Vox Media’s Outsports Publishes Inaugural “Outsports Power 100” List Featuring the Most Influential LGTBQ Individuals in American Sports

SB Nation’s Outsports, the internet’s first community covering LGBTQ sports, released the “Outsports Power 100” list, a first of its kind editorial package that includes 100 of the most powerful, impactful LGBTQ athletes, coaches, executives, journalists, and more in the sports industry.

Released on the anniversary of the Stonewall gathering and timed to Pride Month, the “Power 100” features 10 exclusive interviews with influential sports figures. Honorees include soccer superstar Megan Rapinoe; WNBA stars Brittney Griner and Sue Bird; NFL player Carl Nassib; Olympian Adam Rippon; NBA Executive and Hall of Famer Rick Welts; and more. Curated by Outsports Co-founders Cyd Zeigler and Jim Buzinski as well as contributors, all major sports organizations are represented on the 2023 Outsports Power 100, including the NFL, NBA, WNBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, NWSL, NWHL, NCAA, UFC, plus pro tennis, golf, skiing-snowboarding, the Olympics, and auto racing.

Billie Jean King and her wife, Illana Kloss, top the list for being trailblazers in professional tennis while launching and leading some of the most groundbreaking organizations — including the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative dedicated to DEI+, the Women’s Sports Foundation focused on providing girls access to sports — and for being co-owners of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Angel City FC.

King notes in her exclusive interview with Outsports, “This is going to be so important to see so many people in so many jobs, and the most important thing is they are their authentic selves. You’ll help many people.”

“As we started discussing this project, we imagined the list would potentially highlight 40 or 50 out LGBTQ people with power and influence in sports,” Zeigler and Buzinski said in a joint statement. “That list quickly multiplied many times, and we could not believe how many out LGTBQ individuals have made such a difference in the sports world. While some of the most deserving couldn’t be included, it’s exciting and inspiring to know that the Power 100 will become an annual celebration of this community.”

The “Outsports Power 100” is out now with exclusive interviews running all week. For more, visit the “Power 100,” follow @Outsports on Twitter and Instagram and share with #Outsports100.

About Outsports

Founded in 1999, Outsports was the internet’s first community covering LGBTQ sports culture – championing the stories of legendary athletes, coaches, executives, and media personalities advancing queer inclusion in athletics. Outsports’ loyal community of fans continue to turn to us for inspiring stories, thought leadership, and award winning journalism.

About SB Nation:

SB Nation is a united group of nearly 200 different fan-favorite sports sites with one big thing in common: they’re loyal to their teams. Across every league, every sport, and every city, we provide coverage that’s for the loyal fan, by the loyal fan. From celebrations of games that broke curses to heartbreaks of unexpected final round losses, our contributors priority is always to honor the fans perspective.