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OUTSIDE VOICE - The Los Angeles Dodgers are no strangers to pressure. They’ve faced the weight of expectations on the field for more than a century. But it’s off the field, where values meet actions, that the Dodgers have truly distinguished themselves as leaders. That’s why the recent civil rights complaint filed by America First Legal, accusing the team of unlawful discrimination under the guise of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), is not just legally dubious—it’s morally absurd.
Let’s call this complaint what it is: a political stunt, not a principled stand. A coordinated attack designed to punish organizations that dare to stand with historically marginalized communities. This isn’t about protecting civil rights. It’s about undermining them.
For decades, the Dodgers have earned their credibility not through slogans, but through courageous and often groundbreaking decisions rooted in justice and inclusion. Long before it was popular or profitable, the Dodgers integrated Major League Baseball by signing Jackie Robinson in 1947, forever altering the trajectory of professional sports and helping propel the modern civil rights movement. Robinson didn’t just break the color barrier; he shattered a silence that had lingered for generations. And the Dodgers stood with him when few others would.
This wasn’t performative. It was bold, principled leadership.
That same ethos continues to guide the organization today. From hosting one of Major League Baseball’s first Pride Nights to forming authentic, long-term partnerships with LGBTQ+ nonprofits, the Dodgers have never shied away from uncomfortable conversations or difficult decisions. Internally, their employee resource groups—like the Black Action Network and Women’s Opportunity Network—are more than corporate window dressing. They are vital, empowering spaces that foster mentorship, professional development, and community. Their policies match their proclamations. Their actions reinforce their values.
Which brings us back to America First Legal’s complaint. It accuses the Dodgers of violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by promoting DEI programs that support women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals. But these programs don’t violate the law—they honor its very spirit. Title VII was created to dismantle barriers to opportunity, not to prevent companies from expanding access to those who have been long excluded from it.
What’s really happening here is that a legal machine is going after businesses and institutions that refuse to back down. In the Dodgers’ case, the timing is telling. Just weeks ago, the team denied ICE access to use Dodger Stadium parking lots as a staging ground for immigration raids—an act of quiet courage in defense of immigrant families in Southern California. The very next day, the team pledged $1 million to help those affected. This wasn’t a PR move. It was a continuation of their long-standing relationship with the city’s immigrant communities, especially the Mexican American and Central American families who make up a significant share of the team’s fan base. That is the real offense. The Dodgers refused to bow to fear. They chose compassion over complicity. And now they’re being targeted for it.
The irony is staggering. A team that helped end segregation in baseball is being accused—by those who have built careers defending systems of exclusion—of being too inclusive.
The truth is the Dodgers are about ensuring every person, regardless of their background, has a fair shot at opportunity. They’re about making the workplace—and the world—a little more just, a little more representative, a little more humane. That’s not discrimination. That’s decency.
And the public sees through this. The Dodgers are one of the most beloved franchises in the world, precisely because they’ve stood for more than just baseball. Their support for immigrant communities, their recognition of LGBTQ+ fans and staff, their celebration of Black heritage through events like the “Salute to the Negro Leagues” game—all of these actions reflect a deep-rooted belief that sport can and should be a force for unity.
To their critics, inclusion is a threat. To the Dodgers, it’s a promise—one they made with Jackie Robinson, and one they’ve continued to uphold through every era since.
The goal of groups like America First Legal isn’t justice—it’s control. Their complaint is not about legal nuance; it’s about silencing moral vision. When institutions like the Dodgers elevate community, equity, and courage, they send a powerful message: that dignity and belonging aren’t partisan—they’re foundational.
That’s why this complaint won’t stick. Not in the courts. Not in the hearts of Dodger fans. And not in the arc of history, which the Dodgers helped bend toward justice once—and are doing again now.
Let’s be clear: the Dodgers didn’t just integrate baseball. They’ve continued to integrate values into everything they do. And that’s why they remain a beacon—not just in Los Angeles, but across the country.
(Eric W. Rose is a crisis and reputational communications professional at EKA PR.)
