Manhattanville to Host Renowned Sports Journalist for Book Talk on the Rise of Women in Sports

PURCHASE, NY – September 11, 2025 – Manhattanville University will host acclaimed sports journalist Jane McManus for a talk and Q&A session on her new book, "The Fast Track: The Rise of Women's Sports as an Industry and Investment."

The event and book signing are open to the public and will be held on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at 6 p.m. at Reid Castle East Library.

McManus, a veteran sports journalist and academic, will delve into the themes of her book, which challenges the notion that "no one cares about women's sports." "The Fast Track" provides compelling evidence of the increasing popularity and financial viability of women's sports, highlighted by recent watershed moments like the fervor surrounding Caitlin Clark during the 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball championship.

The book examines the upward trajectory of women's sports while also addressing the historical forces that have hindered its growth since Title IX in the early 1970s. "The Fast Track" confronts resistance toward women's leagues, analyzes media coverage of female athletes, and considers future investment possibilities. Additionally, McManus addresses critical topics such as racial inclusivity, the participation of transgender athletes, women's health issues, and the ongoing fight for equal pay.

The evening at Manhattanville will feature a question-and-answer session led by Amy Bass, professor of sport studies and Emmy-Award winning writer whose interests focus on sport, culture, and politics. She has made appearances on the TODAY SHOW, CNN Newsroom, and Anderson Cooper's Full Circle among other public affairs programs. She is chair of the division of social science and communication.

"I am absolutely delighted to welcome Jane to campus to share insights from her important new book on women’s sports," said Professor Bass. "A trailblazer in sports journalism and a fierce advocate for equity and representation, she brings a wealth of experience and perspective that will resonate deeply with our students – especially those in our fast-growing interdisciplinary Sport Studies major. Her visit offers an extraordinary opportunity for our students to engage with one of the field’s most vital voices.”

Manhattanville University's Sport Studies major, one of the largest in the School of Arts and Sciences, offers a comprehensive curriculum that includes a 4+1 pathway to a master’s degree in Sport Business Management. Undergraduate students in the program gain expertise in both sport marketing and sport management, preparing them for diverse careers in the dynamic sports industry.

For more information on the event and to RSVP, please visit the Manhattanville University events calendar: https://www.mville.edu/events/calendar.php#event-details/a2fbe37d-d42d-4342-ba99-3b473409b74f

About Manhattanville University:

Manhattanville University (formerly Manhattanville College) is a private liberal arts institution dedicated to academic excellence, purposeful education, and social responsibility. For three years in a row, “U.S. News and World Report” has ranked Manhattanville the number one private, non-profit institution in New York among Top Performers of Social Mobility in Regional Universities North. The university has been recognized among the best colleges in The Princeton Review for close to 20 years. Located 30 miles from New York City on a 100-acre suburban campus in the heart of Westchester County, Manhattanville enables easy access to entertainment offerings, educational resources, and business opportunities for its diverse student body. The university serves more than 1,400 undergraduate students and nearly 1,000 graduate students from more than 44 countries and 33 states. Founded in 1841, the university offers more than 75 undergraduate and graduate areas of study in the arts and sciences, education, nursing and health sciences, business, and creative writing, as well as continuing and executive education programs. Graduate students can choose from over 70 graduate and certificate programs. Extracurricular offerings include more than 45 clubs and activities and 23 NCAA Division III teams.