Capstone
NYU Grad Explores Strides in Women’s Pro Hockey
NYU SPS MS in Sports Business Student Examines Equitable Treatment, Salaries, and Resources for Female Athletes via the Lens of Women's Professional Hockey

<p><span class="p-body">Taking inspiration from the powerful words of Serena Williams, "Overpower, Overcome, Overtake," for her Capstone Project, MS in Sports Business graduate Brookelyn Leonard examined the emergence of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) as an opportunity to confront the glaring gender inequalities ingrained within the sports landscape.</span></p>
<p><span class="p-body">Leonard illustrates how the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) presents a chance to confront these challenges head-on and pave the way for equitable treatment and acknowledgement of women in hockey by examining the setbacks that led to the demise of past leagues like the Canadian Women’s Hockey League and proposing strategies to ensure the PWHL’s long-term success.</span></p>
Through the buildup of [her] project, [Brookelyn] conducted research and analysis that brought together her learning and interest in the sports industry.”
Gerard Akindes
Adjunct Instructor
Preston Robert Tisch Institute for Global Sport
<p><span class="p-body">Leonard's Capstone Project key ideas and solutions:</span></p>
<ul class='p-list'>
<li><span class="p-body">Business and marketing strategies to bolster the success and sustainability of the PWHL</span></li>
<li><span class="p-body">The shortcomings of previous professional women's hockey leagues</span></li>
<li><span class="p-body">Potential avenues for profound change within the realm of women's professional sports</span></li>
</ul>
Learn More About the NYU SPS Capstone Program
<p><span class="p-body"><a href="/content/sps-nyu/experience/how-youll-learn/consulting-practicums.html">NYU School of Professional Studies’ Capstone Program</a> provides graduate and undergraduate students the opportunity to apply their classroom learning in complex, real-world environments. The final product exemplifies the volume and depth of theoretical knowledge gained in the classroom. Held each spring, the annual Capstone Fair features projects that embody the School's innovative spirit. We invite students graduating in the spring and fall and summer graduates to participate. Students apply via form, and faculty can nominate individuals or teams.</span></p>