1 00:00:00,840 --> 00:00:05,040 Speaker 1: You're listening to Bloomberg Business of Sports from Bloomberg Radio. 2 00:00:05,920 --> 00:00:08,600 Speaker 1: Hi everyone, I'm Jason Kelly, and I'm Mike Lynch and 3 00:00:08,640 --> 00:00:11,240 Speaker 1: I'm Michael Barr And this is the Bloomberg Business of 4 00:00:11,240 --> 00:00:14,120 Speaker 1: Sports podcast, where we explore the big money issues in 5 00:00:14,160 --> 00:00:17,920 Speaker 1: the world of sports. And today really excited to connect 6 00:00:17,920 --> 00:00:19,959 Speaker 1: again with Steph Strack. She is the founder and the 7 00:00:20,000 --> 00:00:23,919 Speaker 1: CEO of Voice in Sport, an incredibly experienced executive in 8 00:00:24,000 --> 00:00:29,000 Speaker 1: the world of sports and apparel and culture and so 9 00:00:29,080 --> 00:00:31,000 Speaker 1: many things. I got a chance to catch up with 10 00:00:31,000 --> 00:00:34,600 Speaker 1: her last year when Voice in Sport was just launching stuff. 11 00:00:34,640 --> 00:00:37,280 Speaker 1: It's great to have you back. How are you, what's 12 00:00:37,280 --> 00:00:40,200 Speaker 1: going on? Hi? Thank you so much for having me. Um. 13 00:00:40,200 --> 00:00:42,000 Speaker 1: It's a pleasure to be here with all three of 14 00:00:42,000 --> 00:00:45,440 Speaker 1: you guys. UM. You know, we're staying busy. We we've 15 00:00:45,520 --> 00:00:48,920 Speaker 1: launched a year ago almost and we have a lot 16 00:00:49,000 --> 00:00:51,479 Speaker 1: going on, adding some new services to the Voice and 17 00:00:51,520 --> 00:00:55,320 Speaker 1: Sports platform, which are excited to talk about today. And 18 00:00:55,400 --> 00:00:59,360 Speaker 1: we had an exciting announcement last month with our leadership 19 00:00:59,720 --> 00:01:02,640 Speaker 1: add A can see team. So lots going on and 20 00:01:02,760 --> 00:01:05,680 Speaker 1: you know, now more than ever, these girls need our support. UM. 21 00:01:05,720 --> 00:01:09,039 Speaker 1: In the sports industry, as COVID continues, so excited to 22 00:01:09,040 --> 00:01:11,520 Speaker 1: be here today, thank you. One of the great things 23 00:01:11,560 --> 00:01:15,720 Speaker 1: about Voice in Sports it brings up a much needed 24 00:01:15,760 --> 00:01:18,760 Speaker 1: topic to put it in the forefront about gender and 25 00:01:18,760 --> 00:01:22,480 Speaker 1: equities in youth and amateur sports. Can you talk about that? 26 00:01:22,520 --> 00:01:25,839 Speaker 1: One of the things I had noticed, uh you send 27 00:01:25,880 --> 00:01:30,800 Speaker 1: over effect, is that colleges have denied female athletes more 28 00:01:31,360 --> 00:01:37,200 Speaker 1: than nine hundred seventy two million dollars nine hundred seventy 29 00:01:37,200 --> 00:01:41,840 Speaker 1: two million dollars in scholarships compared to their male counterparts. 30 00:01:42,520 --> 00:01:46,440 Speaker 1: The question simply why, Yeah, I think, um, this is 31 00:01:46,440 --> 00:01:48,920 Speaker 1: a big reason why I started voicing sport, and I 32 00:01:48,960 --> 00:01:52,840 Speaker 1: didn't realize how little progress had been made at some 33 00:01:52,920 --> 00:01:54,760 Speaker 1: of the amateur levels. I mean, we talk a lot 34 00:01:54,800 --> 00:01:58,440 Speaker 1: about equal pay for professional athletes, and there's surely a 35 00:01:58,520 --> 00:02:00,280 Speaker 1: lot of things that we still need a work on 36 00:02:00,320 --> 00:02:02,680 Speaker 1: at the per level. But yes, when you dig down 37 00:02:02,720 --> 00:02:05,200 Speaker 1: deep into like what's happening in C double A for 38 00:02:05,240 --> 00:02:08,399 Speaker 1: these collegiate athletes, you realize that there's so many more 39 00:02:08,440 --> 00:02:13,320 Speaker 1: inequities still to uncover and to change. So it's unfortunate. 40 00:02:13,400 --> 00:02:16,560 Speaker 1: But even though Title nine has done some tremendous things 41 00:02:16,639 --> 00:02:19,880 Speaker 1: for us and for women's sports in the United States, 42 00:02:20,280 --> 00:02:24,680 Speaker 1: there's store still this disproportionate amount of opportunities that go 43 00:02:24,760 --> 00:02:28,240 Speaker 1: to male athletes. And even in two thousand nineteen, it 44 00:02:28,360 --> 00:02:30,960 Speaker 1: was still eighty seven percent of n C double A 45 00:02:31,040 --> 00:02:35,200 Speaker 1: schools offered more athletic opportunities to male athletes and female athletes. 46 00:02:35,800 --> 00:02:37,920 Speaker 1: And and we've got a lot to work to do. 47 00:02:38,160 --> 00:02:40,880 Speaker 1: So why is that happening? And I think when it 48 00:02:40,919 --> 00:02:44,560 Speaker 1: comes down to the leaders in the positions of those schools, 49 00:02:44,760 --> 00:02:48,400 Speaker 1: and even though you have Title nine in place, there's 50 00:02:48,480 --> 00:02:52,800 Speaker 1: not enough enforcement and regulation that's happening at the local level. 51 00:02:53,639 --> 00:02:56,320 Speaker 1: And so it's one of the main major platform initiatives 52 00:02:56,360 --> 00:02:59,000 Speaker 1: for us that Voice in Sport is to create this 53 00:02:59,120 --> 00:03:02,679 Speaker 1: new kind of grass roots on the ground team that 54 00:03:03,080 --> 00:03:06,440 Speaker 1: is educated on Title nine, that knows how to enforce 55 00:03:06,520 --> 00:03:10,079 Speaker 1: Title nine and they can run the three prom tests 56 00:03:10,160 --> 00:03:13,640 Speaker 1: themselves and who can actually work with their administrators on 57 00:03:13,680 --> 00:03:16,960 Speaker 1: the ground to call out those inequities. So, you know, 58 00:03:17,080 --> 00:03:20,600 Speaker 1: I think, um, it's unfortunate that those the inequities are 59 00:03:20,639 --> 00:03:22,920 Speaker 1: still happening, But we've got a plan now in place 60 00:03:22,960 --> 00:03:25,360 Speaker 1: and Boys in Sports and try to try to have 61 00:03:25,440 --> 00:03:29,520 Speaker 1: a grassroots initiative really tackle those things on the ground. Hey, Step, 62 00:03:29,600 --> 00:03:32,600 Speaker 1: it's Mike Lynch up in Boston. I see your target 63 00:03:32,639 --> 00:03:35,680 Speaker 1: age for these young women are thirteen to twenty two. 64 00:03:35,680 --> 00:03:38,960 Speaker 1: But are you going after the college athlete who's going 65 00:03:39,040 --> 00:03:41,840 Speaker 1: to get a scholarship, the elite athlete, the casual athlete, 66 00:03:41,920 --> 00:03:44,000 Speaker 1: or just the girl that's that that wants to play 67 00:03:44,080 --> 00:03:46,400 Speaker 1: maybe you know, until high school and that's the end 68 00:03:46,440 --> 00:03:48,920 Speaker 1: of it. Yeah, it's a great question. You know. I 69 00:03:48,920 --> 00:03:52,440 Speaker 1: I grew up as a competitive athlete, soccer player in 70 00:03:52,440 --> 00:03:55,880 Speaker 1: a ski racer, and I now looking back having a 71 00:03:55,920 --> 00:03:58,480 Speaker 1: seven year old daughter and of working with a lot 72 00:03:58,480 --> 00:04:01,640 Speaker 1: of young women and building boy in sport. Our goal 73 00:04:01,800 --> 00:04:05,280 Speaker 1: is to keep girls in sport. So you know, unfortunately 74 00:04:05,280 --> 00:04:08,240 Speaker 1: the dropout rate is still continuing at that age of fourteen. 75 00:04:08,280 --> 00:04:10,760 Speaker 1: It's such a critical age for young girls, and girls 76 00:04:10,800 --> 00:04:12,800 Speaker 1: are dropping out of sport at two times the rate 77 00:04:12,800 --> 00:04:16,640 Speaker 1: of boys at age fourteen and and so our main 78 00:04:16,680 --> 00:04:19,640 Speaker 1: goal is to keep these girls in sport. So, you know, 79 00:04:20,440 --> 00:04:23,040 Speaker 1: although we would love to see young women going on 80 00:04:23,160 --> 00:04:26,680 Speaker 1: to reach professional level and collegiate level sports, the goals 81 00:04:26,720 --> 00:04:28,840 Speaker 1: really just to keep them in the sport if they 82 00:04:28,839 --> 00:04:32,160 Speaker 1: can have a better experience, a better journey keep them 83 00:04:32,160 --> 00:04:35,039 Speaker 1: in past that age of fourteen when they're really dropping out. 84 00:04:35,440 --> 00:04:38,560 Speaker 1: We believe that sport can like develop a Navy leaders 85 00:04:38,640 --> 00:04:41,000 Speaker 1: and ultimately, you know, we want more women in the 86 00:04:41,040 --> 00:04:44,960 Speaker 1: sports industry and leadership positions, more CEOs that are females. 87 00:04:45,080 --> 00:04:48,400 Speaker 1: And I really believe from my experience in sports that 88 00:04:48,480 --> 00:04:51,000 Speaker 1: the longer you stay in it, the stronger you're going 89 00:04:51,040 --> 00:04:53,719 Speaker 1: to get and the more leadership skills are going to develop. So, 90 00:04:54,279 --> 00:04:56,320 Speaker 1: you know, we we offer a little bit of everything 91 00:04:56,640 --> 00:04:59,520 Speaker 1: in our community. When you join, you have access to 92 00:05:00,000 --> 00:05:03,360 Speaker 1: all sorts of mentors, and the VIZ League is made 93 00:05:03,440 --> 00:05:07,279 Speaker 1: up of Division three mentors Division to one, and then 94 00:05:07,440 --> 00:05:09,720 Speaker 1: you know athletes that are headed to the Olympics here 95 00:05:09,760 --> 00:05:13,279 Speaker 1: in Tokyo and so Steph. You know, part of this 96 00:05:13,520 --> 00:05:17,800 Speaker 1: is the the economics of playing even at an amateur level. 97 00:05:17,800 --> 00:05:20,120 Speaker 1: And I know you guys have been involved in you 98 00:05:20,160 --> 00:05:22,200 Speaker 1: know what is one of the most fascinating and important 99 00:05:22,240 --> 00:05:25,039 Speaker 1: topics for the past few years, but seems to be 100 00:05:25,080 --> 00:05:27,000 Speaker 1: coming to some sort of head and in a positive 101 00:05:27,000 --> 00:05:29,760 Speaker 1: way this year, which is the whole uh notion of name, 102 00:05:29,800 --> 00:05:32,919 Speaker 1: image and likeness and compensation around that. I know you 103 00:05:32,960 --> 00:05:36,919 Speaker 1: guys have been involved in advising and weighing in on 104 00:05:36,960 --> 00:05:40,120 Speaker 1: that help us understand the whole name, image and likeness 105 00:05:40,160 --> 00:05:44,040 Speaker 1: piece of this because it does play into the economic 106 00:05:44,240 --> 00:05:48,280 Speaker 1: equity or the potential for some economic equity for men 107 00:05:48,320 --> 00:05:51,480 Speaker 1: and women. That's right, I mean, you know, unfortunately, still, 108 