Co-Founder and President of Angel City Football Club
Julie Uhrman: Biography at a Glance
- Julie Uhrman is an accomplished entrepreneur and influential leader who has made an indelible mark in sports and entertainment as the President and Co-founder of Angel City Football Club (ACFC).
- Fueled by her profound passion for sports and an unwavering commitment to gender equity, Uhrman founded ACFC as a majority female-funded and female-run organization to set higher expectations and lead with purpose in order to drive profitability.
- The team also reallocates 10% of its sponsorships back into the community, driving initiatives supporting equity, essentials, and education in Los Angeles.
- With ownership including Natalie Portman, Sophia Bush, Gabrielle Union, Jennifer Garner, and Billie Jean King among others, ACFC has become one of the most globally recognized sports teams, earning over USD $55,000,000 in sponsorships, and is heralded for having the most valuable kit in women’s sports.
- Before leading ACFC, Uhrman made her mark in the technology and gaming sectors as the CEO and co-founder of OUYA, a gaming console company that became a prominent player boldly competing against Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo, Apple, and Google.
- Julie Uhrman’s extensive experience in the entertainment and media industry includes prominent roles at companies such as Lionsgate, IGN Entertainment, and Vivendi Universal Games.
- Beyond her entrepreneurial ventures, Uhrman has been a steadfast advocate for gender equity and the empowerment of women in sports while holding the belief that sports can transcend barriers and resonate far beyond the field of play.
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Biography
Julie Uhrman is an accomplished entrepreneur and influential leader who has made an indelible mark in sports and entertainment. As the President and Co-founder of Angel City Football Club (ACFC), Uhrman has led the rise of the nation’s, if not the world’s, foremost women’s professional soccer team.
Fueled by her profound passion for sports and an unwavering commitment to gender equity, Julie Uhrman has been the driving force in bringing ACFC to life. Founded in 2020, Angel City Football Club aims to set higher expectations, leading with purpose in order to drive profitability while creating the most valuable and globally recognized sports team in the world. To date, the team has already achieved over USD $55,000,000 in sponsorships and is heralded for having the most valuable kit in women’s sports. The team reallocates 10% of its sponsorships back into the community, driving initiatives supporting equity, essentials, and education in Los Angeles. Uhrman’s legacy is one of transformation, where sports are not just a game, but a vehicle for empowerment and progress.
Before her involvement with ACFC, Uhrman made her mark in the technology and gaming sectors. She gained global recognition as the CEO and co-founder of OUYA, a gaming console company that garnered significant attention through a highly successful crowdfunding campaign where she raised $8.6M from 63,000 backers. Uhrman’s visionary leadership steered OUYA to become a prominent player in the gaming industry, boldly competing against Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo, Apple, and Google, demonstrating her ability to successfully navigate the ever-evolving landscape of technology and entertainment.
Julie Uhrman’s extensive experience in the entertainment and media industry includes prominent roles at companies such as Lionsgate, IGN Entertainment, and Vivendi Universal Games. Her contributions to these organizations involved developing and distributing video games, digital media, and online content, further solidifying her expertise in the field.
Beyond her entrepreneurial ventures, Uhrman has been a steadfast advocate for gender equity and the empowerment of women in sports. She believes entertainment and sports are critical in shaping our collective cultural narratives. She holds a deep belief that sports can transcend barriers and resonate far beyond the field of play. She has built an incredible team, majority female-funded and female-run, creating access and opportunity for women in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Not only has she strived to set new standards in the NWSL, but has also inspired and paved the way for future generations of female leaders and athletes.
As President and Co-founder of Angel City Football Club, Julie Uhrman continues to challenge the status quo by building Angel City FC differently, investing in her community, players, and fan experience. Her strategic vision and unwavering dedication have positioned ACFC as a catalyst for change, redefining what it means to be a sports franchise in the modern era.
Topics
Leading with Purpose While Driving Profit
Purpose and profit are not mutually exclusive. Indeed, as ambiguity and uncertainty continue to shape the backdrop against which countless organizations operate, the only thing that stays constant is purpose and values. Every organization has a role to play in this regard and leaders should think about the specific skills, resources and core competencies at their disposal. Their consumers and fans are increasingly making decisions on the basis of how they live out those values. The audience will learn how building and leading an organization purposefully and partnering with your community can drive greater success for your employees, shareholders, and community. Vision alone isn’t enough but conviction to lead ahead of results takes courage and passion.
Accelerating Equity in Sport
For generations, women and other marginalized groups have been fighting for equity and full participation in social, economic, civic, and political life. Progress has been slow and women’s control over resources, decision-making power, and ability to shape policies and perceptions is still woefully low, particularly in the sports industry. Angel City FC has demonstrated what is possible when you deliberately redistribute power and financial control. Julie Uhrman and her team are part of the leaders spearheading these shifts in women’s sports, transforming it for generations to come. Audiences will learn about the trends and opportunities that can contribute to advancing this shift towards equity across the sector. Being intentional about how you make decisions, who you hire, and how you share your stories can have a meaningful impact within your organization and a ripple effect across the industry.
Sports Built by Women
Angel City FC is the only female-founded, female-owned, and female-led team in professional sports that resides in Los Angeles, the sports capital of the world. In less than four years the team has become the highest-valued women’s professional team, driving eight-figure sponsorship revenue and sold-out games. Angel City is pioneering a new model and setting standards for the industry. In this session the audience will learn about traditional trends and practices in the sports sector and why the emergence of new women leaders like Julie and some of her peers has the potential to dramatically reshape the industry.
