What is sports team relocation, and how do teams manage it?
When a professional sports team relocates, it is more than just moving to a new city. Professional sports teams have relocated since 1921 and have continued to do so ever since.
Although relocation has become easier throughout the years, many teams still struggle. These struggles include maintaining and building brand identity in their new city. Team relocation changes how fans view the team, the team’s brand identity, and fan identification.
These professional teams must manage two large factors. Rebuilding their identity and allowing new fans to connect with the new team in their city, and also honoring their history to try to ensure that old fans feel appreciated and seen.
The most successful relocated teams find ways to honor their past, connect with their new city, and build strong relationships with fans.
Quick Highlights
Following the Rams relocation back to Los Angeles, their estimated franchise value jumped from $2.9 billion (Las Vegas) in 2016 to $10.5 billion by 2025.
The Raiders move to Las Vegas from Oakland led to $128 million in tax revenue, 1.52 million tourists, and a $2.29 billion economic impact.
56% of MLB fans say that proximity to a team is important to their fandom, and 37% of MLB fans say that if their team relocated it was unlikely they would continue to support that team.
The Athletic’s move to Las Vegas required $380 million in public funding, with $180 million being sourced from transferable tax credits.
Teams relocate for a plethora of reasons. This can include stronger partnership chances, market growth and space, media opportunities, and new facilities.
The Oakland A’s are one current example of how difficult relocation can be for a team. They have officially left Oakland, however, they are in a transitional period while their new stadium in Las Vegas gets finished.
They are temporarily playing in West Sacramento as the Athletics until they can officially move to Las Vegas in 2028. This middle stage between relocation shows just how hard it can be to maintain a strong brand identity during a move.
The A’s situation shows that relocation is not just about changing locations. It’s about preserving history, building new community connections, and earning fan affinity in a different market.
What Stays From the Old Brand
Many times when teams decide to relocate to a new city, they are completely striping away a major part of their identity.
This is why teams often keep their colors, logo, and any team traditions they are associated with. Familiarity keeps the franchise recognizable to fans.
Strong examples of this concept include: Oakland Raiders to the Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Rams to St. Louis Rams and then back, and San Diego Chargers to Los Angeles Chargers. All of these teams maintained either brand logo, colors, and traditions, which allowed them to keep part of the old identity.
The A’s are maintaining the Athletics/A’s identity instead of entirely rebranding their team name. They dropped the city name, but the franchise is doing their best to maintain brand identity by keeping the core name and using familiar visual identity. Keeping the A’s name anchors the team in stability during transition.
A complete full rebrand is a risk because it can threaten brand equity, current fan affinity, possible alienation, and also financial burdens. A YouGov survey gauging fan sentiment surrounding relocation found that 37% of MLB fans feel that if their team relocated, it would be unlikely they would continue supporting them.
The Challenge of the In-Between
During this “in-between” phase, teams may feel unfinished. This leaves their brand identity hazy until they can fully claim their new city.
The A’s are in this position currently. They are no longer in Oakland, however they can’t move to Las Vegas until their stadium is built in 2028. Right now, they are just known as the Athletic’s while they continue to attempt to trademark their team name in Las Vegas.
This prohibits Oakland fans from aligning themselves with the team. It also may prohibit them from starting to identify with the Las Vegas market.
Building a brand identity isn’t just emotional or cultural. It’s also a legal and strategic play. In moments like relocation, that balance becomes everything. The teams that get it right aren’t just moving cities. They’re laying the groundwork for long-term loyalty before they ever take the field.
The New Connection With the New City
Relocation succeeds when a team establishes comfort and a sense of belonging in its new city before it even arrives. Teams need to introduce themselves early, so by the time they arrive, the fan base already feels a connection.
These new local fans have likely already had to contribute to the team’s move to their city, whether that is via tax dollars or business relocations. The Athletic’s move to Las Vegas required $380 million in public funding. $180 million of that funding was sourced from transferable tax credits from the community.
Community engagement is also critical to fostering connection between teams and new cities. This allows for teams to build their brand image and fan loyalty while also showing their commitment to the community.
In 2026, the A’s will have 6 homestand games in Las Vegas. This gives the franchise the opportunity to gauge fan interests, increase awareness, and build community.
A survey gauging fan sentiment surrounding relocation found that 56% of MLB fans support teams based on proximity. This again opens doors for community engagement opportunties.
The A’s show that relocation takes time, effort, and well-executed strategy in order to be able to successfully overcome the struggles of relocation.
Teams must manage what parts of their brand identity are pillars that they must maintain, what aspects they need to change, and how to build themselves as community members of their new city.
The A’s relocation, along with every other sports team that has relocated, proves that brand identity is not tied only to a location. It also is dependent upon whether fans believe the team’s story still means something in its new home.
FAQ:
What is a sports team relocation? Sports team relocation is when a professional or amateur team moves from one city to another. This means that the team will have a new location to play their home games and will begin building a presence in said new city.
Why do sports teams relocate? There are many reasons that a sports team may relocate. Most commonly, teams relocate due to wanting a new stadium/arena/pitch, increasing revenue, reaching a larger market, better sponsorship opportunities, or receiving more support from local government and/or investors.
What makes a team relocation successful? A relocation is deemed most successful when the team is able to maintain recognizable parts of their brand identity, connects the brand to the culture of their new city, and invests in building real relationships with the community.
Does a team have to rebrand their team name after relocating? It depends on the team. Some teams keep the same name, colors, and overall branding in order to stay recognizable to their previous and current fans. While others will adapt parts of their brand identity to better align with their new city.
Why is fan loyalty such a big issue during relocation? Fans often feel emotionally attached to a team because of memories, community, and tradition. When a team moves, longtime fans can feel a sense of betrayal, while new fans may be hesitant to accept the team into their community.
Is relocation only about the money? Money is typically a major factor, but not the only factor. Relocation also involves wanting better stadium quality, long-term growth strategies, media exposure/opportunities, and the chance to build a stronger future in a different market.
Why do some relocations get criticized more than others? When fans view a relocation was driven by profit or feel completely neglected during the relocation process they have a very emotional response. Typically, when teams are deeply rooted into a community/city and then decide to relocate, they receive stronger and more controversial reactions amongst fans.
What does sports team relocation teach us about branding? It shows that branding is not just logos and uniforms. That a valuable sports brand is built through history, community connection, fan trust, and the meaning people attach to the team.
This increasingly popular sport is a style of rock climbing in which the climber uses only their body strength and chalk to ascend. This is done all without the safety net of ropes, harnesses, or protective gear. Climbers instead rely entirely on their strength, mental focus, and technique.
The sport has recently gained worldwide attention and popularity. This is largely thanks to free soloist Alex Honnold. Climbers like Honnold highlight not only the extreme risks, but also the incredible skill that free solo climbing requires.
While it may appear to be a purely physical challenge, free solo climbing is actually a true battle between fear and fatigue. The mind and body push their limits in order to maintain control and keep themselves alive.
Quick Highlights
Free solo climbing is considered the most dangerous form of climbing over bouldering, free climbing, and sport climbing, due to its high mortality risk.
Climbers solo rocks and buildings nearing 3,000 feet without the safety net of padding or harnesses.
‘Skyscraper Live’, the Netflix documentary featuring Alex Honnold’s free solo of Taipei 101 has amassed over 6.2 million views.
Only one person has successfully free soloed El Capitan, the premier big-wall rock climbing destination in Yosemite.
Free Solo Climbing v.s. Free Climbing
Many people often confuse free solo climbing with free climbing. While similar, the lack of ropes and other protective gear gives meaning to the word ‘solo’.
In traditional free climbing, climbers have the help of harnesses with ropes, as well as padding on the ground that saves them from a fall. Additionally, the harnesses can be used to manually ascend the climber if they find themselves stuck.
While ropes may not seem like a large difference, the consequence of a solo fall is almost always fatal. Climbers solo rocks and buildings nearing 3,000 feet, all without the safety net of padding or harnesses. Falling is not an option.
Taipei 101
Alex Honnold recently took on the famous skyscraper Taipei 101, which was the tallest building in the world from 2004-2010.
At 1,667 feet, this building towers over the city of Taiwan.
Honnold performed the feat of climbing it solo, with nothing but a bag of chalk and reliance on his training. His performance was documented by Netflix, creating a thrilling live drama leaving the viewers on the edge of their seats. The documentary has amassed over 6.2 million views.
Just 50 years ago, free solo climbing was even more unheard of than it is now.
95% of Americans believed that “mountain climbers” ascended difficult rock cruxes by throwing a grappling hook attached to a hemp rope 30 feet in the air, then scaling the rope hand-over-hand.
With the extreme sport gaining visibility on platforms like Netflix, people who have never climbed before could begin to engage in the risk without proper training or preparation.
If asked, many climbers would immediately reject the idea of a solo climb.
Fear is a survival instinct, and not something most people are able to overcome for a supposed quick thrill. Fear is something that free solo climbers must learn to control.
Half the battle of free solo climbing is separate from gym training. This includes mental visualization, meditation, memorizing routes, and rehearsing moves. They must be able to remain calm even in extreme situations of exposure, or when something doesn’t go to plan.
The psychological pressure faced is extreme. Even with moves calculated to the centimeter, rock breakage or weather could put the climber in fatal danger. The knowledge of this can lead to stiff or hesitant movements that increase the risk of failure. As long climbs progress, mental fatigue runs the risk of setting in.
Training and Physical Limits
The physical training that goes into a successful free solo climb is critical. To preserve energy, climbers train efficient body positions and holds to conserve their strength during long and tedious climbs.
Climbers often simulate ‘Cross-fit’ style circuits. They also participate in finger grip exercises, endurance, and push-pull drills to get as prepared as possible for the climb. Long hangboard sessions often simulate the deep fatigue that will plague climbers’ arms during a free solo. Deep physical fatigue can affect a climber’s grip strength, reaction time, and coordination.
In climbing, injury prevention and rest are vital. Climbers strengthen muscles, core, and shoulders to withstand the tenuous climbs. Proper rest and recovery allow muscles to rebuild and adapt to intense training sessions. Stretching and mobility work also help maintain flexibility and reduce fatigue.
Gym Confidence to Outdoor Reality
Naturally, smaller indoor climbing gyms provide climbers with the safety and security to practice climbing in a controlled environment. They are able to attempt the lifts and grabs they will have to perform thousands of feet in the air from the safety of 15 feet.
The challenge of training in indoor facilities is that climbers can get too comfortable with movements and the ability to fall.
There is an immense mental battle for climbers to transfer to the real surfaces.
Where Control Replaces Fear
Free solo climbing remains one of the most extreme and dangerous sports in the world. Climbers must balance intense training, careful route planning, and the ability to remain calm in situations where a single mistake could be fatal.
While documentaries and media coverage have brought greater attention to the sport, they also highlight the reality that free solo climbing is far from a casual thrill. The sport is a discipline built on years of preparation and calculated risk.
Ultimately, free solo climbers push the boundaries of human capability. They show how far the mind and body can go when working together under the most extreme conditions.
FAQ:
What is the tallest free solo climb in history? The tallest free solo climb was completed by Alex Honnold on January 25, 2026. Honnold ascended Taipei 101 in Taiwan, which stands at 1,667 feet. This climb took 91 minutes.
Is free solo climbing legal everywhere? Yes. Free solo climbing is generally legal in outdoor climbing areas, however the regulations differ by location. Environmental, safety, or conservation concerns can place restrictions.