00:05:51,800 --> 00:05:56,599 Speaker 1: since the professional leagues are not as developed for women's 109 00:05:56,640 --> 00:05:59,680 Speaker 1: sports in the United States, college is an area where 110 00:05:59,680 --> 00:06:03,240 Speaker 1: women could potentially be making some of their biggest monetary 111 00:06:03,279 --> 00:06:06,839 Speaker 1: achievements when it's related to sports. So you know the 112 00:06:06,880 --> 00:06:10,840 Speaker 1: fact that today they cannot earn any of their of 113 00:06:10,880 --> 00:06:13,599 Speaker 1: their money from their name, image and likeness in college 114 00:06:13,720 --> 00:06:17,320 Speaker 1: is a huge, um, you know, disadvantage and it does 115 00:06:17,360 --> 00:06:21,039 Speaker 1: affect all athletes. And so simply put name, image and 116 00:06:21,120 --> 00:06:25,599 Speaker 1: likeness UM it described the rights of basically publicity. So 117 00:06:25,760 --> 00:06:29,240 Speaker 1: does the athlete have the right to their name, image, 118 00:06:29,279 --> 00:06:32,880 Speaker 1: and likeness and use that to gain um monetary benefit 119 00:06:32,960 --> 00:06:35,520 Speaker 1: during their during their time in college. And right now, 120 00:06:36,000 --> 00:06:39,600 Speaker 1: all college athletes, regardless of gender are considered to be 121 00:06:39,640 --> 00:06:43,799 Speaker 1: amateur athletes. And we are pushing a voice and support 122 00:06:44,000 --> 00:06:47,719 Speaker 1: for all athletes, including you know, all genders, every everyone 123 00:06:47,760 --> 00:06:52,680 Speaker 1: who identifies whichever gender um that they actually can have 124 00:06:52,800 --> 00:06:55,680 Speaker 1: that ability to make money while they're in school, and 125 00:06:55,760 --> 00:06:59,960 Speaker 1: it is really important for female athletes because usually those 126 00:07:00,000 --> 00:07:04,520 Speaker 1: of the non revenue sports UM, they're also usually maybe 127 00:07:04,520 --> 00:07:07,840 Speaker 1: the last stop for them in terms of UM their 128 00:07:07,880 --> 00:07:11,720 Speaker 1: athletic journey unfortunately, and so it's so important to allow 129 00:07:11,800 --> 00:07:16,240 Speaker 1: them to receive that individualized compensation UM during those four 130 00:07:16,320 --> 00:07:19,600 Speaker 1: years sometimes five years in college. If I could follow 131 00:07:19,640 --> 00:07:22,360 Speaker 1: up on that, I mean, I think stuff about like 132 00:07:22,440 --> 00:07:26,520 Speaker 1: the women's basketball especially, I mean that is, you think 133 00:07:26,520 --> 00:07:29,600 Speaker 1: about Yukon, you think about Tennessee, you think about you know, 134 00:07:29,640 --> 00:07:32,560 Speaker 1: some of these programs, as you say, and I want 135 00:07:32,560 --> 00:07:33,800 Speaker 1: to talk about the w n b A in a 136 00:07:33,880 --> 00:07:38,160 Speaker 1: few minutes, but you know, women's college basketball the college 137 00:07:38,240 --> 00:07:42,160 Speaker 1: level often is when you know, the Rebecca Lobos and 138 00:07:42,480 --> 00:07:45,840 Speaker 1: others you know, really reach their their zenith in terms 139 00:07:45,920 --> 00:07:52,040 Speaker 1: of recognizability and marketability. Yeah, that's right. I mean you 140 00:07:52,080 --> 00:07:54,600 Speaker 1: know if you then go on to the w n 141 00:07:54,640 --> 00:07:57,520 Speaker 1: b A and you don't you know, unfortunately, like salary 142 00:07:57,600 --> 00:08:00,480 Speaker 1: caps are much lower UM in the w VIA than 143 00:08:00,520 --> 00:08:02,920 Speaker 1: they are in the NBA, so even that earning potential 144 00:08:03,480 --> 00:08:05,720 Speaker 1: when you get to pro levels is not as great. 145 00:08:06,080 --> 00:08:09,880 Speaker 1: So it's so important in those years UM of college 146 00:08:09,960 --> 00:08:13,280 Speaker 1: to have that ability to capitalize on all that hard 147 00:08:13,320 --> 00:08:15,800 Speaker 1: work that got you there in the first place. So 148 00:08:16,160 --> 00:08:19,080 Speaker 1: you know, I mean, we're huge, UM, huge fans of name, 149 00:08:19,120 --> 00:08:21,560 Speaker 1: image and likeness. And we had the opportunity to get 150 00:08:21,560 --> 00:08:24,880 Speaker 1: our of his leadership team in front of Senator Murphy 151 00:08:25,200 --> 00:08:28,440 Speaker 1: UM last week actually to discuss name, image and likeness 152 00:08:28,920 --> 00:08:31,120 Speaker 1: and and there are some areas that were you know, 153 00:08:31,560 --> 00:08:34,520 Speaker 1: we're concerned about. We want to make sure that these 154 00:08:34,600 --> 00:08:38,000 Speaker 1: non revenue sports that they don't lose out on resources. 155 00:08:38,040 --> 00:08:41,880 Speaker 1: I think that that can probably be pretty detrimental. UM. 156 00:08:42,000 --> 00:08:43,760 Speaker 1: We also want to make sure that all of the 157 00:08:44,040 --> 00:08:48,840 Speaker 1: you know, all of the UM increased agents and advisory influences, 158 00:08:48,880 --> 00:08:51,160 Speaker 1: that that that these athletes are going to be faced, 159 00:08:51,160 --> 00:08:55,720 Speaker 1: that that everybody has the opportunity to get educated around 160 00:08:56,040 --> 00:08:59,360 Speaker 1: those things. What does it mean to walk into a contract? 