --> 00:06:23,880 Speaker 1: mom taught me how to act like a woman, but 132 00:06:23,920 --> 00:06:25,960 Speaker 1: my dad taught me how to be treated like one. 133 00:06:26,520 --> 00:06:28,920 Speaker 1: And I knew that my buying raised by my dad 134 00:06:28,920 --> 00:06:30,799 Speaker 1: that there were good men out there who supported women 135 00:06:30,800 --> 00:06:34,400 Speaker 1: and saw the equality that we deserve. And so I 136 00:06:34,440 --> 00:06:37,400 Speaker 1: was able to really easily identify who those men were, 137 00:06:37,480 --> 00:06:39,800 Speaker 1: as i'd cused pass in those career, and more importantly, 138 00:06:39,800 --> 00:06:42,240 Speaker 1: who those men were not, and making sure that I 139 00:06:42,279 --> 00:06:45,440 Speaker 1: did whatever I needed to do to not get reception 140 00:06:45,480 --> 00:06:47,240 Speaker 1: situations or anything like that. So I think that was 141 00:06:47,240 --> 00:06:48,919 Speaker 1: a really good lesson that i'd still care with me 142 00:06:49,080 --> 00:06:51,400 Speaker 1: to this day. Yeah, that's an absolutely good lesson for 143 00:06:51,800 --> 00:06:54,520 Speaker 1: anyone in this industry, any women, even men too, to 144 00:06:55,040 --> 00:06:58,360 Speaker 1: be on the right side of that, that is for sure. 145 00:06:58,760 --> 00:07:02,000 Speaker 1: I ask you a question, yes, absolutely, were you when 146 00:07:02,000 --> 00:07:04,560 Speaker 1: you were going into that were you nervous at all 147 00:07:04,680 --> 00:07:06,960 Speaker 1: having to have that type of Did you feel like 148 00:07:07,000 --> 00:07:08,960 Speaker 1: there was a chip on your shoulder or anything like that, 149 00:07:09,080 --> 00:07:11,280 Speaker 1: or were you just confident I'm going to go get 150 00:07:11,320 --> 00:07:15,840 Speaker 1: this done. It's an interesting question. Because it was twenty fourteen, 151 00:07:15,960 --> 00:07:17,720 Speaker 1: so it still was, you know, like seven years ago, 152 00:07:17,840 --> 00:07:20,440 Speaker 1: and a lot has changed even since then, I think 153 00:07:20,480 --> 00:07:23,240 Speaker 1: for me, and I had this conversation with Judy Batista 154 00:07:23,360 --> 00:07:25,600 Speaker 1: from NFL Network earlier, because I got my start in 155 00:07:25,680 --> 00:07:28,400 Speaker 1: high school football, so I went from covering high school 156 00:07:28,400 --> 00:07:32,720 Speaker 1: football to covering the NFL. And for me, that high 157 00:07:32,720 --> 00:07:35,880 Speaker 1: school football experience taught me how to talk to players, 158 00:07:35,880 --> 00:07:38,320 Speaker 1: how to talk to coaches, how to build relationships. So 159 00:07:38,880 --> 00:07:41,040 Speaker 1: even though I was working full time at a dance studio, 160 00:07:41,400 --> 00:07:43,200 Speaker 1: which was the job that paid the bills, and I 161 00:07:43,240 --> 00:07:45,640 Speaker 1: was doing these kind of side freelance jobs, of course 162 00:07:45,720 --> 00:07:48,960 Speaker 1: I was nervous, absolutely, but for me, it was I 163 00:07:49,000 --> 00:07:52,640 Speaker 1: had that kind of prior experience and knowledge of knowing 164 00:07:52,680 --> 00:07:56,120 Speaker 1: how to talk to athletes, knowing how to build relationships, 165 00:07:56,120 --> 00:07:58,680 Speaker 1: and even because it was high school football recruiting for me, 166 00:07:58,720 --> 00:08:00,760 Speaker 1: so it was keeping in touch with them, you know, 167 00:08:00,840 --> 00:08:03,800 Speaker 1: throughout the course of a season. And that was really 168 00:08:03,840 --> 00:08:07,840 Speaker 1: really valuable experience or invaluable experience, because once I got 169 00:08:07,920 --> 00:08:10,239 Speaker 1: to the NFL and once I got to the Chargers, 170 00:08:10,240 --> 00:08:12,120 Speaker 1: and look, these are I grew up in San Diego. 