How do free solo climbers memorize routes? Climbers have a wide variety of ways in which they attempt to memorize routes and simulate the climb before the real attempt. They climb the route many times using ropes and other protection, while building repetition. This creates the ability to practice sequences of moves in section breaks and memorize hands and footholds. Off the surface, they can mentally rehearse the climb.
What are ethical concerns surrounding the promotion of free solo climbing? The promotion and filming of free solo climbs can encourage risky behavior. When hit shows or Youtube videos receive millions of views and the climbers large sums of money, beginners can be encouraged to attempt free solo climbing without the skill or training. This also puts pressure on even experienced climbers to attempt more dangerous feats.
Is free solo climbing the same as ‘free climbing’? No. In free climbing, the ability to use ropes, harnesses, and padding is available to climbers. In free solo climbing, the ascent must be made with just your body and chalk.
How do climbers deal with fear during a free solo climb? Experienced climbers have all formulated their own routine on how they handle fear before and during a climb, however it is inevitable. They often climb routes that they know well, and prepare extensively for routes they don’t. Most practice mental focus techniques off the surfaces daily, and know to avoid climbing if they feel uncertain or distracted.
There was a time when hearing directly from an athlete meant catching a postgame interview or waiting for a segment to air on ESPN. Reporters controlled the questions. Producers decided what made it to broadcast. The athlete was the subject of the story and rarely the one telling it.
Now, that dynamic has quietly flipped.
Over the past several years, athletes have moved into podcasting, YouTube, and full scale media ventures with a confidence that’s caught a lot of people off guard. This isn’t just moonlighting between seasons. Some of these platforms are drawing audiences that rival traditional sports networks like ESPN, CBS, and NBC.
The athletes utilizing owned-media seem to understand something those sports outlets are still catching up to.
Quick Highlights
Athlete-owned podcasts have generated more than 7 billion YouTube views, 725 million TikTok likes, and 37 million Instagram followers combined.
A 2025 USC Annenberg study found 33 athlete-owned production companies producing over 370 media properties worldwide.
The global podcast industry was a heavy hitter in the entertainment industry, and was valued at nearly $40 billion by the end of 2025.
Brands and sponsors are increasingly choosing athlete podcasts shows as advertising platforms due to the strong engagement from fans.
Traditional Sports Coverage
Within sports media, athlete frustration has been building for years over misquotes and selective editing stripped of context. A two hour conversation gets reduced to a single pulled quote. A nuanced opinion becomes a headline designed to generate outrage.
We live in a world where a clipped video or a screenshot taken out of context can reach millions of people before anyone bothers to fact check. Social media moves fast, and corrections almost never travel as far as the original story. For athletes who are already among the most visible and most misrepresented public figures in the country, this has created a major issue.
Traditional media was never set up to give athletes control over their own narratives. They have had to live with whatever version of themselves ended up in print or on television.
Marshawn Lynch is an infamous form of what that frustration can look like. He was fined over a million dollars across his career for refusing to comply with NFL media obligations. The coverage painted him as difficult and uncooperative, and that’s largely where the story stopped.
What rarely made it into the narrative was why he felt the way he did. He grew up in an environment that made being forced to perform for the press feel immoral. That context existed, it just had nowhere to go. Years after retiring, he laid it all out on various podcasts, in his own words, without anyone shaping it into something else.
Without that personal perspective, the public version of Marshawn Lynch was just a guy who wouldn’t speak to reporters. This didn’t come close to capturing it.
Athletes Taking Control
Podcasts have changed that dynamic across the board.
When an athlete is talking directly into a microphone for an hour, there is no editor cutting for time, no reporter filtering the message, no network sweating over advertising. The audience hears what was said, in full, in the actual context it was meant in.
That kind of direct access simply did not exist at scale before this format came along.
LeBron James recognized this early. Uninterrupted, the platform he helped build, was designed around a straightforward idea: let athletes talk without someone else shaping the message. No click bait reactions and no manufactured drama – just perspective.
The Kelce brothers landed on something similar, though it came together differently. New Heights isn’t built in the way a network show is. It wanders and it gets personal.
That looseness is the whole point. It gives fans something a standard broadcast would never make room for. It shows who they truly are.
What’s changed most noticeably is the timing. Athletes used to wait until after retirement to transition into media. That’s no longer how it works.
Draymond Green launched his show while still active in the NBA, which created something genuinely unique. The audience was shown analysis from someone who had just been in the locker room the night before. The gap between player and commentator shrank in a way that felt hard to fake.
Pat McAfee is maybe the clearest example of what the high stage looks like. He built a digital show from scratch after his playing career ended and grew it into something ESPN eventually paid serious money to partner with. He also did so by refusing to sound like traditional sports radio. The fact that he was a retired NFL player helped – but it wasn’t the whole story. Plenty of former players have tried this. Most have not built what he has built.
For athletes watching all of this, the business logic is hard to ignore. Media presence drives sponsorship value. It builds an identity that outlasts any contract. In a profession where a single injury can end everything, that kind of security is surely worth chasing.
Why Personality Is Beating Production Value
The audience perspective of this is also worth paying attention to. Sport fans haven’t just accepted athlete led media. In a lot of cases, they actually prefer it.
Paul George’s podcast doesn’t try to be a debate show. JJ Redick built The Old Man and the Three around long conversations that assumed the listener actually cared about basketball, not just highlights. That show, more than anything else, explains why the Lakers looked at him differently when a coaching job opened up. He’d spent years demonstrating how he thought about the game.
There’s a version of sports media that’s still chasing outrage because outrage drives clicks. That model hasn’t disappeared, but it’s competing now with something that feels more like a real conversation. A growing share of the audience seems to prefer the latter.
☝️🏿The World’s Strongest Man Acknowledges @officialjellyroll! MarkHenry reacts to Smackdown, SNME & Cena-Cody SummerSlam Contract Signing on the bustedopen247 podcast 📅Catch BOAD Weeknights After Wrestling on ProWrestlingNation247 Ch. 156
The athletes coming up now have never known a sports landscape without this. For them, social media, content creation, and personal branding are not second careers to think about someday. They are already baked into how these athletes move through the world and how they build a following long before they reach the professional level.
The broader implications of this go well beyond podcasts. When athletes own their platforms, they also own their revenue streams. Sponsorship conversations shift. Brands no longer need to go through a network or a league to reach an audience; they can go directly to the athlete, whose audience is often more loyal and more targeted than traditional networks. That changes the financial scope of being a professional athlete in ways that are still playing out.
It also changes culture. Athletes have always shaped what people wear, listen to, and care about. That influence used to be filtered through endorsements and highlight reels. Now, it comes through in real conversation and the actual texture of who these people are. That kind of access builds something different than a commercial does. It builds genuine connection, and genuine connection turns casual fans into communities.
Athelo’s own Mark Henry is a good example of what this looks like. The Busted Open podcast, which Henry co-hosts, has become one of the most respected in professional wrestling media. He spent decades inside the industry as a competitor, and that background gives the show insider perspective delivered without a filter. Fans are not getting a produced segment. They are getting a real conversation with someone who actually lived it.
For Athelo Group, Henry represents exactly the kind of athlete-owned media that is reshaping how sports figures connect with their audiences long after their playing days are behind them.
The microphone used to sit in front of the athlete. Now they are the ones holding it, and they are not planning to hand it back.
FAQ:
What is athlete owned media? It’s exactly what it sounds like. It consists of athletes running their own podcasts, social media, and/or production companies instead of waiting for a network to give them a segment. They own it, they run it, and they decide what gets said.
Why are so many athletes doing this now? Telling your own story is important. Once athletes realized they could just talk directly to fans without a middleman, a lot of them didn’t look back. The financial gain is also a focus for many players.
Are people actually watching and listening? More than most people realize. Athlete owned podcasts have combined for billions of views and likes across social media platforms. Some of these shows are pulling numbers that even rival traditional sports media.
Are athletes really doing this while still in their prime? Draymond Green was still suiting up for the Warriors when he launched his show and Travis Kelce was still competing for Super Bowl runs. That’s actually what made it interesting. You’re getting takes from someone who has a first person perspective of the game.
Does any of this actually pay off financially? Media presence drives sponsorship deals, attracts brands, and builds income that doesn’t disappear the moment a career ends. For athletes in sports where one bad injury changes everything, that kind of option matters a lot.
Can a podcast really change how people see an athlete? Ask JJ Redick. He spent years having genuine basketball conversations on his show, and by the time the Lakers needed a coach, he had already proven how he thought about the game.
Why do fans seem to prefer this over traditional coverage? Because it feels real. There’s no producer cutting to commercials at the good part. No anchor steering the conversation somewhere safe. It’s just people talking, and fans have noticed the difference.
Is this just a trend or is it here to stay? It looks permanent. The podcast industry has boomed within the entertainment realm and sports topics are among the top genres.
Many argue that greatness is measured in rings, records, or reputation. Others will say greatness is something harder to quantify, something that changes the way a sport is played forever. If greatness is about statistics, the answer would already be settled. However, sports aren’t played on spreadsheets.
Greatness in sports is dominating competition, influence, and becoming a reference point for generations who come after. The greatest athlete of all time isn’t just a name. It’s an argument. The issue? Many argue without a true definition.
Quick Highlights
Tom Brady redefined winning in the NFL with 7 Super Bowl rings, 5 Super Bowl MVPs, and 89,000+ passing yards.
Michael Phelps is the most decorated Olympian in history, earning 23 Olympic gold medals and 28 total medals.
LeBron James has built a 20+ year case for longevity and dominance, winning 4 NBA titles, 4 MVPs, and scoring 40,000+ career points.
With 24 Grand Slam singles titles, Serena Williams holds the most titles in the Open Era.
A Framework for Measuring Sports Greatness
Greatness in sports isn’t just about being the best. It’s about being exceptional in ways that change the standard. This brings us to the age old debate: Who is the greatest athlete of all time?
Introducing the G.O.A.T. Index: This system breaks down greatness into five categories. Skill vs Technique, Talent vs Work Ethic, Dominance vs Longevity, Era of Difficulty, and Cultural Impact.
Skill vs. Technique: What Separates Elite Athletes from Competition?
The first lens through which we define greatness is the tension between skill and technique.
Skill is an athlete’s natural abilities, creativity, fluidity and instinct. Skills also include attributes like spatial awareness, reaction time, and impeccable hand eye coordination. Highly skilled athletes make their sport or game look easy.
Technique is the mastery of mechanics that allows athletes to perform almost seamlessly under pressure. Some attributes that fall into this category include proper footwork, timing and balance, shooting/striking form, and technical precision.
Stephen Curry’s shooting range and off-ball movement are nothing short of technical mastery. He doesn’t just take shots, he invents them, repeats them, and perfects them.
Roger Federer is another star, who may be the clearest modern example of technique elevated to artistry. The mix of Federer’s impeccable footwork, balance, and seamless timing prove why he is the ultimate technical athlete.
While the exact details look different across every sport, one thing remains the same. Technique is trainable, repeatable and measurable. Highly technical athletes are able to minimize wasted movements to help them outperform their competition.
The true GOAT isn’t defined by just one trait. Pure raw talent without refinement eventually plateaus, and technical skill without elite natural ability has clear limitations. The greatest athletes in the world combine rare genetic gifts with obsessive development. They transform natural skill into consistent, repeatable excellence. The GOAT are the athletes who turn rare talent into repeatable excellence.
