Sara Fischer’s Post

What’s ahead at our Business of Women’s Sports Summit on 4/23? It’s a packed agenda inclusive of every role in our business’s ecosystem. Athletes, coaches, team owners, marketers, media executives, journalists and more. We’ve lined up panel discussions including the rule-breakers and changemakers who’ll be influencing women’s sports for the next 50 years. In fact, this annual industry-leading event -hosted in partnership with Axios - is SOLD OUT!! This year’s Summit will open with proprietary research we partnered with COMN on regarding the impact of advertising in women’s sports - presented by Rachael Rapinoe, MS, Business Development & Design Research. This research will set up our programming and will be followed by the day’s first panel discussion - “The Brands Influencing Women’s Sports” - will include Patty Morris, Kate Johnson, and Stephanie Marciano - brand marketers who are paving the way for the future of women’s sports. This conversation will be moderated by Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment Founder & CEO, Laura Correnti. We’d love to hear from our industry colleagues on topics you’re most interested in learning more on within the meteoric rise of women’s sports - so please let us know in a comment below: What’s the #1 thing you’re hoping to take away from our event? 👏 Big thanks to our partners MassMutual, Ally, Snap Inc., Align Technology, NYSE and Footballco for supporting this year's event. As well as our partners at GLAMSQUAD, Glossier, Inc., Honors, PepsiCo, Vestaboard, Sequel, and Paper Plane Coffee.

Going to the IAB #Newfronts this year? Be sure to check out Sports Innovation Lab's slot! It's no surprise that we're in a major inflection point in the world of media, entertainment and advertising. Thinking about how specific verticals and particular slices of the market can drive the most effectiveness for your media dollars is more crucial than ever. Women's sports marketing? Yes, please. Don't miss an opportunity to capitalize on sea change. #sportsmarketing #womeninmedia #womenssports

For today's Fan of the Fans, we had to discuss women's sports! The world of women’s sports is at a thrilling inflection point, with record-breaking viewership, increasing attendance, and an undeniable surge in popularity. It’s clear that the narrative around women’s sports is shifting from a ‘less profitable’ sector to one that’s thriving and vibrant. This transformation has been significantly fueled by the incredible force of fandom, shaping the future of women's sports. From the NCAA to the WNBA, we are seeing groundbreaking achievements and milestones. The media and even local businesses, like the innovative Portland bar 'Sports Bra,' are increasingly spotlighting women's sports, nurturing spaces for fandom to grow. At the heart of this change are the dedicated fans, whose passion and loyalty demonstrate the significant demand for women’s sports. This shift is capturing the attention of advertisers and brands like never before, recognizing the untapped potential in reaching a passionate and engaged audience. Initiatives like Ally’s 50/50 Pledge aim to advertise equally across women’s and men’s sports by 2027, highlighting the growing brand engagement in women’s sports. Moreover, the strategic investments from brands, dedicated media coverage, and the unyielding support of fans are all playing pivotal roles in elevating women’s sports to new heights. I’m excited to also showcase the upcoming State of Social Conference, a prime opportunity for industry professionals to dive deep into the evolving dynamics of social engagement and digital marketing. #WomensSports #FanEngagement #StateOfSocial https://lnkd.in/eAeqwez3

