Indiana Sports Corp Launches Women’s Sports Leadership Initiative

The Indiana Sports Corp is launching a nine-month leadership experience for women executives in the sports industry called W.E. Are Next ahead of a massive year of collegiate events in Indianapolis.

While Indiana Sports Corp will drive the vision, this experience is fueled by a coalition of leaders from ISC, WISE Indianapolis, Horizon League, NCAA, WNBA All-Star 2025 Host Committee, Bloombase and other national organizations and sports leaders.

The program will be grounded in neuroscience, organizational psychology and real-world revenue pressure. There will be executive coaching and post-graduation projects tie alumni to future Final Fours and marquee events to continue leader development long after graduation. In 2026, Indianapolis host the NCAA Division I, II and III Men’s Final Fours plus the NIT title game followed by the women in 2028, when the Division I, II, and III champions will come to town to be crowned.

“W.E. Are Next isn’t hype—it’s infrastructure for the next 50 years of sports leadership,” said Sarah Myer, Indiana Sports Corp chief of staff and strategy. “Our vision at Indy Sports Corp is bold and we need bold leaders to fuel that vision.”

The W.E. ARE NEXT experience will be held in Indianapolis beginning September 2025, with sessions continuing through end of April 2026. Applications open July 10 and close August 14.

“Indianapolis has a long history of crowning champions,” said Julie Roe Lach, Indiana Sports Corp chair and Horizon League commissioner. “Now we’re creating them—starting with the leaders orchestrating the world’s biggest sporting moments.”

Named for NCAA Vice President of Men’s Basketball JoAn Scott, the first 20-woman cohort kicks off August 2025 and graduates in April, culminating with the 2026 Men’s Final Four. Over the next five years, the program aims to build an alumni network of 100 women executives, connected to drive success in the organizations they lead.