Epicenter of Women’s Sports with Karina LeBlanc

Josh Lyons & Morgan Weaver: Boardroom, Ballroom, or On the Pitch

Episode Summary

Boardroom, ballroom, or on the pitch — KeyBank Market President Josh Lyons and Thorns forward Morgan Weaver join Karina to talk through the bank's largest-ever investment in women's sports and what it means for the players, the Academy, and the next generation of girls coming up behind Morgan.

Episode Notes

KeyBank Market President Josh Lyons has a north star for his eight-year-old daughter: whether she ends up in a boardroom, at a gala in a ballroom, or chasing a pro contract on the pitch, she should never doubt she earned her way there.

That's the thinking behind KeyBank's new five-year deal with the Portland Thorns, a tripling of their previous commitment and the single largest investment in women's sports KeyBank has ever made. Karina sits down with Josh and Thorns forward Morgan Weaver to talk through what the partnership supports. This includes financial education for players, free Thorns Academy access for kids whose families can't afford club soccer, nonprofits hosted in the suite every home match, and a senior signing day for the next generation of girls coming up behind Morgan.

Morgan opens up about the two injuries that nearly made her quit and the trip to San Diego with the Academy girls that pulled her back. Josh shares insights about why 93% of women in C-suites played sports, and what that statistic means for how KeyBank shows up at Providence Park.