Talent vs. Work Ethic: Are GOATs Born with Natural Ability or Built Through Training?
The second pillar of the GOAT index explores one of the most debated topics in sports history: talent versus work ethic. This is where sports psychology, player development, competitive edge, and high-performance habits collide to determine who rises above the rest.
Talent is an athlete’s physical capacity. Every athlete sits somewhere in between genetic advantages and relentless effort. Talent includes attributes such as height, wingspan, speed, strength and cognitive processing speed. This shows that some athletes are at an advantage before they even begin to train for their sport.
Work ethic includes attributes such as recovery discipline, repetition, mental resilience, and competitive obsession. This category exists because a GOAT isn’t just born different. They choose to stay different.
LeBron James is an athlete who exemplifies both natural talent and relentless training. Throughout his career, he has consistently worked to improve his jump shot after early career criticism. He also has shifted play-style to extend efficiency, and became more cerebral as his innate athleticism naturally declined.
Another example is Michael Phelps. Phelps is not only physically engineered to dominate in swimming, but his medals stand for themselves. His wingspan, torso length, and ankle flexibility gave him a structural advantage in swimming. His consistent training has earned him 28 Olympic medals.
Some athletes may have overwhelming natural advantages but will never maximize them. Others are not physically outstanding, but outworked their peers to close the performance gap. A true GOAT has an elite and rare combination of peak physical advantages and obsessive grit.
Dominance vs. Longevity
Dominance is about separation. This includes record breaking seasons, undefeated stretches, championship runs, and statistical superiority over your competitors. We see how dominant athletes don’t just win – they overwhelm. The question is, what does it mean about their greatness if they do not stay there for a sustained period of time?
In the realm of dominance, athletes like Mike Tyson excel. Tyson was the youngest heavyweight champion, fought with devastating knockout power, and had the ultimate fear factor amongst his opponents. At his peak, Tyson overwhelmed opponents in minutes. However, his dominance was relatively brief compared to all-time fighting legends.
Longevity includes durability, discipline, evolution and consistency and building legacies.
Athletes like Serena Williams champion longevity. Her tennis career lasted over two decades. Williams has faced multiple generations of competitors, consistently reinvented her game over time, and was able to return from injuries.
While these examples do not settle the GOAT debate, they show that dominance makes you undeniable. Longevity makes you unforgettable.
Era of Difficulty: How Competition Level, Rule Changes, and Sports Science Impact the GOAT Debate
Greatness doesn’t exist in a vacuum; it lives inside an era.
To compare greatness across generations, the question is: how dominant would they have been in someone else’s time? Modern day athletes have advantages and benefits that previous generations did not have. Athletes in today’s era of sport are able to track every single aspect of their lives, on and off the field or court. Earlier eras relied more on grit and science.
Technology has influenced how sports are played and how athletes are evaluated. Athletes today are more intensely studied. Weaknesses are exposed quicker, and strengths are highlighted across the media faster than we have ever seen.
The globalization of sports has resulted in deep talent pools. With more athletes, improved training, and scouts across the globe, it makes the idea of modern dominance harder to conceptualize. The margin between elite and average is thinning.
Rule adjustments are also critical to analyze. This includes physicality tolerance and changes in officiating standards across different eras. Some eras of sport were more physical, while others focused more skill and stamina.
Ultimately, this category makes us question if we are evaluating an athlete’s greatness relative to the conditions of their time, or are we imagining how they’d translate to today’s game? To find the true greatest athlete of all time, we are required to consider both.
Greatness isn’t just about benefiting from better tools. It’s about separating yourself despite everyone having access to them.
Cultural Impact in Sports: How the Greatest Athletes Shape Society Beyond the Game
Cultural impact is the force that turns elite competitors into global icons and household names. It measures influence beyond the scoreboard; worldwide recognition, cultural relevance, social change, and the ability to shape conversations far outside the lines of the game.
Lionel Messi winning the FIFA World Cup in 2022 was not just a victory for him and his team. It was historic, emotional, and touched generations of Argentinians. In the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Messi fulfilled a national dream that had lingered since Diego Maradona lifted the cup in 1986. He strengthened cultural identity and inspired perseverance. He redefined what it meant to carry a nation on your shoulders.
Similarly, Muhammad Ali was known for his dominance in the ring and his political activism. Ali was a global icon and the first to win the heavyweight champion title three times. However, he wasn’t just an elite athlete. He spoke boldly against racial injustice during the Civil Rights Movement, using his global platform to challenge racial inequality and redefine the role of the Black athletes in America. His political activism transformed sports. He proved that athletes could be powerful political voices.
Billy Jean King won the “Battle of the Sexes” in 1973. She fought for equal prize money in tennis and helped found the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA). She also advocated for Title IX and gender equity. King’s impact wasn’t just competitive – it was institutional. Women’s professional sports opportunities today are directly tied to her activism.
The GOAT reshapes their sport. They lead their communities and create impactful movements that spread across the globe.
The Final Verdict: Who Truly Deserves the GOAT Title?
So who is the greatest athlete of all time?
This GOAT index shows that this debate will never be simple. Greatness in sports isn’t one-dimensional. Greatness is layered, contextual, and deeply human. Every individual should and will have different answers to who they think the GOAT is.
The answer to this question depends on what you value most. These categories and the way one perceives them is what makes this debate timeless. The GOAT isn’t just a name. It’s a reflection of our philosophy about greatness itself. Perhaps, that’s why the argument never ends.
FAQ:
Who is considered the greatest athlete of all time? There is no universal answer. The debate often includes names like Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Tom Brady, Serena Williams, Michael Phelps, and Lionel Messi, depending on how greatness is defined.
What defines the greatest athlete of all time? Greatness can be defined by championships, dominance, longevity, skill, physical profile, cultural impact, and the era in which the athlete competed.
Is the GOAT determined by championships or individual performance? Championships matter, but they don’t tell the full story. Some athletes dominate statistically without winning as many titles, while others benefit from stronger teams. The GOAT debate needs to balance team success with individual impact.
Does the era of competition affect who the greatest athlete is? Yes. Athletes from different eras faced different levels of competition, training resources, recovery tools, and technology. Comparing eras requires context about how the sport has evolved.
Does physical profile determine greatness? Physical advantages like height, wingspan, speed, and strength can create a competitive edge, but they do not guarantee greatness. Many elite athletes maximize average physical tools through preparation, refinement and mental toughness.
Who are the most common athletes mentioned in the GOAT debate? Athletes frequently included are Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Tom Brady, Serena Williams, Michael Phelps, Lionel Messi, and Usain Bolt.
Can athletes from different sports be compared? Comparing athletes across sports is difficult because each sport requires different physical and technical demands. However, shared qualities like dominance, longevity, and cultural impact allow for meaningful comparison.
Why does cultural impact matter in determining the GOAT? The greatest athletes transcend their sport and influence society. They are able to inspire social change, grow global audiences, and redefine expectations. Cultural impact often separates great athletes from legendary ones.
Is there ever a clear answer to who the GOAT is? Not definitively. The GOAT debate depends on what qualities you value most. The personal decision and value placed on the categories of dominance, longevity, skill, championships, talent and influence are part of what makes this an ongoing debate.
The modern sports industry prides itself on measuring performance. We celebrate speed, power, endurance, recovery metrics, and data-driven evaluations. Media ecosystems revolve around statistics and athletic output, yet some of the world’s most physically demanding performers remain outside the cultural definition of “athlete.”
Dance, ballet and cheer exist at a strange intersection. They require elite levels of strength, flexibility, precision and endurance. However, they are still routinely categorized as entertainment rather than sport.
Cheerleading’s governing bodies have earned Olympic recognition, and competitive formats like STUNT are now advancing to NCAA championship status. Yet culturally, the stereotype remains: performance athletes and artists are seen as athletes secondarily.
This disconnect reveals a larger blind spot in sports culture. Athleticism is defined not by physiological output, but by visibility, broadcast value, and legacy structures.
As sports continue evolving toward hybrid forms of competition, the question becomes harder to ignore: If we judged athleticism purely by physical demand, would these performers still be considered “outside” of sport, or have we simply been measuring the wrong things?
Quick Highlights
Research shows that professional ballet dancers can reach VO2 levels similar to endurance-based athletes during performance.
Injury patterns in dancers mirror high-performance sports, with professional and pre-professional dancers experiencing overuse injuries at rates similar to gymnastics and running.
Competitive dance already functions as a judged sport, using scoring systems based on execution, difficulty, artistry and synchronization, much like gymnastics and figure skating.
Professional athletes regularly incorporate ballet and dance training to improve balance, strength, and injury prevention.
Visibility, media rights and sponsorship, not physiology, often determine what qualifies as “sport,” leaving performance-based disciplines under-recognized despite comparable physical demands.
The Physiology of Performance
At a physiological level, the distinction between “athlete” and “performer” becomes increasingly difficult to defend. Ballet dancers, competitive dancers and cheer athletes routinely train with workloads that mirror elite sport environments. This includes strength development, cardiovascular endurance, mobility and repeated high-impact movement.
Research examining professional dancers shows that performance and rehearsal demand significant aerobic output. Cardiovascular demands can approach those seen in endurance-based training contexts. While dance is often framed as artistic expression, the physical reality includes sustained exertion and precise recovery between explosive sequences.
The biomechanical demands are equally substantial. Dancers require exceptional strength-to-weight ratios to execute lifts and controlled landings while maintaining technical precision and form. Many movements combine extreme flexibility with stability and force absorption.
Cheerleading presents a similarly measurable athletic profile. Tumbling passes, aerial stunts and synchronized routines demand coordination, balance, and power output comparable to gymnastics-based disciplines.
If performance disciplines were evaluated purely through biomechanics, training load, and injury risk, their place within the broader athletic landscape would be far less disputed. The body does not distinguish between a leap executed for artistry and one performed for points.
The Role of Competition
One of the most common arguments used to separate dance and other “performance” sports from traditional sports is that they are “art, not competition.” The implication is that artistry somehow disqualifies physical performance from athletic legitimacy. Yet across many sports, the line between art and sport has never been as clear as this argument suggests.
Competitive dance already functions within structured judging systems. Athletes are scored on technique, execution, synchronization and performance quality, criteria that closely resembles scoring frameworks used in established judged sports. Competitive circuits continue to grow internationally. They bring standardized rules and ranking systems that mirror the competitive structures found throughout athletics.
Olympic figure skating offers a clear example of sport and artistry coexisting. The International Skating Union’s judging system formally combines technical elements with program components such as composition, presentation and artistry. Performance quality is not separate from sport. It’s embedded within how athletes are evaluated.
Gymnastics operates similarly. Olympic scoring explicitly includes artistic components alongside execution and difficulty. This shows that aesthetic expression and measurable athletic performance have long coexisted at the highest levels of sport.
Cheerleading has followed a comparable evolution. Once widely viewed only as sideline entertainment, modern cheer now features structured competitions and world-level championships governed by standardized rules and judging criteria. Events such as the ICU World Cheerleading Championships bring national teams together under international sport governance. This reinforces cheer’s role as a global competitive discipline.
The existence of these systems raises an important question: if artistry and competition can coexist in figure skating and gymnastics, both as fully recognized sports, why are other performance-based disciplines still viewed differently? The distinction appears less rooted in competitive structure and more heavily influenced by historical perception, media exposure and tradition.