Yesterday, Robyn Feldstein and I had the opportunity to attend the Axios x Deep Blue Sports + Entertainment Business of Women's Sports TN50 Summit. Here is a brief rundown of my highlights and key takeaways: The Highlights: - Alexis Ohanian Sr. announcing that his firm 776 is sponsoring not only a women's track invitational but also supporting the expansion of The Sports Bra. These investments will (1) highlight track athletes in a new and powerful way and (2) bring women's sports to the forefront of entertainment in casual spaces across the country - iHeartMedia and Deep Blue Sports announcing an entire network of podcasts and broadcast initiatives to highlight and discuss women's sports on the DAILY. The Key Takeaways: - Research from COMN indicates that women's sports are growing and they are growing quickly. How companies utilize women's sports and women's sports FANS can also be different from how (traditionally) companies have leveraged men's sports and men's sports fans. - NIL is here and it's making waves. Athletes are looking to partner with companies that align with not only their identities as college athletes but also as prospective professional athletes. - Companies that are investing in women's sports are seeing great ROI. How we frame investing in women's sports needs to change though: we see it as "investing" in men's sports but a "loss" in women's sports. - Geographic markets need to be served differently in sports, finding a foothold in these markets also requires really taking hold of what makes each market unique. - Every woman athlete needs to consider what happens "next" because retirement may come out of nowhere. Having a game plan for the "after" helps to fortify the present. What does this all mean for a woman lawyer in sports? When I was speaking to one attendee, they said "You're a lawyer? That's not boring at all - you're like Ocean 11, a crucial member of any team." Women's sports and its growth is being done differently and in exciting new ways. A strong innovative strategy coupled with legal know-how from a team of lawyers who have the sports knowledge, passion and experience can be a real GAMECHANGER. Our sports team at BakerHostetler is ready to step on the pitch, in the pool, and on the court to assist in all these areas as the women's sports movement steps boldly into the future.

Women’s sports reached an inflection point in 2023, propelled by major new broadcast deals, once-in-a-lifetime players and record-breaking audiences that dramatically changed the sports landscape. Revenue generated by women’s elite sports could surpass $1 billion this year, a 300% increase from 2021, according to estimates from Deloitte. CNBC surveyed some of the most high-powered women executives in sports to hear their thoughts on parity, lightning rod moments, media share and name, image and likeness regulations. Conversations On Retail, Caitlin Clark, NCAA, Jessica Berman, Cathy Engelbert, Jessica G., Haley Rosen, Mollie Marcoux Samaan, Katrina M. Adams, Pamela Duckworth, Amy Howe, Renie Anderson

Billie Jean King changed the game for women’s sports.   Now, we’re joining her in empowering legendary females on and off the court as the exclusive skin and cosmetic partner of the Billie Jean King Cup in November. 🎾   We’ll co-host the first-ever “Power of Women’s Sports” Summit—where more than 100 of the most influential change makers in sports, business, and entertainment will come together to celebrate and highlight what real equity looks like when women sit in the highest seats of power.   Accessibility means knocking down velvet ropes and removing barriers. e.l.f. is doing just that by showing up in unexpected places and opening them to a wider community. 84% of sports fans are interested in women’s sports – 49% of them are women – and yet only 15% of media coverage is women’s sports. So, we are causing an e.l.f.ing racket to help democratize the playing field.   From our PEOPLE Magazine | PEOPLE.com event celebrating the 50th anniversary of Billie Jean’s iconic Battle of the Sexes match, to launching our “Change the Board Game” initiative, we’re proud to continue to stand alongside Billie Jean King, Billie Jean King Enterprises—and to partner with iHeartRadio, our Women’s Sports Audio Network partner—to break through barriers and empower women everywhere. 💪💖   We know there’s still progress to be made in women’s sports – and we’re committed to changing the game – so let’s cause an e.l.f.ing racket.   Learn more about our partnership: https://lnkd.in/eJGrAU7b

