SAM RAPOPORT
Transformational Keynote Speaker

Transformational Keynote Speaker

Sam Rapoport is an award-winning, trailblazing sports executive leading organizational transformation in the NFL. With over two decades of experience in football, Sam has revolutionized the game by catalyzing a movement in sports for women.

Sam has been recognized as one of People Magazine’s 25 Women Changing the World, Sports Illustrated’s Most Powerful Women in Sports, Fortune’s 40 Under 40, and the recipient of Sports Business Journal’s Game Changer Award. Her work has been featured on The TODAY Show, Pat McAfee Show, Good Morning America, and CNN Money.

In her powerful keynote, Sam shares actionable takeaways for how the NFL significantly expedited seemingly insurmountable progress to drive the change she wanted to see.

Keynote Topic

Breaking the Grass Ceiling: How the Face of the NFL Is Forever Changed

Sam provides the blueprint for how the NFL went from no women in coaching, scouting, and officiating positions to rapid progress and record numbers. In 2024, the NFL now has more women in coaching roles than any other male professional sports league in the world.

Sam provides 5 key “sticky” takeaways that an organization can use to create change in any space of the business. These strategies can be implemented to help any organization drive change.

The audience will:

Ignite their passion to identify opportunities, and create change
Learn how the NFL achieved progress in such a short timeline
Learn how to apply these principles in your organization
Leave the session feeling inspired – like you could run through a brick wall

Testimonials

Client Testimonials

Financial Industry

"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."

Technology

"I wanted to thank you for being such an integral part of providing our clients the opportunity to participate in such a fabulous event. You did not disappoint — our clients loved you!!! The results are in and although everyone scored in the 90 percentile, you my dear scored the highest! Hands down, we want to do more with you — your message just resonates with everyone."

Health Care

"Most inspiring speaker I’ve ever heard!!! I cannot thank you enough for the inspiration you’ve provided for work I’m involved in both at work and in my civic engagement. I may print out the entire transcript and read it again and again. At the very least, I’ll print out many quotes and hang them in front of my desk. I feel like so many of us are working in the same direction but you exquisitely laid it out in simple, memorable language so we can better coordinate our forward movement. Your presentation today has renewed my energy to be a fierce force for change, and to follow and share your 5-step playbook."

Meet Sam Rapoport

Sam Rapoport is an award-winning, trailblazing sports executive dedicated to breaking barriers and driving change in football. With over two decades of experience in the sport, Sam has revolutionized the game by catalyzing a movement in sports.

With a deep passion for the empowerment of women in the NFL, she has positioned the league as a true leader in this space across all industries by creating and implementing the NFL Women's Forum.

This groundbreaking program has paved the way for women in football, transforming the NFL from having no female coaches and very few scouts in 2017 to now having 15 full-time women coaches and women in scouting roles across all 32 teams. Her efforts have inspired similar programs in other professional sports leagues, including MLB, the CFL, and the USTA.

In addition to her impact on the field, Sam hosts the NFL’s acclaimed podcast, Earnin’ It: The NFL’s Forward Progress and is the co-author of "A Kids Book About Allyship".

Sam has been recognized as one of Sports Illustrated’s Most Powerful Women in Sports, Fortune’s 40 Under 40, and the recipient of Sports Business Journal’s Game Changer Award. She was also named one of People magazine’s 25 Women Changing the World, among many other prestigious honors. Her work has been featured on The TODAY Show, Pat McAfee Show, Good Morning America, and CNN Money.

Through her leadership, Sam is redefining the future of football and driving lasting transformation across the sport.