Las Vegas aces host Fourth Annual IX Awards celebrating Title IX legacy
The Las Vegas Aces continued their tradition of honoring women’s sports achievements with the fourth annual IX Awards, drawing nearly 300 attendees to Allegiant Stadium on Monday evening for a star-studded celebration of Title IX’s transformative impact on athletics.
Beyond basketball: A mission-driven organization
While the Las Vegas Aces are focused on winning championships on the court, the organization has established itself as a leader in promoting women’s sports and celebrating the legislation that made professional women’s basketball possible. The IX Awards represent the team’s commitment to advancing opportunities for women and girls in athletics beyond their own sport.
“We would not have the WNBA without it,” said Aces President Nikki Fargas, referring to Title IX, the landmark 1972 federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in education and athletics. This recognition of Title IX’s fundamental importance to women’s professional sports drives the Aces’ annual celebration.
Unique celebration sets new standard
The IX Awards have distinguished themselves as an unprecedented type of Title IX celebration, combining high-profile recognition with substantial community impact. The event’s scale and production value reflect the Aces’ commitment to treating women’s sports achievements with the same reverence typically reserved for men’s athletics.
“The fact that there’s a lot of money and attention that goes into this event, it feels first class,” said Olympic Gold Medalist Jessica Mendoza, highlighting how the IX Awards elevate the conversation around women’s sports through their presentation and investment.
Soccer legend Mia Hamm among 2025 honorees
This year’s celebration featured two-time World Cup medalist Mia Hamm among the honorees, bringing one of the most recognizable names in women’s sports to Las Vegas. Hamm’s presence underscored the national significance of the Aces’ annual event and its growing reputation within the women’s sports community.
“What the Aces are doing here is tremendous,” Hamm said. “I think it’s important to celebrate where we are and where we’re going.” Her participation demonstrates how the IX Awards have become a gathering point for prominent figures across all women’s sports, not just basketball.
Allegiant Stadium as prestigious venue
The choice to host the IX Awards at Allegiant Stadium, home to the Las Vegas Raiders, sends a powerful message about the importance the organization places on this event. Using one of Las Vegas’s premier sports venues for a women’s sports celebration reflects the Aces’ commitment to providing a “first class” experience that matches the significance of the honorees and their achievements.
The stadium setting also reinforces Las Vegas’s growing reputation as a city that takes women’s professional sports seriously, providing world-class facilities and support for events that celebrate female athletes and their contributions to sports history.
Community impact through charitable giving
The IX Awards extend their impact beyond recognition by incorporating charitable giving into the event’s mission. The Aces donate portions of the proceeds from the celebration to local charities that support women and girls in sports, creating a direct pipeline from the event to community organizations working to expand athletic opportunities.
This philanthropic component ensures that the IX Awards generate tangible benefits for the next generation of female athletes in Southern Nevada, supporting grassroots programs and initiatives that might not otherwise receive funding or attention.
Growing tradition in Las Vegas sports
As the IX Awards enter their fourth year, the event has become an established tradition within Las Vegas’s sports calendar. The consistent growth in attendance and profile demonstrates the community’s appetite for celebrating women’s athletic achievements and the lasting impact of Title IX legislation.
The event also reflects the broader evolution of Las Vegas as a major sports destination that supports both men’s and women’s professional athletics. The Aces’ championship success has elevated the profile of women’s sports in the city, and the IX Awards capitalize on that momentum to create lasting change.
National recognition for local initiative
The IX Awards have gained attention beyond Las Vegas, positioning the city as a leader in recognizing and supporting women’s sports. By attracting high-profile honorees like Mia Hamm and creating an event that sets new standards for Title IX celebrations, the Aces have elevated Las Vegas’s profile within the national women’s sports community.
This recognition benefits not only the Aces organization but also Las Vegas as a whole, reinforcing the city’s reputation as a forward-thinking sports destination that values equality and opportunity in athletics.
Educational impact and legacy building
Beyond the celebration itself, the IX Awards serve an important educational function by raising awareness about Title IX’s ongoing importance and the work still needed to achieve full equality in sports. The event provides a platform for discussing both historical achievements and current challenges facing women’s athletics.
By hosting this annual celebration, the Aces are building a legacy that extends far beyond their own championship pursuits, creating an institutional commitment to advancing women’s sports that will outlast any individual player or coach.
Looking forward: Continued growth and impact
As the IX Awards continue to grow in scope and recognition, they represent an increasingly important contribution to the national conversation about women’s sports. The event’s success demonstrates the potential for professional sports organizations to use their platforms for broader social impact.
The fourth annual celebration’s success sets the stage for continued growth and influence, positioning the Las Vegas Aces as leaders not just in professional basketball but in the broader movement to support and celebrate women’s athletic achievements.
With nearly 300 attendees and high-profile honorees, the 2025 IX Awards reinforced Las Vegas’s commitment to women’s sports while building on the foundation created by Title IX more than five decades ago.
Image Source: https://www.ktnv.com/sports/las-vegas-aces/las-vegas-aces-celebrate-the-ix-awards-for-fourth-year
Category: Sports, Culture
Subcategory: Community Events
Date: 06/24/2025
