Forget the scoreboard. In 2025, the most influential moves in sports are being made far from the field, and many of them are happening right here in New York City. From podcast studios to front offices in NYC, a wave of women executives, creators, and athletes are redefining what power in sports looks like.
Their names may not be as recognizable as the stars on the court, but their impact is undeniable. These women are reshaping the industry’s business model, media strategy, and cultural relevance.
Why NYC is now a launchpad for women in sports
Shana Stephenson, Chief Brand Officer of the New York Liberty, helped transform the WNBA team into a cultural force. The Liberty’s 2024 championship win was just one part of a larger movement she led.
That plan resulted in triple-digit growth in social media engagement and headline coverage. Her mascot strategy alone turned Ellie the Elephant into a viral icon across the city.
Meanwhile, Gotham FC’s Midge Purce brought her team their first title and co-produced The Offseason, a hit reality sports docuseries that surpassed 250 million views.
Based in New York, she’s merging entertainment and advocacy in groundbreaking ways. Media voices like Mariah Rose, host of the Hoops for Hotties podcast, are also shifting the conversation.
With hundreds of thousands of followers across TikTok and Instagram, Rose is making sports accessible and inclusive for younger, more diverse audiences—many of whom are discovering women’s sports for the first time through NYC-created content.
Meet the 2025 Most Powerful Women in Sports
- Rasha Alkhamis – President, Saudi Mixed Martial Arts Federation
- Cameron Brink – WNBA player, Los Angeles Sparks
- Paige Bueckers – WNBA player, Dallas Wings
- Napheesa Collier & Breanna Stewart – Co-founders, Unrivaled Basketball
- Aubree Curtis & Liz Gray – Global Co-Heads, CAA Brand Consulting
- Lauren Fisher – VP of Creative & Executive Creative Director, ROS Labs
- Sarah Flynn – Chief Marketing Officer, Boardroom
- Christine Franklin – Executive Vice President, Octagon
- Trisha Goyal – Founder & CEO, Break Sports
- Molly Higgins – EVP of Community Impact and Engagement, Los Angeles Rams
- Coach Jackie J. – Social Media Personality
- Shawn Johnson East – Olympian, Entrepreneur, Author
- Ariel Johnson Lin – Managing Partner, 7K
- Thayer Lavielle – Managing Director, The Collective at Wasserman
- Nicole Lynn – President of Football, Klutch Sports Group
- Renee Montgomery – Partner & VP, Atlanta Dream
- Melissa Ortiz – Olympian and Broadcaster
- Midge Purce – Athlete, Gotham FC; Creator and Executive Producer, The Offseason
- Alexis Ramos – Co-president, Sixteenth Sports
- Mariah Rose – Creator & Host of Hoops for Hotties podcast
- Jen Simons – Chief Content Officer, Silver Tribe Media
- Shana Stephenson – Chief Brand Officer, New York Liberty
- Lindsey Vonn – Olympic Champion, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist & Author
- Tiffany Williams – Chief Operating Officer, Thirty Ink
The rise of women-led innovation
Whether it’s designing viral campaigns, closing multi-million dollar partnerships, or launching the next sports media hit, New York women are at the center of it all.
They’re not just helping grow women’s sports—they’re redefining the entire industry, turning NYC into the creative capital of modern sports.