Val Ackerman Archive
Val Ackerman
Contributor, espnW.com- Commentary
Man Up: Val Ackerman chats with LA Galaxy coach Bruce Arena
In Val Ackerman's latest Man Up column, acclaimed men's soccer coach Bruce Arena talks about why he sees a great future for the women's game in the United States.
May 7 3:53 PM ET | By Val Ackerman
- Commentary
Man Up: Val Ackerman talks with sports TV consultant Neal Pilson
Sports TV consultant Neal Pilson dissects the evolution of women's sports on TV, the current state of network interest, where programming is headed and more.
Apr 20 8:18 PM ET | By Val Ackerman
- Commentary
Man Up: Val Ackerman talks with former NHL GM Brian Burke
Former NHL GM and current part-time scout Brian Burke talks with Val Ackerman about the rapid growth and quality of women's hockey and his no-tolerance stance on bigotry in sports.
Apr 3 12:29 PM ET | By Val Ackerman
- Commentary
Man Up: Val Ackerman talks with Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany
Jim Delany has led the Big Ten since 1989 and upped the conference's women's sports participation numbers. Val Ackerman picks his brain in her latest edition of Man Up.
Mar 4 2:00 PM ET | By Val Ackerman
- Commentary
Man Up: Val Ackerman talks with Warriors president Rick Welts
In the first edition of Man Up, Val Ackerman talks with Golden State Warriors president Rick Welts about the marketing and future of women's sports, and why its differences from men should be appreciated.
Jan 30 5:35 PM ET | By Val Ackerman
- Commentary
Man Up: Getting a male perspective on women's sports
In her new column for espnW.com, Val Ackerman will talk with prominent male executives to get their ideas about where women's sports are headed.
Jan 25 3:01 PM ET | By Val Ackerman
- Commentary
Ackerman: Where do women's sports go from here?
Recurring questions regarding women's sports are where do we go from here and what it will take to get there? Satisfying everyone involved will take time and a good game plan.
Oct 24 2:03 PM ET | By Val Ackerman
Ackerman: U.S. women's basketball team living the dream
On the 20th anniversary of the Dream Team, it's the U.S. women who have their sights set on a fifth straight basketball gold medal and 40 straight Olympic victories.
Jul 27 2:51 PM ET | By Val Ackerman
- Commentary
Val Ackerman: Assessing the costs of women's college sports
Val Ackerman says it is time to examine whether the NCAA sports programs that have evolved over the past four decades are doing the best possible job of preparing female student-athletes for the demands of life.
Feb 15 | By Val Ackerman
- Commentary
Surveying a significant year for women's sports
In 2011, the women's sports landscape welcomed new champions and new fans. The next challenge: ensuring the financial viability of women's sports enterprises.
Dec 30 | By Val Ackerman
- Commentary
Two high schools show how far girls' soccer has come
Former WNBA president Val Ackerman watched her daughter's team win a league title and gives her perspective on how much has changed since she went to school.
Dec 1 | By Val Ackerman
- Commentary
Kim Ng makes mark on 'sport side' of baseball
Success on the "sport side" of a major men's league is what distinguishes Kim Ng. Val Ackerman hopes Ng gets another shot to run an MLB team.
Oct 30 | By Val Ackerman
- Commentary
Four keys to advancing women's pro sports leagues
In Val Ackerman's view, the women's sports community needs to undertake an honest assessment of the business realities facing women's sports ventures.
Oct 13 | By Val Ackerman
Val Ackerman: 'I'll never forget that day'
On the 10th anniversary of that grim day, former WNBA president Val Ackerman shares her memories of being in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001.
Sep 11 | By Val Ackerman
She's got the look, but is that a good thing?
The cutting-edge fashion routinely on tennis players on and off the court is missing in women's team sports. Is that a good or bad thing?
Sep 2 | By Val Ackerman
After World Cup, still a long way to go
In the wake of a thrilling showcase, former WNBA president Val Ackerman notes the many challenges women's sports continue to face.
Jul 18 | By Val Ackerman
Fifteen years of the WNBA
Val Ackerman, the league's first president, reflects on the challenging inaugural season -- and on how much women's basketball has grown since then.
Jun 21 | By Val Ackerman
Is gender a factor when it comes to leadership?
No one questions a man's ability to coach either men or women. But Val Ackerman wonders what it would take for more women to assume leadership roles when it comes to coaching men.
Apr 26 | By Val Ackerman
Learning how to play the game
Although athletic performance is essential to sports celebrity, writes Val Ackerman, other factors are needed to attract the media buzz and average-fan-on-the-street interest that drives star power and its accompanying rewards.
Feb 8 | By Val Ackerman
Val Ackerman looks at future for women and sports
The relationship between women and sports appear closer than ever, but challenges still remain. Old stereotypes and barriers are mostly gone, but differences remain in the way American males and females participate in, consume and think about sports.
Dec 6 | By Val Ackerman
Columnists
Mechelle Voepel
- Voepel: Breaking down the WNBA's Connecticut Sun
(05/21/2013) - Voepel: Thibault, players ready to resurrect Mystics
(05/21/2013)
Michelle Smith
- Smith: Storm will have new look without Jackson, Bird
(05/20/2013) - Smith: Mercury have pieces in place to succeed
(05/15/2013)
Sarah Spain
- ESPN CHICAGO: Sarah Spain at Full Shilling
(01/01/2007) - TWSS: Realignment makes Wings-Hawks series special
(05/15/2013)
Jane McManus
- McManus: Firing highlights double standard
(05/10/2013) - McManus: Frances open doors in Azerbaijan
(05/03/2013)
Graham Hays
- Hays: Oregon a shifting power under coach White
(05/21/2013) - Hays: 5 questions heading into super regionals
(05/19/2013)
