NWSL Archives - Boardroom https://boardroom.tv/tag/nwsl/ Sports Business News Tue, 19 Mar 2024 13:02:33 +0000 en-US hourly 1 With Superteam Signings, Gotham FC is Raising the Bar for the NWSL https://boardroom.tv/gotham-fc-nwsl-womens-sports-soccer/ Thu, 14 Mar 2024 20:49:56 +0000 https://boardroom.tv/?p=87636 After adding Crystal Dunn, Rose Lavelle & more to an NWSL championship-winning roster, NJ/NY Gotham FC aims to grow the game.

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]]> After adding Crystal Dunn, Rose Lavelle & more to an NWSL championship-winning roster, NJ/NY Gotham FC is aiming to grow the game and women’s sports as a whole.

The season following a championship win is always pivotal for any club. They’re simultaneously chasing a winning feeling again while also ensuring they’ve got the roster to follow through. Who knows what 2024 will bring for NJ/NY Gotham FC when they return to action on Friday against the San Diego Wave, but the newest players representing the reigning champions certainly know they’re the talk of the NWSL.

“Everyone is so focused on us joining the team, But honestly, to be fair, we’re also on our individual journeys,” Crystal Dunn told Boardroom from Gotham’s Media Day in January.

Dunn was the first in a flurry of blockbuster signings Gotham completed during the offseason. What followed her addition was Tierna Davidson, Rose Lavelle, and Emily Sonnett, all members of the current United States Women’s National Team. They were already a threatening side thanks to the likes of Midge Purce and Lynn Williams, but now the four arrivals essentially solidify Gotham as the league’s most star-studded and menacing team.

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The New-look Gotham FC

One reason the four new players share equal excitement about joining Gotham FC goes far beyond championship potential. With a solid front office and an in-form roster, they all agreed that Gotham is truly setting itself up for long-term success.

When general manager Yael Averbuch West and head coach Juan Carlos Amorós approached Lavelle about taking her talents to the tri-state, Lavelle remembers the bulk of their conversation revolved around her personal growth. At 28, with multiple honors to her name within the league and as a part of the USWNT, finding a suitable home to further develop her craft was a non-negotiable.

Thankfully, she was able to find a home that will allow her to continue prospering. She’s thrilled at the prospect, especially since she gets to do it alongside Sonnett, her teammate with the OL Reign.

“I think there’s something special that’s really going to be happening here, and the more Yael spoke about the future and where she wants to take this organization, I could sense this shift within me,” Lavelle recalled. “It all aligned with the personal goals I set for myself, and the hunger of [the] free agency period was a bonus.”

For Davidson, it was the familiarity of the current lineup. Because the women’s soccer world is a close-knit community, she knew a lot of the players on the team, having previously come across them through her experiences from youth camps to the national team. Considering she was leaving the Chicago Red Stars for life on the East Coast, familiarity among her teammates was a comforting thought. Davidson also had high praise for the passion, intelligence, and preparation the coaching staff and front office exude on a daily basis.

“The organization as a whole has a clear vision of what success looks like and with that comes a step-by-step process of how they want to get there. That’s so exciting to me that it’s not just we want to make things better. It’s like, ‘OK, this is actually how we’re going to do it with clear steps to becoming the foremost team and set the standard for other people to try and catch up with us.'”

Gotham’s achievement in recruiting some of the best players in the game rightfully keeps them firmly in the contender discussion and maybe even puts the team at the top of some lists to repeat as champions. It also led to a new discourse in women’s soccer: the NWSL’s first superteam.

Gotham FC hopes to repeat as champions with a new-look roster. (Meg Oliphant / Getty Images)

As the first of the club’s major signings, Dunn acknowledged that Gotham has superteam potential, but it must be paired with other essential qualities in order to be successful.

“I’ve been playing this game long enough to know that you need the pieces, and you also need the chemistry,” Dunn said to Boardroom in December. “I think the NWSL is one of the hardest, if not the hardest, leagues to play in. Gotham has that firepower, but we’re not going to just beat you because of who’s on our team. We’re going to beat you with the style of play, the relentless attitude, and a winning mentality that we’re going to carry from the moment the game starts until it ends.”

Sonnett added: “I’ve never really viewed us as a superteam, but I think there is a lot of talent. So now what we have to figure out is how can all that talent get on the same page and make it work in the form of wins and goals scored. There are so many talented teams in the NWSL, but one thing that’s necessary to make it all work is whether we all have the same mentality while training and playing.”

Crystal Dunn Returns Home to Be a Leader for Gotham FC & Women’s Soccer
The new Gotham FC player speaks with Boardroom about the prospect of an NWSL superteam, the advice she received from Ali Krieger, and her role in advancing the sport.
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Moving Forward with a New Media Deal

Last season, CBS Sports channels were the sole platform to watch your favorite NWSL team play. That all changed in November when the league announced a new four-year media rights deal that will partner the women’s domestic topflight football league with CBS Sports, ESPN, Prime Video, and Scripps Sports.

Reportedly valued at $240 million, the agreement is a massive increase from the three-year, $4.5 million contract previously in place with CBS. It’s a monumental feat for the league because, moving forward, 118 matches will be distributed across the aforementioned services.

“There’s never been more of an exciting time to be part of women’s sports. The buzz, interest, and value is here to stay and it’s just going to keep growing and getting better,” Lavelle said about the landmark deal, adding, “I think having better access to watching games is a positive for kids. They see their role models and say, ‘Oh, I want to do that one day.’ That’s going to have a long-lasting effect on them.”

“I’m excited to no longer answer texts from people asking, ‘Where is the game?'” Sonnett joked. “But in all seriousness, it’s nice to see visibility for both women’s sports and women’s soccer.”

Emily Sonnett and Rose Lavelle are no strangers to being teammates on the pitch. (Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)

In a November 2023 report, Deloitte predicted that women’s professional sports could generate profit that surpasses $1 billion. Not only is that a 300% increase in valuation, but the first time it will reach that billion-dollar milestone.

There is an obvious throughline contributing to this forecast. For starters, NCAA women’s basketball teams like the undefeated South Carolina Gamecocks and individuals like Caitlin Clark are attracting audiences in droves to watch their games in person and on television. That leads to record-breaking viewership numbers, and brands are naturally shelling out more money than ever to promote their products during live broadcasts. NIL deals are another factor, and currently, more women in the college space have inked sneaker contracts than their male counterparts.

At the pro level, the Las Vegas Aces became the first team in WNBA history to completely sell out of its regular season ticket passes. Meanwhile, following the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, jersey sales for Australia (co-hosted with New Zealand) increased by 19%, and Code Sports estimates the economic benefit totaled $1.32 billion.

The math is mathing when it comes to advancing women’s sports, which makes this upcoming season a monumental one for NJ/NY Gotham FC and the NWSL as a whole. Excitement for the game has always been there; now, more people are paying attention.

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]]> Loading OL Reign v NJ/NY Gotham FC – 2023 NWSL Championship Can Gotham FC repeat as champions with a new-look roster? (Meg Oliphant / Getty Images) Argentina v United States: Group A – 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup Emily Sonnett and Rose Lavelle are no strangers to being teammates. (Ronald Martinez / Getty Images) Spotlighting The Women of the Boardroom https://boardroom.tv/spotlighting-the-women-of-the-boardroom/ Fri, 08 Mar 2024 22:06:20 +0000 https://boardroom.tv/?p=88518 From Amber Sabathia to Aerial Powers, Boardroom shares a few of its favorite stories that focus on the immeasurable impact these women have had in their respective fields.

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]]> From Amber Sabathia to Aerial Powers, Boardroom shares a few of its favorite stories that focus on the immeasurable impact these women have had in their respective fields.

Throughout the year, Boardroom continuously spotlights the women making waves in their respective professional industries but creating change outside of them. But with Friday, March 8, being International Women’s Day, we wanted to look back over time and gather some of our favorite stories in one place to celebrate these women who are having a wide-ranging impact.

From New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu to ESPN’s Monica McNutt and everyone in between, below are just a few of our favorite stories highlighting these amazing women.

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Sabrina Ionescu: What Having My Own Signature Shoe Has Meant To Me

The Liberty star joined rare company when she launched her signature shoe with Nike earlier this year. In her own words, Ionescu lets us in on how life has been since.

Click here to read the full story from Sabrina.

The Sabathia Family Business

“Amber’s the kind of woman who you meet once and you’re like, ‘Damn, I want to be in her orbit,’” Ruocco said [of Amber Sabathia]. “I want to be in her presence because she’s just so clearly a winner, and a winner with a beautiful heart. She’s just a powerhouse, a human being who gets things done. She’s just a ridiculously smart, committed, dedicated woman who can problem-solve basically anything. She’s that kind of special.”

Click here to read the full story from Shlomo Sprung.

The Undeniable Ascent of ESPN’s Monica McNutt

Hooper and ESPN personality Monica McNutt talks breaking into sports media, building equity and dignity for women in the industry, and the base of support that powers her forward.

Click here to read the full story from Vinciane Ngomsi.

Kiki Rice & the Evolution of the Air Jordan Rollout

A NIL deal allowed UCLA guard Kiki Rice to debut the latest pair of Mikes. Learn how MJ’s empire is maneuvering its marketing to meet modern hoopers where they’re at.

Click here to read the full story from Ian Stonebrook.

Aerial Powers: A Gamer On and Off the Court

Image via Gucci

Boardroom caught up with the Minnesota Lynx’ Aerial Powers to talk about how she’s progressing on the court and in the digital world as a gamer.

Click here to read the full story from Michelai Graham.

Cedella Marley: For Football, Freedom & The Reggae Girlz

The Jamaican women’s national team reached new heights in 2023. Here’s how Cedella Marley, daughter of Bob Marley, helped make it happen.

Click here to read the full story from Vinciane Ngomsi.

Kara Nortman & Monarch Begin Reign with NWSL Boston Investment

Kara Nortman
(Maja Hitij / FIFA via Getty Images)

A minority stake in the newly awarded NWSL expansion club in Boston is Monarch’s first investment. Boardroom catches up with collective co-founder Kara Nortman.

Click here to read the full story from Shlomo Sprung.

Crystal McCrary McGuire Wants to Make Your Kid an NBA Player

With the help of her son, Orlando Magic point guard Cole Anthony, McCrary Mcguire is scaling the youth basketball ecosystem through an app. Here’s what they hope GameUp can bring to the industry.

Click here to read the full story from Michelai Graham.

Sarah Mensah Becomes First-ever Female President of Jordan Brand

The sportswear industry vet who helped to lead a decade of growth at Nike, Inc. will now be the first woman to lead Michael Jordan’s global company. Here’s what you need to know about Sarah Mensah.

Click here to read the full story from Ian Stonebrook.

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]]> Loading EditorialSabrina BHM_McNutt Gucci_Aerial_Powers_00_07_33_04_1920x1080 Image via Gucci FIFA Women’s Football Convention – FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 (Maja Hitij / FIFA via Getty Images) The Business of Women’s Sports is Exploding https://boardroom.tv/womens-sports-business-exploding/ Mon, 26 Feb 2024 19:23:54 +0000 https://boardroom.tv/?p=87431 Betting on the market may be tricky, but investing in women's sports is a no-brainer. Boardroom's Gabe Oshin breaks down the big business of women's sports.

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]]> Betting on the market may be tricky, but investing in women’s sports is a no-brainer. Boardroom’s Gabe Oshin breaks down the big business of women’s sports.

Each week, women’s sports seem to set a new record. The booming industry has seen the rise of myriad professional leagues such as Athletes Unlimited and League One Volleyball grow and thrive in recent years. Most recently, the PWHL made waves, drawing record crowds and showcasing women’s hockey in a way it’s never been done before.

Whereas previously, only tentpole moments on the sporting calendar, such as the FIFA Women’s World Cup or the Olympics, captured the attention of audiences worldwide, after 50-plus years of Title IX, women’s sports are finally getting their due. Both the NWSL and the WNBA have secured major media rights deals as demand for their games has grown exponentially.

Deloitte estimated that in 2024, women’s sports would break the $1 billion industry marker.

And we’re just getting started. From Caitlin Clark‘s historic run at Iowa to Nebraska‘s history-making volleyball crowd, the attention on the college game suggests that we’re nowhere near the crest of what’s possible.

Boardroom’s Gabe Oshin breaks down the business explosion in women’s sports and looks toward what’s possible in the future.

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]]> Portland Thorns FC Sold to Bhathal Family for an NWSL Record-Breaking $63M Deal https://boardroom.tv/portland-thorns-bhathal-family-nwsl-record-sale/ Wed, 03 Jan 2024 22:05:11 +0000 https://boardroom.tv/?p=85509 The record-setting sale sets a new threshold for the NWSL, bringing an experienced new ownerhsip group to the City of Roses. Portland Thorns FC has been acquired by Bhathal family-owned RAJ Sports the NWSL

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]]> The record-setting sale sets a new threshold for the NWSL, bringing an experienced new ownerhsip group to the City of Roses.

Portland Thorns FC has been acquired by Bhathal family-owned RAJ Sports the NWSL team confirmed Wednesday. Although financial terms were not disclosed in the official announcement, a person familiar with the deal tells The Athletic that the acquisition totaled $63 million, making it the largest in the league’s history.

RAJ Sports is led by brother-sister team Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal. The two co-founded and serve as partners of the Southern California-based investment firm Revitate. Bhathal Merage will assume roles as controlling owner and NWSL Governor, while Bhathal will serve as NWSL Alternate Governor. It marks the latest major investment in U.S. sports for RAJ Sports, which joined the Sacramento Kings’ ownership group in 2013. They also hold a stake in the NBA G-League’s Stockton Kings and Triple-A baseball team, the Sacramento RiverCats.

The Bhathal family sees the purchase as a multi-faceted one. They plan on providing the club with resources to create a best-in-class playing experience for its athletes with facility developments and more.

“Our vision is to support new, widespread growth for the Thorns, the people of Portland, and for women’s sports as a whole,” said Bhathal Merage. “Specifically, we bring deep experience in professional sports and large-scale real estate developments that create thriving community centers, making us well-positioned to deliver valuable assets that will support further growth for the players, staff, and fans.”

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When Boardroom caught up with Thorns FC forward Sophia Smith in November 2023, the 2022 NWSL champion said she hopes the new owners continue to show a vested interest and investment in the club and women’s sports as a whole. “What we want in new ownership is someone who’s going to come in and raise the standard even higher so that Portland remains at the top in every category possible. Whether that’s investing in a facility for us, getting a grass training field, all of those things are super important for us,” Smith continued.

Smith has a point, and there is some evidence to prove women’s sports will experience a record-breaking year in 2024. According to a November 2023 release by Deloitte, women’s sports is expected to generate worldwide revenues of $1.28 billion this year. If this prediction comes true, it will mark the first time that annual global profits for women’s sports will have surpassed $1 billion and a total of at least 300% higher than Deloitte’s previous valuation entering 2021.

Additionally, the $63 million price tag marks the biggest club sale in NWSL history. In 2023, the league’s Bay Area and Boston expansion clubs each sold for $53 million, which set the previous records.

The Bhathal family plans to keep Thorns FC in Portland, where they will continue to play at Providence Park, the downtown stadium that also hosts the MLS side Portland Timbers. The family will take over soccer operations, effective immediately.

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]]> Loading Crystal Dunn Returns Home to Be a Leader for Gotham FC & Women’s Soccer https://boardroom.tv/crystal-dunn-gotham-fc-nwsl-interview/ Sun, 31 Dec 2023 12:05:00 +0000 https://boardroom.tv/?p=85343 The new Gotham FC player speaks with Boardroom about making an NWSL superteam, what advice she got from Ali Krieger, and her role in advancing the sport.

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]]> The new Gotham FC player speaks with Boardroom about the prospect of an NWSL superteam, the advice she received from Ali Krieger, and her role in advancing the sport.

One of the NWSL’s most coveted free agents is coming home. After stints in our nation’s capital, London, North Carolina, and Portland, Crystal Dunn now joins the reigning league champions NJ/NY Gotham FC.

Dunn epitomizes the phrase “hardly home, but always repping.” She hails from New Hyde Park, Long Island, and throughout our Zoom conversation, she sprinkled references only born and bred New Yorkers could genuinely understand. The USWNT star could have been welcomed with open arms at any club, so the decision to join Gotham wasn’t necessarily hard, but rather the right choice, in her mind, based on where she’s at in her career and family needs.

“It is everything that I needed at this stage in my life, which is to feel like I’m home, supported, valued, and to feel like I’m trying to help New York even elevate to a certain level,” Dunn said.

In an interview with Boardroom, Dunn was assuredly confident, adding further confirmation this was the right decision at the ideal moment. Besides joining a club with proven success on the pitch, Dunn said she was drawn to Gotham’s philosophy of pouring into their players away from competition.

“I think it really shows their commitment levels and where they want this game to grow,” Dunn, a mother of one, added.

Another significant advantage of taking her talents to the northeast? Reuniting close friends undoubtedly eases the angst of starting over with a new club.

“I get to see my people that I call pretty much every single week,” she said. “I know this team had success without me last season. However, my impact is really to help elevate Gotham and help it grow even more.”

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An NWSL Superteam in the Making?

We’ve seen this trend across men’s sports for years: Elite athletes join forces on a single team in hopes of sustained success. That trend has carried over into women’s sports, most notably the two-time WNBA champions Las Vegas Aces boasting an envious lineup of future Hall of Fame talent.

Are Gotham FC the NWSL‘s first superteam? Dunn believes so, but it’ll take more than just the obvious talent on the roster.

“I’ve been playing this game long enough to know that you need the pieces, and you also need the chemistry,” Dunn said. “I think the NWSL is one of the hardest, if not the hardest, leagues to play in. Gotham has that firepower, but we’re not going to just beat you because of who’s on our team. We’re going to beat you with the style of play, the relentless attitude, and a winning mentality that we’re going to carry from the moment the game starts until it ends.”

Dunn’s resume certainly supports her aforementioned statements. In her three years at North Carolina, she helped the team win the NCAA Women’s Soccer Championship in 2012, picking up honors like the Hermann Trophy winner, ACC Athlete of the Year, and ACC Defender of the Year. After three seasons with the Washington Spirit and one in London with Chelsea, Dunn picked up hardware a couple of times with the North Carolina Courage, winning back-to-back NWSL Shield and NWSL Championships in 2018 and 2019.

In 2020, she joined Portland Thorns FC and just kept on winning by securing victories in the NWSL Challenge Cup and another NWSL Championship. Additionally, she was the NWSL’s MVP in 2015, named to the league’s Best XI in 2015 and 2018, and her 15-goal season in 2015 resulted in picking up the NWSL Golden Boot award.

And that doesn’t even get into her international career with the USWNT, where she was a part of the illustrious 2019 winning squad, a CONCACAF Women’s Championship winner in 2018, and a 2020 Olympic bronze medalist.

Learning From the Best

As they look to repeat as champions with Dunn aboard, Gotham’s 2024 roster will unfortunately be missing a significant name.

Ali Krieger concluded an 18-year pro career as an NWSL title-winner, the final accolade missing from a crowded trophy closet. Dunn and Krieger’s friendship spans years, with the latter serving as Dunn’s bridesmaid in her 2018 wedding to Pierre Soubrier. Dunn acknowledged she consulted Krieger for advice when talking about joining Gotham in advance, and Krieger’s endorsement all but solidified her decision to rock a Sky Blue and Gotham Black kit.

“She was like, ‘Yeah, Crys, you’re going to love it,'” Dunn said of her conversation with her friend. “You got to speak to [head coach] Juan [Carlos Amorós]. He’s going to bring out the best in you. He’s going to challenge you. He’s going to do all these things that I think players, especially of where you are in your career, need to hear.’

“The day that you’re done learning and growing is the day that you’re ultimately ready to retire. I’m really grateful that she was so open and answered all my questions, from the commute to the day-to-day.”

So, what did Dunn and Amorós speak about when they finally linked up? According to the 31-year-old, not too much about on-the-field tactics but more so about her value as a player and leader.

“I think that those are qualities I never take for granted,” she added. “I truly enjoy helping other players around me. We play a team sport, so any career success I’ve ever had is definitely owed to the players who have supported me and challenged me every single day to be the best that I can be. So that’s my way of showing my appreciation to my teammates, is by always pushing them to be at their best.”

Advancing Soccer for Women of Color

What adds to Dunn’s charm is her candor, which intensifies when speaking on diversity within the sport. Growing up, her parents knew nothing about soccer.

“They were like, ‘Yeah, go kick that ball around. We don’t know what that is, but go have fun,'” Dunn recalled.

Despite being gifted with elite skills from a young age, Dunn acknowledges she never thought that she would achieve such monumental success. The game she fell in love with as a child eventually covered her college tuition and, today, helps support her family.

Fighting back tears, Dunn reflected on her long-term advocacy for inclusion in women’s soccer and how she didn’t shy away from stepping deeper into this role. As a Black woman, she’s painfully aware of how, most times, she’s the only woman of color on the pitch.

Instead of running away from that reality, she put herself in a position to end that likelihood for future pro athletes.

“When I first started my career, I was like, ‘Oh my Lord, where are we at? I know we play, but where are we at?’ Since then, everything about my game has been about bringing Black women into this sport,” Dunn said. “We’re always stereotyped. ‘Oh, you’re just fast. You’re just strong.’ Hearing that when I was young was so hard. And I think that’s why I play in the midfield. I play up top — I play outside back — because I show people that you can’t put us in a box. We are so great. We’re so highly intelligent. And I think people don’t hear that enough, but we are actually intelligent players.

“And so everything I carry with me today is showing the world that Black women belong in the sport. We’re not just strong. We’re extremely smart, and we’re cognitively able to break the game down as well as anyone else. It is the most important thing, is leaving this game in a better way for women of color.”

As she prepares for this new adventure, Dunn assures me she’s in the best form of her life, completely ready to pull double duty as a Gotham FC starter and (hopefully) another chance to medal at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. As we wrapped our conversation, Dunn had an optimistic message for fans who can hardly wait to see Gotham run it back.

“I want to truly fight so hard to bring another championship to this club,” Dunn said. “I want to win the Shield, I want to win the Challenge Cup. I want to win another championship for years to come, and I really want to help progress this game even more than it has ever been before.”

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]]> Loading GothamFC_Social_2023-Welcome_Dunn_16x9-1 Beyoncé, Shohei Ohtani, & the 10 Topics That Took Over the Headlines in 2023 https://boardroom.tv/beyonce-shohei-ohtani-the-10-topics-that-took-over-the-headlines-in-2023/ Wed, 27 Dec 2023 15:00:00 +0000 https://boardroom.tv/?p=85036 The news cycle kept us busy in 2023 with major stories emerging daily. Boardroom looks back on the 10 topics that took the most real estate in our daily newsletter Headline to Go in 2023.

The post Beyoncé, Shohei Ohtani, & the 10 Topics That Took Over the Headlines in 2023 appeared first on Boardroom.

]]> The news cycle kept us busy in 2023 with major stories emerging daily. Boardroom looks back on the 10 topics that took the most real estate in our daily newsletter Headline to Go in 2023.

Before we turn the calendar to 2024, let’s reminisce on some major moments that got us talking in 2023. We’re all aware of just how seamlessly sports, entertainment, and music intersect into popular culture. From Monday through Saturday each week, Boardroom lands in your inbox with our Headline to Go newsletter, which surfaces the most relevant headlines that will keep you up-to-date and informed.

This year, there was no shortage of buzzworthy topics that took over the headlines — looking back it is almost impossible to believe how much has happened in the last 12 months. We analyzed the topics that resurfaced most frequently throughout the year. From Messi Mania to the NFL’s superior reign as the top sports league in the U.S., there were some topics that we returned to over and over … and over again.

Ahead are the top 10 topics we covered in our daily newsletter, Headline To Go.

