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March 23, 2011
Trends: Women and Sports
 Many of the top women PINK profiles say they enjoy playing sports in their free time to rejuvenate themselves. Though research shows that women who participate in sports at an early age often do better in school and have higher rates of employment, women are underrepresented in the sports world.
How can women advance in the business-side of sports?
“Prove that you’re someone who gets the job done and moves the business forward,” Laura Gentile, VP of the recently launched ESPNW.com, tells PINK. “Build a portfolio of real results and real successes. It's hard to argue with results.”
Programs like ESPNW seem like a natural progression for sports networks, as women make up one-fourth of ESPN’s viewers.
“I'm surrounded by more female executives, and women in general, who have grown up playing and watching sports," explains Gentile. "With time, there will be a greater number of women in sports-related businesses in decision-making roles."
Organizations like the Women’s Sports Foundation and Women Talk Sports provide resources for tracking the progress of women in sports, timely research on equity issues and a forum for women athletes to support one another.
Jersey Girl Sports is a fast-growing website and lifestyle brand for female sports fans where women can connect through blogs, events and video segments.
Bonus PINK Link: Find out how WBNA Center for the Atlanta Dream Yelena Leuchanka overcame body issues and Chernobyl to get to the top.
By Caroline Cox
"Never forget where you came from, and reach back to help someone else come forward, too." Alpha Alexander, co-founder, the Black Women in Sports Foundation
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Comments
Women in Sports
It's the answer to good health as we age. I am 81 and a downhill skier and have already purchased a season pass for next year. Also, I practice yoga, tai chi, power walking and swim laps in the summer. I weight the same as I did in 1948 and feel great. Life is good!
Dee Doyle, Fresno, CA
WISE
For those women looking for an organization to help connect them with other women in sports business, check out WISE (www.wiseworks.org). There are chapters across the US.
(WISE Los Angeles: www.wiselosangeles.com)
It's a great organization!
Alex
Sports as a Networking Tool
I would also add that women who play and/or watch sports give themselves a natural edge in networking and breaking into or overcoming barriers to the "executive boys club". As a consultant, and changing my clients often, sports are a benign conversation starter, are universal, and a good way for me to establish personal connections with new clients. In building a network, executives often recall which sports team you root for or which sports you play. In fact, being arch-rivals doesn't hurt you but aids in establishing new relationships, in friendly banter. How many conference calls start first with, "how about that game?" and then, transcend into work topics. Include yourself in these up-front sports debriefs and you will also be included in the work conversations that follow. As a (young) executive, I see sports enthusiasts as team players, who have balance in personal interests and work, but also want to connect with other people.
Sports are competitive, and so is success is business. In addition, sports fans are loyal. Similarly, businesses wants people who can win. If you can show an interest in winning outside of business, and camraderie in doing so, people will assume that characteristic translates to your business performance as well. And although sports is not the only common activity professionals can share, sports is an established, broad tradition in which people to learn about you.
Women in Sports
I think it's great to see more women in the sports field, in both active players and definitely in the business end. I've been an avid sports fan forever, always had dreams of being a sports analyst before the field was open or accepting of women. I was born 20 years too early.