There is no mystery about it: football has been a men’s sport for decades. Despite the male-dominated industry, brave and clever women have been shaping the future of the NFL behind the curtains and, more recently, under the spotlight. A sport beloved by many Americans, who can consult NFL odds by oddschecker to stay up-to-date on the best offers from online gaming platforms, is now more welcoming to women in positions of power. These five women are owners, presidents, and executives who have proved that leadership, resilience, and vision have no gender.
- Amy Adams Strunk , the visionary behind the Tennessee Titans
Amy Adams Strunk has inherited the team in 2015 with her father’s passing, but since then she has proven her ability as much more than a nepo baby. After a period of crisis, the Titans are now both culturally significant for their community and competitive for the NFL. She values collaboration and community building as the heart of her leadership. The connection between team players, their fans, and the whole Tennessee community has been a driving force of the team’s newfound relevance.
- Sheila Ford Hamp, the Detroit Lions quiet leader
As principal owner of the Detroit Lions in 2020, Sheila Ford Hamp inherited a team long struggling to find consistency and success.Her fresh, analytical mindset to one of the NFL’s oldest franchises and revived it with consistency. Patience, openness and a sheer amount of determination are her key ingredients for great leadership. Thanks to her natural qualities, she expertly balanced traditional sport values with innovative management techniques. In a league that often rewards loud voices, she leads through clarity of purpose and integrity.
- Susan “Dee” Bagwell Haslam, building legacy with the Cleveland Browns
Co-owner of the Cleveland Browns, this woman can be described as the essence of perseverance. Community engagements are key to her leadership, connecting business acumen and philanthropic experience. Her and her husband Jimmy Haslam’s goal is to weave a net of connection and belonging between the team and the city of Cleveland. In fact, her leadership extends beyond sports. Haslam is famous for her impact on different areas of the Ohio community. The notion that sport can have a pivotal role in bettering education, healthcare and diversity is her true strength.
- Amy Trask, a pioneer in football and sports
This woman was famous and respected well before the importance of gender equality dominated the sports discourse. CEO of Las Vegas Raiders from 1997 to 2013, she worked with Al Davis and his notorious unpredictability, earning respect across the industry and beyond. Known for her cleverness, knowledge and ability to navigate this difficult space, Trask remains an institution for all women in sports. She is now recognized as an expert commentator and vocal advocate for gender equality.
- Kim Pegula, balancing passion and purpose in Buffalo
A double trouble for anyone who dares to be in her path, Kim Pegula is president and CEO of both the Buffalo Bills (NFL) and Buffalo Sabres (NHL). But beyond titles, her story is one of determination and adaptability. Born in South Korea and adopted by an American family, she built her success from the ground up. After co-founding Pegula Sports and Entertainment, she became a driving force in transforming Buffalo’s sports identity. Innovation, inclusion, and fan engagement are key ingredients of her work as a CEO. But most of all, as an Asian-American woman, Pegula poses as an inspiration for women and minorities to dream without limits.
The importance of these women in the NFL can’t be stressed enough. Unique stories that highlight gender equality but also passion for sports, determination and ambition. True good examples for both men and women who dream big.
