Nicole Lynn named to Sports Illustrated’s list of the most powerful women in sports

Nicole Lynn (Houston) has been named to Sports Illustrated's 'The Unrelenting' list, honoring "the most powerful, most influential and most outstanding women in sports."

Published on October 6, 2020, 'The Unrelenting' spotlights a prolific list of diverse women who are sports league executives, athletes, agents, coaches, activists and more. They are "the game-changers who are speaking out, setting the bar and making a difference."

Lynn is an associate on our financial institutions and insurance team and doubles as a sports agent with Lil Wayne's Young Money agency. She is part of a list that includes tennis legends Billie Jean King and Serena Williams, US gymnast Simone Biles and San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Becky Hammon.

Lynn, who also inspired an in-development television drama about a female sports agent, said:  

"I am honored to be the only sports agent on SI's impressive list. Practicing at Norton Rose Fulbright while representing elite athletes continues to be an invigorating and rewarding experience, and I am grateful for this opportunity."

In 2019, Lynn made history at the National Football League (NFL) draft when she became the first Black woman to represent a Top-3 NFL draft pick, New York's Quinnen Williams. Earlier this year, she added to her impressive resume when the Cleveland Browns selected another client, Jedrick Wills, 10th overall.

SI wrote about these impressive feats in Lynn's feature and added, "Lynn has continued to challenge stereotypes and blaze trails in a male-dominated industry, recently adding former Oklahoma and current Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts to a roster that already includes a dozen NFL players, football coaches, professional softball players and more."

Also listed among the honorees is Crystal Dunn — daughter of Vincent Dunn, New York Co-Partner-in-Charge and US Co-Head of Corporate Finance. Crystal Dunn helped lead the US to an undefeated record in the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup tournament.

In its feature on Crystal Dunn, who now plays professionally for the North Carolina Courage, SI wrote:

"Playing in the NWSL, which was the first of the major pro sports to return after the pandemic shutdown, Dunn has raised her voice as a Black woman to call out the importance of protesting and the shortcomings within the league, including how announcers talk about Black players and the stereotypes that are often leaned on."

Vincent Dunn has always been proud of his daughter for her myriad sports accomplishments. But this year, he saw the conversations about how she can make a difference as a role model shifting, noting:

"Now, we are talking more about things she can and is doing outside of soccer regarding social justice issues, voting, etc. She is now a 'veteran' in woman's soccer and has a platform which she is using in an effort to help make a change. I have always been a proud dad, but I am now a proud dad for many other reasons."