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☆ CEO makes largest-ever donation to ‘undervalued’ U.S. Soccer women and girls programs
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-20 | by ( Kimmy Yam | Kimmy Yam Is A Reporter For Nbc Asian America. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

Businesswoman and philanthropist Michele Kang just made a historic donation to women’s soccer. Kang, owner of the professional soccer team Washington Spirit, has pledged $30 million to the girls and women’s programs of U.S. Soccer, the organization announced on Tuesday. It’s the largest donation ever made to the soccer body by a woman, as well as to girls and women’s soccer. “Michele Kang’s gift will transform soccer for women and girls in the United States,” said Cindy Parlow Cone, president of the U.S. Soccer. She also owns Olympique Lyonnais, a women soccer team that plays in France, and London City Lionesses, in England.

Persons: Michele Kang, Kang, ” Kang, “ Michele Kang’s, ”, Cindy Parlow Cone, “, Alex Morgan, ’ Organizations: Washington, U.S, Soccer, U.S . Soccer, U.S . National Women’s Soccer League, Olympique Lyonnais, London City Lionesses, CNBC Locations: United States, France, England, U.S

☆ Utah Hockey Club is beefing up Salt Lake City's roster as a sports hub
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-20 | by ( Lillian Rizzo | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Salt Lake City checked all the boxes for a new professional sports team — particularly in the National Hockey League. Salt Lake City kicked off its first season in the NHL this year after the Utah Hockey Club relocated from Phoenix. The early excitement of the fanbase, marked by sellout crowds and high merchandise sales, is solidifying Salt Lake City as a sports market. So far, every one of the 11,131 unobstructed view seats at Delta Center has been sold out, according to the Utah Hockey Club. The Utah Hockey Club generated the highest retail sales on its opening night of any hockey team this season, including the Florida Panthers, the 2023-24 Stanley Cup champions, according to the Utah Hockey Club.

Persons: Ryan Smith —, Ryan, Ashley Smith, Smith, Gary Bettman, —, Chad Hutchinson, Hutchinson Organizations: National Hockey League, Salt Lake City, NHL, Utah Hockey Club, National Basketball, Utah Jazz, Major League Soccer's, National, Soccer League's Utah Royals, Smith Entertainment Group, Arctos Partners, Delta Center, Delta, NBA, Florida Panthers, Utah Hockey Club's, Vegas Golden Knights Locations: Salt Lake City, U.S, —, Salt Lake, Phoenix, Salt, Utah

Soccer players Kristie Mewis and Samantha Kerr announced Monday that they’re expecting their first child. Mewis played for the U.S. women’s national soccer team as a midfielder more than 50 times and now plays for West Ham United FC. Kerr is a forward for the Australia women’s national soccer team and for Chelsea FC. The official Instagram account of the FIFA Women’s World Cup predicted Baby Mewis-Kerr would inherit athletic prowess, writing: “Baby baller incoming. Professional soccer team West Ham United shared the “heart-warming” news on its website.

Persons: Kristie Mewis, Samantha Kerr, they’re, “ Mewis, Kerr, Mewis, Mewes, nag, Ali Krieger, Mallory Pugh Swanson, Kelley O’Hara, Sam, “, ” Krieger, Foreign Affairs Penny Wong, Kristie, ” Organizations: Kristie, U.S, team, West Ham United FC, Australia women’s, soccer team, Chelsea FC, Women’s Soccer League, People, Women’s, FIFA, Foreign Affairs, West Ham United, Reuters Locations: London

Below, we've compiled everything you need to know about how to watch the NWSL Playoffs, starting with this weekend's quarterfinals. How to watch NWSL Playoffs in the USThe NWSL Playoffs will air across multiple streaming services and networks. Prime Video subscriptions start at $9/month, but you can also access Prime Video with a standard Amazon Prime subscription. Cord-cutters can live stream ABC through a live TV streaming service like DirecTV Stream or Fubo. Check price at ExpressVPNHow to watch NWSL Playoffs with a VPNSign up for a VPN if you don't have one.

