Photo: WSL Beatriz Ryder
Jessi Miley-Dyer has a new gig with the World Surf League. The former professional surfer and, more recently, WSL Chief of Sport, has assumed the role as Commissioner for competitive surfing’s preeminent body. And she’s the first female to do the job.
In a statement to SURFER, Miley-Dyer said:
“I’ve been really fortunate to have come from a long competitive career in pro surfing where I was on the CT for six years, but also was the surfer representative advocating for the interests of the female surfers as a director on the then ASP board. I’ve been at WSL since 2012.
“Having that background coupled with a formal education has given me a unique perspective of what our surfers go through in their own competitive careers, and I hope to bring all of my experience to the table to serve our athletes with our team. Our surfers are passionate and thoughtful, and I believe as a sport that we are very lucky to have such incredibly talented partners in them.”
Before Miley-Dyer, another former pro held the position in Kieren Perrow; but he stepped down in 2015.
Related: There’s a New (Possibly Goofyfoot) WSL CEO
The news comes hot off the heels of other recent leadership changes within the WSL. Last month, following the sudden 2023 departure of Erik Logan, a new CEO was appointed in former videogame executive Ryan Crosby.
And back in 2019, under former-former WSL CEO, Sophie Goldschmidt, the League debuted pay parity for the men and women – an achievement they called, “the first and only US based global sports league, and among the first internationally, to achieve prize money equality. The WSL is proud of its commitment to gender equality, and proud to join other organizations beyond the world of sport reaching this important milestone.”
As for Miley-Dyer, per an Instagram post unveiling her new role, she alluded to continuing that push for equality moving forward:
“Being the first woman to hold a specific position hasn’t always been a smooth road. But it’s worth it. What I believe is this: you can be many things – but just make sure you’re not the last.”
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