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<ul class="summary-list"><li>Reports of racist tendencies have forced Utah <keyword id="3071" type="SPORT" weightage="60" keywordseo="Soccer">Soccer</keyword> Holdings owner <keyword id="9837056" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="dell-loy-hansen">Dell Loy Hansen</keyword> to sell his stakes in MLS club Real Salt Lake, <keyword id="4451139" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="nwsl">NWSL</keyword> club <keyword id="9837381" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="utah-royals">Utah Royals</keyword>, and USL club Real Monarchs.</li><li>Subsequent reports reveal that executives at Utah Soccer Holdings encouraged a sexist culture, objectifying some of the world's most talented soccer players in the process.</li><li>According to reporting from <a href="https://www.rslsoapbox.com/2020/8/31/21408655/rsl-culture-toxic-sexist-discriminatory-employee-interviews">SB Nation's Lucas Muller</a>, RSL executive Andy Carroll requested "sexy" photoshoots of female players and excluded certain stars who were "too ugly" from ads and billboards.</li></ul><p>The Utah Soccer Holdings organization — which controls MLS club Real Salt Lake, NWSL club Utah Royals, and USL club Real Monarchs — is in disarray after <a href="https://www.insider.com/mls-nwsl-players-call-for-dell-loy-hansen-removal-racism-2020-8">owner Dell Loy Hansen was outed for a history of racist language</a>.</p><p>Though Hansen has since decided to sell his stake in the franchises, toxicity appears to run rapant among Utah Soccer higher-ups. Recent reporting from <a href="https://www.rslsoapbox.com/2020/8/31/21408655/rsl-culture-toxic-sexist-discriminatory-employee-interviews">SB Nation's Lucas Muller</a> accuses other executives at the franchise — chiefly Chief Business Officer Andy Carroll — of a sexist culture that led to the objectification of some of the world's most talented soccer players.</p><div type="image" title="kelley ohara.JPG" height="1388" width="1851" msid="77877206" hostid="261"></div><p>In an article published Monday night, former Utah Royals photographer Roscoe Myrick told Muller that Carroll instructed his employees to photograph players in a way that would make them look "sexy." Other RSL staffers corroborated Myrick's story and added that Carroll explicitly requested that <keyword id="2648219" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Christen-Press">Christen Press</keyword>, Amy Rodriguez, and <keyword id="2928090" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Kelley-OHara">Kelley O'Hara</keyword> be featured on billboards and advertisements because "he allegedly felt they were the prettiest players on the team."</p><p>Carroll is also accused of deeming other Royals stars, including Icelandic midfielder Gunny Jonsdottir and US Women's National Team star <keyword id="2651758" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Becky-Sauerbrunn">Becky Sauerbrunn</keyword>, "too ugly" to include on outward-facing team materials.</p><p>The report also says Carroll and his fellow Real Salt Lake executives engaged in sexist behavior towards other female employees, including former sideline reporter Rebecca Cade. Cade told Muller that her physique was openly discussed in a meeting among her male coworkers.</p><p>"I was told, by a coworker, that there was a management meeting one Friday after work that only included the men in management — like the marketing guys and PR guys, all the guys I work with," Cade said. "[Carroll] passed around scotch, was talking very inappropriately and was discussing my body with the other men. I didn't really ask for specifics, but I know for sure they were talking about my boobs."</p><p>In a statement provided to Muller in response to his reporting, Real Salt Lake said that "Utah Soccer does not tolerate and has never tolerated language or conduct that is prejudicial or discriminatory against women."</p><div type="image" title="christen press" height="1666" width="2222" msid="77877209" hostid="261"></div><p>"Utah Soccer prioritizes gender equality and has worked diligently to support and empower women both on and off the field," the organization added. "This is exemplified in its various women's initiatives and in the devotion it has shown to the sport of women's soccer more broadly."</p><p>Likewise, a spokesperson for the NWSL called the reports on the toxic within the Royals club "disturbing."</p><p>"We have retained an independent, third-party investigator to help us understand the facts behind the allegations, and help us identify steps that need to be taken, at the club and/or league level, to ensure that positive, supportive and safe working conditions are the norm in the NWSL," the league spokesperson added. "Racism, sexism and misogyny have no place in our society, and certainly have no place in the NWSL."</p><p>Representatives for the NWSL players' association did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.</p><ul class="read-more-links"><li>Read more:</li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/mls-nwsl-players-call-for-dell-loy-hansen-removal-racism-2020-8">Damning report paints the owner of Real Salt Lake and Utah Royals as a 'f------ racist' and 'Donald Sterling part 2,' and players want him gone</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/mls-owner-dell-loy-hansen-bans-players-from-facilities-boycott-2020-8">An MLS owner spoke out against his players and canceled training at team facilities after they boycotted to protest the police shooting of Jacob Blake</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/naomi-osaka-wears-breonna-taylor-mask-during-us-open-2020-9">Naomi Osaka wore a Breonna Taylor mask heading into her first-round US Open victory</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/wnba-games-postponed-solidarity-with-nba-against-police-brutality-2020-8">WNBA players have forced the league to postpone Wednesday night's games: 'We stand in solidarity with our brothers in the NBA' against police brutality</a></li></ul>

