Dawn Staley, Scout Bassett, Bridget Carleton & Sophia Wilson: The Proof Point

Recorded live at The Epicenter: Women's Global Sports Summit presented by Nike, Karina LeBlanc brings four athletes to the stage who are the proof point of what investing in women's sports gives back: Hall of Famer and three-time Olympic gold medalist Dawn Staley, Paralympian and seven-time U.S. champion Scout Bassett, Portland Fire forward Bridget Carleton, and Portland Thorns and Olympic gold medalist Sophia Wilson. Dawn talks about what it means to be a servant to the game, the Nike court in her North Philly neighborhood that is still changing lives decades later, and why women in sports carry a different value system into every negotiation. She makes the case for asking, for fighting for her whole staff, and for what she would do with a seat at the ownership table. Bridget shares how the small things build a culture people want to be part of, and what she wants Portland to remember about year one of the Fire. Sophia opens up about her favorite version of herself, the one walking into the performance center with her daughter Gigi, and seven years of playing in front of the best fans in the league. Scout tells her story of being born in Nanjing, spending nearly eight years in a government orphanage, and finding sport as an anchor in a small Michigan town. She shares what a first sponsorship from Nike meant when she was sleeping on a friend's couch, and why the road to the LA Paralympic Games depends on including athletes with disabilities in how we design, fund, and fill our sports. Together the panel leaves the room with a call to action, and a line from Dawn worth carrying out the door: treat people good and they treat you better. Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts.