129. Shoe Deals and Leadership Lessons from Legends with Beth Bass, CEO, Naismith Award Winner, Hall of Fame Inductee
“There is a special place in hell for women who don’t support other women” Madeleine Albright
As an award-winning sports industry pioneer and CEO, Beth Bass has successfully championed access and equity for athletes, coaches, and institutions throughout her nearly 40-year career.
Recognized for her lifetime of innovative contributions to the advancement of athletics, Bass received a 2020 Naismith award alongside Jim Nance and was inducted into the Woman’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019.
Bass was a 14-year CEO and 3-year Executive Director for the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA). She grew membership into an influential coaching community, developed impactful governance and compliance, and formed sustainable brand partnerships that remain central to the organization today.
Under Bass’ leadership, game-changing brand strategies created connections to the biggest brands in sports. In addition to adidas, Bass spent the first decade of her career leading national sports marketing campaigns for Nike and Converse, where she built campaigns that revolutionized the industry and empowered underrepresented athletes.
Bass continues to pursue her goal of infusing equitable opportunities and inclusivity across the athletic spectrum.
Top 4 Takeaways on this episode are seven one liners:
It’s like complaining about gravity. Some things you just can’t change so learn how to live with it or move on!
Be yourself because everyone else is taken.
Be secure enough to hire smarter people than you.
If you are not at the dinner table, you are the main entree.
Discipline yourself so that no one else has to.
Be confident enough to apply for anything.
Networking today is volunteering, make someone else look better.