171 00:08:12,160 --> 00:08:14,720 Speaker 1: These were players I would watch every Sunday and all 172 00:08:14,720 --> 00:08:18,240 Speaker 1: of that. It never was sort of in the back 173 00:08:18,240 --> 00:08:20,640 Speaker 1: of my head because I just always knew how to 174 00:08:20,640 --> 00:08:23,280 Speaker 1: conduct myself in a professional manner. And now instead of 175 00:08:23,280 --> 00:08:25,280 Speaker 1: talking to a sixteen year old, you're talking to a 176 00:08:25,400 --> 00:08:28,640 Speaker 1: sixteen year veteran at this point. Yeah, and I do 177 00:08:28,800 --> 00:08:33,960 Speaker 1: credit Chargers organization too for never making it feel weird. 178 00:08:34,240 --> 00:08:38,120 Speaker 1: But I will say that prior experience certainly helped. And 179 00:08:38,400 --> 00:08:41,480 Speaker 1: knowing that there are other like you who have come before, 180 00:08:41,600 --> 00:08:44,679 Speaker 1: and obviously General House who's on our PR staff too, 181 00:08:45,200 --> 00:08:47,079 Speaker 1: who have done it, it makes it a lot easier. 182 00:08:47,280 --> 00:08:50,760 Speaker 1: And now I think in a weird way with some 183 00:08:50,840 --> 00:08:54,319 Speaker 1: of the younger players, they're more used to it because 184 00:08:54,400 --> 00:08:59,160 Speaker 1: they're used to sideline Chargers and more women in media 185 00:08:59,360 --> 00:09:03,960 Speaker 1: where it's not is strange or foreign. And I will 186 00:09:04,000 --> 00:09:07,280 Speaker 1: say too, in my now seven years here with the team, 187 00:09:07,360 --> 00:09:10,880 Speaker 1: every single guy has always been super respectful, and I 188 00:09:10,960 --> 00:09:14,160 Speaker 1: just really credit the organization for that. That's great, that's 189 00:09:14,160 --> 00:09:16,880 Speaker 1: so great to hear. So getting a social justice huge 190 00:09:16,880 --> 00:09:19,760 Speaker 1: component of what you do with Lechka Sports. We mentioned 191 00:09:19,800 --> 00:09:22,800 Speaker 1: you being the managing director of the Player's Coalition, which 192 00:09:22,840 --> 00:09:24,760 Speaker 1: is basically going to be the next Chunk of this 193 00:09:24,800 --> 00:09:28,360 Speaker 1: podcast for those who may not know about it. I'm 194 00:09:28,400 --> 00:09:30,600 Speaker 1: sure this is going to be a long answer, but 195 00:09:30,840 --> 00:09:33,640 Speaker 1: what is the Player's Coalition? How did it come to be? 196 00:09:34,480 --> 00:09:39,200 Speaker 1: The Player's Coalition is an independent organization of professional athletes 197 00:09:39,240 --> 00:09:45,800 Speaker 1: who are dedicated to impacting criminal justice reform, police community relations, education, 198 00:09:45,880 --> 00:09:49,080 Speaker 1: economic advancement. I think a lot of people think that 199 00:09:49,160 --> 00:09:53,000 Speaker 1: it is an NFL program. And it started though back 200 00:09:53,080 --> 00:09:57,080 Speaker 1: with you know, An Kumbolden and Malcolm Jenkins really trying 201 00:09:57,080 --> 00:09:59,320 Speaker 1: to figure out how they could use their platform to 202 00:09:59,400 --> 00:10:02,600 Speaker 1: make an impact in a formal way. An Quan's story 203 00:10:02,720 --> 00:10:05,280 Speaker 1: was personnel. You may have seen his PSA during Super 204 00:10:05,320 --> 00:10:11,160 Speaker 1: Bowl last year. So his journey started in October twenty fifteen. Locally, 205 00:10:11,240 --> 00:10:14,080 Speaker 1: he understood that the case with his cousin was bringing 206 00:10:14,160 --> 00:10:17,359 Speaker 1: local media attention, and so he learned from the prosecutors 207 00:10:17,400 --> 00:10:19,120 Speaker 1: what they needed to do as a family, what they 208 00:10:19,120 --> 00:10:21,360 Speaker 1: could say, what kind of pressure they could put to 209 00:10:21,480 --> 00:10:24,360 Speaker 1: sure that there was accountability. And so he realized that 210 00:10:24,360 --> 00:10:26,920 Speaker 1: that wasn't just helpening to his family, but to other families, 211 00:10:26,920 --> 00:10:29,960 Speaker 1: and realized that his platform opened doors immediately. So when 212 00:10:29,960 --> 00:10:31,720 Speaker 1: he looked around the league to see what other players 213 00:10:31,720 --> 00:10:35,360 Speaker 1: were happening. He saw Malcolm Jenkins, obviously a big leader 214 00:10:35,360 --> 00:10:38,800 Speaker 1: in his community as well, and we went. We decided 215 00:10:38,800 --> 00:10:41,440 Speaker 1: with five players to go to Washington, d C. On 216 00:10:41,480 --> 00:10:44,600 Speaker 1: it Off Tuesday in November of twenty sixteen, meeting with 217 00:10:44,640 --> 00:10:47,079 Speaker 1: legislators on Capitol Hill to say hey, here we are 218 00:10:47,160 --> 00:10:49,240 Speaker 1: what do we do. It wasn't formal at the time, 219 00:10:50,000 --> 00:10:52,080 Speaker 1: and they all kicked us back to state and local. 220 00:10:52,240 --> 00:10:55,760 Speaker 1: So from there we started doing some work identifying guiding 221 00:10:55,760 --> 00:11:00,280 Speaker 1: objectives and really looking to systemic change, so looking at 222 00:11:00,520 --> 00:11:04,960 Speaker 1: legislative change beyond just social media awareness. They wanted solutions, 223 00:11:05,000 --> 00:11:07,600 Speaker 1: They wanted a call to action. They wanted to understand, Okay, 224 00:11:07,800 --> 00:11:10,000 Speaker 1: you know, we need to end cash bail because it's 225 00:11:10,000 --> 00:11:14,720 Speaker 1: a poverty chat for minorities, looking at the digital divide, 226 00:11:14,720 --> 00:11:17,760 Speaker 1: it's a wide variety of issues that we're impacting communities 227 00:11:17,800 --> 00:11:21,719 Speaker 1: of color mainly. And so now four years later, we 228 00:11:21,840 --> 00:11:25,680 Speaker 1: have anywhere from five hundreds with a thousand active players 229 00:11:25,720 --> 00:11:29,280 Speaker 1: at any given time, current informer who were using that 230 00:11:29,360 --> 00:11:32,280 Speaker 1: form and we just helped pass the Racial Justice afterre 231 00:11:32,280 --> 00:11:36,559 Speaker 1: in California last months, players from seven different leagues who 232 00:11:36,679 --> 00:11:39,439 Speaker 1: rallied together. We built a campaign around it and when 233 00:11:39,440 --> 00:11:42,119 Speaker 1: the players are well informed and they have the information 234 00:11:42,160 --> 00:11:45,600 Speaker 1: and they believe in something, we're able to really use 235 00:11:45,640 --> 00:11:49,360 Speaker 1: that platform impact change. What can you say? I guess 236 00:11:49,400 --> 00:11:52,480 Speaker 1: about a guy like an Quan Bolden who called it quits. 237 00:11:52,520 --> 00:11:55,720 Speaker 1: He gave up his NFL career because of what happened 238 00:11:55,760 --> 00:11:59,480 Speaker 1: to his family member. I've watched a keynote speech that 239 00:11:59,559 --> 00:12:02,199 Speaker 1: you game where you said, you know, Charlottesville for him 240 00:12:02,280 --> 00:12:05,720 Speaker 1: was also the final straw where it just it changed him. 241 00:12:06,280 --> 00:12:10,600 Speaker 1: But to give up the game and just realize that 242 00:12:10,679 --> 00:12:14,400 Speaker 1: there is a higher purpose and and he could do 243 00:12:14,559 --> 00:12:18,920 Speaker 1: good on another level, I mean, I will never forget. 