A few years ago, Diverse Representation founder Jaia Thomas was trying to figure out how to honor Black women who were blazing paths in the world of sports.
In 2023, she launched Black Women in Sports Day (NBWISD) and every July 7th since, the day has grown in scale and importance.
This year’s celebration is even more significant as Thomas and Diverse Representation partnered with global sports, music and entertainment company Wasserman to release a first-of-its-kind study examining the role, influence, and visibility of Black women across the sports industry.
The study initially focuses on Black women agents and fans and, per the release, “uncovers critical insights that highlight both their cultural power and the systemic inequities that continue to hinder opportunity and inclusion.”
“We created National Black Women in Sports Day as a long-overdue acknowledgment of the work, excellence and energy Black women bring to every part of the sports ecosystem,” said Thomas. “This partnership with Wasserman is a critical step forward in moving beyond symbolism toward structural change. Our hope is that this data not only inspires, but demands more intentional hiring, marketing and investment in Black women. Not just one day a year, but every day.”
This partnership goes hand in hand with Diverse Representation’s mission to elevate Black professionals across the sports industry. And through their combined efforts, they seek to shine a spotlight on the often-overlooked contributions of Black women as agents, fans, executives, and athletes.
“Partnering with Diverse Representation for the 3rd Annual National Black Women in Sports Day is both a deep honor and a powerful reminder of our collective journey,” added Alanna Frisby Hernandez, Executive Vice President, Business Affairs & Operations, Team Sports at Wasserman. “Today, we celebrate the trailblazing Black women whose brilliance and resilience carved paths where none existed, and we shine a light forward for the next generation of young Black women and girls, showing them the limitless roles they can own in this industry. This day is not only a tribute to what has been achieved, but a call to action: to keep building, keep leading, and keep making room for ourselves and each other. The future is bright, and we are just getting started.”
Part I of the report reveals some powerful insights:
Significant Underrepresentation: Only 2.3% of all NFLPA-certified agents and just 2% of all NBPA-certified agents are Black women.
Barriers to Advancement: Over 87% of Black women agents operate their own firms, frequently citing a lack of advancement opportunities at mid-to-large agencies.
Visibility Gaps: Only 11.7% of Black women sports fans feel completely seen and represented by sports organizations.
Cultural Disconnect: Despite the surge in interest in women’s sports, 73% of Black women still only occasionally follow sports, identifying a lack of cultural representation as a key contributing factor.
Emotional Loyalty Drives Fandom: The primary motivator for Black women to attend sporting events is emotional loyalty to teams, not entertainment value alone, underscoring the profound relational power of their fandom.
