After taking steps to make the NFL more female-focused following a number of domestic abuse scandals, the league announced on Friday that it will host the first-ever NFL Women’s Summit on Feb. 4 and 5 in San Francisco, leading up to Super Bowl 50.
The event, titled “In the Huddle to Advance Women in Sport,” will bring together prominent leaders from sports, government, academia, media and entertainment, including Serena Williams, Robin Roberts, Condoleezza Rice and Dr. Jen Welter, the first female coach in the NFL (Buffalo Bills), according to a statement from the NFL to TheWrap.
Along with league Commissioner Roger Goodell, these powerful women will discuss how participation in sports positively influences the future success of young women both personally and professionally.
The NFL Women’s Summit aims to reinforce the power of sports in women’s lives and to encourage broad support — from both sexes — for girls’ athletic participation.
ESPN baseball analyst Jessica Mendoza, Equinox Fitness president Sarah Robb O’Hagan, first female NFL official Sarah Thomas, tennis legend Billie Jean King, pro-golfer Annika Sorenstam and “American Idol” alum Jordin Sparks will also be in attendance.
A live stream of the NFL Women’s Summit will be hosted by MAKERS.com, AOL’s women’s leadership destination that highlights the stories of groundbreaking women today.
Super Bowl 50, between the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers, kicks off at 3:30 p.m PT/6:30 p.m ET on Sunday, Feb. 7, from Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, and airs live on CBS.