An executive for a club in the women's top soccer league is accused of pushing for 'sexy' photoshoots and preventing players deemed 'too ugly' from being featured in ads

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="104460" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="MLS">MLS</keyword> and <keyword id="4451139" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="nwsl">NWSL</keyword> players are calling for the removal of one of the leagues' franchise owners.</li><li><keyword id="9837056" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="dell-loy-hansen">Dell Loy Hansen</keyword> — the owner of <keyword id="257910" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="real-salt-lake">Real Salt Lake</keyword> and <keyword id="9837381" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="utah-royals">Utah Royals</keyword> FC — came under fire after <a href="https://www.insider.com/mls-owner-dell-loy-hansen-bans-players-from-facilities-boycott-2020-8">lashing out at players for boycotting Wednesday night's game</a> to protest the police shooting of <keyword id="9813213" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="jacob-blake">Jacob Blake</keyword>.</li><li>Hansen said he felt "disrespected" and betrayed by the team but later admitted that "the players' intentions were probably misinterpreted on my side."</li><li>Thursday evening, a former club employee called Hansen a "f------ racist" and "Donald Sterling part two" in a damning article from <a href="https://theathletic.com/2027796/2020/08/27/">The Athletic</a>.</li></ul><p>MLS and NWSL players are united in their call for the removal of one of their team owners.</p><p>Dell Loy Hansen — the owner of MLS club Real Salt Lake and the NWSL's Utah Royals FC — has come under fire after <a href="https://www.insider.com/mls-owner-dell-loy-hansen-bans-players-from-facilities-boycott-2020-8">lashing out at his players for boycotting</a> Wednesday night's RSL vs. LAFC match to protest the police shooting of Jacob Blake. Though the Utah native and businessman has since walked back some of his harsh statements towards his team, he finds himself in even hotter water thanks to new information released Thursday evening.</p><div type="image" title="dell loy hansen" height="1482" width="1976" msid="77795616" hostid="261"></div><p>In a damning story published by <a href="https://theathletic.com/2027796/2020/08/27/">The Athletic</a>, former employees and athletes who worked under Hansen at Real Salt Lake accused the franchise owner of problematic and racist behavior.</p><p>"That's just how he is," former RSL employee Andy Williams, who is Black, told The Athletic. "He's a f------ racist, to be honest. I've been in situations where it's like [former LA Clippers owner] Donald Sterling. He says something, and it's like, 'Oh my God, what did he just say?' It's Donald Sterling part two. It's just unbelievable. It's crazy how he doesn't see that the stuff that he says affects people."</p><p>Williams recalled witnessing Hansen use the n-word and make a joke about lynching a Black opponent. A former RSL player, who is also Black, said Hansen once told him he looked like a "thug" during his time with the club.</p><p>In light of The Athletic's reporting, the MLS and NWSL players associations called on their respective leagues to investigate Hansen. Should they corroborate allegations mentioned in the article, both groups called on the leagues to take swift action.</p><p>Later, both MLS and the NWSL committed to investigating Hansen.</p><p>The inquiries into racist allegations against Hansen come amidst the owner's continued crusade to mitigate damage caused by his derogatory comments about RSL players' boycott. In an interview with local show "Radio From Hell" Thursday morning, Hansen said he felt "profound disappointment" in response to learning his players had chosen to use their platforms to protest.</p><p>"It's a moment of sadness," Hansen said, per <a href="https://www.sltrib.com/sports/rsl/2020/08/27/rsl-owner-dell-loy-hansen/">The Salt Lake Tribune's Alex Vejar</a>. "It's like someone stabbed you, and then you're trying to figure out a way to pull the knife out and move forward. That's what it feels like. The disrespect was profound to me personally."</p><div type="image" title="real salt lake.JPG" height="1666" width="2223" msid="77795620" hostid="261"></div><p>Later that evening, Hansen admitted in a radio interview with a different show that "the players' intentions were probably misinterpreted on my side." Still, many in the MLS and NWSL worlds were dissatisfied with his apology, including players from his own club. <a href="https://twitter.com/AlexVReporting/status/1299098408326590464">RSL's Nedum Onuoha</a> said "if [Hansen's] literally not with us, I have no desire to be in this space at all" while <a href="https://twitter.com/tziarra/status/1299077376475717632">Royals rookie Tziarra King</a> said Hansen's attempt to "take this very real situation for the Black community and try to turn it around and make it about himself is completely unacceptable."</p><div type="image" title="tziarra king kailen sheridan.JPG" height="1666" width="2222" msid="77795624" hostid="261"></div><p>MLS was reportedly considering taking action against Hansen even before The Athletic's report was published. The <a href="https://twitter.com/lucaswmuller/status/1299076940717064193">MLS Board of Governors planned to convene</a> Thursday evening to discuss Wednesday's game postponements and inevitably was forced to address Hansen's uncertain future in the league. It appears increasingly doubtful that he'll still be at the helm of Real Salt Lake and Utah Royals FC next time the teams take the pitch.</p><ul class="read-more-links"><li>Read more:</li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/mls-owner-dell-loy-hansen-bans-players-from-facilities-boycott-2020-8">An MLS owner spoke out against his players and canceled training at team facilities after they boycotted to protest the police shooting of Jacob Blake</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/video-more-outrage-jacob-blake-dog-wnba-sky-james-wade-2020-8"></a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/video-more-outrage-jacob-blake-dog-wnba-sky-james-wade-2020-8">The reigning WNBA Coach of the Year said there would be more outrage 'if Jacob Blake was a dog' in an emotional interview before the players' strike</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/wnba-shirts-bullet-holes-washington-mystics-strike-for-jacob-blake-2020-8">The WNBA's Washington Mystics wore shirts with bullet holes while leading the league to strike for Jacob Blake</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/naomi-osaka-drops-out-of-tournament-protest-police-violence-2020-8">Naomi Osaka was 2 matches away from winning a tournament but dropped out at the last minute in protest of police violence</a></li></ul>