161 00:09:00,480 --> 00:09:04,360 Speaker 1: What should you think about when you're meeting with a brand? UM. 162 00:09:04,400 --> 00:09:06,920 Speaker 1: So there's a lot I think of education to happen, 163 00:09:06,960 --> 00:09:09,280 Speaker 1: and we want to make sure that education is provided 164 00:09:09,320 --> 00:09:12,520 Speaker 1: to everybody, not just you know, the most elite football 165 00:09:12,559 --> 00:09:16,760 Speaker 1: players or the top basketball players. I apologize for the 166 00:09:16,760 --> 00:09:19,760 Speaker 1: bluntness of the question because this is a very important topic. 167 00:09:19,920 --> 00:09:22,480 Speaker 1: But as for you guys, how do you guys make 168 00:09:22,559 --> 00:09:26,720 Speaker 1: money out of your business model? Oh? Boys in sport? Well, 169 00:09:27,200 --> 00:09:30,040 Speaker 1: you know we launched. Jason had this question for me 170 00:09:30,160 --> 00:09:34,160 Speaker 1: back in August. We did launch a free model, So 171 00:09:34,559 --> 00:09:37,120 Speaker 1: I'm glad that. I'm happy to say that. You know, 172 00:09:37,320 --> 00:09:40,240 Speaker 1: it was a really tough time when we launched UM. 173 00:09:40,280 --> 00:09:43,600 Speaker 1: COVID nineteen was just ramping up in the summer. A 174 00:09:43,600 --> 00:09:46,640 Speaker 1: lot of programs were being cut across the country at 175 00:09:46,640 --> 00:09:49,360 Speaker 1: all levels, and I think it was really important to 176 00:09:49,520 --> 00:09:53,240 Speaker 1: offer our services for free. We did hold back on 177 00:09:53,360 --> 00:09:57,160 Speaker 1: launching some of our services until UM this next April, 178 00:09:57,240 --> 00:10:00,680 Speaker 1: so we haven't We launched with the free model, providing 179 00:10:00,760 --> 00:10:03,319 Speaker 1: free mentorships with the Viz League, so all of our 180 00:10:03,360 --> 00:10:07,520 Speaker 1: professional athletes and college athletes. We've been paying the professionals, 181 00:10:07,760 --> 00:10:10,240 Speaker 1: not paying the college athletes because of name, image and 182 00:10:10,280 --> 00:10:14,760 Speaker 1: likeness unfortunately UM, but offering those services to young girls 183 00:10:14,760 --> 00:10:17,840 Speaker 1: for free. And in about a month and so this 184 00:10:18,000 --> 00:10:22,600 Speaker 1: April in one, we will be increasing our services, offering 185 00:10:22,679 --> 00:10:27,040 Speaker 1: access to sports psychologists and sports nutritionists experts on the 186 00:10:27,120 --> 00:10:29,959 Speaker 1: Viz platform and so we'll be moving to a freemium 187 00:10:30,000 --> 00:10:34,480 Speaker 1: model and there'll be ranges of membership fees from sixteen 188 00:10:34,520 --> 00:10:37,640 Speaker 1: dollars a month to ninety dollars a month, depending on 189 00:10:37,679 --> 00:10:39,840 Speaker 1: how much UM you want to access on the Voice 190 00:10:39,840 --> 00:10:43,360 Speaker 1: and Sports platform. So we are sort of moving in 191 00:10:43,400 --> 00:10:48,240 Speaker 1: that direction, Jason, and I'm proud to say we're also 192 00:10:48,320 --> 00:10:52,680 Speaker 1: paying the female athletes along the way, because that's really 193 00:10:52,720 --> 00:10:56,480 Speaker 1: important too. So stuff, do do you have any idea 194 00:10:56,520 --> 00:10:59,319 Speaker 1: how many of the free subscribers will be able to retain? 195 00:11:00,040 --> 00:11:02,240 Speaker 1: Has anybody jumped in or signed up? Or is this 196 00:11:02,280 --> 00:11:05,600 Speaker 1: going to be crushed your fingers when you get to April. No, 197 00:11:05,880 --> 00:11:09,520 Speaker 1: I think we We just started the conversations. UM. This 198 00:11:09,600 --> 00:11:12,920 Speaker 1: is last week actually with club teams, so we're meeting 199 00:11:12,920 --> 00:11:15,880 Speaker 1: with club teams also. We will also be providing the 200 00:11:15,960 --> 00:11:20,560 Speaker 1: Voice and Sport platform to colleges and universities. UM. You know, 201 00:11:20,679 --> 00:11:23,240 Speaker 1: I think that if you look at what's happening right 202 00:11:23,240 --> 00:11:26,640 Speaker 1: now around mental health, it's it's pretty concerning some of 203 00:11:26,640 --> 00:11:29,760 Speaker 1: the numbers that have been reported. UM just looking at 204 00:11:29,800 --> 00:11:31,840 Speaker 1: the n C double A one of their most recent 205 00:11:31,880 --> 00:11:34,760 Speaker 1: studies on well being survey for n C double A students, 206 00:11:34,920 --> 00:11:38,760 Speaker 1: and mental health is one of the most concerning UM 207 00:11:38,800 --> 00:11:41,960 Speaker 1: areas that we see, as well as disordered eating and 208 00:11:42,080 --> 00:11:46,440 Speaker 1: unfortunately for for women, for female athletes that reported disordered 209 00:11:46,520 --> 00:11:50,000 Speaker 1: eating is up to forty one point five percent. And 210 00:11:50,400 --> 00:11:53,160 Speaker 1: if you ask UM what the kind of the most 211 00:11:53,320 --> 00:11:56,560 Speaker 1: concerning age groups for suicide rates right now, it is 212 00:11:56,600 --> 00:11:59,600 Speaker 1: that eighteen to twenty four UM year old rate. So 213 00:11:59,760 --> 00:12:02,680 Speaker 1: we there's some some pretty serious things going on right now. 214 00:12:02,720 --> 00:12:05,920 Speaker 1: And when you ask female athletes how to access mental 215 00:12:05,960 --> 00:12:09,360 Speaker 1: health services, fifty of them don't know where to go 216 00:12:09,720 --> 00:12:12,960 Speaker 1: to get help. So we're actually going to be selling 217 00:12:13,000 --> 00:12:17,080 Speaker 1: in our platform not just two individuals, but two club 218 00:12:17,120 --> 00:12:21,360 Speaker 1: teams around the US and universities, and we were super excited. 