ACTIVISM
Want to stay up to date on the latest press releases and news about activism within the women's sports industry? Scroll below to view all women's sports activism news.-
November 17, 2022
Wimbledon relaxing its all-white clothing rule to allow women to wear dark-colored undershorts
Wimbledon is planning to relax its all-white clothing rule in order to allow women's players to wear dark-colored undershorts if they choose to do so, according to an announcement from organizers on Thursday. This comes after Wimbledon and its organizers were facing scrutiny regarding whether blood would be visible on...
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November 14, 2022
Marlins become first major sports team led by two women
The Miami Marlins promoted O’Connor to president of business operations on Monday, making them the first U.S. major sports franchise to have women serving simultaneously as president and general manager. The Marlins made history by hiring Kim Ng as GM in November 2020; two years later, they’ve made another significant...
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November 9, 2022
New Endorsements for College Athletes Resurface an Old Concern: Sex Sells
Female college athletes are making millions thanks to their large social media followings. But some who have fought for equity in women’s sports worry that their brand building is regressive. NY Times
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November 7, 2022
Kathrine Switzer On Why We Still Need Safe Spaces for Female Runners
Running a marathon is, of course, hard. Running a marathon while the race director tries to rip your race number off is another thing entirely. That’s what Kathrine Switzer endured while becoming the first woman to officially run the Boston Marathon in 1967 (read the definitive account of this incredible...
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November 3, 2022
Small uptick in Black female coaches at Power Five schools
The Atlantic Coast and Southeastern conferences have led the way among the so-called power leagues in hiring coaches of color to lead women’s basketball programs. The total number doesn’t suggest a major shift over the past two seasons across 65 Power Five schools with 14 Black women being in charge...
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October 25, 2022
Manchester City Women To Stop Wearing White Shorts Over Period Concerns
Earlier this season, fourth-tier Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion Women both announced their women's teams would stop wearing white shorts but the move by the former Barclays FA Women's Super League champions and current Continental Cup holders, Manchester City who feature a plethora of the game's biggest international stars...
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October 20, 2022
Billie Jean King says women need to ‘follow the money’ to take next step in fight for gender equality in sports
Now 78 years old and a titan of the sports world, Legendary tennis star Billie Jean King has plenty of thoughts on how best to achieve that ambitious feat. Her top priority is encouraging women to be in business. "It's very important that women follow money, they understand money, they...
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October 4, 2022
Yosemite Hiker’s Epiphany Leads to Vigorous Efforts Toward Change
Teresa Baker wants everyone to experience the ‘cathedral-like’ beauty of nature — especially POC and others who have historically been excluded. GJ
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October 3, 2022
NWSL, U.S. Soccer ‘Repeatedly Failed’ to Protect Players
A lengthy independent report detailed “emotional abuse and sexual misconduct” faced by players, mistreatment described as “systemic” beyond just women’s professional soccer. The 172-page report by the law firm King & Spalding released Monday detailed not only NWSL’s lack of action to protect players, but also the failures of the...
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September 29, 2022
In Defense of Adventurous Mothers
After the death of the great ski mountaineer Hilaree Nelson, many of us are—again—contemplating the balance we try to strike as adventure-loving outdoors people who are also parents. Pursuing the activities we love, which are sometimes dangerous, can feel at odds with our dedication to our children. Outside Online
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September 21, 2022
University of Central Oklahoma Hit with Title IX Class Action Over Alleged Discrimination Against Female Student Athletes
Members of the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) women’s indoor and outdoor track and field and cross country teams have filed a proposed class action against the school and its board of regents, alleging they and all female varsity student athletes have been discriminated against on the basis of sex...
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September 15, 2022
Salaries on rise within the Women’s WorldTour but others lag behind
Salaries within the Women’s WorldTour are rising, but anyone riding at the lower levels continue to see hard times. In 2022, the numbers of WorldTour teams expanded from nine to 14, meaning more riders are eligible for the UCI mandatory minimum salary. The survey revealed that more riders than ever are...
