Presented by Ally Financial, the annual ranking spotlights 25 of today’s most influential leaders, including the athletes, executives, owners, investors, and innovators redefining the global sports industry
Forbes America’s Most Powerful Women in Sports 2025
Forbes
New York, NY — October 22 — Forbes today announced the launch of its inaugural Most Powerful Women in Sports list, presented by Ally Financial. The new annual ranking honors 25 leaders who are transforming one of the world’s most influential industries, shaping strategy, driving innovation and expanding the role of women across the sports economy.
The list arrives at a pivotal moment for the industry:
- Audiences for women’s competitions are surging worldwide.
- Sponsorships and media rights are commanding record premiums.
- Professional team valuations are reaching historic highs.
At the same time, women are stepping into increasingly visible positions across ownership, executive leadership, coaching, investment and cultural influence.
“The women on this list are not only steering capital and strategy, they are expanding the very possibilities of what this industry can become,” said Moira Forbes, Executive Vice President at Forbes. “Forbes has long chronicled leadership and influence across business and society, and sports has become one of the most compelling arenas where both are being redefined.”
Spanning the full spectrum of the sports landscape, the Forbes Most Powerful Women in Sports list includes:
- Athletes leveraging their platforms as entrepreneurs and investors
- Executives negotiating precedent-setting agreements and building new commercial models
- Owners and investors channeling resources into transformative ventures
- Front office leaders setting strategy, developing talent, and shaping high-performance organizations
- Industry amplifiers growing audiences, building brands, and telling the stories that move the business of sports forward
“We’ve seen unprecedented attention and investment in women’s sports in recent years, and we’re so excited to provide this in-depth look at the power players who are shaping this ecosystem,” said Maggie McGrath, Editor, ForbesWomen. “Between the owners, athletes, investors and decision-makers, every single leader on this list has shaped the face of sports in the United States.”
To mark the debut of the Most Powerful Women in Sports list, Forbes and Ally will host an exclusive launch celebration in New York City. The event will bring together honorees and industry leaders for an evening underscoring the rising power of women in sports.
“It’s important when an iconic platform like Forbes commits to spotlighting the women who are redefining the landscape of sports and culture during this period of historic growth in women’s sports,” said Andrea Brimmer, chief marketing and public relations officer at Ally. “At Ally, we recognize the influential role brands play in supporting these game-changing individuals and we’re making intentional investments to fuel the momentum—from pledging equal spend in men’s and women’s sports media to partnering directly with players, teams, and leagues. We’re honored to celebrate this year’s list-makers and remain committed to advancing the future of women’s sports together.”
The Most Powerful Women in Sports list is the latest in Forbes’ growing portfolio of franchises spotlighting leadership and influence across industries, including America’s Most Powerful Women in Business and Forbes’ 30 Under 30.
For the full list and profiles of the honorees, visit:
About Forbes
Forbes is an iconic global media brand that has symbolized success for over a century. Fueled by journalism that informs and inspires, Forbes spotlights the doers and doings shaping industries, achieving success and making an impact on the world. Forbes connects and convenes the most influential communities ranging from billionaires, business leaders and rising entrepreneurs to creators and innovators. The Forbes brand reaches more than 140 million people monthly worldwide through its trusted journalism, signature ForbesLive events and 49 licensed local editions in 81 countries.
Forbes Media Contacts:
Elise Flick, [email protected]
Feryal Nawaz, [email protected]
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/pr/2025/10/22/forbes-unveils-first-ever-most-powerful-women-in-sports-list-featuring-25-of-the-trailblazers-transforming-the-industry-including-gayle-benson-caitlin-clark-michele-kang-serena-williams-and-more/