219 00:12:21,400 --> 00:12:24,959 Speaker 1: We just started those conversations last week. Yeah, it's interesting 220 00:12:25,000 --> 00:12:27,680 Speaker 1: to think about the club aspect of this too. We 221 00:12:27,720 --> 00:12:30,240 Speaker 1: had a great conversation, uh Lynch and I did last 222 00:12:30,240 --> 00:12:33,199 Speaker 1: week with Ben Sherwood who's just launched Mojoe and check 223 00:12:33,240 --> 00:12:36,400 Speaker 1: that out on our podcast for Shameless bug Um and 224 00:12:36,440 --> 00:12:39,560 Speaker 1: I know that that that's an area that has been, 225 00:12:39,880 --> 00:12:44,920 Speaker 1: as you've said, stuff really underrepresented or under um sort 226 00:12:44,960 --> 00:12:48,240 Speaker 1: of underutilized, under exposed. When you think about youth sports, 227 00:12:48,240 --> 00:12:51,680 Speaker 1: and we know the economics there are are pretty intense 228 00:12:51,760 --> 00:12:54,800 Speaker 1: and the economic potential there is pretty intense. I want 229 00:12:54,800 --> 00:12:56,080 Speaker 1: to go back to the w n b A if 230 00:12:56,160 --> 00:12:58,920 Speaker 1: we can, and and pick up on something that that 231 00:12:58,960 --> 00:13:03,439 Speaker 1: you said around leadership UM and the importance of women 232 00:13:03,440 --> 00:13:06,160 Speaker 1: in leadership roles. There was huge news in the w 233 00:13:06,320 --> 00:13:09,160 Speaker 1: n b A last week with the ownership change in 234 00:13:09,200 --> 00:13:12,199 Speaker 1: my hometown in Atlanta, with the Atlanta Dream and Renee Montgomery, 235 00:13:12,640 --> 00:13:15,920 Speaker 1: former player being part of not just the ownership group, 236 00:13:16,080 --> 00:13:19,000 Speaker 1: but part of the management as well. That is seismic 237 00:13:19,040 --> 00:13:21,480 Speaker 1: in many ways. I know, I believe and keep me 238 00:13:21,520 --> 00:13:24,640 Speaker 1: honest here stuff. Elizabeth Williams from the Dream is part 239 00:13:24,679 --> 00:13:28,760 Speaker 1: of your network. I do wonder what you have made 240 00:13:29,000 --> 00:13:32,640 Speaker 1: of some of the kind of economics and activism that 241 00:13:32,720 --> 00:13:35,839 Speaker 1: we've seen in the w n b A, because even 242 00:13:35,880 --> 00:13:39,360 Speaker 1: since we last spoke, it's been pretty remarkable to watch, 243 00:13:39,400 --> 00:13:42,320 Speaker 1: even just thinking about what the Dream did when it 244 00:13:42,320 --> 00:13:46,079 Speaker 1: came to the Georgia election. Yeah, I mean you mentioned 245 00:13:46,080 --> 00:13:49,080 Speaker 1: Elizabeth Williams and she's a this League member, so she 246 00:13:49,240 --> 00:13:52,440 Speaker 1: mentored young girls on our platform, and she's also a 247 00:13:52,520 --> 00:13:55,400 Speaker 1: huge voice in the advocacy efforts that we've been taking 248 00:13:56,160 --> 00:13:59,560 Speaker 1: over the last year, and it's it is amazing to 249 00:13:59,600 --> 00:14:04,840 Speaker 1: see a progress UM with the new Bargaining Agreement UM However, 250 00:14:05,040 --> 00:14:07,600 Speaker 1: there's still just a huge gap. I think when you 251 00:14:07,679 --> 00:14:10,800 Speaker 1: speak to the women in the league, it was like 252 00:14:10,920 --> 00:14:12,720 Speaker 1: it's it's been the best way to look at it 253 00:14:12,840 --> 00:14:16,360 Speaker 1: is like progress but not quite there yet, And I 254 00:14:16,360 --> 00:14:20,680 Speaker 1: think that's the consistent theme might hear from the players. Um. 255 00:14:20,720 --> 00:14:23,440 Speaker 1: I think the great thing about what happened in the 256 00:14:23,520 --> 00:14:26,320 Speaker 1: last year, aside from like a step forward in the 257 00:14:26,360 --> 00:14:30,920 Speaker 1: bargaining agreement rights, was how they're treating mothers and how 258 00:14:30,960 --> 00:14:33,920 Speaker 1: they're treating women who want to get pregnant during their 259 00:14:34,000 --> 00:14:37,560 Speaker 1: their careers, which is a great thing to see. But 260 00:14:37,800 --> 00:14:42,000 Speaker 1: the reality is the pay and the opportunities is still 261 00:14:42,040 --> 00:14:45,680 Speaker 1: not enough. These women are having to go overseas internationals 262 00:14:45,800 --> 00:14:48,560 Speaker 1: to finish out even to for them to have a 263 00:14:48,640 --> 00:14:52,200 Speaker 1: salary if you will, that's somewhat comparable to the men, 264 00:14:52,880 --> 00:14:56,640 Speaker 1: and so that that's a huge, um, you know, sacrifice 265 00:14:56,760 --> 00:14:58,960 Speaker 1: that these women have to make that the men don't 266 00:14:58,960 --> 00:15:00,800 Speaker 1: really have to deal with. Can