244 00:12:19,200 --> 00:12:21,360 Speaker 1: Like all morning and he was at King Camp with 245 00:12:21,440 --> 00:12:25,760 Speaker 1: the Bills and he you know, I need my purpose 246 00:12:25,880 --> 00:12:28,520 Speaker 1: is bigger than this. I'm sick of what I saw 247 00:12:28,520 --> 00:12:32,080 Speaker 1: in Charottesville, he says. And you know, I think he 248 00:12:32,160 --> 00:12:33,920 Speaker 1: was getting anty and knew he wanted to do a 249 00:12:33,960 --> 00:12:37,080 Speaker 1: lot more and knew that, you know, his life's purpose 250 00:12:37,160 --> 00:12:39,280 Speaker 1: was much greater than football. And so to be able 251 00:12:39,280 --> 00:12:41,720 Speaker 1: to work under that kind of leadership has been the 252 00:12:41,800 --> 00:12:45,200 Speaker 1: most rewarding. I call it a project, but it's more 253 00:12:45,240 --> 00:12:47,280 Speaker 1: than a project. It's been most of rewarding time in 254 00:12:47,320 --> 00:12:50,839 Speaker 1: my professional career. You know we're watching, we're sitting with groups, 255 00:12:50,840 --> 00:12:52,520 Speaker 1: and if you don't mind, I'd like to share a 256 00:12:52,520 --> 00:12:56,079 Speaker 1: short story about a group that we were working within Florida. 257 00:12:56,240 --> 00:13:00,400 Speaker 1: We helped pass Amendment four, which was restoring voting rights 258 00:13:00,440 --> 00:13:03,760 Speaker 1: to formally incarcerated individuals, and a lot of the things 259 00:13:03,800 --> 00:13:05,840 Speaker 1: we do would at least private, listen and learn so 260 00:13:05,880 --> 00:13:08,960 Speaker 1: the players could get educated from impacted citizens so they 261 00:13:08,960 --> 00:13:11,000 Speaker 1: could use that to then go out and speak publicly. 262 00:13:11,559 --> 00:13:15,680 Speaker 1: And we ended up voting a voting restoration workshop one day. 263 00:13:15,920 --> 00:13:18,079 Speaker 1: And this was after the amendment had passed, and so 264 00:13:18,160 --> 00:13:20,080 Speaker 1: we were able to get a bunch of service providers 265 00:13:20,080 --> 00:13:22,120 Speaker 1: to get people now to start to register or to 266 00:13:22,200 --> 00:13:25,240 Speaker 1: use their voice. This was an eighteen and I sat 267 00:13:25,360 --> 00:13:28,720 Speaker 1: there and watched. There was a woman who was holding 268 00:13:28,840 --> 00:13:31,600 Speaker 1: the place time for her son, and he finally got there. 269 00:13:31,640 --> 00:13:33,160 Speaker 1: He was coming off of where he got there. He 270 00:13:33,480 --> 00:13:35,640 Speaker 1: got in wine and he sat down to go register 271 00:13:35,679 --> 00:13:38,560 Speaker 1: to vote, and he was shaking, he was pulling it out, 272 00:13:38,640 --> 00:13:42,000 Speaker 1: his idea. This man was forty seven years old and 273 00:13:42,200 --> 00:13:44,880 Speaker 1: never had the right to vote. To sit there and 274 00:13:44,920 --> 00:13:48,800 Speaker 1: to watch this man's life immediately changed and have his 275 00:13:48,960 --> 00:13:51,280 Speaker 1: voice back, and he's shaking as he's pulling out his 276 00:13:51,320 --> 00:13:53,960 Speaker 1: idea to register. It was so powerful and it was 277 00:13:54,000 --> 00:13:56,400 Speaker 1: things that you know, we take for granted. I think, 278 00:13:56,440 --> 00:13:59,079 Speaker 1: you know, I would walk two doors down to go vote, 279 00:13:59,080 --> 00:14:01,800 Speaker 1: and there was never a will, never long live, no suppression, 280 00:14:02,080 --> 00:14:04,600 Speaker 1: And to know that the rest so many people aren't 281 00:14:05,240 --> 00:14:08,320 Speaker 1: don't have that kind of freedom has just been gut wrenching. 282 00:14:08,360 --> 00:14:13,000 Speaker 1: So it's been again really so such an honor to 283 00:14:13,360 --> 00:14:16,760 Speaker 1: work with these players and in this space. Yeah, that story, 284 00:14:16,960 --> 00:14:19,440 Speaker 1: I mean, if that doesn't give you chills, I don't 285 00:14:19,480 --> 00:14:23,000 Speaker 1: know what will. Just to really hear the real life, 286 00:14:23,040 --> 00:14:28,000 Speaker 1: like tangible effects of that you mentioned earlier, education like 287 00:14:28,080 --> 00:14:31,080 Speaker 1: making sure players are educated on