Just Women's Sports
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Media, Sports |
| Founded | January 2020 |
| Founder | Haley Rosen |
| Headquarters | United States |
Area served | United States |
Key people | Haley Rosen (Founder) |
| Products | Digital content, podcasts, social media coverage focused on women's sports |
Just Women's Sports (abbreviated as JWS) is a U.S.-based media organization and news platform dedicated exclusively to women's sports. Established in 2020 by former professional soccer athlete Haley Rosen, the company delivers content across digital, social, and audio channels. Its podcast lineup features prominent athletes such as Kelley O'Hara, Sam Mewis, Lynn Williams, A'ja Wilson, and Napheesa Collier.
History
Haley Rosen (born June 1, 1993), who played collegiate soccer for the Stanford Cardinal and had a brief professional career, founded Just Women's Sports in January 2020. She launched the venture to combat the stark underexposure of women’s sports in traditional media, which comprises roughly four percent of total sports coverage. Initially, JWS concentrated on producing material through its website, newsletters, and social media channels. In May 2020, the company received a grant from Adidas aimed at supporting female entrepreneurs in the sports industry.
Kelley O'Hara, a two-time winner of the World Cup with the USWNT, first contributed as an advisor before becoming the host of JWS’s premier podcast, eventually named The Players' Pod. Debuting on July 21, 2020, this podcast features O’Hara conducting interviews with elite female athletes about their professional journeys and personal experiences; its inaugural episode showcased USWNT teammate Alex Morgan.
In May 2021, JWS closed a seed funding round backed by venture capitalists and athlete investors including O’Hara, Elena Delle Donne, Hilary Knight, Sam Mewis, and Arike Ogunbowale. A follow-up financing round in 2022 was led by Joe Tsai, resulting in additional capital infusion.
Rosen earned recognition on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in November 2021. The following year, she presented a TEDx talk entitled "The problem with women's sports," where she analyzed how internal stakeholders have impeded progress through ineffective marketing strategies targeting athletes and teams.
By 2023, JWS reported an audience exceeding 75 million users and amassed over 250 million social media impressions during the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.
Content
Just Women's Sports creates a variety of podcasts and web series complemented by daily coverage on social media and its website.
- Kelley on the Street (2022–present)
- YouTube series hosted by Kelley O'Hara featuring street interviews centered on women's soccer.
- Just Women's Sports (2020–2022)
- Podcast led by Kelley O'Hara that includes interviews spanning multiple sports disciplines.
- Tea with A & Phee (2020–2021)
- Podcast hosted by basketball players A'ja Wilson and Napheesa Collier focusing on basketball athletes.
- Snacks (2021–2023)
- Podcast featuring soccer players Sam Mewis and Lynn Williams interviewing members of the USWNT, NWSL, and international soccer community.
- The Soccer Show (2021)
- YouTube program hosted by soccer player Haley Kopmeyer alongside coach David Copeland-Smith, presenting player interviews.
- Off the Ball (2021–2022)
- YouTube series hosted by soccer player Ali Riley providing behind-the-scenes perspectives on the NWSL.
- The Players' Pod (2022)
- Podcast hosted by Kelley O'Hara featuring conversations with athletes from various sports.
- NetLife (2022)
- Podcast led by basketball coach Dawn Staley highlighting players, coaches, and key industry figures.
- The 91st (2023)
- Podcast co-hosted by soccer player Midge Purce and journalist Katie Nolan, concentrating on coverage of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.