There’s never been more high-profile women in the world of sports, both on the court and behind the scenes, making the kind of deals previously unheard of for female athletes.
Whether it’s building a new league from scratch, elevating voices no one has heard before, or fighting for athletes’ post-competition careers, our Most Powerful Women in Sports 2026 honorees are blazing trails that simply didn’t exist before.
This year’s judges grappled with the evolving definition of power within sports. Our internal team looked at the influence being exercised by executives and players, as well as agents and creators using their talents to call attention to others.
The Most Powerful Women in Sports 2026 list features 35 honorees who significantly advanced their organizations and sports, leaving a blueprint for others to follow.
Chief Client Officer, Elevate
Cameron Wagner has spent the past five years building Elevate’s brand consulting and activation business from scratch. In 2024, that bet paid off with 120% growth over the prior year; in 2025, client retention sat above 90%. As chief client officer, Wagner has turned the vertical into one of Elevate’s most essential engines, securing new blue-chip clients while expanding services so brands can activate under one roof. She also helped bring Elevate’s Epic fan insights platform to life, giving teams and sponsors uncommon clarity on audiences. To do this, Wagner pairs data fluency with trust-based leadership, driving growth while changing who holds power inside sports agencies.