certain topics. Do you 288 00:14:31,120 --> 00:14:34,280 Speaker 1: think that that was something that was missing that now 289 00:14:34,480 --> 00:14:37,840 Speaker 1: this coalition has really helped tap into. So I know 290 00:14:37,960 --> 00:14:40,640 Speaker 1: that when when we formed and the Players Coalition formed, 291 00:14:40,680 --> 00:14:43,440 Speaker 1: it was very intentional and it came at a time 292 00:14:43,480 --> 00:14:45,800 Speaker 1: when it was not popular and there was a lot 293 00:14:45,880 --> 00:14:50,480 Speaker 1: of attention on those players and some you know, paid 294 00:14:50,480 --> 00:14:53,840 Speaker 1: a price for that, but it was the issues were 295 00:14:53,880 --> 00:14:56,880 Speaker 1: more important than what people were saying about them. So 296 00:14:57,520 --> 00:14:59,800 Speaker 1: they knew and we knew that we had all eyes 297 00:14:59,800 --> 00:15:02,360 Speaker 1: on us, and that we needed to move very intentionally 298 00:15:02,360 --> 00:15:05,360 Speaker 1: and very quietly to make sure we were understanding what 299 00:15:05,400 --> 00:15:07,720 Speaker 1: the steps need to be and what groups we align 300 00:15:07,760 --> 00:15:10,560 Speaker 1: ourselves with, and what issues to focus on, not just 301 00:15:10,640 --> 00:15:13,920 Speaker 1: doing bipartisan but also a fact based, evidence based type 302 00:15:13,920 --> 00:15:17,640 Speaker 1: research before we speak out on legislation. So I think 303 00:15:17,680 --> 00:15:19,800 Speaker 1: that that's been the core of what the Player's Coalition 304 00:15:19,880 --> 00:15:22,400 Speaker 1: has always been about. But what I think has been 305 00:15:22,440 --> 00:15:25,040 Speaker 1: different is that, you know, when the murders of George 306 00:15:25,040 --> 00:15:27,960 Speaker 1: Floyd happened and a mod Aubrey happened, we ended up 307 00:15:28,000 --> 00:15:30,680 Speaker 1: being the first phone call for so many front offices, 308 00:15:30,800 --> 00:15:34,520 Speaker 1: so many players agents, so people knew we were around, 309 00:15:34,600 --> 00:15:38,080 Speaker 1: didn't quite understand what we did, or maybe didn't think 310 00:15:38,120 --> 00:15:41,200 Speaker 1: they needed to work with us, but knew, like you know, 311 00:15:41,240 --> 00:15:43,040 Speaker 1: push Comb to chev we were there for them. And 312 00:15:43,080 --> 00:15:47,680 Speaker 1: so we have been so busy these last eight months 313 00:15:47,720 --> 00:15:51,080 Speaker 1: bringing people up to speed, educating them on what they 314 00:15:51,160 --> 00:15:53,760 Speaker 1: how they navigate the space, because it's not an easy space, 315 00:15:53,800 --> 00:15:56,560 Speaker 1: and sometimes you could get your hands on, you could 316 00:15:56,640 --> 00:15:58,920 Speaker 1: support the wrong thing, and it sounds like it's great 317 00:15:58,960 --> 00:16:00,880 Speaker 1: on its face, and it's doing more damage in the 318 00:16:00,960 --> 00:16:03,880 Speaker 1: long run. And so I'm certainly not the expert in it. 319 00:16:03,960 --> 00:16:05,480 Speaker 1: You know, we have a team of experts that help 320 00:16:05,560 --> 00:16:08,800 Speaker 1: navigate that for us, but it's just, you know, it's 321 00:16:08,840 --> 00:16:12,640 Speaker 1: just been I think one of the best pieces of 322 00:16:12,680 --> 00:16:14,880 Speaker 1: how we operate and I think that the people we 323 00:16:14,960 --> 00:16:17,440 Speaker 1: now work with can see that. And again, we have 324 00:16:18,080 --> 00:16:21,720 Speaker 1: now representation in ten different professional leagues. We created leaders 325 00:16:21,720 --> 00:16:24,840 Speaker 1: across Leagues group, so we have a group chat going 326 00:16:24,920 --> 00:16:28,200 Speaker 1: of leaders from each of the league just sharing things like, Hey, 327 00:16:28,280 --> 00:16:30,800 Speaker 