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The Sports Bra provides new crowdfunding opportunity to scale up business while letting fans invest

The Sports Bra provides new crowdfunding opportunity to scale up business while letting fans invest

Sports Business

The Sports Bra provides new crowdfunding opportunity to scale up business while letting fans invest

Everyone wants to be in the women’s sports bar business these days, so The Sports Bra is making it easy for anyone to own a piece of the action. Yesterday, the Portland-based enterprise built on its expanding franchise business by rolling out a new investment opportunity: A crowdfunding campaign called “Own a Piece of The Bra.”

The GIST’s unofficial WNBA power rankings

The GIST’s unofficial WNBA power rankings

The GIST’s unofficial WNBA power rankings

Nearly two weeks in, here’s our unofficial power rankings heading into Week 3, plus one lingering question.

Previewing the 64-team NCAA softball tournament

Previewing the 64-team NCAA softball tournament

Previewing the 64-team NCAA softball tournament

The 64-team NCAA softball national championship tournament swings into action today with 16 double-elimination Regionals on deck. It’s all part of a massive moment for the sport before the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) season begins next month. Batter up, baby.

Jess Smith breaks down the Golden State Valkyries’ billion-dollar strategy

Jess Smith breaks down the Golden State Valkyries’ billion-dollar strategy

Jess Smith breaks down the Golden State Valkyries’ billion-dollar strategy

The Golden State Valkyries may as well be in Valhalla (or Ballhalla, as they call it). Shortly after the team shared its season two promotional campaign, CNBC deemed the Valks a billion-dollar franchise — the first in women’s sports history. That’s no accident. Valkyries president Jess Smith and her team have been busy building a juggernaut brand — and in a region full of fervent fans and powerful sponsors, that becomes a billion-dollar pursuit. Last month, we spoke with Smith about the strategies she’s implemented to reach this pinnacle, as well as what’s going to keep the club climbing in year two.

PWHL adds two expansion franchises as new markets offer unique value

PWHL adds two expansion franchises as new markets offer unique value

PWHL adds two expansion franchises as new markets offer unique value

The PWHL is getting bigger and better…literally. After adding an expansion franchise in Detroit last week, the league announced new teams in Hamilton, ON, and Las Vegas, NV, yesterday. If those cities weren’t on your bingo card, you wouldn’t be alone — but each market brings its own value to the league. Feeling pucky.

Nielsen, ESPN share WNBA viewership insights that illustrate league’s growth among key demos

Nielsen, ESPN share WNBA viewership insights that illustrate league’s growth among key demos

Nielsen, ESPN share WNBA viewership insights that illustrate league’s growth among key demos

Earlier this week, Nielsen shared WNBA viewership insights from the 2025 season and the 2026 WNBA Draft. The numbers show impressive overall success, as well as high growth in specific demographics and regional markets. That, coupled with brand-new viewership data from ESPN, illustrates that the league is stronger than ever in year 30. Let’s get into the paint.

Montréal Victoire advance to their first PWHL Finals, will face Ottawa Charge

Montréal Victoire advance to their first PWHL Finals, will face Ottawa Charge

Montréal Victoire advance to their first PWHL Finals, will face Ottawa Charge

Pass the maple syrup because there’s an All-Canadian team PWHL final on deck, beginning tomorrow. Here’s how it happened.

New Endy partnership illustrates value of partnering with Canadian WNBA athletes

New Endy partnership illustrates value of partnering with Canadian WNBA athletes

Sports Business

New Endy partnership illustrates value of partnering with Canadian WNBA athletes

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May 12, 2026

Canadian mattress brand Endy is returning as the WNBA’s official sleep partner in Canada, touting a new campaign that stars Canadian athletes across the league. The move doubles down on impressive fan growth in the country, which both Canadian and multinational brands are noting.

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The GIST of It Podcast

The secret to building strength with Ilona Maher

May 19, 2026

Listen on Apple Music Listen on Spotify

The secret to building strength with Ilona Maher

The secret to building strength with Ilona Maher

Two words: Ilona Maher.

The rugby star and queen of the Internet joins The GIST of It today, sitting down with senior editor Lauren Tuiskula for a convo on building strength, something Ilona knows better than anyone. Trust us — by the end of this episode, you’ll be ready to add another plate at the gym.

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Montréal Victoire advance to their first PWHL Finals, will face Ottawa Charge

Montréal Victoire advance to their first PWHL Finals, will face Ottawa Charge

Montréal Victoire advance to their first PWHL Finals, will face Ottawa Charge

The Justin Bieber Hallelujah magic came through last night because there’s an All-Canadian team PWHL final on deck, beginning tomorrow. Hold onto your Timbits — here’s how it happened.

The biggest headlines from the WNBA’s opening weekend

The biggest headlines from the WNBA’s opening weekend

The biggest headlines from the WNBA’s opening weekend

At long last, the Toronto Tempo made their WNBA debut over the weekend, a long-awaited women’s basketball moment in the Great White North. Just in case you couldn’t see through the happy tears (same), let’s catch you up on the rest of the W action.

The Dallas Wings are shooting their shot

The Dallas Wings are shooting their shot

The Dallas Wings are shooting their shot

This year, the Dallas Wings got lucky again. They landed back-to-back No. 1 overall picks, first choosing Paige Bueckers in 2025, then Bueckers’ former teammate Azzi Fudd just a month ago. (The pair are an item on and off the court, but don’t ask the club about it.) In April, we chatted with Wings CEO Greg Bibb about how the team has flourished under his tenure and the hype around the Dallas market, for W fans and brands alike. Everything’s bigger in Texas, after all.

Montréal Victoire just one win away from first trip to Walter Cup Final

Montréal Victoire just one win away from first trip to Walter Cup Final

Montréal Victoire just one win away from first trip to Walter Cup Final

And just like that, one team is one win away from clinching their spot in the PWHL Finals. Scroll on for all the puck party details.

A full NHL and NBA playoff rundown

A full NHL and NBA playoff rundown

A full NHL and NBA playoff rundown

Keeping track of all the playoff action in the NHL and NBA is a full-time job. Good thing your sporty bestie is here to help manage the plethora of playoff games. Let’s do this.

The only 2026 WNBA season primer you need

The only 2026 WNBA season primer you need

The only 2026 WNBA season primer you need

The offseason in one word? Transformational. The WNBA and its players’ association agreed to a groundbreaking seven-year collective bargaining agreement (CBA) less than a month ago, ushering in a new (and more lucrative) era of women’s basketball.

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