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Germany’s Frauen Bundesliga makes bold move to separate from DFB as league goes independent

Germany’s Frauen Bundesliga makes bold move to separate from DFB as league goes independent

Sports Business

Germany’s Frauen Bundesliga makes bold move to separate from DFB as league goes independent

Last week, the Frauen Bundesliga — Germany’s 14-club professional women’s soccer league — made the surprising decision to split from the Deutscher Fußball-Bund (DFB), the nation’s governing body for the sport.

December 09, 2025

Michele Kang establishes research institute within U.S. Soccer dedicated to researching women athletes

Michele Kang establishes research institute within U.S. Soccer dedicated to researching women athletes

Michele Kang establishes research institute within U.S. Soccer dedicated to researching women athletes

On Tuesday, U.S. Soccer announced the creation of the Kang Women’s Institute, a research platform within the organization funded by the aforementioned Kang’s generous $55M in total commitments to support women’s soccer. The platform aims to close the gaps in scientific research around women athletes in the lead-up to the Women’s World Cups in 2027 and 2031.

December 04, 2025

U.S. Soccer submits bid book as U.S. preps for travel tourism boost through upcoming tournaments

U.S. Soccer submits bid book as U.S. preps for travel tourism boost through upcoming tournaments

U.S. Soccer submits bid book as U.S. preps for travel tourism boost through upcoming tournaments

In its joint bid for the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup (WWC), U.S. Soccer — which plans to host alongside Mexico, Jamaica, and Costa Rica — submitted its bid book for the tournament, with the overwhelming majority of proposed venues spanning U.S. cities.

December 02, 2025

Paramount+ looks to cross-promote soccer and original programming through Arsenal marketing partnership

Paramount+ looks to cross-promote soccer and original programming through Arsenal marketing partnership

Paramount+ looks to cross-promote soccer and original programming through Arsenal marketing partnership

Last week, English soccer club Arsenal announced a new global marketing partnership with Paramount+, the U.S.–based streaming platform that currently reaches 28 countries. Through the partnership, Arsenal players will team up with acting talent to promote Paramount+ content, including popular shows like Landman and MobLand.

December 02, 2025

Gotham FC wins second NWSL Championship in three years

Gotham FC wins second NWSL Championship in three years

Gotham FC wins second NWSL Championship in three years

Saturday brought a fairy tale ending for No. 8 seed Gotham FC, who defeated No. 2 Washington Spirit 1–0 to win the NWSL Championship. Here’s how the Bats clinched their second title in three years, plus a look at what’s to come for the growing league.

November 24, 2025

Washington Spirit vs. Gotham FC: Previewing the 2025 NWSL Championship

Washington Spirit vs. Gotham FC: Previewing the 2025 NWSL Championship

Washington Spirit vs. Gotham FC: Previewing the 2025 NWSL Championship

Eight of the league’s 14 teams earned a berth to the three-round, single-elimination postseason. There are no byes in the NWSL Playoffs, so the top-seeded teams duked it out with the rest of the field, and let’s just say, some brackets were busted.

November 22, 2025

Kansas City Current’s Temwa Chawinga wins second consecutive NWSL MVP

Kansas City Current’s Temwa Chawinga wins second consecutive NWSL MVP

Kansas City Current’s Temwa Chawinga wins second consecutive NWSL MVP

The NWSL Championship pitting the Washington Spirit against Gotham FC is set for tomorrow at 8 p.m. ET, but the party’s already begun in San Jose. The league honored its best and brightest during Wednesday’s NWSL Awards, and a little history was made along the way. So gilded.

November 21, 2025

Gotham FC locks in loyal attendance with innovative, fan-forward legacy membership program

Gotham FC locks in loyal attendance with innovative, fan-forward legacy membership program

Sports Business

Gotham FC locks in loyal attendance with innovative, fan-forward legacy membership program

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November 21, 2025

What does Jay-Z's critically acclaimed album have to do with Gotham FC?

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The GIST of It Podcast

Meet the real-life “Heated Rivalry” Olympians

January 08, 2026

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Meet the real-life “Heated Rivalry” Olympians

Meet the real-life “Heated Rivalry” Olympians

It’s a love story, baby.

Just like everyone on the Internet, today we’re talking about “Heated Rivalry.” However, considering Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams haven’t answered our DMs yet, we’re going in a different direction.

On today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz detail the real-life “Heated Rivalry” love story from the women’s hockey world — because before there was Shane and Ilya, there was Team Canada captain Caroline Ouellette and Team USA captain Julie Chu. Spoiler alert: They live happily ever after.

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Trinity Rodman’s potential NWSL departure signals athlete-centric marketing approach for brands

Trinity Rodman’s potential NWSL departure signals athlete-centric marketing approach for brands

Trinity Rodman’s potential NWSL departure signals athlete-centric marketing approach for brands

There’s a storm brewing in the NWSL as Washington Spirit star Trinity Rodman’s contract comes to an end in six weeks. While the Spirit are on their way to the NWSL Championship, Rodman is considering what comes next — and she could be the latest NWSL star to defect to Europe for greener pastures.

November 18, 2025

Four previous champions advance to NWSL semis

Four previous champions advance to NWSL semis

Four previous champions advance to NWSL semis

ICYMI: The four teams competing in this weekend’s NWSL Playoffs semis are the four previous league champs dating back to 2021. With postseason experience everywhere you look and the No. 1 seed already stunningly eliminated, the only thing to expect is the unexpected.

November 14, 2025

Despite attendance dip, NWSL exhibits overall growth driven by young women fans

Despite attendance dip, NWSL exhibits overall growth driven by young women fans

Despite attendance dip, NWSL exhibits overall growth driven by young women fans

There’s been a dip in YoY NWSL attendance, but that stat doesn’t exactly tell the whole story. Last week, the league shared insightful data on attendance, viewership, and social media records that women’s soccer fans smashed this year, all of which point to who’s winning the most with NWSL growth: Young women fans.

November 14, 2025

No. 8 seed Gotham FC to face No. 2 Washington Spirit in 2025 NWSL Championship

No. 8 seed Gotham FC to face No. 2 Washington Spirit in 2025 NWSL Championship

No. 8 seed Gotham FC to face No. 2 Washington Spirit in 2025 NWSL Championship

In a twist more than a few GISTers saw coming, No. 8 seed Gotham FC will face the No. 2 Washington Spirit in Saturday’s NWSL Championship. Both clubs have won it all recently — Gotham in 2023 and the Spirit in 2021 — but only one can add to their trophy case. Let’s take a look back at the semifinals, and then a quick look ahead to the ’ship.

November 11, 2025

A drama-filled first round of the NWSL Playoffs

A drama-filled first round of the NWSL Playoffs

A drama-filled first round of the NWSL Playoffs

The NWSL served up peak playoff anarchy this weekend, with a whole lot of extra time, a record-breaking expansion announcement, and enough adrenaline to last until next weekend’s semifinals. See how your playoff bracket’s holding up, then relive the thrilling quarter-final action with us.

November 10, 2025

Breaking down the 2025 NWSL Playoffs

Breaking down the 2025 NWSL Playoffs

Breaking down the 2025 NWSL Playoffs

We’re back in your inbox because the NWSL playoffs begin tonight, with the reigning champ and No. 4 seed Orlando Pride hosting No. 5 Seattle Reign in the first of four quarter-final (QF) games. To celebrate, we have a full playoff preview, including the storylines you need to know before the first whistle, a match-by-match QF breakdown, and of course, where to catch all the action.

November 07, 2025

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