NEW ERA

In this episode of the SportsPro New ERA podcast, host Elena Kouyoufa speaks with Shivs Thevarr, Vice President, Global Partnership Sales at the Milwaukee Bucks, and Gabrielle Guedj, Director of Chief Commercial Officer at ATP Media, about the power of mentorship and leadership for women in sports.They discuss the impact of the New ERA program, insights from research conducted by the University of Queensland, and how inclusive leadership, confidence, and community support are helping shape the next generation of leaders.

In this episode, co-host Elena Kouyoufa sits down with Dr Kathryn Fortnum to unpack the mission behind the New Era programme and its research partnership with the University of Queensland, exploring women’s lived experiences and the structural challenges still shaping the sports industry. Kathryn reflects on the power of mentorship and why confidence and empowerment don’t happen by chance. The conversation digs into how diverse leadership drives innovation, how leadership styles are evolving, and the role education and institutions play in building meaningful, long-term pathways for women in sport. Expect practical takeaways on fostering equity, supporting women’s growth, and what it really takes to create lasting change through small but intentional action.

In this episode, Alexandra Adey, Senior Partnerships Manager at The Ringer UK, joins Katie Preston and Elena Kouyoufa to dive into the realities of sports podcasting and women’s sport. They discuss everything from building a podcast slate at Spotify to the challenges of growing engaged audiences beyond the hype. Alex shares insights on audience behavior, the importance of authentic host chemistry, and why women’s football and rugby need more than just one-off moments to thrive. Get the unfiltered take on how to create lasting impact, the commercial opportunities within women’s sport, and what it really takes to keep momentum going when the spotlight moves on.

In this episode of the NEW ERA podcast, we speak with Zoe Johnson, Managing Director of Women’s and Girls’ Football at Brighton & Hove Albion, about her journey through the game and the club’s ambitious vision for the future. Zoe shares how Brighton is building a top-four WSL team through world-class infrastructure, data-driven recruitment, and a collaborative leadership model. She reflects on her coaching roots, the importance of building strong relationships, and why backing from the board is key to removing barriers for women in football. We also explore Brighton’s plans to become the first English club with a purpose-built stadium for a women’s team, and the work being done to nurture young talent. Find out more about NEW ERA here: https://newera.sportspro.com/

In this special NEW ERA episode, recorded on the ground at SportsPro Live, hosts Elena Kouyoufa and Katie Preston sit down with Julie Uhrman, co-founder and CEO of Angel City FC, to unpack the bold vision behind one of the most progressive clubs in women’s sport.Julie shares how the Los Angeles based soccer team is redefining success by prioritising community, purpose, and equity while building a world-class football team. From finding the right people to make this vision a reality, navigating funding hurdles to designing a values-led business model, this episode dives into the strategies reshaping what success looks like in women’s football and sport as a whole.

What does it take to go from a young girl with a dream of being a soccer player to the first female director of AC Milan's women’s team?In this episode, we sit down with Elisabet Spina, Head of AC Milan women to trace her inspiring journey through the world of football. She shares insights on balancing sport and education, leading with authenticity, and why commercial partnerships and media visibility are essential to the future of women’s soccer. Plus, she reveals how AC Milan is setting new standards with its progressive maternity policy.

Girls are dropping out of sports at twice the rate of boys, and body confidence is the #1 reason why.In this episode of NEW ERA, we explore how Dove is tackling the dropout crisis and redefining what it means to be a purpose-driven brand in the industry. Stacie June, Global Head of Education & Advocacy at Dove, joins us to discuss the Body Confident Sport initiative in partnership with Nike and how brands outside of sport can drive real change. Last year Dove was among 11 brands inducted into the Laureus Sport for Good Index, which spotlights businesses leading the way in delivering positive impact through sport.  On this episode, we discuss:Why girls are dropping out of sport at twice the rate of boys, and how brands can help reverse the trendThe power of purpose-driven partnerships and the role of brands outside of sport in driving real changeHow Dove is using its platform to challenge beauty standards and build a more inclusive sports culture Find out more about NEW ERA here.

In this episode of NEW ERA, hosts Katie Preston and Elena Kouyoufa explore the deep-rooted history and impact of the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, one of Canada’s most iconic sporting events. Joined by Nolan Thiessen (Curling Canada) and Susan Irving (Kruger Products), the discussion delves into: 44 years of partnership between Kruger Products and Curling Canada – the longest-running sponsorship of amateur women's sport in Canada How Curling Canada leads the way in gender equity, with equal prize money, strong viewership, and a loyal fanbase The Scotties Tournament of Hearts as a cultural staple, bringing communities together and creating household names in Canadian sport The future of curling and its grassroots development, including the Girls Rock programme and how it’s inspiring the next generation of athletes    From its rich legacy to its modern impact, this episode is a must-listen!

In the debut episode of the NEW ERA podcast, hosts Katie Preston and Elena Kouyoufa introduce themselves and share the inspiration behind this exciting new series dedicated to promoting fair representation in sports. They discuss the mission of NEW ERA, the importance of gender equality and representation, and why these conversations matter to everyone - women, allies, and anyone passionate about progress. Tune in to discover how NEW ERA is amplifying voices, challenging norms, and shaping the future of the sports industry. For more about NEW ERA 🔗  https://newera.sportspro.com/