Laurel Ritchie is the only African-American, female or male, to head one of America’s professional sports leagues. Ritchie is President of the WNBA, a position she’s held since 2011. Ritchie was in Indianapolis to speak at the Indianapolis Urban League’s annual Equal Opportunity Luncheon. In an exclusive Afternoons with Amos interview, Ritchie talked about her career and more importantly about the WNBA and the popularity of women’s basketball and how its helped the WNBA. Laurel Richie has worked over 30 years in consumer marketing, corporate branding, public relations, and corporate management. During her three years as President of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), she’s been responsible for setting the league’s vision, overseeing the league’s day-to-day business and basketball operations. During her tenure, ESPN’s extended their broadcast partnership through 2022, and the league reached a new collective bargaining agreement with the players and their union. Before joining the WNBA, Laurel Ritchie was Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Girl Scouts of the USA. Before that she worked over twenty years for the Ogilvy & Mather ad agency working with clients ranging from American Express, Pepperidge Farm, Pond’s, and Huggies. A graduate of Dartmouth College, Ritchie serves on Dartmouth’s Board of Trustees. She’s been honored by Ebony Magazine’s Power 100 List and Black Enterprise named her one the Most Influential African Americans in Sports. Click the Media Player to Hear Amos’ Interview with A Significant Role Model in Sports, WNBA President Laurel Ritchie. Runs 9 Minutes. ©2014 WTLC/Radio One.
