Join us as we examine the recent and rapid growth on the women’s side.

A recent SponsorUnited NIL report on the 2023-24 season details how women college athletes are taking over the NIL space as they see a higher percentage of deals per athlete and increased social engagement compared to men. Here are some of the most telling numbers that prove women athletes are ideal brand ambassadors.

MLB’s season-opening Seoul Series quickly became overshadowed by scandal after news broke Wednesday that LA Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani’s longtime interpreter and friend Ippei Mizuhara had been fired amid allegations he stole millions from Ohtani to pay off his gambling debts.

The sport of women’s hockey just keeps on winning, which means the pinnacle of the collegiate season — this weekend’s Frozen Four — couldn’t come at a better time. Future PWHLers will face off in Sunday’s 4 p.m. ET national championship game, but first, they have to survive today’s semifinals, featuring the nation’s four most dominant teams.

As of this week, women’s March Madness ads are effectively sold out. It’s estimated that Disney — the network that owns the women’s tournament — could generate more than $25M in ad sales revenue this year, up from the estimated $19.4M ESPN and ABC made during last year’s tourney.

After a successful inaugural W Gold Cup, the NWSL and Liga MX Femenil — Mexico’s top pro women’s soccer league — will compete in the first-ever NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup this year. Similar to Europe’s UEFA Women’s Champions League, it further proves the viability of international women’s soccer tourneys in the Western Hemisphere.

More than 86.2% of brackets were already busted just two games into the men’s first round yesterday. Must be March.

With the women’s First Four games in the rearview mirror, their first round of full mayhem tips off this morning. In a weekend of wall-to-wall basketball, here are four not-to-miss matchups.

Private equity (PE) giant Carlyle Group and MLS' Seattle Sounders agreed to purchase Seattle Reign FC for $58M, up from the NWSL club’s $49M October valuation. After the surprise sale of the San Diego Wave for $120M, this makes Reign FC the second NWSL team sold within a week, with both fetching more than their previous valuations.

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) released findings from its investigation into misconduct in the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) swimming & diving program on Monday. The investigation ultimately affirmed that the school failed to enforce Title IX protections amidst known abusive and discriminatory practices by then–coach Chad Cradock.

March Madness is underway after last night’s opening men’s First Four action, with two more games and the tip-off of the women’s First Four fun on deck tonight.

On Monday, international media conglomerate Minute Media (MM) struck a multiyear licensing deal with Sports Illustrated (SI) owner Authentic Brands Group for digital and print rights over the next 10 years. While financial terms were not disclosed, Authentic Brands obtained equity stake in MM through the deal.