In this Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019, photo tennis great and founder of the Women's Sports Foundation Billie Jean King, left, and soccer star Megan Rapinoe pose for photos on the red carpet of the Women's Sports Foundation's 40th annual Salute to Women in Sports in New York. Rapinoe, who was honored at the gala, won Sportswoman of the Year in the team category. She led the U.S. women's soccer team to victory at the World Cup in France and earned the FIFA Player of the Year award. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
The Associated Press
Soccer star Megan Rapinoe and boxer Claressa Shields have been honored as Sportswomen of the Year by the Women's Sports Foundation.
They won in the team and individual categories, the awards coming at the foundation's 40th annual Salute to Women in Sports.
Rapinoe led the U.S. to victory at the World Cup in France and earned the FIFA Player of the Year award. Shields is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and middleweight champion.
Sheila Johnson, part-owner of the Washington Wizards, Capitals and recent WNBA champion Mystics, won the Billie Jean King Leadership Award. Marta Vieira da Silva, star of the Brazilian national soccer team, won the Wilma Rudolph Courage Award.
Rapinoe thanked her teammates Wednesday night and lauded Marta, a six-time FIFA Player of the Year, calling the Brazilian the greatest of all time and an "absolute hero in our sport."
John Burke, president of the Trek Bicycle company, received the inaugural Champion for Equality Award.
In this Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019, photo soccer star Megan Rapinoe poses for photos on the red carpet of the Women's Sports Foundation's 40th annual Salute to Women in Sports in New York. Rapinoe, who was honored at the gala, won Sportswoman of the Year in the team category. She led the U.S. women's soccer team to victory at the World Cup in France and earned the FIFA Player of the Year award. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
The Associated Press
In this Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019, photo Brazilian soccer star Marta Vieira da Silva poses for photos on the red carpet of the Women's Sports Foundation's 40th annual Salute to Women in Sports in New York. Marta, who was honored with the Wilma Rudolph Courage Award, is a six-time FIFA Player of the Year. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
The Associated Press
In this Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019, photo, boxer poses Claressa Shields for photos on the red carpet of the Women's Sports Foundation's 40th annual Salute to Women in Sports in New York. Shields, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and middleweight champion, won Sportswoman of the Year in the individual category. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
The Associated Press
In this Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019, photo businesswoman Sheila C. Johnson poses for photos on the red carpet of the Women's Sports Foundation's 40th annual Salute to Women in Sports in New York. Johnson, part-owner of the Washington Wizards, Capitals and recent WNBA champion Mystics, won the Billie Jean King Leadership Award. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
The Associated Press