New-look Atlanta dominates the Sky

Get those steps in.

New-look Atlanta shines in WNBA preseason clash

Atlanta flexed its 2026 depth last night, as a revamped starting lineup fueled the Dream to an 87-78 WNBA preseason win over Chicago.

• Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, and newcomer Angel Reese led Atlanta’s 43-30 first-half rout — while also mounting a 21-16 rebound advantage.

• “We’ve been practicing for a week and a half, and it feels like a month,” Reese told reporters. “It’s been super seamless… an easy adjustment for me.” (Watch full highlights)

Showing out: With roster cuts looming ahead of opening tipoff, both benches brought the energy — including a few bubble players stepping it up.

• Sky training camp invitee Sydney Taylor led all scorers with 23 points, while young Dream talent Te-Hina PaoPao, Madina Okot, and Isobel Borlase combined for 40 points.

• “Today was trying to play without plays,” Dream coach Karl Smesko said postgame. “We want something now that’s free-flowing. Can we create the same quality of shots just learning how to play with each other?”

Up next: WNBA preseason continues tonight, as Dallas’s No. 1 pick Azzi Fudd sees her first action against Caitlin Clark’s Indiana at 7 PM ET, live on ION.

Boston draws North Carolina for 1st NWSL result

NWSL expansion side Boston is on the board, ending a five-game losing streak — and earning its first-ever point — in last night’s 2-2 draw with North Carolina.

• The Legacy scored two early goals behind Alba Caño and Sammy Smith, before nearly ceding all three points to North Carolina as the Courage battled back.

• Dani Weatherholt registered a second-half goal and Golden Boot co-leader Ashley Sanchez found the equalizer, before North Carolina saw a crucial late-game penalty ultimately called back by VAR. (Watch full highlights)

Building steam: Last in the NWSL standings, Boston has struggled to convert performances into results, though Wednesday’s run showed signs of competitive life.

• “Everything is coming together, it just takes time and we have to take it one day at a time, one game at a time,” said Smith. “We got our first point and that’s a step in the right direction. Now we’re just fighting to get our first win.” (See full report)

Up next: Boston returns Sunday, hosting fellow expansion team Denver at 3 PM ET, live on Paramount+.

NWSL moves to maintain summer calendar

The NWSL calendar is staying put, as the league announced it will not shift to the previously proposed fall-to-spring schedule anytime soon.

• The Board of Governors declined to vote on any significant changes this week, committing to the current spring-to-fall schedule until at least 2030.

• “This does not close the door on future change, but any such change would not occur sooner than 2031,” the NWSL stated. (See full release)

Big picture: While US men’s league MLS is shifting next season’s framework to mirror Europe’s transfer market, benefits for the NWSL’s flip appear slim — and faced significant pushback.

• The players union publicly opposed the idea after ESPN reported the impending vote, saying necessary league-wide infrastructure to winterize facilities doesn’t yet exist.

• “NWSL has made the right decision to provide stability and certainty over the calendar footprint,” said NWSLPA executive director Meghann Burke. (See full report)

British Open boosts 2026 prize money

Women’s golf is upping the stakes, as the AIG British Open announced plans to boost its overall prize pool to $10 million ahead of this summer’s tournament.

• The annual event joins two other women’s majors offering eight-figure paydays, pulling in behind the record-setting US Open and KPMG PGA Championship at $12 million each.

• The news follows last week’s Chevron Championship, which raised its total payout from $1 million to $9 million before US star Nelly Korda took home the winner’s share.

Money moves: This marks the British Open’s sixth straight purse bump, as sponsors and other financial backers level the playing field between majors.

• “These consistent and sustainable investments in the prize fund clearly demonstrate The R&A and AIG’s commitment to elevating the championship on the global stage,” said Mark Darbon, CEO of golf collective The R&A. (See full report)

FIFA Women’s Champions Cup heads to Miami

The Women’s Champions Cup is heading Stateside, as FIFA announced plans to stage the 2027 international club competition’s final phase in South Florida.

• Running January 27-31, the semifinals, third-place game, and final are set to take over the Miami area, though specific venues have yet to be announced.

• ESPN’s Jeff Kassouf reported Florida was expected to host the inaugural January 2026 event, but eventual winner Arsenal pushed for London.

Big picture: The 2027 tournament serves as the second official warmup for the 2028 Women’s Club World Cup, when six teams from different confederations compete for a world title.

• Gotham took third in 2026, and has a shot to represent Concacaf once again as regional Champions Cup winner alongside the Washington Spirit, Club America, and Pachuca. (See full FIFA release)

Quote of the day

Seattle Reign star Lynn Biyendolo’s husband Marley
introducing their newborn son to the world via social media.