India Wright: “I think people still have a perception that the playing field for women in sport is limited…It’s been great to be a part of that change”; Her Huddle is a new show celebrating the stories of women working in and around the NFL. You can listen to it on the podcast below.
Last updated: 28/10/22 5:54pm
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Six-time Emmy-nominated NFL Media feature producer India Wright talks to Her Huddle about the evolution of her career and what makes a great sports story.
Six-time Emmy-nominated NFL Media feature producer India Wright talks to Her Huddle about the evolution of her career and what makes a great sports story.
India Wright is a six-time Emmy-nominated feature producer for NFL Media with a great passion for storytelling.
Appeared in the latest episode of her huddle (available as a podcast below), Wright explained exactly what makes a good story. “And I’m looking for layers…and a big third act.
“Is it complicated? Does it have its ups and downs, does it have its ups and downs? And can the story end in a big, epic way?
“If I can find a story that can do both, it’s a home run for me.”
Wright’s stellar career in the NFL wasn’t the first road she took. When she attended the University of Southern California, she first had ambitions of becoming a sports presenter before finding her vocation.
“Telling a story is an opportunity to have a voice”
“I thought the only space for women in sports was in front of the camera, so I went in because I wanted to be on air,” she said.
“I really enjoyed telling stories in sports, and I had a chance to speak up.
“I think telling stories through sports can have a big impact by making a difference. Today, sports is the only place where people can come together and tear down walls. and people are more receptive to them.”
“I think people still have a perception that the playing field for women in sports is limited.
“There are so many amazing women doing these jobs. It’s been eye-opening for me, and it’s been cool to be a part of that change.”
What’s your favorite story Wright has told since starting his career in the NFL?
“It’s simple. I’ve told stories of the biggest athletes with the biggest franchises, but my favorite stories to date are those of women you don’t know.
Antoinette Harris played in the safety of the Central Methodist Eagles and is the first woman (non-kicker) to win a college football scholarship.
“Antoinette Harris. She was the first woman (not a kicker) to win a college football scholarship. She had ovarian cancer. She also found her father, who I didn’t know. As I said before, lots of layers.
“It was the first time I was able to tell a story centered around a woman. I was a female producer and had women involved in post-production. I never felt like my voice really came through.
“She’s talking about the menstrual cycle in the piece, and I was sitting there watching it being talked about on the NFL Network, and football is ‘men play’, so we I never thought that I would tell such a story.
“The Women in Football episode has evolved every year since, and I am proud to be nominated for a Sports Emmy every year.
“I want my career to evolve as I evolve.”
And it’s not just through a lens that Wright challenges complex subject matter, gender equality, and archaic perceptions of the industry.
Wright talks about his evolution:
“Four or five years from now, I don’t want to do that anymore. I want to go home. I want to get married and have a family. That’s not a bad thing.”
“I want my career to evolve with my personal evolution, so that I can continue to have fun.
“Often we make decisions for our careers that don’t meet our personal needs, and then we end up resenting the work we should have loved.”
She added: “The reason why I feel I can voice it is because of the women who came before me.
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MJ Acosta-Ruiz recalls the moment he was offered the presenter job on the NFL Network’s flagship show, Total Access, thinking it was all a joke and fearing he would be fired.
“It’s a sorority. That’s what I love most. Then there are the younger women.
“And that wasn’t always the case because the spots for women were very limited. They had to be competitive.
“Now I feel that I have a responsibility and that I need to do it for the woman who comes after me: ‘She said this is important and that it’s okay for her to want these things.’ We need to let them know that we have done it.
“You can want both. That’s fine. It demeans this misconception that you have to choose between a career and a family. I hope it goes away.”
As further advice for women who will eventually follow in her footsteps in the industry, Wright added:
“What are your basic morals? It will be tested in this field as a woman, so having a backbone will allow you to protect yourself and what you believe in.
“And boundaries.
“I think those will be my three pillars.”
