The fast track Inside the surging business of women's sports

From the historical perspective of women in the sports industry to contemporary leadership and participation issues, McManus, a sports journalist, founding Executive Director of the Center for Sports Media, and respected academic, provides a candid exploration of the impact women have had on the industry. Drawing on her research, leadership experiences, and her commitment to women in sports, she creates a unique and powerful portrait of the impact and significance that women have played in the sports industry. Throughout the book's eleven chapters, she critically confronts the issues that will continue to shape the industry and women's leadership roles. Topics covered include pay equity, media relationships, merchandising, racial and gender issues, women's health needs, and sponsorship and investment in women's leagues. As an excellent historical chronicle of women in sports or a realistic roadmap for the future of women as leaders in the sports industry, McManus skillfully integrates the cultural, social, financial, and leadership issues that are and will continue to be vital to the increasing demand for women's leadership in the sports arena. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates, two-year technical programs, professionals. --Sanford R. Kahn, emeritus, University of Cincinnati

Here's a jaw-dropping statistic that might shock sports fans: "82 percent of annual earnings for female athletes come through endorsements rather than salary." Renowned sports journalist McManus, whose resume includes editing The Year's Best Sports Writing, 2024, and acting as former executive director of the Center for Sports Media, provides an in-depth look at the women's sports industry to help understand that statistic, with chapters on pay equity, broadcasting, negotiating value, and more. She also covers NIL deals. McManus invites readers to take a step back and view the industry through a broader lens as she traces the challenges from pre-Title IX to current times, highlighting leaders who prove that this is more than an issue of equality: it is also an industry worthy of investment for its profitability and sustained growth. Sports leading the charge include the WNBA, WTA, and NWSL. McManus does an admirable job of giving an overview of the cyclical nature of support and dispelling preconceived myths. The Fast Track is a valuable, well-researched playbook that chronicles the frustrating setbacks and the momentum propelling the women's sports industry forward.