Lily Ro

Highlight reel

As the highest-ranking executive in the business and legal affairs group, she’s instrumental in rights deals with WWE, Premier Boxing Champions, FIFA World Cup, Nascar, UFC and the NFL, adding the Thursday Night Football package for the 2018 season, and extending a longstanding deal with MLB; navigates global agreements with trilingual skills (English, Spanish, French).

Pivotal career moment

The Fox-Disney merger. “This was an epic, game-changing deal, not just in the global media space but in corporate America. It caught so many people by surprise. … We all had to learn how to manage our own emotions while doing our best to really listen to the concerns of our people and try to get them answers. It has dramatically changed my view on my business, how best to manage people during a time of uncertainty, and how to personally manage the unknown.”

Advice for the next generation

“Don’t become so attached to your proposed career (or life) path, that you are blinded to interesting opportunities that come along the way.”

Under-appreciated sports figure

“Becky Hammon is a fantastic role model and true pioneer as the first full-time female assistant coach in NBA history. As an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs for the last four seasons, she not only has the respect and admiration of some of the NBA’s greatest players, but also one of the most successful head coaches in Gregg Popovich. In my opinion, being a great coach should have nothing to do with what gender you are. There are plenty of men coaching women’s basketball, so why not a woman coaching men?”

Coach Becky Hammon of the San Antonio Spurs draws up a play during the game against the Chicago Bulls during the 2016 NBA Las Vegas Summer League game on July 12, 2016. Bart Young—NBAE via Getty Images

On the horizon

“With the addition of WWE to an already stellar schedule of topnotch sports products, and our new involvement in the wagering space, I am expecting a very exciting year!”