7 Conversations Defining the Future of Women’s Sports at Sportico RISE

August 5, 2026 - 01:49

The business of women's sports is moving fast, and the conversations happening now will decide who leads it, who owns it, and how athletes get paid. That is the focus of this year's RISE Women's Sports event, set for September 10 at Second NYC in New York City.

The agenda pulls together a mix of voices from the top of the industry. Michele Kang, the owner of the Washington Spirit and a major investor in women's soccer, will be there. Terri Carmichael Jackson, who leads the WNBA players' union, brings the athlete perspective on collective bargaining and working conditions. Janet Evans, a former Olympic swimmer now working in sports leadership, adds another layer of experience.

The sessions will cover more than just game results. Ownership structures, how investment money flows into leagues, and what executive leadership looks like in practice are all on the table. There is also a focus on how players are using their leverage now that leagues are growing and media deals are getting bigger.

More speakers are expected to be announced in the coming weeks. For anyone working in or around women's sports, the event is meant to be a place where the next moves get discussed face to face, not just in boardrooms or on calls. The goal is to turn momentum into something lasting, and that starts with getting the right people in one room.