KANSAS CITY, Mo. — When current Kansas City president Raven Jemison says she started her sports executive career in an entry-level position, she means it.
“Think about the bottom line of $7.25 an hour selling hockey tickets to people who have never seen an Alabama hockey game,” Jemison said.
In 2006, Jemison took a job in inside sales selling Florida Panthers tickets to hockey fans in the Miami area.
Ms. Jemison worked her way up the ladder to become a customer service manager, “before I hit the ceiling a little bit from a growth standpoint,” she said.
From there, her journey took her to other major sports leagues in North America for 18 years until Jemison was hired to lead the Currents into a new era with the opening of CPKC Stadium.
“I saw this as an opportunity,” Jemison said. “I don't really like the word challenge, because I think challenges are seen negatively. Opportunities are about, 'Okay, what can I learn about myself today? How can I make myself and my team better?' Can I put in the effort to do that?’ It’s seen as a way to stretch yourself. However, the rapid rise of women's sports is undeniable. ”
And Ms. Jemison brings a wealth of experience to her new job, which she officially started last month.
Courtesy of Raven Jemison/Kansas City Current
After leaving Miami, Jemison served as Manager of Season Ticket Services and Retention with the Pittsburgh Pirates, then Director of Group Sales and Services for four years.
She helped open Levi's Stadium for the San Francisco 49ers for more than a year as Director of Member Services, then moved across the country to work in the NBA league office.
Jemison spent the next six years in various executive roles in the NBA, eventually rising to become the league's vice president of team marketing and business operations, and then spent three years as executive vice president of business operations for the Milwaukee Bucks.
“They were all my favorites,” Jemison said. “I know, it's a bit of a way to get out of there. But they've all been my favorites, in part because of where I am in my career and where I am personally.”
A vision that you want to be a part of
Jemison didn't know current co-owners Chris and Angie Long, but he came to admire them from afar while reading about the NWSL club's plans in the trade press.
When Current reached out, Jemison was intrigued.
“Every week there was something about what was going on here in Kansas City, and Angie and Chris were on the front lines,” she said. “They were talking about their vision, and even though I didn't know them personally, I knew what their vision was. Thanks to that, I responded to the call and learned a little bit more. It has become easier.”
One phone call with Angie Long was enough to convince Jemison to join Current, which opens the world's first stadium dedicated to women's professional sports on Saturday.
“I just had one conversation with Angie and I was like, 'What?' How do I sign up? What do I need to do? Tell me. If I could wipe out a stadium, I would. Yes, because the vision is very clear,” Jemison said. “That’s something you want to be a part of.”
Courtesy of Kansas City Current
Now, she is eager to bring her experience in the NFL, MLB, NFL and NBA to the NWSL and Current, and is excited about the business model for women's sports at a time when women's basketball as well as soccer are growing in popularity. I'm trying to reconsider. Among other sports, volleyball and softball are booming.
“You can't deny what this means and the investment that Chris and Angie and (co-owners) Brittany and Patrick (Mahomes) have made here in terms of women's sports and this new stadium. So the timing is perfect. I did,” Jemison said. He said. “I couldn’t deny this opportunity because it’s a great opportunity to not only play a role here in Kansas City, but what it means to women’s sports.”
However, the opening of CPKC Stadium is not the goal. In fact, that's just the beginning in Jemison's mind.
“Let's be clear: there will be a time on March 16th when all eyes will be on CPKC Stadium and the Kansas City Currents, but this is a movement we want to spark and show what we're all about. And I want to say that it's not just what happens when you invest in women's sports and you think, “Okay, that's it.” we fulfilled our duty. Now, let’s move on to something else,” Jemison said. “This is a classic, this is a piece that dives into that movement and encourages others to say, ‘Hey, invest in women's sports and take advantage of the opportunity to do something different and really nurture and grow it. When you do that, this is what happens. ”
The importance of finding support
Just as The Current aims to chart a new direction for women's professional sports, Jemison is charting her own path as a “queer black woman and prominent executive in a male-dominated sports industry.” I have walked through She discusses this in detail in her book, More Than Representation. : Cheat code to secure your seat at the table. ”
“There was definitely growth there, because when I was selling tickets for $7.25 an hour, there were people like me at the top who were like, 'Oh, this is what I can do.' Because there was no one to tell,'” Jemison said. “But what I knew is that just because I didn't see it, it didn't mean I couldn't be it. Sometimes I hear it, and I'm like, 'Well, even if I don't see it, I watched it thinking, “Maybe I can do that too.” Maybe I can be an example. ”
Along the way, Jemison has relied on other rising female executives, particularly several she met during her time at the NBA league office.
“As I was growing in my career, there were several other people growing at the same time, so we honestly relied on each other,” Jemison said. “There are quite a few women in my circle who I have met at different levels of my experience and whom I care deeply about.”
That was especially true during her time in the NBA league office, where she worked with Morgan Cato, the first minority woman who currently serves as an NBA assistant general manager with the Phoenix Suns, and L's top I met Lilian Majeed, the head of EDI. Aureal.
“Sometimes there's a misconception that you have to look up to be mentored, but the truth is, we've kind of looked through and said, 'How can we build each other up and fill each other's cups? , can we build a support system like that?’ When things get tough, can we lean on each other?”
Jemison has had some allies along the way, but she also shares her journey and what it took to become a high-level executive in sports to help the next generation of women and minorities in sports. He said he would be happy to discuss it with leaders.
“There were definitely some obstacles, but a lot of it was in my head, thinking, 'Oh, do I belong in this room?' Are you ready to take the step?'' Jemison said. “But I think it’s important to have that support system.”
Self-affirmations, sometimes standing in front of the mirror in a “Superwoman pose,” also helped her build confidence.
“There's something emotionally uplifting or psychological about it, and you start saying it to yourself and you start believing it,” Jemison says.
Now she no longer doubts that she has a place. she learned. ”
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