The GIST

We’ve got news for the “Caitlin Clark is taking a pay cut” crowd: She’s expected to hit another payday as she steps into the WNBA limelight. Recent reports indicate Clark is close to signing an eight-figure signature shoe deal with Nike worth over $20M with the potential for bonuses.

April 19, 2024

WNBA draftees shine as women athletes are primed for their luxury fashion moment

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The WNBA has come a long way from basketball’s problematic dress code and gendered expectations, finally allowing players the freedom to wear what they want. Women’s sports leagues are leaning into this now more than ever thanks to increased exposure, which makes athletes worthwhile investments for luxury brands.

April 17, 2024

Potential NCAA transfer portal change prompts women’s basketball departures

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With March Madness over and many of the NCAA’s top players preparing for the WNBA Draft, the court will look different come fall. On top of that, the NCAA transfer portal rules might change soon to allow athletes to transfer more than once. With more than 1.1K players already entered, the transfer portal might get pretty crowded.

April 15, 2024

The WNBA expects to double its media rights value in next deal

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The WNBA already believes Caitlin Clark will have a Tiger Woods–like effect on women’s pro basketball, so they’re betting big on her and the rest of 2024’s stacked draft class. On Monday, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert confirmed to CNBC that the league is looking to double its fees in its next media rights deal.

April 10, 2024

Caitlin Clark and Iowa draw historic viewership throughout March Madness

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Women’s March Madness was expected to be more compelling than the men’s, and the numbers proved this. The tournament hype — largely driven by Iowa’s star guard Caitlin Clark — resulted in the most-watched college basketball games in ESPN history.

April 08, 2024

Despite growth potential, women’s March Madness infrastructure still lags behind

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Viewership numbers from women’s March Madness prove the women’s game is thriving, yet significant infrastructure issues are still holding the tournament back from realizing its full potential (and revenue opportunities).

April 08, 2024

Caitlin Clark’s continued March Madness presence driving women’s basketball economy

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Instead of letting women’s March Madness’ media rights hit the market, ESPN renewed its NCAA deal in January — and it’s already paying dividends. While many stars have been knocked out of this year’s tournament, Iowa’s presence in the Final Four will likely have networks and advertisers rooting for Clark to win it all.

April 03, 2024

Sports Business

Inaugural Girls Summit brings together major sponsors for girls’ basketball in NYC

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March 29, 2024

Basketball nonprofit PeacePlayers is hosting its first-ever, in-person Girls Summit event in NYC this weekend. Big brand stars are showing up to support girls in sports during the event, which is a meaningful investment in community and brand equity.

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The GIST of It Podcast

Ep #359

NHL playoff preview & the latest on Jontay Porter

April 18, 2024

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NHL playoff preview & the latest on Jontay Porter

Howdy!

It’s Christmas in April for co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz, with the NHL Playoff picture all but set ahead of Saturday’s postseason puck drop. Today’s episode includes a deep dive on all things playoff hockey, from why the Stanley Cup is arguably the hardest trophy to win in sports to the gals’ picks to win it all.

Then after the break, El and Steph shift gears to cover an unfortunate NBA story: Now former Toronto Raptor Jontay Porter has been banned from the NBA for life after making illegal sports bets on league games and disclosing confidential health information to a bettor in order for them to profit off a parlay. And it’s just the latest instance of pro sports entangling with sports gambling.

A huge thanks to our pals at Aflac for supporting today’s pod! Just like The GIST tackles the gap in women’s sports coverage, Aflac closes the gap that health insurance leaves behind. Learn more at aflac.com.