How Alana Meraz Is Leveling the Playing Field for Latinos in Sports
Alana Meraz, an Arizona native, grew up surrounded by the thrill of sports. Her family, dedicated fans of baseball, often gathered to watch games together. According to Meraz, her love for the game began during her childhood, particularly when the Arizona Diamondbacks won the World Series in 2001.
After hearing her speak about “Building Power and Unity for Women in Sports” on a panel at Women Raise the Game—a conference curated by Tish Galindo of 360 Agency to celebrate and foster connection among Latinas in sports and entertainment—I knew I had to learn more about how she turned her love for sports into a meaningful career.
Raised partly by her grandparents, Meraz credits her grandfather for fostering her early connection to baseball. “Baseball was one of the first sports my grandpa understood, even though our broadcast was fully in English,” she shared, reflecting on how they learned the game together despite language barriers. Watching the Mexico National Team also deepened her appreciation for sports and her cultural roots.
Contrary to common assumptions, Meraz admits she isn’t athletic. Instead, her passion lies in what it means to be a fan. Inspired by her mother, who studied journalism at Arizona State University, she initially considered sports journalism. But Meraz soon discovered her true calling when her mother encouraged her to pursue a new sports business program at the university.
Her journey included internships with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix Rising FC, and Sun Devil Athletics, as well as attending nearly every home game during the Diamondbacks’ 20th-anniversary season. After earning her undergraduate degree, Meraz pursued a master’s degree in sports management and law at the Instituto Superior de Derecho y Economía (ISDE) in Barcelona.
How Alana Meraz Founded Latinx in Sports
The idea for Latinx in Sports came to Meraz during Hispanic Heritage Month in 2020. As she returned home during the pandemic, she noticed a lack of recognition for Latinx sports professionals, even during a month meant to celebrate their heritage.
“I didn’t see a lot of teams and leagues amplifying their Hispanic front office,” she explained. Fueled by a desire to highlight these professionals, Meraz started a daily content series on social media. By the end of the month, she had connected with 30 professionals and felt empowered to continue growing the community.
“Latinx in Sports” quickly became a year-round initiative. The organization began hosting virtual events throughout 2020 and 2021, expanding to in-person gatherings in major cities like Los Angeles, Dallas, New York City, and Miami in 2022. These events allowed Meraz to build markets while maintaining connections with the online community.
Memorable Moments for Latinx in Sports
Reflecting on the milestones of Latinx in Sports, Meraz pointed to two standout events. The first was the organization’s inaugural in-person event at SoFi Stadium in 2022. “It was surreal,” she recalled. The stadium, fresh from hosting the Super Bowl, still bore its painted field. The event connected Meraz with many professionals she had previously only known through Instagram.
The second was the “Eres Poderosa” panel, an all-Latina event hosted by the NFL during Hispanic Heritage Month. Featuring influential leaders like Marissa Solis, head of marketing at the NFL, the panel left a lasting impact on Meraz. “To see those women in leadership was so inspiring for me,” she said, calling it a career highlight.
Alana Meraz on Networking and Social Media
For Meraz, networking is about authenticity. “When I was in college, I was taught that networking was very transactional,” she explained. However, she believes in reaching out to people because of genuine admiration for their work.
Social media has been a crucial tool for her career. “I’ve always been keen on sending LinkedIn requests with a note that says, ‘Hey, I’m so-and-so. I’m really intrigued by the work you do at NASCAR in multicultural marketing. I’d love to connect,’” she shared. This approach has allowed her to build meaningful relationships that often lead to new opportunities.
She recently connected with someone at ShopWSS because of her shared interest in sneakers. “Now I have a friend who works in sneakers and lives in LA,” she said. “It was very therapeutic to have a conversation about careers with another Latina.”
The Mentors Who Shaped Alana Meraz’s Path
Meraz credits her mother as her biggest mentor, citing her entrepreneurial spirit as a major influence. Her family’s strong entrepreneurial roots—including her grandfather’s and mother’s ventures—gave her the confidence to grow Latinx in Sports into a thriving community.
Another key mentor is Catalina Villegas, the MLB’s DEI director. Meraz met Villegas when she was just starting Latinx in Sports, and Villegas immediately became an advocate for her work. “She’s one of the reasons we were able to have such a successful event at Major League Baseball this past Hispanic Heritage Month,” Meraz said.
Advice from Alana Meraz to Future Latina Leaders
Meraz encourages Latinas to embrace their accomplishments unapologetically. “Sometimes, other people have to advocate for us to get us into different rooms or opportunities,” she said. “But at the end of the day, we are our own biggest advocates.”
Her advice is simple but powerful: Know your value beyond your career. By building confidence in your skills and advocating for yourself, Meraz believes Latinas can overcome challenges like impostor syndrome and thrive in any industry.
Through her work with Latinx in Sports, Alana Meraz continues to inspire a new generation of sports professionals, showing that representation matters—not just during Hispanic Heritage Month but every day of the year.
