That is a weight that those of us who are different in some way often bear we feel a sense of responsibility to not be the only one.. I watch a little bit of basketball. At that point, I had gotten accepted to law school at Stanford and I wanted to get experience at an agency as well, so I did a six-month stint at Octagon, doing the PR for their football class of clients. This isnt just a draft that builds the future, but a potential dynasty. You just feel like youre close enough to taste everything that youve worked for and then its gone, and once that moment passes, that time is over. When I look at what needs to change in sports, its the same things that need to change in finance, the same things we to change in tech, the same things we need to change in the law, Gordon said. Because anything youre doing as a business, whether its season ticket agreements or suite agreements or sponsorships, all of that is a relationship between two parties and in business it always involves an agreement. We have wonderful players. No profanity, hate speech or personal attacks. HG: I was fortunate enough that fan engagement was one of the departments that I was tasked with about two and a half years ago. To get to her position, which involves leading legal and public affairs, strategic communications, risk management, fan engagement and community relations, Gordon relied on her competitive nature and taught herself not to take things personally when met with adversity. (The book) is everything I learned personally from my experience, she said. Prior to the 49ers, Gordon was at the NFL Management Council where she worked on the salary cap, the 2011 lockout, and CBA negotiations. She is secretary of the Bay Area Host Committee, responsible for bringing the 2019 College Football Playoff National Championship to the Bay Area. Void in ONT. Aside from the practices implemented by the 49ers, Gordon focuses on being a mentor and has released a book, SZN of Change. She hopes the playbook filled with exercises and quotes aids others in their quest for success. Unfortunately, as weve made more progress in society whats more difficult to eradicate is the unconscious bias that people have. Baron has worked as a reporter, columnist, editor and photographer in newspapers and magazines for 25 years, covering business, politics, social issues, crime, the environment, outdoor sports, war and humanitarian crises. The 49ers lawyer-in-chief, Hannah Gordon, on, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), First Republic Bank seized, sold to JPMorgan Chase, The 49ers lawyer-in-chief, Hannah Gordon, on work, women and Joe Staley. Has multiple nicknames: Hurricane from her godfather; Lockout Queen from her role in the 2011 NFL lockout; Mama Fox from the 49ers team; Madame President from a scout; and Boss Lady from a team executive. . I think that many of us reach that point in our lives where we have lived enough that we have something to give back to the next generation of people. A couple weeks ago, we took all the training interns out, and Im seeing so many more young women in the field and theyre there to support each other. provide the womens basketball teams with workout facilities that matched those of the men, Black women account for a small number of coaches at the highest level of college basketball, Megan Rapinoe and Margaret Purce met with President Joe Biden at the White House. When Hannah Gordon stepped into her role at the NFL's headquarters in 2009, she was the only woman working in the salary cap department who wasnt a secretary. To order copies of When I was in the league office, there was an individual who really did not like me and made my life quite unpleasant at times, she said. HG: Anytime you have a tough season, it really does wear on everybody in different ways. Call (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelpline.ma.org (MA), Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Now, as chief administrative officer and general counsel of the San Francisco 49ers, she accepts a challenge every time she enters a setting where she is the only woman. SB: There are a lot more women in the league than there was back in the day. Its not that it didnt exist before, but I love seeing our scout Salli Clavelle, and our coach Katie Sowers, and our trainer Laura McCabe all getting together and supporting each other. In 2017, she received the Silicon Valley Business Journal and San Francisco Business Times Corporate Counsel Diversity Champion of the Year award for the work she did along with 49ers ownership on restructuring the 49ers Denise DeBartolo York Fellowship and making the 49ers the first team in the NFL to implement a diverse slate interviewing policy. Follow along with the picks for the 2023 NFL Draft. How inspiring is it to see that? Theyre more in the form of harassment or comments people might make. Groups like 49ers B.U.I.L.D. When hiring, in addition to adhering to the Rooney Rule requiring teams to interview minority candidates for high-level jobs, the Niners are committed to interviewing women and people of color for every full-time business operations position. When I look at sports, for me, its really how do we make all of society better and how can we be an example for that?, More AP NFL coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL, AP Interview: 49ers' Hannah Gordon works for women's equity, Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox. I think that many of us reach that point in our lives where we have lived enough that we have something to give back to the next generation of people.. Describe what all your job entails. I