📺 On the telly
WSL begins negotiating new media rights deals with UK networks
After joining forces with the Women’s Championship (WC) and reorganizing under NewCo, the Women’s Super League (WSL) is taking the next big step toward getting paid. Following in the footsteps of FIFA and the NWSL, the WSL is negotiating to have every game shown live in the UK next season.
February 16, 2024
📱 Nothing but net
Google inks integrated multiyear partnership with the NWSL
During a hectic 2024 NWSL offseason, the league made its own game-changing move by signing a multiyear partnership with Google yesterday. Google Pixel will become the NWSL’s official mobile phone partner and a title sponsor, in addition to supporting tech activations.
February 14, 2024
💸 Come to collect
New social platform for collectibles launches with key sports investors
Wheelhouse Entertainment CEO Brent Montgomery and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian (aka Serena Williams’ husband) launched Mantel yesterday, a social media platform focused on the collectibles community.
February 14, 2024
💸 Feeling brand NewCo
NewCo lands $25.2M loan from the English Premier League
England’s newly-formed NewCo, which consists of the top two flights of English women’s football — the Women’s Super League (WSL) and Women’s Championship (WC) — just landed a $25.2M interest-free loan from the English Premier League (EPL) several months after the WSL requested money to revamp UK women’s soccer.
February 12, 2024
📺 A raw deal
Major media TV rights package creating unease across industry
Last Tuesday, ESPN, FOX, and Warner Bros. Discovery announced their intention to create a unified live sports streaming app. It would offer content from all three platforms, a prospect that has already spooked smaller streamers, Wall Street investors, and sports leagues.
February 12, 2024
💸 Payday someday
Women athletes still rank far behind men in earnings
Sportico released its list of top 100 highest-paid athletes — and none of them are women. In fact, women don’t even make the top 200. Last year’s highest-earning female athlete, Coco Gauff, raked in $22.7M, light years away from overall No. 1 earner Cristiano Ronaldo’s $275M.
February 09, 2024
🏐 Setting the tone
LOVB enters unique multiyear partnership with smart gym company Tonal
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League One Volleyball (LOVB) and home gym system Tonal have partnered to offer volleyball-centric workout programs and a unique family-focused program. The pro women’s volleyball league won’t launch until November, but it secured Tonal’s first league partnership.
February 09, 2024
🎓 Like a pro
NCAA athletes win several key legal battles in ongoing fight for labor rights
College athletes keep winning major battles in the fight to be recognized as employees, a distinction that would allow them to earn income and experience labor protections. From Dartmouth to USC, the NCAA’s amateurism model is giving way to a new, labor-protected college landscape.
February 07, 2024
💼 It’s venture time
The Players Fund founder highlights what women athletes bring to the table
Fergus Bell, founder of the athlete-led venture capital firm The Players Fund (TPF), recently argued that women athletes can be more impactful than male sports stars. While Bell mentioned how this is influencing sports sponsorships and coverage, recent additions to TPF demonstrate how it’s also influencing the boardroom.
February 07, 2024
🏒 Lookin’ at the truth
PWHL showcase draws a record 16.4K crowd at NHL All-Star Weekend
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The stars were out last Thursday during NHL All-Star Weekend, but Justin Bieber wasn’t the only one to steal the show. PWHL players shone in a 3-on-3 showcase in front of 16.4K fans at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena, marking the first complete official event for women’s hockey at All-Star Weekend.
February 05, 2024
⛳ Par for the sponsorship course
Ally becomes the official retail banking partner of the USGA, U.S. Open, and U.S. Women’s Open
The LPGA is following up last week’s game-changing sponsorship announcements with another one — this time, with Ally. It’s the progressive online bank’s first move into the golf space as it becomes the official retail banking partner of the USGA, U.S. Open, and U.S. Women’s Open.
February 02, 2024
📺 Shattering expectations
Shattered Glass: A WNBPA Story premieres on free streaming service Tubi
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In an effort to peer into the internal workings of the league, Shattered Glass: A WNBPA Story premiered on free streaming service Tubi yesterday. The documentary focuses on three athletes at the top of their game: NY Liberty stars Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones, and WNBPA president and current free agent Nneka Ogwumike.
February 02, 2024