The league confirmed yesterday that Merritt Paulson will sell Portland Thorns FC, while a report emerged hours later that Chicago Red Stars majority owner Arnim Whisler has started the process to do the same.

According to a report published last week, owner Merritt Paulson is in talks to sell the NWSL team, aiming to separate the Thorns from MLS’ Timbers FC in a grimy attempt to absolve himself of wrongdoing.

The broadcasting giant unveiled the ACC/SEC Challenge on Monday, an interconference women’s and men’s basketball (WBB and MBB) competition designed to replace both the SEC/Big Ten Challenge and the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.

The Athletic and Google unveiled a multiplatform project yesterday to expand its newsroom and double its coverage of professional women’s sports.

On Monday, the governing body extended its partnership with Volkswagen, the latest in a string of renewals ahead of a nine-month period that will see both the USMNT and USWNT play in FIFA World Cups.

The NWSL continues to receive love from the Golden State. The African American Sports & Entertainment Group (AASEG) and The Town FC announced Wednesday that they are exploring a joint expansion bid in the Oakland-East Bay region, and plan to formally submit their candidacy in 2024 or 2025.

Ally will keep on kicking with the NWSL. During halftime of Saturday’s championship, the financial services company announced a five-year extension of its partnership to stay on as the NWSL’s second-largest sponsor (only behind Nike).

This week, commissioner Jessica Berman revealed in an interview that the NWSL earned multiple business victories during a year of record-high engagement with women’s sports.

Minnesota Aurora FC is turning things up a notch. Just months after completing its first season, the pre-professional women’s soccer club is exploring the idea of going pro.

Two groups are reportedly finalizing bids to acquire the club from owner Merritt Paulson, who remains under pressure to sell following an independent investigation into abuse in women’s soccer.

Broadcasters better have FIFA’s money. Chief business officer Romy Gai said yesterday that FIFA rejected multiple recent bids to air July’s Women’s World Cup because the offers were too low.

As some brands reconsider their relationships with the NWSL following the findings of an independent investigation into its culture of abuse, one very visible league sponsor isn’t — Ally.