Media & Market Influence
Recognition in modern sports culture rarely develops from physical demand alone. Visibility, shaped largely by media and market forces, plays a central role in determining which activities receive legitimacy.
Television and streaming contracts have become some of the strongest indicators of cultural status within sport. Media rights generate revenue and define which competitions audiences see regularly, which athletes become household names, and which leagues attract long-term investment. As media exposure grows, sports move from niche participation to mainstream relevance.
Sponsorship tends to follow that visibility. Brands invest where audiences gather, meaning broadcast exposure often drives commercial partnerships more than the inherent difficulty or athleticism of a discipline. This dynamic can create a feedback loop. Greater visibility attracts more sponsors, which in turn fuels growth and broader recognition.
Institutional legitimacy frequently follows investment. Governing bodies, collegiate programs and professional leagues expand where sustained revenue and audience demand exist. Recognition is less about whether a discipline requires elite skill, and more about whether it can demonstrate commercial visibility within the modern sports ecosystem.
The result is a sports landscape shaped as much by economics as by athletic performance. Activities that are easy to package for television and sponsorship often gain legitimacy faster than disciplines with comparable physical demands but less established media infrastructure. The sports industry rewards what it can monetize, and visibility can matter as much as physiology in defining what the public recognizes as sport.
The Opportunities Ahead
As the definition of athleticism continues to evolve, the gap between performance-based discipline and traditional sports presents a clear opportunity both culturally and commercially. Dance, ballet and cheer already demonstrate comparable training demands and competitive structures. The next step may depend on how the industry chooses to invest in and market these athletes.
One emerging area is name, image and likeness (NIL) monetization. The rapid expansion of NIL in collegiate athletics has created new pathways for athletes to build personal brands outside traditional sponsorship models. As dance and performance programs grow at the collegiate level, dancers may increasingly tap into that same creator-driven economy.
For brands, this creates potential for expansion into underdeveloped performance-based markets. Audiences are increasingly engaged with hybrid forms of sport and entertainment across digital platforms. This allows for disciplines that combine artistry with elite physical skill to present new storytelling opportunities and sponsorship categories beyond traditional team sports.
Athleticism is continuously evolving. As sport continues to blend entertainment, performance and competition, the traditional boundaries that once separated athletes from performers are becoming difficult to justify.
One of the clearest signals of this shift is the emergence of the newly founded Pro Cheer League (PCL), which represents a significant step toward the professionalization of cheer as a standalone athletic discipline. As leagues like the PCL gain visibility, they help challenge outdated definitions of elite sport.
The future of sports culture may not depend on choosing between art and competition, but on recognizing that the two have long coexisted. As media, institutions and brands continue to reshape the landscape, the next generation of athletes may be defined less by the label attached to their discipline and more by the measurable performance they bring to it.
The next era of sport should acknowledge what the body has always known. Ballerinas, dancers and competitive cheerleaders are not redefining athleticism because they have embodied it all along.
It’s always been a struggle for women’s professional volleyball to establish a stable position in the United States. Despite being one of the most widely played sports among women at both the youth and collegiate levels, the professional game has lacked opportunities. This includes visibility and consistent investment.
That narrative is finally shifting.
Over the past few years, women’s pro volleyball has begun to rise in popularity. This comes as a result of changes in fan behavior, digital media, and league structure.
This growth isn’t happening randomly. It reflects broader trends across women’s sports, where participation, media attention, and brand investment are increasingly aligned.
Quick Highlights
Volleyball consistently ranks among the top sports for female participation in the U.S., especially in high school and college.
In 2023, Nebraska volleyball set a world record for attendance at a women’s sporting event, with 92,003 fans at Memorial Stadium.
Leagues like Athletes Unlimited, the Pro Volleyball Federation, and LOVB focus on shorter seasons, city-based teams, and keeping top college stars local to grow fan support.
In 2025, Volleyball World events saw over 62 million engagements across social media platforms and gained 350,000 new followers.
Sponsorship deals across major women’s sports properties grew about 12% between 2024 and 2025, expanding nearly 50 percent faster compared to men’s pro leagues.
A Fanbase That’s Always Been There
Volleyball consistently ranks among the top sports for female participation in the United States, particularly at the high school and NCAA levels. For decades, this created a huge disconnect. Athletes and fans were very interested in the sport, but didn’t have any clear professional teams to support once collegiate careers ended.
Like many women’s sports, volleyball seems to disappear after college. New U.S. leagues are changing that. Professional volleyball is tapping into an audience that already knows and loves the game.
In 2025, the Omaha Supernovas drew nearly 11,000 fans per game by putting together a roster with many Nebraska alumni. This shows how familiar college stars can drive attendance.
Instead of trying to create interest from scratch, these leagues are connecting with a community that’s already passionate about volleyball.
This is similar to other women’s sports, like the new Women’s Professional Baseball League, where early exhibition games sold out quickly and drew large crowds of fans already following baseball.
Social Media Has Reshaped Visibility
Digital platforms have played a big role in why volleyball is getting more attention. Short-form videos and behind-the-scenes clips make it easy for fans to discover the sport and feel connected to it.
Volleyball naturally fits social media. The rallies are fast, the reactions are genuine, and the highlights don’t need much explanation. A single clip can capture the energy of an entire match.
Nebraska volleyball is one of the clearest examples of this in action. Players post “get ready with me” videos, locker room jokes, and practice clips. This gives followers a glimpse into the personality behind the program.
That digital connection mirrors the program’s real-world support. In 2023, Nebraska set a world record for attendance at a women’s sporting event. 92,003 fans filled Memorial Stadium for a match against Omaha, proving just how deeply rooted volleyball is in that community.
This kind of visibility helps teams and leagues grow without relying solely on traditional TV coverage. It also opens the door for sponsors, who can connect with engaged audiences through both official league platforms and individual athletes.
How Smarter League Models Are Growing the Sport
One of the biggest differences between past attempts at professional volleyball and what’s happening now is strategy. Their new approach is centered on steady growth and long-term success.
Leagues like Athletes Unlimited, the Major League Volleyball, and LOVB each have their own model, but they share a common mindset. That is to not grow faster than the audience can follow.
Many focus on shorter seasons, regional teams, and clear development paths. LOVB has focused on keeping top college stars in the same cities where they built their fan bases. This makes it easier for supporters to continue following them at the professional level.
That city-based approach strengthens local identity and gives fans a reason to keep showing up. Professional volleyball is taking cues from other leagues and laying a foundation built to last.
Increased Brand Interest in Women’s Sports
Brand investment in women’s sports is growing fast, and volleyball is starting to see the impact. Sponsors are naturally drawn to sports with strong community ties and real stories they can connect with.
Volleyball’s audience often overlaps with lifestyle and wellness communities. This makes this sport a great fit for long-term partnerships. Getting involved early lets sponsors grow alongside the leagues and build trust with fans.
Skims’ partnership with LOVB shows how a high-profile brand can make a true impact while the league is still growing. The brand took a major role in athlete activations, community events, and league marketing. This approach has become a key part of what makes partnerships in women’s sports successful.
LOVB 🤍 SKIMS SKIMS is now the official loungewear, intimates and sleepwear partner of LOVB. The partnership will see LOVB and @SKIMS work together to accelerate the future of professional women’s volleyball, as well as empower girls and women both in sports and beyond 🫶 #skims#lovb#volleyball
This moment feels different for women’s professional volleyball. Not because of sudden interest, but because the pieces are finally falling into place. Participation has always been strong. What was missing was consistent visibility and connection.
Now, with leagues refining their strategy and brands investing earlier and more intentionally, women’s pro volleyball has a real opportunity to establish itself in the U.S. The growth doesn’t feel rushed or reactive. It feels steady and built to last.
A History of Women in Sports: The Untold Stories That Changed the Game
When people talk about women in sports history, the same moments tend to come up: Billie Jean King’s “Battle of the Sexes,” the rise of the WNBA, or the first women to run in the Olympics. Those moments matter, but they’re only part of a much larger story.
Long before sponsorship deals and packed arenas, women were competing anyway: pushing boundaries, defying stereotypes, and demanding visibility.
This article is about the lesser-known milestones that reshaped sports history—the first steps, the quiet breakthroughs, and the unsung victories that made today’s achievements possible.
For young athletes reading this: this is your lineage, too.
Quick Highlights:
First Olympic Women (1900): Only 22 women competed in tennis and golf at the Paris Games.
Title IX Impact (1972): Participation exploded—from 1 in 27 girls in high school sports to nearly 1 in 2 today.
Barrier-Breaking Champions: Charlotte Cooper won the first female Olympic gold; Alice Milliat organized the first Women’s Olympiad.
Professional Leagues: WNBA launched in 1997, following decades of limited professional opportunities.
Modern Milestones: 2012 Olympics included women in every sport; NIL deals now let female college athletes earn major endorsements.
Ancient & Pre-Modern Women in Sports (Before 1900)
Women Athletes in Ancient Civilizations
Did you know women competed in sports thousands of years before the modern Olympics?
In ancient Egypt, women participated in swimming, rowing, sprinting, and ball games—activities depicted in murals from as early as 2000 BCE. These weren’t just recreational; they were celebrated athletic pursuits demonstrating strength and skill.
In Rome, some women trained with weights and performed exercises similar to modern gymnastics. Archaeological evidence even shows female gladiators existed, though rarely.
Across Africa, athletic contests were woven into cultural festivals and rites of passage. Women’s participation in track and field-like competitions wasn’t a modern invention—it was reclaimed tradition.
Indigenous and Native American Women’s Sports Traditions
Long before European contact, Indigenous women played stickball and lacrosse-like games, ran endurance races, and participated in competitions tied to ceremony and community life.
In some Native American cultures, women’s lacrosse games could involve hundreds of players and last for days. Athletic ability was valued as part of preparing women for leadership roles in society.
This rich sports tradition predates organized women’s sports by centuries.
The Games of Hera: The First Women’s Athletic Competition
While men competed in the ancient Olympic Games, women had their own showcase: the Heraean Games.
Held every four years at Olympia in honor of the goddess Hera, these foot races featured young women competing in three age categories.
What winners received:
Olive wreaths
Portions of a sacrificed cow
The right to dedicate statues with their names inscribed
The Games of Hera prove that structured, celebrated women’s athletic competition existed more than 2,500 years ago.
Cynisca of Sparta: The First Female Olympic Champion (396 BCE)
Here’s a lesser-known fact: The first female Olympic champion competed in 396 BCE.
Cynisca of Sparta didn’t run or throw. Nope, Cynisca owned the winning four-horse chariot team at the ancient Olympics. Olympic rules forbade women from competing or even attending, but there was a loophole: chariot owners, not drivers, received the victory.
She was so proud she commissioned a bronze statue with an inscription declaring:
“Kings of Sparta were my fathers and brothers, and I, Cynisca, winning the race with my chariot of swift-footed horses, erected this statue. I assert that I am the only woman in all Greece to have won this crown.”
The lesson: Breaking barriers often required both strategy and courage, not just athletic talent.
The Victorian Era: When Women Were “Too Fragile” for Sports (1800s-Early 1900s)
Debunking the Myths: False Medical Claims About Women and Exercise
The Victorian era represents the low point for women in sports. Medical authorities—almost exclusively men—declared women’s bodies fundamentally unsuited for athletics.