Persons: We'll, Orlando Pride, ExpressVPN Organizations: Business, National Women's Soccer League, NJ, NY Gotham FC, Portland Thorns, Chicago Red Stars, Orlando Pride, Orlando Pride , North Carolina Courage, . Kansas City, Bay FC, Washington, Video, CBS, ABC, Orlando, Amazon, Amazon Prime, Carolina Courage, Paramount Plus, Paramount, Showtime, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, BET, MTV, DirecTV, DirecTV Stream Locations: Orlando Pride ,, Bay, NJ

☆ How this blind soccer league is changing lives in the world’s newest country: ‘A disability is not inability’
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-29 | by ( Samuel Joseph | Sam Joseph | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Jimmy Just Augustin, who captains the competition’s Kator Blind Football Club, had never even heard of blind soccer before he was introduced to it. He told CNN about what it means to him to set an example for other people with disabilities in South Sudan. The International Blind Sports Association (IBSA) made blind soccer one of its official sports in 1996 and it has been a men’s Paralympic event since 2004. Finding the lightAfter decades of civil war, South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011 following a referendum, making it the world’s newest widely-recognized state. Success at this tournament could potentially give the country a route into the World Blind Football Championships.

Persons: Jimmy Just Augustin, Augustin, “ Messi ” –, –, “, …, ”, “ I’ve, I’ve, Natalie Plhak, Simon Madol, Madol, it’s Organizations: CNN, NBA, Bright Stars, South Sudan’s Blind Premier League, Light, “, Blind Football Club, CNN Sport, University of Juba, Soccer, Blind Sports Association, Argentina, United Nations, UN, Refugee Agency, Displaced, Blind Premier League, Blind Football African Locations: Sudan, South, South Sudan, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Uganda, Juba, “, Spanish, France, Paris, Brazil, Colombia, Africa, Somalia

The National Women's Soccer League unveiled the name of its 15th team Tuesday, dubbing the Boston squad BOS Nation Football Club. Boston Unity Soccer Partners is an "all-female core ownership group," led by founder of Juno Equity and minority owner of the Boston Celtics Jennifer Epstein. “It’s so important for kids to see themselves in their role models and I’m grateful to have the opportunity to support the growth of women’s soccer and sports in my hometown." BOS Nation will host home games in White Stadium, the second venue anchored by a women's professional sports team in the world, according to the team's statement. "BOS Nation FC is committed to pushing boundaries both on and off the field, signaling the enthusiasm for women’s soccer in Boston."

Persons: Boston Celtics Jennifer Epstein, Stephanie Connaughton, Ami Danoff, Anna Palmer, ” Epstein, Tom Brady, Epstein, Aly Raisman, Elizabeth Banks, Banks, “, ” Raisman, BOS Organizations: Women's Soccer League, Boston, BOS Nation Football Club, Boston University Soccer Partners, Boston Unity Soccer Partners, Juno Equity, Boston Celtics, Patriots, Celtics, Bruins, Red Sox & Patriots, Nation FC Locations: BOS, Boston, Massachusetts, White, North America

☆ CNBC Sport: Shams Charania on joining ESPN and life after Woj
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-10 | by ( Alex Sherman | In Alex-Sherman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +21 min

Charania begins his ESPN TV work today. "It's definitely going to be a lot of TV," Charania said. They worked together at Yahoo Sports before becoming rivals, only for Charania to eventually take over for Wojnarowski at ESPN. Charania begins his ESPN TV work today. "It's definitely going to be a lot of TV," Charania said.

Persons: Alex Sherman, Shams, Adrian Wojnarowski, Charania, FanDuel, Jimmy Pitaro, It's, Pat McAfee, Wojnarowski, I'm, Jim Rome, I've, he's, that's, He'll, I'd, Adam Silver, Bob Kraft, Jessica Berman, CNBC's Jessica Golden, Craig Kilborn, Colin Neville, Jim Ratcliffe, Joe Tsai, Colin, Neville, dealmaking, We've, CNBC's Contessa Brewer, Jim Allen, Adam Greenblatt, isn't, Tiger Woods, Tigeraire, Woods, CNBC's Lillian Rizzo, Rudy, Rudy Ruettiger, Kevin Mayer, Tom Staggs, Read, Yahoo's Ross Dellenger, we've, Woody Johnson, Woody Johnson —, Johnson, Robert Saleh, Derek Jeter, Shams Charania, Raine Organizations: CNBC, ESPN, FanDuel TV, The, ESPN TV, Worldwide, Sports, NBA, Yahoo Sports, Wojnarowski, Yahoo, I'm, NFL, Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Chargers, Dolphins, New England Patriots, National Women's Soccer League, Chelsea Football Club, Manchester United, Brooklyn Nets, Premier Lacrosse League, Youth, NCAA, UFC, CNBC Sport, Rock, Seminole Gaming, U.S . Patent, Sun, QVC, Notre Dame, Disney, Candle Media, SEC, Big Ten, ACC, Jets, Apple, Hollywood, Diamond Sports Group, Bally Sports, Wildcats, College Football, Sinclair, Raine Group Locations: Raine, DraftKings, U.S, Las Vegas, Florida, Tigeraire, Northwestern