"Everyone watches women's sports." This year, elite women’s sports are currently expected to become a $1 billion industry, representing a 300% increase in just three years. I'm not aware of a single industry that's up triple digit percent - - particularly within the past three post-pandemic years when several industries have been forced to completely reinvent themselves. Nike just re-signed with Caitlin Clark for $28M over 8 years, including a signature shoe. Critic Dave Portnoy of Barstool Sports believes the min. should have been $80M. (I'm inclined to agree). A :30 ad in the women's final four cost $500K and reached an avg. of 14.4M viewers (up 90% vs. LY!). For context, that's a $35 CPM. A :30 ad in the men's final four cost $2M and reached an avg. of 9.9M viewers; a $202 CPM. The economics are obvious. Every single CMO in the world right now should be exploring how they can become a part of this movement and participate in this extremely important conversation. 45% of girls quit sports by the age of 14 - but 90% of women in the C-suite played sports and more than 50% of them at the college level. As the mom of two young girls, I can unequivocally say - - sport matters. Ally has made good on its 50/50 men's/women's sponsorship commitment in just the span of a year (previously at 90/10!). State Farm has been a longstanding supporter of women's sports, including its upcoming title sponsorship of the documentary "Full Court Press" airing on May 11 (I'll be watching!). MassMutual aspires to help professional athletes with insurance programs that genuinely protect them. Laura Correnti, Sue Bird and their team at Deep Blue Sports + Entertainment did such a phenomenal job yesterday pulling together Olympian caliber talent to promote this massively important topic - - and break a bit of new news throughout the day. I was humbled and honored to be within such inspirational company. Without a doubt, the topic of women's sports will continue to be at the forefront of brand conversations for the foreseeable future. How will YOU play a role in amplifying it even more?

I'm so excited to share our latest blog post: "Elevating the Game: 5 Trends Emerging from the Growth of Women's Sports." This piece dives into the transformative trends being driven by the increasing popularity and groundbreaking achievements in the realm of women's sports. From the record-breaking attendance at women's volleyball events to innovative partnerships and women-centric venue designs, the world of women's sports is not just growing; it's thriving with new opportunities and perspectives. In this post, we explore: + The rise in media coverage focusing on athleticism and performance. + The expanding diversity of partnerships beyond traditional brands. + How venues are evolving to take a 'woman-first' design perspective. + The importance of evolving the way we think about fan experiences. + The critical role of data and insights in understanding and catering to female sports fans. As we witness these exciting changes, it's clear that women's sports are not just breaking records; they're setting new standards and redefining what it means to be a fan. Don't miss the conclusion where we discuss how we can all contribute to this dynamic 'women's sports era' (IYKYK). Let's be part of this revolution together! Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gxrKChPY #FanInsight #PlaytoWin #SportsAnalytics #WomensSports #SportsTrends #FanEngagement #SprocketInsights #InnovationInSports Sprocket

📣 Continued great coverage and kudos for Laura Correnti and Deep Blue Sports + Entertainment as they try to execute a needed revamp of how we approach #ROI in #womenssports. 🚀 When we evolve the conversation to a point where the first question no longer needs to be "Why Invest?"📈 - we're really getting somewhere. #womenledbusiness #sportsanalytics #womeninsports Shira Springer | Sports Business Journal

When I finally get back to Boston to have a beer with Angela Ruggiero, we can look back over the past 7 years and be super proud of the work our company has done to drive visibility for #womenssports. (I will also likely find out her sons are taller than me now.) We were the change we wanted to see. 1) We used hard data to advocate for the growth of the industry. 2) We hired a team of powerful women to lead our business and facilitate new partnerships across the industry (at one point 75% of our company was female). 3) We helped launch leagues, broker rights and sponsorship deals, and provided investor due diligence. The results have been amazing. A few years ago, no one called us saying "women's sports is our focus". Now, there are dozens of examples where the industry is leaning in, and the community-based business model we designed for women's sports is a large part of this opportunity. Great to see our Women's Sports Club thriving and the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and Athletes Unlimited expanding. Other new ventures like Monarch Collective, Deep Blue Sports + Entertainment, The Female Quotient, Women's Sports Foundation, The GIST, Just Women's Sports, Women's Sports Network The E.W. Scripps Company etc. all driving full steam ahead. It's awesome there are too many to name. We're not done. The next step is powering the industry with the most exhaustive and most accurate audience data for fans of women's sports. As we've proven in our research, women's sports fans aren't created equally. Our data is now being organized into marketing segments brands, media companies, and sports properties can use to amplify marketing campaigns, grow subscribers, and sell sponsorships and tickets. We have women's sports audiences available today. We're moving from insights to activation. If you need audiences to reach fans of women's sports...reach out. We're here for it. Sports Innovation Lab