The absurd claims:
Running could damage reproductive organs
Cycling caused “bicycle face” (a permanent grimace) and hysteria
Competitive sports would grow unseemly muscles and ruin femininity
Vigorous exercise would divert blood from vital organs
Of course, none of this was scientific. These were social barriers disguised as medicine, designed to keep women confined to domestic roles.
Women defied them anyway.
Early Athletic Clubs and Underground Women’s Competitions
While public sports remained largely forbidden, determined women created their own opportunities.
By the 1860s and 1870s, women’s athletic clubs began forming in secret or semi-secret locations across Europe and America. Women organized:
Tennis tournaments
Archery competitions
Croquet matches
Ice skating exhibitions
Sometimes these were held on private estates or women-only spaces to avoid social censure. The first women’s golf tournament took place in 1811 in Scotland, though it would be decades before women’s golf gained broader acceptance.
In colleges, female students formed basketball teams, field hockey clubs, and track associations despite institutional resistance. These underground sports cultures kept women’s athletics alive during its darkest period.
Mary, Queen of Scots and Early Women Golfers
Most people don’t know that women played golf centuries before formal competitions existed.
Mary, Queen of Scots, was a regular golfer in the 1560s, and was actually criticized for playing golf days after her husband’s murder. Now that’s dedication!
By the 1800s, women formed golf clubs across Scotland and England. The Ladies’ Golf Union, founded in 1893, was one of the first national sports governing bodies for women anywhere in the world.
Elizabeth Wilkinson: The First Female Boxing Champion (1722)
Long before Ronda Rousey or women’s MMA, Elizabeth Wilkinson became the first recorded female boxing champion in 1722.
Wilkinson competed publicly in London, fighting other women for prize money in matches advertised in newspapers. Her fights drew large crowds and significant wagering.
She proved women could fight, perform, and earn respect—and money—in traditionally male sports, more than 200 years before modern women’s combat sports gained mainstream acceptance.
Breaking Into the Olympics: The First Steps (1900-1928)
1900 Paris Olympics: 22 Women Change Everything
The first modern Olympics in 1896 excluded women completely. Founder Pierre de Coubertin believed women’s participation would be “impractical, uninteresting, unaesthetic, and incorrect.”
By 1900, social pressure forced a tiny concession: 22 women competed in tennis and golf at the Paris Olympics. Organizers framed the female competitions as mere “demonstration events,” but these pioneering sportswomen forced the Olympics to acknowledge women’s athletic abilities.
Over the next several decades, women would have to fight for every single sport added to the Olympic program.
Charlotte Cooper: The First Female Olympic Gold Medalist (1900)
Charlotte Cooper won gold in tennis singles at the 1900 Paris Olympics, becoming the first female Olympic champion of the modern era.
Her challenges:
Competed while partially deaf, using visual cues to track the ball
Wore restrictive long skirts and corsets required by social convention
Already a five-time Wimbledon champion before Olympic recognition
She won gold again in mixed doubles, proving herself a versatile and dominant athlete.
The 1921 Women’s Olympiad in Monaco (Often Overlooked)
Here’s a milestone that rarely makes it into history books:
When the IOC refused to include women in track and field, French athlete and activist Alice Milliat organized an alternative: the Women’s Olympiad in Monaco in 1921.
This international track and field competition featured athletes from five countries competing in 11 events. The performances were impressive: world records fell, and attendance proved strong public interest.
The result: The IOC, embarrassed and fearing a permanent rival organization, grudgingly agreed to add some women’s track events to the 1928 Olympics.
The lesson: Women didn’t wait for permission. They created their own opportunities and forced institutions to catch up.
Alice Milliat: The Woman Who Forced the IOC’s Hand
Alice Milliat deserves to be as famous as any male Olympic founder.
The French rower and sports administrator founded the Fédération Sportive Féminine Internationale (FSFI) in 1921 after the IOC refused to expand women’s Olympic participation.
What she accomplished:
Organized the 1921 Women’s Olympiad
Created the Women’s World Games (1922, 1926, 1930, 1934)
Drew thousands of athletes and spectators to international competitions
Proved women could compete at elite levels across all track and field disciplines
Her activism directly led to women’s track and field being added to the Olympics in 1928. Today’s female athletes owe Milliat an enormous debt.
1928 Amsterdam: Women Finally Get Track and Field
Women finally competed in Olympic track and field in 1928, though officials limited them to just five events (compared to 22 for men).
The controversy: Several runners collapsed after the 800-meter race—not from physical incapacity but from running a distance they’d never been allowed to train for properly.
Instead of recognizing the training gap, officials used the incident to justify removing the women’s 800m from the Olympics entirely. It wouldn’t return until 1960.
The pattern throughout history: Women performed incredibly despite limited opportunities, and any struggle was used to justify further restrictions rather than better support.
The legacy: Betty Robinson won the first women’s 100m gold medal at just 16 years old, starting a legacy that would eventually include legends like Wilma Rudolph, Florence Griffith Joyner, and Allyson Felix.
Pioneers You Should Know: Lesser-Known Trailblazers (1920s-1960s)
Tuskegee Institute Athletes: Louise Stokes and Tidye Pickett
Louise Stokes and Tidye Pickett became the first Black women selected for the U.S. Olympic team in 1932.
The heartbreak: Despite making the team, White coaches replaced them with White athletes for the actual competition.
The resilience: Four years later, both made the 1936 Olympic team again. This time Pickett competed in the 80m hurdles, becoming the first Black American woman to compete in the Olympics.
Their determination despite racism, exclusion, and heartbreak paved the way for future Black female athletes. Tuskegee would go on to train numerous Olympic champions, including the legendary Wilma Rudolph.
Alice Coachman: First Black Woman to Win Olympic Gold (1948)
Alice Coachman grew up in Albany, Georgia, during the Depression, training on dirt roads and makeshift equipment because segregation barred her from public facilities.
She improvised high jump bars from ropes and sticks, building her skills through determination and natural talent.
The achievement: In 1948, Coachman cleared 5 feet, 6⅛ inches to win Olympic gold in the high jump, making her the only American woman to win a track and field gold medal that year and the first Black woman from any country to win Olympic gold.
The reality of returning home: Albany held a segregated parade in her honor, with White spectators on one side of the street, Black spectators on the other. She wasn’t even allowed to speak at her own ceremony.
Coachman’s grace under pressure and athletic excellence inspired generations of athletes.
Gertrude Ederle: Breaking Men’s Records Swimming the English Channel (1926)
In 1926, 19-year-old Gertrude “Trudy” Ederle became the first woman to swim the English Channel … and she did it faster than any of the five men who had accomplished the feat before her.
The numbers: Ederle completed the 21-mile swim in 14 hours and 31 minutes, beating the previous men’s record by nearly two hours.
The celebration: When Ederle returned to New York, an estimated two million people lined the streets for her ticker-tape parade—a larger crowd than had greeted Charles Lindbergh.
The impact: Her triumph showed that women’s endurance could not just match but exceed men’s in extreme conditions, challenging fundamental assumptions about female athletic capability.
Ora Washington: Dominating Tennis and Basketball While Fighting Racism
Ora Washington may be the greatest female athlete most people have never heard of.
Her dominance: From the 1920s through the 1940s, Washington won dozens of national championships in the segregated American Tennis Association (ATA) and led her basketball team to 11 consecutive championships.
The injustice: Washington repeatedly challenged White tennis champions to integrated matches—challenges they refused, unwilling to risk defeat by a Black woman.
The truth: Historical accounts suggest Washington was likely better than most, if not all, of her white contemporaries who received far more recognition and opportunities.
She played basketball with an aggressive, athletic style decades before it became common in women’s games, earning nicknames like “The Queen of Tennis.”
Louise Pound: Setting Rifle Records When Women “Weren’t Athletic”
Louise Pound, a scholar and athlete in the early 1900s, held competitive shooting records when women supposedly weren’t capable of athletics.
Her versatility: She also excelled in ice skating, cycling, and tennis, becoming a champion in multiple sports while simultaneously earning advanced degrees and teaching at the University of Nebraska.
Pound’s story matters because she defied every Victorian stereotype about female fragility. She proved women could excel in precision sports requiring steady nerves and sustained concentration—skills society claimed women lacked.
Enriqueta Basilio: First Woman to Light the Olympic Flame (1968)
When Mexican hurdler Enriqueta Basilio carried the Olympic torch up the stadium stairs and lit the cauldron at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, she made history as the first woman ever chosen for this symbolic honor.
The controversy: Some traditionalists protested that a woman shouldn’t perform such a prestigious Olympic duty.
The impact: Her composed, confident torch-lighting ceremony silenced critics and set a precedent. Today, women regularly light Olympic cauldrons, but Basilio was the first.
The Water Sports Revolution: Women Conquering the Waves
Early Women Surfers Who Defied Beach Culture Norms
Ancient Hawaii: Women surfed alongside men, with some female ali’i (royalty) becoming renowned surfers.
The setback: When missionaries arrived in the 1800s, they discouraged surfing for everyone but particularly disapproved of women surfing in “immodest” attire.
The revival: As surfing experienced a comeback in the early 1900s, women like Isabel Letham in Australia and Mary Ann Hawkins in California pioneered modern women’s surfing.
The challenges: They faced beach culture norms that deemed surfing unladylike and restrictions on women’s beach access and swimwear.
The 1960s breakthrough: Women like Marge Calhoun and Linda Benson were competing professionally, though prize money remained minimal and sponsorship nearly nonexistent.
Today’s legacy: These pioneers created the foundation for today’s professional female surfers like Athelo Group’s Brisa Hennessy, who compete for substantial prizes and global recognition.
Gertrude Ederle’s Historic English Channel Swim (1926)
Ederle’s Channel swim deserves mention here too for its impact on water sports specifically.
The moment that defined her: The swim almost didn’t happen—her trainer tried to pull her from the water when she struggled, but Ederle shouted, “What for?” and kept swimming.
That determination epitomizes the spirit of every woman who refused to accept limitations others tried to impose.
Diana Nyad: The 64-Year-Old Who Swam Cuba to Florida (2013)
Diana Nyad’s 110-mile swim from Cuba to Florida in 2013 rewrote assumptions about age, gender, and extreme endurance.
The achievement: At 64, after four previous failed attempts, Nyad completed the 53-hour swim without a shark cage, a feat that had eluded both men and women for decades.
Why it matters:
Challenged beliefs about what women can achieve at ages society considers “past prime”
Proved determination, training, and mental fortitude can overcome physical barriers
Showed young female athletes that their athletic lives don’t have to peak in their 20s
Women’s Surfing Added to Olympics (2020)
It took until 2020 for women’s surfing to gain Olympic recognition, despite women surfing competitively for over a century.
What it took: Decades of advocacy by female surfers who built professional tours, attracted sponsors, and proved that women’s surfing could draw audiences and generate excitement.
The first champion: Carissa Moore won the first Olympic gold medal in women’s surfing.
Today: Elite female surfers, including those represented by Athelo Group, compete on the world’s biggest stages—opportunities that didn’t exist even 20 years ago.
“No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”
In practice: Schools receiving federal funding—almost all public schools and many private ones—could no longer discriminate based on sex in any educational program, including athletics.
The requirement: Schools had to provide equal opportunities for boys and girls. The law didn’t require identical programs, but it required fairness.