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NFL

In February, the Kansas City Chiefs became Super Bowl champions for the second time in four years, beating the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35 in a thriller. However, viewership peaked at halftime as Rihanna took over the stage … and unveiled her second pregnancy. With 115 million viewers, it became the most-watched game in history.

Even in the offseason, the shield kept things buzzing. The game bid farewell (again) to the GOAT, Tom Brady. Running backs brought attention to a crumbling market for the position. Meanwhile, multiple starting quarterbacks inked record-breaking extensions, and Aaron Rodgers barely played a full drive before being sidelined for the season after rupturing his Achilles.

For the 2023 season, the NFL has continued its monumental stronghold on American sports fans, drawing an astounding 9.2 million viewers on average for each regular season game.

Beyoncé

While she may not have dropped the visuals for Renaissance, Beyoncé gave her fans something better. The Renaissance Tour took its global lap in 2023, amassing more than $570 million in 55 stops. She also joined Taylor Swift in bringing the tour experience to the silver screen, brokering a deal with AMC Theaters for Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé, a nearly three hour spectacle that takes viewers both behind the scenes and in the front row of the incredible live experience.

So far, the movie experience of the sold-out tour is currently No. 5 on the Top 10 Music Concert Films of All Time.

NBA

The Denver Nuggets were crowned first-time NBA Finals champions, getting the best of the Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat in five games.

In an action-packed offseason, the Boston Celtics ensured Jaylen Brown wouldn’t be leaving the Northeast anytime soon. The 17-time champions and their star forward agreed to a five-year, $304 million supermax extension, the richest contract in NBA history. Elsewhere, the Dame drama came to a close, as he took his talents to Milwaukee.

However, the 2023-24 season brought a new challenge: the in-season tournament. After a slow start, the Los Angeles Lakers won the inaugural in-season tournament title, easily beating the Indiana Pacers 123-109, adding an extra spark to the league’s pre-Christmas schedule.

Apple

In 2024, Apple made history as the first $3 trillion company, and the tech company’s stock hit its all-time high on July 31 and it remains the most valuable publicly traded U.S. company. They released of a range of new product models, from the coveted iPhone 15 lineup to AirPods, laptops, and updates to its iOS software.

Additionally, after years of speculation, the Cupertino company unveiled the Apple Vision Pro. The VR headset will go on sale in 2024 at a pricepoint of $3,499.

@boardroom Drake’s music industry dominance is stamped once again by his ubiquitous presence on listeners’ Spotify Wrapped as a top-5 artist. #drake #spotify #spotifywrapped #rap #hiphop #rapper #champagnepapi #spotifywrapped2023 ♬ original sound – Boardroom

Drake

Drake began 2023 on a high note: the Canadian rapper returned to the stage at the Apollo, performing his chart-toppers and a few deep cuts at the famed Harlem venue.

Then, Drizzy hit the road with 21 Savage for the It’s All a Blur tour, earning $140.5 million, according to numbers reported to Billboard Box Score. He also released a new Nocta basketball line, joined the investment group of the MLP team, the Brooklyn Aces, dropped two albums, and picked up two Grammy nominations after a multi-year boycott of the awards.

Disney

Bob Iger returned to the CEO’s chair at Disney to round out 2022, but his impact has been widely felt throughout the last 12 months. After a series of challenging fiscal years, the House of Mouse focused on its comeback in 2023. Under Iger’s tough leadership — and amidst some layoffs — the company began to see an uptick, largely fueled by the massive profitability of its theme parks. Revenues for the quarter and year grew 5- and 7% compared to 2022 amounts, respectively. In addition, they also added 7+ million core subscribers to their streaming services in Q4.

However, Disney wasn’t fully exempt from the drama. In April, Disney filed a First Amendment lawsuit against DeSantis in federal court, claiming “a targeted campaign of government retaliation.”

Next up: Disney may seek to sell off its ESPN properties, having released a valuation figure for the sports media giant for the first time ever, which clocked in at $24 billion.

NWSL

November’s NWSL final marked the final professional game for two GOATS: NJ/NY Gotham FC defender Ali Krieger and OL Reign forward Megan Rapinoe. After an intense 90 minutes, Gotham won its first-ever championship after beating their opponents 2-1.

The grand finale was the perfect end for a season that highlighted immense growth for the league. In November, the NWSL signed a sweeping media right deal, worth $240 millions. The 40X increase in the value of the contract highlights that the league itself is on the rise. The Houston Dash recently inked Maria Sánchez to a record-setting three-year contract valued at $1.5 million — a record for the league. Additionally, it attracted new big-name investors, including tennis stars Naomi Osaka and Ons Jebeur (NC Courage) and Carolyn Tisch Blodgett (NY/NJ Gotham FC). 

Lionel Messi

There are few athletes who have even stepped in the same meteoric sphere of a year of success as Lionel Messi.

The Argentinian footballer made waves when he departed Paris St. Germain for the MLS and Inter Miami CF. In addition to his salary, Messi brokered a deal that will yield him a portion of the profits of the league’s deal with Apple TV, as well as the revenues from his jersey and merchandise sales from Adidas.

Messi landed stateside and had an immediate impact, driving prices of tickets way up everywhere that Miami landed.

Netflix

The crackdown on password sharing proved to yield some success for Netflix because the streaming platform added nine million subscribers in the third quarter and its $6.99 ad-supported tier has amassed 15 million global monthly active users. The streaming platform also ventured into live sports with “The Netflix Cup,” featuring athletes from “Formula 1: Drive to Survive” and “Full Swing.”

Shohei Ohtani

Shohei Ohtani stunned MLB audiences yet again this past season, putting up historic numbers and amazing performances. While also netting major deals off the diamond, including a new partnership with New Balance.

His quest for a new contract became the storyline of the offseason, but it garnered a bigger number than most fans dared to even dream of. Ohtani inked a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Though the move couldn’t be much geographically closer than his former home team, the conditions of his agreement couldn’t be much more different.

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]]> Loading Loading NWSL Owners: The Biggest Names To Buy In https://boardroom.tv/nwsl-franchise-owner-list/ Fri, 15 Dec 2023 16:44:24 +0000 https://boardroom.tv/?p=84925 From Kevin Durant and Rich Kleiman to Patrick Mahomes and Naomi Osaka, the NWSL has no shortage of star owners. The NWSL has experienced monumental growth over the last year, and that extends to

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]]> From Kevin Durant and Rich Kleiman to Patrick Mahomes and Naomi Osaka, the NWSL has no shortage of star owners.

The NWSL has experienced monumental growth over the last year, and that extends to the ranks of club owners. Amid expansion and a landmark broadcast deal with CBS Sports, ESPN, Prime Video, and Scripps Sports, there are plenty of reasons entrepreneurs are buying into the league.

Across the NWSL, there are a multitude of superstar owners who have contributed to select expansion clubs as investors. This isn’t limited to athletes, either. While pros in one sport turning to support another is common, even more famous faces — from Hollywood to tech — have backed teams.

There are 14 NWSL clubs at the moment, with the Utah Royals and Bay FC scheduled to begin their inaugural seasons in 2024. Ahead of that, let’s review five franchises with the most notable owners.

NWSL Clubs With Notable Owners

Angel City FC

Several former women’s professional soccer players are investors in Angel City, including Julie Foudy, Mia Hamm, Rachel Van Hollebeke, Shannon Boxx, Amanda Cromwell, Lorrie Fair, Ronnie Fair, Joy Fawcett, Angela Hucles, Shannon MacMillan, Tisha Venturini, Saskia Webber, Lauren Holiday, and Abby Wambach.

Additional owners include:

  • Natalie Portman
  • Jennifer Garner
  • Jessica Chastain
  • Serena Williams & Alexis Ohanian Jr.
  • Billie Jean King
  • America Ferrera
  • Candace Parker
  • Matthew and Kelly Stafford
  • P.K. Subban
  • Christina Aguilera
  • Gabrielle Union & Kaavia Wade
  • Becky G

*This is a non-exhaustive list. For full ownership details, visit Angel City FC’s website.

How Angel City FC Is Reimagining Ownership
Everything is possible in Angel City. Boardroom sat down with key figures behind the NWSL club’s innovative and unprecedented business model.
Check it out!

NJ/NY Gotham FC

  • Kevin Durant and Rich Kleiman’s 35V
  • Carli Lloyd
  • Sue Bird
  • Eli Manning
  • Carolyn Tisch Blodgett

Bay FC (2024)

  • Rick Welts
  • Sheryl Sandberg
  • Brandi Chastain
  • Aly Wagner
  • Danielle Slaton
  • Leslie Osborne
  • Andre Iguodala

North Carolina Courage

  • Naomi Osaka
  • Ons Jabeur

Washington Spirit

  • Jenna Bush Hager
  • Chelsea Clinton
  • Brianna Scurry
  • Dominique Dawes

Kansas City Current

  • Brittany and Patrick Mahomes
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]]> Loading NWSL Free Agents 2023-24: Crystal Dunn, Becky Sauerbrunn, Sam Mewis, and More https://boardroom.tv/nwsl-free-agents-list-2023-24/ Fri, 24 Nov 2023 14:00:00 +0000 https://boardroom.tv/?p=83985 With NWSL free agents nearly ready to put ink to paper, Boardroom is here to help you track who is going where.

The post NWSL Free Agents 2023-24: Crystal Dunn, Becky Sauerbrunn, Sam Mewis, and More appeared first on Boardroom.

]]> With NWSL free agents nearly ready to put ink to paper, Boardroom is here to help you track who is going where.

With the 2023 NWSL season complete, all eyes shift to the offseason. And with free agents aplenty and an expansion draft on the horizon, it’s sure to be a busy winter.

The NWSL’s second-ever free agency period is set to begin Monday, with the transaction window open to 70-plus players with at least five years of experience in the league. The list boasts some of the most decorated names in women’s soccer. Representing the USWNT is winger Crystal Dunn, who confirmed last week that she is departing Portland Thorns FC. Other notable free agents are Becky Sauerbrunn, Rose Lavelle, and Sam Mewis.

Complicating matters this year is the 2024 NWSL Expansion Draft. This year’s festivities will air live on Friday, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network. Ahead of the expansion draft, all clubs will submit a list of protected and unprotected athletes which will be distributed to all clubs on Tuesday, Dec. 12. A public release of those lists will follow. That means there may be some unexpected roster holes for teams to fill in free agency.

Below are the NWSL free agents who could be make headlines in the coming weeks and months, courtesy of the NWSL.

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2023-24 NWSL Free Agents

Player2024 Club2023 Club
Angelina (M)OL Reign
Taylor Aylmer (M)Racing Louisville FC
Nicole Barnhart (GK)Washington Spirit
Michelle Betos (GK)NJ/NY Gotham FC
Camryn Biegalski (D)Chicago Red Stars
Amber Brooks (D)Washington Spirit
Simone Charley (F)Angel City FC
Allysha Chapman (D)Houston Dash
Emily Curran (M)Houston Dash
Tierna Davidson (D)Chicago Red Stars
Ella Dederick (GK)Houston Dash
Makenzy Doniak (F)San Diego Wave FC
Imani Dorsey (F)NJ/NY Gotham FC
Crystal Dunn (F)Portland Thorns FC
Caprice Dydasco (D)Houston Dash
Elizabeth Eddy (D)Angel City FC
Emina Ekic (F)Melbourne CityRacing Louisville FC
Sinead Farrelly (M)NJ/NY Gotham FC
Bayley Feist (M)Washington Spirit
Sabrina Flores (D)NJ/NY Gotham FC
Emily Fox (D)North Carolina Courage
Makamae Gomera-Stevens (M)Houston Dash
Sarah Gorden (D)Angel City FC
Paulina Gramaglia (F)Houston Dash
Shea Groom (F)Houston Dash
Madison Hammond (D)Angel City FC
Tori Huster (M)Washington Spirit
Brittany Isenhour (GK)Angel City FC
Devon Kerr (GK)Houston Dash
Tziarra King (F)OL Reign
Meghan Klingenberg (D)Portland Thorns FC
Casey Krueger (D)Chicago Red Stars
Natalia Kuikka (D)Portland Thorns FC
Rose Lavelle (M)OL Reign
Jordyn Listro (M)Orlando Pride
Allie Long (M)NJ/NY Gotham FC
Merritt Mathias (D)Angel City FCAngel City FC
Savannah McCaskill (M)Angel City FC
Jessica McDonald (F)Racing Louisville FC
Tegan McGrady (D)Portland Thorns FC
Addisyn Merrick (D)Kansas City Current
Sam Mewis (M)Kansas City Current
Cassie Miller (GK)Kansas City Current
Nadia Nadim (F)Racing Louisville FC
Yuki Nagasato (F)Chicago Red Stars
Kiki Pickett (D)North Carolina Courage
Madison Pogarch (D)San Diego Wave FC
Taylor Porter (M)Portland Thorns FC
Brittany Ratcliffe (F)North Carolina Courage
Cari Roccaro (D)Chicago Red Stars
Maria Sanchez (D)Houston Dash
Becky Sauerbrunn (D)Portland Thorns FC
Desiree Scott (M)Kansas City Current
Kayla Sharples (D)Chicago Red Stars
Marissa Sheva (F)Washington Spirit
Mana Shim (M)NJ/NY Gotham FC
Cheyenne Shorts (D)San Diego Wave FC
Christine Sinclair (F)Portland Thorns FC
Emily Sonnett (D)OL Reign
Bianca St. Georges (D)Chicago Red Stars
Nikki Stanton (M)OL Reign
Ella Stevens (M)Chicago Red Stars
Kylie Strom (D)Orlando Pride
Mallory Swanson (F)Chicago Red Stars
Emily Van Egmond (M)San Diego Wave FC
Michele Vasconcelos (F)Utah RoyalsPortland Thorns FC
Marisa Viggiano (M)Houston Dash
Dani Weatherholt (M)Angel City FC
Mallory Weber (F)Kansas City Current
Christen Westphal (D)San Diego Wave FC
McCall Zerboni (M)NJ/NY Gotham FC

More NWSL:

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]]> Loading Midge Purce: An MVP’s Journey to the Top https://boardroom.tv/midge-purce-gotham-fc-nwsl-championship/ Thu, 16 Nov 2023 21:25:48 +0000 https://boardroom.tv/?p=83740 Days after Midge Purce won her first NWSL title, Boardroom spoke to her about being named MVP, playing alongside Ali Krieger, and how she plans to spend her offseason. “I was in disbelief but

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]]> Days after Midge Purce won her first NWSL title, Boardroom spoke to her about being named MVP, playing alongside Ali Krieger, and how she plans to spend her offseason.

“I was in disbelief but had all the belief at the same time.”

Days after Midge Purce won her first NWSL championship, the NJ/NY Gotham FC forward is still basking in the glory. Both of Gotham’s goals in its 2-1 title win over OL Reign came off Purce’s assists, the first to Lynn Williams and the second to FIFA Women’s World Cup champion Esther González. Her performance was enough for the 28-year-old to take home another coveted piece of hardware: Championship MVP.

“I wasn’t even thinking about the MVP award to be quite honest,” Purce told Boardroom. “I was so satisfied with winning and celebrating with my team that it was a beautifully surprising moment. And it was extremely humbling because this team is just so special. And they’ve all helped me come back this year. I’ve had some injuries and some low points in the season, so it was just really a beautiful moment.”

Purce missed most of the 2023 season with a torn quad, making her return to the pitch in June after 10 weeks of rehabilitation. Because she took significant time away, Purce missed out on joining the USWNT in Australia and New Zealand this summer at the World Cup. She’s now hoping her time will come in 2027.

In the meantime, Purce is spending her offseason fully rehabilitating herself, abandoning the chillier temps of the northeast in favor of sunshine in Miami. A few other players across the league will join her, and Purce says they will “train together, get ready for the season, and also have some fun and enjoy the time off.”

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Leaning on Her Mentors

The players who lifted the trophy at Snapdragon Stadium over the weekend all recognized the perseverance the team showed this season in pursuit of their first-ever NWSL title. There are a lot of factors that contributed to this fairytale ending, but Purce attributes a major reason for the club’s success to the restructuring, from personnel moves on the pitch to changes in the front office.

“We all knew we were not the same team from last year,” she said. “We have a completely new coaching staff, and we’ve reformed things within the club itself. And with that came a new attitude and new confidence. So we were all really bought in on this idea that we can go all the way and we committed to it the whole year.”

Catch up on the NWSL’s New Media Deal
The NWSL announced a media rights deal that will net the league 40 times what it was already bringing in.
Check it out!

So, how is her relationship with manager Juan Carlos Amorós, who the NWSL also named Coach of the Year?

In her words: “Juan and I have had such a positive relationship, and I couldn’t be more pleased with the person that he is. He’s an incredible coach, an incredible person, and I really am honored to have played for him.”

One player Midge Purce is also lucky to call a friend is Ali Krieger, reminiscing on the memories she and the Gotham captain shared during her final season as a pro.

“Ali is someone who I trust and even though she’s given me fantastic advice, the biggest takeaway I have from her is how she leads by example,” Purce said. “I’ve watched her overcome so much and to end her career on such a high note, it’s a fairytale ending and she has earned it.”

You can also expect to see more development with the Black Women’s Player Collective, a non-profit Purce helped co-found with a mission of advancing opportunities for Black girls in sport and beyond. While she wouldn’t disclose what the next steps are for the organization, she promised the plans are “really exciting” and fans can expect the group to “expand their initiative” beyond what they’ve already accomplished.

More from the NWSL:

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]]> Loading NWSL Announces Sweeping Media Rights Deal https://boardroom.tv/nwsl-soccer-media-rights-deal/ Thu, 09 Nov 2023 21:21:28 +0000 https://boardroom.tv/?p=83543 The NWSL announced a media rights deal that will net the league 40 times what it was already bringing in. Boardroom dives into the details.

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]]> The NWSL announced a media rights deal that will net the league 40 times what it was already bringing in. Boardroom dives into the details.

There’s no longer a question about whether women’s sports in the United States is on the rise. That was established long ago. If you’re still not convinced, look no further than the massive media rights deal that the NWSL announced on Thursday.

Beginning next season, the NWSL will take home a reported $240 million. The deal is worth 40 times the revenue earned under its current deal with 118 national windows across four networks. CBS Sports, ESPN, Prime Video, and Scripps Sports have collectively agreed to a four-year contract with the NWSL — a signficant commitment, but still a short-term agreement that positions the league to make even more in the near future.

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“These partnerships fundamentally change the game for our league and the players who take the pitch each week. On behalf of the NWSL, our owners and players, I want to commend CBS Sports, ESPN, Prime Video and Scripps for investing in our league and affirmatively declaring to the marketplace that this league is exciting, valuable, and important,” NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman said in a statement. “We have taken great care to ensure our games are discoverable by increasing our reach in order to expose new audiences to everything that makes our league special, without compromising the economic value of our product. This is the beginning of our future.”

The timing here is perfect for the NWSL. Bay FC and the Utah Royals will begin play next season. That will bring the league to 14 teams, with a 15th, based in Boston, to follow in 2026.

Get set for the NWSL Championship
Ali Krieger will face Megan Rapinoe for all the marbles on Saturday. Here’s what the two have been up to, on and off the pitch.
Check it out!

According to a press release, the 118 national matches will include:

  • Friday night matches on Prime Video and a minimum of 27 regular season matches
  • A Saturday night doubleheader on ION (owned by Scripps), totaling 50 games
  • A minimum of 21 matches on CBS Sports, including the NWSL championship. Paramount+ will air accompanying streams.
  • 20 matches across ESPN’s family of networks, including ABC, ESPN Deportes, and streaming on ESPN+ in English and Spanish

Remaining NWSL matches will be part of a domestic direct-to-consumer package that the league will produce and distribute.

ESPN, CBS, and Prime will share postseason broadcast duties, while Scripps will carry the 2024 NWSL Draft.

Before the new media deal kicks in, however, the NWSL must first finish its current season. Megan Rapinoe and the OL Reign will face Ali Krieger and NJ/NY Gotham FC on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET in San Diego. The match will air on CBS.

More from the NWSL:

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]]> Loading Ali Krieger & Megan Rapinoe: Friends, Foes, and Football Trailblazers https://boardroom.tv/ali-krieger-megan-rapinoe-nwsl-championship/ Thu, 09 Nov 2023 20:28:47 +0000 https://boardroom.tv/?p=83390 Ali Krieger and Megan Rapinoe are about to square off in their final NWSL match. While the two will be foes on the pitch, they have been trailblazers for women in sports off of it.

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]]> Ali Krieger and Megan Rapinoe are about to square off in their final NWSL match. While the two will be foes on the pitch, they have been trailblazers for women in sports off of it.

Ali Krieger has had Nov. 11 circled on her calendar for nine months. The NJ/NY Gotham FC defender, approaching her final game as a pro athlete, knew she wouldn’t be anywhere but on the pitch that day. Mere hours after announcing her retirement in March, the only thing the decorated footballer remained relentless on was bringing Gotham back to soccer excellence.

Fast forward eight months and Krieger’s manifestation is a full-fledged reality. On Saturday, she’ll lace up for the last time, and do her part to win Gotham its first-ever NWSL title. Standing in their way: the OL Reign. What makes this weekend’s showdown even more bittersweet is that Krieger will face her good friend Megan Rapinoe, who is also calling it a career once the season ends.

The two had a laugh at the circumstances back in September, an even more obvious indication Krieger wouldn’t settle for anything less than hardware.

Two Tales of Activism

Krieger and Rapinoe have been a part of the growth of women’s soccer, but it’s their activism away from the pitch that catapults them to legendary status. Leveraging their popularity in the sport, both Krieger and Rapinoe have used their platforms to advocate for issues close to them, primarily in the LGBTQ+ and social justice space.

Krieger told The Cut in April that it was her own coming out that helped encourage her ex-Orlando Pride teammate Marta to do the same:

“Visibility is everything. If you can see it, you can be it. We didn’t have it when we were young. If we did, I probably would have figured out that I was queer when I was like 12 or 13. I want to be that for people, including my peers. I didn’t want any of our teammates to feel like they had to hide because they were afraid of losing their jobs, even at the club level, even if they weren’t on the national team with the big spotlight…”

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Rapinoe shared her coming out story in a 2012 profile for Out Magazine, saying at the time that people need “to see that there are people like me playing soccer for the good ol’ U.S. of A.”

The dynamic duo has also been vocal about transgender rights in athletics. Rapinoe was one of 40 Olympic and Paralympic athletes to sign an open letter in April on behalf of the advocacy group Athlete Ally. The note protested the federal Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, which would ban trans girls from playing sports on school teams that align with their gender.

“The policing of who can and cannot play school sports will very likely lead to the policing of the bodies of all girls, including cisgender girls,” the note read. “This will deter girls from participating in sports and create additional barriers. Denying children access to a place where they can gain significant mental and physical health benefits, and learn lifelong lessons that come from being part of a team and working hard towards your goals does not protect women in sports,” a portion of the letter read.

On the social justice front, Rapinoe became one of the first major athletes to support Colin Kaepernick’s decision to kneel during the national anthem to protest police brutality in September 2016. The California native took a knee for the first time prior to the Seattle Reign’s match against the Chicago Red Stars. Despite the criticism she received (and continues to endure), Rapinoe has remained staunch in her decision, and since then has only increased her commitment to representing marginalized groups. Her actions even contributed to the U.S. Soccer Board of Directors’ decision to repeal Policy 604-1 in June, which required players to stand during the national anthem.

Hear More from Ali Krieger
Ali Krieger spoke to Boardroom about the progress and pitfalls in the battle for equity in both soccer and basketball.
Take me there!

Finally, Krieger and Rapinoe have been at the forefront of the equal pay conversation. Thanks to years of work (along with those of many others), the United States Soccer Federation, the United States Women’s National Team Players Association (USWNTPA), and the United States National Soccer Team Players Association (USNSTPA) reached an agreement that mandated “equal pay and set the global standard moving forward in international soccer” in May 2022.

