🌹 Rose-colored glasses
Portland reportedly wins bid for 15th WNBA franchise
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Everything’s coming up roses in Portland. After narrowly missing out on a WNBA expansion franchise bid last November, the Rose City is reportedly banking the WNBA’s 15th franchise. Per Sean Highkin of the Rose Garden Report, the Bhathal family — which already owns the NWSL’s Portland Thorns — is buying Portland’s newest sports franchise.
September 04, 2024
🗽 New York, we love you
Bumble inks a new partnership with the WNBA’s NY Liberty
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After announcing a buzzworthy WNBA partnership in July, Bumble confirmed a new partnership with the NY Liberty as the team’s first official dating app partner that includes contests, events, and social media activations.
August 23, 2024
✈️ Wheels up
WNBA offers league-wide charter flights through expanded Delta partnership
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The WNBA is finally ready for takeoff. On Monday, the league expanded its relationship with Delta Airlines through a pivotal multiyear partnership that will ensure charter flights for all 12 teams. This move proves once again that league partners have the power to close the gap for players sooner rather than later.
August 21, 2024
🎮 Caught in 2K
Newest edition of NBA 2K features expansive WNBA content centering rookies
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Long-running sports video game franchise NBA 2K announced expansive in-game WNBA upgrades for its forthcoming NBA 2K25 title yesterday, giving gamers innovative offerings around the league’s biggest players.
August 16, 2024
💸 Wingin’ it
Dallas Wings see massive valuation jump to $208M amid rocky season
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The Dallas Wings may be having a tough time on the court as they sit at the bottom of the WNBA standings, but they’re making serious bank off of it. A recent 1% stake sale puts the WNBA team at a $208M valuation, a massive jump from Sportico’s $75M valuation for the team in June.
August 14, 2024
👟 Been there, done that
Nike shares landmark wins from longtime WNBA partnership
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While there’s been a lot of talk about new WNBA brand partners, there’s something to be said for OG league sponsors — like Nike. The athleticwear giant recently celebrated over 25 years with the W, so let’s take a look at some of Nike’s most recent women’s hoops wins.
July 29, 2024
📊 A (data) set shot
Relo Metrics shares data insights on the value of WNBA sponsorship
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July 26, 2024
Ever wonder how much exposure a half-court logo gets? That’s where Relo Metrics — a firm that uses AI to measure sports marketing efficacy — steps in. Last week, Relo spoke with The GIST to share exclusive WNBA insights from its proprietary software that tracks brand exposure.
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Ep #397

NFL off-field updates & Solheim Cup preview

September 12, 2024
NFL off-field updates & Solheim Cup preview

Hi there!

On today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz dive into two complex NFL headlines. First, El and Steph revisit the lawsuit against Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, who was recently accused of sexual assault after facing 26 civil suits accusing him of sexual misconduct.

El and Steph also discuss the developing story regarding the police detainment of Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill and two of his teammates ahead of last Sunday’s game. The incident has come under serious scrutiny.

Then in part two, the gals preview the 19th edition of the Solheim Cup where the top women golfers in the U.S. and Europe will be facing off in Virginia as Team USA looks to take back the trophy and Team Europe chases a four peat. Who’s ready for the tee?

A big thank you to our friends at Aflac for powering today’s episode! Just like The GIST tackles the gap in women’s sports coverage, Aflac closes the gap that health insurance leaves behind. Learn more at aflac.com/thegist.

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⭐ All the stars
WNBA All-Star Game shatters viewership records as league skyrockets in popularity
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This year’s WNBA All-Star Weekend (ASW) became an epicenter for women’s basketball culture like never before, and it was more than just brands (and celebs) showing up at the marquee event. As expected, fans tuned in on TV, which sponsors anticipated and prepped for with numerous ASW activations.
July 24, 2024
🤝 Unrivaled support
Ally becomes the first and founding partner for 3x3 women’s basketball league Unrivaled
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Unrivaled — the 3x3 pro women’s basketball league founded by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier — made its first major partnership announcement on Friday. Unsurprisingly, the first sponsor to sign with the new league is Ally, the financial institution that’s been transforming women’s sports through investment via its 50/50 Pledge.
July 22, 2024
🐝 Let’s bee together
Bumble partners with WNBA for multiyear sponsorship
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Women-first dating app Bumble is firmly embracing its sporty era. After past collabs in the e-sports and NIL spaces, the app announced a multiyear partnership with the WNBA last Wednesday The move followed a Bumble survey that helped it realize its users are all about love and basketball.
July 22, 2024
💰 Work hard, pay harder
WNBA secures $2.2B for historic 11-year media rights deal
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The WNBA just netted another record — this time, for the most lucrative media rights contracts in women’s sports history. On Tuesday, The Athletic reported the WNBA signed three media rights deals alongside the NBA for a grand total of $2.2B over the next 11 years — and they’re likely not done yet.
July 19, 2024
Australia’s NBL teams up with Wollemi Capital to purchase majority WNBL stake
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We have a winner, folks. A month after governing body Basketball Australia (BA) announced it was shopping a majority stake in the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL), Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL) and the Wollemi Capital Group Syndicate (WCGS) formed a consortium to buy in.
June 28, 2024
🃏 Aces high
The Las Vegas Aces make history again with home venue sellouts
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It’s already been a banner year for the Las Vegas Aces, who became the first WNBA team to sell out all regular season home games last Thursday. While the mainstream media has largely focused on rookie hype, the Aces’ numbers don’t lie: Dynasties are the real money makers.
June 26, 2024