The Dallas Weekly’s Post

Lots of great questions came in about our bid this week. ICYMI: we present to the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) in spring! Read up on why we want this women's professional soccer team, how a bid becomes a team and our timeline from here to opening day. ➡️ Have more questions? Ask in the comments below or send us a message. #womenssoccer #clevelandsports #cleveland #womenssports

Great excerpt carved out from the recent The Athletic article expanding on the new Division I status of the United Soccer League (USL) Super League and how it will compete vs the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). To put the current professional women's soccer landscape into perspective, there are a little over 300 total NWSL players compared to the 347 NCAA Divsion 1 women's soccer programs in the U.S. (avg less than one player per program). Add international talent to this mix and the Super League has plenty of options when looking to build their inaugural rosters. Increased opportunities for female athletes has been a longstanding issue and we are now going to see a potential solution on the women's soccer front. (Amanda Vandervort) #sportsbiz #sportsownership #USLSuperLeague Article: https://lnkd.in/enP8yumq

I find both sides of this coin interesting: 1.) MLS, their legal team and their allies will use this as evidence that any league can obtain a D1 sanction - if they meet the requirements. This will set forth a precedent that they hope covers them from legal action on antitrust grounds. 2.) Independent minds at US Soccer will see this as a ray of hope that another men’s league can establish a D1 sanction - along with a system of promotion and relegation supporters increasingly demand - to go with it. Heads they win. Tails we lose. Instead, we need an authentic and fully open system that appeals to both supporters and investors. Any league doing pro/rel with itself won’t fit that bill. That’s why some who are opposed to pro/rel support the league based imitation. They agree with me that it’s flawed idea that won’t work.

Soccer, intended as a battle between clubs, finds itself ensnared in a perilous deviation from its essence. The misguided presence of two division 1 "leagues" disrupts the sport's fabric, presenting a distorted version of competition. This dual-league paradigm, whether manifesting as a duopoly or monopoly, erects a formidable gatekeeper system. Far from embodying principles of freedom, opportunity, and merit, it operates as the antithesis, undermining the very core of fair play. It is imperative to confront this unsettling reality, challenging the status quo that prioritizes power structures over genuine competition. The call for a recalibration is loud – a return to a soccer landscape where clubs, not leagues, take center stage, fostering an environment that truly values meritocracy and the spirit of the game. https://lnkd.in/e7Gnkjt9

It's a massive week in the Scottish football title race as Celtic Football Club Women's team and Rangers Football Club Women's team face-off in a crucial match, airing on Sky Sports main event. The winner will almost be within touching distance of the much-coveted premiership title.   Most eyes will be on Saturday’s clash, 60k at Celtic Park and millions more throughout the U.K and indeed across the world will be tuning in and watching the game. There will be non-stop talk in the newspapers, across social media, on the football phone-ins, there will be interviews with players, ex-players, managers, pundits, and fans, all giving their opinions on who’s going to win as the excitement builds.   However, whilst most eyes are on the men’s old firm game, did we all know that the SWPL match between Rangers and Celtic was being played today, live on Sky Sports, with a similar possible outcome of whoever wins will be almost within touching distance of being champions.   What an opportunity on a bank holiday Monday when most children are off school and most parents are off work to showcase this crucial clash and ensure it receives the attention it deserves.   As a Mum of a 7-year-old daughter, I would have loved to take her to the game, but the lack of awareness about the match raises an important question. Are we collectively doing enough to promote and advertise the women's game?   There's undeniable interest in women's football, and it has the potential to thrive as a product that appeals to both sponsors and fans it's time to ramp up our efforts to commercialise and advertise the women's game, ensuring that it gets the recognition and support it deserves.   Incidentally, today's game ended in a 0-0 draw, although it was an exciting match with plenty of chances for both teams. This result keeps Celtic ahead on goal difference with only three matches left to play as they aim to secure their first-ever Scottish Women's Premier League title. https://lnkd.in/et7mbFQn #womensfootball #leveltheplayingfield #sportsmarketing