It’s progress, but Krieger told Boardroom in March that more needs to be done to keep the new generation of soccer legends from facing the same.

“Equality and respect is something I think we have done a good job of getting to this point and it’s at a really good start, but we have to continue to implement that season after season,” she said. “And I think the direction that women’s soccer is going — or women’s sports in general — is very healthy. But it’s also getting that investment and support from others who might not be directly in contact with soccer or play the sport. Having their backing can help us move forward together.”

Ali Krieger and Megan Rapinoe: By the Numbers

It wouldn’t be a proper sendoff if we didn’t break down the illustrious careers of Ali Krieger and Megan Rapinoe. Below are some of their largest achievements, from international wins down to individual honors.

AwardAli KriegerMegan Rapinoe
FIFA Women’s World Cup2 (2015, 2019)2 (2015, 2019)
Olympic Medals2 (Bronze: 2021, Gold: 2012)
CONCACAF Women’s Championship1 (2014)3 (2014, 2018, 2022)
SheBelieves Cup2 (2016, 2020)4 (2018, 2020, 2021, 2023)
NWSL Best XI4 (2014, 2017, 2019, 2023)1 (2018)
Ballon d’Or Féminin1 (2019)
FIFA Women’s World Cup Golden Ball1 (2019)
FIFA Women’s World Cup Golden Boot1 (2019)
IFFHS CONCACAF Woman Team of the Decade1 (2011-2020)1 (2011-2020)
UEFA Champions League1 (2008

More from the NWSL:

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]]> Loading NJ/NY Gotham FC Adds Carolyn Tisch Blodgett to Ownership Group https://boardroom.tv/headline-to-go/11-09-2023-gotham-ownership-carolyn-tisch-blodgett-nwsl/ Thu, 09 Nov 2023 14:00:00 +0000 https://boardroom.tv/?post_type=headline-to-go&p=83503 NJ/NY Gotham FC Adds Carolyn Tisch Blodgett to Ownership Group Ahead of its appearance in the NWSL Championship against OL Reign on Saturday, NJ/NY Gotham FC announced Wednesday a new face to its ownership group. Carolyn Tisch Blodgett, the

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]]> NJ/NY Gotham FC Adds Carolyn Tisch Blodgett to Ownership Group

Ahead of its appearance in the NWSL Championship against OL Reign on Saturday, NJ/NY Gotham FC announced Wednesday a new face to its ownership group. Carolyn Tisch Blodgett, the CEO of Next 3 Ventures and a strategic advisor to the Tisch Ownership Group of the New York Giants, purchased a stake in the club. Tisch Blodgett joins retired Giants legend Eli Manning, Kevin Durant and Rich Kleiman’s 35V, former USWNT/Gotham star Carli Lloyd, retired WNBA star Sue Bird, and more as investors. Adding to a celebration-filled week, the NWSL also announced Tuesday that Gotham head coach Juan Carlos Amoros was named the 2023 NWSL Coach of the Year.

SAG-AFTRA Approves Deal With Hollywood Studios to End Months-Long Strike

On Wednesday, SAG-AFTRA negotiators announced they’d accepted a tentative agreement that would effectively end the longest strike against film and TV studios in Hollywood history at 12:01a.m. Thursday morning. In an email, the union said the deal includes an increase of 7% for most minimums, a “streaming participation bonus,” protections against artificial intelligence, as well as increases in pension and health contributions. Variety reports that the contract is worth more than $1B, according to the union. 

NBA Announces Virginia Union vs. Winston-Salem State for 2024 HBCU Classic

The teams for next year’s NBA HBCU Classic have been officially announced. On Saturday, Feb. 17, the third installment of the event will feature the Virginia Union University Panthers (VUU) and the Winston-Salem State University Rams (WSSU) men’s basketball programs facing off from Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind., during NBA All-Star Weekend. The HBCU Classic will air on TNT, ESPN2, and NBA TV. Tickets are on sale now.

Next ‘Grand Theft Auto’ Installment Confirmed, Trailing Coming in December

Rockstar Games has officially revealed that the next chapter of the Grand Theft Auto franchise will debut a trailer next month. “We look forward to many more years of sharing these experiences with all of you,” the company said on its website. Rockstar Games, which will also celebrate its 25th anniversary in December, confirmed in February 2022 that it was working on the latest installment of the popular video game. Grand Theft Auto V launched a decade ago in 2013, and it became the world’s fastest-selling video game, earning $800 million in its first 24 hours.

USWNT World Cup Docuseries Coming to Netflix on Dec. 12

The four-part docuseries chronicling the USWNT’s FIFA Women’s World Cup journey officially has a release date. Netflix shared that “Under Pressure: The U.S. Women’s World Cup Team” will debut on Netflix on Dec. 12. A portion of the logline reads: “Viewers will get a first-hand look at the pressure, the euphoria, the joy, and the hardships that these world-class athletes experience as they strive to capture their third World Cup title in a row. Issues ranging from injury, criticism and doubt, equal pay, and upholding legacies are all brought to light as the narrative unfolds.” Expected to be featured in the show are USWNT co-captains Alex Morgan and Lindsey Horan, rising star Alyssa Thomas, veteran forward Lynn Williams, and more.

Sony to Create ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ Live Orchestra

In celebration of the successful Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse animated feature, Sony Pictures disclosed plans to conduct a live orchestra at the Academy Museum to play the original score from the 2023 release. In addition to the orchestra, attendees can expect an exciting arrangement of electronics and turntables. Metro Boomin, executive producer of the movie’s soundtrack, will also make an appearance. A summer blockbuster, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse made $381 million domestically, making it 2023’s third-highest-grossing film.

2024 Met Gala Theme Announced, Hosts Still TBD

We now know the theme for the 2024 Met Gala. On Wednesday, Vogue shared that the A-list affair held annually on the first Monday in May will be titled “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion.” The event will feature about 250 items pulled from the Costume Institute permanent collection, including pieces like an 1877 Charles Frederick Worth silk satin ball gown that boasts over 400 years of history and a 17th-century English Elizabethan-era bodice. The Met Gala dress code and hosts have yet to be announced.

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]]> Andre Iguodala Business Portfolio: Zoom, Leeds United, Bay FC, Mosaic & More https://boardroom.tv/andre-iguodala-business-investments-portfolio/ Sat, 21 Oct 2023 12:00:00 +0000 https://boardroom.tv/?p=79793 As Andrew Iguodala calls it a career and pivots to life after basketball, Boardroom takes a closer look at his growing portfolio of business and investment ventures.

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]]> As Andrew Iguodala calls it a career and pivots to life after basketball, Boardroom takes a closer look at his growing portfolio of business and investment ventures.

Andre Iguodala is calling it a career after nearly two decades in pro hoops. As the four-time NBA champion told Andscape in making things official on Oct. 20, “It’s just the right time.”

“Time started to get limited for me and I didn’t want to put anything in the back seat,” the 39-year-old explained to Marc J. Spears. “I didn’t want to have to try to delegate time anymore. Especially with on the court, off the court with family. A lot.”

To say Iguodala has reached Hall of Fame status is an understatement. The Philadelphia 76ers selected him with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft. After an eight-year stint in the City of Brotherly Love, Iguodala spent one year with the Denver Nuggets before signing with the Golden State Warriors as a free agent. Iguodala was a part of the Warriors’ dynasty run that made five consecutive trips to the NBA Finals, winning three. For the team’s first victory in 2015, Iguodala was named Finals MVP.

He logged two campaigns (2019-20, 2020-21) with the Miami Heat before returning to the Bay Area for the final two seasons of his career.

As for what’s next, Iguodala will helm Mosaic, a $200 million venture capital fund that he just raised with longtime business partner, Rudy Cline-Thomas. The former Arizona Wildcat has made a significant number of investments over the course of his career, backing companies like Zoom and sports teams like English football’s Leeds United and NWSL upstart Bay FC.

Expect Iggy to pick up the pace even more in retirement — let’s take a closer look at Andre Iguodala’s business portfolio.

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Andre Iguodala Business & Investments Overview

NOTE: This list is Boardroom’s curation of the most important Andre Iguodala businesses and ventures and is not to be considered exhaustive.

Mosaic

  • Type: Venture capital firm
  • Role: Co-founder
  • Fun Fact: Mosaic invests in early-stage startup companies, pre-C, series A, and series B, and closed its first venture round on May 1.

Zoom

  • Type: Software Company
  • Role: Investor
  • Founded: 2011
  • Fun fact: Founder and CEO Eric Yuan’s concept for Zoom arose from his dislike for traveling.

Bay FC

  • Type: NWSL Team
  • Role: Investor
  • Founded: 2023
  • Fun Fact: Aly Wagner, co-chair of Bay FC, is a founding partner alongside fellow former USWNT players Brandi Chastain, Danielle Slaton, and Leslie Osborne.

Leeds United

  • Type: Premier League Team
  • Role: Investor
  • Founded: 1919
  • Fun fact: The rivalry between Leeds United and Manchester United is one of the most deep-seated and historic in English football. It’s often known as the “Roses Derby” in reference to their respective counties, Yorkshire and Lancashire.

Coinbase

  • Type: Cryptocurrency Exchange Company
  • Role: Investor
  • Founded: 2012
  • Fun fact: Coinbase was founded in 2012 by a former Airbnb engineer Brian Armstrong, who serves as the company’s CEO.

TGL San Francisco

  • Type: Golf league
  • Role: Co-investor
  • Founded: 2022
  • Fun Fact: As part of the franchise led by businessman Marc Lasry and Warriors teammate Stephen Curry, Iguodala joins Klay Thompson among the investors in the innovative golf league co-founded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.

Read More:

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]]> Loading Angel City FC Leads NWSL in Team Valuations at $180M https://boardroom.tv/headline-to-go/10-05-2023-angel-city-fc-nwsl-team-valuation/ Thu, 05 Oct 2023 13:00:00 +0000 https://boardroom.tv/?post_type=headline-to-go&p=78839 Rounding out the top five after Angel City in the NWSL team valuation rankings are the Wave, Current, Thorns, and Spirit.

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]]> The post Angel City FC Leads NWSL in Team Valuations at $180M appeared first on Boardroom.

]]> Kara Nortman & Monarch Begin Reign with NWSL Boston Investment https://boardroom.tv/kara-nortman-monarch-nwsl-boston-expansion/ Wed, 20 Sep 2023 19:12:33 +0000 https://boardroom.tv/?p=78002 A minority stake in the newly awarded NWSL expansion club set to begin play in 2026 is the first investment for Kara Nortman and Monarch.

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]]> A minority stake in the newly awarded NWSL expansion club in Boston is Monarch’s first investment. Boardroom catches up with collective co-founder Kara Nortman.

Kara Nortman co-founded the NWSL‘s Angel City soccer club in Los Angeles in 2020, quickly helping the team build to a $100 million valuation in a historically successful launch. Now, in 2023, it attempts to become the first-ever $1 billion women’s sports team.

Earlier this year, Nortman spoke with Boardroom upon launching Monarch Collective alongside Jasmine Robinson, a $100 million investment fund solely focused on women’s sports with backing from power players like Billie Jean King. Monarch’s first investment is a minority stake in a new NWSL club in Boston announced Tuesday, set to launch in 2026 with only the second US professional stadium specifically constructed with women’s soccer in mind.

Boston Unity Soccer Partners consists of an all-female core ownership group led by Juno Equity Founder and Boston Celtics minority stakeholder Jennifer Epstein as controlling partner, with 95% of the invested capital from women and 40% from women of color. In July 2022, Nortman had a tech-related meeting with Flybridge Capital General Partner Anna Palmer, another member of the Boston core ownership group, but all Kara & Anna could talk about was soccer. That conversation led Palmer to form a group looking to bid on an NWSL expansion team, helping in the process before she even knew Monarch Collective would launch.

“My upbringing on the investor side was through soccer, and it woke me up to what was possible in building Angel City. It started from a place of passion and purpose, and then it moved to the fastest growing revenue business I’ve ever seen, even including those in tech,” Nortman told Boardroom.

“So it just felt natural that our first investment would end up in soccer.”

Kara Nortman
Monarch co-founders Jasmine Robinson and Kara Nortman (Photo via Monarch Collective)

Nortman said she worked collaboratively with the league on a policy to ensure there’s no conflict of interest, as she now serves as a minority investor for two NWSL clubs, Angel City and the to-be-named Boston expansion project. Nortman is not the controlling owner of either team, nor will she be involved in their sporting decisions, she said. For the former Upfront Ventures managing partner, it’s about bringing the right people and the right capital to the NWSL and women’s sports, building a pipeline of talent through Monarch Collective to send to many teams to help leagues thrive.

That mindset is part of what Kara Nortman called open source models for women’s sports success. That means sharing best practices to get teams and leagues better media deals, grow attendance numbers, attract better ownership groups, and increase franchise valuations across the board.

“At Angel City, anybody who wants to call me, I’ll get on the phone and share high level numbers, our model, the kinds of key hires we made in the beginning,” Nortman said.

Robinson spent more than three years as an investments and business operations manager with the San Francisco 49ers, helping the team move from the antiquated Candlestick Park to Levi’s Stadium. She was in charge, Nortman said, of everything from the new stadium’s wine program to negotiating an on-site merch contract with Fanatics and how much season ticket holders should pay for seats at a new stadium. These are types of elements that Monarch will bring to the Boston club as it looks to build a modernized new venue at George R. White Stadium in Franklin Park.

Like Los Angeles, Boston is a historic sports town with so many entrenched champions with followings that span generations, making building a team from scratch a unique challenge. The biggest keys to building up an NWSL franchise, Nortman said, is building community, finding talent, and showing up with strength. It’ll be vital to not only find the right people to grow the team but also build a stadium accessible to the demographics and populations that are lined up with the modern fan base. Nortman said she found the first two Angel City fans at an LAFC game, and it’ll be up to women’s soccer diehards like Palmer to attract fans and build up a diverse set of revenue streams.

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Showing up with strength means believing in the product you’re selling, getting a fan base to buy in and help write the first chapter in the team’s history together while taking best practices from teams like the Celtics and Red Sox who have executives in the new ownership group. It’s about bringing in the right heads of revenue, heads of community, and executing on everything from best ticketing practices, building a supporters group, finding the right margin structures and sponsorship deals. Nortman believes women’s teams actually have an advantage in sponsorships, with new brands in beauty, supplements, and alcohol focused on women’s consumption gravitating toward them in addition to the influx of traditional sponsors.

Of course, this Boston club is just the first of what promises to be many Monarch Collective investments in women’s sports, with the fund closed and the group’s first hires coming soon. Nortman said Monarch is looking at global soccer, women’s basketball, golf, tennis, and media rights, striking a balance between being disciplined, thoughtful, collaborative, intentional, and bullish.

“The dollars are so big and people are having to make such big moves on the men’s side that there should be more room to just innovate on the women’s side,” she said. “But it takes focus and purpose to do it.”

With this investment in the NWSL’s 15th and newest club, Kara Nortman is hopeful that this is only the beginning of Monarch’s reign.

Want more NWSL?

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]]> 1_rbLCFKaAdynTf2x9C6WaaQ Jasmine Robinson and Kara Nortman (Photo via Monarch Collective) Loading David Beckham is Getting the Netflix Documentary Treatment https://boardroom.tv/headline-to-go/09-20-2023-david-beckham-netflix-documentary-nwsl-disney/ Wed, 20 Sep 2023 13:00:00 +0000 https://boardroom.tv/?post_type=headline-to-go&p=77972 David Beckham is Getting the Netflix Documentary Treatment Football fans are well aware of the impact David Beckham had on the global game — from his early days in Europe, to his later years stateside with

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]]> David Beckham is Getting the Netflix Documentary Treatment

Football fans are well aware of the impact David Beckham had on the global game — from his early days in Europe, to his later years stateside with the LA Galaxy, and as current owner of Inter Miami CF. Thanks to Netflix, the legendary No. 7 is getting the documentary treatment. Announced Tuesday, Beckham is set to premiere on the streaming platform on Oct. 4 in four parts. A three-minute trailer for the doc promises to provide “never-before-seen personal archive footage from the last 40 years, candid current-day moments and interviews with the family, friends and footballing figures who have been part of his journey.” Among some key insights viewers will see are Beckham‘s early struggles with fame and the relentless criticism that came with his relationship with former Spice Girls member Victoria “Posh Spice” Beckham.

Brooklyn Aces Prepare for Fall MLP Season Kickoff in Atlanta

Major League Pickleball’s Brooklyn Aces are headed to Atlanta this weekend, marking the team’s first tournament in the top-flight Premier season. The new-look Aces consist of No. 4 overall draft pick Catherine Parenteau, Andrea Koop, Hayden Patriquin, and Tyler Loong. The team’s new quartet brings valuable experience earned from previous deep tournament runs. In addition to a new logo, the team features two new sponsors: CityPickle and New Belgium Fat Tire Ale.

Read more about the season ahead for the Aces from Boardroom’s Shlomo Sprung. 

NWSL Adds Boston to Expansion, Set to Begin Play in 2026

The NWSL is returning to New England, with the league announcing on Thursday that it has awarded Boston an expansion franchise that will begin play in 2026. The club will be the 15th NWSL franchise, following the additions of two other NWSL expansion teams earlier this year, Utah Royals FC and Bay FC, both slated for their inaugural seasons in 2024. The franchise will be led by an “all-female core ownership group” called Boston Unity Soccer Partners. This will be the third professional women’s sports team in Boston and the first women’s soccer club since the Boston Breakers called Beantown home from 2001 to 2018.

Boardroom’s Vinciane Ngomsi has more on the NWSL soccer club retuming to Boston. 

Disney Plans $60B Expansion of Theme Parks Business

Big changes are coming to The Walt Disney Co. Per a securities filing shared Tuesday for its Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products branch, the mass media brand is preparing to shell out at least $60 billion over the next year “by investing in expanding and enhancing domestic and international parks and cruise line capacity, prioritizing projects anticipated to generate strong returns, consistent with the Company’s continuing approach to allocate capital in a disciplined and balanced manner.” Essentially, consumers can look forward to sizable upgrades and expansions for the company’s domestic and international parks and cruise line capacity. An additional report from The Hollywood Reporter revealed that Disney held a presentation to investors on Tuesday and disclosed it had more than 1,000 acres of land available to expand on at its parks in California, Florida, France, China, and Japan. The expansion also included cruise ship ports in the United States, Asia, and Australia.

Bleacher Report is Coming to Max as Live Sports Package

Warner Bros. Discovery is adding a live sports tier to its Max streaming service, with the add-on set to be available for US customers on Oct. 5, per a release. Launching as Bleacher Report (B/R) Sports, the package will enable viewers to access simulcast streams of NBA, NHL, NCAA, US soccer games, and more. To start, Max subscribers can watch live sports programming on Max free of charge until the promo period ends on Feb. 29. The sports package will cost $10 per month after that and will be available as an add-on for any Max subscription plan in the US. As of the most recent quarter, WBD reported having 95.8 million global streaming subscribers, with most on Max.

Jordy Nelson, Julius Peppers Among New Nominees for 2024 Hall of Fame Class

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has unveiled its list of 173 modern-era nominees eligible for a gold jacket next year, and it includes nine players who are in the first year of eligibility. Those premiering on the list, which dropped Tuesday, are wide receivers Brandon Marshall and Jordy Nelson, tight end Antonio Gates, running back Jamaal Charles, offensive linemen T.J. Lang, Josh Sitton and Max Unger, and defensive linemen Haloti Ngata and Julius Peppers. The 173-name roster consists of 94 offensive players, 62 defensive players, and 17 special teams players. The list will be reduced to 25 semifinalists in November.

The Rock’s Surprise WWE Return Boosts Friday Night Smackdown Ratings

His surprising return to WWE’s Friday Night SmackDown last week was met with plenty of delight, and it’s safe to say that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson‘s shock cameo boosted viewership. The WWE alum’s confrontation with Austin Theory recorded 2.6 million viewers on Fox, up 23% versus the crowd for Friday Night SmackDown the week before. Compared to a year ago, the audience was up 16%. It was also No. 1 on broadcast primetime last Friday among audiences 18 to 49 and 18 to 34. For those who missed the live viewing, WWE posted the video of the 51-year-old’s segment on social media, and it has been viewed well over 100 million times.

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]]> NWSL Awards Boston Expansion Franchise https://boardroom.tv/nwsl-expansion-team-boston-unity-soccer/ Tue, 19 Sep 2023 15:56:34 +0000 https://boardroom.tv/?p=77958 The Boston NWSL team marks the return of women’s pro soccer to Beantown and is slated to begin play in 2026. The NWSL is coming back to New England. The league announced on Tuesday

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]]> The Boston NWSL team marks the return of women’s pro soccer to Beantown and is slated to begin play in 2026.

The NWSL is coming back to New England. The league announced on Tuesday that it has awarded Boston an expansion franchise that will begin play in 2026. The club will be the 15th NWSL franchise, following the additions of two other NWSL expansion teams earlier this year, Utah Royals FC and Bay FC, which are both slated for their inaugural seasons in 2024.

This will be the third professional women’s sports team in Boston and the first women’s soccer club since the Boston Breakers called Beantown home from 2001 to 2018. Now, women’s soccer makes its triumphant return at a moment when the sport has not only increased in popularity but also boasts a new generation of soon-to-be legends.

There’s a lot to look forward to in terms of the club ownership. Boston Unity Soccer Partners describes itself as an “all-female core ownership group.” It’s shepherded by Juno Equity Founder/Boston Celtics minority owner Jennifer Epstein. Stephanie Connaughton, Ami Danoff, and Anna Palmer will be managing partners. The club will also be the first investment from Monarch Collective, the group led by Kara Nortman and Jasmine Robinson that focuses exclusively on investment in women’s sports.

“I’m excited to expand the NWSL’s footprint and continue its transformative growth in our return to Boston, one of the world’s most iconic sports cities,” Commissioner Jessica Berman said in a statement. “We are very proud to welcome Boston Unity Soccer Partners to our ownership group. They bring an impressive roster of business leaders committed to continuing Boston’s legacy of sports excellence and delivering a successful team to a very passionate fanbase.”

Kara Nortman on the NWSL’s Next Big Moment
Hear what the prolific team executive and investor told Boardroom about Monarch Collective, her newest venture seeking to expand the platform for women’s sports in the NWSL and beyond.
Let’s Go!

The partners have also drafted a proposition to refurbish White Stadium in Franklin Park. That will be the club’s home base and the upgrades will cost $30 million, per the Boston Globe.

Berman, Boston Unity Soccer Partners, and Mayor Michelle Wu will make the official announcement Tuesday at 2 p.m. ET from City Hall. However, Wu already expressed her excitement with remarks of her own.

“As the City of Champions, Boston sets the standard for athletic excellence and fans’ devotion to our teams. It’s fitting and absolutely thrilling for Boston to be a home for women’s soccer, hosting a franchise that will partner so closely with our community and especially our schools,” she said. “I look forward to the revitalization of White Stadium and the partnership of this team and league to create new opportunities in Franklin Park and for our student-athletes citywide.”

More From The NWSL:

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]]> Loading NJ/NY Gotham FC President Mary Wittenberg: In It For the Long Haul https://boardroom.tv/gotham-fc-president-mary-wittenberg-interview/ Sat, 16 Sep 2023 16:00:00 +0000 https://boardroom.tv/?p=76927 Mary Wittenberg has grand ambitions for NJ/NY Gotham FC...and soccer as a whole in the tristate area.

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]]> Mary Wittenberg has grand ambitions for NJ/NY Gotham FC…and soccer as a whole in the tristate area.

With just a few games remaining in the regular season, fifth-place NJ/NY Gotham FC is inching toward an NWSL postseason berth — a significant improvement from a last-place finish in 2022. The club made serious changes to put itself in that position, adding a mix of veterans and rookies to its star-studded roster and growing its front-office staff in the process.

