Industry executives and innovators will bring real-world expertise to students enrolling in the nation’s first graduate program dedicated to the business of women’s professional sports.
Simmons University has announced the industry leaders who will serve as faculty for the nation’s first graduate program dedicated to the business of women’s professional sports.
One of the fastest-growing industries worldwide, women’s sports are projected to reach $3 billion in global revenue in 2026 — a 340% increase since 2022.
Simmons’ groundbreaking Master of Science in Management (MSM): Business and Leadership in Women’s Sports concentration prepares students for leadership careers across women’s sports and the broader professional sports industry. Experienced Simmons School of Management (SOM) faculty provide students with a strong foundation in core business principles, while industry leaders bring expertise to specialized courses exploring the business of women’s sports.
“The future of women's sports will be shaped by leaders who combine strong business acumen with a deep understanding of the industry,” said Astrid Sheil, Dean of Simmons SOM. “What makes our program so distinctive is the combination of accomplished Simmons faculty and industry leaders. Our faculty bring deep expertise in management, finance, leadership, and strategy, while our industry instructors offer firsthand insight into the opportunities and challenges shaping women's sports today. Together, they create a learning experience that prepares students not only to understand this rapidly evolving industry, but to thrive and lead within it.”
Lineup of Industry-Based Faculty Members
- Boston Celtics Vice President of Team Operations & Organizational Growth Allison Feaster is a former professional basketball player in the WNBA and longtime champion of women and girls in sports. She will teach a course on “Foundations of Women’s Sports Management.”
- Award-winning host of The Business Case for Women’s Sports podcast, presented by Ally, Caroline Fitzgerald, who founded the women’s sports media platform GOALS, is a recognized expert in gender equity and sports. She will teach a course entitled “Strategic Sales and Sponsorship in Women’s Sports.”
- Vice-President for the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Laural Logan-Fain, PhD, focuses on the intersection of performance and human development within high performing organizations. A new faculty member with a doctorate from the University of Oklahoma and more than a decade of experience in professional sports management, Logan-Fain will teach “Models of Leadership in Women's Sports.”
- Former National Hockey League Vice President of Business Development Bryant McBride will bring his expertise and teach courses on “Financing the Future of Women’s Sports” and “Disruptive Entrepreneurship in Women’s Sports.” McBride, who is also an investor, serial entrepreneur and filmmaker, created and co-produced the 2019 film Willie that chronicles the life of Willie O’Ree, the National Hockey League’s first Black player.
Faculty Praise for Women’s Sports Graduate Program
Feaster says “Joining this program is a full-circle moment I could not have scripted.”
“I came into the WNBA in its second year, and I watched the women's sports landscape evolve from the inside out,” she says. “I know what it felt like to build something from the ground up, to compete in a league that the world was still learning to value. That experience gave me something no classroom could — and now I get to bring it into one.”
“This program matters right now because women's sports are no longer asking for a seat at the table ... we are at the table. The investment is here. The audience is here,” Feaster adds. “The momentum is real. And Simmons will mold leaders who are prepared to meet this moment with skill, strategy, and purpose.”
What excites Logan-Fain the most about joining the Business and Leadership in Women’s Sports program at Simmons is the opportunity to help shape the next generation of leaders at a pivotal moment for women’s sports.
“As the industry continues to grow and break barriers, I hope students leave with more than an understanding of leadership theory,” she says. “I want them to gain practical tools to build strong cultures, develop high-performing teams, lead with courage, and create environments where people can thrive. The future of women’s sports will be shaped not only by exceptional athletes, but by leaders who inspire others, translate ideas into action, and create lasting impact.”
Bryant McBride says he could not be more excited to be part of the Business and Leadership in Women's Sports Program.
“The quality of the students and faculty will lead to robust discussions, debate and insight in a field that is poised for explosive growth,” he says. “Working with, learning from, and contributing to that growth is both an honor and a responsibility. Looking forward to teaching and mentoring leaders who will shape the industry for years to come.”
These industry leaders will join experienced Simmons faculty, including Emmy Award-winning sports media executive and Professor of Practice Justine Pouravelis, Associate Professor of Practice Mansfield Holmes, Associate Professor Yulong Li, and Associate Professor Masato Aoki.
In addition to the faculty, the Simmons Women’s Sports Management Advisory Board — a distinguished group of industry leaders — is providing strategic guidance, real-world perspectives and industry-relevant learning to further support the future of women’s sports business education.
The MSM program builds on Simmons’ long-standing excellence in management education. The University’s School of Management, founded in 1974 as the world’s first MBA program designed specifically for women, became a global model for advancing women in business. The MSM program continues to emphasize gender equity and inclusive leadership as students advance their professional goals.
Visit the Master of Science in Management and the Business and Leadership in Women’s Sports concentration pages for more information.