On July 31 at a Golden Baseball League game in Orange County the Edmonton Capitals field manager Brent Bowers released a tirade of homophobic insults at umpire Bill Van Raaphorst. In his vitriolic outburst it is clear that he and others partook in gossiping about Van Raaphorst's sexual orientation. International sports media criticized Bower's actions. The Capitals, part of the sports organizations including the Edmonton Oilers owned by the Katz Group, reacted swiftly along with the League. Bowers was fined $5000, and suspended for the remainder of the season, shortly thereafter Bowers resigned. Within days the Oilers and Capitals—under the leadership of President and CEO Patrick LaForge were consulting with gay and lesbian community members. Last week the Oilers invited Van Raaphorst to Edmonton. He spoke to the Capitals, met with members of Edmonton's sexual minority and human rights communities, and participated in a press conference.
Understanding the Bowers/Van Raaphorst incident as an issue of homophobia would be to miss bigger issues of diversity in general and the role sports play in shaping our culture.
LaForge has a history of using his influence as a civic leader and respected voice within the patriarchal world of sports and business to discuss taboo topics such as drugs in sports and domestic violence. And he again recognized the opportunity to explore and change how those issues along with homophobia flourish within sports culture.
In the wake of Van Raaphorst speaking tour here in Edmonton we have a greater opportunity to look at larger issues within sports: how does the hyper-masculine world of sports lead to drug use, violence, discrimination and abuses of power? In what ways can the Oilers use its resources to create cultural change, ushering in a more balanced view of what an athlete, a competitor can be? How can difference be better understood as a competitive edge?
The Oilers have handled the situation well and what may make future Oilers and Capitals events continue to be worth the price of admission is how the organization continues to use these opportunities as a positive game changer.
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