Women Leaders in College Sports Announces Partnership with Women’s National Basketball Players Association
June 22, 2017
Contacts:
Rachel DeSchepper
Women Leaders in College Sports
[email protected]
816-389-8208
Daren Jenkins
NBPA
[email protected]
212-655-0883
Kansas City, Mo. – Women Leaders in College Sports (formerly NACWAA), the nation’s premier women’s athletic leadership association, announced today a multi-year partnership with the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA).
The goal of the partnership will be to provide Women Leaders in College Sports’ best-in-class leadership programming and career development resources to members of the WNBPA who have retirement on the horizon and are looking to kick-start their post-basketball careers.
"These conversations and planning efforts started at the NCAA Women's Final Four in Dallas this past spring," says Terri Jackson, WNBPA director of operations. "It is truly terrific that the two organizations can build on the legacy of Title IX in this manner and at this time in our history. The timing couldn't have been better!"
Within the partnership, select WNBA players will receive memberships to Women Leaders in College Sports, and will have the opportunity to attend the 2017 Women Leaders National Convention.
“We are thrilled to partner with the Women’s National Basketball Players Association,” says Women Leaders CEO, Patti Phillips. “This is a win-win for everyone. WNBPA members will be able to benefit from our leadership programming, and our intercollegiate members will benefit from the WNBPA members’ professional and varied experiences.”
The WNBPA Executive Committee received and approved a final report about the partnership at its recent player leadership meeting. "We are excited for the partnership with Women Leaders in College Sports because it provides access to robust career networking and transition programming for our membership," says WNBPA first vice president, Layshia Clarendon.
"WNBPA members will be given the opportunity to showcase the depth of their talents, intellect, and commitment while developing for the next phase of their careers. The WNBPA membership is more than basketball," says WNBPA president, Nneka Ogwumike, "and working with Women Leaders in College Sports and its partners maximizes and ensures that!"
About Women Leaders in College Sports
Founded in 1979, Women Leaders in College Sports (formerly NACWAA; www.womenleadersincollgesports.org) is the only nationally recognized collegiate professional membership organization whose mission is to develop, connect, and advance women leaders working in intercollegiate athletics. More than 3,500 members strong, Women Leaders promotes the growth, leadership, and success of women as athletics administrators, conference commissioners, professional staff, coaches, and student-athletes.
About the Women’s National Basketball Players Association
The Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) is the union for current women’s professional basketball players in the WNBA. The WNBPA is the first labor union for professional women athletes. It was created in 1998 to protect the rights of players and assist them in achieving their full potential on and off the court.
The WNBPA handles the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements, filing grievances on their behalf, and counseling players on benefits and post-WNBA career opportunities. The WNBPA also serves as a resource for current players, while they are competing internationally during the offseason.
The WNBPA encourages players to participate in union activities – including executive leadership roles, team representative positions, and global community outreach initiatives.