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(Photo Credit: LA Dodgers Women's Opportunity Network)
It’s a wonderful day to be a woman in sports. Splayed across the field of the Dodgers Stadium are tables covered in white linen, blue bouquets of flowers, and a tastefully curated spread of brunch options. It’s been infected by the touch of a woman. That is, multiple women. On an exceptionally chilly Monday morning, the Dodgers Women’s Opportunity Network hosted over hundreds of women across Los Angeles working in sports and entertainment in the name of Changing the Game: On and Off the Field.
(Event flier courtesy of LA Dodgers)
Thanks to Sara Curran, the current Controller and Director of Accounting at the Dodgers, I found myself a seat at Table #6. Unusually early, I couldn’t help but feel oddly out of place. Around me were all these amazing women, literal and actual game changers. But sisterhood is an automatic bond, a link that requires nothing more than a few seconds of getting to know each other. Coming to my rescue were the women of the ticketing department at LAFC. Lauren, Cassandra, Natalia demonstrated the tenets and traits that make up a powerful woman in a matter of a hours. To them, kindness, compassion, and femininity are the building blocks of strength and resilience, not a hinderance.
To supplement their examples, Jeanie Buss, president and owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, opened the conference as keynote speaker.
"Women deserve to be in the room and part of the landscape," Buss remarked, adding that she "hope[s] to be an inspiration" for all women.
(Event Instagram Post from LA Dodgers)
Once Buss finished, we broke out into three different panels situated across the entire stadium: The Cycle - Women in the Front Office, The Press Box - Broadcasting / Public Relations, and On Deck - Content Creation.
The panels hosted a total of twelve influential women in their respective fields, featuring the following.
Christina Francis
President of Magic Johnson Enterprises
Kara Nortman
Co-Founder of Angel City Renata Simril President and CEO of LA84
Michele Kajiwara Senior VP
Premium and Events Business Crypto.com Arena & Peacock Theater
Kirsten Watson
Dodgers Reporter
Jessica Mendoza
Dodger Broadcaster and ESPN Commentator/Analyst
Nischelle Turner
Host of Entertainment Tonight
Brooke Cersosimo
Original Content Editor/Talent Development at NFL Network
Lita Richardson Executive VP
Content & Brand Strategy for CBS Entertainment
Marie Donoghue VP
U.S. Sports Content & Partnerships
Amazon Sue Jo
Director of Social Media for the Dodgers
Alec Spivack Director
Partnership Strategy for the Rams
While the sports industry hasn’t reached the point of Amazonian utopia, women’s representation has come a long way. At this point in 2023 there’s a woman behind every major league sports team—and if there isn’t, it’s a disappointing failure on their part.
Because the influence of women is clear and so obviously necessary. From providing different perspectives on marketing strategies, to designing stadiums and uniforms, to running the entire operation—women are a critical part of this industry.
Men without women. It’s an interesting reality to ponder. But what the Women’s Opportunity Network has proven is that men, the world, needs women. Gone is the age of boys’ clubs and closed doors. Women are getting a seat at the table now, and we’re not leaving.
Yours truly @ the LA Dodgers dugout
A warm thank you to the Women’s Opportunity Network. All my gratitude goes out to Ally Salvage and Sara Curran for being the women to open the door for me. The chance you’ve taken on me was not wasted.
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