NASCAR has joined a powerful new campaign in conjunction with national sports leagues that encourages sports fans across North America to take a ‘#Timeout Against Hate. Premiering today, the campaign and ad spot features 2023 NASCAR Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney alongside other famous coaches and athletes and was developed by Robert Kraft’s Foundation to Combat Antisemitism (FCAS). #Timeout Against Hate spotlights the various sports figures calling a “timeout,” turning the common sports gesture into a national call against hate. The new spot anchors the first-of-its-kind campaign, which was designed to unite major sports leagues, its commissioners, and star athletes to champion the fight against all hate.
The campaign was inspired by and created from a closed-door meeting between FCAS founder Robert Kraft and major sports commissioners earlier this year as an opportunity for each league to take a larger, active role in propelling the fight against all forms of hate. The meeting included Steve Phelps, NASCAR President, and top league executives including Rob Manfred, Major League Baseball (MLB), Don Garber, Major League Soccer (MLS), Adam Silver, National Basketball Association (NBA), Cathy Engelbert, Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), Roger Goodell, National Football League (NFL), Gary Bettman, National Hockey League (NHL) and Jessica Berman, National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). The historic moment marked the first time all commissioners came together collectively in-person, signifying the importance of this mission.
“This is an unprecedented show of unity among sports leagues in the fight against hate and we’re proud to be part of this important effort,” said Steve Phelps, NASCAR President. “NASCAR is committed to doing its part to actively stamp out hate in its many forms and this new campaign represents the continuation of that spirit.”“The ‘#Timeout Against Hate’ campaign represents a powerful convergence of sports icons and leaders who are committed to fighting hate in all its forms,” said Robert Kraft, Founder of the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism. “In sports, we call a ‘timeout’ when things are heading in the wrong direction and right now, in our country, hate is winning, and we need to change the momentum. Bringing together the commissioners of North America’s major sports leagues for this campaign is a historic and crucial step in our fight against all hate.
By uniting under a common cause, we amplify our message and demonstrate that the power of sports extends beyond stadiums, arenas and fields, and into our communities. This initiative is a call to action for everyone to join us in creating a world where hate is met with a unified stand for empathy, understanding, and respect.”In addition to Blaney, driver of the No. 12 Team Penske Ford Mustang, the new spot includes the following sports legends and rising stars:39-time Grand Slam winner and International Tennis Hall of Fame inductee, Billie Jean King NBA analyst and four-time NBA Champion, Shaquille O’Neal President of Adidas Women’s Basketball and three-time WNBA champion, Candace Parker Los Angeles Chargers head coach, Jim Harbaugh Milwaukee Bucks coach, Doc Rivers
USWNT Olympic Gold Medalist and Gotham FC center back, Tierna Davidson Columbus Crew head coach, 2023 MLS Champion, Wilfred Nancy Former New York Yankees manager and four-time World Series Champion, Joe Torre Edmonton Oilers forward and 2024 Western Conference Champion, Zach Hyman
The #Timeout Against Hate campaign will make its broadcast premiere Thursday as part of Amazon’s Thursday Night Football programming between the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks. In addition to broadcast, the campaign will be visible on other digital platforms, social media, and on out of home billboards featuring the bespoke #Timeout hand signal to reach Americans across the country.
