League Joins Association for Professional Sports Business Leaders to Support Inclusive Leadership Across the Industry
Austin, TX - May 31, 2023 – Pro Sports Assembly (PRO), the association for professional sports business leaders, is proud to announce the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) has joined PRO as its latest member.
Awards for Exceptional Leadership in Professional Sports Being Given in Honor of Late Miami Dolphins SVP of Communications and Community Affairs Jason Jenkins and Dallas Mavericks CEO Cynt Marshall
Austin, TX - March 20, 2023 – Pro Sports Assembly (PRO), the association for professional sports business leaders, is proud to announce an educational partnership with Sodexo Live!, hospitality partner to the world’s most iconic venues, to be the presenting sponsor of the PRO Certificate of Inclusive Leadership. Two cohorts per year will have the opportunity to learn about diversity and inclusion-related concepts, and become more effective leaders across all disciplines of the the sports, hospitality and entertainment industry.
Facilitated by RISE – a national nonprofit that educates and empowers the sports community to eliminate racial discrimination, champion social justice and improve race relations – the program empowers leaders at professional teams, leagues, unions and venues to engage with their organization more impactful and relevant on all equity, racism, prejudice, diversity, and inclusivity across all departments. Participants will emerge better-equipped to be champions of change to improve the long-term health and performance of their respective organizations.
The Arizona Coyotes hosted a ten-week mentorship program for approximately 30 students enrolled in sports business programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Coyotes staff constructed, decorated, and stocked a library full of books featuring characters of color and ethnicity. They also donated art supplies and their mascot, Howler, spent the afternoon interacting with students at Advance U Elementary. The Arizona Coyotes also hosted a panel discussion focused on increasing access to careers in sports for Black professionals, as well as conducted a month-long campaign honoring Black Arizona leaders and trailblazers. Lastly, four Directors and Executive-level staff contributed to the creation of the Arizona Pro Sports Diversity Coalition, focused on leveraging the collective power of professional sports in Arizona to increase diversity in the field.
Austin, TX - March 9, 2022 – Pro Sports Assembly (PRO), the association for professional sports business leaders, has announced its first team of Quality Assurance Associates (QAA), who will help support the organization’s membership and partnership initiatives.
As part of the QAA team, following the first two independent QAA’s, Taylor Middleton and Kayla Dickerson, the organization welcomes graduate and undergraduate students, Sally Cangelosi, George Fisher, William Lee and Derek Osburn.
Los Angeles / Austin (September 27, 2022) – The Collective®, the women-focused practice of Wasserman, has announced a new partnership with Pro Sports Assembly – the association for professional sports business leaders – providing the sports industry with research and insights around equity in the workplace. For their first official collaboration, The Collective® Think Tank – a global consortium of academic partners dedicated to research on gender equity – contributed to the unprecedented, bellwether research exploring how privilege shapes access to opportunities and career development in sports. Participating Think Tank members include UMass, Ohio University, University of South Florida and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
This study – designed as a benchmark for examining cross-generational and cross-industry progress – presents clear proof of the continued trend of inherent bias and resource inequity for underrepresented individuals. Think Tank researchers sought to understand early work experiences in sports, and how a diverse work environment can provide professional experiences in regard to interpersonal dynamics, business performance and industry culture.
Austin, TX - October 6, 2022 – Pro Sports Assembly (PRO) and RISE have announced the second cohort of the Certificate of Inclusive Leadership in Professional Sports recipients – a cohort of 31 sports industry professionals from across the country that is now better equipped to discuss and address matters of racism, diversity, equity and inclusion within their industry and beyond.
The 31 participants underwent a series of workshops, which were designed and led by RISE, the national nonprofit that uses sports to combat racism and unite diverse communities. The courses offer a hands-on opportunity to discuss critical topics and issues related to inclusive leadership and provide an understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) core concepts through RISE’s multifaceted curriculum, which covers a wide range of topics and skills that increase an understanding of culturally competent and fair leadership.
Austin, TX - January 12, 2023 – Pro Sports Assembly (PRO), the association for professional sports business leaders, has announced it has added three new staff members to its team: Nicholas Cupo, Katrina Dorsey and Sarah Tucker.
