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☆ How NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman led the league out of crisis to revive women's soccer
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-11 | by ( Jessica Golden | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Jessica Berman, commissioner of the National Women’s Soccer League, speaks during a panel on women's professional soccer at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas on Feb. 10, 2024. In 2019, Berman became the first female deputy commissioner of a men's professional sports league, joining the National Lacrosse League. Taking the fieldBerman took the helm at the women's soccer league after allegations were made of emotional abuse and sexual misconduct across several teams. She also brought the first-ever million-dollar prize pool to U.S. women's soccer. She's also lured big-name investors, selling them on her new vision for professional women's soccer.

Persons: Jessica Berman, Omar Vega, Berman, Gary Bettman, Sally Yates, Yates, She's, lister Natalie Portman, Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka, Patrick Mahomes, Eli Manning, Kevin Durant, Carli Lloyd, Sofia Huerta, Delanie Sheehan, Ben Nichols, Sportico Organizations: National Women’s Soccer League, Hilton Anatole, Getty, New, National Women's Soccer League, CNBC, National Hockey League, NHL, National Lacrosse League, U.S, Chicago Red Stars, Portland Thorns, Hollywood, Seattle, NY Gotham FC, Women's Soccer League, Snapdragon, Amazon, Angel City FC Locations: Dallas, New York City, NJ, San Diego, Angeles

☆ Rapinoe suffers 'devastating' early exit with injury in final match
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-12 | by ( Amy Tennery | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Nov 11, 2023; San Diego, California, USA; OL Reign forward Megan Rapinoe (15) lays on the pitch following an injury in the opening minutes against New Jersey/New York Gotham FC at Snapdragon Stadium. The showdown between OL Reign and Gotham FC was highly anticipated as an emotional farewell for the 2019 Ballon d'Or winner and her former U.S. women's national team mate Ali Krieger. Krieger, a defender for the opposing Gotham FC, ran to her friend and offered Rapinoe an embrace as she exited the pitch. The 38-year-old Olympic gold medalist was sidelined this year with a calf injury but her quick exit from her final professional match nonetheless left fans and fellow U.S. women's national team veterans stunned. Rapinoe, who along with her national team mates suffered a shock early exit from the Women's World Cup this year, said she had an overall sense of "peace" despite the injury that marred her final game.

Persons: Megan Rapinoe, Amber Searls, Ali Krieger, Rapinoe, Krieger, Gotham, Mia Hamm, Amy Tennery, Robert Birsel Organizations: New, New York Gotham FC, Snapdragon, Gotham FC, women's, Thomson Locations: San Diego , California, USA, New Jersey, New York, U.S

☆ Gotham defeat Reign for first NWSL title, Rapinoe exits early
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-12 | by ( Amy Tennery | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/5] Nov 11, 2023; San Diego, California, USA; New Jersey/New York Gotham FC forward Esther Gonzalez (9) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against OL Reign in the first half in the NWSL Championship at Snapdragon Stadium. Gotham were denied twice in the 38th minute as Purce hit the left post and midfielder Delanie Sheehan hit the crossbar in rapid succession. Reign had the chance to take the lead as Lavelle tried a through ball but striker Jordyn Huitema was caught offside five minutes later. Reign were awarded a free kick and Gotham midfielder Nealy Martin was forced to put on the goalkeeper’s jersey, with her team out of substitutions. Martin's team mates leapt into the air to block Lavelle's kick and Gotham erupted in celebration as Reign's frantic final efforts went unrewarded.