The result: That single requirement changed millions of lives.
The Numbers That Tell the Story: Before and After
Before Title IX (1971):
1 in 27 girls played high school sports
Fewer than 30,000 women participated in college sports
Athletic scholarships for women were virtually nonexistent
Many schools offered zero sports for girls
After Title IX (2020s):
More than 1 in 2 girls play high school sports
Over 200,000 women participate in college sports
Women receive over 40% of college athletic scholarships
Female athletes have access to sports from elementary school through professional leagues
These aren’t just numbers; they represent millions of girls who got to play, train, compete, and develop as athletes.
How Title IX Impacted Different Sports Differently
Explosive growth:
Basketball and soccer participation increased by thousands of percent
High schools and colleges built women’s basketball programs that became sources of school pride
Steady expansion:
Lacrosse and field hockey grew steadily, particularly in schools with strong existing programs
Softball became the female equivalent of baseball
Ongoing challenges:
Wrestling faced difficulties creating equivalent women’s opportunities
Football’s large roster sizes and budgets created Title IX compliance debates
Some sports like gymnastics sometimes got cut when schools eliminated programs rather than adding women’s sports
Bottom line: Despite complications, Title IX fundamentally transformed the landscape. Popular athletes today, from basketball stars to soccer champions,owe their opportunities to this law.
Modern Milestones: The Professional Era (1970s-1990s)
Billie Jean King Defeats Bobby Riggs: The “Battle of the Sexes” (1973)
On September 20, 1973, over 90 million people worldwide watched Billie Jean King defeat Bobby Riggs in the famous “Battle of the Sexes” tennis match.
The setup:
King, 29, faced the 55-year-old former champion
She won in straight sets, earning $100,000
Riggs had been claiming women’s tennis was inferior
Why it mattered: The match was theater, but the stakes were real. King understood that losing would set women’s tennis back years, providing ammunition to those arguing women didn’t deserve equal prize money.
Strengthened arguments for equality across all sports
King’s activism extended far beyond the court: she fought for equal prize money, founded the Women’s Tennis Association, and created opportunities for future generations
Kathrine Switzer Forces Her Way Into the Boston Marathon (1967)
In 1967, women were officially banned from running marathons, as authorities claimed the distance was medically dangerous for women.
The strategy: Kathrine Switzer registered for the Boston Marathon as “K.V. Switzer,” hiding her gender to get a race number.
The attack: When race official Jock Semple spotted her on the course, he tried to physically rip off her race number, shouting, “Get the hell out of my race!”
The finish: Switzer’s boyfriend and fellow runners blocked Semple, and she finished the race in about 4 hours and 20 minutes.
The legacy: The famous photographs of Semple attacking Switzer became symbols of the barriers women faced and the determination required to overcome them.
The timeline:
1972: Boston officially allowed women
1984: Women’s marathon added to the Olympics
The All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (1943-1954)
During World War II, while men fought overseas, the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) gave women professional opportunities in America’s pastime.
The facts:
Ran from 1943-1954
Featured teams across the Midwest
Drew millions of fans
Players like Dorothy Kamenshek became stars
The end: When the war ended and men returned, support for women’s professional baseball evaporated. The league folded in 1954.
After decades of failed attempts at professional women’s basketball leagues, the WNBA launched in 1997 with eight teams and backing from the NBA.
The stars: Lisa Leslie, Sheryl Swoopes, and Rebecca Lobo became household names, proving that women’s basketball could draw fans, television coverage, and sponsorships.
The challenges:
Lower pay than male counterparts
Less media coverage
Financial struggles
Why it matters: The league has survived for over 25 years, providing professional opportunities for hundreds of players. Athletes who grew up watching WNBA stars now play in the league themselves, creating generational continuity.
Women’s Soccer World Cup Fills Stadiums (1999)
The 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup, hosted by the United States, shattered attendance records and captured the nation’s attention.
The moment: Over 90,000 fans packed the Rose Bowl for the final, watching the U.S. defeat China on penalty kicks. Brandi Chastain’s celebration after scoring the winning penalty—falling to her knees and pulling off her jersey—became one of the most iconic images in sports history.
The impact:
Proved women’s soccer could generate massive interest
Players like Mia Hamm, Julie Foudy, and Kristine Lilly became role models for millions
Youth soccer participation among girls exploded, though increased participation also highlighted the need for better injury prevention research, particularly around ACL injuries.
The significance: Women’s sports achieving mainstream, must-see status and demonstrating that female athletes could become cultural icons.
Breaking New Ground: Extreme Sports and Unconventional Athletics (1990s-2010s)
Women in Motocross and Extreme Sports
For decades, motocross and action sports were considered exclusively male domains—too dangerous, too aggressive, too “extreme” for women.
Female riders proved otherwise:
Ashley Fiolek: Deaf from birth, became multiple-time WMA Women’s Motocross Champion, proving that determination and skill matter more than hearing or gender.
Tarah Gieger: Competed professionally in both motocross and surfing, embodying the multi-sport athleticism that characterizes modern action sports culture.
Today: Women compete in nearly every extreme sport: BMX, skateboarding, snowboarding, wakeboarding, and more. Led by athletes represented by Athelo Group, women in motorsports and other extreme sports continue pushing boundaries.
The ongoing fight: These athletes compete not just for opportunities but for equal prize money, media coverage, and respect in male-dominated sporting cultures.
Ronda Rousey: First Woman in UFC (2012)
When Ronda Rousey signed with the UFC in 2012, she broke the organization’s long-standing policy of excluding women.
The backstory: UFC President Dana White had repeatedly stated women would never fight in the UFC—but Rousey’s dominance in Strikeforce and her marketability convinced him to change his mind.
The impact beyond individual success:
Opened the door for women’s MMA
Led to multiple women’s weight classes
Created main event fights featuring female athletes
Provided opportunities for hundreds of women to compete professionally
The broader cultural shift: Rousey showed that women’s combat sports could headline pay-per-views and generate millions in revenue. Her crossover to mainstream fame demonstrated that female athletes in “violent” sports could achieve mainstream acceptance.
Women’s MMA and Combat Sports Acceptance
Following Rousey’s breakthrough, women’s MMA has produced stars across weight classes:
Amanda Nunes
Valentina Shevchenko
Rose Namajunas
Weili Zhang
Women’s boxing experienced similar growth with fighters like Katie Taylor and Claressa Shields.
What it represents: A fundamental shift in societal attitudes. For centuries, physical aggression and combat were considered fundamentally unwomanly. Today, female fighters are celebrated athletes, and young girls can aspire to careers in boxing, MMA, and other combat sports.
CrossFit and the Rise of Women’s Strength Sports
CrossFit, founded in 2000, created a culture where female strength was celebrated from the start. In fact, women in CrossFit have become some of the sport’s biggest stars.
The equality: The CrossFit Games has featured equal events and equal prize money for men and women since its inception—parity that remains rare in professional sports.
The stars:
Tia-Clair Toomey: Five-time CrossFit Games champion
Athelo Group athletes like Dani Speegle: Showcasing strength, power, and athletic versatility
The cultural shift: CrossFit normalized heavy lifting, muscle definition, and powerful physiques for women—athletic qualities once stigmatized as “unfeminine.”
The impact: The sport’s emphasis on functional fitness—not aesthetics—helped shift cultural conversations about women’s bodies and athleticism. Top female CrossFit athletes like Brittany Weiss are strong, muscular, and proud of their physical capabilities.
Action Sports Athletes Breaking Gender Barriers
Beyond motocross, women have revolutionized action sports:
Skateboarding: Elissa Steamer became one of the first women featured in major video games alongside male pros.
Snowboarding: Chloe Kim won Olympic gold at 17.
BMX: Hannah Roberts dominates freestyle competitions, landing tricks few men attempt.
Olympics impact: When skateboarding debuted at the 2020 Olympics, 13-year-old Rayssa Leal won silver, showing how young women are pushing technical boundaries.
The key difference: These athletes don’t compete in “women’s versions” of their sports. Rather, they attempt the same tricks, ride the same courses, and push progression alongside male counterparts.
Lacrosse Legacy: Women’s Version Predates Men’s Modern Game
Women’s Lacrosse: A Different Game With Its Own Rules
Here’s something most people don’t know: Women’s lacrosse evolved separately from men’s lacrosse and maintains distinct rules emphasizing skill and strategy over physical contact.
The differences:
Men’s lacrosse allows significant body checking and physical play
Women’s lacrosse limits contact, creating a faster, more finesse-oriented game
Why it’s different: When women’s lacrosse was formalized in the late 1800s, women athletes and educators chose to create a game that emphasized ball skills, positioning, and strategy.
The result: A genuinely different sport with its own identity, not just a modified version of the men’s game.
Today: Women’s lacrosse maintains distinct stick designs, field markings, and rules. Athletes like Alex Aust, represented by Athelo Group, exemplify the speed, skill, and tactical awareness that define elite women’s lacrosse.
First Women’s Lacrosse Game (1890)
The first women’s lacrosse game was played in 1890 in Scotland, just four years after the modern women’s game was formalized.
U.S. growth: The first U.S. game was played in 1926 at the Bryn Mawr School in Baltimore.
Steady development: Women’s lacrosse grew in schools and colleges, particularly in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, even as it remained largely unknown in much of the country.
How Women’s Lacrosse Became an NCAA Sport
1982: Women’s lacrosse gained NCAA recognition. The first NCAA Division I championship was held that year, won by the University of Massachusetts.
Growth explosion: Since then, women’s lacrosse has become one of the fastest-growing high school and college sports in America.
Today’s numbers: Over 400 colleges offer women’s lacrosse programs, with thousands of girls playing in high schools across the country.
The lesson: Providing opportunities and visibility allows sports to flourish. Women’s lacrosse went from niche sport to mainstream athletics in just a few decades.
The Ongoing Fight: Contemporary Challenges (2000s-Present)
Pay Equity in Professional Sports (USWNT, WNBA, Tennis)
Despite enormous progress, pay equity remains a major issue.
U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team:
The most successful program in international soccer history
Fought for years for equal pay with the far less successful men’s team
Reached a settlement in 2022, guaranteeing equal pay for equal work
WNBA:
Players earn a fraction of NBA salaries
Many play overseas in the offseason to supplement income
Top WNBA players still earn far less than even minimum NBA salaries
Tennis:
The only major sport with near-equal pay at major tournaments
Result of decades of advocacy by players like Billie Jean King
Still shows disparities in endorsement deals and media coverage outside Grand Slams
What it means: The gender pay gap in sports isn’t just about money—it’s about valuing women’s athletic achievements equally to men’s.
Sponsors cite low fan interest to justify lower investment
Fewer resources lead to fewer competitive opportunities
Reinforces the notion that women’s sports are less important
The impact on young athletes: Girls grow up seeing male athletes celebrated constantly while female athletes remain largely invisible. This affects not just professional opportunities but also how girls perceive their own athletic worth.
The 2012 Olympics: First Time All Sports Included Women
The 2012 London Olympics made history as the first Games where every sport included women’s events.
Boxing: The last holdout finally added women’s divisions, allowing athletes like Claressa Shields to win gold.
The timeline: This milestone took 116 years from the first modern Olympics, marking over a century of advocacy before full inclusion.
Ongoing issues: Even today, some events maintain disparities. Women ski jumpers weren’t allowed in the Olympics until 2014.
