A different kind of assist: The connections that carry us

No matter the industry, careers are rarely built in isolation. Often someone offers guidance or encouragement, or simply makes room at the table for the person coming up behind them.

During NBA Finals week in New York, Monica McNutt, an ESPN analyst for the NBA, WNBA and college basketball, created a space to celebrate those connections.

Inside Afro-Caribbean restaurant Tatiana, women from across sports, media, business and culture gathered for “Center Court,” an intimate dinner centered on community and the relationships that help shape careers long before the spotlight arrives.

At the center of the evening was a tribute to veteran ESPN and ABC reporter Lisa Salters and ESPN NBA analyst Doris Burke, two women whose careers have served as a blueprint for many of the journalists, executives, athletes and creators in the room. Their recognition set the tone for a night focused on encouragement and paying it forward.

For McNutt, the importance of those connections is personal. Before joining ESPN, she posted her broadcasting reel online and received encouragement from women she admired, including Jemele Hill, Maria Taylor and LaChina Robinson.

“Even just the ‘Yes, you got it, girl’ — that little push from women I admired was a big deal,” McNutt said. “Those women are friends to this day.”

Those experiences helped shape her approach to building community and influenced the vision behind “Center Court.”

“I think we’re in a beautiful time in sports media where we can celebrate one another, root for one another, and be honest about what we want as well,” McNutt said.

For McNutt, gatherings like this are a way to continue that cycle of encouragement. That spirit resonated with attendees.

“During events like this, even on this large stage during the Finals, for all of us to come together and uplift one another is really important,” said LaTonya Story, founder of The Sports Power Brunch and CEO of LPS Consulting PR. “All of us come together, celebrate, love and motivate one another.”

For Story, that belief is rooted in her own journey. She pointed to a college professor who saw her potential before she did.

“She took a liking to me, she believed in me, she supported me, and she encouraged me,” Story said. “She just knew I could be anything I wanted to do if I set my mind to it.”

Though the paths that brought the women together were different, a common thread ran through many of their stories: Long before the accolades, titles and opportunities, there was someone who offered support at the right moment, opened a door or simply believed in them.

That made the evening’s recognition of Salters and Burke especially meaningful. Their careers reflect what can happen when talent meets opportunity, and their impact continues to ripple across the next generation.

Whether it was a mentor, a professor, a colleague or a friend, many of the stories shared throughout the evening traced back to someone who helped make the journey easier. In that way, “Center Court” was more than a celebration of the women in the room. It was a tribute to the people who helped them get there and the connections that continue to carry them forward.

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