Everything you need to know in #SportsBiz today: 1. Court ruling removes 777 Partners from board control of Brazilian club Vasco da Gama 2. Australia confirmed to host 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup 3. Discovery+ to stream Champions League final for free in UK 4. Atalanta announces Paramount+ as front-of-shirt sponsor for Coppa Italia and Europa League finals 5. F1 and FIA 'call truce' with new strategic alliance to develop governance plan 6. Nascar's latest race draws 2.63m viewers on FS1 for Darlington Race 7. Fifa opposes mandatory rest periods for international stars amid launch of Women's Club World Cup in 2026 8. NBA, NHL, MLB criticise Diamond Sports Group's bankruptcy plan 9. Caitlin Clark's debut is most-watched WNBA game since 2001 as 2.12m tune into ESPN2 10. Working group setup by Fifa to explore hosting domestic league matches overseas 11. Packers, Eagles, Jets, Vikings, Jags, Bears, Pats, Giants and Panthers to all feature in five NFL overseas games across three countries 12. Jude Bellingham signs multi-year endorsement deal with Lucozade ahead of Euro 2024 13. ABC to air US Open men's singles final for the first time as Disney expands commercial network tennis coverage 14. Spalding renews as official game ball of Euroleague Basketball through 2027 15. Netflix and IOC announce plans for three Olympian-led documentaries for Paris 2024 16. Sportradar's Q1 2024 financials see record revenue of €266m and €600k loss Keep your finger on the pulse with all the major stories and news announcements by checking out The Wire - our one-stop-shop and super-feed of sports business news 👉 https://lnkd.in/dJKSjMv5

In a recent FA Cup showdown against West Ham, Bristol City fans unleashed an unparalleled wave of joy as their team scored the equalizer. The unfiltered celebration, defined by the East End Bounce Around, underscores the authentic passion that engulfs English football. Comparatively, Major League Soccer (MLS) and USL leagues in America should take a cue from this unbridled fervor. Instead of resorting to manufactured atmospheres with dangerous flares, smoke bombs, and political signs/flags, English football thrives on the unscripted enthusiasm of fans relishing the game with friends. The competitive edge of the FA Cup sets a standard, a blueprint that the US Open Cup should aspire to emulate. Yet, despite the potential for a dynamic and engaging competition, the US Open Cup appears to have been eclipsed by decisions from the soccer establishment. There's a growing apprehension that MLS, aiming to distance itself from open competition, might escalate efforts to monopolize markets and sideline rival franchises within the USL. The impassioned plea resonates with soccer aficionados across the United States—a demand for a fundamental shift in the approach to the sport. Clearing the board and returning to the essence of the game would allow fans to rediscover the unfiltered joy of soccer, liberated from the superficial and self-serving elements that have infiltrated U.S Soccer.

THE WOMEN'S FOOTBALL SCHEDULE IS NOT SUSTAINABLE! Women players are driving themselves to the ground with hectic schedules. As a professional athlete, to be able to perform all year round with no detriment to health, it is essential to have four weeks off at the end of the season and six weeks pre-season. How long did the Lionesses have to recover after returning from the World Cup Final....? ...... FIVE DAYS! We're seeing star players like Sam Kerr, Beth Mead, Leah Williamson and Viv Miedema face season ending ACL injuries. Why? Because there is no time for them to recover from previous seasons! At this rate, how can the women's game increase the ticket prices or get bigger crowds in the stadiums when there aren't any players left to watch?! What do you suggest could be done to make the game more sustainable?? #wsl #womensfootball #samkerr #womenssoccer #football #aclrehab #aclinjury #leahwilliamson #womenssuperleague #womensworldcup

As a soccer fan in the US, I'm thrilled by the sport's undeniable momentum. The NFL comparisons are spot-on—we've got a rising appetite for the beautiful game. The MLS is making massive strides in infrastructure—stadiums are packed, fan experiences are improving, and we're seeing significant investment that's building a whole soccer culture here. Plus, we are seeing major American investment in European football and American talent that's turning heads. The US isn't just a spectator anymore – we're ready to be a significant player in global football. The US audience is primed to host high-stakes European matches that actually count toward league results. It's a win-win: European giants gain a massive new market, and American fans get an experience that will fuel their passion. #MLS #soccer #globalfootball #investment #sportsbiz

The unprecedented growth of women's sports has led to the launch of three new professional sports leagues in 2024 (Axios). As expansion markets for both the WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association) and the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) are set to join both powerhouses in the next few years, the women's sports movement is showing no signs of slowing down. #sportsownership #WNBA #NWSL #womenssports