Education History of Current Female Executives in the National Football League

This report provides a quantitative representation of the educational attainments and specializations of current female executives in the National Football League. By identifying the most common pathways to a career in the National Football League, including undergraduate institution rigor, undergraduate major, and graduate pursuits, this analysis strives to find an approximate “standard” for female executives. Definitively, findings from this study serve as a standard for the criterion needed to excel as a female executive in the National Football League.

Subjects in this study were identified through their respective organization’s front office executive position listings. To determine their undergraduate institutions, undergraduate majors, and graduate pursuits, information was gathered from professional networking websites. To assess the rigor of the undergraduate institutions, the US News and World Report Education database was utilized. 

Out of 63 identified female executives, only 37 had an undergraduate institution listed in their professional networking profiles. 5 of 37 females did not have an undergraduate major listed, yet the prevalence of a double major option raised the amount of total, individual undergraduate majors to 38. Majors were categorized into 10 categories based on similarity. One individual attended a college that has permanently closed since their graduation, so the limitation of current data deled their function in this study. Two subjects had no undergraduate history documented yet listed their postgraduate endeavors, bringing the maximum number of postgraduate subjects to 39. 

The average acceptance rate of the undergraduate institutions attended by the current female executives is 60.2%, suggesting that attending a highly or hyper-selective institution is not essential to success in the National Football League. The most prevalent majors for current female executives are business/management related, with 42.1% majoring in such. Notably, 15.8% of the subjects majored in political science, and 13.2% majored in communications. A business/management related degree fixes the highest probability for hiring and success in the National Football League, yet in view of the fact that less than half majored in degrees as such, it is not essential to success. 

Of those who completed an undergraduate education, 38.5% attended a graduate institution. 40% of those who continued their education received a Juris Doctor, and 33.3% received a master of business administration. While receiving a graduate degree may be beneficial, it is not essential to success as a female executive in the National Football League. 

All in all, there are many paths to success as a female executive in the National Football League. Attending an average undergraduate institution and majoring in a field similar to the prospect’s desired role will start a road to success for females looking to work in the National Football League. Completion of a graduate degree does not determine success, yet it aids to the chances of making it to an executive role.