L-A Lakers scout Bonnie-Jill Laflin, author of In a League of Her Own: Celebrating Female Firsts in Sports

Summary: <b>ABOUT BONNIE-JILL LAFLIN AND <i>IN A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN</i></b> <br><br>Some of the most influential women in sports tell their stories of courage, adversity, and triumph to trailblazer Bonnie-Jill Laflin, the first and only female NBA scout with the Los Angeles Lakers, in her new book, <i>In A League of Her Own: Celebrating Female Firsts in Sports</i>. A half-century after Title IX legislation leveled the playing field for women and girls, the time has come to celebrate the lives and careers of some of the most notable groundbreaking women in sports, while also encouraging future generations to make history of their own. <br><i></i><br><i>In a League of Her Own: Celebrating Female Firsts in Sports</i> shares the stories of nineteen impactful women, including Billie Jean King, Rachel Balkovec, Danica Patrick, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Laila Ali, Jeanie Buss, and Mary Lou Retton and gives them a voice to share their experiences across the sports industry. These iconic women open up to Bonnie-Jill Laflin, herself a trailblazer as the first and only female NBA scout, about the sobering realities females face in the sports world and the many obstacles they had to overcome. But they also celebrate the amazing support they received from colleagues, friends, family, and the women who came before them, and impart their own desires to inspire young women through their stories. They discuss such issues as the pressures of social media, the sexism that still exists in boardrooms and locker rooms, and their hopes for closer equality in the sports space. Their journeys are each unique, but together, they have changed the face of sports and culture forever. <br><br>She is also the founder of Hounds and Heroes and Horses, a non-profit that pairs rescue dogs as service and therapy dogs with wounded warriors and veterans, as well as rescue horses as equine therapy for our recuperating service members. Working to improve the lives of veterans, she has traveled to military bases across the country and abroad on 19 USO tours, including visits to bases in Iraq and Afghanistan. <br><b></b><br><b>BONNIE-JILL LAFLIN FULL BIO</b> <br><br>Bonnie-Jill Laflin is a trailblazing sports broadcaster, philanthropist, and TV personality. With a determined spirit and an unwavering passion for sports, she has carved a remarkable career path, becoming a prominent figure in the sports industry.<br><br>The first and only female NBA scout, holding the front office executive position with the Los Angeles Lakers, Bonnie-Jill holds many "firsts" throughout her prolific career. She's the first woman to dance at a professional level for three teams, in two sports, starting with the NBA's Golden State Warriors, and moving to the NFL for both the San Francisco 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys. She is the first female to be awarded six championship rings in two professional sports, earning a Super Bowl ring during her time cheering for the 49ers, and five NBA championship rings as an executive for the Lakers. Most recently, Bonnie-Jill adds a new "first" to her repertoire as co-host of the brand-new <i>Women's Western Sports Roundup</i> on the Cowgirl Channel. <br><br>Beyond her accomplishments in sports, Bonnie-Jill ventured into the world of broadcasting, bringing her knowledge and enthusiasm to the airwaves. She has worked as a reporter and host for various high-profile networks, including ESPN, NBA TV, NBC/NBC Sports, NFL Films, Westwood One, CBS, E!, BBC Sports, SiriusXM, NFR Live, and Fox Sports. Most notably a host and ambassador for Michael Jordan's "Jordan Brand". Her charismatic personality and deep understanding of the game have made her a sought-after commentator and analyst, enriching the sports-watching experience for countless fans.<br><br>An alum of the University of Texas, the former Miss Dallas/Ft Worth USA has also graced the covers of magazines worldwide, is a competitive barrel racer, member of the Alameda County...