☆ Robert Kraft, professional sports leagues join forces with campaign against antisemitism
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-10 | by ( Jessica Golden | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Robert Kraft, Founder of the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism (FCAS), Lights the Empire State Building to Stand Up to Jewish Hate and All Hate on October 7, 2024 in New York City. The biggest names in sports are joining forces in a new campaign to combat antisemitism. The Foundation to Combat Antisemitism, founded by Kraft, says 10% of U.S. adult males are blatantly prejudiced against Jewish people and tend to be outspoken about it. Kraft founded the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism in 2019 to help address the rising hate against Jews in the United States. In June, he announced a $1 million donation to Yeshiva University to cover tuition for Jewish students who wish to transfer.

Persons: Robert Kraft, Billie Jean King, Shaquille O'Neal, Jim Harbaugh, Doc Rivers, Joe Torre, Ryan Blaney, Candace Parker, Kraft Organizations: Foundation, Combat, New England Patriots, Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, National Basketball Association, National Football League, National Women's Soccer League, NASCAR, Defamation League, The Foundation, Kraft, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Columbia University, Yeshiva University Locations: New York City, U.S, Israel, United States, mater

☆ Teaming up against antisemitism: Sports icons unite against hate
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-10 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailTeaming up against antisemitism: Sports icons unite against hateRobert Kraft, New England Patriots owner and Kraft Group CEO, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and National Women’s Soccer League Commissioner Jessica Berman join 'Squawk Box' to discuss the new ad campaign by Robert Kraft's Foundation to Combat Antisemitism, unifying athletes across major sports leagues in the fight against antisemitism and hate.

Persons: Robert Kraft, Adam Silver, Jessica Berman, Robert Kraft's Organizations: Robert Kraft , New England Patriots, Kraft Group, Women’s Soccer League, Robert Kraft's Foundation, Combat Locations: Robert Kraft ,

☆ CNBC Sport: A responsible look at women's sports exuberance
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-03 | by ( Alex Sherman | In Alex-Sherman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +28 min

Media landscape shifts Most of the value in professional sports is propelled by media rights deals, and we're in an unusual sweet spot right now for sports. Still, gaining access to 11 teams' media rights is probably in the league's long-run best interest. You have the WNBA rights term worth $2.2 billion over 11 years with league expansion going from 12 to 15 teams. Media landscape shifts Most of the value in professional sports is propelled by media rights deals, and we're in an unusual sweet spot right now for sports. Still, gaining access to 11 teams' media rights is probably in the league's long-run best interest.

