Renowned NBA referee Bill Kennedy and seasoned journalist Robin Roberts have been announced as inductees into the LGBTQ Sports Hall Of Fame Class of 2026.
Kennedy, 59, started his NBA refereeing career in the 1995-96 season, The Athletic reported. In 2015, he came out as gay, making him the second NBA referee to do so. Kennedy publicly revealed his sexual orientation after former NBA star Rajon Rondo called him by a gay slur when his former team, the Boston Celtics, was playing against the Sacramento Kings in Mexico City. Rondo called the popular referee by the gay slur after he was ejected from the game.
Kennedy has overseen several NBA Finals. He also refereed in the 2010 FIBA World Championships and the 2012 Summer Olympics.
Roberts, on the other hand, is a renowned journalist and television broadcaster. She came out as gay in 2013. In 2012, the 65-year-old Good Morning America co-anchor was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. She was also inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2016 and honored with the NBA’s Sager Strong Award in 2019, per The Athletic. In 2004, Roberts, who played college basketball, received the Billie Jean Contribution award. She also became an honorary Harlem Globetrotter in 2015.
Roberts also worked as a sportscaster for ESPN from 1990 to 2005.
Besides Kennedy and Roberts, Dallas Mavericks CEO Rick Welts and former WNBA player Sue Wicks were also announced as inductees into the LGBTQ Sports Hall Of Fame Class of 2026.
“This year’s class recognizes trailblazers who have made significant contributions to sports, advocacy, and inclusion. This year’s honorees have demonstrated unwavering commitment to equity, representation, and leadership in athletics” the Sports Equality Foundation said in a statement.
The LGBTQ Sports Hall of Fame will also honor former NBA player Jason Collins with the Glenn Burke Award. The award is bestowed on “individuals who demonstrate courage and authenticity in transforming sports.”
Collins, 47, is the NBA’s first openly gay player. He came out as gay in gay in 2013, making him the first openly gay athlete in any of the top four sports leagues in North America. After coming out, the 7-foot center received an outpouring of support from notable individuals, including Kobe Bryant and former NBA commissioner David Stern.
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