Women's Sports
Cities already showing interest in hosting ‘31 Women’s World Cup
The U.S. is likely to be one of four host nations for the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup, and several markets -- including some not involved in the ongoing men’s World Cup -- are already expressing interest in hosting matches in that tournament. In St. Paul, Charley Walters noted that Minneapolis is “‘...
Scripps Sports lands U.S. rights to 2027 Women’s Volleyball World Cup
Volleyball World, the 2027 FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Cup organizing committee and Scripps Sports have signed an exclusive U.S. domestic broadcast rights agreement to televise all 64 games of the 2027 Women’s Volleyball World Cup on ION and Scripps Sports platforms in both English and Spanish. Th...
SBJ On Stage: Valkyries President Jess Smith
In this episode of On Stage, Jess Smith, President of the Golden State Valkyries, joins Jenn Azara, Director of Tech & Women’s Sports Content at Sports Business Journal, for a conversation about launching one of the most successful expansion franchises in professional sports.
London City Lionesses in talks over National Sports Centre move
WSL club London City Lionesses have “held talks” with the Mayor of London’s office over the “possibility of hosting matches at the National Sports Centre stadium in Crystal Palace Park.” No agreement has yet been reached for football to return to the park, with sources indicating that “talks are at ...
Wings, Tempo draw substantial crowds in games moved to bigger arenas
The Wings took down the Sky 96-91 in front of a crowd of 13,236 Sunday night at American Airlines Center, the first of three games the team will play at the arena this season. The attendance figure was more than double the average attendance of 6,221 at UT-Arlington’s College Park Center, where the ...
Tempo set new WNBA attendance record with first Montreal visit
The Tempo drew 20,996 fans to Montreal’s Bell Centre on Friday’s 108-95 loss to the Wings, marking the “biggest regular-season audience in the WNBA’s 30-year history.” Tempo coach Sandy Brondello said, “It is a giant, wonderful arena and you had so many people in the stands. ... The atmosphere was f...
Tempo aim for WNBA attendance record in Montreal
The Tempo will play their first games in Montreal this weekend, putting live WNBA games “before a whole new audience, with a realistic shot at setting an attendance record.” Toronto will play the Wings on Friday and the Liberty on Sunday. The Tempo get to “measure how strong the team’s national fan ...
Media Notes
YAHOO SPORTS’ Darshan Dasai reported Premier Boxing Champions and DAZN reached a “multiyear broadcast agreement” Thursday that will see “PBC events for the next few years air on DAZN.” The deal begins July 25 with Errol Spence vs. Tim Tszyu, which will “air on Prime Video pay-per-view, DAZN pay-per-...
Engelbert: Valkyries helped ‘raise the bar’ across WNBA
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert “did not shy away from declaring the Valkyries are having a huge impact on the rest of the league” since the expansion team’s arrival, according to Ron Kroichick of the S.F. CHRONICLE. Engelbert said, “The Valks have really helped raise the bar for other WNBA teams,...
WNBA player safety remains on the forefront in Caitlin Clark’s latest incident
The letter sent from members of Congress to WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert over the officiating around Fever G Caitlin Clark is the “latest chapter in the Clark saga about whether league officials must do more to protect one of the WNBA’s top players from unnecessarily aggressive physical contact...
Fever coach says team ‘not affiliated’ with letter from lawmakers on Clark
Fever coach Stephanie White was asked on Thursday about the letter sent by several members of Congress to WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert about the treatment of Caitlin Clark by other players and whether it is racially motivated. White said, “Our team made a statement yesterday, so you can find th...
Heaps cites ownership investment as factor in joining Denver Summit
MF Lindsey Heaps decided the Denver Summit were the “right fit” after seeing the “commitment and investment by the ownership group, including the performance center,” according to Marissa Kraus of the Colorado Springs GAZETTE. The USWNT captain officially joined the Summit this week after signing in...
SBJ Live: Purpose-built facilities emerge as women’s sports’ next competitive advantage
As investment in women’s sports accelerates, teams are increasingly treating dedicated training facilities not simply as amenities, but as strategic assets that strengthen recruiting, unlock revenue opportunities and create environments intentionally designed around the specific needs of female athl...
Michele Kang hails Alexia Putellas signing as league-defining investment
Women’s Super League London City Lionesses owner Michele Kang described the signing of former FC Barcelona Femení MF Alexia Putellas as “transformational” for both the club and the league. Kang, appearing on CNBC’s “Closing Bell,” said the signing is “for the greater good, not just for London.” She ...
GOP lawmakers press WNBA for accountability over hits on Clark
A group of 11 Republican lawmakers, led by U.S. Rep. August Pfluger (R-Texas), sent a letter to WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert on Wednesday “demanding the league take ‘accountability’ for ‘multiple attacks’ against” Fever G Caitlin Clark, according to Kendra Andrews of ESPN.com. In the letter, Cl...
Mamdani, Gotham FC offering limited supply of $15 tickets for Citi Field match
N.Y. Mayor Zohran Mamdani has partnered with NWSL club Gotham FC “to offer a limited supply of $15 tickets for next week’s Queens Classic” against the Spirit at Citi Field. There will be “up to 4,000 tickets available at the discounted price,” with tickets distributed on a first-come, first-served b...
WNBA to hold All-Star Weekend events at Obama Presidential Center
The WNBA will “become the first professional sports league to host major events at the Obama Presidential Center” as part of the 2026 WNBA All-Star festivities later this month. The events will take place at the center on July 24, and it “will serve as a featured venue throughout All-Star Weekend.” ...
Gotham FC’s Tisch Blodgett says Etihad Park move aligns with club’s long-term vision
NWSL club Gotham FC Governor Carolyn Tisch Blodgett said when the new ownership group came in two and a half years ago, they “set the vision to be one of the best sports teams in the world” and the move to Etihad Park beginning in 2028 “is the next chapter in that.” Tisch Blodgett, joining “CBS Morn...
Women’s Pro Baseball League unveils team names, logos
The Women’s Pro Baseball League unveiled its team names Wednesday before its inaugural season begins Aug. 1 -- the N.Y. Heights, S.F. Firebells, L.A. Queens and Boston Hunters -- with all four inspired by a female trailblazer.
AT&T plans fan-focused, community boosting activations for WNBA All-Star Weekend
Building on its title sponsorship of the WNBA All-Star Game, AT&T is planning fan activations throughout the weekend in Chicago. AT&T will create a fan experience at Pioneer Court on Michigan Avenue, with the outdoor area offering the opportunity for fans to play on the court, meet WNBA star...
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Quote of the Day
It would be hard to move backwards once hydration breaks have been shown to work because of the dollars associated with it. And if it's not hydration breaks, it will be something else.Horizon Sports & Experiences co-CEO David Levy, on whether hydration breaks could be seen more often after this summer's World Cup.
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