Damning report paints the owner of Real Salt Lake and Utah Royals as a 'f------ racist' and 'Donald Sterling part 2,' and players want him gone

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="9837056" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="dell-loy-hansen">Dell Loy Hansen</keyword> — the owner of <keyword id="104460" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="MLS">MLS</keyword> club Real Salt Lake — is retaliating against his players after they boycotted their game Wednesday night.</li><li>Hansen said he felt "disrespected" after players chose not to compete in <keyword id="6359715" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="protest">protest</keyword> of the shooting of <keyword id="9813213" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="jacob-blake">Jacob Blake</keyword>, a Black man shot seven times in the back by a police officer.</li><li>The day after the <keyword id="6358138" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Strike">strike</keyword>, the club canceled group training at Real Salt Lake's practice facilities, according to <a href="https://www.rslsoapbox.com/2020/8/27/21404608/report-rsl-players-barred-from-training-at-practice-facilities-morning-after-protest">reporting from SB Nation</a>.</li></ul><p>Professional athletes across the nation are choosing not to compete in protest of the shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man shot seven times in the back by a police officer.</p><p>And while many leagues and franchises have been supportive of their players' decisions to abstain from play, Dell Loy Hansen has been a notable exception.</p><p>Hansen, who owns MLS club Real Salt Lake, has been outspoken in his disapproval of his team's move not to compete against LAFC as scheduled Wednesday night. In an interview with local show "Radio From Hell," the Utah native and businessman said he felt "profound disappointment" in response to learning his players had chosen to use their platforms to protest.</p><p>"It's a moment of sadness," Hansen said, per <a href="https://www.sltrib.com/sports/rsl/2020/08/27/rsl-owner-dell-loy-hansen/">The Salt Lake Tribune's Alex Vejar</a>. "It's like someone stabbed you, and then you're trying to figure out a way to pull the knife out and move forward. That's what it feels like. The disrespect was profound to me personally."</p><div type="image" title="real salt lake.JPG" height="1666" width="2223" msid="77794738" hostid="261"></div><p>Real Salt Lake constituted just one of 10 MLS teams whose players chose not to take the field Wednesday evening, following the lead of the athletes in the NBA, WNBA, and MLB who decided against competing earlier in the day.</p><p>Less than a day after his team participated in the <keyword id="6359192" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="boycott">boycott</keyword>, Hansen appears to have outwardly retaliated against his players. According to <a href="https://www.rslsoapbox.com/2020/8/27/21404608/report-rsl-players-barred-from-training-at-practice-facilities-morning-after-protest">reporting from SB Nation</a>, the club canceled practice at the RSL training facilities on Thursday.</p><p>Less than 24 hours after players forced the RSL-LAFC game's postponement, Hansen is facing intense blowback for his words and actions. Real Salt Lake players have <a href="https://t.co/dTTA44Jc8g?amp=1">expressed deep-rooted concerns</a> about continuing to play under Hansen, and <a href="https://twitter.com/espn/status/1299051558143954944">other athletes have stood in solidarity</a> with those speaking out.</p><p>In a radio interview Thursday evening, Hansen walked back some of his statements and admitted that "the players' intentions were probably misinterpreted on my side."</p><p>MLS has reportedly considered taking action against Hansen. The <a href="https://twitter.com/lucaswmuller/status/1299076940717064193">MLS Board of Governors will convene</a> Thursday evening for an emergency meeting to discuss Wednesday's game postponements and Hansen's future in the league.</p><ul class="read-more-links"><li>Read more:</li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/video-more-outrage-jacob-blake-dog-wnba-sky-james-wade-2020-8">The reigning WNBA Coach of the Year said there would be more outrage 'if Jacob Blake was a dog' in an emotional interview before the players' strike</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/naomi-osaka-drops-out-of-tournament-protest-police-violence-2020-8">Naomi Osaka was 2 matches away from winning a tournament but dropped out at the last minute in protest of police violence</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/wnba-games-postponed-solidarity-with-nba-against-police-brutality-2020-8">WNBA players have forced the league to postpone Wednesday night's games: 'We stand in solidarity with our brothers in the NBA' against police brutality</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/nba-games-postponed-not-canceled-season-in-jeopardy-2020-8">NBA games have been postponed and the season is in jeopardy as players meet to discuss future of the playoffs</a></li></ul>

