Jessica Berman — SPARQNOW

At-a-Glance

Commissioner of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) since 2022.
Served as Deputy Commissioner and Executive Vice President of Business Affairs for the National Lacrosse League (NLL), becoming the first female deputy commissioner of a men's professional sports league.
Spent 13 years at the National Hockey League (NHL), rising to Deputy General Counsel and Vice President of Community Development.
Began her career as an associate at Proskauer Rose LLP, where she was part of the team that negotiated an end to the 2004–05 NHL lockout.
Holds a Doctor of Law (JD) from Fordham University and a BS in Sports Management from the University of Michigan.
Won the Sports Business Journal's 2024 Executive of the Year award.

Biography

Jessica Berman is the Commissioner of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), a role she assumed in April 2022 for a four-year term. Her hiring process was notable for including player interviews, a demand that followed the 2021 NWSL abuse scandal. In May 2024, Berman was recognized with the Sports Business Journal's Executive of the Year award.