Speaking up on racism

SPEAKING UP ON RACISM – A STATEMENT ON OUR OWN BEHALF

Back when we started the Ballers vs Racism initiative with our IBAM youth team in 2020, it was a tumultuous time. The BLM movement, the murder of George Floyd and hundreds of protests throughout the world necessitated a statement from a company that proudly employs such a diverse workforce as KICKZ.

Unfortunate circumstances now demand that we reiterate our stance on racism and xenophobia. A number of comments left on our Facebook ads which showed dark skinned models wearing our gear have been disgusting, hateful and downright inhumane. The unabashed implicitness with which we were confronted were shocking and called for a direct and plain response, so let's be absolutely clear here.

There is no place for this kind of thinking at KICKZ. Not in our company and not in our social media comment section. If you can not stand to see black people and other minorities be represented by us, leave. If you think models should be white because that's what you are, unfollow us. If you feel comfortable making fun about other people's looks and the color of their skin, rest assured the joke is on you.

If you use our comment section to spew hate and ignorance, we will remove, ban and report you. We will not stand for this.

Ballers vs Racism is not just lip service. It's a credo we live by. Just like there is no offside in basketball, neither is there with us. KICKZ is an inclusive environment. Prejudice and discrimination have no place here. We stand for diversity, tolerance and respect for all people and call on our ever-growing and deeply loyal basketball community to join us and fight this behaviour wherever and whenever we see it.

KICKZ
#nevernotballin