Jen Spice | Nashville Fit

Nashville knows how to show up for a game. The jerseys. The group texts. The very serious opinions about a call nobody is getting over anytime soon.

That same energy belongs around the women building the business of sports.

The athletes, absolutely. Also the women producing the broadcast, negotiating partnerships, running venues, leading teams and figuring out how to turn a love of sports into an actual career. Their work deserves attention. Their next move deserves support.

That’s where Playmakers Nashville comes in.

A bigger picture of women in sports

Founded by Emma May-Bradley and Erin Ryder, Playmakers Nashville is a membership-based nonprofit focused on advancing women throughout the sports industry. Its three pillars are access, community and growth, with education, mentorship and scholarships helping put those ideas to work.

Both founders bring more than 20 years of experience. May-Bradley’s background includes sports marketing and operations; Ryder’s includes production and marketing. They understand how much happens beyond the final score.

And that’s the part worth paying attention to.

A young woman can love sports and want to build a career in them without ever stepping into a starting lineup. She might want to tell the stories, develop the partnerships or become the person making the big decisions. Showing her those possibilities matters. Helping her reach them matters even more.

Put something behind the encouragement

Playmakers has already awarded its inaugural scholarships: $15,000 across five young women from Middle Tennessee pursuing careers in sports. Founding scholarship partners include Athletes Unlimited, INSBANK and the Nashville Predators.

That is a concrete reason to pay attention.

Encouragement feels good. Financial support can help make the next step possible. For someone working toward a degree and a place in this industry, the cost of getting there is part of the conversation.

Playmakers’ scholarship offerings have included undergraduate and graduate-level education. Applications are currently closed, so this is a good time to follow the organization for future opportunities rather than rush toward an old deadline.

Support should keep going after the announcement, too. Share the opportunity when the next round opens. Pass it to a student, a professor or someone helping young women figure out what comes next. Useful information has to reach people to become useful.

Make the introduction

A career can be hard to picture when you don’t know anyone doing the job.

Playmakers’ membership structure includes students, rising and mid-career professionals, and experienced leaders. Its current offerings include professional development, job and internship opportunities, and an optional mentorship community for its Captains and Champions cohorts.

There is room for different kinds of ambition here. Getting a first internship. Changing direction. Learning how to lead. Asking a question without feeling like you should already know the answer.

The organization also builds in social gatherings and community-focused programming. Because sometimes the most useful conversation starts with a shared interest and enough breathing room to actually get to know someone.

For the women already established in sports, this is an invitation to be generous with what you know. Make the introduction. Explain the job nobody told you existed. Help someone prepare for the interview.

Nashville’s next chapter has women leading it

There’s a fresh local example worth watching: the Nashville Vibe announced Yolanda Moore as its inaugural head coach and general manager on October 7, 2026. The team is scheduled to begin play in May 2027 at Vanderbilt’s Memorial Gymnasium as part of the UPSHOT League.

Those two titles put coaching and team-building in the same conversation. They’re a reminder of how many ways women can shape a sports organization, and how important it is to see women doing that work.

Keep showing up

For Nashville’s fitness and sports community, supporting women in sports can be beautifully practical.

Go to the games. Learn the names. Share a woman’s work. Support scholarships. If you have experience to offer, consider what mentoring could look like in your own life. If you’re looking for your people in this industry, explore Playmakers’ membership and events.

A louder crowd is a good start. A community that keeps opening doors gives that energy somewhere to go.

Women in sports deserve both.

Author: NFM Staff

Nashville’s go-to resource for all things Fitness, Health and Wellness in Music City. We’re a social and editorial platform dedicated to amplifying community events, exchanging meaningful dialogue through user generated content and sharing authentic stories that transcend fitness.