Lesley Slaton, the NBA’s chief DEI officer, announced in an email that she is stepping down from her position. She had joined the NBA in 2023 and had previously served as the chief DEI officer at HP since 2015. The league has stated that they will be hiring a replacement for Slaton. The email emphasized that diversity and inclusion are key values for the NBA, WNBA, and other leagues, and will continue to be central to their business and workplace culture. This news comes at a time when other American sports organizations, such as MLB, have been distancing themselves from DEI initiatives, with MLB removing diversity references from its careers page.
In February, the General Services Administration made changes to the Federal Acquisition Regulations to align with a presidential executive order aimed at restoring meritocracy and ending discrimination in the public and private sectors. This move reversed previous executive orders from the Biden administration that required the consideration of DEI when reviewing contract proposals. Under the Trump administration, language related to DEI principles had been ordered to be removed from federal acquisition, contracting, grant, and financial assistance procedures. These changes reflect a shift in priorities and policies around DEI initiatives in government contracting and procurement processes.
The decision by Lesley Slaton to step down as the NBA’s chief DEI officer comes at a time when diversity and inclusion have become increasingly important issues in the sports industry. The NBA, WNBA, and other leagues have affirmed their commitment to these values in their business practices and workplace culture. The league’s announcement of Slaton’s departure and plans to hire a replacement signal that they are continuing to prioritize DEI efforts within their organization. Additionally, the move by MLB to remove references to diversity on their careers page highlights the differing approaches to DEI initiatives in various sports organizations.
The changes made by the General Services Administration to align with the president’s executive order reflect a broader shift in government policy around DEI initiatives in contracting and procurement processes. The decision to reverse previous executive orders from the Biden administration that required consideration of DEI when reviewing contract proposals indicates a change in the approach to addressing discrimination and promoting meritocracy in the public and private sectors. The removal of language associated with DEI principles in federal acquisition procedures under the Trump administration signals a significant policy shift in how diversity and inclusion are addressed in government contracting.
Overall, the announcements regarding Lesley Slaton’s departure as the NBA’s chief DEI officer and the changes made by the General Services Administration highlight the ongoing importance and evolution of DEI initiatives in both the sports industry and government contracting. The commitment to diversity and inclusion in the NBA, WNBA, and other leagues, as well as the changes in federal regulations related to DEI, reflect a broader societal shift towards addressing discrimination and promoting equality. These developments signal a changing landscape around DEI efforts and policies, both within sports organizations and in government contracting, with implications for how these issues are addressed and prioritized in the future.
