The Shadow League (TSL), the premier online destination for sports coverage with a cultural perspective, will host its 6th Annual Shadow League Awards, presented by AT&T Humanity of Connection, on Thursday, October 10th at The Edison Ballroom Rooftop, located at 221 W.46th Street New York, NY, from 6:30pm-9:30pm.

Each year, TSL honors men and women of color who are trailblazers in the world of sports. This year’s honorees will include legendary Georgetown University Men’s Basketball Coach John Thompson, UCONN Legend and WNBA Star Tina Charles, ESPN Analyst Maria Taylor and Pepsi Head of Basketball Marketing, Charece Williams-Gee.

In an industry where one often associates the success of a sport and/or a specific franchise with the athletes who play, there are often a number of individuals who contribute to that success who are overlooked. The Shadow League Awards were designed to celebrate individuals in sports who excel both on and off the field of play. This year the committee wanted to focus on honoring attendees that had an impact across more than one league, generation or discipline.

This year, TSL has partnered with NBA and MLB. Over the years, TSL has been able to tell stories around both leagues, their players and their various activities in a unique and original way, enabling them to both engage with new audiences and tell stories that would otherwise be overlooked or untold. “We’re excited to celebrate the achievements and careers of another great group of honorees,” said Shadow League GM and SVP, Yussuf Khan. “This year we’re thrilled to introduce a legacy award to honor an individual whose long standing success and contributions continue to make an impact in sports and in the community. In addition, we have an amazing opportunity to partner with the NBA and MLB. By partnering with them on the Awards, we can feature some of the great things that they’re doing that many fans don’t know or read about, and we can do it in an intimate way that resonates with the influencers and decision makers who attend the Awards.”

Previous TSL honorees have included basketball Hall of Fame Player and University of South Carolina Head Women’s Basketball Coach Dawn Staley, legendary American Boxer, promoter and social advocate, Bernard Hopkins, 3 Time World Boxing Champion & International MMA star Ana Julaton and Fox Sports Broadcaster Gus Johnson. Claressa Shields, Two time Olympic Gold Medalist and current unified world champion boxer; Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions; David Rone, former President of Time Warner Cable Networks and Time Warner Cable Sports; Richard Cho, former General Manager of the Charlotte Hornets and the first Asian American general manager in NBA History; Andrea Williams, COO of the College Football Playoff and the first African American woman to head a NCAA Division I conference (the Big Sky); four time world champion boxer Abner Mares, former President and COO of the LA Sparks, Christine Simmons and Terence Crawford, WBO Welterweight Champion.

AT&T’s Humanity of Connection is a special profile of dynamic stories about AT&T and community leaders who embody the foundation of excellence. It is a conversation about people who elevate the community. It defines the essence of their spirit and inspires all to feel empowered. By shining a light on the people, places and moments that celebrate us, AT&T is providing a platform to honor the innovators who move the culture forward.

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