THE PLAY EQUITY FUND ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH LOS ANGELES ANGELS’ BRIAN GOODWIN, STARTING WITH AUCTION OF HIS KOBE BRYANT & NIPSEY HUSSLE TRIBUTE CLEATS

Auction to Benefit Play Equity Fund to Help Drive Youth Sport Access to Communities

LOS ANGELES (August 18, 2020) – The Play Equity Fund is excited to announce an ongoing partnership with Los Angeles Angels’ outfielder Brian Goodwin. To launch this partnership, Goodwin is auctioning through MLB.com the custom, autographed cleats that he has worn in games recently and donating the bulk of the proceeds to the Play Equity Fund. These cleats were custom made for Goodwin and feature artwork that honors Los Angeles icons Kobe Bryant and Nipsey Hussle. 

This donation will help ensure the Play Equity Fund can continue its mission of bringing the transformational power of sport and structured play to all children, regardless of their race, gender, zip code or socioeconomic status. 

Additionally, Goodwin has chosen to make a financial commitment to the Play Equity Fund at the end of the MLB season, with the aim and impact of those funds to be at his choosing.  

“I want to help youth who are vulnerable, help create greater access to sports programs and support ways young people can learn about standing up for social justice initiatives in their communities,” said Goodwin. “The mission of the Play Equity Fund will help me achieve these goals, and to take an active role in helping communities of need across Southern California.” 

Goodwin joined the Angels in 2019 prior to the season opener. Last season, he set new career highs in virtually every offensive category, including games played, runs, hits, batting average, home runs, RBI and OPS. Before joining the Angels, Goodwin played for the Washington Nationals and Kansas City Royals organizations. 

“Brian Goodwin not only uplifts fans and young people with his play on the field, but he brings an inspiring message in the discussion of social inequities, bringing attention to important issues and his concern for youth,” said Renata Simril, President & CEO of the Play Equity Fund. “We are honored to partner with Brian, and grateful to have his support.”   

A 501(c)3 public charity, the Play Equity Fund was established in Los Angeles to drive social change across communities through sport. It is the only nonprofit worldwide dedicated to Play Equity as a social justice issue to bring the transformative power of sport and structured play to youth who have been left behind by the current system. 

The Play Equity Fund has also partnered with the 11 professional sports teams of greater LA – including the Angels – in The Alliance: Los Angeles in a comprehensive five-year commitment to drive investment and impact for social justice through sport. The teams have united behind a common goal to work toward producing change in communities of color.

In neighborhoods with high poverty rates, opportunities to play – a globally recognized fundamental human right of childhood – oftentimes do not exist, particularly for kids of color. Barriers to access include the elimination or reduction of enrichment of programs, budget challenges for afterschool programs including sports, safe passage to playgrounds, transportation, lack of trained and well-paid coaches and the rising costs of athletics and intramural programs. These factors severely limit access and opportunities for kids of color to build a pathway to lifelong wellbeing.