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The NWSL awards 18th franchise to Columbus, Ohio as league considers marketing power of multi-franchise sports owners

The NWSL awards 18th franchise to Columbus, Ohio as league considers marketing power of multi-franchise sports owners

Sports Business

The NWSL awards 18th franchise to Columbus, Ohio as league considers marketing power of multi-franchise sports owners

On Tuesday, the NWSL awarded its 18th franchise to Columbus, Ohio for a record $205M expansion fee, up from Atlanta’s $165M fee in 2025. NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman cited the region’s affinity for soccer as a key factor, but so was the money the ownership group put down: $300M between the expansion fee and a new bespoke training facility.

Our top three NFL Draft picks

Our top three NFL Draft picks

Our top three NFL Draft picks

Cue the chime because the 2026 NFL Draft begins tomorrow at 8 p.m. ET in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. From the coveted No. 1 pick to the selection of Mr. Irrelevant at No. 257, the picks keep comin’ and they don’t stop comin’ for seven rounds spanning tomorrow through Saturday.

Chase and WNBPA leaders discuss the value of their recent partnership

Chase and WNBPA leaders discuss the value of their recent partnership

Chase and WNBPA leaders discuss the value of their recent partnership

The WNBPA's new deal with JPMorganChase goes deeper than its previous partnerships.

Flau’jae Johnson discusses the value of OT Select team ownership and the competition’s place in the women’s basketball pipeline

Flau’jae Johnson discusses the value of OT Select team ownership and the competition’s place in the women’s basketball pipeline

Flau’jae Johnson discusses the value of OT Select team ownership and the competition’s place in the women’s basketball pipeline

The recent WNBA draftee reflects on her new role with the league for elite high school girls' basketball players.

WNBA roster building continues as training camps tip off

WNBA roster building continues as training camps tip off

WNBA roster building continues as training camps tip off

Free agency adds intrigue to training camp: Teams use camp to evaluate their talent, making it the perfect place to identify roster holes…and the athletes outside the franchise who could fill them. A few big-name free agents remain unsigned: defensive juggernaut Natasha Cloud, WNBA legend Tina Charles, and international icon Emma Meesseman.

Everything you need to know about the 2026 NHL Playoffs

Everything you need to know about the 2026 NHL Playoffs

Everything you need to know about the 2026 NHL Playoffs

The Stanley Cup Playoffs feature 16 of the league’s 32 teams — eight from the Eastern Conference and eight from the Western Conference. The top three teams in each division (Atlantic and Metropolitan in the East; Central and Pacific in the West), along with the two next-best teams in each conference (the Wild Cards) complete the 16-team field.

Cameron Brink refuses to be sidelined

Cameron Brink refuses to be sidelined

Cameron Brink refuses to be sidelined

As the LA Sparks seek a fourth WNBA championship, they’re building a roster around big-name veterans like Kelsey Plum and Nneka Ogwumike. But one young superstar is also at the heart of the team and the WNBA at large: third-year forward Cameron Brink. Last week, we caught up with her to learn about how she’s built her illustrious brand portfolio with “intentional” partnerships — and how she turned a difficult injury setback into an opportunity to build her entrepreneurial skills.

Top NBA postseason storylines to watch

Top NBA postseason storylines to watch

Sports News

Top NBA postseason storylines to watch

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April 17, 2026

The top storylines to know as the NBA postseason tips off.

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The GIST of It Podcast

AUSL’s Golden Tickets are going viral and changing lives

April 21, 2026

Listen on Apple Music Listen on Spotify

AUSL’s Golden Tickets are going viral and changing lives

AUSL’s Golden Tickets are going viral and changing lives

Ready to smile?

Then look no further than today’s episode of The GIST of It. Today, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz are sharing the story of Athletes Unlimited softball’s viral Golden Tickets, handed out to college players around the country to let them know their dreams of becoming a pro softball player are about to come true. It’ll melt your heart in the best way.

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The NBA postseason set-up

The NBA postseason set-up

The NBA postseason set-up

The NBA playoff field is almost locked in. Here's how the postseason works.

New data on Gen Z teens underscores the generation’s appreciation for athlete advocacy around social issues

New data on Gen Z teens underscores the generation’s appreciation for athlete advocacy around social issues

New data on Gen Z teens underscores the generation’s appreciation for athlete advocacy around social issues

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation released a national study involving Gen Z teens yesterday, highlighting that sports and athletes heavily influence how teens perceive societal issues.

WNBA eyes international expansion as global athletes, fans develop ties to league

WNBA eyes international expansion as global athletes, fans develop ties to league

WNBA eyes international expansion as global athletes, fans develop ties to league

For the WNBA’s 30th season, the league is looking back — and abroad. Three of the first 12 WNBA Draft picks were international, including No. 3 Awa Fam Thiam from Spain. It makes sense to lure stars stateside as the league hopes to build fandom abroad: W commissioner Cathy Engelbert said she’s “heavily looking at” staging international WNBA games.

LSU sophomore Kailin Chio, UCLA senior Jordan Chiles headline the NCAA women’s gymnastics national championships

LSU sophomore Kailin Chio, UCLA senior Jordan Chiles headline the NCAA women’s gymnastics national championships

LSU sophomore Kailin Chio, UCLA senior Jordan Chiles headline the NCAA women’s gymnastics national championships

A positively stacked eight-team field has touched down in Fort Worth, Texas, for the NCAA women’s gymnastics national championships. Join the party and giddy on up — these women are flippin’ fantastic.

Drama abounds in NBA Play-In Tournament

Drama abounds in NBA Play-In Tournament

Drama abounds in NBA Play-In Tournament

Two games in, and the NBA Play-In Tournament is already doing what it does best — stirring up chaos. Official playoff berths are on the line, and the high-stakes hoopla has only just begun.

LOVB SF owners on unique Bay Area ecosystem that makes volleyball franchise a smash hit

LOVB SF owners on unique Bay Area ecosystem that makes volleyball franchise a smash hit

LOVB SF owners on unique Bay Area ecosystem that makes volleyball franchise a smash hit

This Thursday, LOVB serves up its championship weekend, which will air on USA Sports for the first time. This will be the last chip featuring the league’s inaugural six teams as three expansion teams will be added next year, including LOVB San Francisco.

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