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Rachael Lewis joined the Big 12 as Vice President - Communications in 2026. She oversees conference-wide communications strategy and serves as a senior advisor to leadership during a transformative era in college athletics.
In her role with the Big 12, Rachael leads external, internal, and crisis communications efforts, working closely with member institutions, media partners, and stakeholders to elevate the conference’s brand, articulate its strategic priorities, and reinforce its position as a leader in collegiate sports. She brings a steady, strategic approach to navigating complex issues while amplifying the conference’s competitive, commercial, and cultural momentum.
Prior to joining the Big 12, Rachael spent nearly eight years at Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment, most recently as Senior Director of Communications, overseeing communications for the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets, 2024 WNBA Champion New York Liberty, and Barclays Center. She partnered closely with executive leadership to develop and execute communication strategies that strengthened corporate reputation, supported business objectives, aligned external messaging, and provided trusted counsel on risk mitigation, issues management, and media relations. Throughout her career, she has secured top-tier national coverage across business, sports, fashion, and culture outlets, including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, CNBC, Forbes, VOGUE, TODAY, Good Morning America, Sports Business Journal, and more.
Earlier in her career, Rachael held communications roles at the ASPCA, where her media campaigns drove record-breaking animal adoption outcomes, and at Weber Shandwick, where she provided global media counsel to brands such as Nike, Absolut, Nespresso, and Verizon. She began her career in sports at Anthony Travel and Madison Square Garden, supporting marquee events and professional teams including the New York Rangers.
A native of Houston, Texas, Rachael got her start in the sports industry interning with Baylor Athletic Communications while earning her degree in Journalism, Public Relations, and New Media from Baylor University. She is known for her collaborative leadership style, sharp strategic instincts, and ability to align storytelling with business impact.
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