Report: Sam Kerr joins Gotham FC on free transfer

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Report: Sam Kerr joins Gotham on free transfer

Sam Kerr is heading Stateside, as the 32-year-old striker reportedly joins defending NWSL champion Gotham after her Chelsea contract expired in May.

• Kerr is coming off a six-year WSL run that spanned five league titles, three FA Cups, and 116 goals across 158 appearances — tied for the most in Chelsea history.

• Kerr made her US debut with the Western New York Flash (now the NC Courage) in 2013 before joining Gotham precursor Sky Blue FC in 2015, going on to become the league’s leading regular-season scorer with Chicago before departing in 2019. (See full history)

Stocking up: The signing reunites Kerr with ex-Chelsea teammates Jess Carter, Ann-Katrin Berger, and Guro Reiten, while also bringing her wife — former Gotham star Kristie Mewis — back to the US.

• Gotham currently sits fifth in the NWSL standings, recently announcing plans for a new $35 million training center as the reigning champion builds towards the future.

Nike unveils Caitlin Clark signature shoe

Caitlin Clark’s signature shoe is here, as Nike officially unveiled the Indiana Fever guard’s long-awaited Caitlin 1 this week.

• The announcement followed days of social media hints, as Clark changed her Instagram handle to @caitlin1, swapped her profile photo for a blue Nike logo, and posted photos teasing the highly anticipated footwear. 

• Part of an 18-piece collection, the Racer Blue sneaker is designed to increase efficiency, boost responsiveness, and reduce drag, with visual nods to a 3-point shot’s arc. (See full report)

More than a shoe: Clark landed an eight-year, $28 million Nike deal ahead of her rookie season, going on to release her signature logo last year.

• The superstar now joins A’ja Wilson and Sabrina Ionescu as the only active WNBA players with their own Nike shoes.

• “Nike and I really crushed it… Seeing the finished product for the first time will forever be a core memory,” Clark said. “This is so much more than a shoe — it’s about helping grow the game.” (See full release)

Stay tuned: The Caitlin 1 is set to drop on October 1st via Nike.com.

Liberty & Aces set Commissioner's Cup showdown

The WNBA Commissioner's Cup final is locked, as New York and Las Vegas punched tickets to the tournament championship on a combined 12-1 record.

• The Liberty ran the Eastern table, finishing undefeated with a conference-best +68 point differential behind forward Breanna Stewart’s 21.2 points, 9.2 rebounds, and three assists per game — including a 30-point outing against Indiana.

• The Aces edged Minnesota for the Western berth after last night’s 86-76 finale win over Phoenix, as A’ja Wilson capped a dominant Cup run with a 33-point, 10-rebound double-double. (Watch full highlights)

What’s at stake: Hosted by the team with the highest point differential, the Commissioner’s Cup final delivers a $500,000 prize pool, with winning players earning $30,000 each while losers walk with $10,000. 

• “Obviously, I like winning games… There’s a bit of money on the line — I love that,” said Aces coach Becky Hammon. “The league and the people probably want to see New York vs Vegas, so I think it’s good for the fans… It’s going to be a great battle.” (See full rules)

Stay tuned: New York hosts Last Vegas on June 30th at 7 PM ET, live on Prime.

Headed to Columbus for the NWSL Challenge Cup? Join Late Sub host Claire Watkins and Just Women’s Sports on Thursday, June 25th for Challenge Cup Trivia Night, presented by Ally. 

• Drinks and appetizers are on us as we take over City Tavern from 6 to 8 PM. 

• Plus — special prizes, player appearances, and a room full of soccer fans ready to show off their knowledge. 

Start the weekend off right with the one pregame you don’t want to miss.

Be there: Spots are limited — get your $10 ticket today via Eventbrite.

Vancouver drafts Caroline Harvey No. 1 overall

Vancouver landed its franchise player, selecting Wisconsin and USA Hockey defender Caroline “KK” Harvey No. 1 overall at Wednesday’s 2026 PWHL Draft.

• Harvey enters the league with a stacked résumé, including winning Olympic gold and MVP in Milan, plus three NCAA titles and IIHF Player of the Year — announced just hours before the draft.

• Abbey Murphy went No. 2 to Seattle, followed by Tessa Janecke to Las Vegas, and Laila Edwards to San Jose, making the Wisconsin product the highest-drafted Black player on record. (See full results)

Big winner: Boston cleaned up at the PWHL awards, as Aerin Frankel became the first goalie to win MVP while also taking Goalie of the Year. (See full results)

WNBA expanding to 50 games in 2027

The WNBA is stacking its 2027 schedule, as the league announced plans to expand from 44 to 50 regular-season games starting next year.

• The new CBA caps the 2027 and 2028 seasons at 50 games apiece, ending no later than November 21st in 2027 and November 30th in 2028.

• “Demand for the WNBA has never been greater, and expanding to a 50-game regular season reflects the extraordinary momentum we are seeing,” commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a statement. (See full report)

Taking stock: The news aligns with rapid growth, with two expansion teams joining this season and Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia set to debut before 2030.

NWSL clubs make big roster moves

The NWSL is keeping busy, as No. 14 Boston deepened its inaugural roster while No. 12 Angel City cleaned house on Wednesday.

• ACFC opened the day by sending Kennedy Fuller to Bay FC for $500,000 in transfer funds and $20,000 in allocation money, before firing coach Alex Straus and adding US star Ally Sentnor from Kansas City for $850,000. 

• Gotham then traded 2025 NWSL Rookie of the Year Lilly Reale to the Legacy in exchange for $350,000 in expansion allocation money. (See full report)

One-and-done: Straus joined Angel City in early 2025 from Bayern Munich, after leading the Frauen-Bundesliga titan to back-to-back league titles.

• Assistant coach Leif Gunnar Smerud will serve as interim manager as the LA club searches for a new boss.

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