Persons: Alex Sherman, Jeff Zucker, Patrick Whitesell, Zucker, Scripps –, it's, Alex Michael, he's, Michael, they're, There's, Caitlin Clark, Michael said, weathers, AEW, I'm, Tony Khan —, he'd, Khan, US Networks Kathleen Finch, Max, hasn't, Finch, Rob Manfred, doesn't, CNBC's Lillian Rizzo, Craig Kilborn, Barrett, Jackson, Caitlin Clark's, You've, Soccer League's Nielsen, Tom Brady, Father, Brady, Jess Golden, Michael Jordan, Libs, Jim France, OneFootball, Lionel Messi, Jessica Pegula, CNBC's, Venu, Fubo, Venu …, Nike, Matthew Friend, John Donahoe, Elliott Hill, Sabrina Ionescu –, Jane Hali, Jessica Ramirez, AE1, Gabrielle Fonrouge, Ariel Atkins, DiDi Richards, Craig Hudson Organizations: CNBC, Endeavor, WNBA, NCAA, National Women's Soccer League, Amazon, CBS, ESPN, Scripps, NBA, Fox, NBC, Apple, Google, MLS, Clark, Warner Bros ., TNT, TBS, Warner Bros, Discovery, US Networks, Diamond Sports Group, U.S, Bankruptcy, Southern, Southern District of, Major League Baseball, Atlanta Braves, MLB, Holdings, UFC, WWE, WME Sports, ATP, Miami, NCAA Women's, Soccer, Angel City FC, NFL, Premier League, Netflix, Tech, CNBC Sport, Father Time, NASCAR, Motorsports, Major League Soccer, American, NHL, Buffalo Sabres, Bills, Disney, International Center for Law & Economics, Nike, New York Liberty, Air Force, Air Jordan, League Men's NCAA, Gonzaga, Pac, West Coast Conference, FloSports, Sports, Indiana Fever, Washington Mystics, Capital, Washington , D.C, Washington Post Locations: York City, Southern District, Southern District of Texas, OpenBet, U.S, Kobe, Washington ,

☆ Athlos: Lucrative prizes won by world’s top athletes at inaugural women-only event
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-27 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Some of the world’s best track and field athletes competed for lucrative prizes on Thursday, as the inaugural women-only Athlos event got underway in New York. The prize money is twice what athletes currently win at the Diamond League finale, according to Reuters. And I said, ‘Great, I’m going to double it for one single race,’” Ohanian previously told Reuters. Earlier this month, the Diamond League announced it would increase its prize money for the 2025 season. The total prize money per discipline will now be between $30,000 and $50,000 at regular meetings and between $60,000 and $100,000 for the season-finale.

Persons: Alexis Ohanian, Serena Williams, “, ” Ohanian, Gabby Thomas, Brittany Brown, Patrick Smith, ” Brown, Faith Kipyegon, Marileidy Paulino, Ohanian, Athlos, Michael Johnson Organizations: CNN, Diamond League, Reuters, Triple, National Women’s Soccer League, Angel City FC, – Locations: New York

☆ NWSL champion Gotham FC becomes first team from league to go to White House, meets with President Biden
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-24 | by ( Samuel Joseph | Sam Joseph | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —President Joe Biden welcomed National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) champion NY/NJ Gotham FC to the White House on Monday, the first time in the league’s history that a team has received the invite. Krieger, who earned more than a century of national team caps, won the NWSL title with Gotham FC in her last season as an active player. “Reflecting on my career, I recall times when women’s soccer lacked coverage and support,” she said. It won the inaugural Women’s Professional Soccer championship in 2009 and was a founding member of the NWSL in 2013. Gotham FC won its first NWSL championship in November last year, defeating OL Reign 2-1 in the final.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Gotham, ” Biden, “, Susan Walsh, Ali Krieger, Krieger, ” Organizations: CNN, National Women’s Soccer League, NY, Gotham FC, White, Gotham, Jersey Sky, Sky Blue FC, League of United Soccer Leagues, Professional Soccer, Utah Royals Locations: United States

President Joe Biden welcomed the Gotham Football Club to the White House on Monday, the first National Women’s Soccer League championship team to have the distinction. Biden then welcomed to the stage former U.S. women's national soccer team star Ali Krieger, who played with Gotham until her retirement last year. "Reflecting on my career, I recall times when women's soccer lacked coverage and support," Krieger said. Kevin Dietsch / Getty ImagesThough Gotham FC is the first NSWL team to reach the White House, it is not the only women's soccer team to be invited. Two other now-defunct leagues have been formed in the U.S. since 2000— the Women's United Soccer Association and the Women's Professional Soccer league.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, —, Ali Krieger, Krieger, Juan Carlos Amorós, Midge Purce, Kevin Dietsch, Barack Obama, ” Krieger Organizations: Gotham Football Club, White, National Women’s Soccer League, team, Gotham, NJ, NY Gotham FC, Women's Soccer League, Gotham FC, Women's United Soccer Association, Professional Soccer, Sky Blue FC, WPS, White House Locations: York, New Jersey, San Diego, U.S, New York

☆ WNBA to add expansion team in Portland, bringing league to 15 franchises
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-18 | by ( Jake Piazza | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The WNBA is adding its 15th team in Portland, the third new franchise as part of its most recent expansion, the league announced Wednesday. The Portland team will play in the Moda Center, the same arena as the NBA's Portland Trailblazers. Portland has had a WNBA team before, but it shut down after a few years in 2002. The addition of the new Portland team underscores booming growth for both the WNBA and women's sports in general. The 2024 WNBA season has seen record numbers for both in-person attendance and viewership, according to data from the WNBA for the start of the season.

