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Grand Slam Track announces bankruptcy as Athlos, others illustrate what emerging sports leagues need for success

Grand Slam Track announces bankruptcy as Athlos, others illustrate what emerging sports leagues need for success

Sports Business

Grand Slam Track announces bankruptcy as Athlos, others illustrate what emerging sports leagues need for success

After months of financial difficulties, track & field league Grand Slam Track (GST) — spearheaded by Olympic legend Michael Johnson — officially filed for bankruptcy last week. As popular Olympic sports try to extend their reach beyond the global competition, GST presents a cautionary tale as it endured common issues faced by upstart sports leagues.

December 16, 2025

Partners of pro athletes offer organic, engaging marketing opportunities for brands and untapped potential in women’s sports

Partners of pro athletes offer organic, engaging marketing opportunities for brands and untapped potential in women’s sports

Partners of pro athletes offer organic, engaging marketing opportunities for brands and untapped potential in women’s sports

WAGs are where it's at

December 12, 2025

Paige Bueckers makes waves with snack product launches as women athletes win over Gen Z consumers

Paige Bueckers makes waves with snack product launches as women athletes win over Gen Z consumers

Paige Bueckers makes waves with snack product launches as women athletes win over Gen Z consumers

Last week, Good Eat’n — a plant-based snack brand launched by NBA legend Chris Paul — announced that WNBA phenom Paige Bueckers joined the company as an equity partner and will launch her own new snack called Ragerz.

December 11, 2025

Mercedes-Benz announces game-changing WTA partnership to close pay gaps

Mercedes-Benz announces game-changing WTA partnership to close pay gaps

Mercedes-Benz announces game-changing WTA partnership to close pay gaps

December 11, 2025

Netflix and Paramount Skydance make billion-dollar moves to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, shaking up sports landscape

Netflix and Paramount Skydance make billion-dollar moves to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, shaking up sports landscape

Netflix and Paramount Skydance make billion-dollar moves to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, shaking up sports landscape

On Friday, Netflix announced it will acquire the streaming and studio divisions of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), now separated under the Warner Brothers (WB) brand, in a $82.7B deal. But in dramatic fashion, Paramount Skydance threatened to finish what it started as it launched a $108.4B hostile bid for the entire company to compete with what was considered a done deal.

December 09, 2025

Germany’s Frauen Bundesliga makes bold move to separate from DFB as league goes independent

Germany’s Frauen Bundesliga makes bold move to separate from DFB as league goes independent

Germany’s Frauen Bundesliga makes bold move to separate from DFB as league goes independent

Last week, the Frauen Bundesliga — Germany’s 14-club professional women’s soccer league — made the surprising decision to split from the Deutscher Fußball-Bund (DFB), the nation’s governing body for the sport.

December 09, 2025

Angel Reese offers playbook on how athletes and brands can capitalize on authentic off-court experiences for Gen Z

Angel Reese offers playbook on how athletes and brands can capitalize on authentic off-court experiences for Gen Z

Angel Reese offers playbook on how athletes and brands can capitalize on authentic off-court experiences for Gen Z

“At this point, Angel Reese is as much of a socialite as she is a basketball player,” writes Marie Claire’s Ariel Baker in an article singing the 23-year-old’s praises, lauding Reese’s iconic French twist while sitting front-row at a Chanel show in NYC while effusing about being “obsessed with her duality.”

December 06, 2025

Latest WNBA CBA negotiation details could impact spring marketing plans

Latest WNBA CBA negotiation details could impact spring marketing plans

Sports Business

Latest WNBA CBA negotiation details could impact spring marketing plans

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December 04, 2025

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The GIST of It Podcast

Gay hockey romance at an NHL game? We’re in.

December 16, 2025

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Gay hockey romance at an NHL game? We’re in.

Gay hockey romance at an NHL game? We’re in.

Is it hot in here?

Or is it just “Heated Rivalry,” the steamy gay romance hockey drama sweeping North America? On Tuesday, the NHL showed a trailer of the popular show at the Montreal Canadiens Pride Night, a viral moment that has everyone talking. On today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz contextualize the moment in the grand scheme of hockey culture, which is notoriously homophobic, and discuss if this is a true ground-breaking moment for the league.

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Michele Kang establishes research institute within U.S. Soccer dedicated to researching women athletes

Michele Kang establishes research institute within U.S. Soccer dedicated to researching women athletes

Michele Kang establishes research institute within U.S. Soccer dedicated to researching women athletes

On Tuesday, U.S. Soccer announced the creation of the Kang Women’s Institute, a research platform within the organization funded by the aforementioned Kang’s generous $55M in total commitments to support women’s soccer. The platform aims to close the gaps in scientific research around women athletes in the lead-up to the Women’s World Cups in 2027 and 2031.

December 04, 2025

U.S. Soccer submits bid book as U.S. preps for travel tourism boost through upcoming tournaments

U.S. Soccer submits bid book as U.S. preps for travel tourism boost through upcoming tournaments

U.S. Soccer submits bid book as U.S. preps for travel tourism boost through upcoming tournaments

In its joint bid for the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup (WWC), U.S. Soccer — which plans to host alongside Mexico, Jamaica, and Costa Rica — submitted its bid book for the tournament, with the overwhelming majority of proposed venues spanning U.S. cities.

December 02, 2025

Paramount+ looks to cross-promote soccer and original programming through Arsenal marketing partnership

Paramount+ looks to cross-promote soccer and original programming through Arsenal marketing partnership

Paramount+ looks to cross-promote soccer and original programming through Arsenal marketing partnership

Last week, English soccer club Arsenal announced a new global marketing partnership with Paramount+, the U.S.–based streaming platform that currently reaches 28 countries. Through the partnership, Arsenal players will team up with acting talent to promote Paramount+ content, including popular shows like Landman and MobLand.

December 02, 2025

New app plans to exclusively cater to women’s sports as sector sees growth

New app plans to exclusively cater to women’s sports as sector sees growth

New app plans to exclusively cater to women’s sports as sector sees growth

Last week, Rival — set to be the first sportsbook built exclusively for women’s sports — shared its plans to be active in three U.S. betting markets by 2026. The platform will include bets across the NWSL, WNBA, NCAA women’s basketball, WSL, WTA, and more, differing from the existing platforms that center men’s sports.

November 25, 2025

Gotham FC locks in loyal attendance with innovative, fan-forward legacy membership program

Gotham FC locks in loyal attendance with innovative, fan-forward legacy membership program

Gotham FC locks in loyal attendance with innovative, fan-forward legacy membership program

What does Jay-Z's critically acclaimed album have to do with Gotham FC?

November 21, 2025

PWHL doubles down on Takeover Tour strategy as sponsors finally seize the opportunity

PWHL doubles down on Takeover Tour strategy as sponsors finally seize the opportunity

PWHL doubles down on Takeover Tour strategy as sponsors finally seize the opportunity

Last week, the PWHL announced the return of the Takeover Tour — which brings PWHL games to other markets — for a third season. And the next edition is bigger and better: The league will host 16 neutral-site games and visit seven new cities while returning to multiple stops from last year.

November 20, 2025

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