On Aug. 3, Gotham announced Mary Wittenberg as club President. According to a release, Wittenberg will work alongside General Manager and Head of Soccer Operations Yael Averbuch West to “establish an environment that inspires continued player success and makes Gotham FC a world-class club both on and off the field, inspiring Gotham FC fans everywhere.”

A native New Yorker, Wittenberg became the first woman named President and CEO of New York Road Runners (NYRR) in 2005 and later the first woman to lead the TCS New York City Marathon. The Notre Dame Law School grad’s previous stints also include serving as the founding CEO of the innovative Virgin Sport, President of the Tour de France EF Pro Cycling team, and founding President of League One Volleyball.

Boardroom caught up with Mary Wittenberg as she discussed making the transition from running to soccer, building a dynasty, and Gotham’s ongoing commitment to diversity.

VINCIANE NGOMSI: Why was right now the moment to join Gotham FC?

MARY WITTENBERG: I love transformational opportunities that make an outsized impact. So I think Gotham is really primed to lift the tristate area and make it like the global capital [of] women’s soccer. And I’m a person who likes to very much get in work with a team and be part of that journey and that transformation. I really wanted to come and be part of that, and I felt my skills and experiences were such that I could be really helpful at this phase. Gotham and I have a shared vision, and we are just starting to really bring it to life.

VN: After coming in last place in 2022, Gotham is currently in fifth place and in playoff contention. From your perspective, what are some ways that you’re looking to maintain that momentum?

MW: There is now a committed and focused, small but mighty team, pairing with investors, starting with [First Lady of New Jersey] Tammy Murphy, who was there in the beginning and now has a chance to see us actually really go after something big. What Yael will tell you is the difference between this year and last year is having a plan and executing it. I have said a few times already that it’s a marathon and not a sprint. But we’re starting a journey that we plan to build on each year to the next.

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VN: You’ve got a fair amount of veterans, but the future is bright at Gotham with the young core. How important is it to have a healthy mix of both as you’re building a dynasty?

MW: Ali Krieger, Ashlyn Harris, Kelly O’Hara, these players already have immeasurable cultural impact. Now here comes Abby Smith and Jenna Nighswonger, and other newer players who have amazing potential and are really contributing to where Gotham’s going. We’ve been really lucky to have the influence of these veteran players. And I hope we continue to find ways like with Ashlyn Harris, to have them still be a part of the team. Gotham’s going to be in a really different place in 10 years and we wouldn’t even be thinking about getting there without what everyone has all done right now. Those are the real components. So these veteran players are really important. As we get ready to send Ali off, we wanted to give hints about the future of where we’re going as a team and a brand.

VN: What lessons are you taking as CEO of NYRR into your tenure with Gotham?

MW: On a personal level, I’m a goal person. So like the idea of [how] running a marathon is a big goal. I relish the steps in the journey it takes to get there. And that’s quite variable in our situation. We have big goals to reach before we get to be the global soccer capital. From a business perspective, I would say there’s a parallel path to our approach, which is what we did at New York Roadrunners when I started there. There are differences and there are similarities. The way I approached it is that we did have to think long-term. Our building blocks at the marathon were about engaging with local community runners throughout the boroughs. When you do that in this region, you end up having roots far beyond here because some of our people are from far beyond here.

So you’ll see us building internally, but you’ll also see us building our storytelling, and partnering with people like Boardroom is one of the best things we can do to raise visibility. We are very aware of the amount of popularity Gotham has brought across the five boroughs and the tristate area and we want to continue building that.

VN: Performance on the pitch is important, but can you add to the ongoing initiative Gothm has of diversity and acceptance both on and off the pitch?

MW: I think the very core of Gotham is being universally diverse and I mean in every way. In people’s styles, methods, backgrounds, and ambitions. We want to champion this idea that everyone can have a home with us. But we have to show that, and so I think it’s one of our greatest strengths and it’s core to who we are. It’s also a big part of our success already. It’s an area we lead in and want to maintain. I think what’s unique about diversity is that we can find a sharing of a mindset of diversity and individual expression being important. We’re also serious about respecting an individual’s background because we all come from different walks of life and that should be celebrated.

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]]> Loading Bought in: The State of Private Equity in Sports https://boardroom.tv/sports-private-equity-investment-nba-mlb-mls-nhl/ Fri, 15 Sep 2023 13:00:00 +0000 https://boardroom.tv/?p=77740 Though the NFL still won’t allow them, PE companies and executives are profoundly invested in many of the most successful, most valuable teams in sports — take a closer look at the full list.

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]]> Though the NFL still won’t allow them, PE companies and executives are profoundly invested in many of the most successful, most valuable teams in sports — take a closer look at the full list.

There’s no investment under the sun that’s 100% foolproof, but given the steady increase in valuations among professional sports franchises year after year, we may be looking at the next closest thing.

Major North American sports organizations have appreciated as assets at a higher rate than both inflation and key index funds like the S&P 500 for many years. Forbes estimated in 2022 that the average NBA franchise value increased 15% from the year before — the Los Angeles Clippers‘ $3.9 billion valuation is nearly double what it was years ago when former Microsoft executive Steve Ballmer purchased the team in 2014 for a then-record $2 billion.

It’s no coincidence, then, that sports leagues’ rules have become more lenient over the years as to allow private equity companies to buy minority stakes in their respective franchises. On Sept. 6, data research and insight firm PitchBook released a study exploring just how deep the sports private equity rabbit hole truly goes in North America across the NBA, MLB, Major League Soccer, and NHL — and what that might say about what happens next.

Check out our topline overview below.

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Sports Private Equity Ownership & Investment Snapshot

  • A total of 63 North American sports teams across the NBA, MLB, MLS, and NHL have private equity ties, which PitchBook defines as either direct investment from such companies or through individual co-owners who are PE-affiliated.
  • The total value of these franchises adds up to an estimated $205.9 billion.
  • Notably, the NFL — the most profitable sports league in the world top-to-bottom — does not yet allow private equity investment.

The NBA Private Equity Landscape

The NBA leads the way with 20 of its 30 teams having some direct ownership connection to private equity.

NBA TEAMS CONNECTED TO PRIVATE EQUITY: Hawks, Celtics, Nets, Hornets, Cavaliers, Pistons, Warriors, Pacers, Lakers, Bucks, Timberwolves, Pelicans, Thunder, 76ers, Suns, Trail Blazers, Kings, Spurs, Jazz, Wizards

Which Sports Teams Have Publicly Traded Stocks?
From the Knicks and Rangers to Manchester United, Juventus, and beyond, check out Boardroom’s overview of the sporting organizations currently listed on the world’s stock exchanges.
Let’s Go!

MLB PE Investments

Not to be outdone by much, 18 of the 30 Major League Baseball teams have a private equity relationship.

MLB TEAMS CONNECTED TO PRIVATE EQUITY: Diamondbacks, Orioles, Red Sox, Cubs, Reds, Guardians, Astros, Royals, Dodgers, Marlins, Brewers, Yankees, Athletics, Padres, Giants, Mariners, Cardinals, Rangers

Private Equity in MLS

In Major League Soccer, 15 of the 29 franchises include private equity ownership in some form.

  • Ares Management invested $150 million into Inter Miami in 2021 and an additional $75 million in August, an investment set to pay off handsomely following Lionel Messi‘s summer signing.
  • Bennett Rosenthal, Ares’ chairman, has a significant stake in defending MLS Cup champion LAFC.
  • In 2022, Arctos purchased a 15% stake in the Portland Timbers and NWSL‘s Portland Thorns at a $600 million valuation. Its investment in the Jazz also included a stake in Real Salt Lake.

MLS TEAMS CONNECTED TO PRIVATE EQUITY: Austin, Charlotte, DC United, Houston, Inter Miami, Nashville, New England, NYCFC, Philadelphia, Portland, Real Salt Lake, San Jose, Sporting KC, Toronto

PE Investors in the NHL

The NHL has just 10 of its 32 teams involved in PE.

NHL TEAMS CONNECTED TO PRIVATE EQUITY: Hurricanes, Wild, Canadiens, Devils, Islanders, Penguins, Kraken, Lightning, Maple Leafs, Capitals

Read More:

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]]> Loading JJ & Kealia Watt: For Family, Football, & Foundation https://boardroom.tv/jj-kealia-watt-for-family-football-foundation/ Sun, 10 Sep 2023 15:00:00 +0000 https://boardroom.tv/?p=77268 The two former Houston pros returned to the city where they met to tackle food insecurity with Frito-Lay. Boardroom caught up with the Watts to discuss the next chapter in their lives, their love for H-Town, and more.

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]]> The two former Houston pros returned to the city where they met to tackle food insecurity with Frito-Lay. Boardroom caught up with the Watts to discuss the next chapter in their lives, their love for H-Town, and more.

As the lights go on at NFL stadiums across America this weekend, JJ Watt will take his place in the CBS studio for the first time. Following his retirement at the end of the 2022 NFL season, the future Hall of Famer and three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year has a bit more time these days.

Though he hung up his cleats as a member of the Arizona Cardinals, Watt left a big part of his heart in Houston. He spent 10 seasons with the Texans and will take his spot in the Ring of Honor on Oct. 1. But football wasn’t the only thing that JJ committed to during his time in the city. In addition to solidifying himself there as one of the league’s most feared defenders, Watt met his future wife, Kealia, who then played for the NWSL‘s Houston Dash.

Kealia stepped away from the pitch in 2021 and has all sorts of advice for her husband as he stares down the next phase of his life. However, neither of them seems to be slowing down. Kealia brought JJ into her world, as the two announced an investment in Premier League club Burnley FC. Additionally, the two are jointly tackling their new roles as parents to their nearly one-year-old son, Koa.

This past week, the Watts headed back to the city they love to co-host an event in partnership with Frito-Lay Variety Packs and Cheetos® Mac ‘N Cheese. The community day set out to draw attention to issues of food insecurity across the nation. The couple also unveiled a donation to local youth nonprofit GENYOUth.

Boardroom caught up with the two to discuss their most recent investment in Houston, how they’re navigating retirement, and much more.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

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Bernadette Doykos: You both ended your careers away from Houston, but obviously it still is meaningful to you both as you’re back for this event. Can you speak to me a little bit about your relationship with the city and the ongoing efforts that you have with the JJ Watt Foundation?

JJ Watt: Houston is obviously such an incredibly special city to us. It’s where we met, it’s where we spent so many years building careers, relationships, friendships, and so much more. It’s hard to even put into a couple sentences what Houston means to us.

Everything we’ve done with our foundation to help kids around the city, kids around the country — and, of course, everything we went through during the hurricane — it’s all bonded us together. So this city means a lot to us. And to be back here today now doing a flag football event and to be helping combat food insecurity with Frito-Lay and GENyouth, it’s a special thing for us. Plus, anything we can do to help out Houston, we always love to do because Houston has given so much to us.

BD: I have no doubt that you guys get no shortage of offers of philanthropic opportunities and things that you can do to give back, whether it’s in Houston or anywhere else really. What was it about this particular opportunity with Gen Youth and Frito-Lay that made you excited to get involved?

Kealia Watt: Food insecurity is a huge problem in this country, and we also have such a special relationship with youth sports. JJ has been working his entire career to help provide equipment to underserved communities and to make sure that kids can get out and play sports because we truly believe that is so important for building character and learning. And so for this event to tie the two together, it means so much to us and to be in Houston with people we love so much, it’s incredible and perfect for us.

BD: Can you speak a little bit about your own experiences in youth sports and how you feel like they prepared you for what came down the line in life?

JJW: I’ve said it so many times before and it rings true every single time. Youth sports teach you so much about life and about how to be successful far beyond the field. It teaches you discipline, it teaches you work ethic, it teaches you teamwork, it teaches you time management, it teaches you all sorts of things on how to be successful outside of sports. And I think those [lessons] are so important, especially for kids to learn.

The experience is what teaches you and learning it, going through it and doing it with your coaches and with your teammates, that’s what makes it so special. And I know that I wouldn’t be anywhere near the person I am or where I’m in life if it wasn’t for youth sports. And I know Kealia can say the same, I’m sure.

KW: Yeah, I think youth sports is what made us who we are today, even before our professional careers. For me, I leared from the work ethic and having to go do things that are hard and do things that you maybe don’t want to do every single day. It’s really important to building your character and you carry that through your entire life.

JJW: And we’re fortunate to have been in the small percentage to make it professionally, but my best friends in life are from youth and high school sports. And I think that they always say the same thing, that the things that they learn from our high school coaches, from our middle school coaches, that they taught have helped them in life.

So it’s not just the athletes that go on to college or the pros, youth sports helps everybody.

Photo by Marcus Ingram/Getty Images for Frito-Lay North America

BD: Kealia, you stepped away from soccer in 2021. What advice do you have for JJ as he faces his first season away from the field?

KW: Yeah, I mean, I think for JJ at the beginning of his retirement, it was difficult and it was the same for me. We’re so used to a schedule and every single day, waking up a hundred percent trying to recover, working on your body, working on your craft. And so it is an adjustment.

I just tried to tell him it takes time, but just relax and you’ll find your way. And he started so many incredible projects and he’s going to start with CBS soon. So it’s an adjustment for everyone. But I’m really proud of how he has taken this step and he’s such an incredible dad. I think that’s helped and taken up a lot of his time. So we’re really happy to have him home and he’s doing really, really great.

JJW: I used to have a built in excuse as to why I need sleep so much and I longer have that. So it’s pretty unfortunate. That’s the one thing that I no longer get is the good sleep. I can’t say I need it.

BD: So you’re breaking it here first. You’re pulling a Brady, you’ll be back this week.

JJW: [Laughs] Purely for the sleep. Yeah, I might do that.

Photo by Marcus Ingram/Getty Images for Frito-Lay North America

BD: I know that you said relaxation is a part of what you get to do, although if we look at what you’ve done in the six months or so since you’ve retired, you’ve taken a job with CBS, you’ve taken this new role with Burnley FC, you’re doing all of this great philanthropic work. Can you just speak how you select these opportunities? For both of you, having stepped away from this thing that you had dedicated your whole life to?

JJW: Yeah, I think that’s something that you also learn as you go. The one thing that you did have when you’re playing is you had certain blocks of time that couldn’t do anything. Now you pretty much have a wide open schedule and you select and handpick what you want to do and when you want to do it. There’s certainly an arc to being able to say no and select when something doesn’t make sense for you. But then there’s also so much more time to do the things that you are passionate about and that you do care about.

I think it’s really important to have a good partner who can help you through those things. And Kealia has been great for me in that sometimes saying, ‘Hey, how much time do you think you have? You’re doing too much.’ And other times saying, ‘no, you’re clearly passionate about this. Go for it. Go all in and put your eggs in that basket.’

So it’s been great and we’re going to continue to figure it out together, and I’m very lucky to have somebody like her by my side through it all.

BD: Can you speak to your experience with Burnley FC so far?

KW: Yeah, it’s been so incredible. And yeah, what is so cool for us, like you said, is that it’s very different from American sports and the supporters are different and the tradition of it is different. There’s obviously promotion, relegation, which makes it completely different.

We have really loved this experience. We’ve loved the ownership group is so incredible. So to get to work with them and then [chairman Alan Pace] has been just so much fun. And it’s a dream come true for me because I’ve grown up playing soccer my entire life. So we’ve loved every second of it.

JJW: It’s a great transition out of playing because they’re still around the top league in the world, and you still get that adrenaline rush in a different way. I was saying earlier, the experience is almost more difficult than being an athlete because you have no control on the outcome of the game. When you’re playing, I can go out there and make a play to help us win. Or if we lose, I can say, ‘yeah, I needed to do better in these games.’

We’re watching from the stands and we’re just tooth and nail hoping that our team puts the ball on the net or that we keep the ball on that and we can’t do anything about it. It’s just passive watching. So it’s almost more nerve-wracking in that sense.

BD: I like to imagine that there is a secret group text of celebrity soccer owners. Is that true or have you spoken to anybody else who’s involved?

JJW: There’s not one with all of us in it, but we certainly text. We certainly [have] conversations amongst the different owners because right now it’s still a small group and it’s a very exciting group.

And so there’s a lot of things that I’m still trying to learn and everybody wants to know. And obviously, Tom [Brady] just got in [with Birmingham City FC] and Ryan [Reynolds]’s been doing it successfully with Rob [McElhenney] at Wrexham. I mean Michael B. Jordan with Bournemouth. But there’s certainly been a swelling and I have a feeling there’s more to come.

So we’re excited and happy to be in early and to get America interested in Burnley before this thing really takes us off.

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BD: With all eyes on women’s soccer in the wake of the World Cup, Kealia, what are your thoughts on the future of the US program?

KW: The US program has dominated for so many years. Recently, other countries are putting money into their federations and they’re competing. And so this was a difficult World Cup for us, but I think that they’ll be back. It’s one of the best programs in the world, some of the best players in the world. It’s also a very young team. I’m really excited for the talent that they will continue to develop, and it’s a great time for women’s soccer.

It’s also a time of protecting the players and making sure that they feel comfortable playing. And that’s really amazing because it hasn’t always been like that. And so I think these girls are turning into superstars and saying, ‘this is enough,’ and I’m really proud of that. But excited for this US Women’s national team and the future. A lot of incredible young players.

BD: My last question on that note is would you all consider an investment in the NWSL as one of your future endeavors?

JJW: Yeah, the league is growing. They’ve done incredible work, and I think a lot of the credit goes to the players. The women have done an incredible job building this, and they’re the reason that this league is what it is now and it’s only going to continue to grow and get better. So I think there’s certainly interest there.

KW: To see where it started, even my first year to where it is now, and the valuations of these teams. To see what Angel City and San Diego, and these teams with investment and money, it’s just blowing up and I’m so excited to see that.

We love the NWSL and would love to be part of that.

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]]> Loading Frito-Lay Variety Packs & GENYOUth Kick-off Event HOUSTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 06: J.J. Watt interacts with participants during the Frito-Lay Variety Packs & GENYOUth Kick-off Event at Houston Methodist Training Center on September 06, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Marcus Ingram/Getty Images for Frito-Lay North America) Frito-Lay Variety Packs & GENYOUth Kick-off Event HOUSTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 06: J.J. Watt interacts with participants during the Frito-Lay Variety Packs & GENYOUth Kick-off Event at Houston Methodist Training Center on September 06, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Marcus Ingram/Getty Images for Frito-Lay North America) Loading Breaking Down the Cannabis Policies of Every Major North American Sports League https://boardroom.tv/cannabis-policies-major-north-american-sports-leagues/ Sat, 02 Sep 2023 15:00:00 +0000 https://boardroom.tv/?p=76460 From the NFL and NBA to NASCAR, UFC, tennis, lacrosse, soccer, and golf, Boardroom breaks down how marijuana policies differ across sports leagues.

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]]> From the NFL and NBA to NASCAR, UFC, tennis, lacrosse, soccer, and golf, Boardroom breaks down how marijuana policies differ across sports leagues.

As more US states legalize cannabis for both medicinal and recreational use, many major North American professional sports leagues are adapting to the changing times.

Are your favorite athletes allowed to consume cannabis? Here’s a quick breakdown of different leagues’ stances.

NBA

Under the new seven-year collective bargaining agreement signed this year, NBA players will no longer be tested for cannabis. While testing was paused since the 2019-20 COVID-19 season, cannabis has now been removed from the league’s anti-drug testing program.

NFL

Cannabis is still a banned substance in the NFL for two reasons: First, It’s still a banned substance at the federal level, and second, it’s reportedly seen as a bargaining chip in the next CBA. The current agreement runs until 2030, and the league will likely look for some corresponding concession from the players.

Until then, while the NFL doesn’t test players between April 20 and Aug. 9, there are still fines for positive tests and a four-game suspension for four positive tests.

Ricky Williams x Cannabis
The 1998 Heisman Trophy winner wants to bring the sports bar vibe to the cannabis industry.
Hit!

MLB

While cannabis is no longer on the banned substance list and players are not tested, MLB players or team personnel who appear under the influence during games, practices, workouts, meetings, or within the scope of their employment are subject to a mandatory evaluation, which could include treatment.

NHL

While the NHL does test for cannabis, there’s no punishment for a positive test. However, if a player tests abnormally high, a player will be looked at for treatment like it’s a health matter.

MLS

Like FIFA, MLS plays under World Anti-Doping Agency rules, which list cannabis as a banned substance. Players are subject to random tests and offseason drug screenings.

WNBA

While the WNBA still tests for cannabis, limited use is allowed, and fines or suspensions would only be levied with repeat offenses.

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NWSL

The NWSL does not test for cannabis and allows its players to have sponsorship deals with cannabis brands.

PGA Tour, LPGA

Golfers on the PGA and LPGA Tours are subject to random drug tests via WADA standards. In 2019, golfer Matt Every was suspended for 12 weeks for a positive cannabis test despite being medically prescribed cannabis in Florida.

UFC

In 2021, the UFC announced that fighters who test positive for cannabis won’t be punished.

NASCAR

Random drug tests are conducted on NASCAR race weekends, including for cannabis.

Tennis

Both the ATP and WTA tours subject tennis players to random drug tests via WADA standards of more than 150 nanograms per milliliter, signifying a positive result.

Premier Lacrosse League

The PLL does not test for cannabis.

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]]> Loading Ons Jabeur Joins Naomi Osaka in NC Courage Ownership Group https://boardroom.tv/headline-to-go/08-25-2023-ons-jabeur-nc-courage-nwsl-barbie-kobe-lakers-beyonce/ Fri, 25 Aug 2023 13:00:00 +0000 https://boardroom.tv/?post_type=headline-to-go&p=76583 The post Ons Jabeur Joins Naomi Osaka in NC Courage Ownership Group appeared first on Boardroom.

]]>

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]]> Ons Jabeur Joins North Carolina Courage Ownership Group https://boardroom.tv/ons-jabeur-nwsl-north-carolina-courage-ownership/ Fri, 25 Aug 2023 12:59:00 +0000 https://boardroom.tv/?p=76531 Ons Jabeur is investing in the NWSL. She’s joined the Courage ownership group as she looks to expand opportunities for all woman athletes. Ons Jabeur may have a tennis racket permanently affixed to her

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]]> Ons Jabeur is investing in the NWSL. She’s joined the Courage ownership group as she looks to expand opportunities for all woman athletes.

Ons Jabeur may have a tennis racket permanently affixed to her right hand, but don’t be fooled: The three-time Grand Slam finalist is a serious NWSL fan. As she expands her investment portfolio, her latest venture should not come as a surprise to fans of the current world No. 5.

Jabeur announced on Friday that she is officially a part of the North Carolina Courage ownership group, joining fellow tennis star Naomi Osaka as the second professional tennis player to back the side.

“I’ve been thinking about it for a while,” the 28-year-old told Boardroom in an exclusive interview. “I believe everything happens for a reason and for me, it was the right time to do it. I know that the men’s World Cup is coming soon to the United States, Canada, and Mexico. So that made me think that it’s a great idea right now to invest. I know how it’s evolving in women’s soccer and I thought now is a great time to really push more because I believe women’s soccer is truly on the rise right now.”

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Club majority owner Steve Malik echoed that sentiment when he welcomed Jabeur in a statement of his own:

“We’re honored to officially welcome Ons to our Courage family,” he said. “She is a terrific fit for our organization as a world-class athlete, a visionary, and a true believer in the value and power of women’s soccer. Ons has proven to be a very successful businesswoman and her faith and trust in us is not something we take lightly. We look forward to a mutually beneficial partnership for years to come.”

To Africa and Beyond

For Ons Jabeur, investing in an NWSL club is all about expanding opportunities for athletes of all kinds. Born in Tunisia, she is the highest-ranked and most accomplished African and Arab player in WTA and ATP history. As a Lotto athlete, Jabeur recognizes that her growing influence in the tennis space has led to commercial opportunities, but acknowledges that she wants to use her platform to also welcome other African-born athletes to sport.

