The GIST

StubHub partners with Chicago Sky as sports teams recognize value of insights from ticketing platforms

On Monday, ticket resale marketplace StubHub announced a multiyear partnership with the Chicago Sky, marking the first deal of its kind in the WNBA. This isn’t just a win for fans looking for alternative ticket platforms — we’ve seen sports clubs’ ticketing partnerships offer valuable benefits for all parties.

May 21, 2026

MLV’s viewership engagement numbers through season championship illustrate power of media partnerships

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Major League Volleyball (MLV) wrapped its inaugural “Match For A Million” championship on May 9th in front of a sold-out crowd of over 4.5K in Dallas. However, the league has been drawing a much bigger crowd all season long — after reorganizing and rebranding, media rights deals and a strong social push (featuring yours truly) brought volleyball to many more households.

May 21, 2026

Ottawa Charge force Game 4, plus San Jose joins the PWHL expansion party

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On Wednesdays, we talk about women’s hockey. Well, that’s every day really. Today we’re covering tonight’s best-of-five Walter Cup Finals Game 4 and dissecting the PWHL’s latest expansion news. Drop that puck.

May 20, 2026

The Sports Bra provides new crowdfunding opportunity to scale up business while letting fans invest

Everyone wants to be in the women’s sports bar business these days, so The Sports Bra is making it easy for anyone to own a piece of the action. Yesterday, the Portland-based enterprise built on its expanding franchise business by rolling out a new investment opportunity: A crowdfunding campaign called “Own a Piece of The Bra.”

May 19, 2026

The GIST’s unofficial WNBA power rankings

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The GIST’s unofficial WNBA power rankings

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Two weeks in, here’s our unofficial power rankings heading into Week 3, plus one lingering question.

May 18, 2026

Previewing the 64-team NCAA softball tournament

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The 64-team NCAA softball national championship tournament swings into action today with 16 double-elimination Regionals on deck. It’s all part of a massive moment for the sport before the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) season begins next month. Batter up, baby.

May 15, 2026

Jess Smith breaks down the Golden State Valkyries’ billion-dollar strategy

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The Golden State Valkyries may as well be in Valhalla (or Ballhalla, as they call it). Shortly after the team shared its season two promotional campaign, CNBC deemed the Valks a billion-dollar franchise — the first in women’s sports history. That’s no accident. Valkyries president Jess Smith and her team have been busy building a juggernaut brand — and in a region full of fervent fans and powerful sponsors, that becomes a billion-dollar pursuit. Last month, we spoke with Smith about the strategies she’s implemented to reach this pinnacle, as well as what’s going to keep the club climbing in year two.

May 15, 2026

PWHL adds two expansion franchises as new markets offer unique value

Sports Business

PWHL adds two expansion franchises as new markets offer unique value

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May 14, 2026

The PWHL is getting bigger and better…literally. After adding an expansion franchise in Detroit last week, the league announced new teams in Hamilton, ON, and Las Vegas, NV, yesterday. If those cities weren’t on your bingo card, you wouldn’t be alone — but each market brings its own value to the league. Feeling pucky.

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The GIST of It Podcast

Ep #558

Spilling World Cup tea and talking tequila with Tobin Heath & Christen Press

May 21, 2026

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Spilling World Cup tea and talking tequila with Tobin Heath & Christen Press

The men’s FIFA World Cup is just three weeks away — which means it’s time to start studying up on the tournament’s biggest edition ever. Good thing USWNT legends Tobin Heath and Christen Press are today’s guests on The GIST of It, spilling the tea on their World Cup plans, the teams they’re most excited to cheer on, and their World Cup partnership with Don Julio 1942. Cheers to that.