An MLS owner spoke out against his players and canceled training at team facilities after they boycotted to protest the police shooting of Jacob Blake

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The National Women's <keyword id="11897666" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="soccer" source="Orion">Soccer</keyword> League fired coach Paul Riley on Thursday following player <a href="https://theathletic.com/2857633/2021/09/30/this-guy-has-a-pattern-amid-institutional-failure-former-nwsl-players-accuse-prominent-coach-of-sexual-coercion/">allegations of misconduct.</a></li><li>Hours after the report, a group of players accused the league of institutional failure in handling Riley.</li><li>The players released a statement demanding an indpendent investigation. </li></ul><p>A group of US women's soccer players accused the National Women's Soccer League of institutional failure to address abusive behavior on Thursday, hours after a <a href="https://theathletic.com/2857633/2021/09/30/this-guy-has-a-pattern-amid-institutional-failure-former-nwsl-players-accuse-prominent-coach-of-sexual-coercion/">report from The Athletic</a> detailed accusations of sexual coercion and inappropriate comments against two-time Coach of the Year Paul Riley.</p><p>The <keyword id="11898436" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="nwsl" source="Orion">NWSL</keyword> and North Carolina Courage - the club where Riley has coached since 2017 - <a href="https://twitter.com/TheNCCourage/status/1443656907894534151?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1443656907894534151%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fsports.yahoo.com%2Fnwsl-uswnt-players-call-for-investigation-after-coach-paul-riley-accused-of-sexual-coercion-171549998.htmlhtml">released a statement</a> following the report announcing Riley's termination.</p><p>NWSL Commissioner Lisa Baird <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSL/status/1443656930292076546?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1443656930292076546%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fsports.yahoo.com%2Fnwsl-uswnt-players-call-for-investigation-after-coach-paul-riley-accused-of-sexual-coercion-171549998.htmlhtml">announced</a> the league would conduct an investigation into the allegations against Riley, which include incidents of sexual harassment, intimidation, misconduct, and comments about players' weight and sexual orientation.</p><div type="image" title="Former NC Courage coach Paul Riley." height="1514" width="2019" msid="86669791" hostid="261"></div><p>In The Athletic piece - which was written by women's soccer reporter Meg Linehan - NWSL players Sinead Farrelly and Meleana "Mana" Shim described instances of inappropriate behavior from Riley while they played on his teams. </p><p>Two-time World Cup champion <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-alex-morgan-became-famous-2013-3">Alex Morgan</a>, who previously played under Riley with the Portland Thorns, confirmed having previous knowledge of their stories and told the outlet that she tried to help them report Riley's behavior to the league.</p><p>Following Baird's statement, Morgan <a href="https://twitter.com/alexmorgan13/status/1443674567298408454?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1443674567298408454%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fsports.yahoo.com%2Fnwsl-uswnt-players-call-for-investigation-after-coach-paul-riley-accused-of-sexual-coercion-171549998.htmlhtml">tweeted screenshots</a> of emails sent to the league discussing players' accusations against Riley.</p><p>"The league was informed of these allegations multiple times and refused multiple times to investigate the allegations," Morgan said on Twitter. "The league must accept responsibility for a process that failed to protect its own players from abuse." </p><div type="image" title="Alex Morgan competes at the Tokyo Olympics." height="1405" width="1874" msid="86669792" hostid="261"></div><p>On Thursday, the NWSL Players Association released a statement demanding an independent investigation into the matter. The players also demanded that any staff accused of violating the league's anti-harassment policy that was put in place last spring be suspended, and asked the league to explain how Riley was re-hired following a past investigation into abusive coaching allegation.</p><p>"The NWSL has failed us," the players said. "We are taking our power back."</p><p>The US Soccer Federation - the governing body for the US Men's and Women's National Teams - released a statement of its own following news of Riley's conduct and subsquent firing. The organization wrote that its leadership was "deeply disturbed" by the disgraced coach's behavior, which "is repulsive, unacceptable, and has zero place in soccer or society."</p><p>US Soccer then announced it had terminated the 57-year-old's coaching license.</p><div type="image" title="Paul Riley." height="1875" width="2500" msid="86669795" hostid="261"></div><p>Linehan's bombshell report about Riley - and the players' strong response to the news - comes amidst an avalanche of controversy across the NWSL. Last year, the now-defunct Utah Royals were forced to fold after franchise owner <a href="https://www.insider.com/mls-nwsl-players-call-for-dell-loy-hansen-removal-racism-2020-8">Dell Loy Hansen was dubbed "Donald Sterling part two"</a> due to his racist and sexist behavior.</p><p>In July of this year, Gotham FC general manager Alyse LaHue was found to have violated the league's anti-harassment policy. A month later, the Washington Spirit lost an assistant coach because he made inappropriate comments to players at a party. Shortly thereafter, the DC-based club's head coach, Richie Burke, was fired for verbally and emotionally abusing players.</p><p>While Riley's purported malfeasance was more than enough to justify the NWSLPA's calls for action, the compounded instances of abuse across the league surely informed Thursday's outrage from players and fans alike. What comes next remains to be seen. But as women's soccer's biggest names - including Morgan and Megan Rapinoe - offer their platforms to call for reform and accountability, the league is facing mounting pressure to address its lack of timely action.</p>