“It is all about belief,” she said. “I see the full potential of the African continent because I’ve been there. I’ve played a lot of African championships before. I know the talents and I know that sometimes you just need the push and help in order to make that happen. My dream is to see more and more Africans playing on tour.”

Of course, no one can be introduced to said players without ample coverage of them onscreen. Another goal of hers as the Courage’s newest owner is to expand the visibility of female athletes.

“I believe people are quick to judge a woman’s sport without even watching,” she told Boardroom. “That’s one thing that I have an issue with because some people will tell me, ‘Women’s tennis suck.’ Then I’ll say, ‘Well, did you watch the match? If not, how would you know?’ So that’s something I’m really trying to change. Marketing and social media is a part of that. The more people know about a player and their story, the more they’ll watch. I think that’s really, really important.”

Paying it forward remains at the core of Jabeur’s brand and it shows with her attitude both on the court and away from the action. As Jabeur prepares to take the court for her final Grand Slam of the year next week, the odds are in her favor to go all the way. Having made it to the Wimbledon finals in July, she lost 6-4, 6-4 to Markéta Vondroušová. Following the heartbreaking defeat, she received a message from a fellow competitor who has experienced his fair share of crushing losses. She wasn’t expecting Andy Murray, the two-time grass court champion, to reach out to her, but said his message was “really emotional.”

“I honestly remember watching his Wimbledon final and felt bad because he wasn’t playing well,” she said. “I wish at the time I could send him a message, too. I felt like I was in a similar situation and he said, ‘I believe that you could win Wimbledon more than I even believed in myself.’ I was like, ‘Oh my God, I really need to win Wimbledon. If not, for me, for Andy. It’s like winning for both of us. But I really appreciate his message. I’m definitely looking forward to speaking to him when he comes to the US Open.”

Jabeur plays her first-round match on Monday against María Camila Osorio.

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]]> Loading Allen Iverson Shouts out Post Malone for Spotify Billions Boost https://boardroom.tv/headline-to-go/aug-16-2024-allen-iverson-post-malone-spotify-billions/ Wed, 16 Aug 2023 13:00:00 +0000 https://boardroom.tv/?post_type=headline-to-go&p=76117 The post Allen Iverson Shouts out Post Malone for Spotify Billions Boost appeared first on Boardroom.

]]> The post Allen Iverson Shouts out Post Malone for Spotify Billions Boost appeared first on Boardroom.

]]> Boardroom Sports Holdings Invests in National Cycling League https://boardroom.tv/national-cycling-league-boardroom-sports-holdings/ Wed, 02 Aug 2023 11:59:01 +0000 https://boardroom.tv/?p=75058 The NCL's additional backers include NFL stars Jalen Ramsey and Derwin James, Founder Collective, and former NBPA Executive Director Michele Roberts.

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]]> The NCL’s additional backers include NFL stars Jalen Ramsey and Derwin James, Founder Collective, and former NBPA Executive Director Michele Roberts.

The National Cycling League, the first pro cycling league of its kind, has added Kevin Durant and Rich Kleiman‘s Boardroom Sports Holdings, DraftKings CEO Jason Robins, and former Heisman Trophy winner and Super Bowl MVP Desmond Howard as investors, the league announced Wednesday.

The league is comprised of 10 teams across men’s and women’s divisions that compete in 25- to 30-lap NCL Cup races on courses of two to three kilometers each in order to score points in the overall league standings. Points are scored in real time during races and riders can substitute in and out of the action, enabling a structure that’s more appealing to fans, including the more than 50 million cyclists in the US. The NCL is also the first majority-women-owned and minority-owned professional sports league in the US and is committed to diversity and inclusion.

“We’re excited to be a part of National Cycling League and its fan-focused business model,” Kleiman, Boardroom’s CEO and co-founder, said on the occasion. “We’re committed to helping the league grow and get even more eyes on the sport.”

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BSH, Robbins, and Howard join existing NCL investors Founder Collective, Collab Capital, Miami Dolphins Pro Bowler Jalen Ramsey, Los Angeles Chargers Pro Bowler Derwin James, Tennessee Titans Pro Bowler Kevin Byard, NFL analyst and author Emmanuel Acho, and former NBPA executive director Michele Roberts.

The NCL joins a diverse and robust group of investments for Boardroom Sports Holdings that includes MLS club Philadelphia Union, the NWSL’s NJ/NY Gotham FC, Major League Pickleball’s Brooklyn Aces, Athletes Unlimited, League One Volleyball, TMRW Sports, and the Premier Lacrosse League.

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]]> Loading Mallory Swanson: Sidelined, Not Silent https://boardroom.tv/mallory-swanson-frito-lay-uswnt-world-cup/ Sun, 30 Jul 2023 14:00:00 +0000 https://boardroom.tv/?p=74919 Mallory Swanson discusses growing women’s soccer in the US, watching the World Cup from the sidelines, and pushing Chicago to support its women’s teams louder and prouder. Mallory Swanson should have been about 9,000

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]]> Mallory Swanson discusses growing women’s soccer in the US, watching the World Cup from the sidelines, and pushing Chicago to support its women’s teams louder and prouder.

Mallory Swanson should have been about 9,000 miles away on Wednesday from the back of a rented pop-up space in the Chelsea section of Manhattan’s west side.

The 25-year-old forward would’ve been a welcome presence during the US Women’s National Team‘s 1-1 World Cup draw against the Netherlands on July 27 in New Zealand, but a torn patellar tendon suffered during an April friendly against Ireland has kept her out of action Down Under. It did, however, give Swanson a chance to visit Frito-Lay and the Women’s Sports Foundation’s “Gallery of Greats” pop-up museum, an initiative that included a $400,000 donation to the WSF and $5,000 in funding each to nine young female athletes nominated for the I Am Cracker Jill Award.

The winner, wheelchair basketball player Lindsey Zurbrugg, will be the first-ever athlete on Cracker Jack and special Cracker Jill boxes that will appear at baseball stadiums and on store shelves next year.

The trip to New York from Chicago, where Swanson plays for the NWSL‘s Red Stars, was a welcome respite from grueling 8-10 hour days rehabbing a knee that’s still in the early stages of a long-term recovery. Watching her teammates in Australia and New Zealand at the Women’s World Cup, Swanson said, is a weird mix of emotions. She’s nervous for the team and a little helpless, knowing she can’t contribute. There’s also a sense of relaxation in a peculiar way, knowing she doesn’t have to study and prepare for what would’ve been some of the biggest matches of her career.

At the 2019 World Cup in France, Swanson was 21 and the second-youngest member of the USWNT roster. She became the third-youngest US woman ever to score in a World Cup match in a stunning 13-0 rout of Thailand to open the tournament. Recalling the Americans’ run to a second-straight title, she said that preparing for the biggest stage in the world’s most popular sport starts months in advance and must take every single minor detail into account along the way.

“Like, your whole life,” Swanson told Boardroom. “How you sleep, how you eat, how you recover, how you think about the game. Everything.”

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Everything about the World Cup is heightened. More intense. The injury took away that preparation and the chance to compete alongside legend Megan Rapinoe in what will be her final World Cup and what should be a celebration of how much she’s impacted the sport in the US and globally.

“Being able to play alongside her has been such an honor — to not only learn from her, but to see how she carries herself and how she continues just to grow the game and continue to push the game forward,” Swanson said. “Without her and some other veterans like her, this game definitely wouldn’t have grown the way it has.”

Swanson was able to play in the Red Stars’ first regular season matches and even notched a goal before her injury, a devastating blow to a team that sits 11th in the 12-team league. It’s been a breakthrough year for the NWSL, which has seen record attendance, ticket sales, TV ratings, and investment from brands and advertisers. This boom in women’s soccer, the Colorado native said, is a long time coming. It slowly began, she says, with the attention the USWNT received for winning in France.

“It’s an evolution and things take time, but women’s sports is booming right now,” Swanson said. “Everyone’s hopping on board because people are actually recognizing that it’s something special.”

Swanson with basketball player Lindsey Zurbrugg (Photo courtesy of Frito-Lay)

But like NJ/NY Gotham FC‘s Ashlyn Harris said at July 25’s Boardroom x CNBC Game Plan conference, Swanson agreed that steps need to be taken for the momentum women’s soccer is seeing to keep building during the gap between World Cup years. That includes, Swanson maintained, more investment in youth and academy programs that feed into NWSL clubs or the senior national team. It includes getting the best players from around the world to continue to play in the NWSL rather than in European leagues, which makes the NWSL more attractive to watch.

This year marks Swanson’s third season with the Red Stars, but the first she gets to spend in Chicago with her husband Dansby, an All-Star MLB shortstop who signed a seven-year, $177 million contract with the Cubs in December shortly after the couple got married. Though their first year together in Chicago was completely different than what they envisioned following Mallory’s injury, she said it’s been nice supporting him as he adjusts to life in a new city, especially considering how rare it is for couples who are both active professional athletes to be able to play for teams in the same city.

Swanson has seen the support Chicago sports fans have for their teams, but with the Red Stars dead last in NWSL attendance at just over 4,000 fans per game and the WNBA’s Sky 6th out of 12 teams in attendance as of July 3 despite winning the 2021 championship, she wishes there was more local support for the women’s teams.

Photo courtesy of Frito-Lay

“I’m going to be completely honest, in Chicago, there’s definitely growth that needs to be had with women’s sports,” she said. “You see it with the Bears, Cubs, White Sox, Bulls. It’s such a cool sports city, so let’s get the women’s side more on board with that. The Sky is obviously amazing and they just won the championship so that got a lot of recognition, but we still at the Red Stars need to grow.”

Further investment on many fronts, Swanson believes, is the first step to building the Red Stars up in Chicago and across the country. And while there’s only so much she can do in that regard, she finds inspiration in female athletes like Alex Morgan and Mia Hamm in how they carry themselves as brands off the pitch. Any endorsement opportunity that comes her way, she asks herself what is it doing and what is it standing for. Looking for opportunities that meet those criteria while rehabbing and ensuring that women’s soccer and women’s sports continue to evolve and move forward both in Chicago and across the country has kept Swanson both busy and motivated.

Not too bad for someone currently forced to watch from the sidelines.

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]]> Mallory Swanson: Sidelined, Not Silent - Boardroom Mallory Swanson discusses growing US women's soccer, missing the 2023 World Cup, and pushing Chicago to support its women's sports teams. Alex Morgan,ashlyn harris,Chicago Red Stars,Endorsements,FIFA Women's World Cup,Interview,Megan Rapinoe,NJ/NY Gotham FC,NWSL,soccer,USWNT,Women's Sports,World Cup,mallory swanson Loading IMG_3504 IMG_3505 ScorePlay: AI-powered Digital Media Hub Announces Seed Round https://boardroom.tv/scoreplay-digital-asset-management-seed-round/ Wed, 26 Jul 2023 12:59:00 +0000 https://boardroom.tv/?p=74587 Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian Seven Seven Six led the round alongside a group of investors including superstar footballers Raphaël Varane and Mario Götze. On Wednesday, sports-focused digital asset management company ScorePlay announced a $5

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]]> Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian Seven Seven Six led the round alongside a group of investors including superstar footballers Raphaël Varane and Mario Götze.

On Wednesday, sports-focused digital asset management company ScorePlay announced a $5 million seed round led by Alexis Ohanian’s Seven Seven Six and joined by an all-star cast that includes FIFA World Cup champions Mario Götze and Raphaël Varane.

Championed by sports teams like the Sacramento Kings, Atlético Madrid, West Ham United, and 16 NWSL and MLS clubs, ScorePlay is the first all-inclusive media operating system to use artificial intelligence to revolutionize the gathering, categorization, and distribution of digital assets like photos and highlight clips across owned and operated content platforms and media partners.

As for the days of a team or league’s photographers and videographers dumping all their visual assets into Dropbox or a Google Drive to be tagged and disseminated manually, well, ScorePlay envisions them as being over with thanks to the set-it-and-forget-it benefits of AI.

As Raphaël Varane, a decorated defender entering his third season with Manchester United, said on the occasion:

“Super excited to be able to join ScorePlay’s seed round. As an athlete, I’ve spent years thinking that getting my photos and videos was an incredibly difficult task. ScorePlay made it sound so simple. It just made sense. These days, our fans want to hear from us, they want quality content, quality stories. ScorePlay enables that.”

Among the investors joining the round include Kevin Durant and Rich Kleiman’s 35V, Philadelphia Union captain Alejandro Bedoya, US Open tennis champion Dominic Thiem, Eventbrite co-founder Renaud Visage, and Hexa co-founders Thibaud Elzière, Quentin Nickmans, and Amaury Sepulchre. To date, ScorePlay has generated $6.5 million in total funding.

ScorePlay reports its revenues expanding by 1000% between 2020 and 2022. Looking ahead, this latest fundraising will contribute to expansions to the company’s New York offices and further technological developments to help them stay ahead of the game.

Click here to learn more about ScorePlay.

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]]> ScorePlay: AI-powered Digital Media Hub Announces Seed Round Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian Seven Seven Six led the round alongside a group of investors including superstar footballers Raphaël Varane and Mario Götze. On Wednesday, sports-focused digital asset management company ScorePlay announced a $5 million seed round led by Alexis Ohanian's Seven Seven artificial intelligence,Atlético Madrid,Big Tech,Investing,media,MLS,NWSL,Sacramento Kings,Tech,West Ham United,scoreplay GAME PLAN: Key Moments From the CNBC X Boardroom Event https://boardroom.tv/game-plan-boardroom-cnbc-live-updates/ Tue, 25 Jul 2023 23:46:15 +0000 https://boardroom.tv/?p=74646 Get all the best from Game Plan live from Los Angeles as it happened.

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]]> Get all the best from Game Plan live from Los Angeles as it happened.

In a first-of-its-kind partnership, CNBC, First in Business Worldwide, and Boardroom, Kevin Durant and Rich Kleiman’s premier media brand covering the business of sports, music, and entertainment, have teamed up to produce CNBC X Boardroom Game Plan, an all-new, high-powered event on July 25 in Los Angeles focused on what drives today’s teams, leagues, and fans in a rapidly evolving world.

Keep it locked on this space for all the latest updates on the ground from this special event sponsored by Eventpipe and Jeep Wagoneer — and be sure to follow along on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #GamePlan23.

Kevin Durant: “I like my time.”

CONVERSATION: Keynote with KD

Stan Kroenke: Sports and real estate go together, and SoFi Stadium is the best there is

CONVERSATION: Winning: One-on-one with Stanley Kroenke

Stuart Duguid: Tennis and pickleball are lifting each other up

PANEL: The Future of Tennis & Athlete Brand-Building

Nick Kyrgios: It’s time for a players’ association for tennis

PANEL: The Future of Tennis & Athlete Brand-Building

Tamika Tremaglio: It’s about building equity for the athletes

PANEL: Shifting Dynamics: Sports Leadership and the Future

Ashlyn Harris: We knew women’s soccer’s potential, brands are seeing it now

PANEL: Shifting Dynamics: Sports Leadership and the Future

Lexie Brown: Athletes Unlimited helps us build brands on our own terms

PANEL: The Ownership Game: Teams & Leagues Take Center Stage

David Blitzer: NFL’s business model still second to none

PANEL: The Ownership Game: Teams & Leagues Take Center Stage

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Jessica Berman: NWSL is focused on the future fan

PANEL: The Business of Live Sports

Jimmy Pitaro: ESPN will consider sports leagues as strategic partners

PANEL: The Business of Live Sports

Boardroom x CNBC Game Plan Panels & Speakers

The Business of Live Sports

  • Moderator: Julia Boorstin, Senior Media & Tech Correspondent, CNBC
  • Jessica Berman, Commissioner, National Women’s Soccer League
  • Aryeh Bourkoff, Chairman & CEO, LionTree,
  • Jay Marine, Vice President, Prime Video / Global Head of Sport, Amazon
  • Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman, ESPN
L to R: Julia Boorstin, CNBC Senior Media & Tech Correspondent; James Pitaro, ESPN Chairman; Jessica Berman, National Women’s Soccer League Commissioner; Jay Marine, Amazon Global Head of Sports, Prime Video; Aryeh Bourkoff, LionTree Chairman & CEO (Photo by Jesse Grant/CNBC)

 The Ownership Game: Teams & Leagues Take Center Stage

  • Moderator: Scott Wapner, Host of Fast Money Halftime Report and Closing Bell, CNBC
  • David Blitzer, Co-managing Partner, Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment / Global Head, Tactical Opportunities, Blackstone Inc.
  • Lexie Brown, WNBA player, Los Angeles Sparks / Executive Committee, Athletes Unlimited
  • Paul Rabil, Co-founder and President, Premier Lacrosse League
  • Clara Wu Tsai, Vice Chair, BSE Global / Governor, New York Liberty
L to R: Scott Wapner, CNBC “Fast Money Halftime Report” & “Closing Bell” Host; David Blitzer, Blackstone Global Head of Tactical Opportunities and NJ Devils and Philadelphia 76ers Co-Owner; Clara Wu Tsai, BSE Global Vice Chair, New York Liberty Governor and Brooklyn Nets Co-Owner; Lexie Brown, LA Sparks WNBA Player, Athletes Unlimited Founding Member; Paul Rabil, Premier Lacrosse League Co-Founder and President (Photo by: Jesse Grant/CNBC)

Shifting Dynamics: Sports Leadership and the Future

  • Moderator: Julia Boorstin, Senior Media & Tech Correspondent, CNBC
  • Linda Alvarado, Co-owner, Colorado Rockies
  • Ashlyn Harris, Global Creative Advisor, NJ/NY Gotham FC
  • Jessica Holtz, Co-head of Basketball, CAA Sports
  • Tamika Tremaglio, Executive Director, National Basketball Players Association
L to R: Julia Boorstin; Tamika Tremaglio, National Basketball Players Association Executive Director; Jessica Holtz, CAA Sports Co-Head of Basketball; Linda Alvarado, Colorado Rockies Co-Owner; Ashlyn Harris, Gotham FC Global Creative Advisor (Photo by: Jesse Grant/CNBC)

The Future of Tennis & Athlete Brand-Building

L to R: Rich Kleiman, Boardroom CEO & Co-Founder; Nick Kyrgios, Professional Tennis Player; Stuart Duguid, EVOLVE Co-Founder (Photo by:Jesse Grant/CNBC)

Pickleball: The Next Level

L to R: Vinciane Ngomsi, Boardroom Staff Writer; Steve Kuhn, Major League Pickleball Founder (Photo by Jesse Grant/CNBC)

Winning: One-on-one with Stanley Kroenke

  • Interviewer: Scott Wapner, Host of Fast Money Halftime Report and Closing Bell, CNBC
  • Stan Kroenke, CEO, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (Los Angeles Rams, Denver Nuggets, Arsenal FC, Colorado Avalanche, Colorado Rapids)
L to R: Scott Wapner; Stanley Kroenke, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment CEO and Los Angeles Rams Owner (Photo by Jesse Grant/CNBC)

The Intersection of Sports x Entertainment: The Crossover  

  • Moderator: Andrew Ross Sorkin, CNBC “Squawk Box” Co-Anchor
  • Paolo Banchero, 2022-23 NBA Rookie of the Year, Orlando Magic 
  • Larry Jackson, Co-Founder & CEO, Gamma
  • Will Welch, Global Editorial Director, GQ
L to R: Andrew Ross Sorkin; Paolo Banchero, 2022-23 NBA Rookie of the Year; Jalen Green, NBA Player, Houston Rockets; Will Welch, GQ Global Editorial Director; Larry Jackson, Gamma Co-Founder & CEO (Photo by Jesse Grant/CNBC)

Keynote with KD

L to R: Kevin Durant, Boardroom Co-Founder, two-time NBA Champion; CNBC’s Andrew Ross Sorkin (Photo by Jesse Grant/CNBC)

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]]> Loading CNBC Events – Season 2023 CNBC EVENTS —CNBC x Boardroom: Game Plan -- Pictured: CNBC’s Julia Boorstin moderates The Business of Live Sports panel at the CNBC x Boardroom Game Plan Summit July 25th in Los Angeles. (Seated left to right: Julia Boorstin, CNBC Senior Media & Tech Correspondent; James Pitaro, ESPN Chairman; Jessica Berman, National Women’s Soccer League Commissioner; Jay Marine, Amazon Global Head of Sports, Prime Video; Aryeh Bourkoff, LionTree Chairman & CEO) (Photo by: Jesse Grant/CNBC) CNBC Events – Season 2023 CNBC EVENTS —CNBC x Boardroom: Game Plan -- Pictured: CNBC’s Scott Wapner moderates The Ownership Game panel at the CNBC x Boardroom Game Plan Summit July 25th in Los Angeles. (Seated left to right: Scott Wapner, CNBC “Fast Money Halftime Report” & “Closing Bell” Host; David Blitzer, Blackstone Global Head of Tactical Opportunities and NJ Devils and Philadelphia 76ers Co-Owner; Clara Wu Tsai, BSE Global Vice Chair, New York Liberty Governor and Brooklyn Nets Co-Owner; Lexie Brown, LA Sparks WNBA Player, Athletes Unlimited Founding Member; Paul Rabil, Premier Lacrosse League Co-Founder and President) (Photo by: Jesse Grant/CNBC) CNBC Events – Season 2023 CNBC EVENTS —CNBC x Boardroom: Game Plan -- Pictured: CNBC’s Julia Boorstin moderates the Shifting Dynamics panel at the CNBC x Boardroom Game Plan Summit July 25th in Los Angeles. (Seated left to right: Julia Boorstin, CNBC Senior Media & Tech Correspondent; Tamika Tremaglio, National Basketball Players Association Executive Director; Jessica Holtz, CAA Sports Co-Head of Basketball; Linda Alvarado, Colorado Rockies Co-Owner; Ashlyn Harris, Gotham FC Global Creative Advisor) (Photo by: Jesse Grant/CNBC) CNBC Events – Season 2023 CNBC EVENTS —CNBC x Boardroom: Game Plan -- Pictured: Boardroom’s Rich Kleiman moderates the Future of Tennis panel with Stuart Duguid and Nick Kyrgios at the CNBC x Boardroom Game Plan Summit July 25th in Los Angeles. (Seated left to right: Rich Kleiman, Boardroom CEO & Co-Founder; Nick Kyrgios, Professional Tennis Player; Stuart Duguid, EVOLVE Co-Founder) (Photo by: Jesse Grant/CNBC) CNBC Events – Season 2023 CNBC EVENTS —CNBC x Boardroom: Game Plan -- Pictured: Boardroom’s Vinciane Ngomsi interviews Major League Pickleball Founder Steve Kuhn at the CNBC x Boardroom Game Plan Summit July 25th in Los Angeles. (Seated left to right: Vinciane Ngomsi, Boardroom Reporter; Steve Kuhn, Major League Pickleball Founder) (Photo by: Jesse Grant/CNBC) CNBC Events – Season 2023 CNBC EVENTS —CNBC x Boardroom: Game Plan -- Pictured: CNBC’s Scott Wapner interviews Kroenke Sports & Entertainment CEO and Los Angeles Rams Owner Stanley Kroenke at the CNBC x Boardroom Game Plan Summit July 25th in Los Angeles. (Seated left to right: Scott Wapner, CNBC “Fast Money Halftime Report” & “Closing Bell” Host; Stanley Kroenke, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment CEO and Los Angeles Rams Owner) (Photo by: Jesse Grant/CNBC) CNBC Events – Season 2023 CNBC EVENTS —CNBC x Boardroom: Game Plan -- Pictured: CNBC’s Andrew Ross Sorkin moderates The Intersection of Sports x Entertainment panel at the CNBC x Boardroom Game Plan Summit July 25th in Los Angeles. (Seated left to right: Andrew Ross Sorkin, CNBC “Squawk Box” Co-Anchor; Paolo Banchero, 2022-23 NBA Rookie of the Year; Jalen Green, NBA Player, Houston Rockets; Will Welch, GQ Global Editorial Director; Larry Jackson, Gamma Co-Founder & CEO) (Photo by: Jesse Grant/CNBC) CNBC Events – Season 2023 CNBC EVENTS —CNBC x Boardroom: Game Plan -- Pictured: CNBC’s Andrew Ross Sorkin interviews Boardroom Co-Founder and 2x NBA Champion Kevin Durant at the CNBC x Boardroom Game Plan Summit July 25th in Los Angeles. (Seated left to right: Kevin Durant, Boardroom Co-Founder, 2x NBA Champion; Andrew Ross Sorkin, CNBC “Squawk Box” Co-Anchor) (Photo by: Jesse Grant/CNBC) Earning Your Stripes with USWNT Co-captain Lindsey Horan https://boardroom.tv/lindsey-horan-uswnt-adidas-world-cup/ Wed, 19 Jul 2023 14:00:00 +0000 https://boardroom.tv/?p=74273 Hear from the USA veteran about chasing soccer dreams around the world, what she looks for in a partner like Adidas, and representing her nation on the sport’s biggest stage. It’s been a busy

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]]> Hear from the USA veteran about chasing soccer dreams around the world, what she looks for in a partner like Adidas, and representing her nation on the sport’s biggest stage.