kind of go into 267 00:15:00,840 --> 00:15:04,360 Speaker 1: their one season hit at home and and then you know, 268 00:15:04,480 --> 00:15:07,280 Speaker 1: train for the next one with their families, and the 269 00:15:07,320 --> 00:15:10,080 Speaker 1: women instead are okay, am I going to Turkey? Am 270 00:15:10,080 --> 00:15:13,160 Speaker 1: I going to China? Where am I going? Um? And 271 00:15:13,240 --> 00:15:16,000 Speaker 1: arguably they make more money overseas than they do here, 272 00:15:16,080 --> 00:15:19,080 Speaker 1: so you have to ask yourself, why, Yeah, why is 273 00:15:19,120 --> 00:15:21,760 Speaker 1: it that like the best players in the world cannot 274 00:15:22,320 --> 00:15:25,400 Speaker 1: get the highest pay here in the United States. So 275 00:15:25,920 --> 00:15:28,760 Speaker 1: I'm you know, I think that we are definitely have 276 00:15:29,080 --> 00:15:31,520 Speaker 1: UM women from the w n b A on the 277 00:15:31,600 --> 00:15:34,920 Speaker 1: Voice and Sport Advocacy Leadership team, and they will be 278 00:15:34,960 --> 00:15:37,520 Speaker 1: with us in Washington, d C. As we plan some 279 00:15:37,600 --> 00:15:42,160 Speaker 1: of our first two Capitol hillidays here. I'd like to 280 00:15:42,200 --> 00:15:45,680 Speaker 1: ask about diversity and inclusion. The two facts you guys 281 00:15:45,720 --> 00:15:50,160 Speaker 1: brought up. One female head coaches of women college programs. 282 00:15:50,360 --> 00:15:54,840 Speaker 1: It dropped from ninety one according to what you are 283 00:15:54,920 --> 00:16:00,320 Speaker 1: telling us, to only forty. And then the I can 284 00:16:00,960 --> 00:16:04,760 Speaker 1: the girls of color and urban and rural areas drop 285 00:16:04,840 --> 00:16:10,000 Speaker 1: out of sports two times than suburban white girls. Can 286 00:16:10,040 --> 00:16:13,720 Speaker 1: you expand more on that? Yeah, let's start with the 287 00:16:13,800 --> 00:16:16,200 Speaker 1: coaches one. I think you know, Title nine did so 288 00:16:16,240 --> 00:16:18,800 Speaker 1: many amazing things, right, I mean, there's so many, so 289 00:16:18,880 --> 00:16:22,520 Speaker 1: much more opportunity that was created out of Title nine 290 00:16:23,080 --> 00:16:28,160 Speaker 1: UM for women's sports in public institutions. However, I think 291 00:16:28,200 --> 00:16:31,280 Speaker 1: what ended up happening on the coaches side is that 292 00:16:31,800 --> 00:16:35,720 Speaker 1: those of those positions became open and there was this 293 00:16:35,800 --> 00:16:40,320 Speaker 1: huge shift of men going for those roles and and 294 00:16:40,360 --> 00:16:42,080 Speaker 1: then it's sort of just like the rest of the 295 00:16:42,160 --> 00:16:45,600 Speaker 1: sports industry, it followed if you will, if you take 296 00:16:45,600 --> 00:16:49,120 Speaker 1: a look at the sports industry on the brand side 297 00:16:49,200 --> 00:16:53,720 Speaker 1: or the media side, you also have this same percentage 298 00:16:53,920 --> 00:16:57,680 Speaker 1: of male leadership versus women leadership at the top. And 299 00:16:57,800 --> 00:17:00,320 Speaker 1: it's really been amazing to see some of the shifts 300 00:17:00,320 --> 00:17:03,560 Speaker 1: over last year, um, with some of the general management 301 00:17:03,600 --> 00:17:07,360 Speaker 1: shifts bringing more women in those leadership positions. But um, 302 00:17:07,640 --> 00:17:09,720 Speaker 1: it's kind of just following suit I guess with the 303 00:17:09,760 --> 00:17:11,600 Speaker 1: rest of the industry, and we have a lot of 304 00:17:11,600 --> 00:17:14,399 Speaker 1: work to bring more female coaches into those roles, especially 305 00:17:14,440 --> 00:17:17,760 Speaker 1: female coaches of color, um, because it's important for for 306 00:17:17,880 --> 00:17:20,880 Speaker 1: young girls to see those role models in those positions. 307 00:17:20,920 --> 00:17:24,040 Speaker 1: So lots of work still to do there, and we're, 308 00:17:24,320 --> 00:17:26,720 Speaker 1: you know, a huge proponent of supporting those women in 309 00:17:26,760 --> 00:17:31,919 Speaker 1: those positions. On the second fact, it is super concerning. 310 00:17:32,080 --> 00:17:34,199 Speaker 1: We a big part of our mission at Voice and 311 00:17:34,200 --> 00:17:36,960 Speaker 1: Sport is to make sure that we're offering part of 312 00:17:36,960 --> 00:17:40,240 Speaker 1: our services to to those young girls who cannot afford it. 313 00:17:40,359 --> 00:17:43,920 Speaker 1: So it's a big reason why we also launched for free, 314 00:17:43,960 --> 00:17:46,280 Speaker 1: and why as we continue to build Voice and Sport 315 00:17:46,600 --> 00:17:49,000 Speaker 1: will have a free portion of what we offer. So 316 00:17:49,400 --> 00:17:52,000 Speaker 1: most of all of our content is free. The community 317 00:17:52,080 --> 00:17:55,240 Speaker 1: access to Voice and Sport is free, the ability to 318 00:17:55,280 --> 00:17:58,520 Speaker 1: have pure mentoring is free. UM. All of that is 319 00:17:58,560 --> 00:18:02,600 Speaker 1: so important because these young girls UM do not have 320 00:18:02,640 --> 00:18:07,959 Speaker 1: the means to access these resources. And yeah, super super 321 