Persons: Esther Gonzalez, Ray Acevedo, Gotham FC's, Megan Rapinoe's, Lynn Williams, Rapinoe's, Rose Lavelle, Rapinoe, Ali Krieger, Midge Purce, Williams, Claudia Dickey, Lavelle, Bethany Balcer, Mandy Haught, Gotham, Delanie Sheehan, Jordyn Huitema, Gonzalez, Haught, Nealy Martin, Amy Tennery, Robert Birsel Organizations: New York Gotham FC, OL, Snapdragon, USA, Gotham, Women's Soccer League, Seattle, Spain, Thomson Locations: San Diego , California, USA, New Jersey, New York, Spanish, Gotham, Seattle, San Diego, U.S, Purce

☆ NWSL to launch expansion process for 16th team
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Nov 10 (Reuters) - The NWSL will begin the process of expanding to a 16th team, Commissioner Jessica Berman said on Friday, as the top-flight North American league looks to build with a landmark new broadcast deal in place. The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) previously announced it will welcome a 13th and 14th club next year, the San Jose-based Bay FC and the Utah Royals, and a Boston-based team is expected to join beginning in 2026. The league welcomed two other teams, Los Angeles' Angel City FC and San Diego Wave FC, in 2022. Berman said that viewership on the CBS network was up 41% year-over-year this season while streaming on Paramount+ climbed 83%. The NWSL season wraps up on Saturday with a championship match between the Seattle-based OL Reign and NJ/NY Gotham FC at San Diego's Snapdragon Stadium.

Persons: Jessica Berman, Berman, Amy Tennery, Christian Schmollinger Organizations: Women's Soccer League, FC, Utah Royals, Angel City FC, San Diego Wave FC, ESPN, CBS, Prime Sports, Scripps, ION, Paramount, NY Gotham FC, Thomson Locations: San Jose, Boston, Los Angeles, U.S, Seattle, NJ, San, New York

Gotham was able to run out the clock and marked its first NWSL title with a wild celebration near midfield. The non-contact injury to Reign star Rapinoe took some of the wind out of the crowd at San Diego State's Snapdragon Stadium. Rapinoe broke toward Maitane Lopez of Gotham, who was dribbling outside the penalty area, and suddenly went down in the third minute. Rapinoe announced before this summer’s Women’s World Cup that she was stepping away from the game after a career that included two World Cup titles, an Olympic gold medal and an Olympic bronze. The field at Snapdragon appeared in better shape than it was on Sunday night, when the Reign beat the San Diego Wave to advance, some 24 hours after a home San Diego State football game.

Persons: Esther González, Megan Rapinoe hobbled, Mandy Haught, Nealy Martin, Rose Lavelle, Rapinoe, San Diego State's, Gotham's Ali Krieger, Maitane Lopez, Gotham, Krieger, González, Midge Purce, Claudia Dickey, Purce, Lynn Williams, Lavelle dribbled, ___ Organizations: DIEGO, Gotham FC, Women's Soccer League, Gotham, San Diego, Women’s, San Diego Wave, San Diego State football, Spain Locations: Gotham, San, Rapinoe, Snapdragon

☆ Megan Rapinoe and Ali Krieger take to the pitch for the last time in NWSL Final
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-11 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Friends and teammates for much of their illustrious careers, US Women’s National Team legends Megan Rapinoe and Ali Krieger will take to the pitch one last time on Saturday as foes. Rapinoe’s OL Reign takes on Krieger’s Gotham FC in Saturday’s NWSL Final, which provides a fitting stage for the grand finale of two women’s soccer greats. Ahead of the game, in the final pre-match press conference of her career, an emotional Rapinoe couldn’t hold back the tears. Krieger’s farewellPerhaps it was written in the stars that both Rapinoe and Krieger would enjoy their last dance on the pitch together in the NWSL Championship game. On Monday, after both teams had booked their places in the final, Krieger revealed on Instagram a two-month-old text exchange she had with Rapinoe.

