For three days, power players, administrators, and thought leaders in women’s sports gathered in Ojai, California, for the espnW: Women + Sports Summit. In the past year, it has become abundantly clear that appreciation for and support of women’s sports has taken a huge step forward, but the long road to this moment cannot be forgotten and there is still much more to accomplish.
Veteran broadcaster Hannah Storm moderated the World Class Athlete Panel, with boxer Claressa Shields, the only U.S. boxer to win two Olympic gold medals (2012 and 2016), and 2024 gold medalists Kahleah Copper (basketball) and Masai Russell (track). Each discussed their Olympic experiences, confidence, and seizing the moment.
“Don’t ever feel like you can’t do something because it hasn’t been done. You have to go out there, put your best foot forward and know that you have put in the hard work and that you deserve to win,” said Shields, whose life story has been made into the film “The Fire Inside,” opening in December.
Shields has had high profile opportunities since turning professional, but she also made it clear her winning purses are nowhere near what male boxers have made. “I’m one of the most known women fighters, but…we still are fighting for equal pay, promotion, and opportunities,” she said.
The Women of ESPN: WNBA panel, moderated by LaChina Robinson and featuring Andraya Carter, Carolyn Peck, and Holly Rowe, discussed the league’s exploding popularity. In terms of ESPN viewership, WNBA Finals were up 115% from 2023. It was the most viewed regular season across ESPN platforms.
“Everybody talks about Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and their stardom and bringing it to where it is, [but] the infrastructure was growing,” said Peck. “I liken it to — since we’re in California and close to the ocean — like building for that big wave that’s coming, and they actually got to put surfboards on top and ride it in.”
Carter grew up watching the WNBA and played college basketball at University of Tennessee. When injuries ended her dream of playing professionally, her wave came as a commentator. “With [the WNBA] being all I’ve ever known and all I’ve ever wanted, that passion and love I have for this league gets to come through as an analyst,” she said