Welcome to the BSP monthly newsletter! We hope you find it informative and helps you stay connected to your fellow Black sports professionals across the country.

Deandra Duggans was named Vice President, Chief Business Officer of NWSL Atlanta 2028, overseeing the day-to-day business strategy for the club, including marketing, sales, sponsorship, digital and community functions. She previously served as Chief Marketing Officer for the Las Vegas Aces.

Bryan Blair was appointed Syracuse University's Director of Athletics in March. He was most recently the Vice President and Director of Athletics at the University of Toledo since 2022. Blair was also a mentor for the inaugural class of the Sports Business Executive Accelerator.

RaShauna Hamilton was named to the Washington Business Journal's 40 Under 40 Class of 2026. She is the the Vice President of Fan Growth & Community for the Washington Spirit. Prior to the Spirit, Hamilton was with the Miami Dolphins.

The national COVID-19 pandemic severely diminishes the sports industry, with BSP members impacted with layoffs and furloughs. The mandate to remain indoors creates an opportunity for past leaders to start hosting weekly, virtual happy hours for what becomes increasingly larger groups of members and contacts.

The summer of 2020 leads to a convergence of pain from the pandemic and need for greater social justice. The weekly gatherings on Zoom lead to the development of a series of national webinars on coping with the nation’s struggles.

On the last day of the year, BSP National submits its application for 501(c)6 non-profit status and is awarded it in the spring of 2021.

BSP Philadelphia is joining the NBMBAA Philadelphia Chapter in hosting, "Beyond the Hustle: The Business of Sports & Media," a lead up event to the 2026 HBCU Swingman Classic at Citizens Bank Park during July's MLB All-Star Weekend. Join both chapters for this engaging conversation from a stacked panel within the sports & media industry: Register here

NORTH TEXAS

BSP North Texas hosted its third BSPNTX Summit in April at Southern Methodist University in the James M. Collins Executive Education Center. The event drew nearly 90 attendees, ranging from students to seasoned professionals, who enjoyed a day of high-level professional development steeped in the chapter's three pillars: CONNECT. EMPOWER. ADVANCE.

COLUMBUS

BSP Columbus Vice President and US Soccer Senior Director of Soccer Growth Strategy Cassandra Sistrunk (first photo, pictured left) on moderated the "IgniteHER" brand launch with Columbus Women's Commission Executive Director Shannon Ginther, Columbus Crew President of Business Operations Mary Shepro, and US Soccer COO Dan Helfrich prior to the SheBelieves Cup match between the U.S. Women's National Team and Canada. Pictured (R to L, second photo): BSP National President Bruce Wimbish, Sistrunk, BSP Columbus Community Relations Committee Co-Chair and Nationwide Sports Marketing Specialist Monterae Carter.

BSP and TeamWork Online, the #1 way to find jobs in the sports and entertainment industry, launched a strategic partnership after years of grassroots collaboration.

TeamWork Online increased its support to BSP and its members nationally for greater access to employers and career opportunities, tools for members to better position their profiles, and candidacies and network. Active BSP members will receive access to the TeamWorkU program, which focuses professionals getting hired faster and includes weekly career development newsletters and a profile analyzer. This includes weekly career development newsletters, a profile analyzer and discounts to both TeamWork events and to upgrading to MVP Access.

The MVP Access activation fee will be waived if one wants to upgrade a standard account to MVP Access on the platform. Read more on this partnership