Published December 12, 2024
The Society for Women in Sports Steps Up to the Plate
When it comes to sports, the gender divide can feel more like a gender chasm. For instance, the average annual salary for an NBA player during the 2023–24 season was $12 million. At the same time, the average WNBA player made just over $119,000. But at NYU School of Professional Studies (SPS), there’s a shift underway. Here, women are breaking barriers and pursuing degrees in Sport Management. What’s more, last year three Sport Management juniors cofounded the Society for Women in Sports. Their goal? “To create a safe space for all women and their allies to talk about sports, celebrate sports, and get involved in the industry,” explains club cofounder Stuti Daga. “It was as simple as there was a need, and it was a necessity.”
Building a Community Off the Field
For Sport Management major Sarah Rabin, the need for a club focused on women in sports was clear. She recalls classes during her first year at NYU, where she was one of two or three women in the room. “That was the main motivation for creating the Society for Women in Sports,” she explains. Alekhya Mangharam noticed the same thing—and then she noticed Sarah and Stuti. “We felt this connection between the three of us really quickly.” Together, the trio set out to create a multipurpose space where women could find mentorship, professional development, and friendship.
Their first gathering was “a huge success,” says Alekhya. While they’d planned various activities, “we didn’t even need them. As we introduced ourselves, people had ideas, people had concerns. It just became such a safe space for all women and all people to talk about why women are treated this way in sports and what we can do to overcome this. It became so open.” Since then, the club has grown, hosting social gatherings, networking opportunities, and outings to events like the WNBA’s final game in New York. “It was the best experience of my life,” enthuses Alekhya. “We hope to do a lot more in the next few years and just pass it down.”
Learning the Ropes in Sport Management
The Society for Women in Sports gets support from NYU’s Sport Management program as well as New York City itself. “NYU stands out with its comprehensive sports program. It’s designed to cater to global interests in the industry while offering practical, real-world learning in New York City,” shares Stuti, who came to New York from Mumbai to study sports. “Living in New York and pursuing a career in sports—where you have so many teams, leagues, and headquarters in the industry—is a surreal experience. Many of our professors are in the industry here. They bring guest speakers and hands-on experiences into the classroom that provide invaluable insights.” Sarah agrees, adding, “The people on staff for this program are truly wonderful. They genuinely care about the development of the students.”
Onto New Playing Fields
The Society for Women in Sports isn’t just about supporting current students—it’s about preparing them to make their mark after graduation. “All of my friends in the major want to do something different,” says Sarah. For instance, she plans to attend law school and pursue sports law. For Stuti, “Cricket has always been a source of inspiration and pride. Working in this industry would give me the opportunity to support its global growth, especially with its inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.”
Alekhya, who wants to go into physical therapy, adds, “Being a woman in sports right now is empowering, in a way. We see a lot more female founders in the sports field. Plus, there are many more females taking on major roles, working as CEOs, head coaches, and presidents of companies and teams. This has never been seen before, and that’s something I’m very grateful for. So, my advice is to take that first step. Embrace being a female in sport. There are so few of us—you have the power to change so much if you choose to make it a priority.”
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