Women’s sports is having more than its moment; it’s more directionally a movement, which is exciting to see and experience. The investment, interest and overall attention in women’s sports has been evident across our publications for some time, and I can’t recall a time in my nearly 30 years in sports business where it’s had such tailwinds. Need proof?
Viewership: The WNBA has had strong viewership numbers in the past few years, and ESPN in April had its best WNBA Draft audience since 2004. Nowhere has the attention to women’s sports been more pronounced than at the college level. In December, ESPN drew its best women’s college volleyball audience with the Wisconsin-Nebraska NCAA championship. April brought ESPN the best NCAA women’s basketball championship viewership in nearly 20 years. College gymnastics saw its best audience on record with the NCAA women’s championship in 2022. Globally, there’s growth too. A record 15.1 million people in the U.K. watched women’s sport in the first quarter of 2022, with the average viewer tuning in for 54 more minutes than last year, according to Women’s Sport Trust.
Attendance: The U.S. has some catching up to do here, but just look at some of the attendance numbers for women’s soccer in Europe. In April, FC Barcelona set a world attendance record for women’s soccer as more than 91,000 attended Camp Nou during the women’s Champions League semifinal. That match sold out in 24 hours and came just 23 days after the previous record of, again, more than 91,000 was set at the same venue. It’s not just soccer in Spain that draws. The Women’s FA Cup in May set an attendance record with just under 50,000 at the final between Chelsea and Manchester City. These numbers prove the massive interest in women’s soccer.
Leadership: We are seeing a new generation of leaders in women’s sports, with new ideas and an optimistic and ambitious point of view. Mollie Marcoux Samaan left Princeton to join the LPGA; Jessica Berman moved from the NLL to become commissioner of the NWSL; and Reagan Carey became commissioner of the Premier Hockey Federation. There is energy around Cindy Parlow Cone at U.S. Soccer and Amanda Vandervort as president of the USL’s Super League, and we see the strong, steady leadership that Cathy Engelbert brings to the WNBA. There are others, of course, and it shows that women’s sports are in solid hands.
Investment: Every week I’m asked about investment opportunities in women’s sports — from NSWL and WNBA teams to women’s hockey, gymnastics, pickleball and other properties and events. There are stories on the expansion strategies around every women’s league or new efforts such as Athletes Unlimited. There are the high-profile investments in Angel City FC, the Kansas City Current and the Washington Spirit, while Billie Jean King Enterprises and the Mark Walter Group align behind the PWHPA. These are serious players putting their own, real money into these assets. The difference in the quality of these investors is so noticeable and can’t be overlooked. On the brand side, Mastercard is sponsoring multiple women’s sports, and Hologic signed the largest sponsorship in the history of the WTA. And of course, there is the historic collective-bargaining agreement with the U.S. women’s national soccer team that will guarantee labor peace and the ability to really grow the game. These moves speak volumes because investors see a sizable benefit and return in the future.
That sampling showcases the undeniable interest and energy around women’s sports. In this issue (see special section), we sought to amplify the opportunities and challenges ahead, and the people — the Power Players — driving this change. These leaders still have many steep mountains to climb and their efforts won’t be easy. We hope this provides a road map for the future because it’s clear we’re seeing a movement, more than just a moment.
NEED YOUR GAME CHANGERS: I’ll transition from women’s sports to women in sports, and ask that you help us identify the next class of SBJ Game Changers. We’ve been recognizing successful women in sports business since 2011, and over the years, we’ve highlighted the stories of nearly 450 leaders who are helping to shape the industry. Please consider nominating a woman you know for the 2022 class who influences the industry and others through their talents, execution, leadership and innovation. Previous winners span professional, college and amateur sports, in sectors such as agencies, brands, entrepreneurs, finance, leagues, teams, media, national governing bodies and service providers. Honorees will be recognized at a ceremony held in conjunction with this year’s Game Changers Conference on Oct. 26 at MetLife Stadium. Submit your nomination at https://ift.tt/8w4UWrQ before June 14.
Abraham Madkour can be reached at amadkour@sportsbusinessjournal.com.
"story" - Google News
June 06, 2022 at 05:16PM
https://ift.tt/sASgbp4
Women's sports is the story in 2022 — and here's why - Sports Business Journal
"story" - Google News
https://ift.tt/91vO8kS
https://ift.tt/5O4Ghgb
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Women's sports is the story in 2022 — and here's why - Sports Business Journal"
Post a Comment