Smulyan Group Commits to Diversity in Baseball with African American Equity Investment

The Smulyan Group, consisting of over 15 local investors and Jeff Smulyan, has made a significant commitment to diversity in Major League Baseball by investing 25% of the ownership stake in the Washington Nationals, the highest percentage in MLB history. This move comes as the Group announces its intention to select an African American President to lead the team, further solidifying its commitment to making the franchise representative of the communities it serves. Calvin Hill, chair of the Group's Hiring Committee, emphasizes the importance of reconnecting the game of baseball with the City's youth and using the team's resources for the good of the game and the community.

Key Takeaways:

• The Smulyan Group, comprised of 15 local investors and Jeff Smulyan, has committed to a 25% African American equity investment in the Washington Nationals, the highest percentage in MLB history.
• The Group has announced its intention to select an African American President to lead the team, further solidifying its commitment to diversity and representation.
• Calvin Hill, chair of the Group's Hiring Committee, emphasizes the importance of reconnecting the game of baseball with the City's youth and using the team's resources for the good of the community.
• The Group's commitment to diversity is reflected in its composition, with over 15 longtime citizens of the District of Columbia and the Greater Washington area, including notable figures such as Calvin Hill, Eric Holder, Art Monk, and Charles Mann.
• The Smulyan Group's commitment to diversity is part of a broader effort to make baseball more representative of the communities it serves, as reflected in the Group's Community Outreach Council, chaired by Eric Holder, Charles Mann, and Art Monk.

Statistics:

• 25%: The percentage of African American equity investment in the Washington Nationals by the Smulyan Group, the highest in MLB history.
• 15: The number of local investors in the Smulyan Group, including notable figures such as Calvin Hill, Eric Holder, and Art Monk.
• 2006: The year in which the Smulyan Group announced its intention to invest in the Washington Nationals and commit to diversity in the franchise.
• 25: The percentage of the Washington Nationals' ownership stake invested by the Smulyan Group.

Sources:

• U.S. Newswire via COMTEX (April 24, 2006)
• "Major League Baseball Racial and Gender Report Card" prepared by Richard Lapchick of the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport at the University of Central Florida (2006)
• U.S. Newswire (Copyright 2006)