Nike has been hosting a group of high-powered female athletes for five years to discuss the challenges they face in sports and brainstorm solutions. This group, called the Athlete Think Tank, includes athletes from various sports, such as tennis’s Serena Williams and basketball’s Sabrina Ionescu. Among those who have participated in the past year are Olympic medalists Sanya Richards-Ross and Sha’Carri Richardson. Former WNBA star Sue Bird, Peloton instructor Jess Sims, and soccer player Carson Pickett have also joined the group.
Recent Gatherings
The most recent meetings took place during the Paris Olympics last summer and again in Mexico in November. College basketball star JuJu Watkins was part of this latest gathering.
Focus Areas
Sanya Richards-Ross, who has been with Nike for 20 years, shared her experience:
"I’m a part of Cohort 4.0 but I’ve been with Nike for a long time — 20 years this year."
Previous Cohorts
According to Tanya Hvizdak, who leads global marketing communications at Nike North America, previous cohorts have focused on:
- Driving viewership
- Ensuring equity in pay for female athletes
Hvizdak noted:
"They were talking about how we can help drive viewership and how we can make sure there’s equity in pay."
The Need for Attention
Richards-Ross emphasized that female athletes have always had talent but lacked attention until now:
"I’ve known the talent has always been there; the stories have always been there. Now is an opportunity for much-deserved attention & support that will allow them to thrive."
Creating Change
The Athlete Think Tank aims to address these issues by bringing together women passionate about creating change through their sport or platform. Hvizdak explained:
"We’re really trying to tap into their expertise because they’re living it every day. They know what needs to be done."
Shared Experiences
Tayla Harris shared that it was inspiring to hear from other women facing similar struggles, particularly on social media. Harris recalled being targeted by trolls after posting photos of herself on Instagram:
"It was just so hurtful because you feel like you’re not good enough or you don’t look good enough. Seeing other women share their own struggles made me realize ‘you’re not alone.’"
Opportunities for Collaboration
In addition to discussing challenges, members also focus on opportunities, such as partnerships between brands like Peloton and athletes. Sue Bird shared an example of her collaboration with Jess Sims after meeting at one of these sessions:
"It wasn’t just me promoting my brand; it was us promoting each other."
Bird emphasized the importance of collaboration across different backgrounds and industries:
"When people come together from different backgrounds, it breaks down barriers. It makes things more accessible."
Conclusion
Overall, the Athlete Think Tank provides a platform where influential women can share their experiences, support each other, and collaborate across industries. This initiative aligns with Nike’s mission of empowering women through sport and highlights the importance of creating opportunities beyond individual achievements while fostering connections among talented individuals working towards positive change.
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