National Women's Soccer League players allege institutional failure following sexual coercion allegations against prominent coach

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The <keyword id="6356028" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="sports">sports</keyword> world came to a halt on Wednesday as professional athletes protested racial injustice and the shooting of <keyword id="9813213" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="jacob-blake">Jacob Blake</keyword> by sitting out games.</li><li>The movement began with the Milwaukee Bucks unexpectedly sitting out of a playoff game, followed by other <keyword id="6361805" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="NBA">NBA</keyword> teams scheduled to play on Wednesday.</li><li><keyword id="152792" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="WNBA">WNBA</keyword> teams sat out of their games, while some <keyword id="133010" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="MLB">MLB</keyword> and <keyword id="104460" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="MLS">MLS</keyword> teams joined in, though others continued.</li><li>As of Thursday, it appeared there would be more postponements in the NBA and the <keyword id="23896" type="SPORT" weightage="60" keywordseo="NHL">NHL</keyword>, though NBA players have agreed to continue the playoffs while demanding action from owners.</li></ul><p>For the second time in 2020, the sports world came to a screeching halt, this time over the fight for racial equality and <keyword id="112438" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="social-justice">social justice</keyword> reform.</p><p>On Wednesday, a strike led by the Milwaukee Bucks choosing not to play Game 5 of their first-round playoff series to protest the police shooting of Jacob Blake rippled through the sports world.</p><p>By Wednesday night, all scheduled NBA playoff games and WNBA games, and some MLB and MLS games had been called off.</p><p>On Thursday, sports leagues across America were grappling with what had unfolded and what would come next.</p><p>Here is how we got here.</p><div type="image" title="bucks boycott" height="750" width="1500" msid="77792975" hostid="261"></div><h2>Bucks players don't take the court for their 4 p.m. ET game</h2><p>When the buzzer sounded in the AdventHealth Arena in Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex on Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET, signaling the end of warmups and the beginning of Game 5 of the first-round matchup between the Bucks and Orlando Magic, only Magic players were on the floor.</p><p>The <a href="https://www.insider.com/milwaukee-bucks-protest-playoff-game-after-jacob-blake-police-shooting-2020-8">Bucks had not come out of their locker room</a> for warmups, and in a matter of minutes, it became clear they wouldn't. The Magic left the floor, followed by the referees, and soon, equipment managers began packing up game equipment, as word leaked from the Bucks locker room that they wouldn't be playing.</p><p>Tensions had been rising in the bubble after the video of Blake getting shot went viral. Players had bemoanded being stuck in the bubble, unable to go protest or go home to their families and communities.</p><p>"We can't do anything [from Orlando]," Bucks guard George Hill said Monday. "First of all, we shouldn't have even came to this damn place, to be honest. I think coming here just took all the focal points off what the issues are."</p><p>On Tuesday, players from the Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics had said a <a href="https://www.insider.com/jacob-blake-shooting-nba-playoff-bubble-boycott-2020-8">boycott of playoff games had been considered</a>. Though the NBA had worked with players to keep messages of social justice reform present throughout the NBA's restart, many players said the symbolism hadn't done enough to make their points clear.</p><p>The Bucks, however, had not given any signal that they were going to boycott. </p><p>According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the decision caught high-ranking Bucks officials off-guard; <a href="https://www.insider.com/bucks-players-planned-boycott-without-team-officials-2020-8">the players made the decision</a>, with no input from management.</p><h2>The Rockets, Thunder, Lakers, and Blazers follow suit and the NBA "postpones" action</h2><p>Just over an hour later, reports made clear that after consideration, the Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder would not play their Wednesday evening game, nor would the Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers.</p><p>The NBA, in response, announced that the <a href="https://www.insider.com/nba-games-postponed-not-canceled-season-in-jeopardy-2020-8">games were postponed and would be rescheduled</a>.</p><p>Some in the sports world, including LeBron James, pushed back on the phrasing — the NBA had no input on the players' decision to sit out games. However, the distinction still mattered, as postponing the games, rather than ruling a forfeiture, meant no wins or losses were attached in the series, and teams would not be punished.</p><h2>WNBA players follow suit</h2><p>The WNBA, which is also in a bubble, had three games scheduled for Wednesday night. Initial reports indicated the games would go on, perhaps with WNBA players planning to make gestures.</p><p>Instead, led by the Washington Mystics, the <a href="https://www.insider.com/wnba-games-postponed-solidarity-with-nba-against-police-brutality-2020-8">six teams decided to sit out of the games</a>. Players from the Mystics, Atlanta Dream, Minnesota Lynx, and the Los Angeles Sparks gathered on the court to explain their thinking. Mystics players wore shirts that read "Jacob Blake" across them and had seven drawings of bullet holes in the back, representing the seven shots fired into Blake's back by police.</p><div type="image" title="wnba shirts bullet holes" height="749" width="1498" msid="77792980" hostid="261"></div><p>Like the NBA, the WNBA ruled the games had been postponed.</p><h2>Some MLB players and teams opt-out, but not all</h2><p>By 6:30 p.m. ET, the <a href="https://www.insider.com/brewers-sit-out-wednesday-game-reds-jacob-blake-shooting-2020-8">Milwaukee Brewers had decided to sit out of their game against the Cincinnati Reds</a>, who also agreed not to play. The game was set to be played in Milwaukee, about 45 minutes from Kenosha, where Blake had been shot, and protests had ensued.