The usual suspects
From The GIST Sports Biz (hi@thegistsports.com)
Happy Wednesday!
Searching for some midweek motivation? Look no further than Toronto Blue Jays fan Liz McGuire, who started her week by taking a foul ball to the face but pushed through the agony to watch the remainder of the game.
- Her reward? She now has her very own trading card courtesy of Topps. No pain, no gain.
WTA
🎾 Money talks
The GIST: Much to the chagrin of at least two tennis legends, the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) and Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) entered a multiyear partnership on Monday. The eyebrow-raising but not unexpected alliance comes on the heels of last month’s announcement that the WTA Finals will be hosted in Riyadh through 2026.
The lead-up: The PIF brokered a partnership with the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), the men’s WTA counterpart, earlier this year. The investment fund hosted ATP exhibition matches, landed the Next Gen ATP Finals, and signed superstar Rafael Nadal as an ambassador.
- However, despite recurring negotiations, women’s tennis seemed less inclined to engage — until last month’s WTA Finals announcement.
The details: Now the only global partner for both men’s and women’s professional tennis tours, the PIF will serve as the first-ever naming partner of the WTA Rankings, giving them prominent visibility on the circuit. In addition to naming rights, the partnership will focus on enhancing and developing initiatives for youth and professional players alike.
The context: Sportswashing isn’t a new phenomenon, and the PIF is one of the usual suspects. The investment fund claims to stand on a pillar of inclusivity, but Saudi Arabia is a country known for numerous human rights violations, including the persecution of feminists, religious minorities, and LGBTQIA+ citizens.
- And although the country has taken steps forward in recent years to prioritize women and girls in sport — including the creation of a professional women’s soccer league — there’s a long way to go.
- Many, including WTA icons Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova, believe the PIF’s values are in contrast to the association’s.
- On the other hand, the legendary Billie Jean King shared last year that she was open to the PIF’s involvement, being realistic about its potential to positively impact the industry as a whole.
Zooming out: Saudi Arabia’s influence in the sports realm continues to grow, and their push to become a global power has led to the investment of billions of dollars in both women’s and men’s sports, with stakes in everything from Formula 1 to women’s golf.
- Money always talks. The question now is: How will it shape?
Together With Boardroom
Ahead of the start of the WNBA season, reigning champion and 2x MVP A'ja Wilson sat down for a wide-ranging conversation in Boardroom’s new Cover Story.
- She discussed the Las Vegas Aces’ quest for a three-peat, her relationship with Dawn Staley, how the WNBA can “meet the moment” with increased popularity, her signature shoe, the GOAT conversation, and more.
⚖️ NCAA and conferences settlement deadline looming
The NCAA and its Power Five conferences have until tomorrow to vote on settling a federal class-action lawsuit that would enable conferences and colleges to share revenue with players. The landmark settlement, which could cost the NCAA nearly $3B, would change the foundation of the governing body’s business model as we know it.
- In addition to advocating for future cuts of broadcast revenue, the lawsuit is seeking back pay for former Division I athletes who couldn’t earn name, image, and likeness (NIL) compensation prior to the NCAA’s policy change in 2021.
P.S. Want more college sports coverage? Or want to dive deeper? Subscribe to our free NCAA newsletter.
⭐ Girls aged 12 to 17 help send WNBA attendance records soaring
One week into the season, the WNBA’s average attendance is 8,730 — up nearly a third from the league’s 2023 full-season average, with girls aged 12 to 17 representing the fastest growing demographic.
- Adding to the record-breaking numbers are the undefeated NY Liberty, who set a single-game ticket revenue record, generating more than $2M in their sold-out Saturday win over the Indiana Fever.
- Speaking of the winless Fever, the secondary market for the Caitlin Clark show is slowing down, with tickets selling for as little as one dollar. Additional seating at Gainbridge Fieldhouse is contributing to lower prices, but so are Indiana’s on-court struggles — a common trend in pro sports.
🏀 Caitlin Clark partners with Wilson Sporting Goods
The sharpshooting Fever guard inked a multiyear partnership with Wilson yesterday, becoming the first athlete since Michael Jordan to have a signature basketball collection with the brand. Clark will also provide feedback and test products en route to her collection release at the end of this year. Crowd maestro, indeed.
🎟️ A potential lawsuit against multimedia entertainment company Live Nation, Ticketmaster’s parent company, could change the way people buy and sell tickets for concerts and sporting events. Watch this space.
💅 Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese is officially an owner of DC Power Football Club, Washington’s new USL Super League women’s soccer team. She’s a multidimensional Barbie.
⛳ World No. 1 golfer Nelly Korda’s season earnings hit $2.9M after her sixth win in seven starts at the Mizuho Americas Open last weekend, inching the superstar closer to Lorena Ochoa’s single-season record of nearly $4.3M.
⚽ Women’s Super League (WSL) powerhouses Arsenal and Chelsea announced a U.S. preseason tour on Monday. The summer stint will see the rivals face off against each other and two NWSL teams, the Washington Spirit and NJ/NY Gotham FC.
💰 The NCAA’s Big Ten conference earned the top spot in college conference revenue, hauling in $880M in the 2023 fiscal year, outpacing the SEC’s $853M in earnings. Cha-ching.
Giveaway Alert
One week into the new WNBA season and the hoopers are getting buckets left and right. Celebrate by shooting your shot to win the trip of a lifetime to beautiful San Luis Obispo, California.
- Enjoy a five-night stay in a luxury suite at Hotel SLO and explore the beaches, mountains, farms, ranches, and wine country of the stunning Central Coast. What’s more, you’ll also receive plenty of freebies and gift cards to elevate your experience.
Sounds like a slam dunk, right? Enter to win today. California, here you come.
Here’s what has GIST HQ buzzing:
🎾 What to check out
Tennis Channel's women's coverage, which has dedicated Tuesdays to highlighting the best gals on the court. Now that’s an ace.
🏅 Who to cheer for
The One Refugee Olympic Team. Thirty-six badass refugee athletes will represent over 100 million displaced people at this summer’s Paris Games. Read their stories here.
🏀 What to shop
Golden State Valkyries merch. The WNBA’s newest team is bringing purple back, so snag some threads to cheer them on in style next year.
Today's email was brought to you by Lisa Minutillo and Briana Ekanem. Fact checking by Bonnie Lee. Editing by Emily Ohman and Dee Lab. Operations by Elisha Gunaratnam and Lisa Minutillo. Ads by Katie Kehoe Foster and Alessandra Puccio. Managing edits by Ellen Hyslop.