It’s been a busy summer for Lindsey Horan. In June, Olympique Lyonnais agreed to a transfer with the former Portland Thorns midfielder to keep her in France through 2026. Now, the veteran attacker is on a mission to help the USWNT defend their crown when the FIFA Women’s World Cup kicks off Thursday, July 20 from Australia and New Zealand.

The Colorado native, alongside fellow 2019 World Cup champion Alex Morgan, will serve as a co-captain for the Stars and Stripes.

Ahead of the trip Down Under, Boardroom caught up with Lindsey Horan during a photoshoot with Adidas. She opened up about what she looks for in the ideal brand partner, the honor of playing for Team USA in yet another World Cup, and the major differences that come with playing club football stateside versus overseas.

VINCIANE NGOMSI: As a pro athlete, you have the opportunity to work with a lot of different brands. What are some qualities you look for when approached to work with an endorsement partner and why did you pick Adidas?

LINDSEY HORAN: I was very young when I first started working with Adidas. At that age, I was just excited about anyone that wanted to work with me. But I think now that I’ve become older, more experienced, and whatnot, obviously, you have to like the brand to start. I think that’s what we all want. Also, the family aspect is a pretty cool feeling. Even at this photo shoot, they’ve been treating me so well, so I’m very happy.

VN: Speaking of family, I’d assume you consider the ladies on your team family, whether it’s the national team or Lyon. Can you explain how you build those healthy relationships with your teammates knowing that at any moment, personnel changes can occur?

LH: I think that’s just something that we deal with in football. But I think it’s very important for me to develop any kind of relationship, especially with teammates. The national team is a great example because most of us play for different clubs. And every once in a while, we have to come together and play for the United States. You need those relationships and friendships on and off the pitch.

Photos courtesy of Adidas

VN: Talk to me about the pride you have in representing the United States. Whether it be friendly or something as big as the World Cup, is there an anecdote or moment where you really felt the proudest?

LH: It’s what you just said there. Every time I wear the crest or put on the jersey, it’s a really cool moment for me. Obviously, when we walk out on the field and the national anthem plays, I think it just brings everything together for me. I get teary-eyed every single time because I know that I’m representing our nation and get to play in front of our fans.

I think probably the biggest moment for me was during the 2019 World Cup. Playing in a World Cup has been my dream ever since I was a little kid. When I finally walked out onto the field for the first game of the tournament, it was one of the coolest moments of my life. I knew my parents were in the crowd as well and I got even more emotional. This is just what the game means to me, and what the jersey means to me and this nation means to me.

Meet USWNT Phenom Trinity Rodman
Read the Boardroom interview and get to know the ascendant star.
Let’s Go!

VN: You’ve played top-level football in both the United States and Europe. From your perspective, what are the main similarities and differences you’ve noticed, from the game itself to being immersed in the culture?

LH: Probably one of the main things about being in Europe is everything is about football. Down to the style and fashion, really. Kids grow up playing the sport. And I think you see in America that now it’s growing more. Obviously, we’d like it to keep getting popular. Playing-wise, it’s just completely different. It’s not that one is bad and the other is good. They’re just different.

The NWSL is the highest-paced league I’ve ever played in. I think you could probably see that watching. Everyone is so athletic, so physical, and obviously, the game’s getting a bit better in the technical aspect. In France, and I’ve said it before, they just value the ball. It’s kind of my style. It’s not as fast-paced, but it’s getting more physical over here, which is exciting.

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The post Earning Your Stripes with USWNT Co-captain Lindsey Horan appeared first on Boardroom.

]]> Lindsey Horan on the 2023 Women's World Cup, Adidas & More %%page%% %%sep%% %%sitename%% Hear from USWNT co-captain Lindsey Horan on representing her nation at the World Cup, what she looks for in a partner like Adidas, and more. Adidas,Endorsements,FIFA Women's World Cup,Interview,Lindsey Horan,NWSL,soccer,USWNT,Women's Sports,lindsey horan Adidas_DylanJ_LH_0682 Adidas_DylanJ_LH_0405 Loading Carli Lloyd: The View From Behind the Mic https://boardroom.tv/carli-lloyd-qa-uswnt-world-cup/ Wed, 12 Jul 2023 12:59:00 +0000 https://boardroom.tv/?p=73747 Carli Lloyd is heading back to the World Cup, not as a player, but as part of FOX’s broadcast crew. She discusses what to expect from Australia. You can’t have a serious conversation about

The post Carli Lloyd: The View From Behind the Mic appeared first on Boardroom.

]]> Carli Lloyd is heading back to the World Cup, not as a player, but as part of FOX’s broadcast crew. She discusses what to expect from Australia.

You can’t have a serious conversation about women’s soccer without mentioning Carli Lloyd. Fans of the United States Women’s National Team were introduced to the legendary midfielder when she made her senior-level debut in July 2005. When the former NJ/NY Gotham FC star hung up her cleats for good in 2021, she left with two Olympic gold medals, a bronze medal, two FIFA Women’s World Cup wins, and countless other accolades to solidify herself as one of the best to ever lace up for the red, white, and blue.

These days, Lloyd is contributing her vast knowledge of the sport as an analyst with FOX Sports. The now-40-year-old remains a vital part of growing the game for women stateside, and it shows in her partnerships. Ahead of this month’s Women’s World Cup, Lloyd joined other current and retired USWNT greats in a commercial for Frito-Lay, where she plays a digitized version of herself.

Carli Lloyd spoke to Boardroom about her decision to take part in the ad, who she’s most looking forward to watching play in a couple of weeks, and her favorite World Cup memory off the turf.

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VINCIANE NGOMSI: You’ve been a citizen of the game for so long, and with that comes great opportunities to work with so many different brands. How do you choose who best aligns with your career, and why was Frito-Lay a good fit?

CARLI LLOYD: I think first and foremost it has to feel authentic to me. I thought the Frito-Lay commercial before the FIFA Men’s World Cup was really awesome. So I was really thrilled to be part of this ad for the FIFA Women’s World Cup. And I think what I love about it most is I’ve never really been part of a commercial that has bridged former players and legends of the game like Mia Hamm, Brianna Scurry, and Brandy Chastain. Obviously, I played around the same time as Abby Wambach and against Marta and Christine Sinclair. This was just a really fun lighthearted spot to be in.

I get to play a broadcasting role, which obviously translates to what I’ll be doing for FOX Sports in Sydney. And then I play an animated version of myself, which was created using a 3D body scanning technology, which was pretty cool. All of the featured players just showcase how far the game has come. It’s amazing that Frito-Lay incorporated past players that have really helped make the game what it is today. I think brands are taking more interest in highlighting women. This is going to be the biggest, the best, and most competitive FIFA Women’s World Cup we’ve seen.

VN: You said you were inspired to play for the women’s team after attending the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup. You accomplished that, and now you’re heading Down Under in a different capacity. You’re obviously still representing Team USA, but it’s nothing like you’ve done before. Will that feeling of being in the booth be comparable to playing on the pitch?

CL: Yeah, I’m sure I’m going to get chills when that opening match kicks off. I think I read there’s a sell-out of around 81,000 people going to it. I’m getting chills now just thinking about it. To think about 2007 being my first World Cup and now to 2023, just the growth that has happened is truly inspiring. The 1999 Women’s World Cup changed my life. It gave me the belief, it gave me the ability to dream big, and it gave me the motivation to say this is possible. And so those women that played, they had such an impact on myself and so many others. And I’ve gotten to be part of the national team for 17 years and myself and some of my former teammates have been that inspiration to the generation that’s coming up.

When I put on the USA jersey and took the field, at times we were playing with maybe 5,000 fans in the crowd. Then at times playing with 83,000 supporters. But what comes to mind is such amazing pride to be representing your country when you hear the national anthem. There’s nothing better than that feeling. So many players want to win a World Cup, and it’s so extremely hard to do that. I’m going to be able to, I think, enjoy this World Cup. Not to say that I didn’t enjoy all my other World Cups, but it’s a different mindset.

VN: Who among the first-time players on the USWNT has the potential to etch their name in the history books this month?

CL: There are 14 out of the 23 players that have never played in a World Cup for Team USA. So they’re going to be stepping out on that field with so much pressure as it is. But then to know that they’ve never played in a World Cup, there’s going be nerves and that’s going to be normal. But I think the likes of Naomi Girma in the center-back position is a young player to highlight. I mean Sophia Smith has just been crushing it for her club right now, scoring goals and playing well for the Portland Thorns. Then there’s Trinity Rodman, Alyssa Thompson. They’re doing it at the club level, but this is the world’s biggest and best stage. It’s a whole different ballgame. So it’s going to be really interesting to see what players can rise to the challenge. I’m sure there are going to be names we may not even mention throughout the tournament, and then a new star is going to emerge. That can be life-changing for that player.

VN: Outside of the USWNT, who are the other countries you’re looking forward to watching play?

CL: You know, I think there are probably a few teams that can win the World Cup. You always have the likes of Germany and England is obviously going in as potential favorites. I think Brazil is going to do better than maybe people anticipate. I’ve played for [Brazil national team manager] Pia Sundhage before, she coached me for a number of years. I think she’s just implemented more organization and more structure. Brazil has a lot of players in the NWSL right now and they’re playing really well. And this is, I think, Marta’s last World Cup. So I would imagine they’re going to really be not only playing for their country but playing to help Marta win a World Cup because she’s been an exceptional player for so long.

I think France is probably going to pose a threat as well. They went through a coaching change and [Hervé Renard] coached the Saudi Arabia men’s national team in Qatar last year. I think he’s going to instill some belief and overall camaraderie within the squad. We can’t discredit Australia, they’re playing on home soil. I think the key for any team is going to be limiting injuries and having to come together at the right moment to be firing on all cylinders.

VN: What’s a World Cup memory that remains poignant in your mind that doesn’t necessarily have to do with actually playing?

CL: I would say during the 2015 World Cup, the hotel that we were staying in Vancouver was a huge tower. I was up on a really high floor when I looked out of my window, I just saw endless people lined up watching us get onto the bus, all red, white, and blue. And then as we got on the bus to make our way to the stadium, which wasn’t too far away, the streets were covered in people walking in red, white, and blue. I remember looking out my window, on the bus, with my music on, and it got me fired up to get out onto that pitch and play with my teammates. We were just in such an incredible position to bring home that World Cup. It was amazing to see the support and just all of the people that came to watch. I’ll always remember that.

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]]> Carli Lloyd: The View From Behind the Mic - Boardroom Carli Lloyd is heading back to the World Cup, this time as part of FOX's broadcast crew. She discusses what to expect from Australia. Carli Lloyd,FIFA Women's World Cup,Interview,NWSL,soccer,USWNT,World Cup,carli lloyd Loading San Diego State Readies to Ride the Conference Realignment Wave https://boardroom.tv/snapdragon-stadium-san-diego-state-jd-wicker/ Wed, 05 Jul 2023 20:33:02 +0000 https://boardroom.tv/?p=71677 As the Aztecs awaits a Power 5 invite, learn how Snapdragon Stadium and the university’s own athletic success are keeping the wheels turning. Eventually, we will know which conference the San Diego State Aztecs

The post San Diego State Readies to Ride the Conference Realignment Wave appeared first on Boardroom.

]]> As the Aztecs awaits a Power 5 invite, learn how Snapdragon Stadium and the university’s own athletic success are keeping the wheels turning.

Eventually, we will know which conference the San Diego State Aztecs will call home for the 2024-25 season.

Eventually.

If you haven’t followed the drama, SDSU sent a letter to the Mountain West Conference — its current league — last month, notifying the consortium that it intends to leave. The Mountain West took that as the Aztecs’ official notice and said it would begin procedures to ensure a smooth departure.

That that wasn’t SDSU’s intention, however. The school’s position is that it was merely hoping to start that dialogue in the event that an invitation from a Power 5 league, most probably the Pac-12, were to come in the weeks ahead. The university attempted to clarify this, but the Mountain West continues to insist as of this writing that it is owed a $16.5 million exit fee and intends to withhold a $6.6 million revenue distribution to San Diego State in the meantime.

Suffice it to say that things are getting messy.

One thing, however, remains clear: Like every non-Power 5 FBS school out there, the Aztecs just want a seat at the cool kids’ table.

In a recent interview with Boardroom, athletic director JD Wicker was open about the university’s intentions, and despite the recent turmoil, a Power 5 invite seems to be a matter of when, not if. In the interim, Wicker’s job is to invest in his student-athletes, coaches, and facilities to make sure his school is prepared whenever that day comes.

“Showing this investment will hopefully allow us to elevate to a Power 5 conference at some point,” he told Boardroom. “If you look at the success we’ve already had and then the investment we’re making at this point, hopefully that helps us move sooner rather than later.”

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Don’t read the AD’s words as a shot at the Mountain West; they simply reflect the economic reality. The conference is in the midst of a six-year media rights deal worth only $270 million, or $45 million annually, to be divvied among the conference’s 11 members. In a Power 5 conference, the Aztecs could net more than 10 times that each year in TV revenue alone — and that’s before you factor in bowl game payouts, NCAA Tournament units, and the increase in fan-driven revenue that would come with a conference upgrade.

While on the outside looking in, Group of 5 schools like San Diego State have had to get creative to try and bridge that revenue gap. While there’s no true template to bringing in $40 million a year without a TV deal that does just that, Wicker and his administration have managed to not only stay afloat, but build an athletic department that is growing more attractive to Power 5 suitors.

The Aztec Ascent

San Diego State football has been to 12 bowl games since 2010 after not appearing in one for 12 straight years before that. In men’s basketball, the Aztecs are fresh off a famous appearance in the national championship game and have won three of the last four Mountain West regular season titles. Meanwhile, their softball team just played in a Super Regional for the first time ever and their women’s basketball team just returned to the postseason for the first time since 2013.

Athletic success has meant revenue for San Diego State — not just through NCAA Tournament distributions but also ticket sales and donations. According to Sportico’s College Sports Finances database, San Diego State athletics made more than $5.6 million in ticket sales and raised almost $20 million in donations in 2021-22, the most recent year on record.

Data and visualization via Sportico

Compare that to their most noteworthy conference peers like Boise State ($7.2 million in ticket sales but just $9.1 million in donations) and Colorado State ($4.7 million in ticket sales and $10.9 million in donations) and it’s easy to see why the Aztecs rank near the top of the Group of 5 in operating revenues among public institutions. In fact, SDSU led the nation in operating revenue in 2021-22 out of all public schools that will not play in a power conference in any “revenue sport” next school year.

Without a Power 5 invitation, however, the problem will be sustaining that momentum. With few exceptions, college programs go through ups and downs. One day, Brian Dutcher will no longer be men’s basketball coach and it’s possible that the next hire won’t work out. What happens to ticket sales then?

For Wicker’s part, he’s doing what he can to kick that proverbial can down the road as far as possible.

“We’re gonna provide [Dutcher] all the resources he needs to be successful,” Wicker said, “from a coaching contract to what we have to provide for our assistant coaches and student-athletes.”

From a contract perspective, Dutcher is set to make just over $1.4 million next season — a competitive rate, but still less than, say, Mike Rhoades made at VCU last year. Rhoades took the Penn State coaching job this offseason.

If Brady Hoke continues to move the Aztecs’ football program in a positive direction, Wicker will have to look at his salary as well. Hoke, who left the San Diego State job in 2010 to lead Michigan and found himself returning 10 years later, made a little over $1.2 million in base salary this year. That puts him in the middle of the pack in the Mountain West.

But from elite coaches to student-athlete amenities, everything costs money. Wicker is doing what he can to open more revenue streams to his programs.

What’s the Latest on NCAA Realignment?
Go deeper on college sports with expert analysis from Boardroom.
Take Me There!

The Mission Valley Mission

Snapdragon Stadium, which opened last August, is more than just San Diego State’s football venue; the $310 million, 35,000-seat stadium was built to host events year-round. The NWSL‘s San Diego Wave and Major League Rugby’s San Diego Legion are already tenants, providing SDSU with two extra home schedules to balance each year. Major League Soccer‘s 30th expansion team will also call Snapdragon Stadium home when it begins play in 2025.

In addition, the stadium has a number of concerts on the schedule in its opening year, with Jimmy Buffett and the Red Hot Chili Peppers kicking off the slate in May. Coldplay, Guns N’ Roses, and P!nk are also on the schedule before the end of 2023.

That was always Wicker’s intention for Snapdragon Stadium — to have it active year-round. He learned from experience at Georgia Tech, where he served as senior associate athletic director, just how disappointing the alternative could be.

“We had this great stadium in the middle of midtown Atlanta and we didn’t do anything with it outside of seven football games a year and the occasional concert we hosted,” he said of the 55,000 seat Bobby Dodd Stadium. “It was one of those [moments] like, ‘if I ever get this opportunity, it has to be built for all the other uses so you can keep it busy.'”

And that’s just the stadium itself. Snapdragon Stadium is the centerpiece to SDSU’s Mission Valley district, a development that, when complete, will include retail space, public parks, housing, and hotels. According to a video on the SDSU website, the district will generate $3.1 billion for the local economy and create 17,000 jobs.

“We’ll invite the corporate world to come in and partner with the institution,” Wicker said. “Our faculty, staff, students, researchers can work alongside whatever companies want to come in.”

Given that the overall mission of college athletics is to enhance a university an its community as a whole, it’s worth noting that the school also projects an increase in student enrollment of up to 15,000, before you even factor in the predicted increase in applications that will come from this year’s dream tournament run from the men’s basketball team. Wicker says a consultant told him that the week of the Final Four alone provided $201 million worth of exposure.

Shovels are still in the ground at Mission Valley, so we don’t know exactly how much money it will bring in for San Diego State just yet.

We do know, however, that SDSU averaged 29,225 fans per game in their inaugural football season at Snapdragon — and if the Pac-12 comes calling, plans are already in place to expand the venue to 55,000 seats. At a time in which San Diego no longer has a pro football team, the Aztecs can become the next best thing, making their home stadium a hub for high-level sports and entertainment year-round.

Making Money at Snapdragon Stadium

San Diego State is hardly the only D-I school to share a venue with a professional sports team. Unlike most cases, though, the Aztecs own Snapdragon Stadium and have tailored their relationships with the Wave, Legion, and upcoming MLS team to suit their needs.

Take the MLS club for example. According to documents obtained by Boardroom, San Diego State is set to receive the following, in exchange for hosting the franchise in its stadium:

  • $200,000 per home game (use fee) — a number that can drop if the club does not make every seat available for the contest
  • $2 from every ticket sold (facility fee)
  • 20% of net revenue for each home game

For the uninitiated, MLS teams play 17 home games apiece and average attendance for MLS games this season is around 22,000 fans. Assuming that’s what this new club draws and the season format does not change by 2025, SDSU would stand to make $3.4 million in use fees and $748,000 in ticket sales in year one.

And that’s not to mention gameday revenue or the $2 million per year that SDSU gets from Qualcomm — which owns Snapdragon — for stadium naming rights.

As for the university’s deal with the San Diego Wave, we have less clarity. SDSU did not make available similar documents to show use or facility fees, but did provide an agreement for merch sales. Under that agreement, the Wave will pay San Diego State a 25% commission on merch sales from $0 to $100,000 or 20% if sales top $100,000. That’s with a minimum guarantee of $10,000 per game.

It’d be unfair to crunch all the numbers and boldly declare that San Diego State makes X million dollars in profit from the stadium each year. Remember, the university owns the stadium, so it must pay for staffing and operations for each event, not to mention the initial $310 million cost. Still, these are sustainable revenue streams that not many other G5 programs can boast.

It won’t bridge the gap completely, but it does accomplish two main goals: It keeps SDSU athletics financially afloat and keeps them at the top of the list of most desirable G5 programs.

For now, everything else is a waiting game, maybe with a dash of legal strife with the Mountain West.

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]]> San Diego State, Snapdragon Stadium & Conference Realignment%%page%% As San Diego State awaits a Power 5 invite, learn how Snapdragon Stadium and the university's own athletic success keep the wheels turning. College Basketball,College Football,conference realignment,Interview,Media Rights,MLS,Mountain West,NWSL,Pac-12,San Diego State Aztecs,snapdragon stadium Loading Screenshot-2023-07-05-at-2.18.18-PM NWSL Unveils Sweeping Bonus Pool Increases https://boardroom.tv/nwsl-bonus-pool-increase-announcement/ Thu, 22 Jun 2023 17:49:09 +0000 https://boardroom.tv/?p=72533 The NWSL bonus pool payouts for the 2023 NWSL championship and NWSL Shield represent a growing commitment to properly compensate women’s soccer players. The topic of equal pay in women’s sports isn’t going anywhere,

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]]> The NWSL bonus pool payouts for the 2023 NWSL championship and NWSL Shield represent a growing commitment to properly compensate women’s soccer players.

The topic of equal pay in women’s sports isn’t going anywhere, and the NWSL announced Thursday that it is taking steps in the right direction. The league has revealed sweeping increases to bonus pool payouts for the 2023 NWSL Championship and 2023 NWSL Shield presented by CarMax. These raises were motivated by the NWSL’s prior announcement of a record-breaking $1.1 million prize pool for the 2023 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup.

The new bonus pool for the 2023 NWSL Shield, which is presented to the club with the best record at the conclusion of the regular season, will jump from $10,000 to $15,000 per player.

In addition, the 2023 NWSL Championship bonuses include $15,000 awarded to players from the championship team, $11,250 awarded to finalists, $7,500 awarded to semifinalists, and $3,750 awarded to quarterfinalists.

This year’s boost honors the increased focus on challenging the gender wage gap in women’s soccer. Through the previous UKG NWSL Challenge Cup announcement, players will also be eligible to earn a bonus for every match they appear in, with approximately $300,000 and $200,000 awarded to the top two teams competing in the Sept. 9 final. There is a maximum payout of $13,400 available to winning players.

“It’s our incredible athletes who make our league compelling — they deserve to have their compensation grow and reflect their excellence on the field,” said NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman in a release. “Our 2023 bonus pool increases, inspired by UKG’s historic $1.1 million investment in our players, are once again breaking records set in 2022.”

“The NWSL and its players have continued to raise the bar of competition and excellence on and off the field and we’re proud to be on this journey with them,” Sarah Lane, Vice President, Marketing at CarMax added. “CarMax is proud to continue elevating women’s sports and these efforts help advance our shared goal of leveling the playing field for current and future generations of women athletes.”

After July 9, the NWSL will be on a brief hiatus as members of select clubs travel to Australia and New Zealand to compete in the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Among the 23 elite athletes picked to represent Team USA include Lynn Williams from NJ/NY Gotham FC, Crystal Dunn from the reigning NWSL champion Portland Thorns FC, and Angel City FC rookie striker Alyssa Thompson.