Persons: Lisa Bhathal Merage, Cathy Engelbert, A'ja Wilson, Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese Organizations: Portland, RAJ Sports, WNBA, Moda Center, Women's Soccer League, Thorns, Sacramento Kings, Delta Air Lines Locations: Portland, Toronto

☆ Benni McCarthy: Former Manchester United coach says Red Devils can qualify for Champions League this season
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-13 | by ( Zayn Nabbi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Former Manchester United coach Benni McCarthy says the Red Devils can finish in the top four this season, but are still behind the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool in the English Premier League (EPL) title race. But in the league last season, United languished in eighth position, the club’s worst ever finish in the Premier League era and nowhere near the qualification spots for the lucrative Champions League. Since McCarthy left ahead of the new season, United has lost two of its first three league games. Speaking to CNN Sport, though, McCarthy remained optimistic about the Red Devils and stressed that opponents may regret overlooking the 13-time Premier League winners. McCarthy, seen here in 2023 as a Manchester United first team coach, wants to get back into coaching.

Persons: Benni McCarthy, McCarthy, “, Andrew Boyers, They’ve, Pep Guardiola, Pep, Mikel Arteta’s, Manchester United’s, Jürgen Klopp, Mikel Arteta, ” McCarthy, Liverpool's Mo Salah, Michael Regan, Arne, Klopp’s, It’s, they’ve, ”, I’ve, Duif du, Bafana Bafana, Hugo Broos Organizations: CNN, Former Manchester United, Devils, Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, English Premier League, Premier League, League, Champions League, United, CNN Sport, Red Devils, Manchester United, Porto, Blackburn Rovers, Champions League football, City, “, Pep Guardiola’s, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, Manchester, South, MLS, Cape Town City, Premier Soccer League, FIFA Club, It’s, South Africa national, of Nations, South Sudan Locations: Manchester, North London, Anfield, Liverpool, Old Trafford, Africa, South Africa, Uganda

☆ Women's sports are on an upward trajectory as fans, brands engage
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-10 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The fervor and passion surrounding women's sports aren't going to go away, said Jessica Berman, commissioner of the National Women's Soccer League. Gotfredson noted that fans of women's sports are "fanning differently" and are more engaged "from a brand partner perspective" than those who follow men's sports and male athletes. "It's still a small percentage of brands spending in women's sports," she said. Both Brink and USC's women's basketball star JuJu Watkins agreed that more women's sports games need to be more accessible for fans, with Brink saying "keep showing it and making it easier to watch." Yet Berman said women's leagues have a lot of catching up to do.

Persons: Caitlin Clark, Destanni Henderson, Jessica Berman, They're, We've, Berman, Sara Gotfredson, Gotfredson, Cameron Brink, Angeles Sparks, USC's, JuJu Watkins, Brink Organizations: Indiana, Atlanta, WNBA, Gainbridge Fieldhouse, National Women's Soccer League, CNBC, Trailblazing Sports, Women's National Basketball Association, Google, Ally Bank, AT, Angeles, United States Soccer Federation Locations: Gainbridge, Indianapolis , Indiana

☆ Alex Morgan says goodbye in final match of illustrious 15-year career
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-09 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

SAN DIEGO — Fighting tears, Alex Morgan waved to the crowd and walked off the field for the last time on Sunday as she capped an impactful 15-year career. The two-time Women’s World Cup winner announced on Thursday she was pregnant with her second child and retiring from the game. Overall, it was her 150th career appearance in National Women’s Soccer League play. Morgan’s U.S. national team career was full of accomplishments, including World Cup titles in 2015 and 2019, and an Olympic Gold medal in 2012. Morgan played in 224 matches for the U.S. national team, with 123 goals (fifth on the career list) and 53 assists (ninth).

