Sky Sports and Kick It Out Renew Partnership to Foster Inclusivity in Football

Sky Sports has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in football by extending its partnership with Kick It Out for another year. This renewed collaboration, now in its sixth year, is valued at £1m and comprises a combination of financial and value-in-kind support. The partnership aims to combat discrimination, create career opportunities, and make the sport more welcoming to all. Over the past year, Sky Sports has actively supported various Kick It Out initiatives. These include the launch of the 'Football United' strategy, a five-year plan designed to tackle discrimination and promote inclusivity. Additionally, Sky Sports has backed the introduction of Kick It Out's online education platform, The Academy, and the Raise Your Game programme, which provides opportunities for young people from underrepresented communities to break into the football industry. The 'Football United' strategy was officially launched in September, with Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville in attendance. Sky Sports News presenter Bela Shah played a pivotal role in the event and has been mentoring two Raise Your Game delegates, Elliott-Jay Henry and Razaq Folarin. Both individuals have benefited from Bela's guidance, with Razaq praising her advice as 'invaluable'. Furthermore, Sky Sports has helped promote Kick It Out's partnership with Guinness 0.0, aimed at making pubs more inclusive environments for football fans. The partnership includes training for thousands of Greene King staff to recognize and address football-related discrimination. In November, Sky Sports News reporter Dharmesh Sheth hosted Kick It Out's Media Raise Your Game event, which featured a workshop by producer Maryam Chaudhary and reporter Chris Reidy. The event drew a record number of attendees. Sky Sports also produced a documentary about Kick It Out founder Lord Herman Ouseley, who passed away in October 2024. The film aims to educate younger audiences about Lord Ouseley's legacy and the impact he had on the sport during his lifetime. It was shown on Sky Sports and at England's game against Latvia in March 2025, coinciding with what would have been Lord Ouseley's 80th birthday. The documentary is part of Sky's £30m commitment to addressing structural inequality. Over the past six years, Sky's investment in Kick It Out has supported several initiatives, including a joint scholarship programme with the University of Liverpool Management School. This programme provides students from underrepresented backgrounds with the opportunity to earn an MBA in Football Industries. Additionally, Sky has invested in Kick It Out's digital learning platform, The Academy, which has delivered educational content on equality, diversity, and inclusion to nearly 5,000 people. Hollie Varney, COO of Kick It Out, expressed gratitude for Sky's ongoing support, stating that the partnership is crucial in providing education and development opportunities for underrepresented communities in football. The collaboration aligns with Kick It Out's 'Football United' strategy, which aims to make the football industry more reflective of the talent and diversity within it. David Carrigan, Group Director of Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing at Sky, emphasized the company's long-term commitment to tackling structural inequality in football. He highlighted the importance of using Sky's platform and influence to create opportunities, amplify voices, and challenge discrimination in all its forms. Sky Sports is dedicated to maintaining a safe and respectful environment for commentary and debate on its website and social media channels. The company encourages users to report any instances of hate speech or abuse, ensuring that its platforms remain free from discriminatory content. By working together, Sky Sports and Kick It Out aim to create a more inclusive and diverse football community, where everyone can feel welcome and valued.