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| Association for Women in Sports Media | |
|---|---|
| Name | Association for Women in Sports Media |
| Founded | 1987 |
| Headquartered | United States |
| Type | Nonprofit organization |
| Purpose | Support and advance women in sports media professions |
Association for Women in Sports Media is a nonprofit professional association dedicated to advancing the careers of women working in sports journalism, broadcasting, photography, public relations, and digital media. The organization operates through regional chapters, national programs, mentorships, and awards to increase representation in media outlets, competitions, and leadership roles. It collaborates with sports leagues, academic institutions, and media companies to address barriers facing women in fields traditionally dominated by male counterparts.
The organization was founded in 1987 following initiatives by women working at outlets such as ESPN, CBS Sports, ABC Sports, NBC Sports, and Sports Illustrated who sought formal networks like National Association of Broadcasters and Society of Professional Journalists. Early volunteers included professionals from The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Associated Press, Reuters, and United Press International who modeled efforts on groups such as Women in Film and National Press Club. During the 1990s and 2000s the group expanded its scope amid shifts led by entities like NCAA, National Football League, Major League Baseball, National Basketball Association, and broadcasters covering events such as the FIFA World Cup, Olympic Games, and Super Bowl. Influences included legal and cultural developments tied to institutions like Title IX advocates, the American Civil Liberties Union, and journalism schools at Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, Medill School of Journalism, and Missouri School of Journalism.
The association's mission emphasizes career advancement, workplace equity, and professional development, aligning with programs seen at International Women's Media Foundation and Press Forward. Objectives include mentorship modeled after efforts at Paley Center for Media, networking comparable to National Association of Black Journalists, and training similar to offerings from Poynter Institute and Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism. It seeks to influence hiring practices at organizations such as The Washington Post, Bloomberg, Fox Sports, and Sky Sports, and to increase representation across multi-platform outlets including YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram.
Membership comprises professionals and students employed by or associated with outlets like The Athletic, Deadspin, Barstool Sports, Bleacher Report, ESPNW, and university athletic departments at institutions such as University of Michigan, University of Alabama, Stanford University, and University of North Carolina. Regional chapters exist in major media markets including New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Dallas–Fort Worth, and San Francisco Bay Area, with ties to conferences like Sundance Film Festival for media professionals and campus chapters at schools like Syracuse University and Indiana University Bloomington.
Programs include mentorship pairings reminiscent of initiatives at Girls Who Code and fellowships comparable to those at Knight Foundation and Knight-Bagehot Fellowship. Workshops and panels have featured leaders from Time Inc., Hearst Communications, Vox Media, Gannett, and The Guardian and have addressed coverage of events including the Women's World Cup, WNBA, NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament, and US Open (tennis). Training covers multimedia skills emphasized by Associated Press Sports Editors and digital storytelling practices adopted by The New Yorker and National Geographic.
The association administers awards celebrating excellence in reporting, broadcasting, photography, and public relations, analogous to honors like the Pulitzer Prize, Peabody Award, and Emmy Award in scope for sports media. Past recipients have included professionals who worked for ABC News, NBC News, CBS News, CNN, Fox News, ESPN Deportes, and freelance photographers who contributed to Getty Images and AP Images. Awards ceremonies have been held alongside industry gatherings such as NAB Show and SXSW.
The organization has advocated on issues affecting access and safety at events hosted by bodies like UEFA, CONCACAF, International Olympic Committee, and NCAA, and has engaged with labor and union groups including The NewsGuild and WGA on issues of workplace rights and contract language affecting women in media. Its impact includes documented mentorship outcomes, increased hiring at outlets including ESPN and NBC Sports, and contributions to public discourse during high-profile moments such as coverage of Serena Williams, Megan Rapinoe, Simone Biles, and Mia Hamm.
Governance is overseen by a board of directors drawn from member organizations such as The New York Times Company, WarnerMedia, Comcast, ViacomCBS, Discovery, Inc., and academic partners like University of Missouri. Funding sources include membership dues, sponsorships from corporations such as Nike, Adidas, Under Armour, Citi, Mastercard, grants from foundations like Ford Foundation and Rockefeller Foundation, and event revenues. Financial oversight follows nonprofit best practices similar to those promoted by Independent Sector and National Council of Nonprofits.
Category:Professional associations in the United States Category:Women's organizations in the United States