Soccer

NWSL makes flurry of business-driven moves as playoffs approach

As the NWSL builds toward its future (one commissioner Jessica Berman plans to lead), the league is making key decisions to level up its on-field product, including through its recent digital media partnership with The GIST. Let’s review a few of the NWSL’s moves announced this week, and what they might mean for the league and interested sponsors.

September 19, 2025

Breaking down the NWSL salary cap

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There have been numerous record-breaking transfers in women’s soccer this year, most recently former North Carolina Courage midfielder Jaedyn Shaw’s $1.25M transfer to Gotham FC. With so many gals on the go, let’s kick around some questions about the state of the global women’s game.

September 10, 2025

BWSL taps IMG to market international rights as UK women’s soccer league is primed for global following

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Last week, the Barclays Women’s Super League (BWSL) — the top flight for UK women’s soccer — enacted a multiyear partnership with global sports marketing firm IMG to exclusively handle its international media rights. The powerhouse agency has experience securing deals with top channels in emerging markets as well as wide-reaching platforms in popular regions.

September 08, 2025

Chelsea’s Alyssa Thompson signing highlights benefits, drawbacks for soccer sponsors amid athlete moves

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Alyssa Thompson is the latest NWSL star headed to Chelsea on a five-year deal that is commanding a $1.3M transfer fee. This follows the Blues’ play for Naomi Girma — when Chelsea paid a record $1.1M fee in January — and a general trend of USWNT standouts being courted across the pond.

September 05, 2025

Parity research indicates women’s soccer fans show above-average loyalty to sponsors in the space

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On Wednesday, women athlete sponsorship platform Parity released a report on the distinct brand opportunity among women’s soccer fans. While we’ve known that soccer fans tend to create uniquely passionate communities, Parity’s survey uncovered just how much that camaraderie extends to sponsors.

August 22, 2025

Bay FC expected to shatter NWSL attendance record at Oracle Park

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From Lizbeth Ovalle’s record-setting $1.5M transfer to the Orlando Pride to The Show at San Francisco’s Oracle Park, women’s soccer history is being made from sea to shining sea in the NWSL this week. Here’s what you need to know about the fan-footy-tastic fun, plus how it fits into the latest trend in the women’s sports space.

August 22, 2025

Good Vibes FC podcast drops Olipop merch collection as podcast sponsors further monetize shows

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On Tuesday, The Women’s Game — the women’s soccer side of the Men In Blazers (MiB) Media Network — released its first capsule collection in collaboration with Olipop (with an assist from Yeti) for its popular podcast, Good Vibes FC.

August 20, 2025

Sports Business

First-ever USWNT squad monetizes brand with memorabilia amid women’s sports, nostalgia boom

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August 20, 2025

Yesterday, memorabilia authentication platform The Realest announced a unique partnership that celebrates the 85ers, the 17 members of the first-ever USWNT. On the 40th anniversary of the 85ers’ inaugural soccer match, The Realest launched the first memorabilia collection for the team, which recently launched its own LLC.

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The GIST of It Podcast

Ep #498

Is WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert’s job at risk?

October 02, 2025

Listen on Apple Music Listen on Spotify

Is WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert’s job at risk?

The exit interview heard ’round the world.

ICYMI, Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier lambasted WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and the league office on Tuesday. On today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz place Collier’s explosive comments into the league’s larger context, connecting the dots to the ongoing CBA negotiations, the WNBA’s sustainability, and of course, Unrivaled. Questions? Answered.

Thanks to FanDuel for their support of this podcast. A long-time supporter of women’s sports, FanDuel’s best-in-class WNBA bets let you put some skin in the game. Head to FanDuel.ca or download the app to join in on the fun.

A big shoutout to LPGA for sponsoring The GIST of It. To celebrate 75 years of golf greatness, the LPGA is hooking up one lucky fan with an epic VIP Experience to the CME Group Tour Championship in Naples, Florida from November 20th to 23rd. Enter here for your chance to win big.