How I Built This with Guy Raz How I Built Resilience: Lisa Baird of National Women's Soccer League
Mar 18, 2021
Lisa Baird, the Commissioner of the National Women's Soccer League, took the reins just as the COVID-19 pandemic halted sports. She shares how the league tackled financial uncertainties, created a medical task force, and launched a successful Challenge Cup tournament in a bubble. Baird emphasizes the need for equal coverage of women's sports and how viewership surged despite empty stadiums, igniting renewed interest. She also reflects on the historical significance of the 1999 Women's World Cup and the ongoing evolution of women's soccer.
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Sudden Shutdown
- Lisa Baird began as NWSL commissioner two days before the sports world shut down due to COVID-19.
- Despite the shock, she made the difficult but clear decision to suspend the league's operations.
Creating a Playbook
- Create your own playbook when facing unprecedented challenges.
- Lisa Baird formed various working groups to tackle different aspects of the league's return.
Securing Player Salaries
- The NWSL prioritized paying players even without revenue.
- Lisa Baird secured a PPP loan, navigating a complex process to ensure players received their salaries.