As fans, as athletes, and as fitness enthusiasts—more women are more involved in sports than ever before. Organizations seeking lasting success in the world of sports must forge compelling connections with the female market.
Attendees of the eighteenth annual Women In Sports Business Symposium (WISBS) had the chance to examine the significance of this powerful group and explore meaningful ways to engage with female sports consumers.
“We know that women's viewership of sports is at an all time high—nearly 50 percent of NFL viewers are women. And to capitalize on that, the sports business must build products that excite women and fulfill their needs as fans," said Elizabeth Brock, MBA '14, one of the event's organizers.
Held at the UO White Stag Block in Portland, the March 7 event broke from the past by featuring two panels: one on sports business and one on sports products.
“With the UO's sports product program in the works in Portland, this year offered a great opportunity to bring together two aspects of sport education at the university: sports business and sports products," said Charlotte Zoller, MBA '15. “Attendees were able to get a grasp on the larger picture of women's consumption of sport outside of their particular area of interest and participate in a cross-discipline discussion that was truly dynamic."
After the panels wrapped up, attendees broke into teams for a case competition, brainstorming ways to increase women's attendance at NCAA Basketball Regionals.
“To see students and professionals come together in small groups, think critically, and apply principles discussed on the panels right away on a real-life issue, that really made an impact on me," said Zoller.
Later the same week, WISBS co-organizer Stephanie Baugh, MBA '14, had another opportunity to explore women's evolving roles in sports and the business world. Baugh delivered the keynote speech to an audience of female student-athletes at an event titled "Road to Success." Organized by Baugh in her role as a graduate teaching fellow at the UO Office of Student-Athlete Development, the event featured eight speakers who discussed their journey from university athletes to accomplished professional women.
View photos from this year's symposium and catch symposium highlights in the above video by UO student Adrian Garcia.