💻 All the way up
New report details record global search interest in women’s sports
This week, UK marketing agency Redtorch released its SportOnSearch 2024 report, which analyzes fan engagement with sports properties via Google Trends data. The findings show interest in women’s sports across the board — in fact, all women’s sports properties recorded growth in 2023.
February 28, 2024
💰 Stake and potatoes
TOCA signs multiyear partnership with NWSL’s Thompson sisters
Soccer tech company TOCA announced an extensive multiyear partnership with Angel City FC teammates (and sisters!) Alyssa and Gisele Thompson yesterday. While the Thompsons have secured groundbreaking deals in the past, this marks their first deal that includes an equity stake.
February 28, 2024
📈 Growing, growing, gone
Ticket sales for the Big Ten women’s basketball tournament reflect Caitlin Clark Effect
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After a record-breaking women’s March Madness in 2023, the popularity of women’s college basketball — and namely aforementioned Iowa star Caitlin Clark — keeps on growing, but the NCAA is still playing catch up. The Big Ten women’s basketball tournament officially sold out this weekend, two whole weeks before the event tips off.
February 26, 2024
🇦🇺 She’ll be right
Australia reports economic impact of $867.5M from 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup
The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup (WWC) had a profound economic and social impact for host country Australia, according to a recent Football Australia report. Here are some key numbers from the Land Down Under.
February 26, 2024
📺 The limit does not exist
Athletes Unlimited expands ESPN broadcasting deal to include coverage of all four leagues
On Wednesday, Athletes Unlimited (AU) announced that all four of its month-long pro women’s sports leagues — basketball, softball, volleyball, and lacrosse — will broadcast games on ESPN platforms. The deal is a multiyear renewal of the entertainment network’s previous agreement with AU, which saw impressive viewership growth YoY.
February 23, 2024
💰 She’s all that
New data reveals that women’s sports’ sponsorship deals increased by 22% YoY
SponsorUnited data recently revealed that the number of sponsorship deals in pro women’s sports increased by over 22% YoY thanks to more than 5.5K deals last year. These numbers further prove the marketability of women athletes, who also see consistently higher rates of engagement.
February 23, 2024
⚖️ Crossover event
Stephen vs. Sabrina contest illustrates various benefits of NBA–WNBA collaboration
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Last Saturday’s Stephen vs. Sabrina 3-point challenge was the first formal competition between an NBA and WNBA player during All-Star Weekend. Seeing the athletes on equal footing proves we’re beyond the “Battle of the Sexes” dichotomy — fans simply want to see legends of the game compete, something that will help both leagues.
February 21, 2024
🏀 Missed connection
NBC misses historic opportunity to air Caitlin Clark in order to promote Peacock
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NBC has been enjoying the perks of the Caitlin Clark Effect, but when it came to airing her historic NCAA moment, the network didn’t put the game on linear television — a decision that not only cost them a larger audience, but also likely impeded the momentum of Clark’s popularity.
February 21, 2024
🏒 Ice cold
PWHL lands three key partnerships as U.S. companies increase sponsorship in league
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The PWHL just keeps winning. This week, the women’s hockey league signed the Women’s Sports Network (WSN) as its first U.S. national broadcast partner and brought on two financial services companies — Bread Financial and Discover.
February 16, 2024
📺 On the telly
WSL begins negotiating new media rights deals with UK networks
After joining forces with the Women’s Championship (WC) and reorganizing under NewCo, the Women’s Super League (WSL) is taking the next big step toward getting paid. Following in the footsteps of FIFA and the NWSL, the WSL is negotiating to have every game shown live in the UK next season.
February 16, 2024
📱 Nothing but net
Google inks integrated multiyear partnership with the NWSL
During a hectic 2024 NWSL offseason, the league made its own game-changing move by signing a multiyear partnership with Google yesterday. Google Pixel will become the NWSL’s official mobile phone partner and a title sponsor, in addition to supporting tech activations.
February 14, 2024
💸 Come to collect
New social platform for collectibles launches with key sports investors
Wheelhouse Entertainment CEO Brent Montgomery and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian (aka Serena Williams’ husband) launched Mantel yesterday, a social media platform focused on the collectibles community.
February 14, 2024