What it shows: Progress is both real and recent. Today’s young athletes compete in Olympics their grandmothers would have been banned from.
NIL Deals and New Opportunities for College Athletes
Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rules, allowing college athletes to profit from their personal brands, have created unprecedented opportunities for female athletes.
The advantage for women: Athletes with strong social media presence—particularly in sports like gymnastics, volleyball, and basketball—have secured major endorsement deals rivaling or exceeding traditional male-dominated sports.
Who benefits most: Athletes in sports without robust professional leagues, allowing them to capitalize on college success even if professional opportunities remain limited.
The impact: Helps address the historical earnings gap and provides female athletes new paths to financial success.
Female athletes without guaranteed professional leagues waiting for them post-collegiate athletics have become some of the biggest NIL success stories, demonstrating that collegiate stardom and social media influence can rival pro careers.
LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne, Auburn and Olympic gymnastics champion Suni Lee, Nebraska volleyball standout Harper Murray and basketball twin stars Haley and Hanna Canvinder have built massive followings and secured partnerships with brands across fitness, fashion and lifestyle, often earning more than professional athletes.
This shift has transformed what opportunities look like for women in sports. Rather than relying solely on limited professional pipelines, female athletes are monetizing their exposure during college, gaining financial independence and long-term brand power. The success highlights the unique advantage that women hold in the NIL era: strong fan engagement and a strong social media presence that rewards connection as much as competition.
These women are not only telling their stories, they’re redefining what success looks like for the next generation of female athletes, both on and off the field.
Mo’ne Davis: First Girl to Pitch Shutout in Little League World Series (2014)
Mo’ne Davis became a cultural phenomenon in 2014 when, at 13 years old, she pitched a shutout in the Little League World Series.
The achievement:
Struck out eight batters with a 70-mph fastball
First girl to pitch a shutout and win a game in the tournament
Appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated
Why it mattered: She showed young girls they could compete directly with boys at the highest youth levels in historically male sports.
Her legacy: Though Davis ultimately chose to focus on basketball at the collegiate level, her Little League World Series performance remains an inspiration.
Record-Breakers and Barrier-Smashers: A Timeline of Firsts
396 BCE: Cynisca of Sparta — First female Olympic champion (chariot team owner)
1500s: Mary, Queen of Scots — Prominent early female golfer
1722: Elizabeth Wilkinson — First recorded female boxing champion
1890: First women’s lacrosse game played in Scotland
1900: Charlotte Cooper — First female Olympic gold medalist (tennis)
1921: Alice Milliat organizes Women’s Olympiad in Monaco
1926: Gertrude Ederle swims English Channel faster than any man
1928: Women compete in Olympic track and field for the first time
1932: Louise Stokes and Tidye Pickett — First Black women on U.S. Olympic team
1943: All-American Girls Professional Baseball League founded
1948: Alice Coachman — First Black woman to win Olympic gold
1967: Kathrine Switzer runs Boston Marathon despite officials trying to stop her
1968: Enriqueta Basilio — First woman to light Olympic flame
1972: Title IX passes, transforming American women’s sports
1973: Billie Jean King defeats Bobby Riggs in “Battle of the Sexes”
1997: WNBA founded
1999: FIFA Women’s World Cup fills stadiums, U.S. wins on penalty kicks
2012: Ronda Rousey becomes first woman in UFC; London Olympics include women in all sports
2013: Diana Nyad swims Cuba to Florida at age 64
2014: Mo’ne Davis pitches shutout at Little League World Series
2020: Women’s surfing added to Olympics
2022: U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team achieves equal pay agreement
How These Milestones Paved the Way for Today’s Athletes
From Banned to Celebrated: How Far We’ve Come
The journey from ancient Greece—where women couldn’t even attend the Olympics—to today’s packed stadiums celebrating female athletes represents one of the most dramatic social transformations in history.
The transformation:
From being told they were too fragile for athletics to breaking world records
From being banned from marathons to winning them
From having no professional opportunities to earning millions in endorsements
The truth: This didn’t happen naturally or inevitably. Every milestone required courage, activism, and athletes willing to face criticism, ridicule, and sometimes physical confrontation.
The sportswomen who competed before Title IX, before professional leagues, before equal pay. They did it because they loved their sports and refused to accept exclusion.
Athletes Building on and Adding to the Legacy
Today’s elite female athletes—including the women represented by Athelo Group—compete in a landscape those pioneers created, and they’re actively shaping what comes next.
When Bella Kenworthy surfs in international competitions, she’s not just benefiting from decades of female surfers fighting for recognition—she’s pushing the sport forward and opening doors for the next generation.
When Amy Bream competes in CrossFit, she builds on a culture that celebrated female strength from the start, while proving what’s possible and inspiring future athletes.
When Alex Aust plays lacrosse, she participates in a sport women helped define and develop, and through her performance, she’s redefining what the sport can be.
Every championship, every record, every barrier broken today becomes part of the foundation for tomorrow’s athletes. The work isn’t done—it’s ongoing, and today’s athletes are writing the chapters that future generations will build upon.
What Young Female Athletes Should Know About This Legacy
If you’re a young athlete reading this, here’s what you should know:
You’re part of a story that stretches back thousands of years. The women who came before you—from Cynisca to Kathrine Switzer to Ronda Rousey—fought so you could play.
When you step onto the field, court, track, or water, you carry their legacy.
When someone tells you that you can’t do something because you’re a girl, remember:
Elizabeth Wilkinson boxing in 1722
Gertrude Ederle swimming the English Channel
Alice Coachman jumping for gold on improvised equipment
Your achievements matter. Every game you play, every practice you attend, every goal you score adds to this ongoing story.
Someday, young athletes will look back at what you accomplished and draw inspiration for their own journeys.
Your Turn to Make History
Every race, every game, every training session is part of a story that stretches back thousands of years.
As you chase your dreams, remember the trailblazers who defied stereotypes, pushed limits, and demanded recognition. From ancient athletes in the Games of Hera to modern pioneers in every sport imaginable, women have always been athletes. Society just hasn’t always allowed them to prove it.
Your achievements today write the next chapter of women’s sports history.
When you work hard, compete fiercely, and support other female athletes, you honor everyone who fought for your opportunities. When you refuse to accept limitations, you continue the tradition of barrier-breaking that defines women’s sports.
You are part of a lineage of barrier-breakers who changed the world by refusing to stay on the sidelines.
The athletes who came before you—the influential women in sports history—couldn’t have imagined the opportunities you have today. And the athletes who come after you will benefit from what you accomplish.
Now it’s your turn to make history. What will your chapter say?
Frequently Asked Questions
When were women first allowed to compete in the Olympics?
Women first competed in 1900 at the Paris Games in tennis and golf with just 22 participants. Full inclusion in all Olympic sports didn’t happen until 2012.
Who was the first woman to win an Olympic gold medal?
Charlotte Cooper of Great Britain won tennis singles gold in 1900, becoming the first female Olympic champion. She also won gold in mixed doubles.
What is Title IX and why was it important for women’s sports?
Passed in 1972, Title IX prohibits sex-based discrimination in schools. Before it, only 1 in 27 girls played high school sports; today it’s nearly 1 in 2. It opened opportunities for millions of female athletes.
Which sports were women banned from the longest?
Marathons (Boston Marathon until 1972, Olympics 1984), ski jumping (Olympics 2014), and boxing (Olympics 2012). Some sports still lack full gender parity.
When did women’s professional sports leagues begin?
The All-American Girls Baseball League (1943–1954) was first. Modern leagues include the WNBA (1997) and Women’s Professional Soccer (2001), though opportunities remain limited.
What are some lesser-known milestones in women’s sports history?
Alice Milliat organized the 1921 Women’s Olympiad, Ora Washington excelled in tennis and basketball in the 1920s–40s, Louise Pound set rifle records in the early 1900s, and Enriqueta Basilio lit the Olympic flame in 1968.
How has women’s sports participation changed since 1972?
High school participation rose from under 300,000 to over 3.4 million; college from under 30,000 to over 200,000. Girls now receive more than 40% of college athletic scholarships.
What challenges do female athletes still face today?
Female athletes deal with lower pay and sponsorships than men, and their historical achievements are often overlooked. Investment in facilities, coaching, and development remains unequal. Additionally, female athletes face unique challenges related to pregnancy, fertility care, and balancing athletic careers with family planning.
Featured Image: Gertrude Ederle, first woman to swim the English Channel in 1926. Image courtesy of the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery (public domain).
Chicago, Illinois is one of the few cities in the United States that has two Major League Baseball teams; The Chicago Cubs and the Chicago White Sox.
Why does Chicago have two baseball teams? The reasoning lies in the rich history, league competition, and geography of the city.
Along with cities like Los Angeles and New York, Chicago’s sports culture is shaped by the team’s infamous rivalry and has ultimately impacted the city’s economy and tourism.
Quick Highlights
In 2025, the Cubs hosted 3,017,983 total patrons during their season, and the White Sox had a total of 1,445,738 attendees.
In the 1980s, Chicago’s population grew by 600,000 residents in one decade.
In 2025, the White Sox hosted the Cubs and had a total of 38,762 attendees – over 20,000 more than the White Sox home game average.
The Cubs are currently valued at 4.6 billion dollars and the White Sox are not far behind, sitting at a value of 2 billion.
Population and Early Love
In the late 1890s and early 1900s, Chicago experienced a rapid population growth that was fostered by industrialization. This also contributed to a rise in the baseball fandom. Just in the 1980s alone, the city’s population grew by 600,000 people. By 1900, the city’s total population was 1.7 Million.
This sudden growth provided the perfect market for Chicago to capitalize on increased revenue. Baseball quickly emerged as one of the city’s favorite pastimes.
This cultural connection between the city and the franchises began to deepen as generations passed and traditions continued. The lasting enthusiasm behind both teams created long term economic viability that allowed the franchises to strengthen their roots within Chicago. While both teams have their distinct communities and fan bases, they both make up a large part of Chicago’s Identity.
Two Rival Leagues in the Same City
The ‘Chicago White Stockings’, now the Chicago Cubs, was one of the few charter teams the National League established in 1876. A few years later, when the Cubs were being established under their new name, the Charles Comiskey American League Initiative founded the Chicago White Sox.
Since the two franchises were in different leagues, they were able to avoid direct competition within league championships. Having two teams in Chicago fostered a healthy rivalry, while simultaneously creating a dynamic sports culture.
Rivalries are proven to increase fan engagement and motivate players to perform better. Ahead of the 2025 season, CBS Sports ranked the Cubs vs. White Sox rivalry game the second best game in MLB rivalry matchups.
Every season, the two teams play each other in the “Crosstown Classic”. This series is made up of six games, and gains some of the highest viewership rates of the season.
In 2025, Game 1 of the White Sox vs. The Cubs series held 38,762 attendees. This was significantly higher than the White Sox average game attendance, which stood at 18,021.
North vs. South Side
The divide between the North and South side of the city is deeply rooted in diversity and baseball history.
The city spans 25 miles from North to South. The size naturally shapes fan loyalty through geography and generations of family tradition.
North Side:
The Cubs play at the famous Wrigley Field in Wrigleyville, located north of downtown Chicago. It draws fans from surrounding neighborhoods and a broad cross-section of the city. This is shaped by proximity, culture, and long-standing community ties.
