Athletes as Agents of Change: Shaping the Future and Their Legacy Beyond the Game

KEY POINTS

• Billie Jean King's Legacy: Billie Jean’s strategic activism and persistence reshaped tennis, achieving milestones like equal prize money for women and founding the WTA, while highlighting the need for patience and adaptability in long-term advocacy.

• Magnus Carlsen's Innovation: Magnus’ departure from traditional chess formats underscores the importance of reinventing sports to remain relevant, demonstrating how athletes can lead industry transformation through innovation.

• Edwin Moses's Advocacy: Edwin’s leadership in combating doping and championing fair athlete compensation exemplifies how integrity and commitment to equity can redefine an athlete's legacy beyond their competitive achievements.

👉 Bonus: Below you will find five ChatGPT prompts that you can use to develop your expertise in this area.

Elite athletes have always captivated the public imagination through their physical prowess and competitive spirit. Yet, their potential to influence society extends far beyond the stadium, court, or track. The modern athlete stands at a crossroads where the confluence of visibility, economic power, and cultural influence offers a historic opportunity to transform their sports, improve conditions for their peers, and define enduring legacies beyond their competitive years that can also have a positive influence on societal processes.

This article examines the blueprint for impactful change from pioneers like Billie Jean King, Magnus Carlsen, and Edwin Moses, offering actionable lessons for today’s athletes to wield their influence effectively.

Billie Jean King: A Case Study in Strategic Activism

Billie Jean King's career offers a masterclass in leveraging athletic success for social change. Known for her extraordinary achievements, including 39 Grand Slam titles, Billie Jean’s defining triumph was her relentless fight for gender equality in tennis. From winning the iconic "Battle of the Sexes" match in 1973 to securing equal prize money for women at the U.S. Open the same year—a milestone that Wimbledon only matched in 2007— Billie Jean has always combined pragmatism with activism.

Billie Jean's approach was groundbreaking: she worked from within the system while remaining a vocal advocate. She lobbied corporate sponsors like Philip Morris to support women’s tennis, even as she dealt with criticism for associating with organizations that were controversial in other spheres. Her practical efforts to blend engagement with disruption created lasting institutional changes, such as the formation of the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) and the Billie Jean King Cup, the premier international women's team event.

Even at 80, Billie Jean’s frustration with the pace of change fuels her advocacy. Billie Jean’s legacy demonstrates how athletes can integrate activism with career success. Her approach blended diplomacy and disruption. As she maneuvered through tennis’s deeply entrenched establishment, Billie Jean leveraged her influence to advocate for women’s sports while navigating opposition with pragmatism. She champions unified tournaments for men and women to elevate tennis’s global appeal. Her leadership is a beacon for athletes who seek to make systemic change without compromising their competitive edge.

Her lessons for current athletes are clear:

• Act Strategically: Engage with stakeholders and decision-makers, even those with conflicting ideologies.

• Build Bridges: Collaborate with unlikely allies, such as corporations or political leaders, when shared goals can yield progress.

• Keep the Bigger Picture: Recognize that systemic change requires patience and persistence, as incremental wins accumulate over decades.

Magnus Carlsen: Reinventing Tradition for Relevance

Magnus Carlsen, arguably one of the greatest chess player of all time, has taken an entirely different but equally impactful route. After dominating classical chess for over a decade, Magnus grew disillusioned with the format's rigidity. In a bold move, he stepped away from defending his World Championship title to innovate the game itself.

Magnus’ efforts to popularize "Fischer Random Chess," a variant that eliminates memorized openings and encourages creativity, are reshaping perceptions of the sport. Already backed by millions in venture capital money with 25 of the world’s top players committed to play on the tour, his Freestyle Chess startup is bringing fast-paced, viewer-friendly formats to a global audience. This shift not only broadens chess's appeal but also challenges traditionalists to rethink the sport’s competitive structure.

Magnus’ approach highlights how athletes can use their influence to question outdated traditions and adapt their disciplines for modern audiences. By aligning innovation with fan engagement, he exemplifies how athletes can lead transformation while staying true to the essence of their sport.

Magnus’ innovation highlights a key opportunity for athletes to redefine their domains:

• Relevance Through Reinvention: By adapting to changing consumer preferences, athletes can preserve and expand their sport's appeal. For chess, faster-paced formats like Blitz Chess and Fischer Random resonate with audiences who value dynamism over tradition.

• Entrepreneurship and Ownership: Magnus’ Freestyle Chess initiative, backed by venture capital, illustrates the importance of athletes owning and leading transformations in their sports.

His trajectory reminds today’s athletes to leverage their platforms for innovation, ensuring their sports remain vibrant and inclusive while driving personal legacy.