1: my league has four black players, what do you do 328 00:16:30,880 --> 00:16:33,760 Speaker 1: about this? Or Hey, my league, what are you standing 329 00:16:33,760 --> 00:16:35,360 Speaker 1: for the anthem? Are you coming out? What are you 330 00:16:35,360 --> 00:16:37,880 Speaker 1: guys doing? So we're kind of in there sharing what 331 00:16:37,920 --> 00:16:40,480 Speaker 1: we've learned on the NFL side and navigating that and 332 00:16:40,480 --> 00:16:42,120 Speaker 1: then how they can then use their voice in there 333 00:16:42,160 --> 00:16:46,160 Speaker 1: and the resources that we've built within their individual leagues. 334 00:16:46,240 --> 00:16:49,840 Speaker 1: Now that's really cool. That is really really awesome. What 335 00:16:49,880 --> 00:16:51,880 Speaker 1: did it mean just a couple of years ago for 336 00:16:51,920 --> 00:16:55,400 Speaker 1: the NFL to finalize its social justice partnership with the 337 00:16:55,440 --> 00:17:00,920 Speaker 1: Player's Coalition. I think for the players meant a lot. 338 00:17:01,000 --> 00:17:04,280 Speaker 1: But I think that it wasn't just about the money 339 00:17:04,359 --> 00:17:06,479 Speaker 1: or the grant grant money or anything like that. It 340 00:17:06,520 --> 00:17:11,159 Speaker 1: was about really using the platform to highlight these issues, 341 00:17:11,520 --> 00:17:13,719 Speaker 1: like you guys have marketing of media of all of this. 342 00:17:14,280 --> 00:17:16,240 Speaker 1: We need you to make these issues important. You can't 343 00:17:16,240 --> 00:17:19,400 Speaker 1: just write a check and we still operate that way 344 00:17:19,440 --> 00:17:21,439 Speaker 1: to this day. So you know, you don't need to 345 00:17:21,480 --> 00:17:23,119 Speaker 1: take a side, but you need to be able to 346 00:17:23,160 --> 00:17:25,800 Speaker 1: show that these issues are real and they're impacting a 347 00:17:25,840 --> 00:17:28,880 Speaker 1: majority of the communities that your players are coming from. 348 00:17:29,400 --> 00:17:32,320 Speaker 1: There is a task force, an NFL task Force. I 349 00:17:32,320 --> 00:17:36,400 Speaker 1: believe it's eleven players, nine are black, two or white. 350 00:17:36,760 --> 00:17:40,640 Speaker 1: How important is it to bring the different races together too? 351 00:17:40,760 --> 00:17:44,760 Speaker 1: I believe you say address issues that are ultimately all encompassing. 352 00:17:45,440 --> 00:17:47,960 Speaker 1: I know that you know, for those players early on 353 00:17:48,000 --> 00:17:50,480 Speaker 1: it was important. I know, and if I can speak, 354 00:17:50,560 --> 00:17:53,040 Speaker 1: you know about Josh McGowan's world, just in that very 355 00:17:53,040 --> 00:17:56,080 Speaker 1: first day when we went to Capitol Hill. Him and 356 00:17:56,160 --> 00:17:59,600 Speaker 1: Q have a relationship, and you know, Josh has been wonderful. 357 00:17:59,640 --> 00:18:02,119 Speaker 1: He's like, look like, I'm here for you, Like, what 358 00:18:02,400 --> 00:18:04,800 Speaker 1: what can I do? I know that maybe my voice 359 00:18:04,800 --> 00:18:08,359 Speaker 1: may be perceived differently, and I'll never forget. He was 360 00:18:08,400 --> 00:18:12,520 Speaker 1: doing an interview on site that trip and he had 361 00:18:12,560 --> 00:18:15,000 Speaker 1: said something that I never thought about, but he said, 362 00:18:15,040 --> 00:18:18,280 Speaker 1: you know, my he goes when I left to come 363 00:18:18,320 --> 00:18:21,280 Speaker 1: here to DC, he goes. My goodbyes to my kids 364 00:18:21,280 --> 00:18:23,480 Speaker 1: look very different than maybe some of my brothers goodbyes. 