Hockey Diversity Alliance breaks ties with the NHL after failed bid for $100 million investment

In case you missed it in all of the hoopla of the NHL Draft over the past two days, the Hockey Diversity Alliance (HDA) announced that it was breaking ties with the NHL after the HDA claims the league did nothing to help them reach the goals outlined in the HDA's pledge.

Check it out:

Among the HDA's "ask" from the NHL in their pledge:

We will accelerate our efforts to ensure that no barriers exist to prevent black individuals from getting hires by, and advancing within, the NHL and each of our member franchises (individually and collectively, the "League").

It's important that our supplier base reflects the diversity of the communities from which we operate and commit to creating an inclusive procurement process that ensures black suppliers are selected to deliver at least 10% of the league procurement expenditure.

We will ensure that they have an opportunity to help change the culture of the league by imposing a requirement that at least 50% of the executive inclusion committee (or any successor thereof) shall be comprised of members selected by the HDA.

We will implement anti-racism and unconscious bias education within the league and make it mandatory for all league employees before the start of the 2020-2021 season.

We will not support, partner with, or accept support from any organization that has engaged in, promoted, or failed to appropriately respond to racist conduct in their organization of any kind.

Most importantly though, the HDA requested a $100 million investment from the NHL to "support social justice initiatives that target racism and access to justice from members of Black, Indigenous and Racialized communities."

While I agree with just about everything the HDA stands for, asking for $100 million and then claiming foul play when the NHL doesn't write a blank check is... well it's just staggering really. The NHL was never going to commit $100 million to any cause, regardless of how noble it is. To be perfectly honest, I don't feel like the HDA is acting in good faith with the NHL. This isn't how you create a partnership, at least not a partnership that is built on trust and with the same goals in mind.

Here's hoping that the HDA and the NHL can come together on a more realistic platform to enact real change.