Sports Business | The GIST

NWSL terminates contract with streaming platform Victory+, effective immediately

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

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.

July 23, 2026

Sports Business

Wearable medtech company Forme signs expansive WNBPA partnership as it prioritizes brand alignment and usage among athletes

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July 21, 2026

Last week, the WNBPA announced a partnership with Forme, a unique sports apparel company with patented wearable tech that improves posture (just ask Taylor Swift). We spoke with WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike, WNBPA executive director Terri Carmichael Jackson, and Forme founder Dr. Stephen Liu about the deal and the opportunities for medtech start-ups in sports.

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The GIST of It Podcast

Ep #578

No MLB in 2027? The fallout from the Tarik Skubal trade

August 04, 2026

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No MLB in 2027? The fallout from the Tarik Skubal trade

The GIST’s resident baseball expert Lauren Tuiskula joins co-host Steph Rotz on today’s episode of The GIST of It — and she’s got answers to Steph’s, ahem, hard-hitting questions about a certain MLB blockbuster trade. Tune in to hear Tuiskula break it all down, from the on-field implications of Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal heading to the LA Dodgers to the potential lockout that’s looming. Let’s play ball.