Gaps in equal pay and level of play are closing in women’s soccer. This follows women’s sports’ circle of life: growing viewership and attendance numbers lead to more investment and ultimately better competition, with brand deals and sponsorships serving as the all-important middleman.

The outdoor T&F season and its 965 women’s and 875 men’s teams hit starting blocks mere days after indoor’s national champs hoist their hardware, and its late-May finish line means it’s one of the last ’ships to close out the NCAA season.

Hope you’re well-rested because the FIFA Women’s World Cup (WWC) quarter-finals are officially set and every game is appointment viewing.

Just as our Friday newsletter hit your inbox, the college sports landscape as we know it unraveled: A conference realignment bomb exploded, and we’re here to parse through the pieces with you. There are still a ton of questions to be addressed and a near-guarantee of more bombshell headlines, so buckle up — who knows where the Power Five will be by the time you finish scrolling!

From the FIFA Women’s World Cup (WWC) Round of 16 to the baseball diamond, the sports world was full of knockouts this weekend. Rolling with the punches…

In general, the most elite competition and the deepest pockets can be found at DI schools, scaling down through DII and DIII. But the biggest difference lies in the DII and DIII divide: Unlike in DI and DII, DIII athletes aren’t eligible for athletic scholarships. That means they’re playing purely out of love of the game (and possibly NIL money, of course).

Stock up on some Harvey Bars because Team USA’s gals — including current and former NCAA athletes — will take the WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup field for the first time in five years (thanks, COVID-19) tomorrow. Batter up!

What better start to the month than sharing this exclusive interview with activist and former Harvard athlete Schuyler Bailar. Our college sports newsletter team recently sat down with Bailar to discuss his experience as the first openly trans Division I (DI) swimmer.

Sleep schedules and time zones be damned, there’s been a full court press of WNBA news in the last few days. No rest for the women’s sports fan.

Gymnastics is one of the few college sports where the gals are granted more of the spotlight — and that may be due to the achingly few NCAA men’s teams: There are just 15 NCAA men’s gymnastics teams (12 DI and three DIII) in existence today.

The No. 1 USA Softball WNT — with an entire roster of current NCAA athletes — will compete in the Japan All-Star Series this weekend.