Only One Seat at the Table? Jemele Hill Calls Out WNBA’s Built-In Sexism (Copy)
Why Representation, Equity, and Community Still Matter in 2025
Veteran journalist Jemele Hill recently reignited a crucial conversation in women’s sports: Why is there still only one Black woman head coach in the WNBA?
Her commentary followed the Phoenix Mercury’s decision to hire WNBA legend and Hall of Famer Teresa Weatherspoon as head coach, a move Hill celebrated but also critiqued as a reminder of how few Black women are given the opportunity to lead at the professional level.
“There is only one Black woman head coach in the WNBA. That’s not an oversight. That’s an example of built-in sexism,” Hill wrote in a post that quickly gained traction across social media.
She went on to question why Lisa Leslie, a decorated Hall of Famer, two-time WNBA champion, and the first woman to coach a co-ed team to a BIG3 championship, has not yet received a head coaching opportunity in the league. “How does Lisa Leslie not have a job? She checks every single box,” Hill emphasized.
The issue here runs deeper than a single hire. It reveals the structural inequities that continue to limit the advancement of Black women in sports leadership, despite their qualifications, experience, and legacy.
It’s not just about coaching. It’s about value.
It’s about what leadership is supposed to look like and who gets left out when biases are baked into the system.
At Empower With Purpose, we believe access to leadership should never be limited to one seat. We believe in cultivating many.
We stand with Jemele Hill and the countless women who are challenging the status quo, not just on the court, but in front offices, boardrooms, and broadcast booths across the industry.
Let this be a call to action for organizations, leagues, and allies to reflect on their hiring practices and for women in sports to continue building community, claiming space, and holding the door open for each other.
At Empower With Purpose, we’re doing the work to change the game through mentorship, leadership development, and real access to opportunity.
View our membership options today and step into a community built for ambitious women ready to make their mark in the sports industry.
Because there’s room for more than one, and your seat is waiting.