try to hop out bed, come into the facility, get a workout in because we actually have a gym and classes that we do for employees. When Hannah Gordon stepped into her role at the NFL's headquarters in 2009, she was the only woman working in the salary cap department who wasn't a secretary. A 2020 report card by The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport gave the NFL a grade of C for gender hiring, based on positions at the league headquarters and within franchises. When Hannah Gordon stepped into her role at the NFL's headquarters in 2009, she was the only woman working in the salary cap department who wasn't a s. 2024 Salary Cap; 2025 Salary Cap; 2026 Salary Cap; Notes; Depth Chart; Roster; Archives . When Hannah Gordon stepped into her role at the NFLs headquarters in 2009, she was the only woman working in the salary cap department who wasnt a secretary. 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Now, as chief administrative. Its a combination of incredible physical skill but also incredible mental skill. Making their voices heard at the table is really important to provide feedback on who our social justice grantees are, on internal business decisions, on the hiring of a diversity equity and inclusion director, she said. (The book) is everything I learned personally from my experience, she said. She was the first female football beat writer at UCLA, she interned for the NFL Players Association and was a law clerk for the Oakland Raiders before going to work at the league office. She sees the problems of the sports world as a broader reflection of societys problems. Now, as chief administrative. A 2020 report card by The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport gave the NFL a grade of C for gender hiring, based on positions at the league headquarters and within franchises. Fan Engagement also relaunched WON, the official womens club of the Forty Niners, doubling membership and creating a monthly digital magazine. Site provided by GrowthZone - powered by GrowthZone software. Even though she believes women are less inclined to invite conflict, she emphasizes a different skill set she exercised. Gender equity in the workplace is in the spotlight, notably at the NCAA Tournament. Hannah Gordon, chief administrative officer and general counsel for the San Francisco 49ers is photographed at the team's headquarters on May 14, 2018, in Santa Clara, Calif. During Womens History Month, Gordon reflects on how she navigated a male-dominated space and where the sports world needs to go from here. Hannah Gordon, chief administrative officer and general counsel for the San Francisco 49ers is photographed at the team's headquarters on May 14, 2018, in Santa Clara, Calif. Stanford, California 94305. Gender equity in the workplace is in the spotlight, notably at the NCAA Tournament. One of the things I learned was that I needed to not personalize what happened to me. I actually dont think that women have any less ability to have difficult conversations with other people, she said. Authors note: This interview has been lightly edited for clarity and length. SANTA CLARA She may be the top lawyer for an NFL team,but Hannah Gordon did not ride into the world of pro football on her own career in sport. summa cum laude from UCLA where she was the first female football beat writer for The Daily Bruin. When I look at what needs to change in sports, its the same things that need to change in finance, the same things we to change in tech, the same things we need to change in the law, Gordon said. SB Nation: Your career path is pretty unique, in that you actually started your career in journalism and PR before attending Stanford Law School. When I was in high school my career goal was to be the editor in chief of Vogue magazine, she says. She says changes in the number of female executives can start to happen through programs like the 49ers Denise DeBartolo York Fellowship, a one-year internship awarded to female college graduates. I actually dont think that women have any less ability to have difficult conversations with other people, she said. Thats just part of our brand and our culture. For me, this is just life, right? Now, as chief administrative officer and general counsel of the San Francisco 49ers, she accepts a challenge every time she enters a setting where she is the only woman. That is a weight that those of us who are different in some way often bear we feel a sense of responsibility to not be the only one.. Under the change, the 49ers became the first team in the NFL to commit to interviewing at least one woman and at least one person of color for every business opening. SB Nations Q&A series that highlights some of the NFLs most powerful women continues with Gordon, whos been working with the 49ers since 2011. Otherwise it will eat at you and destroy you. The biggest challenge is that you need to get more people like you into the room, Gordon said in an interview from Santa Clara, California. I actually dont think that women have any less ability to have difficult conversations with other people, she said. For CEOs or presidents and team senior administration, teams received an F for gender hiring. She was the first female football beat writer at UCLA, she interned for the NFL Players Association and was a law clerk for the Oakland Raiders before going to work at the league office. Gordon came to the 49ers from the NFL Management Council where she worked on NFL player contracts, salary cap compliance, the 2011 NFL collective bargaining agreement, and labor issues, including the 2011 lockout. She did, and three months later her phone rang. My dirty little secret is that Im not a good athlete, says Gordon. Welcome! Gordon joined the 49ers in 2011 as director of legal affairs, a role she held for four seasons, before becoming the vice president of legal and government affairs in 2015, then general counsel from 2016-17. Single family residence sells for $3.3 million in Palo Alto, Brisbane body sculpting company accused of spreading lie that rival hired pretty women to seduce MDs, Facebook owner chops 1,500-plus more Bay Area jobs. (Black Unity In Leadership and Development) give employees resources and are driving change. Despite the obstacles, Gordon advanced through the ranks of professional football. 