Indianapolis ranks among the top U.S. cities for women in executive leadership roles across major sports organizations
Mar. 10, 2026 at 10am. INDIANAPOLIS. The Indy Chamber today announced a formal research partnership with the IU Indianapolis Sport Innovation Institute (SII) to advance a multi-phase data initiative examining female representation and career mobility within the business of sport. The collaboration brings together applied data science sport analytics researchers and graduate students from the Luddy School of Informatics and the School of Health and Human Sciences to quantify women’s leadership representation across Indianapolis’ anchor sports organizations and benchmark the city against peer metros nationally
Preliminary findings indicate that Indianapolis ranks among the top cities nationally for women in executive leadership roles within major sports organizations, with consistent representation across multiple franchises and governing bodies.
“This partnership allows us to move beyond anecdote and strengthen measurable insight,” said Martina Jackson, Senior Director of Public Relations & Communications at the Indy Chamber. “Indianapolis has spent decades intentionally building a sports ecosystem where careers can grow. This research helps quantify that reality and better understand how leadership pathways, particularly for women, continue to develop across the industry.”
The research initiative includes analysis of director-level and above leadership roles across major league teams, national governing bodies, venue operators, and sports-adjacent enterprises. In addition to executive representation, the study examines promotion velocity, job-posting transparency, university pipeline placement, and women-led workstreams associated with major events.
“Indianapolis presents a uniquely concentrated sports ecosystem,” said Dr. Liz Wanless, Director of Sports Innovation Institute and Associate Professor of Sports Management. “Our students are engaging directly with real-world data, building dashboards and comparative analyses that allow us to benchmark Indy against similar and larger metros. The goal is not only to measure leadership representation, but to better understand the structural conditions that support long-term career growth for women in sport.”
The partnership reflects a broader regional commitment to strengthening Indianapolis’ sports cluster, one of the most concentrated in the country, and complements the long-standing leadership of organizations including Indiana Sports Corp, Pacers Sports & Entertainment, the Indianapolis Colts, the NCAA, Visit Indy, and other civic and industry partners working collectively to advance the city’s position as a global sports capital.
By combining data engineering, benchmarking, and applied analysis, the project aims to establish a clear baseline for female representation and identify areas where Indianapolis can continue to lead nationally.
The initiative launches during a nationally visible moment for women’s sports, as Indianapolis concludes its hosting of the Women’s Big Ten Tournament and prepares to welcome thousands of visitors for the NCAA Men’s Final Four in April.
The first phase of findings will contribute to a broader Business of Sport study positioning Indianapolis as a national model for sports-driven economic development and inclusive leadership growth.
For more information, contact Martina Jackson at [email protected].
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About the Indy Chamber
The Indy Chamber serves as a regional voice for progress, uniting business and community to strengthen the Indy region’s economy and quality of life. Through bold advocacy, economic development, and small & mid-size business support, we help fuel growth, expand opportunity, and position the region to compete and thrive. Working alongside civic, corporate, and community partners, the Indy Chamber focuses on attracting investment, developing talent pathways, and elevating the Indy region’s story. Guided by our core values – Love Indy, Dream Big, and Move Together – we bring leaders together to shape the conditions for growth and build a future where the Indy region leads the Midwest and competes on a global stage.
About the IU Indianapolis Sport Innovation Institute
The IU Indianapolis Sport Innovation Institute (SII) advances research and applied learning at the intersection of sport management, data science, and innovation. Through faculty leadership and graduate student engagement, SII partners with industry and civic organizations to produce actionable insights that strengthen the sports ecosystem.
