Meet The 7 Trailblazing Women Who Are Shaping The Future Of Sports

Photo: Instagram/dorisburkeknowsshoop

In recent years, women have made their presence felt in sports like never before. Athletes and advocates alike are stepping up to challenge the status quo, pushing for equality, better conditions and prioritizing mental health. From tennis courts to football fields, here are some remarkable women who are transforming the sports world for the better.

1.    The Triumph of Mind Over Matter

Thanks to athletes like Simone Biles and Naomi Osaka, conversations surrounding mental health in sports have become as common as discussing the score. Osaka's decision to withdraw from tennis to prioritize her well-being as her career ascended and Biles' battle with the "twisties" at the Summer Olympics brought mental health to the forefront. These women remind us that brains are just as important as brawn, and caring for one's mental health is essential.

2.    The Queen of Advocacy - Billie Jean King

Billie Jean King has advocated for women in sports for over five decades. As part of the Original 9, a group of trailblazing women who put their tennis careers on hold to push for equal pay among men and women. She fought for equal pay among men and women in tennis and became the first woman in sports history to win $100,000 in a single year. King's ongoing advocacy work, including her role in the 50th-anniversary celebration of Title IX, inspires women to break through the glass ceiling in sports.

3.    Allyson Felix: A Force for Change

Allyson Felix, the most decorated US track and field athlete in history, used her platform to challenge Nike's treatment of pregnant female athletes. Her departure from Nike for Athleta helped shine a spotlight on the need for better support for female athletes. Felix's advocacy led to policy changes at Nike, ensuring pregnant athletes are no longer penalized.

4.    Nicole Lynn: Breaking Barriers in the NFL

Nicole Lynn shattered glass ceilings by becoming the first black woman to represent a top-five NFL draft pick. Her journey to success included navigating the challenges of motherhood while thriving in the male-dominated world of sports representation. In 2023 alone, she brokered multimillion-dollar deals and continues to inspire women to take their seats at the table.

5.    Doris Burke: A Pioneer in Broadcasting

Doris Burke's groundbreaking career as a full-time NBA TV analyst and game analyst for the NBA Finals on network television paved the way for women in sports broadcasting. In August, ABC announced that Burke would become the first woman to serve as a game analyst on television for a championship final in one of the four major professional US sports leagues. Burke is the first woman awarded the Curt Gowdy Media Award by the Basketball Hall of Fame. Burke demonstrates that gender should never hinder success in sports media.

6.    The US Women's National Team: Equal Pay Champions

The US Women's National Soccer Team, with four World Cup titles and six Olympic medals, filed a class-action lawsuit in 2019 for equal pay and working conditions. In February 2022, they reached a historic agreement with US Soccer, ensuring equal pay for friendlies and tournaments, including the World Cup. This landmark agreement represents a significant step towards gender equality in sports.

7.    Jen Welter: Leading the Way in Coaching

Dr. Jen Welter broke new ground by becoming the first female coach in the NFL, serving as a linebackers coach for the Arizona Cardinals. Her trailblazing career opened doors for other women interested in coaching in the male- dominated world of professional football.

These remarkable women are changing the sports world for the better. Their dedication, advocacy and fearless pursuit of equality inspire women everywhere to break down barriers and pursue their dreams in sports.

Ace This - The 5 Things You Need To Know About Wimbledon

Give yourself the upper hand when talking about summer whites, equal pay and grunting.

A jack of all trades,

The Last Night’s Game Team

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1. The oldest tennis tournament in the world, Wimbledon, starts on July 1. It’s the only Grand Slam Tournament (one of four during the season) that takes place on a grass court. GET OFF MY LAWN

2. While the tourney isn’t generous with their trophies, they are progressive when it comes to equal pay. For the eighth year in a row, the prize money has increased with both the men’s and women’s winner taking home a check for $3.06 million. Although they don’t get the keep the trophy – the winner receives a replica. WIN SOME, LOSE SOME

3. There’s a strict dress code at the prestigious tournament, requiring players to wear all white. And we all know that nothing ruins your summer whites like bird poop. Luckily you don’t have to worry about that at Wimbledon. Rufus is a specially trained hawk that keeps other birds off of the courts. (Seriously, have they thought of everything)? EYES LIKE A HAWK

4. The tennis balls are replaced every seven to nine games to make sure they’re kept in perfect shape. It’s no wonder more than 54,000 tennis balls are used during the two week tournament. But did you know that tennis balls used to be white or black, not yellow? They were changed to yellow to make it easier for the TV viewer to see the ball, but Wimbledon was a late adopter to the color change, waiting until the 80s.  HOLY BALLS

5. Grunting is something no longer left to gremlins and grumpy old men. Even the classiest of tennis players vocalize their play. While you may think this is a new thing, Monica Seles and Jimmy Connors are known as the original creators of the tennis grunt. The loudest one on the court? Russia’s Maria Sharapova at 105 decibels – the equivalent of standing next to an accelerating motorcycle. THAT’S NOT AWKWARD AT ALL

Want to be able to dive into the details? Here’s how to speak tennis like the pros and keep score.

Wednesday Wisdom

The office chatter never stops, so jump in by talking about how your dance moves could earn you a gold medal, the catfight between A-Rod and Kylie Jenner and why the lights are still on in Omaha. READ