"Four pillars make up our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategy: Community, Training & Development, Talent & Opportunity, and Accountability & Responsibility. The goal for all our DEI initiatives is to create fans for life. Whether you work here, interview with us, join us for a game, we want to you to see yourself represented here." -Christina Jefferson, Sr. Director, Inclusion and Culture
Community
We believe in the power of community. When we listen, learn and become better allies and teams, we strengthen our internal and external community. We strive to reflect the diversity of our community so that everyone feels they belong.
Training & Development
To be the best, we must develop excellence at every level of the organization. We recognize Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is crucial to our success – its pillars are embedded into our employee training and development practices at every level.
Talent & Opportunity
We recognize not everyone has the same access to career opportunities in sports and are committed to creating equitable opportunities for recruiting, hiring and promotion.
Accountability & Responsibility
We take action and do the right thing consistently. The key to creating a lasting impact in DEI work in sports is to be accountable and honor our commitments. #changesports
We currently have five Employee Resource and Affinity Groups that focus on Community, Education, Development, Advocacy and Giving Back.
APEX
The 49ers AAPI Professional Exchange harnesses our multicultural identities to maximize opportunities for networking, professional development and social engagement.
B.U.I.L.D.
B.U.I.L.D. is committed to developing a sense of community through celebration of our rich cultural heritage, fellowship and promotion of psychological safety for our Black employees. Through mentorship, networking and professional development opportunities we strive to empower our members to unlock their full potential, excel in their careers and become leaders.
L.E.A.D.
Empoderar a la comunidad LatinX con eventos sociales y educativos que dan visibilidad a la belleza de la cultura latina y los desafíos que enfrentamos. Al enfocarnos en la justicia social, el desarrollo profesional y las celebraciones culturales, nos esforzamos por construir un sentido de pertenencia y aprovechar de la plataforma del NFL para amplificar las historias latinas y reconocer el poder y la influencia de nuestra gente.
Empower the Latinx community by creating social and educational events that bring visibility to the beauty of Latino culture and the challenges we face. By focusing on social justice, professional development and cultural celebrations we strive to build a sense of belonging and leverage the NFL platform to amplify Latino stories and recognize the power and influence of our people.
P.L.U.S. Pride, Leadership & Unity in Sports.
Facilitate discussion, celebration and advocacy regarding current and historic events. Educate, advise and welcome employees through community events and communication. Provide authentic perspectives and experiences in conjunction with 49ers Pride.
Women Connect
Women Connect provides a platform for women to engage in conversation about gender, equity and professional development and continuously fosters an environment in which women feel connected, supported and included.
Latest ERG News
We understand not everyone has the same access to a career in football and are committed to creating equitable opportunities for recruiting, hiring and promotion. Part of that commitment is through our new Internship and Fellowship programs.
Internships
The San Francisco 49ers offer full-time internships to individuals wishing to gain professional sports experience and make meaningful connections in the National Football League. Our internship program is built to develop future leadership talent that reflects our diverse community. The internship program is a paid opportunity that allows participants to contribute to the organization's success while practicing the knowledge and theories learned in the classroom.
While each intern will be working with a specific department, they will be given the opportunity to explore different areas within the organization through group networking events, training and 1:1 meetings. Our interns also have a committed mentor, a supportive team and a real-world project to advance their skills and expand their understanding of a career in sports. Our goal is to create "fans for life" at the end of every internship.
The Denise DeBartolo York Fellowship
The Denise DeBartolo York Fellowship celebrates Mrs. York's legacy and cultivates a talent pipeline into professional sports. The Fellowship is awarded annually to a college graduate who demonstrates the qualities of Denise and the San Francisco 49ers: leadership, integrity, concern for the community and creating an inclusive environment where everyone thrives. Candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Denise DeBartolo York has had a long and distinguished business and professional sports career. Mrs. York was the owner and co-chairman of the five-time world-champion San Francisco 49ers. Earlier in her career, Mrs. York served as president of the Pittsburgh Penguins hockey team. Under her leadership, the Penguins were revitalized and transformed into a Stanley Cup-winning team. Mrs. York has been named by Forbes Magazine as one of the most powerful women in sports.
The fellowship is designed to give a college graduate a well-rounded foundation in the business of a professional sports team.
Player and Alumni Engagement Fellowship
The Player and Alumni Engagement Fellowship's mission is to create access and opportunity to the next generation of sports leaders. The fellowship is designed to give a recent graduate a well-rounded foundation in how we support players during their time in the NFL and beyond (alumni).
The 12-month program gives our fellows the opportunity to learn how we build relationships, educate and provide resources that influence and impact our players and their support systems during and beyond their NFL experience.
Testimonials
Learn more about employment opportunities at the 49ers