Future Prospects for Female Athletics: Insights from Sportico's Rise Event
In the world of sports, change is in the air. The Women's National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA), led by executive director Terri Carmichael Jackson, is focusing on significant improvements for the upcoming collective bargaining agreement (CBA). The WNBPA's vision includes benefits such as private travel and a guaranteed percentage of league earnings.
Meanwhile, the sports landscape is also transforming in Boston. Boston Legacy FC, an NWSL expansion team, has secured a loan of over $100 million for the renovation of White Stadium. Starting in 2027, White Stadium will serve as the permanent home for Boston Legacy FC. Until then, the team will play its first season at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough for 2026.
The city of Boston and the Legacy's parent organization have announced a 10-year lease for White Stadium in 2024. This long-term commitment indicates a promising future for the team and the city's sports scene.
The theme of the day at Sportico's RISE: Women's Sports event was the expansion and investment in the future of various sports organizations. The event was sponsored by several prominent names, including the WNBPA, GalwayPlus, Genius Sports, ScorePlay, Next League, Populous, Sidley Austin, the NBPA, and Rhone.
In the realm of water polo, the impact of sponsorship was evident. Rapper and TV personality Flavor Flav sponsored the U.S. women's water polo team as its official hype man, leading to three times as many viewers watching their matches compared to the Tokyo games. This success has set a high bar for the team, with captain Maggie Steffens focusing on the 2028 games in Los Angeles and seeking ways to top this achievement.
Tina Charles, a 2012 WNBA MVP, emphasized the role of athletes in building the sports properties they compete in. She stated, "We're just simply asking to partake in the business we helped build." Basketball Hall of Famer Sheryl Swoopes echoed this sentiment, urging WNBA and teams, particularly expansion franchises, to incorporate former players who helped build the league into their organizations today and tomorrow.
Almost a year has passed since WNBPA leaders announced that players were opting out of their CBA with the league. However, Terri Carmichael Jackson expressed confidence in reaching a deal, stating, "We'll get there. We're going to get to the finish line." The WNBPA is aiming for a "transformational CBA," focusing on benefits such as private travel and a guaranteed percentage of league earnings.
Terri Carmichael Jackson, the WNBPA's executive director, has a forward-looking approach for the league's next CBA. She believes that these changes will not only benefit the players but also propel the WNBA towards a brighter, more prosperous future.
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