</p><p>Over the following hours, the Seattle Mariners, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, and Los Angeles Dodgers all decided to sit out of their games. Some games were already being played or had just finished as teams decided not to play.</p><p>Some individual players also chose to sit out, including Mookie Betts of the Dodgers, Jason Heyward of the Chicago Cubs, Dexter Fowler, and Jack Flaherty of the St. Louis Cardinals, and Matt Kemp of the Colorado Rockies.</p><p>The teams that did not play on Wednesday are expected to play doubleheaders on Thursday to make up for the lost game.</p><h2>MLS players opt-out</h2><p>Following the NBA, WNBA, and MLB, five of six MLS games did not go off, with players choosing to sit out. One game between Orlando City SC and Nashville SC finished, as players did not have enough time to plan if they wanted to sit out.</p><h2>NHL's "moment of reflection" falls flat</h2><div type="image" title="nhl end racism" height="843" width="1125" msid="77792982" hostid="261"></div>NHL games went on as scheduled, but began with a "moment of reflection." Before Game 3 between the Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning in Toronto, a public-address announcer read a statement condemning racism while electronic screens read, "End Racism." There was a 7-second moment of silence.<p>A game between the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars did not have a pregame ritual, <a href="https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/29749028/wild-matt-dumba-says-nhl-decision-hold-games-wednesday-disheartening">according to ESPN's Greg Wyshynski</a>.</p><p>"NHL is always last to the party on these topics," Minnesota Wild defenseman Matt Dumba told Sportsnet 650 in Vancouver on Wednesday. "It's kind of sad and disheartening for me and for members of the Hockey Diversity Alliance, and I'm sure for other guys across the league. But if no one stands up and does anything, then it's the same thing. That silence. You're just outside, looking in on actually being leaders and evoking real change when you have such an opportunity to do so."</p><h2>A heated Wednesday night meeting threatens the NBA playoffs</h2><p>After the games' postponement, NBA players in the bubble held a league-wide meeting, including coaches, to discuss the next steps.</p><p>The meeting ended around 11 p.m. ET, with reports of disagreement among players about how to proceed. The Los Angeles Lakers and LA Clippers reportedly voiced a desire to end the season, with LeBron James walking out of the meeting.</p><p>Others wanted to continue playing, but push owners of teams to take action toward social justice reform.</p><p>Ultimately, the meeting broke without a plan, with players agreeing to take some time to let emotions die down before meeting on Thursday.</p><h2>As of Thursday, each league stands in different places</h2><div type="image" title="lebron james bubble" height="796" width="1061" msid="77792984" hostid="261"></div>NBA players met on Thursday, and according to reports, agreed to continue playing the playoffs. However, on their agenda was a meeting with owners to push for action. Games are expected to be postponed on Thursday and possibly resume on Friday or over the weekend.<p>The WNBA announced that Thursday games would be postponed.</p><p>In the NHL, teams were preparing for canceled playoff games, <a href="https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/1299041511712194563">according to hockey reporter Elliotte Friedman</a>.</p><p>Meanwhile, NFL teams largely canceled practices on Thursday, following in the footsteps of the Detroit Lions, who canceled their practice on Tuesday to protest the shooting of Blake. Though not every team canceled practice, several coaches, including the Atlanta Falcons' Dan Quinn and Baltimore Ravens John Harbaugh, said they would meet with players to discuss steps to take action for social justice reform.</p><p>According to reports, MLB and MLS may both grapple with different factions within the player ranks.</p><p><a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/29751486/you-just-not-do-baseball-mixed-response-social-justice-next">As ESPN's Jeff Passan wrote</a>, MLB released a fairly neutral statement saying the league respected the decisions of players who decided to sit out, not that the league supported them. The statement was reflective of a league with a "diverse ecosystem" and worse labor relations between players and the league than the NBA.</p><p>In MLS, there is backlash brewing after Real Salt Lake owner Dell Loy Hansen expressed "profound disappointment" that RLS decided not to play its game on Wednesday. He also suggested he would make a less financial commitment to the team.</p><p>"It's taken a lot of wind out of my sails, what effort I want to put into recruiting players and building a great team," Hansen said. "It just seems that's not a very good path to take."</p><p>Wojnarowski reported on Thursday that NBA players and team owners were planning to meet to come up with a way to move forward on pushing social justice reform. From the players' side it appears as if the symbolic gestures the league agreed upon in the bubble — "Black Lives Matter" on the courts, social justice messages on jerseys, kneeling for the national anthem — will no longer be enough.</p><p>As games continue to get postponed, future days likely won't top Wednesday in drama or theatrics, but an historic day in sports felt like a tipping point for American athletes seizing their leverage.</p><ul class="read-more-links"><li>Read more:</li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/nba-boycott-celtics-jaylen-brown-players-leaving-bubble-should-protest-2020-8">The Celtics' Jaylen Brown told fellow NBA stars they should only leave the bubble if they plan to take to the 'streets' and fight racial injustice, not just sit at home</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/colby-covington-ufc-fighter-criticizes-nba-player-protest-2020-8">A MAGA hat-wearing MMA fighter criticized the NBA players who are protesting the police shooting of Jacob Blake</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/naomi-osaka-drops-out-of-tournament-protest-police-violence-2020-8">Naomi Osaka was 2 matches away from winning a tournament but dropped out at the last minute in protest of police violence</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/before-after-photos-sports-stadiums-pandemic-2020-8">Before-and-after photos show how sports stadiums and arenas have changed during the pandemic</a></li></ul>