Persons: Megan Rapinoe, Ali Krieger, Rapinoe’s, “ I’ve, ”, I’ve, Rapinoe, “, ” Rapinoe, Krieger, Stephen Brashear, Jessica Berman Organizations: CNN, National, Gotham FC, USA, Amazon Prime, ION, CBS, Paramount Plus, ESPN, Sports, Reuters, Champions League, Frankfurt Locations: Saturday’s, rondos, California

☆ Rapinoe meets high stakes with a smile ahead of NWSL championship
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Amy Tennery | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

But Saturday's showdown between Gotham FC and her OL Reign gives Rapinoe one last chance to claim the National Women's Soccer League championship after years of thwarted attempts, with the team she has been a part of since its inception. "It's really unique that you get to a championship game ever in your career. Rapinoe's Seattle farewell match last month averaged 683,000 viewers on CBS, an NWSL regular-season record. It was, you know, so much fun to watch and be a part of," said Rapinoe. Reporting by Amy Tennery in New York Editing by Christian RadnedgeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Megan Rapinoe, Ali Krieger, Lu Barnes, they've, Rapinoe's, Amy Tennery, Christian Radnedge Organizations: United States, Gotham FC, National Women's Soccer League, New, Rapinoe, ESPN, CBS, Prime Sports, Scripps, ION, Thomson Locations: New York, New, Rapinoe's Seattle

The National Women's Soccer League is looking to add a 16th team, Commissioner Jessica Berman announced Friday. Gotham FC plays OL Reign for the league title on Saturday night. Political Cartoons View All 1240 ImagesBerman said ticket sales to NWSL games grew 36% this season and average attendance at games was up 26 percent. Last month, OL Reign attracted a record NWSL crowd of 34,130 to Lumen Field in Seattle for Megan Rapinoe's farewell match. The sale of both OL Reign and the Portland Thorns is progressing, with deals expected to be announced by the end of this year, Berman said.

Persons: Jessica Berman, “, ” Berman, Berman, Lumen, Megan Rapinoe's, we've, ___ Organizations: Women's Soccer League, Utah Royals, Bay FC, Gotham FC, ESPN, CBS Sports, Amazon Prime, Scripps Sports, San Diego Wave, CBS, Portland Locations: Northern California, Boston, U.S, Seattle

The National Women's Soccer League on Thursday announced a new media rights deal that will feature the league's matches on ESPN, CBS Sports, Amazon Prime Video and Scripps Sports. “We’re resetting the standards by which women’s sports can be valued.”The league's current deal with CBS Sports ends at the end of this season. Political Cartoons View All 1239 ImagesStarting next season, a Friday night game on Prime Video will kick off each weekend. The remaining regular season games will be part of a domestic direct-to-consumer package produced and distributed by the NWSL, the league said. In the playoffs, Prime Video and a CBS platform will each broadcast a quarterfinal each, while ESPN/ABC airs the other two.

Persons: ”, Jessica Berman, “ We're, ” Sean McManus, Berman, Megan Rapinoe's, Lumen, Rapinoe, Ali Krieger, ___ Organizations: Women's Soccer League, ESPN, CBS Sports, Amazon Prime, Scripps Sports, Gotham FC, CBS, Scripps, ION, Paramount, CBS Sports Network, ABC, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, Endeavor, NHL, NFL, Utah Royals, Bay FC, U.S . Locations: San Diego, Seattle, Gotham

☆ NWSL announces media deals with CBS Sports, ESPN, Amazon worth $240 million
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Laya Neelakandan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The National Women's Soccer League announced a four-year contract Thursday for media distribution with CBS Sports, ESPN, Amazon Prime Video and Scripps Sports . The NWSL will begin each regular-season weekend with Friday night matches on Prime Video, followed by double-header Saturday night games on Scripps'-owned ION network. The league will also air a package of regular-season matches on CBS and stream live on Paramount+. Additionally, ESPN will air a package of matches across its various channels, including live streaming on ESPN+ in English and Spanish. CBS will air a minimum of 21 games, ESPN and ABC will air 20 games, Prime Video will air 27 games and Scripps will air 50, according to the league.