South Side:
The White Sox are based out of Rate Field located in the Armour Square neighborhood and in the south of downtown Chicago. The White Sox are deeply rooted in Chicago’s working-class communities, driven by strong local pride and loyalty.
Economic Impact and Tourism
The two franchises drive the local economy and tourism substantially. Both teams continuously generate millions of dollars in revenue for the city. Currently, the Cubs are valued at $4.6 billion, and the White Sox are valued at $2 billion.
The two fields also provide benefits for nearby hotels, restaurants, and local businesses, as they support tourism revenue streams.
Both teams and stadiums provide thousands of seasonal, part-time, and full-time job opportunities. This creates a stronger job market throughout the city as a whole.
The Historical evolution of both the Cubs and White Sox has left a lasting impact on Chicago. Both franchises continue to play an important role in the city’s economy, sports culture, and pride.
Block Club Chicago wrote, “In Chicago, one’s preferred baseball team isn’t simply about baseball. It’s a way of life and a communal identity that fans possess – which has, in part, kept the rivalry alive for so long.”
Chicago’s expansive fan base, cultural diversity, and powerful economy make it one of the few cities capable of sustaining two rival Major League franchises. With the Cubs competing in the National League and the White Sox in the American League, the rivalry is built not only on sport. It’s built on history, identity, and community.
Together, the Cubs and White Sox continue to shape Chicago’s cultural fabric. They fuel the city’s growth while strengthening its place at the heart of America’s baseball tradition.
41% of adults consider football to be their favorite sport to watch. This statistic reflects how the game has grown into more than just a pastime. Football has become a weekly routine and a national obsession woven into everyday American life.
American Football has remained the country’s most popular sport for more than 50 years. It has evolved beyond the action on the field to keep fans engaged year-round, even long after the season ends.
Fantasy football, sports betting, and nonstop social media coverage ensure constant interaction. The Super Bowl’s blend of competition and entertainment transforms the sport into a national phenomenon that dominates conversation and culture across the country.
Quick Highlights
The 2025 NFL season is projected to generate $30 billion in sports betting wagers.
41% of adults list American football as their favorite sport to watch, reinforcing its dominance in U.S. sports culture.
The 60th Super Bowl will feature Bad Bunny as its headliner – showing the event’s blend of sports and entertainment.
In 2024, 25% of viewers tuned in solely for the halftime show, while 21% watched just for the commercials.
Fantasy Football Changed How Fans Watch the NFL
Football fans have never cared more about the outcomes of teams they do not root for, or even about how well the running back on their most rivaled team is performing. The era of solely tracking your favorite football team is over.
With fantasy sports participation at an all-time high, fans are now closely tracking the statistics of individual players across the league. This shift means fans have a personal stake in nearly every game. This leads to tuning into matchups they would normally ignore. It represents a major cultural change driven by emotional investment and high-stakes moments tied to fantasy team performance.
Fantasy football has also created a new audience: the temporary fan. These are participants who engage primarily because of the community built within workplaces, friendships, and families.
These temporary fans, who did not previously exist, are now locked into a sport they otherwise would not have invested their time in. The culture fantasy football has cultivated has drawn both fans and non-fans into caring about game outcomes and player performance.
Sports Betting Increased Fan Engagement and Makes Each Game More Exciting
As sports betting has become widely accepted as a societal pastime, it has fundamentally changed how fans watch games. It has turned every play into something personal, emotional, and high-stake.
In the United States, football attracts the most bettors and the highest volume of frequent betting activity. Wagers are predicted to reach $30 billion this season. Sports betting also appeals to those who may not enjoy the sport itself as much as they enjoy betting. This adds a layer of excitement that extends beyond team loyalty.
Once financially invested, bettors become focused on whether their parlays will hit. This makes games that might otherwise seem boring feel far more intense.
Social media has also shortened attention spans, a challenge sports like football continue to face. Player props and spreads help keep fans engaged throughout the entire game. Fans and general bettors actively tune in to monitor their bets and outcomes.
This heightened engagement pushes viewers to stay informed on more than just their favorite teams. Instead, fans follow football news as a whole to better understand and support their betting decisions.
Why Football Wins the Week, Not Just Sunday
Social media usage is more prominent than ever, driven by content formats that cater to every generation. As social media has become a key measure of influence and popularity, American football has consistently thrived in this space.
In a digital era built around concise content, social platforms have become essential for maintaining interest in sports – even during the offseason. YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, TikTok, and similar platforms have made sports media more accessible. This allows fans to engage with trending content throughout the week.
As content spreads across platforms, conversation extends far beyond a single moment. Within minutes, big plays, highlights, and memes appear before, during, and after games. This keeps teams, players, and major moments constantly visible and top of mind from Monday to Sunday.
Even in the offseason, football teams continue to push content, ensuring there is always something to react to. With content moving quickly and football generating it endlessly, the sport remains relevant every day – not just during the season and not just on game day.
Super Bowl: Where Sports Meets Entertainment
The Super Bowl remains one of the most anticipated mega-events year after year. Culturally, it never loses momentum. Even when the same team appears three years in a row, the stadium sells out and viewership stays massive. This is fueled by the event’s intersection with entertainment.
More than the teams themselves and often unknown until weeks before, the most anticipated question is always who will perform. Each year, speculation builds for months, culminating in a polarizing announcement. This season, Bad Bunny’s selection sparked both excitement and backlash.
This prompted the NFL Commissioner to publicly defend the decision: “He’s one of the leading and most popular entertainers in the world… That’s what we try to achieve… It’s carefully thought through. I don’t think we’ve ever selected an artist without some blowback or criticism.”
The Super Bowl is a spectacle by design, and the NFL leverages it to draw as many eyes as possible – and it works. The halftime show alone brings in roughly 25% of total viewership, attracting audiences who don’t typically follow the NFL. Every year, social media fills with posts from viewers who tune in solely for those 20 minutes.
By positioning the Super Bowl as both a sport and cultural event, the NFL consistently captures a multifaceted audience. This includes people who may not be year-round football fans, but who are deeply invested in the Super Bowl itself.
Football Owns the Calendar and the Culture
American football has remained the most popular sport in the United States for 54 years. This is largely because of its ability to adapt alongside shifting cultural preferences. As fan habits change, football continues to evolve with them.
Fantasy football has deepened that engagement by expanding participation beyond traditional fans to include friends and family. This shift has made viewers more invested in the league as a whole – not just individual teams. This drives higher viewership and stronger emotional attachment.
Football’s dominance has also translated into becoming the most bet-on sport following legalization. Bettors now watch more games to inform their decisions. This increases engagement, viewership, and excitement across every matchup.
Social media and marquee events like the Super Bowl keep football culturally relevant year-round. From short-form content to commercials and halftime performances, football consistently stays in the national conversation. This reinforces its position at the center of both the sports calendar and American culture.
1.9 billion dollars, 17 days, two cities. This is the number of the operating costs the Milano-Cortina Olympic committee will be working with for this upcoming February’s games, which only spans 17 days. The desire for prestige often leads host cities running themselves into debt and economic strain for years to come.
When most of us think about the Winter Olympics, we tend to think high-speed thrills, ice and snow, and extreme athletic performances in cold conditions. What often goes unnoticed is the complex and costly effort required to stage the Games, and the lasting impact they leave on host cities and athletes long after the closing ceremonies.
Quick Highlights
Milano-Cortina’s proposed budget is $1.9 billion, rising to nearly $6 billion when infrastructure investments are included.
Spending for the 2014 Sochi Games exceeded $50 billion – nearly four times the original bid.
The Games can create upwards of 100,000 jobs, but most are not sustainable for longer than a year.
The 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Games are predicted to emit around 930,000 tons of emissions.
Lessons From Past Games
There is a longstanding tradition of over spending and over building with the Winter Olympic Games. The 2014 Sochi Games shows the risks of extreme cost overruns. Spending exceeded $50 billion and limited long-term economic return from Olympic-specific infrastructure.
In contrast, Salt Lake City’s 2002 Games are frequently cited as a more successful example. Venues were reused and costs were more controlled. Facilities continue to generate revenue to this day through ongoing sporting events and tourism.
Vancouver 2010 shows a middle-ground outcome. Investments in transportation infrastructure delivered lasting urban benefits. However, overall economic gains fell short of early projections.
Past Games suggest that the economic success of the Winter Olympics depends less on the event itself. They depend on cost discipline, governance, and how well Olympic investments align with long-term regional needs.
The Upfront Costs and Public Expenditure
Historically, the budget set for the Winter Olympics is largely underestimated and is frequently exceeded by double or triple the original amount.
The 2014 Sochi Games had a budget of around $12 billion and went on to spend over $50 billion. The $1.9 billion dollar budget estimated for Milano-Cortina represents the operating budget. This does not include additional expenses like new competition venues or International Olympic Committee provided funding.
A large portion of these additional costs is absorbed by government funding, shifting the financial burden to taxpayers. While sponsorship revenue provides meaningful support, host cities continue to bear significant financial risk for economic returns that are uncertain and challenging to measure.
Infrastructure and Long-Term Usage
Infrastructure projects such as transportation upgrades, security systems, and athlete villages are often justified as long-term investments. However, many struggle to generate sufficient economic returns after the Games conclude. These facilities are frequently designed for highly specific Olympic needs, resulting in limited post-Games functionality.
As seen in past host cities such as Sochi, Athens, and Sarajevo, the challenge lies in repurposing Olympic infrastructure in ways that are both economically viable and socially sustainable.
Milano-Cortina aims to address this issue by redefining Olympic tourism through a multi-destination model. It will rely on existing urban centers and larger-capacity venues. This strategy emphasizes upgrading current transportation networks rather than constructing entirely new infrastructure that may not deliver long-term value.
Community Impact and Employment Sustainability
While the Olympics can provide significant short-term benefits, particularly for businesses in food service and lodging, residents often experience daily disruptions.
Although tens of thousands of jobs are created, host cities frequently struggle to sustain employment once the Games end. The Olympics have a longstanding history of causing disruption and chaos in the lives of the people that reside in the host cities.
The Tokyo 2020 Games proved to be one of the harsher on its residents. Over 300 households were displaced or relocated. Over the last 50 years alone, gentrification and new growth in host cities has caused 2 million people to lose their homes.
Environmental Sustainability
For Milano-Cortina specifically, there is a strong focus on environmental sustainability and responsibility. Much of this focus comes after facing backlash from athletes about the polluting sponsors.
The Winter Olympics already produce significant emissions, and fossil fuel sponsorships only amplify this impact. In some cases, this nearly triples the total environmental footprint. In response to this backlash, Milano-Cortina has committed to using existing venues, transportation, and structures.
Organizers have emphasized public transportation and sustainable construction to reduce emissions. However, critics argue these measures only partially offset the environmental impact of international travel and corporate sponsorships. This tension highlights a broader challenge facing the Winter Olympics: balancing economic interests and global visibility with long-term environmental responsibility.
Economic Outcomes and Insights
Every four years, the Winter Olympics force host cities to balance global spectacle with long-term economic and environmental responsibility. While the Games offer short-term excitement, global visibility, and temporary economic boosts, history shows these benefits often come at a lasting cost.
Without strict budget discipline and long-term planning, Olympic hosting risks becoming a financial burden rather than a legacy.
Ultimately, the success of the Winter Olympics depends not on the spectacle itself, but on whether host cities prioritize long-term public value over short-term prestige.
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