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Beyond creating connections and celebrating the power of resilience, sport has the power to contribute to and champion sustainable development. The World Economic Forum highlights how the sporting community must take accountability for its environmental impact while also uplifting sustainable efforts. For example, the Paris 2024 Olympics leveraged public-private partnerships with startups and corporations to set new sustainability standards for the Games.
Athletes can also use their platforms to promote sustainability, as demonstrated by Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton investing in carbon offset initiatives and Arsenal goalkeeper Alexei Rojas providing thought leadership about the intersection of football and environmental stewardship.
However, another aspect of environmental responsibility that professional players and athletes can support is sustainable fashion—especially since athletes use clothes to optimize their performance and express their individuality beyond the playing field. A previous article entitled ‘Exploring the Future of Sustainable Clothing’ explains that this sector, which is responsible for about 10% of the world’s carbon emissions, can reduce its environmental impact by promoting practices like using secondhand clothing and opting for organic fibers and materials.
Below, we list professional players in poker, tennis, and other sports and games who use their influence to promote sustainable fashion practices and contribute to global climate action.
Ebony Kenney’s love for thrifting
A post shared by Poker Player & Confidence Coach | Ebony Kenney (@ebonykenney)
As one of the most successful women in an otherwise male-dominated game, Ebony Kenney has established herself as an influential figure in the world of poker. Kenney first played professional poker in 2007, then joined the team of ACR Poker Pros in 2020, which helped her continue her success in high-tier poker events like the Coin Rivet Invitational. On her personal Instagram account, Kenney’s fashion content includes promoting secondhand clothing, as she has shared that her outfit at the Triton Poker Series was mostly thrifted. In addition to advocating for sustainable fashion, Kenney has also helped raise money in the All-In for America Celebrity Poker Tournament, which was hosted by ACR Poker and featured celebrities like Matt Damon and Ben Affleck.
Naomi Osaka’s sustainable fashion collaboration
As the first Asian player to be ranked No. 1 in women’s singles by the Women’s Tennis Association, Naomi Osaka continues to honor her Japanese heritage both on and off the court. This is exemplified through her collaboration with the apparel brand Levi’s. The Levi’s x Naomi Osaka collection reinvents the typical denim wear by taking inspiration from the kimono while also incorporating sustainability through vintage upcycled jeans and repurposed materials for elements like the bustier, shorts, and obi belt. Besides collaborating with eco-friendly fashion brands, Osaka is an outspoken activist for social justice issues, including the protests against police brutality in the United States.
USWNT’s eco-conscious clothing line
Known for winning the 2019 Women’s World Cup championship title, US Women’s national soccer team (USWNT) members Megan Rapinoe, Tobin Heath, Meghan Klingenberg, and Christen Press have always been proud advocates of going against the status quo, especially in the sporting world. Thus, their clothing line re—inc reimagines mainstream fashion by prioritizing purpose, community, and impact in its eco-conscious collections. Aside from offering clothes designed for all gender identities and body types, re—inc works with ethical factories and artisans, maximizes a closed-loop production cycle, and uses organic and recycled materials.
FlyQuest’s sustainable merchandise line
Esports has become a recent addition to the traditional sporting community, with relevant stakeholders expressing concerns regarding its environmental sustainability as a technologically-driven sector. However, a conference paper presented at the 58th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences highlights efforts by esports organizations to practice greater environmental responsibility. Among the cases included in the study is US-based FlyQuest, a League of Legends esports organization that launched several environmental campaigns, including the tree-planting project TreeQuest and the coral reef conservation effort SeaQuest. In 2021, FlyQuest continued its sustainability efforts by ensuring all future merchandise, such as jerseys and hoodies, contains at least 25% recycled and sustainable materials. FlyQuest also encourages its community to practice sustainability by donating old clothing and contributing to National Recycling Day.
Overall, professional players can use the same level of resilience and determination they embody in their respective games and sports to promote sustainable fashion within their communities. For more information on climate action, continue reading the blog posts here at Forest Nation.