365 00:18:23,600 --> 00:18:26,200 Speaker 1: You know, I don't worry about my kids. I don't worry, 366 00:18:26,640 --> 00:18:29,840 Speaker 1: and that's not that's not the freedom that everybody has. 367 00:18:29,920 --> 00:18:32,960 Speaker 1: And so I think having his support, having Chris long 368 00:18:33,000 --> 00:18:36,679 Speaker 1: support early on, just was instrumental in really getting us 369 00:18:36,760 --> 00:18:39,639 Speaker 1: over that hump to start to build that momentum and 370 00:18:39,920 --> 00:18:42,800 Speaker 1: continue to grow. You mentioned twenty twenty, it is a 371 00:18:42,880 --> 00:18:46,080 Speaker 1: year unlike any other. So much has happened, and you 372 00:18:46,119 --> 00:18:49,080 Speaker 1: can even attribute I know, justin Jackson Chargers running back, 373 00:18:49,080 --> 00:18:51,680 Speaker 1: he attributes so much of the focus on social justice 374 00:18:52,119 --> 00:18:54,480 Speaker 1: going back to the pandemic because we've all been home. 375 00:18:54,680 --> 00:18:58,040 Speaker 1: It's been on our TV every day before sports started 376 00:18:58,040 --> 00:19:02,520 Speaker 1: coming back, there were no distractions, couldn't look away. And 377 00:19:03,080 --> 00:19:05,280 Speaker 1: it's been happening. I mean, that's for sure. It's been 378 00:19:05,320 --> 00:19:08,320 Speaker 1: happening for years now. But this really really you know, 379 00:19:08,400 --> 00:19:11,680 Speaker 1: centralized it and focused it and focus everyone's attention on it. 380 00:19:12,160 --> 00:19:16,920 Speaker 1: How encouraging has it been to see players from the NFL, NBA, 381 00:19:17,080 --> 00:19:20,520 Speaker 1: all sorts of different leagues really take it upon themselves, 382 00:19:20,600 --> 00:19:26,880 Speaker 1: even Commissioner Goodell to now affect change. I think that's 383 00:19:26,920 --> 00:19:30,000 Speaker 1: really important, and I think again to use your platform 384 00:19:30,200 --> 00:19:34,120 Speaker 1: with the with the really clear intention and call to action, 385 00:19:34,560 --> 00:19:37,720 Speaker 1: and to know that these elected officials are being held 386 00:19:37,760 --> 00:19:40,800 Speaker 1: accountable and that people are watching. And even you know, 387 00:19:40,840 --> 00:19:43,359 Speaker 1: we've been fortunate to work with some players. We just 388 00:19:43,520 --> 00:19:46,000 Speaker 1: established a college level program, so now we work with 389 00:19:46,000 --> 00:19:48,720 Speaker 1: athletic departments across the country. Yeah, it's just been wonderful. 390 00:19:48,880 --> 00:19:50,520 Speaker 1: But we use some of the professional players to come 391 00:19:50,560 --> 00:19:53,120 Speaker 1: in and say, hey, here's how we've used our platform, 392 00:19:53,520 --> 00:19:57,080 Speaker 1: and people are paying attention, and you're elected officials, you know, 393 00:19:57,200 --> 00:19:59,280 Speaker 1: do need to know that it was a lot of 394 00:19:59,680 --> 00:20:02,400 Speaker 1: vote education stuff, you know, early on, and now how 395 00:20:02,400 --> 00:20:04,320 Speaker 1: do we kind of move beyond that now and how 396 00:20:04,359 --> 00:20:07,320 Speaker 1: do we hold our local officials accountable? So I think 397 00:20:07,359 --> 00:20:10,200 Speaker 1: it's so important and it's so encouraging to see that 398 00:20:10,240 --> 00:20:12,679 Speaker 1: many more people come out and know that they're going 399 00:20:12,760 --> 00:20:16,400 Speaker 1: to speak, hopefully without any repercussions, and it's not as 400 00:20:16,760 --> 00:20:20,640 Speaker 1: prohibited as it was early on. And then lastly, Angela, 401 00:20:20,720 --> 00:20:23,800 Speaker 1: what is next. We're here in December obviously twenty twenty. 