Ten leaders in social progress recognized in list created in collaboration with Sports Innovation Lab
NEW YORK – Front Office Sports (FOS), the leading multi-platform media and news organization covering the business of sports, today announced the 10 recipients of the 2024 Most Impactful Award. Created in Collaboration with Sports Innovation Lab, this recognition celebrates the teams, leagues, brands, and agencies that go beyond business success, leveraging their platforms to drive meaningful change in communities, the sports industry, and society at large.
The honorees redefine the role of sports by combining bold commitments with measurable outcomes. From promoting diversity and inclusion to advancing sustainability and supporting community development, the honorees exemplify how sports can be a catalyst for progress.
“Today’s most impactful sports organizations aren’t just thriving in their respective industries – they are leveraging their influence to drive lasting societal change,” said Adam White, CEO and Founder of Front Office Sports. “This year’s honorees stand out for their dedication to creating initiatives and partnerships that prioritize equity, innovation, and sustainability. Together, they are setting new benchmarks for how sports can lead the way in social progress.”
Eligible organizations across professional, collegiate, and youth sports were invited to participate by submitting detailed responses to a comprehensive questionnaire. The six core categories evaluated and scored were industry impact and innovation, diversity, equity and inclusion programming, community outreach and development, non-profit partnerships and support, sustainability initiatives and lastly, operational and measurement infrastructure. The final selections reflect organizations shaping the future of sports through innovation and meaningful community-driven outcomes.
“Sports have the power to inspire action and shape a better future, and this year’s Most Impactful Award recipients embody that mission,” said Josh Walker, CEO and Co-Founder of Sports Innovation Lab. “Through innovation, inclusivity, and an unwavering commitment to their communities, these organizations are setting the gold standard for how sports can fuel change.”
This year’s recipients of the 2024 Most Impactful Award are:
- World Surf League
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- Earned recognition for its innovation “Speak Up for the Ocean” campaign, amplifying ocean conservation heroes while engaging fans in sustainable actions. Its WSL One Ocean initiative combines operational sustainability, grassroots grants, and partnerships to drive environmental and social impact globally.
- BSE Global
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- Honored for its community-first initiatives, including the Brooklyn Basketball program, which reached approximately 60,000 students, and the Supplier Diversity Program, which supports minority- and women-owned businesses. Their efforts reflect a hyperlocal approach to equity, sustainability, and community development in Brooklyn.
- LIV Golf
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- Stood out with its “Potential, Unleashed” strategy, positively impacting 180,000 disadvantaged youth through global educational initiatives. Its Impact Leaderboard incentivized teams to contribute to sustainability and youth development, setting a new standard for social change in sports.
- San Francisco 49ers
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- Celebrated for their “49ers Cares” program, committing $250,000 annually to local causes and achieving milestones like $11 million invested in STEAM education and $2 million directed for youth and senior programs. Their focus on youth, wellness, and community empowerment exemplifies the transformative power of strategic local investment.
- National Hockey League
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- Gained recognition for its inclusivity-focused programs, including the “NHL in ASL” telecast, the All-Star Pride Cup in Toronto, and its newly implemented Fan Code of Conduct initiative. With $180 million invested in breaking barriers to participation, the league is leading inclusivity in sports.
- New York Jets
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- Honored for advancing gender equity through Girls Flag Football programs that reached 3,000 participants and achieved championship recognition in New York and New Jersey. Their EmpowerHer docuseries and media day initiatives, which saw more than 60 schools participate, amplified visibility for female athletes.
- Athletes Unlimited
- Redefined professional sports by empowering athletes as equity partners and donating over $2 million to more than 200 nonprofits through its Athlete Causes program. Its inclusive, athlete-driven governance sets a precedent for equity in sports leagues.
- Stack Sports
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- Excelled in expanding youth sports access through its Skyhawks Rise program, which provided free clinics to over 1,500 children. Other initiatives like the GOALS Council and the Community Ball Box program further demonstrate its ongoing commitment to creating equitable opportunities in youth sports.
- Detroit Pistons
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- Recognized for urban revitalization efforts, including a $3 billion health-focused partnership and criminal justice reform initiatives. Their investments in public amenities and voter engagement highlight their role as a community catalyst.
- VOICEINSPORT Foundation
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- Earned distinction for empowering young advocates to drive gender equity in sports through Title IX education and the Fair Play for Women Act. Its advocacy and grassroots programs create systemic change for girls and women in athletics, growing to more than 150 members and 50 chapters in the past three years.
Launched at the start of 2024, the multiple data-driven award franchises are a joint partnership between Front Office Sports (FOS) and Sports Innovation Lab. Through proprietary methodology designed by Sports Innovation Lab, the award franchises will take an innovative approach to recognizing organizations and businesses that are redefining excellence across multiple key areas of the business of sports, including: Venues, Sustainability, College Athletics, and Impact. Sports Innovation Lab’s methodology utilizes in-depth research methods and data analysis – including proprietary transactional datasets and social listening tools, among others – to establish criteria for each award franchise.
For detailed information on each of the winners, visit https://frontofficesports.com/award-winners/most-impactful-2024-winners/.
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About Front Office Sports
Front Office Sports is the leading multi-platform media and news organization covering the business of sports, boasting an audience that every month delivers more than 175 million social impressions, 35 million newsletter opens, 10 million video views, and two million page views. In addition, with over 15 distribution partners, FOS content appears on screens in more than 50,000 buildings and venues across North America. Front Office Sports was named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies in 2021, AdWeek’s Hottest in Sports in 2022, and listed on Inc. 5000 in 2023, recognizing the fastest-growing private companies in America.
About Sports Innovation Lab
Sports Innovation Lab is an Insight, Data, and Analytics company that enables brands and sports properties to build more effective sponsorships, improve targeted advertising, and enhance fan experiences. Known for its pioneering research on fan behavior and the commercialization of the women’s sports market, Sports Innovation Lab’s flagship Sports Data Cloud offering built on proprietary observational, transactional, and deterministic fan data is evolving how organizations use data to understand their customers and acquire more of them – starting with sports & entertainment. Learn how global brands including the NFL, Nike, NHL, Ally Financial, WNBA, and NASCAR use Sports Innovation Lab’s data, audiences, and strategic advisory to drive revenue by visiting sportsilab.com or following on LinkedIn, Instagram, and X.