21+ (18+ NH/WY). Instead, it was a long-held love for sports, and her time as an undergraduate at UCLA, that put Gordon on the path to her position as chief lawyer for the San Francisco 49ers. For CEOs or presidents and team senior administration, teams received an F for gender hiring. To get to her position, which involves leading legal and public affairs, strategic communications, risk management, fan engagement and community relations, Gordon relied on her competitive nature and taught herself not to take things personally when met with adversity. After two years of helping manage lockouts, salary caps and collective bargaining for the NFL, she was recruited by the 49ers. More AP NFL coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL, Read all the Latest News, Breaking News and Coronavirus News here, AP Interview: 49ers' Hannah Gordon Works For Women's Equity, BJP Questions Use of Public Funds to Deploy Police Forces at TMC Mass Outreach Campaign, IPL Teams to Concede Most Individual Centuries | IPL 2023 | Cricket News, Homes Smashed, 34 Wounded in Latest Russian Strikes on Ukraine, Ananya Panday Steps Out In Style, Poses With A Cop In Mumbai | Trending Shorts | English News, News18 Evening Digest: Yogi's Charisma Under Spotlight in K'taka, GST Collection in April at All-Time High & Other Top Stories. AP Interview: 49ers' Hannah Gordon works for women's equity AP When Hannah Gordon stepped into her role at the NFL's headquarters in 2009, she was the only woman working in the salary cap . Its a newly created position.'. Making their voices heard at the table is really important to provide feedback on who our social justice grantees are, on internal business decisions, on the hiring of a diversity equity and inclusion director, she said. And then trying to get a new agreement, the CBA expiring, getting to learn from really amazing senior attorneys in terms of outside council, and getting to track the bid ask of every CBA negotiation. (The book) is everything I learned personally from my experience, she said. Shaq ripped a giant lasagna fart on the air and had to air out the studio, NFL Draft results 2023: Pick-by-pick tracker for every selection. Log into your account. When Hannah Gordon stepped into her role at the NFL's headquarters in 2009, she was the only woman working in the salary cap department who wasn't a secretary. Before joining the NFL, Hannah practiced at Latham & Watkins, LLP. Now, as chief administrative officer and general counsel of the San Francisco 49ers, she accepts a challenge every time she enters a setting where she is the only woman. The biggest challenge is that you need to get more people like you into the room, Gordon said in an interview from Santa Clara, California. SB: You also worked as an attorney for the NFL during the 2011 lockout, which sounds super interesting! To order When I was in the league office, there was an individual who really did not like me and made my life quite unpleasant at times, she said. Rising Stars. A: Its hard not to get along with Joe Staley. Is that question something youre tired of being asked or do you embrace it? AP Interview: 49ers' Hannah Gordon works for women's equity. Hannah Gordon: For me, [my career] really started in college at UCLA. So Ive absolutely seen the difference that it makes when you have everyone at the table to speak up.. When Hannah Gordon stepped into her role at the NFL's headquarters in 2009, she was the only woman working in the salary cap department who wasn't a secretary. To get to her position, which involves leading legal and public affairs, strategic communications, risk management, fan engagement and community relations, Gordon relied on her competitive nature and taught herself not to take things personally when met with adversity. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. To get to her position, which involves leading legal and public affairs, strategic communications, risk management, fan engagement and community relations, Gordon relied on her competitive nature and taught herself not to take things personally when met with adversity. First up in the series was ex-Raiders CEO Amy Trask, followed by the Dallas Cowboys executive VP and chief brand officer Charlotte Jones Anderson. In her role, Gordon oversees Legal, Risk Management, Fan. The problem extends beyond basketball courts and soccer fields, of course, with men accounting for a disproportionate number of executive level positions in front offices. The second part would be serving every 49ers fan in our larger community, whether or not they are customers. She is also the Secretary of the Bay Area Host Committee and has been involved with events such as Super Bowl 50, WrestleMania 31, Beyoncs Formation World Tour, the Copa America Centenario, and the 2019 College Football Playoff National Championship. Q: What do you see are the significant issues confronting women specifically here in the Bay Area? Sex discrimination