Racial injustice brought the sports world to a halt. Here's where the historic fight is headed next.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The National <keyword id="7597433" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Womens-soccer">Women's Soccer</keyword> League was <a href="https://www.insider.com/nwsl-watching-guide-first-pro-sports-united-states-2020-6">the first American professional contact sports league to return since the coronavirus pandemic began</a> when the 2020 <keyword id="9527642" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="nwsl-challenge-cup">NWSL Challenge Cup</keyword> kicked off June 27.</li><li>The world's premier women's soccer league has been playing in a "<keyword id="4662213" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Bubble">bubble</keyword>" in Utah and has not welcomed <keyword id="1392" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="fans">fans</keyword> to any games thus far.</li><li>An email from the Utah Royals — the club hosting the tournament — offered season ticket holders "the first opportunity to purchase tickets" in the event that fans are welcome at the semifinals and finals.</li><li>The <keyword id="4451139" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="nwsl">NWSL</keyword> has insisted that its "current protocols call for no fan participation in-person" but the league will "continuously review those plans."</li><li>NWSL Players Association Executive Director Brooke Elby told Insider that introducing fans "just doesn't make sense" and that "those plans are staying the way that they were written at the beginning of this tournament."</li></ul><p>The National Women's Soccer League was <a href="https://www.insider.com/nwsl-watching-guide-first-pro-sports-united-states-2020-6">the first American professional contact sports league to return to action </a>since the <keyword id="1754604" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="coronavirus">coronavirus</keyword> pandemic began, and, for a moment, it appeared as though it could be one of the first to welcome fans back into the fold in-person as well.</p><p><div type="image" title="North Carolina Courage forward Lynn Williams (9) and Portland Thorns FC midfielder Lindsey Horan (10) battle for the ball during the first half of an NWSL Challenge Cup soccer match at Zions Bank Stadium, Saturday, June 27, 2020, in Herriman, Utah. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)" height="2035" width="2713" msid="76843694" hostid="261"></div></p><p>But according to NWSL Players Association Executive Director Brooke Elby, the NWSLPA has "thoroughly" discussed with the league its intention of "sticking to protocols that have been put in place."</p><p>"And that means no fans," Elby told Insider.</p><p>The world's premier women's soccer league has been playing in a "bubble" in Utah since the last weekend in June and has not welcomed fans to any of its NWSL Challenge Cup contests at Zions Bank Stadium thus far. Through 10 games and over a week in isolation, not a single player, coach, or staff member has tested positive for the novel coronavirus.</p><p>Still, Real Salt Lake — the club overseeing the MLS team of the same name plus USL's Real Monarchs and the NWSL's Utah Royals, who are hosting the Challenge Cup — has been publicly toying with the idea of inviting fans to participate in the final rounds of the tournament in person.</p><p><div type="image" title="zions bank stadium.JPG" height="1250" width="2500" msid="76843698" hostid="261"></div></p><p>When the league first announced its plans for the Challenge Cup back in June, Real Salt Lake owner Dell Loy Hansen told <a href="https://www.sltrib.com/sports/rsl/2020/05/27/nwsl-makes-it-official/">The Salt Lake Tribune's Alex Vejar</a> that he "would like to add that energy and invite fans into the stadium because we think that's the second part that's really important." He added that the prospect of fan inclusion had not yet been broached with NWSL players because "they've got enough fears to get over."</p><p>Once players arrived in Utah, it appeared as though the idea of welcoming fans to witness games in person had been laid to rest. The NWSLPA leadership was certainly under that impression.</p><p><div type="image" title="sarah gorden.JPG" height="1667" width="2222" msid="76843700" hostid="261"></div></p><p>"I'm going to say there was never the 100% definite no," Elby said regarding the state of plans to have fans present at the tournament upon players' arrival in Utah. "But it was always pretty known that it was going to be a no if that makes sense."</p><h2>Less than a week into the Cup, however, the idea of including fans in person at the Challenge Cup resurfaced</h2><p>On July 2, <a href="https://www.sltrib.com/sports/rsl/2020/07/02/real-monarchs-set-open/">Vejar reported for The Salt Lake Tribune</a> that Real Salt Lake would be welcoming "as many as 5,300" fans to Rio Tinto Stadium for the Real Monarchs' match on July 11. At the time, a team spokesperson for the Utah Royals told Vejar the club was "hopeful" that the final rounds of the Challenge Cup — which are slated to kick off at the same venue roughly two weeks later — will be played in front of fans.</p><p><div type="image" title="midge purce.JPG" height="1435" width="1913" msid="76843702" hostid="261"></div></p><p>Elby insisted that in-person fan participation at the Real Monarchs game "is totally separate from" the NWSL's plans.