Cupo, who will serve as Spring Intern, is a fourth-year student in the Sport Management program with a minor in Business Administration at the University of Texas at Austin where he plans to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and Health in May 2023.
Austin, TX - January 17, 2023 – Pro Sports Assembly (PRO), the association for professional sports business leaders, has announced it has added five Governing Board members, who will each help guide the organization through 2025.
Austin, TX - January 31, 2023 – Pro Sports Assembly (PRO), the association for professional sports business leaders, is proud to announce an educational partnership with BREAKTHRU Brands to create a new certification for its cohorts, which focuses on empowering women in professional sports. It has also named the first participants of the program.
The B.O.L.D Leadership certificate program, designed by BREAKTHRU Brands, offers training, development, and support to guide PRO cohorts on BREAKTHRU’s B.O.L.D. (Brave, Outspoken, Lucid, and Distinct) leadership framework, which provides a unique collective and effective approach to development.
Austin, TX - April 11, 2022 – Pro Sports Assembly (PRO), the association for professional sports business leaders, has introduced the first seven Member Resource Groups (MRG's), made up of cross-sport, cross-geographical PRO members who are committed to leading professional sports organizations into the future.
MRGs offer a think space for leaders and learners, at all levels, to gain perspectives, share best practices, ideate and problem solve. The groups are formed based on professional discipline and areas of interest including Analytics, Diversity & Inclusion, Event & Venue Operations, Finance, Human Resources & People Operations, Partnerships, and Social Impact.
Austin, TX - March 23, 2022 – Pro Sports Assembly (PRO), the association for professional sports business leaders, is hosting The Assembly a Leadership Retreat and Workshop for PRO Members. The inaugural event is Chaired by Brittanie Boyd, Philadelphia 76ers SVP Marketing and Antony Bonavita, Cleveland Cavaliers EVP Venue Operations.
WHAT: The Assembly Leadership Retreat and Workshop is an intimate gathering for professional sports business leaders who are not only influential in setting an agenda and strategy for their organization, but who are also invested in a more diverse, inclusive and fair future across all aspects of professional sports.
PBSL and Pro Sports Assembly form strategic partnership to create international opportunities in the sports industry
The new partnership will provide members with coaching, mentoring, training and support to aid career progression
The Cleveland Cavaliers have become Founding Members of Pro Sports Assembly (“The Assembly”), a first-of-its-kind, industry-wide, and mission-driven 501(c)(3) organization for people who work in professional sports.
Designed to keep leagues, teams, unions and venues both knowledgeable and accountable for delivering an equitable and profitable future in professional sports organizations – The Assembly is a member-led community that challenges its industry to advance truly inclusive leadership. It believes that by developing cultural and gender intelligence, as well as setting best practices of stewardship, mentorship and allyship, professional sports properties can drive innovation, bolster financial performance, capture new markets and increase brand loyalty. The Assembly is aggressive in its vision and stance to enhance the future of its industry through the #PowerofProSports and aims, by 2030, to achieve parity in opportunity, pay and leadership across the industry.
Launched in September 2020, Pro Sports Assembly [PRO] is a first-of-its-kind, industry-wide, and mission-driven 501(c)(3) association for people working in professional sports. [PRO] was established to unite leaders across teams, leagues, unions and venues to advance the industry. From finance to innovation, operations and sales, to social responsibility, marketing, human resources and analytics, [PRO] aims to ensure there is a diverse and talented pipeline to lead its industry into the future.
Today, as part of its quarterly roundup of milestones and achievements, [PRO] announced that thirteen organizations have joined as founding members to help advance equity and achieve parity throughout the industry. The members include Atlanta Hawks/State Farm Arena, Austin FC, Cleveland Cavaliers/RocketMortgage Field House, Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Mavericks, Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment, Major League Baseball, Miami Dolphins, Olympia Sports and Entertainment, Pegula Sports and Entertainment, Spurs Sports and Entertainment, Texas Rangers, and World Wrestling Entertainment. Through their membership, each organization is not only providing leadership opportunities for their employees, but they are also creating the voice of the industry.
