Launch day didn’t go as planned for NWSL expansion club BOS Nation FC, but it did successfully announce celebrity investment from actress Elizabeth Banks and gymnast Aly Raisman yesterday. The franchise uniquely boasts an all-women ownership group, but its incoming celeb investment follows an NWSL trend that’s helped franchises shine bright and far.

In an exclusive with The GIST today, AI–powered payment brand Klarna and Angel City FC (ACFC) announced the launch of the team’s limited-edition Hispanic Heritage Month capsule collection. The “del alma de los ángeles” drop was created in collaboration with LA–based designer Hija De Tu Madre to celebrate women’s sports and the Latinx community.

This week, the European Union’s (EU) top court ruled that some of FIFA’s rules around player transfer fees violate EU law following a successful suit by former Chelsea and Real Madrid men’s player Lassana Diarra. The decision is expected to have far-reaching implications, but one overlooked aspect is its potential effect on the new and improved NWSL market.

Shortly after Sportico confirmed ACFC as the hottest NWSL club on the market, the publication exclusively revealed that a top MLS team also wants in. Los Angeles FC (LAFC) — the league’s highest-valued franchise at $1.15B — activated a tenet of its stadium-sharing agreement with ACFC to acquire a small stake in the women’s side.

Following the first-ever public NWSL valuations released last October, Sportico crunched the numbers again to determine updated 2024 values for the league’s 14 teams. The latest data not only show that the entire league is skyrocketing in value, but also that certain clubs have climbed the rankings thanks to dedicated owner investment.

Billionaire investor Marc Lasry has put his hat in the ring for NWSL ownership in the past, and he seems to finally have an in. An exclusive Sportico report indicates the former Milwaukee Bucks owner is close to finalizing a deal for a control stake of the NWSL’s NC Courage, which is currently valued at about $108M — more than double the team’s $52M valuation in 2023.

For Soccer, a North American leader in soccer marketing, media, and experiences, released its annual fan insights report on U.S. soccer fans yesterday. Its numbers illustrate that the beautiful game’s American fanbase is becoming more diverse, especially when it comes to women and people of color.

We finally have the deets on the NWSL’s new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) signed on August 9th, and they’re even better than expected. The league has granted unprecedented player autonomy through several concessions, including the elimination of its draft. Here’s more on how the NWSL just became arguably the most player-forward league in sports.

The Indiana Fever may rank seventh in the WNBA standings, but the team is coming first in virtually every meaningful business growth metric. This Wednesday, the Fever released pivotal numbers demonstrating just how much Caitlin Clark has already changed the game for the franchise.

On Friday, Sportico broke the news that the NWSL and its players’ union, the NWSLPA, had quietly agreed on a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) in effect through at least 2030. It’s a smart play for both sides as the NWSLPA pushes for improved conditions and the league looks to get ahead of labor demands as it expands.

The NWSL’s Angel City FC (ACFC) further leaned into its namesake by launching a new philanthropic branch called the Angel City Impact Fund on Monday. It’s the latest way the club is making good on its intention to give back to the LA community, a plan that has engendered love — and a fiercely loyal fandom.

Women’s soccer players have been featured in primetime more than ever this year — and no, we’re not just talking about the matches on TV. Many active and retired women’s soccer stars are going from the pitch to the mic as they’re increasingly seen as assets in the media game.