Sky Sports and Kick It Out Renew Their Partnership

The partnership between Sky Sports and Kick It Out has been extended for an additional year, marking a sixth year of collaboration. This extension solidifies both organizations' dedication to making football a more welcoming environment. The renewed partnership involves a £1m investment, combining financial support and value-in-kind contributions, to combat discrimination and create career opportunities within the sport. Over the past year, Sky Sports has actively supported various Kick It Out initiatives, including the launch of the 'Football United' strategy, a new partnership with Guinness 0.0, and the online education platform, The Academy. Additionally, Sky Sports has been involved in the Raise Your Game program, providing opportunities for young individuals from underrepresented communities to enter the football industry. The 'Football United' strategy was officially launched in September, with Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville in attendance. Sky Sports presenter Bela Shah 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. Razaq praised Bela's guidance, stating that her advice was invaluable. Sky also helped promote Kick It Out's partnership with Guinness 0.0, aiming to make pubs more welcoming, with Sky Sports pundit Clinton Morrison attending the launch event. This partnership will provide training for thousands of Greene King staff to recognize and address football-related discrimination. Furthermore, Sky Sports News reporter Dharmesh Sheth hosted Kick It Out's Media Raise Your Game event, where producer Maryam Chaudhary and reporter Chris Reidy led a workshop for a record number of attendees. To honor the legacy of Kick It Out founder Lord Herman Ouseley, who passed away in October 2024, Sky Sports produced a documentary to educate younger audiences about his impact on the organization. The film was showcased 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 highlighted his contributions to the sport, and Sky's creative team provided digital support to acknowledge his influence on LED screens around Wembley Stadium. As part of Sky's £30m commitment to addressing structural inequality, the company has invested significantly in Kick It Out over the past six years. This investment has supported several initiatives, including a joint scholarship program with the University of Liverpool Management School, which has enabled eight candidates to graduate with an MBA in Football Industries. It has also funded Kick It Out's digital learning platform, The Academy, which has delivered educational content on equality, diversity, and inclusion to nearly 5,000 individuals. Hollie Varney, COO of Kick It Out, expressed gratitude for Sky's ongoing support, stating that the partnership has provided unique education and development opportunities for underrepresented communities in football. David Carrigan, Group Director of Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing at Sky, emphasized the company's long-term commitment to tackling structural inequality in football, utilizing its platform and influence to create opportunities, amplify voices, and challenge discrimination. Sky Sports is dedicated to maintaining a safe and respectful environment for comment and debate on its social media platforms, free from abuse, hate, and profanity. The company encourages users to report any hateful content, ensuring that its social media accounts remain a safe space for all fans.