Leigh Ernst Friestedt is the Founder and CEO of Equity IX – SportsOgram – Digital Media Sports. Equity IX, LLC specializes in women’s sports – analyzing key issues in sports and education. SportsOgram features an extensive digital media library in action sports.
Prior to forming Equity IX, Leigh was a Mergers & Acquisitions investment banker on Wall Street at Lazard, GE Capital, DLJ and Bowles Hollowell Connor. Leigh has over twelve years of M&A experience advising major companies across all sectors with a specialty in media.
Sports Articles
Leigh has photographed, filmed and authored articlescovering the top lacrosse events: NCAA Final Four, ACC, Ivy League, Big Ten and Big East Championships. Additional action sports that Leigh covers include: sailing, tennis, surfing, snowboarding, skiing and wildlife in Jackson Hole, WY.
Early Recruiting
Leigh helped the NCAA and Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (“IWLCA”) pass landmark early recruiting legislation in lacrosse. Leigh’s article, Early Recruit: The Role of Sports in Education, analyzed key issues with early recruiting and documented female student-athletes featured in a film to lobby the NCAA.
Education
Leigh received a law degree from Vanderbilt University and served on the Board of Advisors. Leigh is a graduate of Brown University where she played lacrosse earning First Team All-New England and Academic All-Ivy honors.
A graduate of Holton-Arms School, Leigh served on the Board of Trustees and was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame as a four-sport athlete and nationally-ranked tennis player.