Sky Sports and Kick It Out Renew Their Partnership

Sky Sports and Kick It Out have confirmed a one-year extension to their partnership, marking a sixth year of collaboration. This renewed commitment is valued at £1m, comprising a combination of cash and value-in-kind support, aimed at combating discrimination and creating career opportunities within the football industry. Over the past year, Sky Sports has actively supported various Kick It Out initiatives. These include the launch of Kick It Out's 'Football United' strategy, a five-year plan unveiled in September, as well as its new partnership with Guinness 0.0 and the introduction of The Academy, an online education platform. Additionally, Sky Sports has been involved in the Raise Your Game programme, which provides opportunities for young individuals from underrepresented communities to begin their careers in football. The launch of 'Football United' was attended by leading Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville and hosted by Sky Sports News presenter Bela Shah. Bela also played a pivotal role in mentoring two Raise Your Game delegates, Elliott-Jay Henry and Razaq Folarin, who co-hosted an event for the first time after meeting Bela at the Sky Sports Studios in Osterley. Razaq praised Bela's guidance, stating that her advice was invaluable. Sky Sports also assisted in promoting Kick It Out's partnership with Guinness 0.0, which aims to make pubs more welcoming. Sky Sports pundit Clinton Morrison was the main attraction at the launch event, held at a Greene King pub in Westminster. This partnership will provide training for thousands of Greene King staff, focusing on creating inclusive environments and identifying football-related discrimination. In November, Sky Sports News reporter Dharmesh Sheth hosted Kick It Out's Media Raise Your Game event at UCFB's Wembley campus. The event included a workshop delivered by producer Maryam Chaudhary and reporter Chris Reidy, attended by a record number of participants. Furthermore, Sky Sports produced a documentary about the life and legacy of Kick It Out founder Lord Herman Ouseley, who passed away in October 2024. The film aimed to educate younger audiences about Lord Ouseley's impact on the organisation, which he founded over 30 years ago. It was broadcast on Sky Sports and shown at England's game against Latvia in March 2025, coinciding with what would have been Lord Ouseley's 80th birthday. Sky's creative team also provided digital support to highlight his legacy on LED screens around Wembley Stadium. This partnership 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 has provided students from underrepresented backgrounds with the opportunity to earn an MBA in Football Industries, with eight candidates graduating so far. 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 almost 5,000 individuals. Hollie Varney, COO of Kick It Out, commented: "Our partnership with Sky has grown significantly over the past six years, providing unique education and development opportunities for underrepresented communities in football. This is at the heart of our 'Football United' strategy, where we aim to create a more reflective and inclusive industry, both on and off the pitch, and ensure that everyone in the game stands up against discrimination. We are grateful for Sky's ongoing support and look forward to continuing our work together to realise this vision." David Carrigan, Group Director of Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing at Sky, stated: "Kick It Out has been a vital partner in driving forward a more inclusive and representative game. Extending this partnership reflects our long-term commitment to tackling structural inequality in football, not just through funding, but by utilising Sky's platform and influence to create opportunities, amplify voices, and challenge discrimination wherever it exists. Together, we are building a game that truly reflects the diversity of the communities it serves." Sky Sports is dedicated to maintaining a safe and respectful environment for comment and debate on skysports.com and social media platforms, free from abuse, hate, and profanity. If you encounter any hateful content, please report it to us. Kick It Out is the leading equality and inclusion organisation in football, working across the football, educational, and community sectors to challenge discrimination, promote inclusive practices, and campaign for positive change. By working together, we strive to create a safe space for all fans on our social media accounts. Our goal is to celebrate sport for all, and we will not be deterred by hate in our pursuit of this objective.