Persons: Carli Lloyd of, Sydney Leroux, Orlando, Jessica Berman, —, Jessica Golden Organizations: Carli Lloyd of NJ, NY Gotham FC, Match, Sydney, Orlando Pride, Red Bull Arena, Women's Soccer League, CBS Sports, ESPN, Amazon Prime, Scripps Sports, Prime, Scripps, ION, CBS, Paramount, CNBC, ABC

☆ Rapinoe adds final stop on farewell tour with NWSL Championship
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Nov 5, 2023; San Diego, California, USA; OL Reign forward Megan Rapinoe (15) controls the ball against San Diego Wave FC forward Rachel Hill (3) and defender Christen Westphal (20) in the first half during the National Womens Soccer League Semifinal between San Diego Wave and OL Reign at Snapdragon Stadium. Mandatory Credit:... Acquire Licensing Rights Read moreNEW YORK, Nov 6 (Reuters) - Two-times Women's World Cup winner Megan Rapinoe has added one final stop on her farewell tour, with her OL Reign side beating the top-ranked San Diego Wave to reach the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) Championship on Saturday. "The fairytale is Pinoe and Kriegs, it's a great story," OL Reign coach Laura Harvey told reporters. OL Reign will play Gotham FC on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET (+1day 0100 GMT) at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego.

Persons: Megan Rapinoe, Rachel Hill, Christen Westphal, Ballon, Ali Krieger, Rose Lavelle, Veronica Latsko's, Krieger, Pinoe's, it's, Laura Harvey, Amy Tennery, Christian Radnedge Organizations: San Diego Wave FC, National Womens Soccer, Semifinal, San Diego Wave, Diego Wave, Women's Soccer League, New Zealand, Gotham FC, San, Gotham, Portland Thorns, Saturday, Thomson Locations: San Diego , California, USA, United States, Australia, New, Reign's, San Diego, Seattle, York, New Jersey, New York

☆ Sam Kerr: the superstar carrying Australia’s hopes on her shoulders
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-30 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

CNN —Even as a 15-year-old, Sam Kerr had the weight of a nation on her shoulders. Fast forward to 2023 and Kerr is one of best players in the game and a global star. Kerr has had to wait longer than expected for the honor at this tournament having been forced to miss Australia’s opening two games because of injury. But a surprise defeat to Nigeria in the Matildas’ second group game have left their hopes hanging by a thread. Kerr takes a selfie as she celebrates with her Chelsea teammates after winning the Women's FA Cup in 2022.

Persons: Sam Kerr, Kerr, Alyssa Mautz, ”, Tony Gustavsson, Don Arnold, Tony, it’s, I’m, ’ Kerr, Daniel, Bobby Despotovski, “, ” Despotovski, Nicola Williams, ” Williams, Williams, Mautz, ” Mautz, she’s freakin, ” Kerr, Ryan Pierse, Western New York Flash, Rich Barnes, Vanessa DiBernado, Vanessa, ‘, ’ ”, …, swag, Michael Regan, –, Eddie Keogh, she’s, She’s, soccer’s Organizations: CNN, Australia, Perth Glory, Chicago Red Stars, National Women’s Soccer League, FIFA, reining Olympic, Canada, coy, Sydney Opera House, Getty, Reuters, West Coast Eagles, Australian Football League, Glory, AFL, CNN Sport, Western New York, Sky Blue FC –, NY Gotham FC, Western New York Flash, Perth, Sky Blue, Chelsea, Super League, Red, League, – Chelsea, EA Sports Locations: Canberra, Italy, Australia, Brisbane, New Zealand, South Korea, Nigeria, Western Australia, Chelsea, NJ, Rochester , New York, Perth, Illinois, –, Chicago, London

☆ Veterans Rapinoe, Morgan named in U.S. World Cup squad
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | by ( Amy Tennery | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Jun 10, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; OL Reign forward Megan Rapinoe (15) is seen before the game against the Kansas City Current at Lumen Field. Five players, Rapinoe, Morgan, midfielder Julie Ertz, defender Kelley O’Hara and goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher were part of the victorious U.S. World Cup squads in 2015 and 2019. The top-ranked Americans are fielding one of their least experienced squads in recent memory, with 14 of the 23 players going to their first World Cup, compared to 11 in 2019 and seven in 2015. Sam's sister and fellow midfielder, Kristie Mewis, was included in the roster for her first World Cup at age 32. Her Gotham FC team mate, Lynn Williams, also made the cut for the global showpiece tournament for the first time at age 30.

