Jessi Miley-Dyer has recently been appointed as the new commissioner of World Surf League (WSL), making history as the league’s first woman commissioner. The former professional surfer made her announcement during Sportico and SheMedia’s “Winning: Women & Sports” event, highlighting the recent investments made in the WSL and women’s sports in general.
Miley-Dyer has been a strong advocate for equal prize money, positioning the WSL as the first North American sports league to implement this policy. During her announcement, she emphasized that women’s sports are not a charity, but rather a high-yielding investment opportunity when given the proper support. She also reframed the narrative around women’s sports, stressing the importance of recognizing the financial potential in supporting female athletes and leagues.
Miley-Dyer’s promotion to WSL commissioner marks a significant milestone in her career, especially with the removal of “chief of sport” from her social media accounts sparking rumors among surfing fans. Born in Sydney, Australia, Miley-Dyer became the first to hold the WSL commissioner title since Kieren Perrow’s departure in 2019. Having joined the WSL in 2012, she has taken on various roles within the organization and is now focused on using creative storytelling and engaging content to promote the league.
As part of WSL’s ongoing leadership changes, former Riot Games president of publishing Ryan Crosby recently assumed the role of CEO. These transitions come in the wake of Erik Logan’s sudden departure from the league last year. Additionally, an exciting media rights deal with ESPN, agreed upon earlier this year, will see ESPN+ streaming
