Chris Blakeslee’s Post

When you meet new WOOW Woman at our community gatherings, I encourage you to consider how you can each lift one another up as you continue to climb towards your next destination! I love this example of Simone Biles living our community value - Lift as you climb. Do you have any other examples to share?! Leave them below in the comments!

Day 8 #LinkedInSportsChallenge: How are recent trends & developments around diversity in sports ownership reshaping the landscape of sports? The sports industry still lacks diversity in sports ownership. There is so much work to be done. But it is heartening to see an increase in female ownership, in women's soccer specifically (shout out Bay FC). Diversity in ownership offers fresh perspectives and is more representative of our current cultural landscape. In considering how to address this topic, it was fitting to learn that today, September 8, 2023, Diverse Representation is hosting the first-ever Black Ownership in Sports Symposium. https://lnkd.in/gBsJbhjD The good news is that there are organizations and people across industries committed to reshaping the landscape of sports. I hope we continue to see progress, not just in ownership, but within organizations in the roles of CEO, president, SVPs, etc. #sportsbiz #sportsindustry

Are you on board with this up-and-coming sport? Flag football is making waves, especially for women! 🏈 As one of the fastest-growing sports, female participation in flag football has surged over recent years. Schools and colleges are recognizing its appeal, with more institutions offering flag football programs tailored for women. With its unique blend of strategy, speed, and skill, it's no wonder women gravitate towards this dynamic sport. As we see more teams, tournaments, and opportunities emerge, it's clear that women's flag football is not just a trend but a testament to the evolving landscape of sports. #FlagFootballRising #WomenInSports

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Women driving fast over here…literally and figuratively. 🏎️ It takes GUTS to race up Pikes Peak around those hairpin turns. I 100% believe you can’t fully appreciate a sport until you try it. To that note, I would like raise my hand to try it, preferably on a flat, straight, smooth surface… In the meantime, I can settle for cheering on these athletes with my team members at RBC Wealth Management #2025Goals

As simple as that.

What Does Sport Reveal About Our Society? Let's think about the fascinating case of the 1936 Berlin Olympics, often referred to as the "Nazi Olympics." This event was not just a showcase of athletic prowess but also a powerful propaganda tool used by the Nazi regime to promote their ideals of racial superiority. Yet, the outstanding performance of African American athlete Jesse Owens, who won four gold medals, challenged these racist ideologies directly on the global stage, showcasing sports as a field where social and political dynamics play out vividly. Owens' victories at the Berlin Olympics challenged prevailing racial prejudices and highlighted sports as a realm where excellence knows no color. Major sports events like the Olympics serve as a mirror to national identity, often reflecting the political and social undercurrents of their times. The global stage of sports can drive social change, providing a platform to unite people and foster a sense of community across diverse backgrounds. Can you think of a moment in sports history where the outcome had a broader impact on society beyond just the score? #SociologyOfSports #CulturalImpact #SocialChange #InclusiveSports

🎉 New Blog: Most Americans Will Watch the Summer Olympics! 🏅📺 From Simone Biles, LeBron James, and Steph Curry to Scottie Scheffler, Katie Ledecky, and Coco Gauff, superstar athletes are fired up to compete in the Summer Olympics. And the majority of Americans will be tuning in! Our recent survey reveals that 68% of Americans plan to watch the Olympics this summer. Among men, the interest rises to 73%. Causeway Solutions conducts a monthly survey of more than 800 U.S. adults aged 18+. We found the event is particularly popular among adults aged 35-44, with 73% expressing interest, closely followed by those aged 25-34 at 71%. Learn more findings here: https://lnkd.in/eiY8s66U #Olympics2024 #MarketingOpportunity #SimoneBiles #LeBronJames #StephCurry #ScottieScheffler #KatieLedecky #CocoGauff #CausewaySolutions

While I was bummed to see the USWNT bow out early of this year's FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™ , the tournament still turned in record setting numbers. - $570m in revenue - 2m total attendance, and avg. attendance per match was nearly 31,000 -- up 42% from the last WWC - 3.2 billion views of WWC content across social/digital channels These metrics point towards a growing trend in the industry: if you give female athletes a platform, they will deliver. Women's soccer has a great chance to grow into a truly global powerhouse, and in an ironic way, I believe the best thing that could've happened for the growth of the game was the US bowing out early. I explain more in this week's Sports Business Playbook and how the US could be in for a Rocky 3 story arc 👇 https://lnkd.in/g3EW_yND

"Through sports, girls learn important life skills such as teamwork, leadership and confidence." Women's Sports Foundation Girls drop out of sports at a rate 2-3 times higher than boys. We're committed to changing this narrative. We believe every girl deserves the opportunity to experience the transformative power of sports. Read the full WSF article here: https://ow.ly/B2MH50RT8pZ