First women's professional gymnastics league
and media platform creates opportunity for athletes post Olympics
and NCAA, activates pent-up fan demand
WILTON,
Conn., June 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As the first
women's professional gymnastics league, the Global Impact
Gymnastics Alliance (GIGA) envisions a future where "turning pro"
in gymnastics allows athletes to pursue revenue opportunities on
the field of play and sustain extended competitive careers well
beyond their late teens and college years.
The three founders, Maura Fox,
CEO, Aimee Boorman, Chief of
Athletes and Engagement, and LaPrise
Williams, Chief of Sports Strategy and Events, are committed
to using the power of live events, athlete storytelling and
fan-first content and experiences to reach new audiences and grow
the sport at a time when interest in women's sports is surging.
"Women's gymnastics has long been a dominating force during the
summer Olympics, capturing outsized media coverage and leading the
way on fan engagement," said Fox. "GIGA is here to break the 4-year
cycle so athletes can translate their talent and commitment into a
viable career path and fans can continue to enjoy the sport they
love."
Despite massive growth, women's sports continues to be an
untapped market, and ripe for investment. Rapidly rising women's
sport league valuations (WNBA, NWSL) and new media rights deals are
fueling revenue. Spectator attendance and TV viewership are
breaking records. Across all Olympic sports, gymnastics is the de
facto headliner, with NBC's Tokyo
primetime airing more hours of women's gymnastics than any other
sport – men's or women's. At the college level, women's NCAA
gymnastics generates 13 times more revenue than men's.
Yet following a college or Olympic career, there's been no way
for female gymnasts to earn a living. Name Image Likeness (NIL)
opens door to new expansion – the #1 NIL female athlete is an
LSU gymnast, who's also #3 of top 10
athletes overall – but without a professional path and platform,
NIL value isn't sustainable.
"It's been exciting to see the popularity and competitive level
of collegiate gymnastics rise. So many of these athletes are only
approaching peak performance in college and have the ability to
further advance. The passion and drive to continue in the sport
does not stop at the completion of eligibility," said KJ Kindler,
Head Coach, Gymnastics, at Oklahoma
University who, with her team, was recently named "National
Coaching Staff of the Year" by Women's College Gymnastics
Association (WCGA). "GIGA will provide a path to athletes who want
to extend their gymnastics careers well beyond the collegiate
level."
As a reflection of the sport's far-reaching popularity and deep
fan engagement, GIGA is also excited to announce a Netcapital
campaign, a fundraising effort that enables investors of every type
to empower athletes and inspire fans by backing the future of
gymnastics.
About GIGA
The Global Impact Gymnastics Alliance (GIGA) is the first
women's professional gymnastics league and media platform,
established to provide post-Olympic and NCAA athletes with
professional opportunities and to meet the growing demand from
fans. Co-founded by Maura Fox,
Aimee Boorman, and LaPrise Williams, GIGA merges a women's pro
league with an innovative multimedia platform to enhance athlete
visibility and fan engagement through live events, storytelling,
and unique experiences.
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SOURCE GIGA