SAM RAPOPORT

Keynote Speaker Breaking Barriers in the NFL and Beyond

■ 22 Years in NFL Leadership

■ Elevated Over 37 Women to NFL Coaching Positions

■ Named One of People Magazine's 25 Women Changing the World

■ 10-Time Award-Winning Global Keynote Speaker

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Sam In Action

Sam Rapoport, keynote speaker and NFL executive, smiling in a professional setting

Sam Rapoport speaking on stage at an event

About Sam Rapoport

Sam Rapoport is a globally recognized, 10-time award-winning sports executive and one of the most influential voices in professional football today. As a pioneering force behind the NFL’s gender equity movement, she has redefined what’s possible in a legacy sport—transforming the league’s culture and opening doors for women across the globe.

With over 20 years at the intersection of football and innovation, Sam has become a household name in the industry. She has been honored by People Magazine as one of the “25 Women Changing the World,” named to Fortune’s 40 Under 40, and listed among Sports Illustrated’s Most Powerful Women in Sports. A recipient of the Sports Business Journal Game Changer Award, Sam's impact has been spotlighted by The TODAY Show, Good Morning America, CNN Money, and The Pat McAfee Show.

Her keynote speeches—equal parts fire and framework—reveal how the NFL turned intention into action to accelerate real change. Bold, dynamic, and deeply personal, Sam delivers tangible strategies for disrupting systems, shifting culture, and building inclusive teams that win.

A former elite tackle and flag football quarterback, Sam is also a proud LGBTQ+ trailblazer, living just outside New York City with her wife and two children.

Awards and Honors

2009 & 2019 -NFL Commissioner's Award Winner
2017 - People Magazine's 25 Women Changing the World
2018 - Outsports' Hero of the Year
2019 - Fortune Magazine's 40-Under-40
2020 - Sports Illustrated's Most Powerful, Most Influential and Most Outstanding Women in Sports and The Athletic's 40-Under 40
2022- LinkedIn's Top Voices in Sports
2023 - Sports Business Journal Game Changer Award
2024 - Adweek's Champion of Change

Sam Rapoport receiving NFL Commissioner’s Award on stage

Clients Inspired by Sam's Playbook

What Clients Say About Sam

"Sam. You were awesome today. In my 30 plus years in the industry, I have heard a lot of leaders come and speak to us in many forums, and I can hands down say you had by far the most impactful discussion with all of us. I truly appreciate your comments, thoughts, and leadership. As a father of four daughters, I continue to wonder how best to support them and see that they are afforded all of life’s opportunities. I’m hopeful my team will share a replay of your discussion so that I can share it with them. Wishing you all the best as you continue to achieve your goals and aspirations."

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Financial Industry

What We Offer

Dynamic Keynote Speaker

Sam is a dynamic, pragmatic and genuine keynote speaker. Her speeches are filled with stories and actionable takeaways that help organizations drive change quickly.

Women in NFL roles holding football and speaking at event

Change Management Consultant

In addition to her work with the NFL, Sam is consulting with the USTA and USA Football to help these organizations create lasting transformation through her 22+ years experience driving change in legacy organizations.

Keynote Topic

"From Tradition to Disruption: Shattering the NFL's Grass Ceiling"

Sam Rapoport is a powerhouse in professional football—part visionary, part disruptor, and 100% game-changer. A 10-time award-winning executive and one of the most electrifying voices in sports today, she’s not just breaking barriers—she’s bulldozing them.

Sam Rapoport delivers the ultimate playbook for disruption—straight from the heart of the NFL.

She doesn’t just talk about change—she built it, transforming the league from having zero women in coaching, scouting, or officiating roles to leading the world in gender progress across male pro sports. As of 2025, the NFL now boasts more women in coaching than any other men’s league on the planet—an achievement so impactful, it’s been adopted as a model by leagues globally.

In this high-energy, story-driven session, Sam shares 5 battlefield-tested strategies that any organization—across any industry—can use to drive real, measurable change. These are not just theories. They’re proven frameworks that helped shift one of the most tradition-bound institutions in sports, fast.

The audience will:

✔ Be fired up to identify opportunities and take action
✔ Learn how the NFL moved the needle—fast—and how to replicate it
✔ Discover what real inclusion looks like behind the scenes
✔ Walk away inspired and unstoppable—like they could run through a brick wall
✔ Connect to the stories, regardless of industry or ideology

This isn’t your typical keynote. It’s a frontline report from one of the most powerful culture shifts in sports—and a blueprint for how your organization can be next.