Influential leaders in sports, business, and entertainment gathered in New York City on May 7, 2026 [1], for the 2026 espnW Summit NYC presented by Lilly.

The event serves as a critical platform for addressing systemic barriers and creating new professional pathways for women within the sports industry. By bringing together high-profile athletes and executives, the summit aims to translate high-level discussion into tangible change for female professionals.

The summit took place at the 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge [1]. Session three of the one-day event featured a diverse array of speakers, including Olympic gold-medalist hockey player Laila Edwards and three-time WNBA champion Breanna Stewart [1], [2]. These figures joined other leaders to discuss strategies for fostering change and expanding the reach of women in athletic and administrative roles.

Organizers designed the gathering to inspire conversations that move beyond surface-level representation. The focus remained on the creation of new opportunities—ranging from coaching and management to ownership—that have historically been dominated by men [1], [2].

The collaboration between espnW and Lilly provided the framework for the day's programming. The summit focused on the intersection of leadership and athletics, emphasizing how the visibility of champions like Stewart and Edwards can catalyze growth for the next generation of women in the field [1].

“The 2026 espnW Summit NYC presented by Lilly gathered leaders to discuss advancing women in sports.”

The 2026 espnW Summit reflects a broader trend of institutionalizing support for women in sports leadership. By transitioning from general advocacy to specific discussions on opportunity creation, the event highlights a shift toward structural change in sports business, aiming to move women from the field of play into executive decision-making roles.