The GIST

Women’s sports heavy-hitter Ally announced its latest major partnership yesterday, becoming the official retail banking partner of The Soccer Tournament (TST). Expanding on its previous investment in TST’s inaugural tournament last year, the new sponsorship brings Ally another step closer to reaching its 50/50 Pledge by the end of 2027.

March 29, 2024

NWSL announces new intraleague competition with Mexico’s Liga MX Femenil

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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.

March 22, 2024

Seattle Sounders and Carlyle Group agree to purchase Seattle Reign FC for $58M

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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.

March 20, 2024

Angel City FC reportedly exploring sale of controlling stake in club

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The NWSL is selling like hot cakes — within the last week, two of its highest-valued franchises have put up the ‘for sale’ sign. A day after the San Diego Wave announced its impending $120M sale, Sportico reported that Angel City hopes to sell a controlling stake amid ownership friction.

March 18, 2024

NWSL expands use of Amazon’s suite of services with extensive multiyear partnership

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Commerce behemoth Amazon is expanding its recent NWSL media rights deal through a multiyear partnership with the league that involves Amazon Prime and Amazon Web Services (AWS). Additionally, the deal makes Amazon the exclusive retail partner of the NWSL and an official licensee.

March 13, 2024

WSL attendance is on the rise as clubs continue to break records

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The Women’s Super League (WSL) is enjoying a 43% attendance boost YoY, with Arsenal leading the way in proving that the league deserves a bigger stage. While popularity and crowd sizes do vary among clubs, the overall numbers show upward trends across the board.

March 11, 2024

24 Hour Fitness becomes founding partner of Angel City FC through multiyear deal

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24 Hour Fitness is bulking up its existing NWSL ties. After renewing and expanding its year-long sponsorship of San Diego Wave FC last month, the gym brand signed a multiyear deal yesterday to become a founding level partner of Angel City FC.

March 08, 2024

Sports Business

UK expresses interest in hosting FIFA Women’s World Cup in the 2030s

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March 08, 2024

As the UK further invests in expanding its women’s soccer footprint, governmental agency UK Sport shared its ambitions to host the country’s first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup (WWC) in the 2030s.

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The GIST of It Podcast

Ep #361

Reggie Bush’s Heisman trophy, Larry Nassar settlements & a 2024 NFL Draft preview

April 25, 2024

Listen on Apple Music Listen on Spotify

Reggie Bush’s Heisman trophy, Larry Nassar settlements & a 2024 NFL Draft preview

Hello!

Content warning: Today’s episode contains mention of sexual assault and abuse.

On today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz round up some major mid-week headlines in a three-part deep dive. First up, El and Steph discuss football star Reggie Bush’s historic Heisman Trophy reinstatement and what it says about the transforming college sports landscape.

Then in part two, the gals discuss the multimillion dollar Department of Justice settlement reached this week for the survivors of disgraced Team USA gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar, a settlement stemming from the FBI’s negligence.

And to round it out, El and Steph kick it back to the football field for an NFL Draft preview before the first names are called on Thursday night.

Thank you to Aflac for supporting today’s episode! 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.