00:18:08,160 --> 00:18:13,560 Speaker 1: concerning to see that disparity between young black girls. So 322 00:18:13,720 --> 00:18:15,879 Speaker 1: part of what we're going to be offering on Voice 323 00:18:15,880 --> 00:18:19,760 Speaker 1: and Sport is scholarships UM and free memberships so that 324 00:18:19,800 --> 00:18:22,000 Speaker 1: these young girls can have access to some of these 325 00:18:22,000 --> 00:18:25,760 Speaker 1: elevated services. So if you're an organization out there that 326 00:18:25,760 --> 00:18:29,480 Speaker 1: that is trying to UM get younger girls, younger black 327 00:18:29,520 --> 00:18:35,000 Speaker 1: girls into sports, especially predominantly white sports like lacrosse, soccer, swimming, 328 00:18:35,520 --> 00:18:37,480 Speaker 1: then please reach out to us a Voice and Sport, 329 00:18:37,520 --> 00:18:41,040 Speaker 1: because we will be creating these programs specifically for that 330 00:18:41,119 --> 00:18:45,000 Speaker 1: group UM of young female athletes that need access and 331 00:18:45,040 --> 00:18:48,240 Speaker 1: currently don't have the resources to get it. STEPH, do 332 00:18:48,359 --> 00:18:52,120 Speaker 1: have investors or financial backing to sustain all these free 333 00:18:52,160 --> 00:18:55,439 Speaker 1: services that you're going to continue to offer so many 334 00:18:55,480 --> 00:18:58,920 Speaker 1: of the people that have been underserved. I love that question. 335 00:18:59,080 --> 00:19:04,080 Speaker 1: We UM I am self funding UM Voice and Sport platform. UM. 336 00:19:04,119 --> 00:19:06,560 Speaker 1: I had the great opportunity to work for Nike for 337 00:19:06,600 --> 00:19:09,320 Speaker 1: fourteen years and then as the CEO of Rag and Bone, 338 00:19:09,400 --> 00:19:13,360 Speaker 1: so I have been self funding the company. UM now 339 00:19:13,440 --> 00:19:16,399 Speaker 1: moving to the freemium model where we'll be paying or 340 00:19:16,400 --> 00:19:19,520 Speaker 1: will be charging young girls and families for access to 341 00:19:19,560 --> 00:19:22,119 Speaker 1: some of our elevated services. We hope to create a 342 00:19:22,200 --> 00:19:26,360 Speaker 1: very sustainable business model for the future of this UM. 343 00:19:26,400 --> 00:19:29,160 Speaker 1: At the same time, we are in some discussions with 344 00:19:29,240 --> 00:19:33,840 Speaker 1: some amazing brands that want to provide UM sponsorships through 345 00:19:33,920 --> 00:19:37,080 Speaker 1: memberships to young girls, So UM some of those we 346 00:19:37,119 --> 00:19:39,520 Speaker 1: will be announcing in the next couple of months. And 347 00:19:39,720 --> 00:19:43,639 Speaker 1: anyone else out there that's interested in investing through sponsoring 348 00:19:43,680 --> 00:19:46,280 Speaker 1: young girls and their memberships to Voice and Sport, we 349 00:19:46,280 --> 00:19:49,320 Speaker 1: would love to have conversations with them. So Steph, just 350 00:19:49,359 --> 00:19:51,560 Speaker 1: as we wrap up, but you know, there was one 351 00:19:51,560 --> 00:19:54,040 Speaker 1: thing you just mentioned there that I wanted to drill 352 00:19:54,119 --> 00:19:56,879 Speaker 1: in and if we can, which is your experience at 353 00:19:56,920 --> 00:19:59,280 Speaker 1: Nike because you were there for for quite some time 354 00:19:59,320 --> 00:20:03,760 Speaker 1: and you understand the economics of women and girls and 355 00:20:04,000 --> 00:20:09,040 Speaker 1: apparel and especially athletic apparel. How have you seen that evolved, 356 00:20:09,200 --> 00:20:13,119 Speaker 1: especially in the years since you've been at Nike, because 357 00:20:13,520 --> 00:20:16,800 Speaker 1: part of this, candidly, and this is the business of sports. 358 00:20:17,200 --> 00:20:20,840 Speaker 1: This is good business. This is a market of you know, 359 00:20:21,480 --> 00:20:25,119 Speaker 1: of girls and and young women who then go on 360 00:20:25,280 --> 00:20:28,920 Speaker 1: to be adult women who have a lot of purchasing 361 00:20:28,960 --> 00:20:32,640 Speaker 1: power and who may not be professional athletes, but are 362 00:20:32,920 --> 00:20:35,679 Speaker 1: we get warriors of a sword or you know, continuing 363 00:20:35,720 --> 00:20:39,480 Speaker 1: to invest in their own health and wellness. So help 364 00:20:39,640 --> 00:20:42,240 Speaker 1: help us understand how that has evolved it and the 365 00:20:42,359 --> 00:20:45,280 Speaker 1: lens through which you see this, you know, having seen 366 00:20:45,280 --> 00:20:47,680 Speaker 1: it up close and personal at Nike. Yeah, I think 367 00:20:47,760 --> 00:20:51,520 Speaker 1: this is one of the most underserved areas actually across 368 00:20:51,560 --> 00:20:55,360 Speaker 1: the sports industry. And it's it's a reason why when 369 00:20:55,359 --> 00:20:57,680 Speaker 1: I last I think it just became even more delaringly 370 00:20:57,760 --> 00:21:01,880 Speaker 1: obvious that wow, like who what who else is out 371 00:21:01,880 --> 00:21:06,320 Speaker 1: there creating stuff specifically for these girls and dedicating their 372 00:21:06,480 --> 00:21:09,680 Speaker 1: entire company to doing that. And I think that's why 373 00:21:09,680 --> 00:21:13,160 Speaker 1: I saw