Sports Business | The GIST

Cleveland’s forthcoming WNBA franchise announces name and branding

A little over a year ago, Cleveland was announced as the WNBA’s 16th franchise after Rock Entertainment Group (REG) paid a historic $250 million expansion fee. Now, the city finally knows who they’ll be cheering for: the Sirens. The club debuted its name and branding on Tuesday at Rocket Arena, the 19.4K-seater stadium where it will begin play in 2028.

August 06, 2026

NWSL terminates contract with streaming platform Victory+, effective immediately

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The NWSL hasn’t yet confirmed or denied if it’ll be starting the 2027 season a full month earlier due to the FIFA Women’s World Cup (WWC), but it did surprisingly reveal the immediate termination of its media rights agreement with streaming partner Victory+ last Thursday.

August 04, 2026

FIFA president Gianni Infantino abandons plan to sell World Cup equity after backlash

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FIFA president Gianni Infantino is in the “find out” phase after his plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private equity firms united the soccer world against him in record time. The proposal was officially abandoned on Friday but the backlash (and gaslighting) are just getting started.

August 04, 2026

Simmons paves the way with Women’s Sports Business MSM Program

Women’s sports will conquer new territory in 2026: the classroom. Simmons University in Boston makes history this fall with the first cohort of its Women’s Sports Business Program. Matriculated students will earn a Master of Science in Management (MSM) with a Business and Leadership in Women’s Sports Concentration, the first of its kind. The development is unsurprising for the historically female institution. At the time of its founding in 1974, the Simmons School of Management (SOM) offered the world's first MBA program designed specifically for women, and over 50 years later, Simmons is making way for even more progress.

August 01, 2026

Lack of planning impacts mysteriously postponed 2026 WAFCON

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July 30, 2026

2026 WNBA All-Star Weekend reaches new heights thanks to off-court impact

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Any way you slice it, the 2026 WNBA All-Star Weekend (ASW) in Chicago was a true success, from impressive attendance at the game itself to the many brand activations and presidential pep talks. The event celebrated the power of women’s sports and showcased the profitability of the W. Reaching new heights.

July 28, 2026

Delta’s WNBA deal is winning over Gen Z women travelers

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For 2026 WNBA All-Star Weekend (ASW), Delta rolled out a new activation that hits on a few key marketing notes to draw in their target demographic of young women. It involves exclusive membership, loyalty points, and free stuff — all things consumers love. We spoke with Emmakate Young, Delta’s managing director of sponsorships and partnership management, about the airline’s latest campaign and the wins it’s seen since its WNBA partnership has taken flight.

July 25, 2026

T.J. Maxx marketing head Emily Trent discusses women’s sports sponsorship strategy

Sports Business

T.J. Maxx marketing head Emily Trent discusses women’s sports sponsorship strategy

July 23, 2026

Budget-friendly retailer T.J. Maxx has been stepping up its women’s sports sponsorship game in recent years, partnering with ESPN, Boston Legacy FC, and over 55 women athletes, coaches, and broadcasters. At this year’s ESPYs, it doubled down on visibility with one of its top athlete ambassadors: rugby star Ilona Maher.

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The GIST of It Podcast

Ep #579

The week FIFA lost the plot

August 06, 2026

Listen on Apple Music Listen on Spotify

There’s been some major drama going down at FIFA headquarters. Last week, FIFA president Gianni Infantino announced a plan to sell stakes in future World Cups to private equity firms — an announcement that was met with immediate backlash. On today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Steph Rotz and Alessandra Puccio explain why Infantino’s failed plan caused such a stir and detail the potential fallout from his latest bungle.