And that’s a wrap on 2024
From The GIST Sports Biz (hi@thegistsports.com)
Happy Holidays!
2024 has been a banner year for women’s sports, and we’re so thankful to celebrate all the business wins in this space with our Sports Biz GISTers this year. Reporting on the business side of women’s sports has made our year merry and bright, and we hope it’s done the same for you.
- While we’re taking a short holiday break after this newsletter to reflect on this year and ring in the new one, we’ll be back in your inbox in 2025. Talk then!
Women’s soccer
🏆 Netflix and thrill
The GIST: Netflix pulled off quite the heist on Friday by acquiring the U.S. media rights for the 2027 and 2031 editions of the FIFA Women’s World Cup (WWC). It will be Netflix’s first time covering an entire sports tournament and marks FIFA’s biggest deal with a streamer, not to mention it’s the first time the WWC’s U.S. rights were sold separately from the men’s FIFA World Cup. Tudum.
The details: In addition to airing all WWC matches live, Netflix plans to produce a women’s soccer studio show and an exclusive documentary series ahead of the 2027 WWC in Brazil and the 2031 WWC, which could see the U.S. playing host. While financial terms weren’t announced, Netflix likely paid in the tens of millions to acquire the rights so early.
- Matches will air in Spanish and English, allowing Netflix to potentially reach 41M Americans who speak Spanish as a first language. The streamer currently boasts about 84.8M paid subscribers across the U.S. and Canada, and with the WWC faring well among American audiences even without the USWNT, landing these rights was a golazo.
The trend: Netflix is steadily gaining on Amazon and Apple with its live sports offerings, from this week’s Christmas Day NFL games to WWE’s popular Monday Night Raw program in the new year. It already flexed its reach in November by drawing 65M households globally for its Mike Tyson–Jake Paul boxing bout.
- Previously, Netflix has primarily focused on men’s sports with its live sports broadcasts, but this deal signifies a meaningful pivot to live women’s sports. Better yet, the WWC isn’t a one-off event and gives Netflix an opening on the pitch after missing out on the NWSL’s multinetwork deal in 2023.
Zooming out: Through docuseries like the USWNT’s Under Pressure, Netflix has been uniquely investing in longform content around women’s soccer, something fans (especially Gen Z ones) are primed to enjoy. As a streamer, Netflix can better craft holistic experiences around sporting events with docuseries and dramas around the big game.
- While being a one-stop-shop is great for Netflix, it doesn’t necessarily work out for all those non-subscribers — Fox and cable networks are typically easier to access. Plus, many viewers have raised concerns about its ability to deliver live sports after a glitchy Tyson-Paul match. Loading...
Together With Skyscanner
🍹Vacation, all you ever wanted
Is your New Year’s resolution to travel more without draining your bank account? Skyscanner has you covered with the 10 best budget-friendly places to travel in 2025. We’re talking:
- 🏖️ A beachside getaway to the south of France
- ⛷️ Exploring a stellar U.S. ski town
- 🌴 A jaunt to Barbados, Rihanna’s homeland. Take a bow.
Give into your wanderlust and check out Skyscanner’s top bang-for-your-buck spots today.
📈 Louisville women’s volleyball enjoys upward trend on court after increased investment
While Louisville’s women’s volleyball team may have lost to Penn State in the national title game, there’s still a winning takeaway from the program. According to Sportico, the Cardinals have been pouring money into their women’s volleyball program since 2019, a decision that’s been rewarded with superb play on the court ever since.
🏈 NFL forms media partnership to reach women fans
The NFL is teaming up with Betches Media to capitalize on the encouraging growth of its women fanbase, especially in Taylor Swift’s NFL era. Starting with the 2025 Pro Bowl, Betches will activate around the league’s tentpole events with original video content, social media campaigns, and athlete interviews. That’s so betch.
⚽ BOS Nation faces continued scrutiny with stadium renovations budget update
Last week, the Boston Globe reported the NWSL’s BOS Nation 2026 expansion team is planning to pay a much higher price than initially anticipated for renovations at White Stadium. Estimates began with Boston pitching in $50M and the team adding around $30M, but new numbers expect the city to pay $91M, with total costs approaching $200M.
- This increased expense has faced some backlash, but Boston mayor Michelle Wu is backing up the renovation plan by highlighting that the public stadium will be open for community use 90% of the time.
🏐 For the first time in NCAA women’s volleyball history, two women head coaches led their teams to the finals, with Penn State’s Katie Schumacher-Cawley taking home the program’s eighth title. We are.
🤝 Sports scheduling platform Fastbreak.ai partnered with the NWSL to enhance the league’s scheduling processes.
📉 Nike reported Q2 earnings were down 8% YoY, yet they still beat Wall Street’s low sales expectations.
🍿 Phoenix Suns and Mercury owner Mat Ishbia announced a $2 concession menu for cost-conscious fans, one year after taking both teams’ games to free television.
🏀 Indiana Fever star Katie Lou Samuelson is the latest player to join new 3v3 women’s basketball league Unrivaled, filling the 35th spot of 36 total.
☁️ Athlete-owned media company PlayersTV announced the acquisition of AI–powered sports adtech company Cloud Media Center. Up in the sky.
Peep our squad’s MVPs (Most Valuable Picks):
🍻 What to celebrate
Women’s sports bars. Spots like Portland, Oregon’s The Sports Bra are redefining the sports bar experience, celebrating women’s achievements and fostering inclusive communities.
🎾 What to watch
Rafa’s comeback. Netflix’s upcoming docuseries delves into Rafael Nadal’s return to tennis after injury, showcasing the grit of one of the sport’s greatest players.
🧘 What to download
Calm. Just in time for the holidays, de-stress like a champ with their meditations.
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