Fox Sports Supports was initiated in 2007 by the senior vice president for research and programming at Fox Sports, Bill Wagner. The initiative focuses on raising awareness through public service announcements, special segments and direct involvement in the individual causes.
Fox Sports Supports chooses charities from four categories each year and aligns them with one of their four major sports broadcasting segments. Charities are chosen through internal research and employee voting.
During the 2009 broadcast season, the following charities were supported: The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (MLB), City of Hope (NFL), Malaria No More (college football) and the Susan G. Komen Foundation for the Cure (NASCAR).
Other charities supported by Fox Sports Supports include the Alzheimer's Association, Autism Speaks, Children's Health Fund and Make-A-Wish Foundation of America.
During live broadcasts, members of the Fox Sports team wear lapel pins representing the individual charities that have been aligned with each sport. The pins are intended to bring added awareness to the cause.