Baseball's Resurgence and Women's Sports' Brand Power

Resources

Resources & Recommendations

Books

• "Pressure is a Privilege" by Billie Jean King - This book is recommended by Sarah Goforthson, CEO of Trailblazing Sports Group, as Billie Jean King is considered the "godmother of women's sports" and an ultimate trailblazer.

People Mentioned

• Billie Jean King (Tennis Legend, Activist) - Referenced as the "godmother of women's sports" and an ultimate trailblazer, particularly for her role in the 1973 "Battle of the Sexes" and her advocacy for equal pay and the Women's Sports Foundation.
• Briana Scurry (National Soccer Hall of Famer, Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, 1999 World Cup Champion) - Discussed for her insights on the trajectory of women's soccer, the role of goalkeepers, and her career.
• Sarah Goforthson (CEO, Trailblazing Sports Group) - Featured guest discussing her company's mission to revolutionize how brands invest and partner with women's sports, and her previous 18 years at ESPN.
• Al Leiter (MLB Network Analyst, Two-time World Series Champion, former MLB player) - Featured guest providing analysis on the World Series, the MLB offseason, and the influx of Japanese talent in baseball.
• Yoshihobu Yamamoto (MLB Player) - Highlighted for his exceptional performance in the World Series, particularly pitching deep into games on short rest.
• Kazuma Okamoto (Japanese Baseball Player) - Mentioned as a Japanese legend potentially coming to MLB.
• Tatsuya Imai (Japanese Baseball Player) - Mentioned as a Japanese legend potentially coming to MLB.
• Sasaki (Japanese Baseball Player) - Mentioned as a special pitcher.
• Megan Rapinoe (US Women's National Team Player) - Referenced as a prominent field player who has received significant media attention.
• Abby Wambach (US Women's National Team Player) - Referenced as a prominent field player who has received significant media attention.
• Hope Solo (US Women's National Team Goalkeeper) - Discussed as a well-known goalkeeper who made many headlines, both positive and negative.
• Alyssa Naeher (US Women's National Team Goalkeeper) - Discussed as a brilliant goalkeeper whose contributions are often overshadowed by field players.
• Alex Morgan (US Women's National Team Player) - Referenced as a prominent field player who has received significant media attention.
• Kristen Press (US Women's National Team Player) - Referenced as a prominent field player.
• Tobin Heath (US Women's National Team Player) - Referenced as a prominent field player.
• Lindsey Horan (US Women's National Team Player) - Referenced as a prominent field player.
• Cheryl Swoopes (Former WNBA Player, Olympic Gold Medalist) - Mentioned in the context of the 1994 Dream Team and the Atlanta Olympics.
• Mark Walter (Owner, Los Angeles Dodgers, Guggenheim Partners) - Mentioned as an owner who invests heavily in his team.

Organizations & Institutions

• Trailblazing Sports Group - Sarah Goforthson's company focused on brand partnerships and investment in women's sports.
• ESPN - Sarah Goforthson's former employer where she spent 18 years overseeing brand partnerships.
• Transmit - A company that partnered with Trailblazing Sports Group to create incremental in-game advertising inventory for women's sports.
• Women's Sports Foundation - Founded by Billie Jean King, it advocates for women in sports.
• Guggenheim Partners - Co-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, mentioned for their investment in the team.
• MLB Network - Al Leiter's current affiliation as an analyst.

Podcasts

• "Bloomberg Business of Soccer" (Bloomberg Business of Sports podcast feed) - A new series focusing on the business aspects of soccer, with episodes available on various podcast platforms.

Research & Studies

• McKinsey Report - A report mentioned for its valuation of women's sports, projecting it to reach $2.5 billion by 2030.