Leaders and innovators driving sustainability in the sports and entertainment industries were recognized during a ceremony hosted by the Green Sports Alliance (GSA) at Los Angeles’ iconic Peacock Theater on June 13th. Lee Zeidman, President of Crypto.com Arena, Microsoft Theater and L.A. LIVE, and long-time educator, former county commissioner and founder of award-winning environmental publication “Florida Environment Magazine” Dave Newport received the highest honors as Environmental Leader and Environmental Legacy awardees, while an additional 20 individuals and organizations were celebrated for achievements in waste reduction, behavior or systems change and adoption of new technologies as Innovation Award and Play to Zero Award winners.

The Awards Celebration was hosted by Emmy and Peabody Award-winning sports journalist Sarah Spain, and included unique one-on-one conversations programmed throughout the awards presentations. Those special guest pairings included artist, activist and Plastic Pollution Coalition CEO and Co-founder Dianna Cohen speaking with Sarah Spain on the evolving legacy of the film and entertainment industry to be an example of plastic use reduction and representative of environmentally-responsible characters and storylines. Los Angeles Deputy Mayor Nancy Sutley took to the stage with millennial environmentalist and founder of Green Jobs Board Kristy Drutman to discuss the importance of creating space for the next generation of climate leaders. 

"We are proud to recognize these exceptional awardees whose pioneering efforts in sustainability are transforming sports and entertainment,” said Roger McClendon, Executive Director of the Green Sports Alliance. “From welcoming 800 leaders from across the globe to celebrate Faster, Further, Together to the elevation by AY Young's inspiring musical performance, emphasizing our alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the promotion of clean energy."

2024 Play to Zero Award Recipients

The Play to Zero awards recognize sports organizations that show, via Play to Zero or other tracking platforms, significant reductions or diversions in waste, water, and/or energy use at their venues. These awards highlight continuous improvements in building-level sustainability around waste, water, and energy use management.

Energy Leader for 50%+ reduction or offsets:

Xcel Energy Center and Minnesota Wild

Waste Leader for 50%+ diversion from landfill:

Q2 Stadium and Austin FC

Allianz Feld and Minnesota United FC

Kansas City Chiefs

Huntington Bank Stadium and University of Minnesota

Xcel Energy Center and Minnesota Wild

Allegiant Stadium

Learn more about the Green Sports Alliance Summit at greensportsalliance.org/summit.