Nielsen Diversity, Equity and Inclusion’s Post

The simple answer: Yes The record-breaking attendance at a women's basketball game signifies a substantial increase in interest and support for women's sports. This challenges historical norms and demonstrates a growing fan base for women's athletic events. The idea that we have entered a new era in women's athletics is significant. It suggests a transformative period where women's sports are gaining prominence, not just in terms of athletic achievements but also in challenging societal norms and advocating for equality. #WomenInSports #FutureOfSports #WomenAthletes

March Madness is in full swing and this year the Women's tournament is on target for having the largest viewing audience in the stands and at home. According to an article in Forbes, viewership of women's sports has increased steadily over the past few years and tickets for this years NCAA Women's Final Four are approaching $800. https://lnkd.in/eqAJFzzM . Since Title nine was enacted in 1972,  a comprehensive law that removed many barriers that prevented people, on the basis of sex, from participating in educational opportunities and careers of their choice, the country has witnessed an increase of women in sports. This increase has lead to more young girls and women having opportunities to engage in sports on all levels, community, collegiate, Olympic, and professional. @sechrest_diversity we support the diversity, equity, and inclusiveness of women's sport, and women in sport. #DEI #womeninsport #equityandinclusion

I have long advocated for the importance of sports, especially for women, as additive to the educational experience and a key teacher of life skills that are valuable long after the athlete hangs up her uniform. I have also spoken out about the need to invest in women's sports and the importance of media access to view women's sports. This NCAA / ESPN deal is a great step in that direction. https://lnkd.in/emSR3W9C #womeninsports #titleix

⛔ In an alternate reality, Caitlin Clark's talent might never have come to fruition. In the realm of sports, bravery manifests in taking risks—attempting audacious shots, envisioning and executing unexpected passes, and singlehandedly elevating the level of play. It's essentially a declaration: "If you want to challenge me, bring your A-game every single minute." But Caitlin's bravery, for example, isn't solely innate; it's nurtured by her coaches, teammates, and family. Had they discouraged her from taking bold shots or attempting daring passes, the talented Caitlin Clark we know today wouldn't exist. 🔺 As someone who has been both a youth athlete and a coach, I've witnessed how young female athletes are often encouraged to "play it safe" and conform to expectations. I've seen the potential of great athletes dim because of society's inclination for girls to comply rather than excel. 👉 If we aspire to cultivate more athletes like Caitlin Clark, then as parents, coaches, and supporters, we must foster bravery in our young girls in sports. We should allow them to make mistakes, to continuously experiment, and to embrace the possibility of becoming heroes on the field. 🏆 Undoubtedly, women's sports will continue to break barriers and reach new heights. But to truly instigate change, we must do better. Let's empower girls to lead, to carve out new paths for the future of women's sports. #sportsbiz #sports #leadership #growth #empowerment

According to the Olympics, sports are one of the most powerful platforms for equality and empowerment for women and girls. Over the past few years, several conversations and acts have been passed based on women in sports and equality. For example, on June 8th, the NCAA panel discussed and enforced a collection of rule changes for Women’s Basketball.🏀 One of the significant rule adjustments to this upcoming season is the new “flopping” rule.👇 Women’s basketball players who have been understood to “flop” after a first offense warning now counts as a team foul; however, it will not affect the player’s foul count. Rumors show this rule may also directly translate to the Women’s NBA, but no official word has been released yet! 👀 A year previously, this same rule was passed in Men’s Basketball for the 2022-2023 season. Although a year later, seeing an update like this, as a previous female athlete, is excellent for women in sports for the future. Rule adjustments like these and growth toward equality between men's and women’s sports pave the way for young female athletes to move up the ladder!🪜 2022 was a pivotal year for women’s sports as view ratings increased by over 25%, especially by younger generations. After this incredible year for Women’s Basketball following Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, seeing how views grow further will be exciting!🏆 #womeninsports #o2sportsinsurance #womensbasketball #sports

Can the "Caitlin Clark Effect" Go Beyond Basketball? 🏀 Let's recap: #CaitlinClark, the soon-to-be WNBA sensation, has dazzled crowds with her Larry Bird-esque shooting range, intricate passing and scoring ability. And her impact on women's sports and commerce? 🎟 Tickets to her games were nearly 200 percent more expensive. 😀 Fans traveled hundreds of miles to catch a glimpse of her, lining up for hours before tipoff and boosting local economies. 📺 Nearly 10 million people watched her play in this year’s championship game which brought record sponsorship opportunities 👍 And...a significant percentage of men and women, when recently polled, indicated that they were more likely to tune in to watch women's basketball for this upcoming season. It's fair to say that Caitlin Clark has had an effect on basketball in a similar way that Serena Williams has had on Tennis or Danica Patrick has had on car racing. But can the "Caitlin Clark Effect" reach beyond basketball? ❓ In other words, what other areas where women have been traditionally underrepresented, are ripe for change? 🤔 Share your opinion of what other domains are ripe for change. And feel free to share some examples of women who might be leading the way.

Right Place at the Right Time.

Leaders in Power are FINALLY recognizing women's sports as a meaningful investment. This year marks the 50th anniversary of equal prize money between genders at the U.S. Open - a reminder of how far we've come, but also of how little seems to have improved since this milestone. Equal pay on such a large platform is about much more than money - it's a manifestation of the belief that men and women deserve to be seen and valued on the same scale. As we reflect on this milestone, here’s hoping that we can amplify its impact by: 🌍 Shaping perceptions within and beyond our borders. 🌟 Creating icons for future generations of women athletes. 🚀 Breaking stereotypes that extend far beyond the realm of athletics. #EqualPay #GenderEquality #WomenAthletes #BillieJeanKing

#linkedinsportschallenge "Discuss current trends in women's sports and what trends are emerging" With the increase in opportunities for women in sports (ie pro hockey league), attention give to women in sports, and the opportunities for women to use sports as a platform for other things(NIL, social justice, etc)....2 words come to mind LONG OVERDUE Women have unfairly been playing catch up to men in the sports world, well since forever. Title IX was created to help ensure equal opportunities, but some times that creates more problems that in solves. But that's an issue for a whole other day. I love seeing the opportunities sports has allowed for some of these athletes. I love seeing how they showcase their tremendous athletic accomplishments. I love hearing about NIL deals and seeing opportunities presented to these athletes. It just goes to show that you don't need to be an athlete in the main 4 pro sports to get attention/opportunities. That you don't have to be a college football or basketball player to get attention/opportunities. All these things are available now. I think they are only going to increase with social media, streaming, and as people learn how to maximize the NIL space. It's important to show case this to a younger generation to show that opportunities are endless and more will come as they continue to make their voice heard and showcase their talents! #womeninsports #nil #sportsbiz