OUR INSIGHTS
There is a powerful truth that has been hiding in plain sight: athletes are leaders. Not just on the field, but in the C-Suite and boardroom—in strategy, in execution, and in driving results. Athletes are also proving to be successful entrepreneurs and business owners.
And yet, too often, the pathway from elite sport to business leadership is unclear, underdeveloped, or simply overlooked.
That is why the launch of the Athlete Business Academy (ABA) by Women Business Collaborative is not just exciting—it is necessary.
A Moment That Demands Action
We know that 94% of women in the C-Suite have played sports. That statistic alone tells a compelling story: sports are one of the world’s most powerful training grounds for leadership.
Athletes develop:
- Discipline and resilience
- Strategic thinking under pressure
- Team leadership and accountability
- Performance mindset and adaptability
These are not “soft skills.” These are core executive capabilities.
“Any, and almost every life lesson [I have learned], I can relate it back to basketball in some way,” says Rebecca Harris, a professional basketball guard competing in Athletes Unlimited.
Harris says sport has taught her adaptability, how to tailor communications to particular people and circumstances, the ability to work hard, discipline and how to compete at different levels – all vital boardroom skills.
And yet, when women athletes transition out of their sport—whether it’s basketball, track and field, swimming or gymnastics—they often face a fragmented path into business. The system has not been built to translate their experience into opportunity.
The Athlete Business Academy (ABA) changes that.
The Pilot: Where Talent Meets Opportunity
Harris is one of 18 sportswomen who have signed up for our ABA pilot program. They are a dynamic cohort of women athletes across a wide variety of sports—each with elite experience, drive, and untapped potential.
“I love saying yes to new things. Every bit of it. It brings me a lot of joy and reminds me how much I actually enjoy learning and being a beginner,” says Olympic softballer Nicole Mendes, one of Harris’s classmates.
This is not a one-size-fits-all program. It is intentionally designed to mirror the real world of business leadership by combining two critical elements:
1. Online Learning for Real-World Skills
Participants engage in structured, high-impact digital learning designed to translate athletic excellence into business acumen. From leadership frameworks to financial literacy, strategic thinking to operational execution, the curriculum meets athletes where they are—and moves them forward.
2. Career Coaching and Mentorship
Every athlete is paired with experienced career coaches and mentors who understand how to bridge potential with opportunity. These are not passive relationships. They are active, intentional engagements focused on:
- Career mapping
- Industry exposure
- Skill translation
- Network building
This combination—learning plus mentorship—is where transformation happens.
Why This Matters Now
We are at an inflection point.
- Investment in women’s sports is rising rapidly
- Visibility of women athletes has never been higher
- Companies are seeking diverse, high-performing leadership talent
And yet, the pipeline connecting these athletes to business leadership remains underdeveloped.
The Athlete Business Academy is designed to close that gap. It recognizes that the issue is not a lack of talent—it is a lack of translation, access, and intentional pathways.
Building a New Leadership Pipeline
The ABA is not just about individual success stories—though there will be many. It is about systemic change. By connecting athletes to:
- Corporate partners
- Career opportunities
- Leadership networks
- Strategic mentorship
WBC is building a scalable model that redefines how we think about leadership pipelines.
Athletes are not transitioning “out” of something. They are transitioning into leadership.
“Basketball has taught me how to ensure I and those I lead don’t get dragged down by the negative, and how to hold someone accountable for their actions while also encouraging them to be better,” says elite professional basketball guard and businesswoman Bria Hartley.
The Energy Behind the Launch
What makes this moment so exciting is not just the program design—it is the energy behind it.
This pilot represents:
- A new model for workforce development
- A new narrative about women athletes
- A new opportunity for companies to engage elite talent
It is a signal that we are ready to think differently—and act boldly.
The Call to Action
The Athlete Business Academy is just beginning. To fully realize its potential, we need:
- Companies ready to hire and mentor
- Investors and sponsors ready to scale the model
- Leaders ready to champion this new pathway
Because when we invest in women athletes beyond their sport, we are not just supporting careers—we are unlocking leadership at scale.
The Bottom Line
The data is clear. The talent is undeniable. The opportunity is now. The Athlete Business Academy is where it all comes together.
And this is only the beginning.
