A Domestic Sponsorship Partnership.
The Mystics announced today the formation of a sponsorship partnership with Exxon Mobil Corporation.
The Mystics announced today the formation of a sponsorship partnership with Exxon Mobil Corporation.
Good news for the financial health of the WNBA franchise? Yes. Good news for the female high school students the sponsor will honor each week? Absolutely!
But, "good news" for many of the loyal fans who have supported the Mystics over the years? We think not.
A decade ago, when Exxon acquired Mobil, the new ExxonMobil Corp. "closed" Mobil's domestic partnership benefits program and removed from the company's anti-discrimination policies explicit protections for employees based on sexual orientation. (Source: Human Rights Campaign -- a supporter of the Mystics since the team's launch in 1998.)
The BCs love the Mystics. But when we need gas on our way to the Phone Booth, we'll still continue to fill up . . . anyplace but Exxon.
But, "good news" for many of the loyal fans who have supported the Mystics over the years? We think not.
A decade ago, when Exxon acquired Mobil, the new ExxonMobil Corp. "closed" Mobil's domestic partnership benefits program and removed from the company's anti-discrimination policies explicit protections for employees based on sexual orientation. (Source: Human Rights Campaign -- a supporter of the Mystics since the team's launch in 1998.)
The BCs love the Mystics. But when we need gas on our way to the Phone Booth, we'll still continue to fill up . . . anyplace but Exxon.
posted by BasketCases @ 8:25 PM
14 comments
14 Comments:
I agree with you, totally. I refuse to gas up at Exxon.
I want the Mystics to have sponsors, but this is depressing.
Why not choose one of the 86 percent of Fortune 500 companies that do prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation? I expect that the enjoyment I experience as a Mystics fan will be challenged every time I see the
ExxonMobil "courtside signage and online components" that Greg Bibb promises us.
Goodness, do we really have to apply politics to everything? Did you boycott Shell years ago when they were still doing business under the Apartheid regime in South Africa? Give me a break!
Yes, we did boycott Shell years ago and hopefully it helped a bit since many US companies only care about profits. We will continue to fight businesses that discriminate. Politics is everything and everywhere. Treating any group badly means the capability of treating other groups badly. I assure you that ExxonMobil has gay and lesbian employees who are directly impacted.
The thing here is that Exxon actually revoked the protections that people had with Mobil when the companies merged. The basketcases are rarely political, so think about why they choose to tackle this topic. Discrimination matters.
ps: I boycotted Shell too.
guess what... EVERYTHING is political!
I'm with the basketcases, 100%
I'm with the Mystic's partnership with Exxon 100%!
DCist called out the arrangement, not for ExxonMobil's domestic partnership policies but for environmental concerns.
ExxonMobil may be a big corporate sponsor and good for money, but therein lies the problem. We take money without considering the consequences---to the environment, to gays and lesbians. It's a slap in the face! I'm thankful that the BC have the guts to actually say it in their bogs. Nice work, ladies!
At least they didn't announce it on Earth Day -- that would have interfered with Ted's film promotions!
I applaud the Mystics partnership with Exxon and hope the Nationals do the same---would LOVE it if there was a giant oil derrick erected outside the park and if they supplanted Verizon as the arena sponsor. EXXON ARENA would rock!!!
nothing says good marketing to gay consumers like partnering with an anti-gay customer... bleck to the WNBA. Look at your fan base.
Thank you, BC, for taking a stand. Discrimination should always be called out for what it is. I too am disappointed in this partnership and -- as a season ticketholder -- will make my feelings known to the Mystics management. Hopefully, the Mystics will have some "conversations" with Exxon that may help to enlighten them.
Thanks for pointing this out BC. I was unaware. I've never been a big fan of Exxon (except back in high school when the owner of the corner Esso station had a son that was a cutie patootie!!) but this information certainly reinforces my dislike of that corporation. I especially like your explanation of why it's important to continue to fight discrimination wherever we can. Thank you.
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