Persons: Megan Rapinoe, Michael Thomas Shroyer, Alex Morgan, Vlatko Andonovski, Alyssa Thompson, Naomi Girma, Savannah DeMelo, Andonovski, Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman, Morgan, Julie Ertz, Kelley O’Hara, Alyssa Naeher, Mallory Swanson, Becky Sauerbrunn, Catarina Macario, Sam Mewis, Kristie Mewis, Lynn Williams, Aubrey Kingsbury, Casey Murphy, Alana Cook, Crystal Dunn, Emily Fox, Sofia Huerta, Kelley O'Hara, Emily Sonnett, Lindsey Horan, Rose Lavelle, Kristie, Ashley Sanchez, Andi Sullivan, Amy Tennery, Ed Osmond Organizations: Kansas, Lumen, YORK, Savannah, Women's Soccer League, U.S, Gotham FC, Washington, North, Courage, Chicago Red Stars, Portland Thorns FC, Diego Wave FC, NY Gotham FC, Racing Louisville FC, FC, Olympique Lyonnais, San Diego Wave FC, Angel, Thomson Locations: Seattle , Washington, USA, States, Australia, New Zealand, NJ, Angel, New York

☆ MLB, WNBA and NWSL games postponed due to poor air quality in U.S.
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] Jun 7, 2023; Bronx, New York, USA; Members of the Yankee Stadium grounds crew wait for word on the status of a game against the Chicago White Sox before the game was ultimately rescheduled due to poor air quality. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY SportsNEW YORK, June 7 (Reuters) - Poor air quality conditions forced the cancellation of Major League Baseball (MLB), National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) games on Wednesday, as smoke from Canadian wildfires drifted south. MLB postponed games in Philadelphia between the Detroit Tigers and the Phillies and in New York between the Chicago White Sox at the Yankees. "These postponements were determined following conversations throughout the day with medical and weather experts and all of the impacted Clubs regarding clearly hazardous air quality conditions in both cities," MLB said in a statement. A WNBA game in Brooklyn between the Minnesota Lynx and the New York Liberty, which was set to tip off at 7 p.m.

Persons: Brad Penner, Amy Tennery, Toby Davis Organizations: Yankee, Chicago White Sox, YORK, Major League Baseball, Women's Soccer League, National Basketball Association, U.S ., MLB, Detroit Tigers, Phillies, Yankees, Washington Nationals, Arizona Diamondbacks, Gotham FC, Orlando Pride, Aviation Administration, Newark Liberty International, WNBA, Minnesota Lynx, New York Liberty, Thomson Locations: Bronx , New York, USA, U.S, U.S . East Coast, Ohio, Kansas, Philadelphia, New York, Harrison , New Jersey, Brooklyn

☆ Williams, Mewis hoping to play their way into US World Cup squad
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-20 | by ( Amy Tennery | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Apr 19, 2023; Harrison, New Jersey, USA; -New Jersey/New York Gotham FC forward Lynn Williams (10) celebrates her goal against the Washington Spirit during the second half at Red Bull Arena. "But he’s watching all the time - World Cup or not. "Being the best Lynn Williams I can possibly be will hopefully help me get on that team." The defending World Cup champions wrapped up their April camp with wins over Ireland in a pair of friendlies, with Mewis getting minutes off the bench while Williams did not feature. "What’s most important for me is to just try to be consistent and try to play the way I know how to play.

☆ A lot of money is on the line for women's pro soccer in the U.S.
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-21 | by ( Jessica Golden | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

Restore faith in women's soccer and grow the business. The league averaged 37 sponsorship deals per team, which is more than any other women's sport, according to sports data and intelligence platform Sponsor United. Women's pro soccer valuations are also soaring. NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman speaks during the 2023 NWSL Draft at the Pennsylvania Convention Center on January 12, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Culture changeOL Reign forward Megan Rapinoe (15) scores on a penalty kick during the second half of the National Womens Soccer League game between NJ/NY Gotham FC and OL Reign on September 21, 2022 at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey.

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