Last Friday, chief brand and commercial officer of the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and CEO of the Canadian Olympic Foundation Jacquie Ryan was honored as the Canadian Marketing Association’s Marketer of the Year for her work during Paris 2024. While Team Canada is already the top sports property in the country, Ryan’s efforts helped its fandom flourish.

The Players Era Festival — a new men’s college basketball tournament — may not include women’s teams (yet), but its payout structure highlights a unique workaround that allows student-athletes to earn financial rewards without technically violating NCAA rules.

Prominent women’s sports sponsor Ally activated at the 2024 NWSL Championship in Kansas City this weekend as the financial brand continues investing in the women’s game. Ally is working hard to close the sports sponsorship gender gap, which has helped the brand stand out among competitors.

Following last week’s podcast interview with WNBA star and OPill brand ambassador Napheesa Collier, The GIST spoke with Perrigo’s U.S. women’s health brand lead Leila Bahbah on how the innovative birth control brand’s WNBA sponsorship is paying off.

Yesterday, LOVB (pronounced LOVE) announced $100M in funding led by Atwater Capital, along with existing supporters Ares Management and Left Lane Capital, bringing its total of funds raised to $160M. The GIST spoke with LOVB CEO Katlyn Gao yesterday about what this means for the volleyball brand at every level of the game.

On Wednesday, talent agency Wasserman’s women-focused research branch The Collective released The New Economy of Sports – Part II, produced with the Royal Bank of Canada. The report offers unparalleled insights into how the growth of the WNBA and NWSL will result in huge returns for investors.

The Pro Volleyball Federation (PVF) is gearing up for its second year ahead of next week’s draft. In an exclusive with The GIST today, PVF announced an extension of its media rights agreement with CBS through a multiyear deal that includes increased match coverage and cable air time — a historic first for women’s pro volleyball.

On Monday, nonprofit Canadian Women & Sport released the 2024 edition of its annual Rally Report, a groundbreaking study that highlights the continued gender gap in access between Canadian boys and girls in sports. The organization surveyed over 5K Canadians aged six to 65, with a specific focus on including over 2K girls aged six to 18.

Unrivaled — the new 3v3 pro women’s basketball league tipping off in January — is primed for success. As Front Office Sports recently highlighted, savvy leadership decisions and partnerships have positioned the league to profit as interested parties continue to sign on before ticket sales officially go live this week.

On Wednesday, the men’s Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) launched the Women’s Lacrosse League (WLL), a new pro women’s league set to take the field in February 2025. PLL communications manager Grace Hamilton chatted with The GIST yesterday to shed light on the league’s decision to go pro on the women’s side.

Angel City FC (ACFC) announced yesterday that it’s constructing a new and improved, nine-acre performance center on California Lutheran University’s campus, the largest such facility dedicated exclusively to an NWSL club. The move comes as ACFC continues to strive for business growth and upping its valuation.

It seems every U.S. city wants in on the WNBA’s 16th franchise. As of yesterday, there’s one more contender: An Austin, Texas, bid led by former Houston Comets player and Shark Tank alumna Fran Harris.