100 of the Most Influential Women in Sport >> Boardroom & Administration

Mia Hamm, USA

Co-owner of Los Angeles FC

In the pantheon of football greats, Mia Hamm stands shoulder to shoulder with anyone – male or female. Her on-field exploits speak for themselves, but her modern-day accomplishments almost supersede them. A co-owner of Los Angeles FC, Hamm is also a global ambassador for Spanish giants Barcelona, and has been on the board of Serie A outfit Roma – reinforcing her position as a global footballing powerhouse. Unsurprisingly, the mum-of-two is a huge exponent for the positives around girls playing sport – both in school and out. She speaks regularly on the importance of increasing participation numbers for both overall health and wellbeing, and also the development of elite talent.

– Hamm is a two-time Olympic gold medal winner, and two-time World Cup winner with the USA.

– Hamm has a list of accolades include a top-3 place in the best female footballers of the 20th century, and was also named in the FIFA100 – a list of the 125 greatest living player, both male and female.

– Such was Hamm’s resonance in US pop-culture, she was once mentioned in the hit TV show Friends.

Did you know…

Mia founded the Mia Hamm Foundation following the death of her adopted brother to a rare blood disease. The foundation raises funds and awareness, helping families in need of bone marrow transplants.

“There are always new, grander challenges to confront, and a true winner will embrace each one.” – Mia Hamm

Twitter: @MiaHamm