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]]> Loading Running it Back With USWNT and Gotham FC Star Lynn Williams https://boardroom.tv/lynn-williams-gotham-fc-extension-uswnt/ Wed, 21 Jun 2023 18:12:06 +0000 https://boardroom.tv/?p=72327 She’s got a new contract extension. She’s officially playing in another World Cup in July. Catching up with Lynn Williams is a feat — somehow, we did it. June is proving to be a

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]]> She’s got a new contract extension. She’s officially playing in another World Cup in July. Catching up with Lynn Williams is a feat — somehow, we did it.

June is proving to be a rather significant month for Lynn Williams. Five months into her stint as a forward for NWSL club NJ/NY Gotham FC, the California native signed a three-year contract extension with the club on Tuesday, keeping her on the east coast through the 2025 campaign.

In true Big Apple fashion, the ceremony was conducted from the observation deck of the Empire State Building.

Less than 24 hours after that news, Williams officially earned her spot on the US Women’s National Team roster for next month’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Joining her Down Under in their quest to bring an unprecedented third consecutive trophy and fifth in federation history are fellow Gotham teammates Kelley O’Hara and Kristie Mewis.

Moments after news of Williams’ new deal broke, the 30-year-old spoke exclusively with Boardroom about her time with the NWSL franchise so far, the excitement of representing the US in her second major tournament and first World Cup, and her continued commitment to social justice.

VINCIANE NGOMSI: When we first connected in January, you had just arrived in New York from Kansas City. Now that you’re officially signed for multiple years, how do you describe your emotions at the moment?

LYNN WILLIAMS: Overwhelming, but in the best possible way. I feel like it’s champagne problems. I don’t know how many people say they sign contracts or literally do anything from the top of the Empire State Building, so I feel truly blessed to be able to do it there — but I also feel incredibly grateful Gotham sees so much in me and wants me to be on for the next several years.

VN: You’ve been in top form this season with six goals to your name in 12 matches. Do you feel the added pressure to continue performing at that level given the club’s latest investment in you?

LW: I don’t necessarily feel the pressure. As a veteran player, I feel like it is my responsibility to lead by example, and I feel like no matter what team I am on, I put my best foot forward and give it my all. So, it’s very nice to see it paying off.

I said this in another interview — I feel like I’ve been doing this for years, but it’s just now being recognized and being noticed. I’m very lucky to be able to be the one scoring goals, but I don’t get the goals if the whole team doesn’t put in the effort. There have been many moments where we have just stuck in the game and fought and fought, and that’s because of our defensive pressure and excellence, so I don’t get a lot of the opportunities that I have right now if it isn’t for the collective team. I just feel very lucky that my hard work is paying off and I’m able to put the ball in the back of the net.

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VN: For the first time ever, Gotham exceeded 10,000 tickets sold for a home game at Red Bull Arena earlier this month. What was your reaction walking onto the pitch for the first time to a packed crowd and an even louder supporters section?

LW: It feels incredible. We put in so much work day in and day out to hone our craft, and to be recognized not only by media outlets but also fans means the world to us. We will play whether there’s a single person in the stand, but it’s an incredible feeling to be recognized and to play in front of your home state and know they’re backing you. I think that it’s just all of the incredible effort and hard work that our front office staff puts in to get people in those seats.

I think this year marks a new Gotham. We are laying the foundation for the future and hopefully, it’s just the beginning of opening up the upper deck and we can see more and more people coming every single week. But part of that is also us winning games and performing as well. So, it’s twofold, but it was an incredible feeling and I hope for a similar turnout at the next game on the 25th.

VN: Let’s pivot to this summer’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. You’ve represented the USWNT before and have an Olympic bronze medal, so you can talk about the joy you have in representing your home country whether it be on international soil or stateside, but this would be your first appearance on the biggest international stage in the game.

LW: I think anytime you get to put on the crest and play for your nation is an incredible honor, and it comes with a responsibility and duty to carry the crest, so it means the world. It’s a different feeling when the national anthem is playing when you are wearing your club jersey versus when you’re wearing the actual crest.

I never take it for granted anytime I get to put on that jersey. My fiancé is Australian, so my extended family is there. Australia just holds a special place in my heart in general, and then obviously being able to play down there — I’ve played in Sydney before, it’s just an incredible country. I haven’t spent as much time in New Zealand, but I was there with the national team in January and they have a beautiful culture as well. So, I think that they are gonna put on an amazing World Cup and grow their soccer viewership tenfold. That’s what the world needs.

It’s going to be an amazing event and I just can’t wait to see what transpires.

Photo courtesy of NJ/NY Gotham FC

VN: The NWSL and Gotham FC make a point to commemorate the Juneteenth holiday. As a Black player, can you describe your delight in playing for a club that takes time to recognize these key moments of history, including Pride Month? What does this recognition mean for little Black girls hoping one day to play top-level football?

LW: When you look at soccer as a whole, it should look exactly like the United States, which is different sexual orientations, different races, different backgrounds, different everything. So, when you look at New York and New Jersey, that’s exactly what you have here. It’s basically an international hub of just beautifulness.

I believe we have the most Black players in the league on our team, but not just that; we have several members of the LGBT community on our team as well. We have Hispanic people, we have international players. So, to be celebrated and to be able to see yourself on television as a young girl is I think where dreams start.

When I was growing up, I didn’t really get to see as many Black women playing soccer. I saw Brianna Scurry and as I got older, Sydney Leroux, but we’re very similar in age. So, for little young Black girls or however you identify, to see yourself in the sport, I always say if you can see it, you can believe it. If you believe it, you can do it. It’s really just an incredible moment for our club and it’s awesome to be in a place where Gotham recognizes and then honors that.

2023 USWNT World Cup Games (Group E)

  • July 21 vs. Vietnam, 9:00 p.m. ET
  • July 26 vs. Netherlands, 9 p.m. ET
  • Aug. 1 vs. Portugal, 3 a.m. ET

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]]> Loading DSC00530 SZA, Lizzo Headline Made in America Lineup Reveal https://boardroom.tv/headline-to-go/june-15-2023-sza-lizzo-made-in-america/ Thu, 15 Jun 2023 13:00:00 +0000 https://boardroom.tv/?post_type=headline-to-go&p=71829 The post SZA, Lizzo Headline Made in America Lineup Reveal appeared first on Boardroom.

]]> The post SZA, Lizzo Headline Made in America Lineup Reveal appeared first on Boardroom.

]]> Tupac Honored With Walk of Fame Star https://boardroom.tv/headline-to-go/june-2-2023-tupac-hollywood-walk-of-fame-star/ Fri, 02 Jun 2023 18:29:03 +0000 https://boardroom.tv/?post_type=headline-to-go&p=70874 The post Tupac Honored With Walk of Fame Star appeared first on Boardroom.

]]> The post Tupac Honored With Walk of Fame Star appeared first on Boardroom.

]]> Sam Mewis & Therabody Tackle the Toll of Injuries https://boardroom.tv/uswnt-sam-mewis-therabody-womens-health/ Tue, 30 May 2023 15:17:30 +0000 https://boardroom.tv/?p=69702 Sam Mewis knows first-hand how difficult the recovery process can be. She teamed up with Therabody to help ease the pain. The ideal athlete-brand partnership benefits both sides — and not just in their

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]]> Sam Mewis knows first-hand how difficult the recovery process can be. She teamed up with Therabody to help ease the pain.

The ideal athlete-brand partnership benefits both sides — and not just in their respective checking accounts.

For United States Women’s National Team midfielder Sam Mewis, technology has always been at the forefront of her training and recovery efforts. For Dr. Jason Wersland, the mastermind behind Therabody, his business stems from enduring unbearable pain following an accident.

It’s only natural that the two would work together.

“After an accident that left me with debilitating pain, I was told the solutions were medication and surgery,” Wersland told Boardroom. “I had to find something else. For Therabody, technology continues to play a massive role in the business of recovery.”

This partnership hits close to home for Mewis, filling the void of tackling ongoing injuries effectively as she strives to compete at the highest level.

She has witnessed firsthand the toll that injuries can take. In November 2017, The midfielder and sibling of fellow USWNT star Kristie Mewis, suffered a devastating knee injury that left her sidelined for the beginning of the 2018 season. Since, it’s been an uphill battle. She likely won’t play in the 2023 NWSL season.

The 2019 World Cup winner and three-time NWSL champion shared a heartfelt statement on social media in January about the uncertain timeline of her comeback. However, Mewis has dedicated herself to a swift recovery with the unwavering support of her team, the Kansas City Current.

The statistics aren’t on Mewis’ or any of her teammates’ sides. Women are four-to six-times more likely than men to suffer ACL injuries. Furthermore, female athletes returning from these knee injuries have a 30% risk of further damaging their ACLs, making the rehab and recovery process seem endless.

Those stats aren’t widely known, and with more women than ever participating in athletics, Mewis and Therabody are working on educating the masses.

Coupled with input and experiences from athletes like Mewis, Angel City FC, the Dallas Mavericks, and DeVonta Smith, Therabody works to modify its products to manage athletes’ needs while continuing to educate consumers.

Mewis and Therabody continue to showcase products used to enhance the recovery process beyond the boundaries of limited medical staff provided by women’s soccer. Now, Mewis’ loyal fan base can witness firsthand the advantages of products like JetBoots or the RecoveryTherm Hot and Cold Vibration Knee. Both devices serve as Mewis’ preferred rehabilitation methods in recovery.

In an exclusive interview with Boardroom, Mewis discussed her involvement with the company, the future, and how they plan to create global change concerning women’s health.

Boardroom Q&A: Sam Mewis

RORY ROBINSON: First, how did you connect with the Therabody brand?

SAM MEWIS: Maddi [Mobley, Therabody director of sports partnerships], whom I know from attending school at UCLA, contacted me through my agency and inquired about working together. I was so excited. Not only to get to work with Therabody but also because I knew Maddi from school. So I was excited for both reasons.

RR: What were some specific women’s health issues you zoned in on with the partnership?

SM: I think, in general, in the women’s game, we have access to fewer resources than a typical men’s professional player. And so the idea that I would get this unique inside access to everything that Therabody was developing from the JetBoots, which is great, especially for me. I’ve been dealing with a knee injury for a little bit. And then all these new products that Therabody is also coming out with.

I think to have that inside access to get to use all of these tools and be taught how to use them. But then also to be able to share that with my teammates. Last year, Maddi sent a bunch of massage guns and JetBoots in Kansas City for my team to access and use. So I just felt it was such an incredible opportunity for me to access resources that aren’t always available to female players and share that access.

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RR: Speaking of developing new products, when we see high-profile athletes attached to a brand, a signature series/development usually follows. Has there ever been any collaboration ideas of adding your name to any of these signature products that you often use?

SM: Not yet. But that’s such an awesome idea. I use the JetBoots to flush everything up my body and out of my legs—also, the hot and cold contrasting Recovery Therm knee sleeve. Unfortunately, I’ve had this knee injury ongoing for a while now. But I feel like products like that are my bread and butter. I would love to be more involved with marketing for those, but that’s not something we’ve talked about yet.

RR: What impact do you hope to have with the collaboration? From recovery yourself to the general conversation around women’s health and wellness.

SM: I’ve been involved in developing the CBA with the US Women’s National team to identify what USA Soccer can provide. The NWSL has had similar discussions with the NSWL Players Association. As we identify and learn more about what we need as players, a company like Therabody could get involved. Maybe through sponsoring the league or being more involved team-to-team, to provide access to needed resources. With things like the CBA or in discussions with our ownership, whatever it may be.

Right now, women’s soccer is going through an ACL injury crisis. More and more women’s players suffer knee injuries, which is a shame and a long recovery. I fully trust that Therabody is a company exploring why that’s happening. Hopefully, developing technology to help us learn how to prevent it. I hope through our relationship and the actions I’ve taken in other areas of the game, we could make that a little bit more cohesive and spread the information and prevention technology as it gets identified.

RR: Through your research, what findings have you identified in the CBA that need focus?

SM: Our CBA with the national team includes rules and regulations around how many medical staff we need. What kinds of field surfaces that we’re playing on. How we’re flying and traveling and what class of travel. And I think all those things are either medical or lend themselves to recovery. And that’s something that I know Therabody focuses on themselves. So it feels like a good spot for a collaboration.

RR: What can other organizations learn from your approach on how you and Therabody tackle these needs together?

SM: Everybody’s committed to recovery and as an athlete, that’s important to me. And I would love to see other brands focus more on female athletes’ needs. I think there is certainly room for growth in that area. If what Therabody is doing can be an example, that would be great.

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]]> Sam Mewis & Therabody Tackle the Toll of Injuries - Boardroom USWNT star Sam Mewis and Therabody are taking on women's wellness and recovery. Mewis spoke with Boardroom about the partnership. Interview,Jason Wersland,NWSL,Sam Mewis,Therabody,USWNT,Women's Sports,Sam Mewis Therabody Loading Ali Krieger: Lessons from the NWSL to the WNBA https://boardroom.tv/ali-krieger-nwsl-wnba-flights/ Sun, 28 May 2023 16:00:00 +0000 https://boardroom.tv/?p=70008 Soccer star Ali Krieger has played a key role in the equal pay movement in soccer. She weighed in on the progress and pitfalls in both soccer and basketball.

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]]> Soccer star Ali Krieger has played a key role in the equal pay movement in soccer. She weighed in on the progress and pitfalls in both soccer and basketball.

With the WNBA season barely a week old, there are early indications that this will be a monumental year. Already, we’ve seen Brittney Griner make her triumphant return to Phoenix, Breanna Stewart break the Liberty single-game scoring record, and the Las Vegas Aces begin their title defense with a 41-point statement win at Seattle.

But with the increased attention comes increased scrutiny. Off-court issues like player pay and charter flights will remain part of the WNBA conversation and, truthfully, they need to.

Just ask Gotham FC‘s Ali Krieger. Aside from being an accomplished athlete, Krieger was — and remains — a key voice in the equal pay movement in women’s soccer. Her efforts were critical in the United States Soccer Federation, the United States Women’s National Team Players Association, and the United States National Soccer Team Players Association mandating equal pay among women’s and men’s players.

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Additionally, the players in the NWSL came together to revamp their CBA in 2022, leading to substantial pay increases and more — though there’s still plenty of progress that needs to be made. On the verge of retirement, Krieger was able to step back and reflect on how far the NWSL has come.

“You see the CBA basically setting that standard for us to say, ‘listen, like this is where you need to be, this is what is gonna make this club and this brand really successful and this is the level that the players deserve and to be valued and appreciated,'” she said.

When it comes to the W — or all of women’s sports, really — the most important part is to keep talking about the issues.

“Having more media outlets talk about the issues that we’re facing really brings things to light and really puts things in perspective,” he said. “Because a lot of our fans and supporters and even family members don’t really understand or have a good grasp on how difficult it is.”

Charter flights in the WNBA is a great example. It’s about more than professional athletes wanting to be treated like professional athletes. It’s a safety concern. Just think about how many WNBA players had to miss time with COVID-19 once the league left the Orlando bubble.

“People were wondering, ‘Well, why is she out with COVID?'” Krieger said. “We have more opportunity to be exposed than maybe the men do because they’re on their own charter flight.”

And as athletes get older, regularly flying commercial while staying in peak physical shape becomes even more challenging.

“[Basketball is] on a hard floor surface,” Krieger said. “It’s hard on your body over the years, and just to have a little bit of an easier travel schedule would really allow players to maybe even play years longer.”

There’s also a tendency, Krieger cautions, to just accept the status quo — particularly if current athletes can make it work. She uses the example of herself as a veteran soccer player vs. rookies just coming up. If she’s flying commercial, she has earned enough miles or rewards points for an automatic upgrade to first class, most of the time. Younger players who haven’t spent their careers crisscrossing the country don’t have that luxury.

Yes, those players are in their early 20s. Their bodies can, for the most part, endure the rigor of long flights during a season.

For Ali Krieger, it’s still a battle worth fighting. She’s seen the results of increased visibility. Not every conversation will be easy, but for athletes and advocates everywhere, Krieger stresses one thing:

“The fight will never be done.”

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]]> Loading Gotham FC Breaks Ticket Sales Record Ahead of June 4 Pride Night vs. San Diego Wave https://boardroom.tv/gotham-fc-ticket-sales-record-june-4/ Tue, 23 May 2023 13:59:23 +0000 https://boardroom.tv/?p=70011 The match — a star-studded clash of US Women’s National Team stars — marks the first time the NWSL club has surpassed 10,000 tickets sold and opened up Red Bull Arena’s upper bowl. After

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]]> The match — a star-studded clash of US Women’s National Team stars — marks the first time the NWSL club has surpassed 10,000 tickets sold and opened up Red Bull Arena’s upper bowl.

After a commanding 4-1 win against OL Reign on May 21, NJ/NY Gotham FC is now the top-ranked team in the National Women’s Soccer League. Now, ahead of its Pride Night match at Red Bull Arena against the San Diego Wave on June 4, the club confirmed Tuesday that it has surpassed a ticket sales milestone: For the first time ever, the club has exceeded 10,000 sold for a home game at Red Bull Arena.
 
Scheduled for 5:30 p.m. ET in Harrison, New Jersey, the star-studded matchup will feature US Women’s National Team players on both sides of the pitch, including midfielder Kristie Mewis, defender Kelley O’Hara and forward Lynn Williams – the latter of whom has found the back of the net five times in eight contests — on the Gotham side. The Wave, meanwhile features USWNT defender Naomi Girma, midfielder Taylor Kornieck, and superstar forward Alex Morgan.

In case anyone had any doubt about Gotham’s ability to dominate their rivals, allow Williams to correct you.

“Not surprised at all. I feel like everyone is surprised, but we’re not,” the eight-year veteran responded confidently after the win over OL Reign.

“We are excited to see the momentum around our June 4 match against the San Diego Wave as we prepare for a Pride Night celebration and the in-stadium matchup of World Cup stars across both teams,” Gotham FC Acting Club President Nan Vogel said in a statement upon surpassing the 10,000-ticket mark. “In this record-breaking moment for the club, we look forward to giving our fans a matchday to remember.”

Gotham’s thriving ticket sales for the Pride Night showdown surpassed the club’s previous all-time record of 9,500 passes sold for an Aug. 18, 2019 draw against OL Reign. At the time, the team was known as Sky Blue FC.

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Pushing forward in its quest to fill Red Bull Arena’s entire 11,000-seat lower bowl, Gotham FC has officially opened additional accommodations in the upper bowl for the first time in team history. Ahead of this summer’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, on June 25 Gotham will celebrate players representing the United States with a special sendoff match and a celebration of Juneteenth that will feature Gotham taking on the Chicago Red Stars and USWNT goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher.

Click here to purchase single-game tickets for Pride Night and upcoming Gotham FC matches. Ahead of the meeting with San Diego Wave, the club will host its Fan Fest at 3 p.m., followed by the newly inaugurated pregame tradition of the Torch Lighting Ceremony right before kickoff.

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]]> Loading GAME PLAN PLAYERS: Jessica Berman https://boardroom.tv/game-plan-jessica-berman/ Thu, 18 May 2023 13:00:00 +0000 https://boardroom.tv/?p=69667 As we gear up for CNBC x Boardroom’s Game Plan conference this summer, let’s learn more about one of the event’s featured speakers, NWSL Commisioner Jessica Berman. In a first-of-its-kind partnership, CNBC, First in

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]]> As we gear up for CNBC x Boardroom’s Game Plan conference this summer, let’s learn more about one of the event’s featured speakers, NWSL Commisioner Jessica Berman.

In a first-of-its-kind partnership, CNBC, First in Business Worldwide, and Boardroom, Kevin Durant and Rich Kleiman’s premier media brand covering the business of sports, music, and entertainment, are teaming up to produce CNBC x Boardroom Game Plan, an all-new, high-powered event taking place on July 25 in Los Angeles. Today, we’re highlighting featured speaker Jessica Berman, commissioner of the National Women’s Soccer League. Click here to view the full list of CNBC x Boardroom Game Plan speakers.

NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman began her four-year term at the helm of the league in 2022. Throughout the search process, the players were primary stakeholders in identifying the next person to lead the emerging organization, and Berman’s past experiences uniquely positioned her for the task.

Prior to assuming her role, Berman built a career championing both athletes and fans as the deputy commissioner of the National Lacrosse League. She was also the first-ever woman to hold the deputy commissioner position in a professional men’s league in the United States. Before that, she spent 13 years with the NHL, ending her time with dual roles as the Vice President of Community Development, Culture & Growth and the Executive Director of the NHL Foundation.

In an interview with the “Attacking Third” podcast, Berman said that her position with the NWSL offers her the opportunity to blend her past experiences, working at the intersections of professional sports leagues and labor relations. She touted the NWSL’s immense promise, explaining “the strength of a sports property built through its partnership with the union.” In her short time with the league, she has helped navigate the implications of the US Soccer investigation and is actively creating a league with the protection of its players at the center.

With record-setting attendance and citywide commitments to the cause, the NWSL is on the precipice of a major breakthrough.

Learn more about Jessica Berman’s Game Plan below.

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Jessica Berman’s Game Plan

Background & Career

  • Native of Brooklyn, New York
  • Graduate of University of Michigan & Fordham Law School
  • 2022-present, Commisioner, NWSL
  • 2019-2022, Deputy commissioner & executive vice president of business affairs, National Lacrosse League
  • 2006-2019, multiple positions, NHL
  • 2003-2006, General Counsel, Proskauer Rose LLP

Accomplishments & Milestones

  • UJA-Federation’s David J. Stern Leadership Award (2023)
  • Sports Business Journal’s Best Hire of the Year (2022)
  • Multichannel News Sports Executive of the Year (2018)
  • Sports Business Journal “40 Under 40” honoree (2014)

Click here to learn more about Boardroom and CNBC’s Game Plan event and find out how you can sign up today.

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]]> Loading Roku Launches Women’s Sports Zone https://boardroom.tv/roku-womens-sports-zone-launch/ Wed, 17 May 2023 12:59:50 +0000 https://boardroom.tv/?p=69572 Roku just made it easier than ever for fans to find their favorite women’s sports teams with Women’s Sports Zone. There has never been more of a demand for women’s sports than there is

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]]> Roku just made it easier than ever for fans to find their favorite women’s sports teams with Women’s Sports Zone.

There has never been more of a demand for women’s sports than there is right now, and Roku is looking to make them all easier to find.

On Wednesday, Roku launched what it’s calling the Women’s Sports Zone. With top leagues like the NWSL and LPGA underway, the WNBA tipping off this weekend, and the FIFA Women’s World Cup beginning next month, sports fans can now easily access their favorite women’s leagues in one convenient location.

To find the Women’s Sports Zone, Roku users can scroll to sports on their home screen menu, select “browse by sport,” and click the Women’s Sports Zone. On the Roku mobile app, head to the sports row and scroll to Women’s Sports Zone. Users can also use Roku Voice to search for women’s sports or other relevant teams and leagues to find their desired event.

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“The popularity and demand for women’s sports is greater than ever, and at Roku, we continue to commit to elevating this important programming for our customers,” Kelli Raftery, Roku’s vice president of global communications, said. “At a time when it is harder than ever to find what you want to watch, our new Women’s Sports Zone makes it easier for fans to get to the content they love.”

In addition to live and upcoming games, the Women’s Sports Zone will also feature female-focused documentaries, movies, educational programming and other content from other Roku channels. Other content will also be curated in this channel based on users’ viewing habits, favorite teams, and other algorithmic factors. Now, searching for your favorite women’s teams, leagues, and programming will be easier than ever.

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]]> Loading Aliyah Boston Signs With Adidas https://boardroom.tv/headline-to-go/may-10-2023-aliyah-boston-adidas/ Wed, 10 May 2023 13:21:47 +0000 https://boardroom.tv/?post_type=headline-to-go&p=69022 The post Aliyah Boston Signs With Adidas appeared first on Boardroom.

