🏀 Watch the throne
New data illustrates Caitlin Clark’s dominance in the college basketball conversation
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While official data points from women's March Madness have yet to drop, there’s a general consensus building that the women’s tournament is more compelling than the men’s. A recent Seton Hall Sports Poll (the first and only university-based poll on the sports industry) reflects the rising popularity of women’s college basketball.
March 25, 2024
📚 The Angel City edit
Angel City FC kicks off Wikipedia edit-a-thon event in LA
Last Saturday, Angel City FC, the Los Angeles Public Library, and Wikipedians in the LA area hosted a one-day Wikipedia edit-a-thon in celebration of Women’s History Month. The at-capacity event allowed local residents to contribute their Angel City knowledge to the world’s largest, community-driven encyclopedia.
March 25, 2024
⚽ The Cup runneth over
NWSL announces new intraleague competition with Mexico’s Liga MX Femenil
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
📈 Raising the bar (graph)
SponsorUnited shares new data proving the favorability of women athletes in NIL sponsorships
A recent SponsorUnited NIL report on the 2023-24 season details how women college athletes are taking over the NIL space as they see a higher percentage of deals per athlete and increased social engagement compared to men. Here are some of the most telling numbers that prove women athletes are ideal brand ambassadors.
March 22, 2024
💸 A total sellout
Women’s March Madness sells out of advertising with projected $25M in sales
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As of this week, women’s March Madness ads are effectively sold out. It’s estimated that Disney — the network that owns the women’s tournament — could generate more than $25M in ad sales revenue this year, up from the estimated $19.4M ESPN and ABC made during last year’s tourney.
March 22, 2024
💸 Making it Reign
Seattle Sounders and Carlyle Group agree to purchase Seattle Reign FC for $58M
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
💰 Need a Minute?
Minute Media acquires Sports Illustrated publishing rights for 10 years
On Monday, international media conglomerate Minute Media (MM) struck a multiyear licensing deal with Sports Illustrated (SI) owner Authentic Brands Group for digital and print rights over the next 10 years. While financial terms were not disclosed, Authentic Brands obtained equity stake in MM through the deal.
March 20, 2024
⚽ For angels to fly
Angel City FC reportedly exploring sale of controlling stake in club
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
📈 Nothing but (cutting) net
NCAA women’s basketball tournament sees exponential growth since utilizing the March Madness branding
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This year’s women’s March Madness is expected to outperform the men’s across a variety of metrics, in large part thanks to Sedona Prince’s whistleblowing in 2021 that shed light on the gender disparity between the men’s and women’s tournaments. Here’s how the competition has grown in the years since.
March 18, 2024
🎾 Meeting their match
Saudi Arabia reportedly makes push to merge ATP, WTA with proposed PIF Tour
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According to The Telegraph, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) wants to merge the WTA and ATP tennis tours with a limited-time, $2B offer that expires in 90 days. The rebranded PIF Tour would reportedly replace the proposed Premium Tour, a joint WTA–ATP circuit that’s been in development since January.
March 15, 2024
📈 Eye on the tiger
NCAA women’s basketball tournaments net record viewership and attendance highs
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The 2023-24 NCAA women’s basketball season was one for the books, and it’s not even over yet. Leading up to March Madness, women’s collegiate conference tournaments shattered records across the board, with the Big Ten and SEC tournaments drawing viewership in the millions.
March 15, 2024
⚽ Primed for success
NWSL expands use of Amazon’s suite of services with extensive multiyear partnership
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