A person who was fired from Blackhawks is taking legal action against the team

In a recent controversy that's stirred the sports community, former Chicago Blackhawks PR professional Anthony Filomena has accused the team of discrimination following his dismissal, which he connects directly to his sexual orientation.

The timing and circumstances of his firing raise questions against the backdrop of the Blackhawks' proclaimed commitment to inclusivity and diversity under the leadership of Danny Wirtz and GM Kyle Davidson.

Anthony Filomena's journey with the Blackhawks came to a contentious end shortly after his feature on Outsports.com, which celebrated the team's engagement with the LGBT community through events like Pride Night.

This article was a point of pride for Filomena, highlighting a rekindled connection to hockey and the team's supposed strides toward greater inclusivity.

However, his dismissal soon after the article's publication tells a different story. Filomena claims his firing was a result of a stark contradiction to the team's public stance.

The Blackhawks, however, refute this, attributing his termination to They firmly deny that Filomena's sexual orientation influenced their decision.

This conflict escalated when the team responded to OutSports' inquiries, stating, Yet, the sequence of events as outlined by Filomena casts doubt on this claim.

He alleges his proposal to feature Danny Wirtz in a discussion about the Blackhawks' LGBT initiatives on Outsports was initially approved. However, the publication of his personal story during a period when key decision-makers were unavailable led to a cold reception and eventual dismissal.

Filomena's termination was not without drama; he describes an emotionally charged final day where he was bluntly informed of his firing, leading to an immediate and tearful reaction.

In the aftermath, Filomena took his grievances online and his attorney issued a stern letter to the Blackhawks, urging the preservation of records related to his employment and dismissal, hinting at legal steps for alleged discrimination.

The Blackhawks maintain that the firing was strictly professional, attributed to Filomena bypassing necessary approvals for his Outsports interview and prior issues including attendance and insubordination.

They emphasized that any representation of the team must pass through multiple levels of approval, a protocol they claim Filomena violated.

Adding to the complexity, Filomena alleges that his attempts to discuss the matter with senior leaders were dismissed or contradicted, leaving him confused and frustrated about the justification for his dismissal.

His passion for the team and the role he played was evident, making the termination a significant personal and professional blow.

This case opens a broader dialogue on the authenticity of corporate diversity initiatives versus the reality of individual experiences within such organizations. As this story develops, the sports world watches closely, pondering the genuine commitment of major franchises to inclusivity versus the facade that might sometimes be presented.

Source: Outsports
A gay manager was fired by the Chicago Blackhawks after an Outsports article. He says it was homophobia. The team says it was not.