New York City FC was founded on the belief that soccer can empower better lives. Since our founding, we have worked to create meaningful community impact through youth programs, partnerships and initiatives across the five boroughs. But we know there is always more work to do. 

In 2020, in the wake of the murder of George Floyd, New York City FC established its Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council and published the Club’s DEI Starting XI: a set of commitments designed to create tangible and ongoing change within our organization and across New York City. 

Six years later, as we prepare to open Etihad Park and enter a new era for our Club, we are refreshing those commitments. These are not new commitments, but updated commitments that reflect the progress, learnings, and evolving responsibilities of the Club since 2020. 

We remain committed to fostering an inclusive culture rooted in equality, dignity and respect, and to using our platform to support the diverse communities that make New York City home. Our refreshed DEI Starting XI is organized across the same three pillars first introduced in 2020: Access and Education, Engage and Support, and Celebrate and Amplify.

1.‎ Maintain a Diversity Equity & Inclusion Council

Maintain a Diversity Equity & Inclusion Council with an active voice in the organization, and encourage employee participation in Employee Resource Networks (ERNs).  

2. Host annual internal DEI trainings

Host annual internal DEI trainings to increase discussion of staff learning on important topics such as unconscious bias, inclusive behaviors, and social justice awareness. 

3. Improve recruiting, hiring, and retention practices

Improve recruiting, hiring, and retention practices for diverse candidates from entry-level roles through the Senior Leadership Team, including interview access for Club interns and City in the Community participants, clearer internal visibility into open roles, and continued evaluation of recruitment approach and employee benefits for diverse candidates. 

4. Continue the annual Coach Mentorship Program

Run the annual Coach Mentorship Program for minority coaches, providing opportunities to work alongside New York City FC Academy and Youth Programs coaches, as well as funding up to five coaching badge applications annually to participate in National B, C, or D courses.

5. Achieve an annual goal of 2,000+ staff volunteer hours

Achieve our annual goal of 2,000+ combined staff volunteer hours, cultivating and building upon our culture of service, with a focus on predominantly minority communities throughout the five boroughs. 

6. Continue evolving our procurement process

Continue evolving our procurement process to leverage the diversity of New York City by increasing participation of Queens-based, minority-owned, women-owned and locally based enterprises in stadium-related operational, service and vendor opportunities. 

7. Ensure the continued success of City in the Community

Ensure the continued operational success of City in the Community across the five boroughs, with a concentrated focus in Queens. The Club will also donate a minimum of 1,000 tickets to Club matches to local schools and community-based organizations each season, and create programming that enables Queens-based youth access to Etihad Park. 

8. Vigilantly enforce our Fan Code of Conduct

Vigilantly enforce our Fan Code of Conduct. Behavior inconsistent with our core values is not welcome and will not be tolerated at matches or team sanctioned events.

9. Dedicate matches and content to underrepresented communities

Dedicate matches and corresponding content each season to celebrate and amplify the voices of underrepresented groups, including but not limited to Black Excellence, Herencia Latina, Pride, Women’s Empowerment, and Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. 

10. Observe Juneteenth and Election Day as paid holidays

Observe Juneteenth and Election Day as official paid holidays, and strongly encourage connected volunteering and educational opportunities for staff and fans. 

11. Advocate for an accessible Etihad Park

Advocate for and identify cost-effective solutions to make Etihad Park accessible for all, including guests with disabilities, both mental and physical, and mothers with newborns.