Icons Women
Behind the domain name Icons Women is the Independent Council on Women’s Sports, abbreviated as ICONS. It is an American nonprofit organization based in Henderson, Nevada, and not an international platform. ICONS describes itself as a network and advocacy group for current and former elite female athletes in college and professional sports.
What you can find
The organization was founded by Kim Jones and Marshi Smith, both former college athletes. The website features press releases, webinars, conference reports and information about lawsuits, including proceedings against the American collegiate sports governing body NCAA over eligibility rules for women’s competitions.
Why it is on this list
ICONS is an outspoken advocacy organization, not a neutral news source. The site provides a clear view of the arguments used in the American debate over sports and sex and how that debate is being pursued through the courts. See also the article about the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on transgender athletes.
Who is behind it
Kim Jones played tennis for Stanford University and was named an All-American in both singles and doubles. Marshi Smith swam for the University of Arizona, captained the team and became the college champion in the 100-yard backstroke in 2005. ICONS is registered as a charitable organization with 501(c)(3) tax status and solicits donations. The names of board members or major donors do not appear on the organization’s webpage. ICONS describes its mission as empowering female athletes and protecting safety, fairness and opportunities for girls and women.
Lawsuits
The best-known case is Gaines v. NCAA. Swimmer Riley Gaines is the lead plaintiff; the other plaintiffs include Brooke Slusser, Kylee Alons, Reka Gyorgy and Kaitlynn Wheeler. According to the website, Judge Tiffany R. Johnson of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia dismissed the case on September 29, 2026, and the plaintiffs intend to appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. ICONS also mentions proceedings involving the Ivy League and the Mountain West Conference. The organization held a launch conference in 2022 and an international summit on women’s sports in 2023, and hosts a monthly webinar.
How to assess this source
The press releases present the account of the plaintiffs and their lawyers. A dismissal by the court is portrayed as an intermediate step, not a defeat. For a complete picture, also read the ruling and the sports governing body’s position. Background on the rules of sports governing bodies can be found in the article about gender and sport and in the profiles of World Aquatics and World Athletics.