STWF Sports | DALLAS, Texas | August 21, 2026— The Dallas Wings expanded their influence beyond basketball Thursday, hosting the inaugural Beyond The Court Executive Forum at American Airlines Center, bringing together prominent leaders from sports, business and media for an afternoon focused on leadership, investment and the continued growth of women’s sports.
The invitation-only event was held on the Dallas Mavericks’ practice court inside American Airlines Center and preceded the Wings’ 91-85 victory over the Indiana Fever later that evening. A sold-out crowd of 20,297 attended the game, marking the second-largest home attendance in Wings history and providing a fitting conclusion to a day centered on the organization’s expanding footprint in Dallas.
Dallas Wings CEO and Managing Partner Greg Bibb opened the forum by emphasizing the importance of bringing together professionals with different experiences and perspectives to address issues facing modern organizations.
The event featured discussions centered on community impact, championship culture, investment in women’s sports and organizational transformation while also creating opportunities for attendees to network and establish new professional connections.
Dallas Wings and Their Impact on Women’s Sports
Guests were also invited to watch the Wings’ morning shootaround as the team completed preparations for Indiana. The setting carried additional significance with Dallas scheduled to play all of its 2027 regular-season home games at American Airlines Center.
One of the forum’s opening highlights came when Wings star Arike Ogunbowale made a surprise appearance following Bibb’s introductory remarks.
The first panel, Leading With Purpose: The Business Case for Community Impact, featured former Dallas Mavericks CEO Cynt Marshall, WFAA/KFAA President and General Manager Carolyn Mungo and Dallas Sports Commission Executive Director Monica Paul. Sports Business Journal Publisher and Executive Editor Abe Madkour moderated the conversation as the panel examined how community initiatives can strengthen organizations while producing meaningful social and business results.
The conversation then shifted toward athletics with Building Championship Cultures.
WNBA analyst Kim Adams moderated a panel featuring Wings head coach Jose Fernandez, Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman and Duke women’s basketball head coach Kara Lawson. The group discussed talent development, leadership and the daily standards required to establish sustainable winning cultures.
Women’s sports as a business opportunity took center stage following the networking lunch.
Madkour moderated Investing in Women’s Sports: Why Leading Brands Are All In, featuring TEGNA executive Brad Ramsey, Downtown Dallas, Inc. President and CEO Jennifer Scripps, Kroger Texas Division President Rudy DiPietro and Wings Vice President of Commercial Partnerships Mallory LePage.
The panel explored the rapidly increasing value of women’s sports to brands, corporations and media organizations seeking deeper engagement with growing audiences.
Another session, Building for the Future: Leading Organizations Through Growth & Transformation, brought together Canva Chief Financial Officer Kelly Steckelberg and Freeman Company CEO Janet Dell, with Bloomberg Texas Bureau Chief Julie Fine moderating a discussion about innovation, leadership and long-term organizational growth.
The forum concluded its formal programming with a fireside conversation featuring Bibb and WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. Madkour moderated the discussion, which focused on the Wings’ future, the franchise’s growing presence in the Dallas market and the broader trajectory of the league.
Dallas Executive Vice President and General Manager Curt Miller then gave attendees a preview of the Wings-Fever matchup before a pregame reception.
Participants also had access to a Nike Shoe Bar, where they could customize shoes throughout the event.
The inaugural forum represented another step in the Wings’ continued effort to position the franchise as more than a basketball organization. By combining sports, business leadership and community engagement, Beyond The Court provided a platform for conversations surrounding where women’s sports are headed — and the opportunities emerging alongside that growth.
