When Marissa Cole searched for “women’s tackle football,” she had no idea her journey would lead her to become the first Black female owner of a nationally recognized sports league, the Women’s National Football Conference (WNFC). This professional league, which encompasses over 20 teams and includes 1,000 women and coaches across 17 states, is on a mission to elevate women’s sports.
Freshly graduated and newly settled in Texas, Marissa yearned to return to the game she loved in her youth, having been nudged toward basketball by well-meaning but misguided mentors. What began as a simple interest quickly transformed into a groundbreaking endeavor.
Marissa’s impressive accolades include being a Hall of Fame Running Back, a two-time National Champion, and a Gold Medalist with the USA Football Team. However, despite her remarkable achievements, many in the sports community remained unaware of her existence, largely due to the prevailing lack of visibility for women’s tackle football.
“I established the WNFC to provide a platform and a stable foundation to legitimize women’s tackle football,” Marissa explained in an interview. While women have been playing tackle football for over a century, there has never been a corporation dedicated to showcasing it on a global scale.
Marissa emphasizes the disparity in investment between male and female sports: “Hundreds of millions of dollars have been invested in male football leagues, yet when it comes to women, the idea of similar financial support is often dismissed.” She believes that the data used to argue against investing in women’s sports is fundamentally flawed, given the lack of substantial funding in women’s football to begin with.
Growing up, Marissa faced challenges from an early age. Even as a child in elementary school, she encountered resistance from boys who felt threatened by her presence on the field. By high school, she was forced to abandon the sport due to a lack of opportunities for girls, an experience that fueled her passion to create change.
In response to these challenges, Marissa founded a non-profit organization called “She’s Got This,” aimed at empowering women and girls in sports. The initiative has received an overwhelming number of requests from parents eager for their daughters to see that they can have a future in sports, including football.
Though the WNFC faced setbacks during the COVID-19 pandemic, the outlook for 2021 is promising. Extensive planning and collaboration with health professionals and government officials have paved the way for the season to kick off in May. Recently, the WNFC secured a global distribution deal with VYRE Network, making it easier for fans to access content around the clock.
Marissa expressed her excitement about the partnership, stating, “This collaboration addresses a crucial gap for fans of women’s tackle football. They will finally have a dedicated space to watch our content.” She also highlighted the importance of collaboration among Black business owners in creating meaningful change.
Marissa Cole’s achievements both on and off the field are nothing short of inspirational. Her commitment to uplifting women and girls in sports is evident in her words: “Our league exists to impact, empower, and inspire women and girls through sport. That’s our core mission.”
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Summary: Marissa Cole, a trailblazing woman CEO and Hall of Fame Running Back, is redefining professional football through her leadership of the Women’s National Football Conference (WNFC). With a mission to empower women and elevate the visibility of women’s tackle football, she is breaking barriers and inspiring future generations.