Bonnie-Jill Laflin’s book “In a League of Her Own: Celebrating Female Firsts in Sports” was published in February and explores the stories of 19 impactful women in sports, including Billie Jean King, Danica Patrick, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Laila Ali, Jeanie Buss, and Mary Lou Retton. Now available for purchase, Laflin’s book explores the sobering realities women face in the sports world and the many obstacles they had to overcome on the path to success.

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Laflin is a trailblazing sports broadcaster, TV personality, author, and philanthropist. She is the first and only female NBA scout, holding the front office executive position with the Los Angeles Lakers, Bonnie-Jill holds many “firsts” throughout her prolific career. She’s the first woman to dance at a professional level for three teams, in two sports, starting with the NBA’s Golden State Warriors, and moving to the NFL for both the San Francisco 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys. She is the first female to be awarded six championship rings in two professional sports, earning a Super Bowl ring during her time cheering for the 49ers, and five NBA championship rings as an executive with the Lakers. Bonnie-Jill adds a new “first” to her repertoire as co-host of the brand-new “Women’s Western Sports Roundup” on the Cowgirl Channel.

Beyond her accomplishments in sports, Bonnie-Jill ventured into the world of broadcasting, bringing her knowledge and enthusiasm to the airwaves, reporting for various high-profile networks, including ESPN, NBA TV, NBC/NBC Sports, NFL Films, Westwood One, CBS, E!, BBC Sports, SiriusXM, NFR Live, and Fox Sports. Notably a host and ambassador for Michael Jordan’s “Jordan Brand,” her charismatic personality and deep understanding of the game have made her a sought-after commentator and analyst, enriching the sports-watching experience for countless fans.

Outside of her professional endeavors, Bonnie-Jill is a committed philanthropist and founder of Hounds, Heroes and Horses, a non-profit that pairs rescue dogs as service and therapy dogs with wounded warriors and veterans, as well as rescue horses as equine therapy for our service members and sponsoring retreats. Working to improve the lives of veterans, she has traveled to military bases across the country and abroad on 19 USO tours, including visits to bases in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Bonnie-Jill resides on her ranch in Ft. Worth, Texas with her rescued animals.

When did the book officially publish? Feb. 20, 2024, correct?

Yes, I was No. 1 on Amazon new releases during pre-orders and it is currently ranking top 10 in several categories.

What was the genesis for the idea to write this book?

There is no book that encompasses a collective of female trailblazers and pioneers in sports, and I wanted to share my story as well as the story of 19 other ladies who have left their imprints on history. I wanted to show all the trials and tribulations of their individual journeys as well as their known and lesser-known successes. I wanted little girls to know there is a space for them in sports and they now can see their dreams can come true just as others have done.

Is there a particular story or personality who shared something with you in this book you didn’t know? If so, what?

A common thread was that all of us have made so many sacrifices to get where we are at. Obstacles come in a variety of ways and the path to success is hardly ever a straight line. You’d have to read the book, but I think people will be surprised at how many times these women had to pivot, reinvent, and persevere to get to where they wanted to go.

How many women did you interview?

Nineteen women, including Billie Jean King, Danica Patrick, Laila Ali, Mary Lou Retton, Julie Krone, Trish Stratus, and more

How long did you sit with each interviewee?

I did a zoom interview with each lady for at least an hour and, in some instances, much more. You’d be surprised how much you can learn in the course of a conversation like that.

How did you narrow down the list of women to interview?

Of course, I had a short list of women that I really wanted to be a part of [the book]. I was lucky enough to attain those ladies and grow the list from there. I wanted women that have maybe been forgotten or that the younger generation might have been unaware of their story. I wanted to mix legends like Billie Jean King with lesser-celebrated but incredibly impactful figures that have paved the way in their respectful fields.

Talk about your diverse background in sports and why writing this book meant so much to you.

Laflin interviews jockey Mike Smith (Courtesy of Bonnie-Jill Laflin)

We could have an entire conversation just about this. I’ve participated in many aspects of the sports world from entertaining as a dancer or cheerleader for the Golden State Warriors, Dallas Cowboys, and San Francisco 49ers to covering NBA, NFL, horse racing, MLB, combat sports like MMA, and several other sports as both a radio and television host and reporter to working as the only female scout in NBA history while working with the Lakers and being the assistant GM to their development league team. Needless to say, I’ve traveled many miles wearing many hats around the sports world. This book means a lot to me because it’s so easy as a woman breaking into a male-dominated industry to feel alone, unsupported, and unseen. It was important to tell the stories of how these women, who against incredible odds and without a blueprint of their own to follow, we are able to achieve unheard of success.

How has Title IX affected the ability of women to level the playing field?

Simply put, Title IX put a crack in the door. It gave women the opportunity to be exposed to and try new things that were completely unavailable to them before. Once that door was cracked open, women like the ones in my book not only got their foot in that doorway, they pushed that gap open bigger and bigger for the next group of women to follow.

Who is your favorite female athlete of all-time?

Nadia Comăneci, five-time Olympic gold medalist, who I had the honor of having in my book. I looked up to her growing up watching her struggles and her triumphs during her Olympics run.

You’ve been a longtime fan of horse racing – do you have a favorite moment?

My favorite moment was when I bought my own racehorse at Barretts horse sale as a 2-year-old, named her Lil Miss Hollywood, and saw her win at Del Mar.

Laflin is an accomplished rider. (Courtesy of Bonnie-Jill Laflin)

Favorite filly of all time:

No question, Zenyatta. I was able to spend some time with her at feeding her carrots and her fav beer, Guinness.

Favorite racetrack:

Del Mar and Saratoga. The beauty of the venues and the history that lives within those grounds are very special.

Favorite racing event:

I have been to 23 Kentucky Derbys. It’s the most exciting two minutes in sports and the best sporting event all year round. There’s something about the outfits and the pageantry and the legends that were made at that event that is hard to match. 

What can racing do to attract more women to the sport?

I think in general they need to appeal to the next generation of people. Most of the younger generation couldn’t answer much about what the sport entails. There needs to be an organic way to educate new fans as well as show all the fun things about the entire experience. The races are only a brief few minutes, but the community, camaraderie, traditions, and history need to be made less foreign to potential new fans.

What’s next for Bonnie-Jill in 2024?

My international book tour from February to April, two new TV projects, filming a new movie, as well as continuing to host my sports radio show and podcast. There’s also my sideline and reporting duties and in-ring post fight interviews for MMA. My charity Hounds and Heroes has now expanded to Hounds, Heroes and Horses and we have ongoing expansion plans with our Battle Buddies Ranch and initiatives to help more and more veterans and animals.