USA TODAY goes with, "Fortune 500s overinvest in NWSL." Saturday's NWSL Championship became the most-viewed game in league history, and the numbers are "due in part to increased investment by sponsors." Ally Financial CMO Andrea Brimmer on Friday said, “We knew we had to overinvest to start to grow the league." But since the initial agreement in March 2021 making Ally a national sponsor of the NWSL, there's been a "league-wide reckoning following reports of abuse involving multiple teams." Ally could have "cited a morality clause in its contract and walked away but instead doubled down and supported the players." While the return on investment for partners "won’t be clear for multiple years," the NWSL "continues to draw improved viewership and fan involvement." The league’s sponsorship revenue is up 90% year-over-year.
Also:
- At this World Series, the national pastime "doesn’t look like the nation."
- Homewood Bat Co. scores with MLB players through personalized service.
- MLB Network's Lauren Shehadi is "fueled by hard work -- and workouts."
