The Future of Women's Sports with WNBA Founding President Val Ackerman, Julie Roe Lach and Pat Boylan
SPORTS
Pat Boylan sat down with WNBA founding President Val Ackerman and Pacers Sports & Entertainment Executive Vice President of External Affairs Julie Roe Lach for a conversation on the rise of women's sports.
As part of Inspiring Women Night, presented by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, WNBA founding President Val Ackerman and Pacers Sports & Entertainment Executive Vice President of External Affairs Julie Roe Lach sat down with Pat Boylan for a conversation that captured exactly why women’s sports are experiencing one of the most exciting eras in history. Their discussion, thoughtful, energizing, and rooted in decades of leadership, underscored how far women’s sports have come and how much opportunity lies ahead.
A Moment Decades in the Making
Val Ackerman, who helped build the WNBA from the ground up, reflected on the league’s early days, a time when belief, persistence, and vision mattered more than anything. Today, that foundation has blossomed into a cultural force. Attendance records are being shattered, media coverage is expanding, and athletes are becoming household names.
Ackerman emphasized that this momentum didn’t happen overnight. It’s the result of consistent investment, committed leadership, and athletes who refused to be overlooked. Her perspective reminds us that progress in women’s sports is cumulative, every milestone builds on the one before it.
The Power of Community and Local Leadership
Julie Roe Lach brought a complementary lens: the importance of community engagement and organizational support. As a senior leader within Pacers Sports & Entertainment, she sees firsthand how local investment fuels national growth.
Her message was clear: when teams, leagues, and communities work together, women’s sports thrive. From youth programs to professional arenas, visibility and access create lifelong fans. Roe Lach highlighted how organizations can champion women’s sports not just through marketing, but through consistent programming, partnerships, and authentic storytelling.
Growing the Game Means Growing Opportunity
Both leaders spoke passionately about the broader impact of women’s sports. Growth isn’t just about ticket sales or TV ratings, it’s about:
Expanding leadership opportunities for women in sports business
Creating pathways for young girls to see themselves as athletes
Building equity in media coverage and sponsorship
Strengthening communities through representation and shared pride
Their conversation reinforced that women’s sports are not a niche category; they are a powerful cultural engine driving innovation, fandom, and social progress.
Why This Moment Matters
The rise of women’s sports is one of the most compelling stories in modern athletics. Fans are showing up. Brands are investing. Media is paying attention. And leaders like Ackerman and Roe Lach are ensuring that growth is intentional, sustainable, and inclusive.
Inspiring Women Night served as a reminder that the future of sports is not just brighter, it’s more diverse, more dynamic, and more driven by women than ever before.
A Conversation Worth Sharing
This interview is a celebration of leadership, resilience, and the unstoppable momentum behind women’s sports. It’s a must‑watch for anyone passionate about the game, the business, or the movement.
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