the opportunity. I think that, um, at these 374 00:21:13,240 --> 00:21:17,520 Speaker 1: larger companies, it's always on the agenda. UM, it just 375 00:21:17,840 --> 00:21:21,120 Speaker 1: is not always the focus. And and so I think 376 00:21:21,119 --> 00:21:24,920 Speaker 1: to your here earlier point, Jason, the purchasing power, the 377 00:21:25,600 --> 00:21:31,879 Speaker 1: passion UM, the virility of UM essentially bringing these girls 378 00:21:31,920 --> 00:21:34,760 Speaker 1: together and creating a community. I think we'll have a 379 00:21:34,800 --> 00:21:38,800 Speaker 1: pretty big impact long term. So we definitely see this 380 00:21:38,960 --> 00:21:43,760 Speaker 1: as an area that is underrepresented as well as underfunded, 381 00:21:44,320 --> 00:21:48,439 Speaker 1: and something that definitely has the power to drive a 382 00:21:48,520 --> 00:21:51,879 Speaker 1: huge amount of change in the industry as well as 383 00:21:51,920 --> 00:21:55,240 Speaker 1: a huge amount of business, not just right away but 384 00:21:55,520 --> 00:21:59,040 Speaker 1: in the future. So UM, I'm excited to see what 385 00:21:59,080 --> 00:22:00,960 Speaker 1: this community is in the lead to. I mean, I 386 00:22:00,960 --> 00:22:04,280 Speaker 1: think the reason why I started with these services is 387 00:22:04,320 --> 00:22:07,560 Speaker 1: because I felt like nobody was offering it to them. So, 388 00:22:07,720 --> 00:22:10,960 Speaker 1: I mean, can you name another Can you name another 389 00:22:11,000 --> 00:22:15,160 Speaker 1: digital platform that's creating content specifically for them in their 390 00:22:15,240 --> 00:22:20,080 Speaker 1: voice that's cool and fun and youthful that you know? 391 00:22:20,160 --> 00:22:23,960 Speaker 1: I can't, you know? Can you name another digital mentoring 392 00:22:24,040 --> 00:22:26,399 Speaker 1: service like I can't? You know? So I think that 393 00:22:27,000 --> 00:22:30,280 Speaker 1: it's untapped, and we're excited that we're kind of the 394 00:22:30,280 --> 00:22:32,920 Speaker 1: first ones to this, But I really hope that more 395 00:22:33,480 --> 00:22:37,200 Speaker 1: more people decide to invest in women's sports because there's 396 00:22:37,240 --> 00:22:41,119 Speaker 1: so much potential and just there hasn't been enough focus. Well, staff, 397 00:22:41,160 --> 00:22:42,760 Speaker 1: it was really really good to catch up with you. 398 00:22:42,840 --> 00:22:45,400 Speaker 1: Thank you so much. Great to get an update and 399 00:22:45,440 --> 00:22:48,720 Speaker 1: obviously more to come on so many of these issues, 400 00:22:48,840 --> 00:22:50,840 Speaker 1: and we look forward to catch an up in the 401 00:22:50,880 --> 00:22:53,520 Speaker 1: not too distant future. Thank you, yes, thank you so 402 00:22:53,600 --> 00:22:57,239 Speaker 1: much for having me on this podcast. I really appreciate it. 403 00:22:57,280 --> 00:22:59,920 Speaker 1: And my last last thing I would love to say, 404 00:23:00,000 --> 00:23:02,119 Speaker 1: it's just that we have a really big goal of 405 00:23:02,119 --> 00:23:06,280 Speaker 1: twenty three thousand Biz Advocate by the fiftieth anniversary of 406 00:23:06,320 --> 00:23:09,639 Speaker 1: Title nine and it is going to be one of 407 00:23:09,640 --> 00:23:13,240 Speaker 1: the largest grassroots initiative um for girls and women in 408 00:23:13,320 --> 00:23:16,480 Speaker 1: sports ever. But it's going to take a mountain of 409 00:23:16,520 --> 00:23:18,840 Speaker 1: people to help us get there. So if you know 410 00:23:19,320 --> 00:23:22,800 Speaker 1: an amazing female athlete who cares about equality and driving change, 411 00:23:22,960 --> 00:23:24,920 Speaker 1: had them, you know, shout them out to go to 412 00:23:25,000 --> 00:23:29,280 Speaker 1: the sports dot com to become a biz Advocate. We're 413 00:23:29,359 --> 00:23:32,359 Speaker 1: rooting for you. Thank you so much. This is the 414 00:23:32,359 --> 00:23:35,520 Speaker 1: Bloomberg Business of Sports podcast on Michael bar You can 415 00:23:35,560 --> 00:23:37,879 Speaker 1: follow me on Twitter at Big Bar Sports and on 416 00:23:38,000 --> 00:23:40,320 Speaker 1: Mike Lynch you can follow me at Lynch e w CVB. 417 00:23:40,520 --> 00:23:42,479 Speaker 1: And I have Jason Kelly follow me on Twitter at 418 00:23:42,560 --> 00:23:44,960 Speaker 1: Jason Kelly News. We're here each and every Monday, Wednesday 419 00:23:45,000 --> 00:23:47,720 Speaker 1: and Thursday exploring the world of money in sports. Join 420 00:23:47,800 --> 00:23:50,080 Speaker 1: us again. As the week goes on, We're gonna bring 421 00:23:50,160 --> 00:23:53,720 Speaker 1: you our conversation with NBA legend and YEP, Georgetown a 422 00:23:53,720 --> 00:23:57,359 Speaker 1: hawayas head coach Patrick Ewing That drops on Wednesday, and 423 00:23:57,440 --> 00:23:59,719 Speaker 1: later on in the week, we're going to catch up 424 00:23:59,760 --> 00:24:04,880 Speaker 1: with Randy Levine, president of the New York Yankees. You're 425 00:24:04,920 --> 00:24:08,880 Speaker 1: listening to Bloomberg Business of Sports on Bloomberg Radio around 426 00:24:08,920 --> 00:24:11,840 Speaker 1: the world and online wherever you get your podcasts.