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Recapping the NWSL’s opening weekend

Recapping the NWSL’s opening weekend

Recapping the NWSL’s opening weekend

NWSL opening weekend was a downright party — and not just the birthday kind. From the two expansion squads making their heart-pumping debuts to our favorite golazo of the season thus far, here are the headlines to know with Matchweek one in the books.

NWSL COO Sarah Jones Simmer discusses the league’s growth strategy ahead of 2026 season kick-off

NWSL COO Sarah Jones Simmer discusses the league’s growth strategy ahead of 2026 season kick-off

NWSL COO Sarah Jones Simmer discusses the league’s growth strategy ahead of 2026 season kick-off

In 2025, everyone wanted in on the NWSL. Average crowds exceeded 10K for the third straight year, including a record 40K at San Francisco’s Oracle Park, while season viewership rose 22% YoY (especially among young women).

Everything you need to know about the 2026 NWSL season

Everything you need to know about the 2026 NWSL season

Everything you need to know about the 2026 NWSL season

The NWSL keeps growing and will feature 16 teams this season, with expansion squads Boston Legacy FC and Denver Summit FC joining the fun. Every club will compete in 30 regular-season matches (up from 26 in 2025), facing every team twice — once at home and once away.

World No. 2 USWNT and No. 10 CanWNT headline 11th annual SheBelieves Cup

World No. 2 USWNT and No. 10 CanWNT headline 11th annual SheBelieves Cup

World No. 2 USWNT and No. 10 CanWNT headline 11th annual SheBelieves Cup

The 11th annual SheBelieves Cup — an international four-team friendly tournament hosted by the USWNT — begins in Nashville, TN, on Sunday, featuring the world No. 2 Americans, No. 10 CanWNT, No. 20 Colombia, and No. 30 Argentina. 2025 was a year of experimentation for both the USWNT and CanWNT, but now it’s go time.

February 27, 2026

Kynisca becomes FIFA Women's Champions Cup title partner

Kynisca becomes FIFA Women's Champions Cup title partner

Kynisca becomes FIFA Women's Champions Cup title partner

This week, the inaugural FIFA Women's Champions Cup — the sport’s first-ever intercontinental club competition for women — is fielding its final rounds in London, England. The months-long tournament hasn’t exactly received mainstream media coverage, but that may change thanks to Kynsica’s new title sponsorship.

January 27, 2026

New Deloitte report highlights lucrative WSL landscape as league attracts top talent

New Deloitte report highlights lucrative WSL landscape as league attracts top talent

New Deloitte report highlights lucrative WSL landscape as league attracts top talent

January 22, 2026

West Coast wellness franchise Bay Club extends hand to WNBA athletes amid free agency woes

As predicted earlier this week, the WNBA and WNBPA have agreed to a moratorium on free agency transactions as the two sides continue to iron out a new CBA. In the meantime, free agents are left in the lurch when it comes to training in offseason facilities — but universities and companies are closing the gap.

January 15, 2026

West Coast wellness franchise Bay Club extends hand to WNBA athletes amid free agency woes

West Coast wellness franchise Bay Club extends hand to WNBA athletes amid free agency woes

Sports Business

West Coast wellness franchise Bay Club extends hand to WNBA athletes amid free agency woes

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January 15, 2026

As predicted earlier this week, the WNBA and WNBPA have agreed to a moratorium on free agency transactions as the two sides continue to iron out a new CBA. In the meantime, free agents are left in the lurch when it comes to training in offseason facilities — but universities and companies are closing the gap.

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The GIST of It Podcast

Are you primed for the Madness?

March 19, 2026

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Are you primed for the Madness?

Are you primed for the Madness?

Lace up those dancing shoes. It’s time to boogie.

Men’s March Madness officially begins today, with the 64-team first round tipping off at 12:15 p.m. ET. Before the guys and gals hit the hardwood, co-hosts Steph Rotz and Lauren Tuiskula are going all in with a Big Dance primer, spending this episode of The GIST of It talking about the top storylines in the men’s and women’s tourneys. Gimme gimme, shimmy shimmy.

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Crux Football expands women’s soccer portfolio as investors recognize opportunity

Crux Football expands women’s soccer portfolio as investors recognize opportunity

Crux Football expands women’s soccer portfolio as investors recognize opportunity

Yesterday, Swedish football club FC Rosengård transferred ownership of its women’s club under a new holding, FC Rosengård Elitfotboll AB, which gives Crux Football 49% ownership. This is the second women’s football team under Crux, a multi-club ownership group investing across Europe.

January 15, 2026

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

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

Gotham FC wins second NWSL Championship in three years

Gotham FC wins second NWSL Championship in three years

Gotham FC wins second NWSL Championship in three years

Saturday brought a fairy tale ending for No. 8 seed Gotham FC, who defeated No. 2 Washington Spirit 1–0 to win the NWSL Championship. Here’s how the Bats clinched their second title in three years, plus a look at what’s to come for the growing league.

November 24, 2025

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