Persons: Alex Morgan, subbing, ” Morgan, Morgan, Charlie, Joe Musgrove, ”, Jessica Berman, “, Amber Brunner, equitably, Alex Organizations: DIEGO, San Diego Wave, North Carolina Courage, Women’s Soccer League, England, Portland Thorns, Wave, U.S ., U.S, Soccer, Community, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, men’s Locations: France, Morgan’s, U.S

☆ National Women's Soccer League gets rid of draft and raises players' minimum salary to $82,500 with new agreement
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-23 | by ( Morgan Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The National Women's Soccer League and its players have signed a new collective bargaining agreement that raises players' minimum salaries and eliminates the draft — making the NWSL the first professional sports league in the U.S. to grant unrestricted free agency to all players. The new agreement, announced on Thursday, extends the current contract with the NWSL Players Association to 2030. A record 56 NWSL athletes competed in the Games, including 19 players on the U.S. women's national soccer team, which won gold. The deal also increases the minimum salary for players from $48,500 in 2025 to $82,500 by 2030. The salary minimum for reserve players in Major League Soccer (MLS) is $71,401, and the minimum for senior players is $89,716.

Persons: Jessica Berman, " Berman Organizations: Women's Soccer League, NWSL, soccer team, CNBC, Major League Soccer Locations: U.S, England, Spain, Italy

☆ NWSL and players association agree to abolish draft, raise player pay in new CBA
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-22 | by ( Jill Martin | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and NWSL Players Association have a new collective bargaining agreement, one which includes higher pay, expanding benefits and – in a notable move – abolishing the draft. With the new CBA, which will be in place through 2030, the NWSL becomes the first major American professional sports league to abolish its player draft. “The draft is an antiquated model that empowers teams to decide for Players instead of Players deciding for themselves,” NWSLPA president Tori Huster said. This, the league said in its statement announcing the CBA, aligns NWSL standard player agreements with FIFA regulations on the status and transfer of players. “This CBA gives us agency over our business and gives the players agency over their careers.

Persons: ”, Tori Huster, “, Jessica Berman Organizations: CNN, Women’s Soccer League, NWSL, CBA, FIFA, Governors Locations: American

☆ NWSL Commissioner: We have a league ready to capitalize on the momentum of the Olympics
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-09 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailNWSL Commissioner: We have a league ready to capitalize on the momentum of the OlympicsCNBC’s Carl Quintanilla and National Women’s Soccer League Commissioner Jessica Berman join 'Squawk Box' to discuss the performance of Team USA women's soccer at the 2024 Paris Olympics, growing popularity of women's soccer, impact on the growth of NWSL, and more.

Persons: Carl Quintanilla, Jessica Berman Organizations: Olympics, Women’s Soccer League, USA

☆ Angel City FC set to become world’s most valuable pro women’s sports team following new investment
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-18 | by ( Thomas Schlachter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Angel City FC (ACFC) will become the most valuable women’s professional sports team in the world, the club announced Wednesday. Angel City FC plays in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – the top division of women’s soccer in the US. “ACFC and these incredible athletes have already had a tremendous impact on the NWSL, women’s soccer, and the Los Angeles community. “With this investment of resources and capital, we hope to accelerate the growth of the Club and the NWSL. There are 56 NWSL players on Olympic rosters – including Angel City FC defender and New Zealand captain Ali Riley.

Persons: Bob Iger, ACFC, Bay, “ ACFC, Angel City, ”, Jessica Berman, ” Berman, Willow, Bob, –, Ali Riley Organizations: CNN, Angel City FC, USC Annenberg School for Communication, Journalism, Walt Disney Company, National Women’s Soccer League, Club, NWSL, of Governors, New Zealand Locations: Willow, Los Angeles, Willow Bay, Paris

☆ Willow Bay, Bob Iger to take controlling stake in NWSL's Angel City FC at a $250 million valuation
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-17 | by ( Jessica Golden | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Willow Bay and Bob Iger will take a controlling stake in Angel City Football Club, the world's most valuable women's professional sports team. On Wednesday, Angel City of the National Women's Soccer League announced the couple had agreed to an investment of an undisclosed amount that values the team at $250 million. The club said Bay and Iger will invest an additional $50 million in the club's future growth. Bay will serve on and have full control of the Angel City FC board, the team said. Last year, Angel City FC generated the highest revenue of any women's team in the world.

