Tennis great Billie Jean King and “Good Morning America’s” Robin Roberts Discuss 45th Anniversary of Title IX
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) hosted the Diversity in Sports Consortium (DISC) Symposium during the 2017 U.S. Open in New York this past August, highlighting the 45th anniversary of the Title IX Statute of the Education Amendment of 1972.
The goal of the conference was to shed light on the business impact of diversity and inclusion initiatives in the sports industry. Tennis great and diversity champion Billie Jean King and “Good Morning America” co-anchor Robin Roberts participated in a panel discussion hosted by former professional tennis player and current USTA Board Chairman, CEO and President Katrina Adams.
“I was delighted and honored to lead the panel on Title IX and share the stage with two of the most iconic women in sports and broadcasting,” said Adams. “This year’s attendees heard an in-depth discussion on the impact of the amendment and how it helped to foster a path that led to opportunities for women to play any sport they choose without fear of discrimination. I wouldn’t have achieved the heights I accomplished on the court, or in my current role in leading USTA, without Title IX.”
DISC was established in 2012 as a partnership among diversity and inclusion practitioners from the largest sports organizations in the United States. This year’s conference theme, “Dispelling the Myths: Diversity in Sports is a Winning Strategy,” was presented by the members of DISC (ESPN, MiLB, MLB, MLS, NASCAR, NBA, NCAA, NFL, NHL, PGA of America, PGA Tour, RISE, USOC, USTA and You Can Play) and highlights best practice diversity and inclusion practices in the sports industry.
