Outsports has spent much of the last year compiling the Outsports Power 100. It represents our selections for the most powerful and influential out LGBTQ people in sports in the United States.
When we first set out to create this list, we had hoped to have 50 people to consider. Ultimately, about 250 people landed on our consider list, with executives, athletes and coaches from every professional sports league, in addition to out LGBTQ people across college sports and members of the sports media.
While the honorees for this inaugural Outsports Power 100 make up an impressive list, the fact that about 150 didn’t make the list is a testament to the growth of LGBTQ inclusion in sports.
Everyone’s list will be different, as people take different elements of power and influence into consideration. These are Outsports’ collective selections.
Get off the sidelines and into the game
Our weekly playbook is packed with everything from locker room chatter to pressing LGBTQ sports issues.
This is also a snapshot in time. The list would have been different a year ago, and it will be different in a year.
You can find the list in the links below, as well as features and interviews with honorees on the list including Billie Jean King and Ilana Kloss, Baltimore Orioles executive Greg Bader, San Francisco Chronicle sports editor Christina Kahrl, professional wrestling publicist Ross Forman, and many more.
The Outsports Power 100 was compiled and written by Outsports editors and contributors Jim Buzinski, Cyd Zeigler, Brian Bell, Alex Reimer, Ken Schultz, Karleigh Webb and Shelby Weldon. Staff and contributors for Vox Media and Outsports were not considered for the list.
We hope you take pride in this impressive presence of out LGBTQ people in American sports.
Outsports Power 100 honors the most powerful and influential LGBTQ people in sports
By Jim BuzinskiStarting from a list of 250 out LGBTQ people in sports, Outsports has chosen those with the most influence. Their diversity, talent and impact are impressive.
Top 10: Outsports Power 100, the most influential LGBTQ people in sports
By Outsports“I’m just trying to make it not as tough for the next generation,” says a basketball superstar on this list, along with executives with a Major League Baseball team and CBS, an NFL player and soccer legends.
Honorees 11-20: Outsports Power 100, the most influential LGBTQ people in sports
By Outsports“If we don’t fight for our community and ourselves, who will?” says a U.S. women’s soccer star on this list, along with an NBA executive, an Olympian and two WNBA head coaches.
Honorees 21-30: Outsports Power 100, the most influential LGBTQ people in sports
By Outsports“Sports has notoriously and publicly suffered from a lack of LGBTQ+ representation,” says an NBA exec on this list, along with people from MLB, ESPN and the NFL.
Honorees 31-40: Outsports Power 100, the most influential LGBTQ people in sports
By Outsports“I look the impact of integrating LGBTQ narratives into sports as my impact,” says a sports editor on this list, along with two former Olympians and people from the NBA, MMA, and a college sports.
Honorees 41-50: Outsports Power 100, the most influential LGBTQ people in sports
By Outsports“For the gay and lesbian community, there is more acceptance than even five years ago,” says a CBS Sports exec, on this list with a trans athlete and activist, a sports columnist and pro wrestler.
Honorees 51-60: Outsports Power 100, the most influential LGBTQ people in sports
By Outsports“When you do come into your workspace, you don’t want to feel hindered or like you’ve got to hide yourself,” says a WNBA star on the list, along with people from the NBA, UFC and wheelchair basketball.
Honorees 61-70: Outsports Power 100, the most influential LGBTQ people in sports
By OutsportsA former NFL player who appeared in the Super Bowl is on this list, along with people from NBC, the Washington Post, MLS and WNBA.
Honorees 71-80: Outsports Power 100, the most influential LGBTQ people in sports
By Outsports“Since I have been completely out, I feel like I am on a victory tour with every conversation I have,” says a pro soccer exec on this list with people from the WNBA, NBC, CBS, ESPN and U.S. Ski and Snowboard.
Honorees 81-90: Outsports Power 100, the most influential LGBTQ people in sports
By Outsports“You must allow no one to make you feel ashamed of who you are,” says a pro referee on this list with an Olympian, a former NFL player and a high school basketball coach.
Honorees 91-100: Outsports Power 100, the most influential LGBTQ people in sports
By Outsports“Pride to me is authenticity. It’s honesty,” says an NFL executive, on this list with people from the NHL, PGA, WNBA and two Olympians.
Billie Jean King and Ilana Kloss are the most powerful out LGBTQ people in sports
By Cyd ZeiglerKloss and King earned the Outsports Power 100 top ranking for 2023 through their love, advocacy and business relationships.
How the NBA and WNBA created sports’ premier culture of inclusion
By Cyd ZeiglerThe WNBA is the most represented league on the Outsports Power 100. The NBA has the most men’s sports execs.
Joe Altenau has had an impact in the NHL and is now an out exec with New York Road Runners
By Cyd ZeiglerAltenau is an Outsports Power 100 honoree for his work in the NHL and now in road racing.
Ross Forman is a trailblazing out gay voice in professional wrestling
By Brian C. BellForman has worked behind the scenes to advance LGBTQ inclusion and is an Outsports Power 100 honoree.
Hall of Fame player Natalie Williams has found fast success as an out WNBA exec
By Cyd ZeiglerWith a wife, six kids and success with the Las Vegas Aces, Williams is an Outsports Power 100 honoree.
Baltimore Orioles executive Greg Bader remembers joy of team’s first Pride Night
By Ken Schultz“It was kind of surreal for me to see other Orioles fans walking around with rainbow O’s caps,” Baltimore’s senior vice president, and Outsports Power 100 honoree, said.
NFL executive Christine Vicari has a seat at league’s power table
By Alex ReimerThe NFL’s senior vice president of labor finance has a job that touches every aspect of the league. She’s an Outsports Power 100 honoree.
EFFY is changing the game for LGBTQ pro wrestlers
By Brian C. BellThe gay pro wrestler has built a platform to elevate other LGBTQ wrestlers. He’s an Outsports Power 100 honoree.
Lya Vallat sets a tone at NFL Network as an out and confident producer
By Karleigh WebbThe senior producer shows building inclusion on the team pays dividends. She is an Outsports Power 100 honoree.
Christina Kahrl’s mission continues as major-market sports editor who is trans
By Karleigh WebbThe pioneering trans sports journalist is an Outsports Power 100 honoree for her trailblazing media work.
Roscoe Mapps leads by example for the San Francisco Giants
By Ken SchultzGiants executive came into the job as an out man and is an Outsports Power 100 honoree.