Persons: Bob Iger, Willow Organizations: Walt Disney Co, Allen & Company Sun Valley Conference, Angel City Football Club, National Women's Soccer League, Angel City FC, ACFC Locations: Sun Valley , Idaho, Willow, Angel City

☆ The NFL is open to private equity team ownership of up to 10%, Commissioner Roger Goodell says
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-11 | by ( Alex Sherman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

"We've had a tremendous amount of interest [from private equity firms], and we believe this could make sense for us in a limited fashion, probably no more than 10% of a team. The National Football League is considering allowing minority private equity ownership for its 32 teams of up to 10%, Commissioner Roger Goodell said in an exclusive CNBC interview Thursday. "I think it may be leading to some rethink into the consideration of letting private equity, as an example, or institutional investors into the NFL." Private equity incentives around reaching investment targets and exit thresholds could alter the motivations for ownership in ways that make the bigger sports leagues uncomfortable. Private equity firms, tasked with finding investment vehicles to make returns on their assets under management, may be better suited to minority ownership.

Persons: Roger Goodell, Goodell, CNBC's Julia Boorstin, We've, Josh Harris, Harris, Andrew Ross Sorkin, Magic Johnson, Eric Schmidt, David Blitzer, They're, Ted Leonsis, You'll Organizations: National Football League, Allen & Company Sun Valley, National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball, National Hockey League, Major League Soccer, NFL, Allen & Co, Sun Valley Conference, CNBC, Apollo Global Management, Washington, Summit, Washington , D.C, NBA, Blackstone Group, Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Devils, Women's Soccer League, Washington Capitals, Wizards, Mystics, ESPN Locations: Sun Valley , Idaho, Washington ,

☆ Amazon is winning the race for TV ad dollars, leaving Netflix and other streamers in the dust
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-05 | by ( Lucia Moses | Lauren Johnson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Both companies made a splash at this year's upfront presentations, where streamers make their pitches for the nearly $70 billion in annual TV ad spending and advertisers seek to lock down the bulk of their annual TV ad commitments. But among newer streamers, it's Amazon that's winning advertisers' wallets, several ad buyers told Business Insider. AdvertisementAmazon's big increase in ad inventory and lower ad prices, of about half the ad rate ($30 per 1,000 impressions) that Netflix sought when it launched its ad tier in 2022, put pressure on other TV ad sellers to lower their prices. A second ad-holding-company exec said they expected Amazon to be the third or fourth biggest TV ad seller in the upfronts, behind traditional TV stalwarts NBCUniversal and Disney and potentially YouTube. Data has shown that people watch three times as much Netflix as they do Prime Video, although Prime Video viewing is growing.

Persons: —, execs, NBCUniversal, They're, catchup, Netflix's, Max, Ed Papazian Organizations: Service, Netflix, Amazon, Business, Disney, Warner Bros, gunning, Sports, NBA, NFL, NASCAR, National Women's Soccer League, National Basketball Association, WWE, Fox, Wall Street, Prime, NBC, Media Dynamics

Women's soccer is bringing private equity off the sidelines. While other major U.S. sports leagues – Major League Soccer, the National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball and the National Hockey League – have allowed private equity investors to take passive, minority stakes, only the National Women's Soccer League has allowed these firms to take majority control of the economics. Sixth Street was the first to own a team in building out the San Francisco women's team, Bay FC, last year. The second-ever such deal closed a few weeks ago, as Carlyle partnered with men's team, the Seattle Sounders FC, to buy that city's counterpart in the NWSL, the Reign FC. Popov said NWSL attendance, up more than 40% this year, is evidence of the momentum in the sport.

Persons: Jessica Berman, San Francisco women's, Carlyle, Adrian Hanauer, Alex Popov, Popov Organizations: – Major League Soccer, National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball, National Hockey League, National Women's Soccer League, CNBC, Sixth, San, Bay FC, men's, Seattle Sounders FC, FC, Sounders FC, Reign FC, NWSL Board

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