By Izzy Sy, NABJ Monitor Digital
The National Association of Black Journalists’ Sports Task Force has played a significant role in helping to integrate more minorities into sports media. This has led to an increase in women holding high-ranking positions, access to job opportunities and increased attention to women’s sports.
Sports Task Force Chair Tareia Williams-Lee believes the visibility of women in C-suite managerial positions provides a roadmap for a sustainable career.
“Having a woman in a high-power position just shows that you can make it in this field,” Williams-Lee said. “The industry is seeing that our voice matters.”
The Sports Task Force’s scholarships and internships play a huge role in a pipeline for robust talent. They offer three scholarships, including the NABJ-Larry Whiteside scholarship, which has doubled to $5,000 in recent years.
While the NABJ-ESPN Stuart Scott Internship provides a $3,500 stipend and a complimentary trip to the convention, and the NABJ-NBA Digital Sekou Smith Memorial has a $5,000 scholarship and a TNT sports internship.
Andscape Rhoden Fellow Raigan Lydon said she would not have been prepared for her internship without the training and networking provided at the convention.
“Every session at the career fair just helped me on my journey, and it will help me get to where I want to go,” Lydon said.
ESPN Supervising Director Monica Belk said continuing to ensure more opportunities for the next generation is vital for growth.
“I have made it my drive and duty to not only be an example, but somebody that can help lift the next generation of people into the places and spaces they deserve to be in,” Belk said.
Several notable NABJ members are succeeding in on-air roles at top sports networks.
In 2022, Malika Andrews, who is also on the board for the Sports Task Force Scholarship Committee, became the first woman to host the NBA draft and won an Emmy for outstanding emerging on-air personality. The year prior, she also received the NABJ Michael J. Feeney Emerging Journalist of the Year Award.
Elle Duncan, who is the lead host for ESPN’s women’s college basketball and WNBA coverage, has led the sports task force’s mentor/mentee breakfast for the last two years.
ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith said the rise of women in sports is overdue.
“Being raised by five women has made me used to seeing strong and intelligent women. To see other women like that come into the industry now is a beautiful thing,” Smith said.
The rise of women in media is skyrocketing in tandem with the growth of women’s sports.
During the 2024 season, the WNBA saw a 48% increase in league-wide attendance, representing 2.4 million people. The league also signed an 11-year media rights deal with
Disney, Amazon and NBCUniversal, worth $2.2 billion, representing the largest TV deal in WNBA history.
ESPN personality and former WNBA All-Star Chiney Ogwumike said she’s excited about the investment in women’s sports and in media as well.
“It’s amazing that the WNBA is getting their attention now, but they’ve been doing great stuff. I’m so excited for the future generation because now they are finally being invested in and they’re going to have confidence,” said Ogwumike, who was also the first WNBA player to play and host a national radio show at ESPN.
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