Jessi Miley-Dyer has been appointed as the new commissioner of the World Surf League (WSL). She is the first woman to hold this position in the league’s history. As a former professional surfer, Miley-Dyer made the announcement during the “Winning: Women & Sports” event hosted by Sportico and SheMedia. She previously served as the chief of sport for the WSL and will now be at the helm of the league, aiming to continue pushing boundaries for gender equity.
Miley-Dyer emphasized the importance of equal prize money in sports and mentioned that the WSL was the first North American sports league to offer equal prize money. She highlighted this achievement, especially as a former professional athlete herself, and hopes to further progress made in promoting gender parity within sports.
Referring to recent investments in women’s sports, Miley-Dyer emphasized that women’s sports are not a charity but a viable business proposition. She urged stakeholders not to view women’s sports as a charity case but as a valuable investment opportunity. This sentiment was echoed by Ryan Crosby, who recently took over as CEO of the league after Erik Logan left last summer. The WSL is undergoing transition with new leadership at its helm and renewed efforts to promote gender equity and creative media strategies.
The recent changes in Miley-Dyer’s title on social media had sparked rumors about her future role in the WSL. However, with her appointment as commissioner, those rumors have been put to rest. Miley-Dyer hails from Sydney, Australia, and is committed to promoting creative storytelling and engaging content through ESPN’s new media rights deal.
Overall, Jessi Miley-Dyer’s appointment marks an important milestone for gender equity in sports and serves as an inspiration for young girls everywhere who aspire to break barriers and make their mark on history.