</p><p>"If the USL ends up having fans, that is their ownership's decision," she added. "For our league, I think we're all on the same page here."</p><p>But the next morning, Real Salt Lake had sent an email to fans about its "RSL Family Season Member Rollover Plan." In the message, the club offered "the first opportunity to purchase tickets to our season ticket members" in the event they are able to welcome fans to Rio Tinto Stadium for the semifinals and finals of the NWSL Challenge Cup.</p><p>And as of Monday afternoon, a representative from Real Salt Lake's ticket office confirmed that season ticket holders "have an opportunity to select that option to be involved with the presale for those games if [the club] is granted the opportunity to host fans for those three games."</p><p><div type="image" title="tziarra king kailen sheridan.JPG" height="1667" width="2223" msid="76843705" hostid="261"></div></p><p>But a club spokesperson told Insider via email that nothing had changed as of Monday evening.</p><p>"There are currently no plans for fans to attend the NWSL Challenge Cup at any point," RSL Senior Manager of Communications Taran Meyer wrote. "NWSL, NWSLPA, and USWNT PA have all been in contact with applicable parties regarding these discussions."</p><h2>Players would not be on board with a change to the NWSL Challenge Cup plans that involves in-person fan participation</h2><p>When asked if a decision to change the current tournament protocols would bode well with players, Elby responded with an unequivocal "no."</p><p>"We've been in constant communication with our players, and we've also been in constant communication with the league that this just doesn't make sense at the time," Elby added. "We've written these protocols, the medical task force has written these protocols — there's no need to change. I think players feel the same way and we want to represent that feeling, but I also feel like the league is on the same page about that as well."</p><p><div type="image" title="rachel daly houston dash.JPG" height="1256" width="1675" msid="76843707" hostid="261"></div></p><p>NWSL Director of Communications Kirsten Brierley confirmed to Insider via email on Thursday that there still had been "no changes in our plans at this time" but did not shut down the prospect of welcoming fans in person down the line.</p><p>"Our current protocols call for no fan participation in-person," Brierley wrote. "In partnership with the players associations, we continuously review those plans and will make any decisions going forward with the <keyword id="6354750" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="health">health</keyword> and safety of NWSL players, officials, and staff as the number one priority."</p><p>Even so, Elby expressed confidence that the NWSL Challenge Cup would finish the same way it started: sans fans.</p><p>"We are working collaboratively with the league and there is no plan to change these protocols," Elby said. "Whatever any league is planning on doing does not directly reflect anything the NWSL is, as the same with anything any clubs are saying."</p><p>"I want people to understand that the league has been conversing with us and with the players and that those plans are staying the way that they were written at the beginning of this tournament," she added.</p><ul class="read-more-links"><li>Read more:</li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/video-ashley-sanchez-heel-flick-washington-spirit-nwsl-challenge-cup-2020-7">Ashley Sanchez's brilliant back-heel flick to assist the Washington Spirit's late-game equalizer may be the best play of the NWSL Challenge Cup so far</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/julie-ertz-casey-short-kneel-cry-during-national-anthem-nwsl-2020-6">Julie Ertz and US women's national team, Chicago Red Stars teammate Casey Short took a knee, held each other, and cried during the national anthem at their first game in 8 months</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/nwsl-players-kneel-national-anthem-wear-black-lives-matter-shirts-2020-6">Every single NWSL player kneeled during the national anthem at the first professional contact sports game to return in the US since the coronavirus pandemic began</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/nwsl-watching-guide-first-pro-sports-united-states-2020-6">Here's your viewing guide for the NWSL — the first American professional contact sports league to return since the coronavirus pandemic began</a></li></ul>

You Searched For "dell loy hansen" and got 6 results

An executive for a club in the women's top soccer league is accused of pushing for 'sexy' photoshoots and preventing players deemed 'too ugly' from being featured in ads

Meredith Cash

Damning report paints the owner of Real Salt Lake and Utah Royals as a 'f------ racist' and 'Donald Sterling part 2,' and players want him gone

Meredith Cash

An MLS owner spoke out against his players and canceled training at team facilities after they boycotted to protest the police shooting of Jacob Blake

Meredith Cash

National Women's Soccer League players allege institutional failure following sexual coercion allegations against prominent coach

Erin Snodgrass

Racial injustice brought the sports world to a halt. Here's where the historic fight is headed next.

Scott Davis

The NWSL may be heading towards a showdown with players after the host team teased the addition of fans for future Challenge Cup matches

Meredith Cash

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