Edwin Moses: A Champion of Integrity and Equity

Edwin Moses, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and one of the most dominant athletes in track and field history, took a quieter but equally determined path to activism (Documentary „MOSES 13 Steps“, start Dec. 5, 2024). Known for his meticulous, science-driven approach to hurdling, Edwin extended his analytical mindset to issues beyond the track. His leadership in the fight for fair athlete compensation and his unwavering stance against doping set a standard for athletes advocating fairness in sport.

Edwin was an early advocate for fair pay and against doping. His efforts helped professionalize amateur athletics and improve anti-doping measures, often at great personal cost. As chairman of the United States Anti-Doping Agency, Edwin led initiatives to ensure clean competition, even when faced with resistance from fellow athletes.

His activism also tackled broader societal issues. Edwin used his platform to address racial inequality in sports, often as the only Black voice in rooms of power. His principled stance earned him both allies and detractors but cemented his legacy as a pioneer for justice within and beyond athletics.

Edwin’s contributions offer timeless lessons:

• Lead by Example: As a self-taught student of biomechanics and sports science, Edwin revolutionized hurdling while maintaining an unblemished reputation. His clean record underscored the credibility of his advocacy.

• Confront Hard Issues: Edwin faced backlash when exposing doping scandals, yet his courage helped lay the foundation for stricter anti-doping measures worldwide.

• Champion Collective Good: By pushing for structural changes like fair pay, Edwin demonstrated how athletes can uplift their entire community, not just their personal brand.

Takeaways for the Modern Athlete

Harnessing the Athlete’s Platform

Today’s athletes possess unprecedented reach through social media and global broadcasting. Strategic use of these tools can amplify their voices on issues ranging from mental health to racial equity. Players like LeBron James, who has used his influence to advocate for social justice and education reform, illustrate the potential of the athlete’s platform to effect societal change.

Building Strategic Alliances

Athletes must understand the power of coalitions. Partnerships with nonprofit organizations, businesses, and other athletes can expand their impact. For instance, Naomi Osaka’s collaboration with brands to promote mental health awareness exemplifies how influence can align with purpose.

Entrepreneurship and Investment

As Magnus’ venture demonstrates, athletes can take control of their sport’s evolution by becoming entrepreneurs. Investments in startups, media platforms, or team ownership allow athletes to shape narratives and policies from within.

Leveraging Legacy for Longevity

The examples of Billie Jean, Magnus, and Edwin reveal a shared truth: athletes who tie their competitive success to broader causes not only elevate their sport but ensure their legacy endures. For former players, consulting roles, advocacy groups, or participation in governance structures provide avenues to sustain influence post-retirement.

5 PROMPTS THAT ATHLETES CAN USE TO DEVELOP AND BUILD EXPERTISE

• How can I effectively use my platform and influence as an athlete to advocate for social issues, such as gender equality or racial equity, while ensuring my message resonates authentically with a broad audience?

• What are some innovative ways I can use my expertise and experience from [my sport] to disrupt traditional business models or create new opportunities in industries like fitness, entertainment, or education?

• How can I build a personal brand that transcends my athletic career and aligns with my values, ensuring a lasting impact in both my sport and the business world?

• What strategies can I use to partner with corporate leaders, nonprofits, or governing bodies to implement meaningful reforms in my sport or industry?

• How can I design and launch initiatives, like foundations or mentorship programs, to give back to underrepresented communities while creating sustainable and scalable social impact?

👉 Check ChampionsChat GPT for your prompts.

Beyond Competition

Athletes today are uniquely positioned to drive change, thanks to social media, increased global connectivity, and the expanding commercial landscape of sports. Figures like Colin Kaepernick, Simone Biles, and Megan Rapinoe continue the tradition of using athletic platforms for advocacy, drawing inspiration from trailblazers like Billie Jean King, Magnus Carlsen, and Edwin Moses.

The opportunities for athletes to shape their legacy and transform their sports have never been greater. By combining strategic activism, innovative thinking, and entrepreneurial spirit, athletes can address systemic issues and create lasting impact.

Elite athletes today must ask themselves: What do I want my legacy to be? The answers lie in embracing the responsibility to lead, the courage to challenge norms, and the vision to inspire change. From Billie Jean’s relentless push for equality to Magnus’ reimagining of chess and Edwin’s advocacy for fairness, the roadmap for transformative influence is clear.

As the world of sports continues to evolve, the next generation of athletes has the chance to stand not just as competitors but as architects of a better, more inclusive future. What they do next will define the story not just of their careers, but of their times.

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I really appreciate you reading my note today.

Have a peaceful weekend,

Irg

Irg’s work is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should always do your own research and consult advisors on these subjects. This work may feature assets and entities in which the author has invested.

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