What I learned from ESPNW Founder Laura Gentile

Laura Gentile’s career has always been about building something bigger than herself — whether that meant leading Duke field hockey to its first NCAA tournament appearance or creating ESPNW, a platform that helped redefine how women’s sports are seen, covered, and valued. Yet somehow, in addition to her demanding career and busy life, she has always made her roots feel loved and valued. 

Whether it’s showing up as a proud Duke Field Hockey alum, supporting the next generation of athletes, or being an incredible mom, Laura makes her presence known. From major moments — like helping fund a new locker room — to smaller but just-as-meaningful gestures, like sending ESPNW hats when Duke Field Hockey reached its first Final Four in eight years, Laura shows up. She supports people in both the big wins and the quiet milestones. 

Gentile spent more than 20 years at ESPN as Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, helping shape iconic campaigns like This Is SportsCenter. In 2010, she founded ESPNW, a groundbreaking platform that elevated women’s sports and voices at a time when they were often overlooked. 

Named one of Forbes’ Most Powerful Women in U.S. Sports, Gentile has also served as a U.S. Department of State advisor using sport to empower women and girls globally — though she credits her foundation as a student-athlete for shaping who she is today. 

This interview is special to me because it highlights the power of sisterhood in sports. Although Laura and I didn’t play at Duke at the same time, we played for the same program — one built on shared culture, values, history, and tradition. That connection immediately allows us to relate to one another and pick up where others left off. 

Check out our full conversation here!

The Athlete Who Became the Executive 

Gentile was a Second Team All-American and three-time All-ACC selection at Duke, where she credits her student-athlete experience as foundational to her success in business.  

“That single-mindedness — setting goals, working toward them, building culture and leadership — that works,” Gentile said. “As soon as I hit the work world, all of that came into play. I knew how to compete.” 

She believes that mindset separated her from her peers early in her career, giving her both confidence and clarity in high-pressure environments. 

Building ESPNW Before the World Was Ready 

The idea for ESPNW began in 2008, long before women’s sports received today’s level of attention and investment. Gentile spent years advocating internally, laying out the blueprint for what women’s sports storytelling could become. 

“Fifteen or sixteen years ago, it was a very different conversation,” she said. “People were intrigued, but there was a lot of convincing that needed to happen.” 

That meant proving there was an audience, a business opportunity, and a responsibility to tell deeper stories — not just scores, but backstories, role models, and lived experiences. Today, she sees a major shift. 

“Now it’s less about why invest and more about how,” Gentile said. “People get it. The focus now is on execution.” 

A New Perspective as a Mother 

Today, Gentile views youth sports through another lens: that of a parent. She’s candid about her concerns with the modern youth sports system. 

“There’s so much pressure now,” she said. “Kids are getting cut at six, evaluated at ten, scouted at twelve. It’s taken some of the joy away.” 

She believes youth sports should meet kids where they are — not force them into premature, high-stakes paths — and emphasizes that simply playing sports still holds immense value. 

“There’s no better classroom than a field or a court,” she said.

Advice for the Next Generation of Women in Sports 

For young women hoping to build careers in sports, Gentile’s advice is clear: differentiation matters. 

“Figure out what sets you apart,” she said. “Your work ethic, your perspective, your portfolio — something that stamps you in someone’s mind.” 

Why This Conversation Matters to Me 

As a recent college graduate and former student-athlete at Duke, I’m navigating a new era of my life. What I’ve learned through conversations like this is the power of alumni, mentorship, and being honest about both the good and the hard parts of sport. Those conversations matter — and they last. 

I am incredibly fortunate that someone who embodies everything I strive to be is a former Duke student-athlete. Laura has moved mountains for women athletes because she has lived it — at the very highest level. She truly walks it like she talks it. And now, she does so as an incredible mom to three boys, raising the next generation of athletes. One day, I hope they fully understand that their mom helped pave the way for women’s sports everywhere. 

If you are someone who has followed in her footsteps — whether you’re a former teammate, young journalist, or future leader — Laura Gentile’s legacy isn’t just ESPNW. It’s proof that sports can be a starting point for changing an entire industry. 

Where is Laura now?  

Gentile is now the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Storied Sports, a brand-building and IP studio focused on telling stories that shape culture and create lasting value. Through partnerships with athletes, brands, and media, the company elevates the next generation of athletes, women’s sports, and untapped stories — building legacy through powerful storytelling.