402 00:20:23,840 --> 00:20:27,560 Speaker 1: Almost in the rear view those stuff, everything is still happening, 403 00:20:27,720 --> 00:20:30,960 Speaker 1: and we'll continue. But what is next for Lechika Sports 404 00:20:30,960 --> 00:20:32,960 Speaker 1: and for the player's coalition As we move forward into 405 00:20:32,960 --> 00:20:36,280 Speaker 1: twenty twenty one Letica Sports, we just kind of keep 406 00:20:36,359 --> 00:20:40,199 Speaker 1: chugging along and we just make sure that we continue 407 00:20:40,200 --> 00:20:42,520 Speaker 1: to use our platform to support other women in sports 408 00:20:42,520 --> 00:20:45,040 Speaker 1: and entertainment. That is again always so important to us. 409 00:20:45,600 --> 00:20:47,880 Speaker 1: A bunch of us are working moms and so being 410 00:20:47,880 --> 00:20:50,560 Speaker 1: able to support other women in those spaces as well. 411 00:20:51,119 --> 00:20:53,399 Speaker 1: You know, we partner with the National Diaper Network a 412 00:20:53,440 --> 00:20:56,879 Speaker 1: lot on some of the issues during the pandemic, and 413 00:20:56,920 --> 00:20:59,119 Speaker 1: then of course, you know, helping with whatever our client 414 00:20:59,160 --> 00:21:00,760 Speaker 1: needs are. But then I think more important than the 415 00:21:00,760 --> 00:21:04,040 Speaker 1: players coalition side, you know, our work is not slowing down. 416 00:21:04,080 --> 00:21:07,880 Speaker 1: We're now going into legislative season starting January, so we're 417 00:21:07,880 --> 00:21:09,960 Speaker 1: getting ready to meet with the players and identify what 418 00:21:10,040 --> 00:21:11,720 Speaker 1: those objectives are going to be, what we're going to 419 00:21:11,800 --> 00:21:14,200 Speaker 1: focus on. We have a lot of players who ties 420 00:21:14,240 --> 00:21:17,000 Speaker 1: to Georgia, so we're focusing on the runoffs in Georgia 421 00:21:17,520 --> 00:21:22,040 Speaker 1: and then figuring out how to make the organization sustainable. 422 00:21:22,119 --> 00:21:23,919 Speaker 1: What do we need to do grant making wise and 423 00:21:23,960 --> 00:21:26,679 Speaker 1: financially to make sure that we can be around for 424 00:21:26,720 --> 00:21:29,480 Speaker 1: a long time because unfortunately there is a lot of 425 00:21:29,480 --> 00:21:32,320 Speaker 1: work to do. And then I'll say lastly that you know, 426 00:21:32,320 --> 00:21:34,919 Speaker 1: with that leaders across the leagues group, we're really just 427 00:21:35,000 --> 00:21:36,760 Speaker 1: starting to look, Okay, what are some of the low 428 00:21:36,800 --> 00:21:38,720 Speaker 1: hanging fruit that each of you all are facing in 429 00:21:38,760 --> 00:21:43,160 Speaker 1: your particular sport excuse these leagues, how do we help 430 00:21:43,280 --> 00:21:45,800 Speaker 1: you know, collective resources on that. And then we're going 431 00:21:45,840 --> 00:21:48,399 Speaker 1: to come together and impact the committees at large, So 432 00:21:48,520 --> 00:21:51,120 Speaker 1: continuing to build that out and offering players are really 433 00:21:52,000 --> 00:21:55,680 Speaker 1: safe platform to be progressive and aggressive on issues that 434 00:21:55,760 --> 00:21:59,000 Speaker 1: matter to them with a lot of education and knowledge 435 00:21:59,000 --> 00:22:03,280 Speaker 1: and hoping we maximize their impact while really minimizing your time. Well, 436 00:22:03,320 --> 00:22:05,919 Speaker 1: we greatly look forward to that progressive and aggressive I 437 00:22:05,960 --> 00:22:09,040 Speaker 1: love that. Thank you so much for sharing everything that 438 00:22:09,359 --> 00:22:12,440 Speaker 1: you do with Lichica and also with the Player's Coalition. 439 00:22:12,560 --> 00:22:15,960 Speaker 1: Like I said, these are conversations that are going to continue, 440 00:22:16,280 --> 00:22:18,280 Speaker 1: but to be able to have them is something that's 441 00:22:18,280 --> 00:22:20,439 Speaker 1: really important to me, and i'd so thank you for 442 00:22:20,480 --> 00:22:24,240 Speaker 1: coming on. Oh, thank you so much. We really appreciate 443 00:22:24,240 --> 00:22:24,760 Speaker 1: the support