What’s Next for Women’s Sports and College Athletics with Mollie Marcoux Samaan

Mollie Marcoux Samaan has led some of the most complex and high-stakes organizations in sports, and she’s done it with vision, grit, and results, all while challenging the status quo. 

As the former LPGA Commissioner, Princeton Athletic Director, and EVP at Chelsea Piers, Mollie shares how she helped grow average player earnings at the LPGA by over 100%, navigated the global logistics of women’s golf, and pushed for a more athlete-centered approach  that balances performance, mental health, and long-term sustainability. She also breaks down why women’s sports are finally reaching a tipping point and what still needs to happen to keep momentum going.

This conversation also explores the complexity of modern college athletics, where NIL, the transfer portal, and billion-dollar football programs are reshaping the landscape in real time. 

Mollie offers a candid perspective on why Ivy League schools are staying true to their values, and why now, more than ever—we need sports to develop not just elite athletes, but resilient, confident leaders.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• How Mollie doubled average player earnings to over $1 million at the LPGA by negotiating marquee tournament purses and improving performance infrastructure
• Why Ivy League schools are opting out of “pay for play” and why they view athletics as a co-curricular, not commercial, enterprise
• The tech gap holding back women’s sports, including the missing scaffolding that’s essential to building fandom, improving storytelling, and growing revenue
• What new leagues like PWHL, Athletes Unlimited, and League One Volleyball can learn from legacy organizations like the LPGA
• Why 94% of women in the C-suite were athletes, and how sports build confidence, resilience, and leadership

Resources and Links:

Connect with Mollie Marcoux Samaan on LinkedIn.

Learn more about Women Leaders In Sports on their website.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.