Setting the Record Straight on Super Bowl Involvement

The Board of Directors of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) acknowledges recent community turmoil regarding our role in the Super Bowl. Our commitment remains steadfast to clarity, integrity, and ethical conduct, fostering openness and trust within the NAD and among our stakeholders. We aim to clarify false and misleading statements made by Alex Abenchuchan of The Daily Moth, which have led to harmful assumptions and mischaracterizations on media and public forums. Here are the facts:
The Super Bowl relationship began around 2007 through a connection Alexis Kashar had with the National Football League (NFL). Kashar invited Howard Rosenblum to collaborate on enhancing accessibility through captioning and showcasing Deaf talent at annual Super Bowl events. The collaborative Super Bowl partnership between NAD, Kashar, and the NFL began in 2012, after Rosenblum became NAD CEO.
Implications with regard to unethical practices alleged by The Daily Moth are grossly distorted. Standard industry non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), routinely used by parties associated with the Super Bowl, were used and respected by Kashar, Rosenblum, Deaf artists and others involved, ensuring the required confidentiality.
Allegations of financial impropriety made by The Daily Moth are inaccurate. Neither Kashar nor Rosenblum received any financial benefit from their efforts. In fact, the funding received by the NAD from the NFL fully covered the costs associated with Super Bowl performances and related expenses.
Claims by The Daily Moth that our collaboration with the NFL yielded no benefits are simply untrue. Kashar and Rosenblum’s efforts enhanced name recognition of the NAD, showcased the beauty of ASL and Deaf culture, and boosted visibility and talent opportunities for Deaf artists following their Super Bowl performances.
The NAD extends sincere apologies to Alexis Kashar and Howard Rosenblum for the harmful and inflammatory treatment they endured in media and public forums. We express gratitude for their pioneering efforts alongside the NFL on behalf of the NAD and our community. Additionally, NAD apologizes to our board members, staff, stakeholders, and the public who endured the resultant turmoil. In hindsight, the NAD acknowledges the need for more timely and decisive action. Moving forward, we are committed to enhancing openness, responsiveness, and visibility.
In closing, the NAD supports the community's desire for seamless viewing experiences that prominently feature and elevate Deaf artists across various venues and platforms, such as the Super Bowl, the Oscars, the World Series (Baseball), the National Hockey League Stanley Cup Championship, and related events. Technologies already exist to enhance these experiences. The NAD will continue its advocacy efforts in this direction, pushing for the adoption and implementation of these inclusive practices. Therefore, we have decided to discontinue our direct collaboration with the NFL and its affiliates, as we believe our resources can be more effectively used in broader efforts that benefit the entire Deaf community.