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professional sports teams in Los Angeles have joined forces to launch ‘The Alliance: Los Angeles’, a five-year commitment to drive investment and impact for social justice through sport.

This move comes amid ongoing protests across the United States over racial injustice and inequality following the death of Black American, George Floyd, in police custody.

The 11 teams participating are the LA Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, Anaheim Ducks, LA Kings, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Football Club, LA Galaxy, and Los Angeles Sparks.

As part of the launch, The Alliance: Los Angeles is partnered with the Play Equity Fund to help manage the group’s efforts across greater Los Angeles to drive social change across communities through sport.

Play Equity Fund president, Renata Simril, said the group of professional sporting organisations joining together is something never seen before in the world.

“The Alliance: Los Angeles is an unprecedented collaboration by sports organisations recognising the impact they can have by working together, and they should be commended for seeking to make significant changes in communities of colour,” Simril said.

“The Los Angeles region is one of the world’s most competitive markets, and sports is one of the world’s most competitive industries.

“But these organisations are putting their competitive instincts aside to work collaboratively for social justice,” she said.

A spokesperson for The Alliance: Los Angeles, said the organisations will work to leave a forever lasting impact on Los Angeles communities.

“The Alliance: Los Angeles has been forged specifically to create positive change in underserved communities, with an emphasis on Black communities,” the spokesperson said.

“All 11 teams are united in their dedication to this effort and recognise driving change is a long-term commitment.

“Through sports and social programming, we aim to work in communities to affect structural changes on levels that have a lasting impact,” they said.

The organisations hope they can inspire similar actions across the U.S., by committing to address racial injustice, develop educational opportunities, and support other important issues facing communities of colour, particularly Black communities.

The Alliance: Los Angeles and the Play Equity Fund will host a Sports for Social Justice Symposium in the form of a webinar on July 22, with leaders from the sports organisations, joined by social justice leaders and sports commentators.