]]> The post Aliyah Boston Signs With Adidas appeared first on Boardroom.

]]> JJ Watt, Kealia Watt Invest in Newly Promoted Premier League Club Burnley FC https://boardroom.tv/jj-watt-kealia-watt-burnley-fc/ Mon, 01 May 2023 17:29:37 +0000 https://boardroom.tv/?p=68380 The future Pro Football Hall of Famer and the NWSL veteran are officially minority stakeholders in the 2022-23 champions of England’s second division. JJ Watt‘s first big post-retirement move is an investment in football

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]]> The future Pro Football Hall of Famer and the NWSL veteran are officially minority stakeholders in the 2022-23 champions of England’s second division.

JJ Watt‘s first big post-retirement move is an investment in football — but perhaps not the kind you were expecting.

The longtime NFL star and future Pro Football Hall of Famer announced his purchase of a stake in English soccer club Burnley FC Monday on his Instagram page, in his words retiring from retirement, needing something to do. Sitting alongside his wife, Kealia, an NWSL veteran with the Chicago Red Stars and Houston Dash and a US international, Watt proclaimed that he’s retiring from retirement to put money into Burnley, which notably earned promotion to the Premier League for 2023-24 by clinching the second-division Football League Championship title last week.

“We don’t have ‘buy an entire European football club’ kind of money,” Watt said in the video, referring to actor and Wrexham AFC owner Ryan Reynolds, “we’re more along the lines of minority investment, but massive emotional investment.”

JJ and Kealia will both help the Clarets grow internationally, and Kealia will focus on the development of Burnley’s women’s team, which played its first-ever game last weekend at the club’s longtime home ground of Turf Moor.

“This is a conversation that has been happening for some time and over the course of this season we’ve been hugely impressed by their passion and interest in both the club and the Burnley community,” Burnley Chairman Alan Pace said in an official statement. “Both JJ and Kealia bring with them an incredible amount of top-level sporting pedigree and success, as well as ideas and connections that will be invaluable in helping us to continue telling the Clarets’ story to an international audience.”

Photo via Burnley FC

Burnley were relegated from the Premier League down to England’s second-tier EFL Championship at the conclusion of the 2021-22 season. This year, they became the first to clinch automatic promotion back to the top flight before securing the league title with a win over Blackburn Rovers on April 25.

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]]> image-1 Conor McGregor Docuseries Is Headed to Netflix https://boardroom.tv/headline-to-go/apr-26-2023-conor-mcgregor-netflix-docuseries/ Wed, 26 Apr 2023 13:09:31 +0000 https://boardroom.tv/?post_type=headline-to-go&p=67888 The post Conor McGregor Docuseries Is Headed to Netflix appeared first on Boardroom.

]]> The post Conor McGregor Docuseries Is Headed to Netflix appeared first on Boardroom.

]]> LVMH’s Bernard Arnault Dethrones Elon Musk at Top of Forbes List of Billionaires https://boardroom.tv/headline-to-go/apr-5-2023-bernard-arnault-forbes-billionaires/ Wed, 05 Apr 2023 13:00:00 +0000 https://boardroom.tv/?post_type=headline-to-go&p=65775 The post LVMH’s Bernard Arnault Dethrones Elon Musk at Top of Forbes List of Billionaires appeared first on Boardroom.

]]> The post LVMH’s Bernard Arnault Dethrones Elon Musk at Top of Forbes List of Billionaires appeared first on Boardroom.

]]> Women’s Soccer Legends Reveal NWSL San Francisco Bay Area Expansion Team for 2024 https://boardroom.tv/nwsl-bay-area-team-announcement-2024/ Tue, 04 Apr 2023 15:42:26 +0000 https://boardroom.tv/?p=65621 USWNT legend Brandi Chastain is among the stars ringing in the news of the NWSL Bay Area club set to become the league's 14th franchise.

The post Women’s Soccer Legends Reveal NWSL San Francisco Bay Area Expansion Team for 2024 appeared first on Boardroom.

]]> USWNT World Cup icon Brandi Chastain is among the stars ringing in the news of the NWSL Bay Area club set to become the league’s 14th franchise next year.

Mere months ahead of the US Women’s National Team embarking on another defense of its World Cup championship, several of its past stars delivered a major announcement that provided a jolt to the establishment that’s sure to emanate for years to come.

The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) confirmed Tuesday that the San Francisco Bay Area will be the home of its latest expansion team set to begin play in the 2024 season, giving the league an even 14 clubs.

“We appreciate each and every one of the thousands of people who have supported us through this process and helped us reach this important day, and to Sixth Street for stepping up to take this club to the next level,” Aly Wagner, the club’s co-founder and Co-chair and a two-time Olympic gold medalist with the USWNT, said in the league’s official news release. “As lifelong residents of the Bay Area, we know how important women’s soccer is to our region and we are going to work hard every day to ensure that this is a club that every player, supporter, and partner will be proud of. We can’t wait to get started.”

As NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman added on the occasion:

“The number of bids and the increase in the league’s expansion fees are indicative of both the demand that exists for women’s soccer in the professional sports landscape and the validated growth trajectory of our league. We said at the start of the expansion process in July 2022 that we would be intentional in seeking out strong markets and ownership groups that not only had the structural integrity for our league to thrive, but also demonstrated a genuine commitment to investing in and creating first-rate organizations on and off the pitch. I am confident that this ownership group and market will help us deliver on the league’s continued transformative growth and success and look forward to watching the Bay Area club kick off in 2024.”

The largest equity stakeholder in the franchise is San Francisco-based investment firm Sixth Street, whose sports investment portfolio also includes Spanish giants FC Barcelona and the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs. Sixth Street joined with Wagner and fellow USWNT standouts Brandi Chastain, Danielle Slaton, and Leslie Osborne — the faces of this NWSL Bay Area effort for the past year — to grow this dream into a reality that becomes official today.

“We want to thank Commissioner Berman and the NWSL Board for their endorsement and their partnership throughout this process,” Sixth Street CEO Alan Waxman, club Governor, Co-chair, co-founder, said in a release. “We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with this legendary group, who are lifelong role models to a generation of women, and we look forward to working with them to build a championship franchise on and off the field. We believe that many years from now we will look back at today as a landmark moment in Bay Area sports history, and a turning point for large-scale investment in women’s sports.”

As it lays more groundwork for its big 2024 debut, the NWSL Bay Area ownership group plans to build a standalone club training facility that will represent another milestone for the premier women’s club soccer league in the US.

The 2023 NWSL regular season kicked off on March 25 and concludes on Oct. 15. The NWSL Championship is scheduled for Nov. 11.

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What Top Club Executives Had to Say

Club co-founder and USWNT World Cup legend Brandi Chastain:

“The Bay Area is where this all began. We are as excited about what this club will achieve on the field of play as we are for what it will represent for generations of women athletes and professionals yet to come. We look forward to the Bay fans embracing our team and celebrating the competitive spirit and talent we will put onto the field to continue the strong Bay tradition of playing to win championships.”

Club co-founder and USWNT/NWSL veteran Leslie Osbourne:

“This is an incredibly validating moment and a great day for lovers of soccer and Bay Area sports fans as a whole. We are so grateful for the community of early investors that made this bid possible, and we know the entire Bay is going to help us make this club one that will set the bar. We can’t wait for this dream to become a reality on the field and see the Bay Area represented as a soccer powerhouse.”

Club co-founder, UWSNT veteran, and MLS analyst Danielle Slaton:

“This is something we’ve been working on for almost three years, and to reach this point and officially be accepted into the NWSL is both a dream come true and a motivator, because now it’s time to start building. We are grateful, eager, and humbled by the chance to play an active role in shaping this league and leading our sport towards a brighter future of lasting growth and change.”

Board member, former NBA executive, and Basketball Hall of Famer Rick Welts:

“This is the perfect intersection of my passion for the importance of women’s sports and my history of building team and league organizations, at a pivotal moment for sports in our society. I’m honored to join an extraordinary group that will bring this vision to life.”       

Board member and advisor Sheryl Sandberg, joining alongside husband Tom Bernthal:

“Tom and I are so excited to join Alan, David Stiepleman, and the entire Sixth Street team alongside a powerhouse group of soccer legends to bring this club to our hometown. Playing sports is such an important part of developing future leadership skills especially for women and girls. We are going to combine world-class resources with a leadership program that will produce great players and great leaders, on and off the pitch.”

More Women’s Soccer:

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]]> Loading Matthew Stafford & Family Buy Into NWSL’s Angel City FC https://boardroom.tv/matthew-stafford-angel-city-fc-nwsl/ Fri, 24 Mar 2023 17:14:22 +0000 https://boardroom.tv/?p=64241 The Super Bowl champion LA Rams quarterback and his family officially join an ownership group already boasting stars like Serena Williams, Natalie Portman, and Abby Wambach. Ahead of the home opener of its sophomore

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]]> The Super Bowl champion LA Rams quarterback and his family officially join an ownership group already boasting stars like Serena Williams, Natalie Portman, and Abby Wambach.

Ahead of the home opener of its sophomore campaign, Angel City FC announced Friday that veteran NFL quarterback Matthew Stafford and his family have joined the club’s investor group. The Los Angeles Rams Super Bowl champion joins a star-studded cohort of fellow owners like Serena Williams and daughter Olympia, actress Gabrielle Union and daughter Kaavia, Natalie Portman, and former USWNT superstars Mia Hamm, Abby Wambach, and Julie Foudy.

“We fell in love with attending an Angel City game last season and wanted our daughters to experience something so important and powerful first-hand,” Matthew and wife Kelly Stafford said on the occasion. “We have such great respect for the athletes on the field who are playing at the highest level and feel lucky to be able to support such an amazing team in a city that we love so much.”

The Staffords are parents to four daughters — perhaps at least one of which could one day suit up for the club’s academy or even the senior team one day — and Angel City made it clear that it’s the whole family that’s joining the ownership group, not just mom and dad.

Apart from having the backing of some of sports and entertainment’s most famous and beloved figures, the club also assembled an arsenal of players ready to challenge the Portland Thorns for the 2023 NWSL Championship. In its inaugural season, Freya Coombe’s side finished only four points outside of the playoffs. Not to mention, with the first pick in this year’s NWSL Draft, they picked up teenage wunderkind Alyssa Thompson. At just 18, Thompson will suit up with the likes of Christen Press and Sydney Leroux, both World Cup champions and Olympic medalists.

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“We are thrilled to have Matthew, Kelly, and their four daughters join the Angel City investor group,” said ACFC co-founder and President Julie Uhrman said, adding to the excitement. “It makes a huge statement that an LA sports icon and Super Bowl champion Rams quarterback and his family believe in what we are building at Angel City. Kelly is a huge champion of women and, from the moment they attended our Mother’s Day match last year, they have been such great supporters of the club. I’m beyond excited to officially have them join our family.”

Angel City FC opens the 2023 NWSL season with a showdown against NJ/NY Gotham FC and captain Ali Krieger — who just announced her retirement this week — on Sunday, March 26.

More Women’s Soccer:

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]]> Loading Ali Krieger’s Last Dance https://boardroom.tv/ali-krieger-retirement-nwsl-gotham-fc-uswnt/ Fri, 24 Mar 2023 16:00:00 +0000 https://boardroom.tv/?p=64180 Hours after announcing she’ll retire from professional soccer this year, Ali Krieger opened up to Boardroom about her final season at the top level, life as a mother, and shaping her next chapter. Ali

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]]> Hours after announcing she’ll retire from professional soccer this year, Ali Krieger opened up to Boardroom about her final season at the top level, life as a mother, and shaping her next chapter.

Ali Krieger is happy.

“Really happy.”

The decorated defender didn’t hesitate when asked how she felt shortly after announcing she will retire at the end of the 2023 NWSL season. Still feeling the adrenaline from revealing the news live on CBS Mornings, the two-time World Cup winner sat down with Boardroom to look back on the path that led her here and the many adventures still in store. It was a rainy Thursday afternoon just outside New York City as Krieger took some time to reflect shortly after a training session with NJ/NY Gotham FC.

“I think by saying it out loud, it really kind of finalizes it but also puts it into perspective,” she said. “I’m just really happy that it’s kind of out in the open. Now, I can just focus on the season ahead with Gotham.”

After stints in the nation’s capital, overseas in Germany, and in Orlando, Gotham Sky Blue, Gotham Black, and Cloud White will be the final colors Krieger dons in her illustrious 17-year pro career.

In December of 2021, the Pride traded Krieger to Gotham FC in exchange for a first-round pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft and other incentives, but the subsequent season wasn’t the one the club’s players and fans alike had hoped for. Gotham netted just 13 points in 22 games, placing them at the bottom of the NWSL table. Fast-forwarding to days before their first match of 2023 against Angel City FC on Sunday, March 26, however, spirits are high and the team is full of new faces on and off the pitch. Juan Carlos Amorós enters his first season as head coach, while key roster additions include USWNT vets Lynn Williams and Kelley O’Hara, the latter making history in late 2022 as the league’s first-ever free agent acquisition.

So, with a squad bolstered by elite talents used to that championship feeling, are the women of Gotham FC still flying under the radar?

“I don’t necessarily think we’re underdogs,” the 38-year-old Krieger said assuredly. “I just feel like we have a different mentality. We have new players and we have a new staff who have really instilled better leadership and they’ve helped set us up for success.”

Krieger says the team didn’t necessarily lack those qualities last year; rather, everyone knows what’s expected of them this time around. Most importantly, they recognize that this is a franchise that wants to uphold New York’s championship history — and Krieger knows a thing or two about hardware. The Virginia native has lifted just about every trophy under the sun during her professional career, including two FIFA World Cups (2015, 2019), a UEFA Champions League (2008), and two She Believes Cup trophies (2016, 2020) among a laundry list of individual honors.

The only thing missing from her crowded trophy cabinet? The NWSL championship. As her final season commences, that’s the major task at hand between now and the season’s final match on Nov. 11, and Krieger couldn’t help but feel confident in her pursuit of one more keepsake — especially as Gotham FC’s next captain as voted by her peers.

“It’s an honor I don’t take lightly and I need to bring my best every single day, both on and off the field,” she said. “I know that in this position, it’s somewhat of a direct reflection of how successful you can be, but I feel like no matter if you’re wearing the armband or not, I would do the same thing anyway. However, I do feel a sense of responsibility to kind of carry everybody with me and make sure that everybody remains an extension of the coaching staff, understands their roles and responsibilities, and how we can keep the team going in one direction and keep everyone bought in on the task at hand.”

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From the Pitch to Playdates

Throughout our conversation, Ali Krieger maintains a megawatt smile, even while discussing the challenges of being a pro athlete. If you can believe it, the smile nonetheless manages to widen as she begins discussing motherhood. She is a mother to two-year-old Sloane and eight-month-old Ocean; Krieger jokes she’s “living in a state of exhaustion,” but is also capable of more patience than she once thought.

As a mother to biracial children, Krieger says she will eventually need to have conversations about race and equality with both. Even more earnestly, the Penn State grad admits they can’t facilitate these discussions alone.

Enter the army of allies surrounding her. Krieger says she makes it a point to introduce Sloane and Ocean to other people of color, including friends, family, and teammates.

“We just want to make sure we create a safe space for our kids to feel seen, to feel valued and appreciated,” she told Boardroom. “I never want to tell my kids what to do. I just want to give them the proper tools to be able to figure it out themselves. I also want to, within that space, make sure there are people who look like them and not necessarily who look like us. But at the core, we want them to understand that we are all human beings and need to appreciate one another no matter what kind of background we come from, no matter what gender or race.”

Playing with her children and watching them grow will be a major perk of retired life, but that also begs a question: Do the kids currently know who their mothers really are?

Well, kind of.

“Sloane’s starting to figure out,” Krieger said. “My mom said when they were watching the game, I think one from last year on TV, she would say, ‘Mommy, mommy.’ Like, when she saw my face. Ash was injured at that time. She kind of like has an idea, especially when she’s able to run onto the field and she sees us in uniform. I don’t think she knows what type of level or anything like that, but she understands that I do play soccer and when she sees a soccer ball in the house, she relates it to that.”

When the Curtain Finally Falls

When those 22 regular season (plus maybe some postseason) matches come and go this year an enduringly influential figure in women’s soccer will take her final bow. As for what’s next professionally, however, Ali Krieger is somewhat undecided. A November championship parade down the streets of New York and New Jersey would be nice. Considering that the defender has lived out of a suitcase for the majority of her adult life, taking time simply to sit down is the next priority.

As she described it, “I do want to take some time to sit and just think about my career and let it sink in. I probably won’t sit still too long — it’s not my personality — but I want to let it sink in a little bit and really reflect on all the good times and moments that have made me into the woman and person I am now. Of course, spending more time with the kids would be great.”

Regardless of how long she manages to stay still, Krieger has earned it, and her off-the-pitch victories are as impressive as what she’s accomplished on it. She has been a staunch advocate for equal pay in soccer for women and men. Her efforts (along with those of countless others) spurred the United States Soccer Federation, the United States Women’s National Team Players Association (USWNTPA), and the United States National Soccer Team Players Association (USNSTPA) to agree to a deal that mandated “equal pay and set the global standard moving forward in international soccer” in May 2022.

Under the deal, US Soccer will become “the first Federation in the world to equalize FIFA World Cup prize money” that squads earn for participating on the sport’s biggest stage. There’s still key progress to be made, however — earlier this month, it was confirmed that the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup will feature $150 million in prize money. That’s a 300% increase over the 2019 tournament, but still only about a third of the $440 million the men received for the 2022 tournament in Qatar.

Krieger acknowledged that big steps still need to be taken to reach true equality, but the progress so far is worth applauding.

“Equality and respect is something I think we have done a good job of getting to this point and it’s at a really good start, but we have to continue to implement that season after season,” she said. “And I think the direction that women’s soccer is going — or women’s sports in general — is very healthy. But it’s also getting that investment and support from others who might not be directly in contact with soccer or play the sport. Having their backing can help us move forward together.”

As a member of the LGBTQ community, Krieger understands her responsibility as a public figure to continue uplifting and strengthening her relationship with supporters who have been in her corner since day one. In the same breath, she praised her older brother, Kyle, who is openly gay, as an admirable example of what living out staunch advocacy for equal rights looks like.

“He’s one of my heroes,” she said. “I mean, he’s been so ingrained in the LGBTQ community for so long and has made such an impact, I want to just continue that work and use my platform to continue helping in any way I can. He’s been such a great force for me, a shoulder to lean on, and his advice has been so incredible over the years on all things from our relationship, to navigating the public eye and how to get involved with different organizations.”

Family indeed remains at the core of Ali Krieger’s philosophy for a life well-lived. And as we closed our conversation, she left Boardroom with a final remark that resonates:

“My father always said, ‘you can only control two things in your life, your work ethic and your attitude towards something.’ That was so important for me to hear in my early 20s before I really started on this journey. I try to apply that every day — not only at home, but also at my job more specifically.”

More Women’s Soccer:

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]]> Ali Krieger: USWNT, NWSL Star Speaks on Her Last Dance %%page%% After announcing she'll retire in 2023, USWNT & Gotham FC defender Ali Krieger spoke with Boardroom about her life, career, and what's next. ali krieger,Exclusive,NJ/NY Gotham FC,NWSL,soccer,USWNT,ali krieger Loading Apple TV+ Will Charge for MLB Programming https://boardroom.tv/headline-to-go/mar-23-2023-apple-tv-mlb-programming/ Thu, 23 Mar 2023 13:08:30 +0000 https://boardroom.tv/?post_type=headline-to-go&p=64062 The post Apple TV+ Will Charge for MLB Programming appeared first on Boardroom.

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]]> Silicon Valley Bank Fails, Marks Biggest Financial Collapse Since 2008 https://boardroom.tv/headline-to-go/mar-11-2023-silicon-valley-bank-collapses/ Sat, 11 Mar 2023 15:09:29 +0000 https://boardroom.tv/?post_type=headline-to-go&p=62728 The post Silicon Valley Bank Fails, Marks Biggest Financial Collapse Since 2008 appeared first on Boardroom.

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]]> EA Sports Reveals NWSL Player Ratings for FIFA 23 https://boardroom.tv/ea-sports-reveals-nwsl-player-ratings-for-fifa-23/ Fri, 10 Mar 2023 19:28:03 +0000 https://boardroom.tv/?p=62639 From Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe to Rose Lavelle and Debinha, find out who’s No. 1 among NWSL players in EA Sports’ FIFA 23. On Friday, EA Sports revealed the FIFA 23 ratings for all 12

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]]> From Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe to Rose Lavelle and Debinha, find out who’s No. 1 among NWSL players in EA Sports’ FIFA 23.

On Friday, EA Sports revealed the FIFA 23 ratings for all 12 National Women’s Soccer League teams, each of whom will be active on all the game’s platforms beginning March 15. At long last, soccer fans will get a first look at NWSL players and how they rank amongst the world’s best in the global smash hit simulation.

It’s the first time women’s club football will be featured in the FIFA franchise, with the additions of the Barclays WSL (England), D1 Arkema (France), and the UEFA Women’s Champions League arriving alongside the NWSL. All will be playable via FIFA’s game modes including Kick Off, Online Seasons, Co-Op Seasons, Online Friendlies, and Tournament.

Earlier this week, the NWSL, the NWSLPA, and EA Sports announced partnerships as part of the company’s commitment to elevate and represent the women’s game. The 2023 NWSL season kicks off on Saturday, March 25 with all 12 teams in action during opening weekend.

Now, onto the fun part — take a look at the top 10 players in the inaugural FIFA 23 NWSL ratings.

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EA Sports FIFA 23 NWSL Ratings

Ratings updated as of March 10. Players debut in FIFA 23 on March 15.

1. ST Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave FC)

  • Overall: 90
  • Pace: 89
  • Shooting: 91
  • Passing: 80
  • Dribbling: 88
  • Defense: 47
  • Physical: 77

2. CAM Debinha (Kansas City Current)

  • Overall: 88
  • Pace: 89
  • Shooting: 81
  • Passing: 87
  • Dribbling: 91
  • Defense: 46
  • Physical: 68

3. CAM Rose Lavelle (OL Reign)

  • Overall: 87
  • Pace: 88
  • Shooting: 78
  • Passing: 84
  • Dribbling: 87
  • Defense: 45
  • Physical: 64

4. ST Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns FC)

  • Overall: 87
  • Pace: 95
  • Shooting: 84
  • Passing: 78
  • Dribbling: 88
  • Defense: 46
  • Physical: 81

5. LW Mallory Swanson (Chicago Red Stars)

  • Overall: 87
  • Pace: 93
  • Shooting: 84
  • Passing: 83
  • Dribbling: 86
  • Defense: 42
  • Physical: 71

6. ST Christen Press (Angel City FC)

  • Overall: 86
  • Pace: 92
  • Shooting: 87
  • Passing: 80
  • Dribbling: 85
  • Defense: 46
  • Physical: 74

7. LW Megan Rapinoe (OL Reign)

  • Overall: 86
  • Pace: 79
  • Shooting: 86
  • Passing: 85
  • Dribbling: 87
  • Defense: 46
  • Physical: 73

8. CB Becky Sauerbrunn (Portland Thorns FC)

  • Overall: 86
  • Pace: 68
  • Shooting: 44
  • Passing: 61
  • Dribbling: 69
  • Defense: 89
  • Physical: 84

9. GK Kailen Sheridan (San Diego Wave FC)

  • Overall: 85
  • Pace: 86
  • Shooting: 82
  • Passing: 81
  • Dribbling: 86
  • Defense: 22
  • Physical: 85

10. GK Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars)

  • Overall: 85
  • Pace: 87
  • Shooting: 81
  • Passing: 83
  • Dribbling: 84
  • Defense: 32
  • Physical: 87

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The post EA Sports Reveals NWSL Player Ratings for FIFA 23 appeared first on Boardroom.

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