Indianapolis’ recent goal to become the “women’s sports capital of the world” seems like an obvious move now, especially with Caitlin Clark, a phenom in women’s basketball, drawing unprecedented attention to the WNBA and the Indiana Fever. However, this vision wasn’t born overnight. The city had been laying the groundwork for years. It wasn’t just about Clark and her extraordinary talents. There was already a deep pool of women leaders shaping the city’s sports ecosystem long before Clark even entered the draft.
I remember working with Simona De Silvestro when she drove for KV Racing, owned by Jimmy Vasser and Kevin Kalkhoven. At the time, she was one of the few women competing at such a high level in motorsport, making waves in a traditionally male-dominated sport. I witnessed firsthand the potential Indianapolis had to support and promote women athletes across various fields. Racing, like basketball, always seemed to offer great potential for the city to expand its role in elevating women’s sports.
Indy’s goal has crystallized as a community effort. In the spring of 2024, city leaders began asking themselves, “Why not Indianapolis? Why not become the world leader in women’s sports?” That conversation, sparked by Horizon League Commissioner Julie Roe Lach, ultimately gained momentum as organizations across the city embraced the challenge. The idea wasn’t to just host more women’s sporting events; it was about creating a thriving ecosystem that would attract, support, and elevate women leaders in sports.
Looking back, it feels like a layup now, but the idea was building for years. Indianapolis already had the infrastructure and leadership in place with figures like Mel Raines, Pacers CEO; the Irsay family at the Indianapolis Colts; and other influential women leading the charge. The upcoming WNBA All-Star game, NCAA women’s Final Four, and other high-profile events cement the city’s long-term commitment to this vision. But the real transformation will come from fostering a sports culture that is genuinely inclusive and dedicated to uplifting women’s athletics.
When I think about where Indy is headed with women’s sports, I’m reminded of Simona’s grit and determination, breaking barriers in motorsports, just as Caitlin Clark and others are doing now in basketball. Indianapolis is finally putting the pieces together, creating an environment where success for women athletes is no longer the exception but the expectation.