The lack of BAME people in football management is a topic that has been highlighted several times.
In contrast the same topic surrounding diversity and equality in sports media has not been a prevalent.
BCOMS founder Leon Mann discussed with myself his journey and path into the sports media industry. “I found the media wasn’t diverse for a person of colour.”
Highlighting the early challenges, he faced at the start of his sporting media career. “I set up BCOMS to help to discuss equality for ethnic minorities in sports media.”
Pathways
Growing up the dream for Leon as with many kids was to become a professional footballer, one day donning on the white and navy of his beloved team Tottenham Hotspur. “As a young person I wanted to be a professional footballer.”
Although he did not possess the skills required to make it in the game professionally Mann set about a path that would keep him in the industry of sport. The next best thing to not being able to play football professionally was to become a journalist.
The problems he faced was that looking around the media outlets there was no one that Leon could see that represented himself. “I didn’t see anybody like me as a black person in the media, only Garth Crooks.” [Ex Tottenham striker and now BBC pundit]
Inspirations
Although the pathway seemed tough Leon did identify with certain members of the industry of BAME backgrounds that served as key mentors for himself. “I met Rodney Hinds [ The Voice] and Darren Lewis [Daily Mirror Football Writer] seeing them changed my mindset that maybe I can do this.”
Facts & Figures
Attending The D Word3 Launch at the London City Hall an event to highlight BAME equality in sports media the numbers are still startling.
The facts and figures from the event were reflective of 338 roles across broadcast and written media. The numbers are based on eight major national newspapers titles and leading broadcasting networks. Furthermore, the figures do not highlight positions such as behind the camera and industry newsrooms.
Five out of 338 roles given to black sports journalists without a professional sports background which works out at 1.5%. Across 109 roles in the newspapers there was found to be zero BAME women in roles. Seven of the 338 roles were given to Asian sports journalists which is 2%. Just some of the figures that were presented at the launch.
