Women's Sports Foundation Gears Up for 2025 Gala Celebrating Athletes and Leadership in Sports

Celebrating Women in Sports: WSF's 2025 Annual Salute

The Women's Sports Foundation (WSF) is set to host its Annual Salute to Women in Sports® Gala on October 22, 2025, at the prestigious Cipriani Wall Street in New York City. This much-anticipated event will bring together over 700 distinguished athletes, industry leaders, and sports enthusiasts to commemorate the collective strides made in women’s sports over more than five decades. This year’s gala promises to not only recognize outstanding individuals but also to highlight the Foundation’s relentless commitment to fostering systemic change within the realm of women’s athletics.

The night, a long-standing tribute to the accomplishments of women athletes and advocates in sports, will feature prominent figures such as Michele Kang, Herbert Simon, Alysia Montaño, and Diana Flores, who will each receive accolades for their exceptional contributions to the sports landscape.

Michele Kang, founder of Kynisca, a pioneering organization aimed at professionalizing women’s soccer, will be honored with the Billie Jean King Leadership Award. Kang's vision and determination have broken new ground for women in sports, making a significant impact across soccer and rugby.

Herbert Simon, the owner of Pacers Sports and Entertainment, will accept the Champion for Equality Award for his dedication to advancing women’s basketball and gender equality in sports. His efforts in bringing the Indiana Fever to the WNBA are celebrated as part of his extensive civic contributions to the Indiana community.

Olympic bronze medalist Alysia Montaño, known not only for her athletic achievements but also for her advocacy work through the non-profit For All Mothers+, will receive the Wilma Rudolph Courage Award. This recognition underscores her fight for maternal rights in athletics, highlighting her historic participation in track events during pregnancy.

Diana Flores, captain of Mexico's National Flag Football Team, will receive the inaugural Re-Writing the Game Award for her role in raising the profile of flag football internationally. Flores’s leadership and recent victories, including exciting competitions against the U.S., have been pivotal in reshaping perceptions of women in sports.

Aside from the individual awards, WSF will also spotlight media and brand partnerships that promote diversity and culture within sports. The new Sports Culture Spotlight will honor TOGETHXR, an organization co-founded by elite athletes, for shaping narratives around women in sports, lifestyle, and advocacy. Meanwhile, the Community Spotlight will recognize the Turnstone Center for its commitment to supporting athletes with disabilities.

Throughout its 50+ year history, the Women’s Sports Foundation has championed key initiatives such as Title IX and has been an unwavering advocate for the rights and opportunities for female athletes at all levels. The Annual Salute serves not only as a celebratory event but as a reminder of the ongoing fight for equity in sports.

As Billie Jean King, WSF founder and a longstanding champion of equality in sports, states, “Continued progress in women's sports requires all of us.” Ensuring that every girl and woman has equal opportunities to play, compete, and lead is vital for fostering a future where women can thrive.

In conclusion, the WSF’s 2025 Annual Salute will illuminate the path forward for women in sports, showcasing collective efforts and individual achievements that inspire a new generation of female leaders and athletes. By fostering a culture of inclusivity and empowerment, the Women's Sports Foundation continues to drive change and ensure that the impact of women in sports is felt globally.

Join in celebrating these trailblazers and the bright future they are shaping for women in sports.