Jessi Miley-Dyer Elevates Gender Equity in Surfing as New Commissioner of World Surf League

Jessi Miley-Dyer has recently been named the new commissioner of World Surf League (WSL), marking a significant milestone in her career. The former professional surfer announced her promotion during Sportico and SheMedia’s “Winning: Women & Sports” event, where she emphasized the importance of recognizing the financial potential in supporting female athletes and leagues.

Miley-Dyer is making history as the league’s first woman commissioner, representing a step forward in gender equity within the sports industry. Previously serving as the chief of sport for the dual-gender league, 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.

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 the men’s and women’s championship tour competitions.

Miley-Dyer’s promotion to WSL commissioner marks a significant milestone in her career and signals a new era for WSL with a strong emphasis on gender equity and innovative approaches to growing the sport of surfing. 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