FOX Sports Sponsors Women's Sports Foundation's Annual Awards Gala

The Women's Sports Foundation, a leading nonprofit dedicated to ensuring girls access to sports, hosted its 35th Annual Salute to Women in Sports on Wednesday, October 15th, in New York City. FOX Sports was a leading sponsor of the event, which celebrates both the best in women's sports and the young girls around the world whom these athletes inspire. Gatorade, espnW, and NBC Sports Group were also co-presenters.   World tennis champion Billie Jean King started the organization in 1974, and since then, it has become a leading voice for women in sports, influencing public attitudes and promoting physically and emotionally healthy lifestyles for women and girls. This year, the foundation recognized some of the top female athletes in the world, including Gymnastics World Champion Simone Biles, who took home the coveted 2014 Sportswoman of the Year prize.   Other athletes recognized include Olympic gold medalist and ice dancer Meryl Davis, who won the Sportswoman of the Year award in the team category, skeleton racer Noelle Pikus-Pace, who received the Wilma Rudolph Courage Award, and Kenyan marathoner Tegla Loroupe, who won the Billie Jean King Contribution Award for her philanthropic work.   "This year marks the Women's Sports Foundation 40th Anniversary and we are so proud of the accomplishments we have made over the last four decades and the incredible achievements that have been reached in women's sports," said King, who spoke at the ceremony. "The Annual Salute is a celebration of the past year but also serves as a beacon to remind us all of the importance of the work the Foundation does for women and girls each and every day."   FOX Sports' relationship with the Women's Sports Foundation began earlier this year, when the company, along with its peers NBC Sports and ESPN, contributed a collective $2 million to the foundation's work.   "Playing sports and celebrating the importance of its roles in our society is a key part of the culture at FOX Sports. Our partnerships at the grassroots level with AYSO to the highest competitive level with collegiate sports and the FIFA Women's World Cup signify our commitment to growing women's sports, said Eric Shanks, President, COO, and Executive Producer of FOX Sports. "From lessons on teamwork, determination and self-belief, FOX Sports is proud to support the Women's Sports Foundation and their dedication to developing America's girls into the next leaders of our corporations, and our society at large."   Click here to keep reading at gei.21cf.com.