Black-owned business owners and community leaders in Pittsburgh are expressing frustration with the NFL’s selection process for local business participation in the upcoming draft. They argue that the NFL is choosing businesses to work under its brand rather than allowing them to operate independently. B. Marshall, Juneteenth promoter, said, “They are contracting businesses to work for the NFL to do certain functions.”Another concern raised by the group is the limited inclusion of black-owned businesses among those selected.”We want to partner, we want to contribute, we want to represent this city with pride. Inclusion of local black vendors at major events like the NFL draft is not only fair, but it strengthens the economy and shows the true spirit of Pittsburgh,” said local business owner Andrea Jones.Marshall added, “We’re trying to make our own money the same way they’re going to let the downtown businesses make money, same way they’re going to let the North Shore businesses make money, same way they’re going to let these people come from out of town make money, we need to make money too. We’re part of this community.”The group is filing a right-to-know motion in court to gain access to emails and text messages among NFL draft organizers.”So we are asking the city of Pittsburgh to work with us, and giving us the right-to-know request that we will submit so that we can find out all communication by text message, email, letter, all of that,” said Steve Barth from Barth Rovnan Law Firm.Mayor Corey O’Connor clarified, “Everything in those confines is through the permit that was granted through the NFL, so if there’s a contractor within that site, the city did not have a selection in that process.”Looking for more news in your area | Subscribe to the WTAE YouTube Channel
PITTSBURGH —
Black-owned business owners and community leaders in Pittsburgh are expressing frustration with the NFL’s selection process for local business participation in the upcoming draft. They argue that the NFL is choosing businesses to work under its brand rather than allowing them to operate independently.
B. Marshall, Juneteenth promoter, said, “They are contracting businesses to work for the NFL to do certain functions.”
Another concern raised by the group is the limited inclusion of black-owned businesses among those selected.
“We want to partner, we want to contribute, we want to represent this city with pride. Inclusion of local black vendors at major events like the NFL draft is not only fair, but it strengthens the economy and shows the true spirit of Pittsburgh,” said local business owner Andrea Jones.
Marshall added, “We’re trying to make our own money the same way they’re going to let the downtown businesses make money, same way they’re going to let the North Shore businesses make money, same way they’re going to let these people come from out of town make money, we need to make money too. We’re part of this community.”
The group is filing a right-to-know motion in court to gain access to emails and text messages among NFL draft organizers.
“So we are asking the city of Pittsburgh to work with us, and giving us the right-to-know request that we will submit so that we can find out all communication by text message, email, letter, all of that,” said Steve Barth from Barth Rovnan Law Firm.
Mayor Corey O’Connor clarified, “Everything in those confines is through the permit that was granted through the NFL, so if there’s a contractor within that site, the city did not have a selection in that process.”
Looking for more news in your area | Subscribe to the WTAE YouTube Channel