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September 8, 2022
The Way We Talk About Women’s Safety While Running Needs to Change
On September 6, the body of 34-year-old Eliza Fletcher—a mom, kindergarten teacher, and avid runner—was found in an abandoned duplex in Memphis, Tennessee. The way we talk about incidents like this reveals a culture that blames women for men’s behavior and the violence men perpetrate against women. We have historically treated...
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September 3, 2022
Swim cap for Black hair gets race approval after Olympic ban
A cap designed for Black swimmers’ natural hair that was banned from the Tokyo Olympics has been approved for competitive races. Promoting diversity and inclusivity is at the heart of FINA’s work, and it is very important that all aquatic athletes have access to the appropriate swimwear. The London-based Soul Cap brand...
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September 3, 2022
Serena Williams Forever Changed How Brands See Female Athletes
The sisters helped usher in a new era of sponsorships for female athletes over their decorated careers. Jeff Kearney, global head of sports marketing for Gatorade, said Serena has made a permanent impact on marketing budgets everywhere and her overwhelming success convinced the Pepsico Inc. division, which first partnered with...
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August 29, 2022
Why women’s sports equality is key to marketing success
By helping to level the playing field, marketers can generate more fan experiences and better opportunities to connect. Ad Age
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August 11, 2022
Equal pay deal for US women’s soccer approved by judge
The proposed $24 million settlement between U.S. women soccer players and the sport’s American governing body was given preliminary approval Thursday by a federal judge, who scheduled a Dec. 5 hearing for final approval. The sides settled the working conditions portion in December 2020, dealing with issues such as charter...
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August 9, 2022
WNBA union president was stuck overnight at airport between games. She’s calling for league to allow charter flights for teams
Unlike in the NBA, WNBA teams aren't permitted to use charter planes for travel, which has caused headaches for WNBA teams in the midst of travel. The latest example has come with the Los Angeles Sparks' star player Nneka Ogwumike - who happens to be the Women's National Basketball Players...
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August 8, 2022
Federal government directs $2 million to women and girls in sport
The federal government is giving $2 million to Canadian Women and Sport to reduce barriers and retain women and girls in sport over the next two years. Canadian Women and Sport published a study in 2016 that found 41% of the country's girls between three and 17 don't play sports. Non-participation...
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August 3, 2022
Nike North America GM Sarah Mensah Talks About Empowering the Next Generation at FN CEO Summit 2022
Today, during a discussion at the FN CEO Summit in New York City with FN executive editor Katie Abel, Mensah detailed the importance of being a Black woman leader at the athletic giant and how she is empowering the next generation of leaders. FN
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August 1, 2022
LeBron James’ 2021 $37 million salary is insanely higher than entire WNBA’s salary combined
A new collective bargaining deal in 2021 helped WNBA players earn a lot more money than they were used to making. However, the point remains that the disparity between women’s and men’s sports still stands. All-star guard Jewell Lloyd is the highest paid WNBA player on a per-year basis after...
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July 27, 2022
With NCAA silent on abortion bans, college sports face confusion
In the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, leading to abortion bans in 20 states and threatening abortion access in many more, that choice may have disappeared for many athletes, including many elite athletes in top programs, according to data compiled by The Washington Post. TWP
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July 27, 2022
For Women’s Cyclists, It’s a Steep Climb to Tour Equality
A women’s Tour de France is back after 33 years — a sign of progress, contestants say, for a sport sorely in need of it. NY Times
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July 19, 2022
ESPN is under fire after several female athletes nominated for ESPYS weren’t invited to the award ceremony
National Women's Soccer League fans and players first sounded alarms a week before the event. Celebrations on behalf of those nominated quickly transformed into public outcry when it became clear that the soccer stars would not be on hand for Wednesday's festivities. Insider
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July 8, 2022
Germany’s Soccer Federation Refuses To Pay Its Women’s Players As Much As Men
Germany has dominated European women’s soccer for decades. Its national team has won eight out of 12 UEFA Women’s Euro competitions, the largest women’s soccer tournament in Europe and the second-largest in the world behind FIFA’s World Cup. While the country is poised to dominate again as the 13th Euro...
