Paige Bueckers aces Unrivaled’s $50K free throw challenge

Ten(ni)s across the board.

Paige Bueckers wins Unrivaled’s $50K free throw challenge

Breeze BC star Paige Bueckers is lining her pockets, winning Unrivaled’s inaugural $50,000 free throw challenge this week after going 13-for-13 from the stripe.

• Bueckers’s 37-point overall performance against Mist BC on Monday edged out Phantom guard Tiffany Hayes, with Hayes ending the contest six-for-six.

• “I got some good plans, but no pocket watching over here,” the 24-year-old joked when asked her payday plans. “I’mma take care of it.” (See full clip)

Big picture: The 3×3 league’s free throw challenge recognizes the player with the best free-throw percentage through their first five games, with a minimum requirement of six attempts in at least three games.

• Bueckers has been fueling the Breeze on and off the line, averaging 23.4 points, 8 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game for the 3-2 expansion side.

• “We invest so much in the game, to see other people invest that much into us as well, it’s very motivating,” Bueckers said afterwards. (See full clip)

Up next: Bueckers returns on Saturday, as the Breeze takes on the Lunar Owls at 7:30 PM ET, live on TNT.

Arsenal tops Deloitte’s revenue list

The WSL is cashing in on the women’s game, as the Deloitte Football Money League report saw two UK clubs surpass €25 million in annual revenue for the first time last season.

• Reigning UWCL champions Arsenal topped the list for the first time after taking in €25.6 million in 2024/25, followed closely by WSL title-holders Chelsea’s €25.4 million.

• Perennial European contenders Barcelona (€22 million) dropped to third after leading the group in 2023/24, outpacing WSL titans No. 4 Manchester City (€12.9 million) and No. 5 Manchester United (€12.8 million). (See full list)

Context: Major leagues in the US, Sweden, and Australia weren’t included in the study due to a lack of revenue data, giving the rankings a European bent as the total sum crossed the €150 million mark for the first time.

• Commercial income was the biggest driver for many top clubs, with sponsorship deals and brand partnerships leading the charge.

• Arsenal also benefitted from increased earnings on the men’s side, allowing the women’s team to up investment while avoiding running at a loss.

Tune in: See the teams in action, as Arsenal takes on Man United and Chelsea faces Man City in today’s Women’s League Cup semifinals at 2 PM ET, live on YouTube.

WTGL signs top-ranked LPGA stars for debut season

The WTGL is stocking up, as TMRW Sports’ newly announced offseason golf league begins to build its roster in partnership with the LPGA.

• World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul (Thailand) signed on to participate in WTGL’s debut season this week, alongside No. 5 Charley Hull (England), No. 6 Lydia Ko (New Zealand), No. 25 Brooke Henderson (Canada), and No. 79 Lexi Thompson (US).

• “WTGL will be a global stage to showcase LPGA stars, and this first wave of committed players represents that opportunity with some of the world’s best,” said TMRW Sports CEO Mike McCarley. (See full release)

Big picture: Set to launch this coming winter, the WTGL looks to build off the popular men’s TGL, integrating both physical and virtual golfing elements inside Palm Beach Gardens, Florida’s SoFi Center.

• “These players will thrive in WTGL’s competitive environment as fans will witness their skill and connect more deeply with their personalities through the unprecedented access the league delivers,” said McCarley, noting that TGL golfers remain mic’d up throughout the event.

Money moves: The WTGL also got a stamp of approval from a few women’s sports greats, as former USWNT star Alex Morgan’s Trybe Ventures — a group that spans fellow icons Mia Hamm and Abby Wambach — became a lead capital partner.

More NWSL stars depart for England’s WSL

More NWSL stars are jumping ship, as both San Diego and North Carolina saw key players sign with WSL clubs in the last few days.

• Ex-Wave forward Delphine Cascarino joined London City Lionesses, days after San Diego announced they mutually parted ways with the French international despite her existing contract. (See full release)

• North Carolina captain Denise O’Sullivan made a similar move, as the Ireland international signed with Liverpool following a club-record 186 appearances for the Courage. (See full release)

Big picture: Cascarino and O’Sullivan are just the latest to depart the US league, after USWNT star Sam Coffey moved to Manchester City last week.

• “England — for men and women — is the country of football,” said Cascarino. “It’s always been a goal of mine to play in this league.”

PWHL’s Girard issued record 4-game suspension for fighting

Sirens forward Taylor Girard made history this week, earning a record four-game suspension for leaving the bench to join a line skirmish at the end of Sunday’s 2-1 win over Montreal in Washington, DC.

• The brawl occurred at the PWHL’s record-breaking Takeover Tour stop’s final buzzer, with eight players subsequently issued 10-minute misconducts.

• Girard was the only player to receive an additional 20-minute charge, with the penalty immediately triggering a four-game suspension. (See full clip)

Big picture: The four-game ban marks the longest punishment in league history, doubling Seattle defender Aneta Tejralova’s two-game suspension for an illegal check to the head last month.

• With the PWHL’s Olympic break set for January 28th, Girard will not be available for the No. 2 Sirens until March 5th.

Quote of the day

Retired USWNT star Kelley O’Hara
on joining her former US teammates on the pitch for Mia Hamm and Alex Morgan’s Goal Cup charity match.