The New York Yankees have announced the creation of an environmental science advisor position, appointing Dr. Allen Hershkowitz to that new role. According to a press release from the Yankees, the new position is the first of its kind in professional sports.
In his new job, Hershkowitz will lead environmental initiatives for the Yankees and at Yankee Stadium, with a focus on areas such as energy use, waste management, water conservation, and food services. Hershkowitz previously served as a Senior Scientist at the Natural Resources Defense Council for 26 years. He is also the Founding Director and Chairman of the Board of Sport and Sustainability International, a coalition of hundreds of sports teams, leagues and venues committed to innovating environmental sustainability.
“We have made significant strides throughout the years, and as such, Yankee Stadium is proud to promote a zero-waste economy, and stand as one of the most successful recycling and composting venues in all of sports,” said Hal Steinbrenner, the Yankees’ principal owner, in a press release. “At present, approximately 85 percent of our waste is diverted away from landfills by an active commitment to composting and recycling, and we look forward to even more improvement under Allen’s guidance.”
Sports Business Journal listed Hershkowitz as one of the “50 Most Influential People in Sports Business” in 2015. He has previously spearheaded sustainability programs for organizations such as MLB, the NBA, the NHL, NASCAR, MLS, and USTA, according to the Yankees’ press release.
“Being appointed as the Yankees’ Environmental Science Advisor is a unique honor and responsibility,” Hershkowitz said in the press release. “I applaud the team’s leadership for breaking new ground in the sports industry by being the first team to create this important position.”
SportTechie Takeaway
Hershkowitz started working for the Yankees as an Environmental Science Advisor in November 2018. The Yankees have shown an interest in promoting environmental sustainability practices in the past, such as when the team installed high efficiency LED lighting at Yankee Stadium in 2016. The LED lights are 40 percent more efficient and 50 percent brighter than the previous field lighting used at the new Yankee Stadium, which opened in 2009.