can come in a lot of different forms and some of those forms are more obvious. Now, as chief administrative officer and general counsel of the San Francisco 49ers, she accepts a challenge every time she enters a setting where she is the only woman. Has multiple nicknames: "Hurricane" from her godfather; "Lockout Queen" from her role in the 2011 NFL. For CEOs or presidents and team senior administration, teams received an F for gender hiring. We will remove any comments or commenters that do not follow this commenting policy. Last Updated: March 30, 2021, 03:18 IST When Hannah Gordon stepped into her role at the NFL's headquarters in 2009, she was the only woman working in the salary cap department who wasnt a secretary. That is a weight that those of us who are different in some way often bear we feel a sense of responsibility to not be the only one.. The largest governing body of college sports was forced to apologize after a wave of criticism and then provide the womens basketball teams with workout facilities that matched those of the men. Thats the world that we continue to live in, so I dont know that my experience would necessarily be tremendously different from other people. In addition to overseeing all community impact efforts, Hannah helped form the legal structure for The Golden Heart Fund, an independent non-profit established by 49ers alumni Ronnie Lott, Ron Ferrari, Harris Barton and Brent Jones that aides alumni in need. My goal is to open the door for anyone for whom the door is closed, whether its on the basis of gender or race or sexual orientation or national origin or language, she said. 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The biggest challenge is that you need to get more people like you into the room, Gordon said in an interview from Santa Clara, California. Prior to the NFL, Gordon practiced at Latham & Watkins LLP and earlier in her career worked for the athletic department at the University of California at Berkeley. I think that the world is a much richer place when we all get to be who we are and when we all have a seat at the table.. When Hannah Gordon stepped into her role at the NFL's headquarters in 2009, she was the only woman working in the salary cap department who wasnt a secretary. In 2020, she was also named to PureWows 20 in 20 Up-and-Coming Leaders Working to Better Our World. She modeled jeans in law school to make extra money. I was in a great big sports school.. In her role, Hannah oversees legal, public affairs, risk management, community relations, the 49ers Foundation, 49ers EDU, 49ers PREP, fan engagementand the 49ers Museum. Hannah Gordon is entering her 11th season with the 49ers and fourth as chief administrative officer and general counsel. I think that many of us reach that point in our lives where we have lived enough that we have something to give back to the next generation of people.. PUBLISHED: August 30, 2021 at 8:00 a.m. | UPDATED: August 30, 2021 at 8:03 a.m. Hannah Gordon is often called one of the most powerful women in the NFL. Dear Abby: I have a great life, so why have I fallen into this shameful behavior? I mostly only follow football. Its not somebody saying, I dont like you because youre a woman, but its somebody who doesnt like you and may not realize that they dont like you because youre a woman. NFL Draft winners and losers: The Lions hit a home run on Day 2. How did inclusiveness become such an important part of your job? Ever since I was young, speaking out on behalf of others who dont have a voice was important to me and just kind of came naturally. A native of Oakland, California, Gordon earned her B.A. Gender equity in the workplace is in the spotlight, notably at the NCAA Tournament. To this day, however, Gordon considers herself a fan of the San Francisco 49ersas she should. (The book) is everything I learned personally from my experience, she said. That is a weight that those of us who are different in some way often bear we feel a sense of responsibility to not be the only one.. (Black Unity In Leadership and Development) give employees resources and are driving change. She went to at least eight concerts last year, including flying to Paris to see hip-hop artist J. Cole. You need to have different voices in the room to challenge each other. She was the first female football beat writer at UCLA, she interned for the NFL Players Association and was a law clerk for the Oakland Raiders before going to work at the league office. In 2015, Gordon was named to the Legal 500s GC Powerlist U.S. I think that many of us reach that point in our lives where we have lived enough that we have something to give back to the next generation of people.. I think that the world is a much richer place when we all get to be who we are and when we all have a seat at the table.. I think that the world is a much richer place when we all get to be who we are and when we all have a seat at the table.. Under her leadership, the 49ers launched the first fan engagement community for LGBTQ+ fans and allies in professional sports to national acclaim. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! To get to her position, which involves leading legal and public affairs, strategic communications, risk management, fan engagement and community relations, Gordon relied on her competitive nature and taught herself not to take things personally when met with adversity. Hannah joined the San Francisco 49ers in 2011 as director of legal affairs, a role she held for four seasons prior to becoming the vice president of legal and government affairs in 2015 and general counsel in 2016-17. Gender equity in the workplace is in the spotlight, notably at the NCAA Tournament. The problem extends beyond basketball courts and soccer fields, of course, with men accounting for a disproportionate number of executive level positions in front offices. Copyright 2023 BIA Bay Area. The largest governing body of college sports was forced to apologize after a wave of criticism and then provide the womens basketball teams with workout facilities that matched those of the men. For CEOs or presidents and team senior administration, teams received an F for gender hiring. But some sports commentators say. For the difficult conversation to actually be successful, you need to have excellent listening skills and empathy, and thats something that women are socialized to have.. The largest governing body of college sports was forced to apologize after a wave of criticism and then provide the womens basketball teams with workout facilities that matched those of the men. Aside from the practices implemented by the 49ers, Gordon focuses on being a mentor and has released a book, SZN of Change. She hopes the playbook filled with exercises and quotes aids others in their quest for success. Even though she believes women are less inclined to invite conflict, she emphasizes a different skill set she exercised. Gordon holds a J.D. A: I am a little bit of a clean freak. Were the San Francisco 49ers, we should be leaders in terms of progress within the NFL and making sure that everybody does feel included. Gordon is active in league-wide matters, has served on multiple intra-league working groups, and the NFL Player Tuition Assistance Plan and the NFL Severance Pay Plan. So Ive absolutely seen the difference that it makes when you have everyone at the table to speak up.. To get to her position, which involves leading legal and public affairs, strategic communications, risk management, fan engagement and community relations, Gordon relied on her competitive nature and taught herself not to take things personally when met with adversity. Five facts about Hannah Gordon 1. Even though she believes women are less inclined to invite conflict, she emphasizes a different skill set she exercised. Making their voices heard at the table is really important to provide feedback on who our social justice grantees are, on internal business decisions, on the hiring of a diversity equity and inclusion director, she said. After two years of helping manage lockouts, salary caps and collective bargaining for the NFL, she was recruited by the 49ers. Now, as chief administrative officer and general counsel of the San Francisco 49ers, she accepts a challenge every time she enters a setting where she is the only woman. March 29, 2021 Associated Press 172. . Even though she believes women are less inclined to invite conflict, she emphasizes a different skill set she exercised. She stopped asking, What is wrong with me? When I look at sports, for me, its really how do we make all of society better and how can we be an example for that?. After two years of helping manage lockouts, salary caps and collective bargaining for the NFL, she was recruited by the 49ers. When Hannah Gordon stepped into her role at the NFL's headquarters in 2009, she was the only woman working in the salary cap department who wasn't a secretary. HG: I think that thats always been a hard question for me because I always worry about being put in a box of Oh youre the female, and I think theres always a risk that once you are pigeon-holed that way you are not able to continue to grow into future, larger leadership roles. After graduating, she went to work for UC Berkeley as a media liaison for the football, track and swimming programs, was accepted to Stanfords law school, took an internship with a sports agency andthenmoved into a position as a law clerk for the Oakland Raiders football team. A 2020 report card by The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport gave the NFL a grade of C for gender hiring, based on positions at the league headquarters and within franchises. Rising Stars, and in 2017, received the Silicon Valley Business Journal and San Francisco Business Times Corporate Counsel Diversity Champion of the Year award for the work she did along with 49ers owners on restructuring the 49ers Denise DeBartolo York Fellowship and implementing a diverse-slate interviewing policy. That is a weight that those of us who are different in some way often bear we feel a sense of responsibility to not be the only one. Gordon has served as a Lecturer in Law at SLS, as well. When I look at what needs to change in sports, its the same things that need to change in finance, the same things we to change in tech, the same things we need to change in the law, Gordon said. This is a family newspaper, please use a kind and respectful tone. Despite the obstacles, Gordon advanced through the ranks of professional football. presentation-ready copies of Toronto Star content for distribution She says changes in the number of female executives can start to happen through programs like the 49ers Denise DeBartolo York Fellowship, a one-year internship awarded to female college graduates. All Rights Reserved. It was very liberating to get there (but) you have to get there every time. Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA (select parishes)/MA/MD/MI/NH/NJ/NY/OH/OR/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Making their voices heard at the table is really important to provide feedback on who our social justice grantees are, on internal business decisions, on the hiring of a diversity equity and inclusion director, she said.