The storylines of domestic violence in the NFL led the discussion at the opening panel of today’s Game Changers Conference at the N.Y. Marriott Marquis at Times Square. “It is the most controversial story we’ve ever seen in U.S. sports, potentially the biggest story in U.S. sports,” said panel moderator Christine Brennan, a columnist and commentator for USA Today, ABC News, PBS and NPR. Cowboys Exec VP & Chief Brand Officer Charlotte Jones Anderson said, “It is an incredibly serious issue for us; it is an incredible societal issue.” She noted 45% of the league’s fans are female and said, “Our job as the most visible entity in sports ... is to take the visibility we have and do something about it. ... It’s what we do from here with this issue that will actually determine really what our league is all about and the influence our league has.” The panel was titled “The Executive POV: Examining the Intersection of Women and Sports.” In addition to Anderson, panelists included Soccer United Marketing President Kathy Carter, Dodgers Senior VP/Planning & Development Janet Marie Smith and N.Y. Road Runners President & CEO Mary Wittenberg. Carter said, “We in sports have a responsibility, an obligation, but more importantly an opportunity to use sport as an agent of positive change and to be the conduit for conversation.” Smith: “This takes an issue that’s been in the closet for decades and puts it (in the public eye). Let’s talk about this. Let’s empower our women.” Wittenberg: “Make this the opportunity. If you’re the commissioner, you’re saying ‘Let’s get through this so we can be a huge force in ... hopefully changing the state of domestic violence today.’ The NFL has a platform to do it.”
On the influence of Title IX:
* Carter: “The sheer volume of women that are a part of the conversation, whether it’s in sports, politics or in business is its totality.”
* Wittenberg: “Women are finding their voice as athletes. Participatory sports are helping women who can identify as athletes later in life.”
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Anderson (c) stresses the importance of marketing
to women, the gatekeepers to the family |
On marketing to women:
* Anderson: “Women are the gatekeepers to the family. They’re the ones making the buying decisions (and) are deciding what sports their child will play. As we progress as a society, unfortunately, fewer times are we gathering around the table to eat dinner. But we are gathering around to watch sports, and it is a unifying element and women are leading the charge there.”
* Carter, anticipating sponsor activation for next year’s Women’s World Cup on the heels of this year’s World Cup: “It’s more about a family environment than just watching the game. What better way for a father to communicate with a daughter than through sports?”
On fans, including women, wearing Rice jerseys at last Thursday’s Ravens game:
* Brennan: “It’s troubling. It’s kind of mindboggling, isn’t it?”
* Smith, noting those fans did not take part in the Ravens’ proactive effort to offer a jersey exchange program: “I don’t know what you do about individual stupidity.”
On the best way for young people to break into the industry:
* Carter: “Don’t be afraid to use any avenue, contact or relationship that you have. ... Once you get in, it’s all on you.”
* Wittenberg, encouraging diverse experiences: “Moving every few years … gets you the experience that these leagues and businesses want.”
* Anderson: “Start early. High school internships -- anything you can do to get your foot in the door is significant.”
* Smith, considering sports-management programs vs. nontraditional backgrounds: “There’s something one brings to the sport when you have other expertise.”
