NWSL drops 2027 calendar footprint

Never count out the ’Stics: Washington erased a 20-point deficit to beat Dallas last night, building on a historic winning streak.

NWSL drops 2027 calendar footprint

The NWSL is flipping the script in 2027, as Commissioner Jessica Berman confirmed plans to kick off next season on February 11th — the earliest start in league history — to allow for the Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

• Set for Angel City’s BMO Stadium, the season-opener coincides with Super Bowl LXI at nearby SoFi Stadium — deliberately capitalizing on US sports’ biggest weekend after seeing a boost from this year’s Summer of Soccer initiative.

• “We have intentionally — again, seeing the success we’ve had leaning into the halo of the Men’s World Cup — [applied] the same thesis for next year,” she said, noting significant growth across social channels. (See full footprint)

How it works: The 2027 Challenge Cup precedes regular-season kickoff on February 6th, with this year’s Shield winner battling the 2026 NWSL champion at a neutral stadium.

• The early start makes room for a seven-week summer pause from June 7th to July 25th, covering both the CBA-mandated rest and World Cup, which featured 61 NWSL players in 2023.

• Each of the 16 clubs will again play a 30-match schedule, with Decision Day returning October 31st before the November 20th championship.

Aces visit Fever in Player of the Month clash

July’s top WNBA stars are squaring off, as Players of the Month A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Mitchell take the court when No. 2 Las Vegas visits No. 5 Indiana tonight.

• Mitchell earned Eastern Conference honors after putting up a league-high 272 points across 10 games, averaging 27.2 points to fuel an 8-2 Fever run. 

• Wilson claimed her record 16th career Western Conference POM after averaging a league-leading 28.3 points and 10.6 rebounds last month — despite missing two games with a leg injury. 

Head to head: Indiana leads the pair’s regular-season series 2-0, after pulling off two statement wins over the defending WNBA champion this year.

• The Fever toppled the Aces 84-68 on July 5th, before securing July 12th’s 109-75 victory behind Mitchell’s 27 points and All-Star center Aliyah Boston’s 19-point, 11-rebound double-double.

• “Our group is one of the most resilient groups I’ve been a part of,” Mitchell said. “I’m gonna ride or die with my group no matter what, and I think that’s our edge.” (See full preview)

Tune in: Indiana hosts Las Vegas tonight at 7 PM ET (Prime).

U.S. Gymnastics Championships hits the mat

Team USA takes over Phoenix this week, as more than 100 top US gymnasts kick off the 2026 US Gymnastics Championships in Arizona — with a ticket to October’s World Championships on the line.

• Hometown hero Jade Carey headlines the women’s field, as the two-time Olympic gold medalist returns to elite competition for the first time since 2024 with an eye on qualifying for LA28.

• “A home Olympics would be so cool,” the 26-year-old said. “It would just be kind of the perfect way to go out and move on to what’s next.” (See full report)

Rising stars: 2025 all-around winner Hezly Rivera returns to defend multiple titles, as the Paris Olympian aims to repeat on uneven bars, balance beam, and floor. 

• Uneven bars co-champion Skye Blakely and 2025 vault winner Leanne Wong are also in the mix, alongside up-and-comers Reese Esponda, Claire Pease, and Charleigh Bullock. 

• “I still have a lot of growing left to do,” 18-year-old Rivera said in March. “A few more years left in the sport, and I’m really excited for what’s to come.” (See full field)

Tune in: US Championships women’s events start tomorrow at 7 PM ET (NBCSN).

AU puts volleyball & basketball on pause

Athletes Unlimited is tapping the breaks, as the multi-sport operation pulls back from its pro volleyball and basketball leagues to reimagine both products.

• AU is zeroing in on its pro softball league after second-season ratings jumped 181% on ESPN, with the AUSL serving as its sole property in 2027.

• “We’re sharpening our focus on where we can create the greatest long-term impact for athletes, fans, and partners,” AU said in a statement. (See full release)

Crowded field: The news comes as upstarts LOVB, MLV, and Unrivaled 3×3 gain steam, while preparations for the 2028 Olympics present scheduling issues.

• These aren’t the company’s first casualties, after it cut AU Pro Lacrosse in 2024 over similar concerns.

NWSL makes ’Ted Lasso’ cameo

Ted Lasso is shining a spotlight on the NWSL, as the Apple TV comedy opened its fourth season inside the Kansas City Current’s CPKC Stadium this week.

• The first episode is set in star and co-creator Jason Sudeikis’s Midwest hometown, with the cast attending a Current vs Gotham match inside pro women’s soccer’s first purpose-built stadium.

• The scene features both real-life rosters, culminating in a dagger of a KC goal off reigning MVP Temwa Chawinga’s right foot. (See full clip)

Art imitates life: “It is a little bit proof of concept,” Current co-owner Angie Long told ESPN. “Everything that we’ve built, even a show like Ted Lasso is seeing it.” (See full report)

Tune in: Ted Lasso airs Wednesdays on Apple TV.

Quote of the day

Liberty forward Breanna Stewart
rushing to meet New York’s most fashionable fan after last night’s win over Seattle.