tHE teAM
WHO WE ARE
The founding team behind Sisters Sports Group blends C-suite experience, grassroots passion, and unstoppable drive. With deep ties to Philadelphia and national reach, these leaders bring expertise in law, business, sports management, advocacy, and entertainment
FOUNDING TEAM
The team behind Sisters Sports Group brings together executive-level leadership and deep community roots. From our founding team to our advisory board, we’re guided by change makers with powerful networks in sports, business, government, and media—all committed to building the future of women’s professional sports and as a result, sports entertainment at large.
Alexandra
Niedbalski-Sykes
PRESIDENT
A global business executive with a background in sports management and deep strategic expertise, Alex drives day-to-day operations for the founding team. She oversees priorities, long-term planning, and group alignment embodies leadership that ensures Sisters Sports Group scales with purpose.
Ashley
Lunkenheimer
VICE PRESIDENT
A former federal prosecutor and senior counsel in both the public and private sectors, Ashley brings legal rigor and strategic insight to the team. With wide-reaching connections in Philly government, corporate leadership, and community spaces, she’s a bridge between advocacy and execution.
Wanda Sykes
PARTNER
Emmy-winning producer, comedian, and activist, Wanda brings star power and heart to the founding team. With deep connections in media and entertainment, she helps open doors and amplify the movement
STARLA CRANDALL
PARTNER
A visionary business leader at a top global consulting firm, Starla leads our efforts in marketing, partnerships, and advisory board development. She brings structure to ambition and helps translate vision into visible impact.
HOW IT ALL BEGAN
2019
The story begins
At a wedding in New York, a casual conversation turns serious. Alex Niedbalski-Sykes and Wanda Sykes chat with a friend and NBA executive before arriving at a question they didn’t even know was gnawing at them:Why doesn’t Philadelphia—a major sports city—have a single professional women’s sports team? That moment plants the seed for what would become The Philadelphia Sisters.
Shortly thereafter, the couple went on to trademark the Philly Sisters™, create the organization’s logo, and website.
2020-2022
Growing partnerships
The Philly Sisters™ founding team forms, connecting with investors and civic leaders, building their network, and presenting their vision to WNBA leadership.
The team met with:
Philadelphia Councilwoman Cherelle L. Parker
Former Senator Tom Wolf
David Adelman, limited partner of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, which owns and operates the Philadelphia 76ers
Billie Jean King
Dawn Staley
Local Philadelphians
The Philly Sisters™ lobbied to get powerful changemakers on board, including:
76ers owners
HBSE
Comcast
The Philly Sisters™ raise $50 million in soft commitments for the mission.
The Philly Sisters™ create their dream-team advisory board, consisting of key players in the professional women’s sports industry, professional men’s sports industry, and local government official.
2024
Meetings, meetings, meetings
Thousands of meetings later—held on Zoom, in-person, and on the phone—public media begins to highlight the Sisters’ campaign. The team’s relationships with civic leaders, celebrities, sports executives, and local organizers who believe in the mission drives the movement to become more public—and more powerful.
2025
The WNBA announcement
The Philadelphia 76ers ownership formally submits a bid for a WNBA expansion team in January, tied to plans for a new arena. By June 30, the WNBA announced three new franchises, including Philadelphia.
Founder of Philly Sisters™ and President of the Sisters Sports Group, Alex Niedbalski-Sykes, along with wife, founding partner and board member Wanda Sykes, stand alongside NBA commissioner Adam Silver, Chairman of 76 Dev Co David Adelman, Comcast CEO Brian L. Roberts, Founder and General Managing partner of Harris Blitzer (HBSE) Josh Harris, and David Blitzer wherein HBSE and Comcast made their official bid to bring a WNBA team to Philadelphia.
BEYOND 2025
Trust the progress
Sisters Sports Group elevates its mission to help grassroots organizations across the country bring women’s professional sports to their cities.
Building an understanding of the legal side of league expansion, including contracts, trademarks, NDAs and more, which the team brings as part of its expertise to other cities ready to launch their professional women’s sports era.
