Soccer's biggest names salute USWNT great Christen Press

You better work, cover girl.

Soccer greats salute retiring USWNT star Christen Press

Soccer’s biggest names are giving Christen Press her flowers, praising the former USWNT forward’s decorated career after she announced her retirement yesterday.

• “Thank you CP23 for leading the way!! ACFC was our dream, and your commitment to the game and the club has transformed our community,” USWNT ‘99er and Angel City investor Mia Hamm tweeted.

• “On the field, a champion. Off the field, a leader and inspiration to so many. 155 caps, 64 goals, 2 World Cups, and a lasting impact in our sport that goes well beyond the numbers,” echoed US Soccer CEO JT Batson.

• “When you realize how perfect everything is, you will tilt your head back and laugh at the sky. Congrats on your perfect career. ily,” posted Press’s wife and fellow retired USWNT star Tobin Heath.

Lasting impact: While injury struggles kept Press off the international field under current head coach Emma Hayes, the USWNT boss took time to compliment the 36-year-old’s work on and off the pitch during her Wednesday press conference.

• “I remember watching Christen Press play for the first time — I went to a Stanford game — and I remember thinking, ‘Who the hell is this kid?,’” Hayes said, citing Press’s attacking versatility. “She could smash the ball into the top corner like nobody I know.”

• “What people don’t really see with that generation of players is what they’ve had to endure to get to where they are,” she continued, spotlighting the previous roster’s fight for equal pay. “They’ve had to sacrifice themselves, or put themselves in a place the positioned everybody else in a better place.”

Up next: “I think it is time for my family to move on to our next chapter,” said Press. “We’re going to be a part of this game forever, but it’s time for it to look different for us.”

WNBA smashes full-season viewership records on ESPN

The WNBA blew past viewership records all season long, ESPN reported this week, with the league delivering the network’s most-watched season in history.

• ESPN averaged 1.3 million viewers through 25 regular-season games for a 6% year-over-year increase, with the full season’s 49 broadcasts averaging 1.2 million viewers per game, up 5% over last year’s lineup.

• Postseason coverage proved especially popular, with Las Vegas’s championship series sweep averaging 1.5 million viewers per game, becoming the second-most watched WNBA Finals in 25 years behind 2024.

• The gains also hit the studio, with ESPN’s WNBA Countdown averaging 437,000 viewers through the playoffs — up 30% over last season — while Hoop Streams and The Wrap-Up saw 60% year-over-year growth across eight postseason episodes.

Big picture: The numbers punctuate the league’s stability, with viewership continuing to rise despite superstars like Caitlin Clark, Napheesa Collier, and Angel Reese all missing screen time due to injury.

• And the dividends are already paying off, as the WNBA embarks on a new $2.2 billion media deal promising at least $200 million per year in returns through the 11-year contract.

Bottom line: As the league wades through contentious CBA negotiations, soaring ratings could cement the Players Association’s argument for increased investment.

USWNT stars shine in Champions League play

Two rising US stars made their European marks week, as OL Lyonnes midfielder Lily Yohannes and Chelsea forward Alyssa Thompson registered their first-ever UWCL goals in the second week of Champions League play — hours after earning call-ups to October’s USWNT roster.

• 18-year-old Yohannes scored a 57-yard screamer in the 51st minute of the French side’s 3-0 win over St. Pölten, lifting Lyonnes over the competition after spotting the keeper out of her goal. (Watch full highlights)

• Recent WSL addition Thompson then piled onto the Blues’ eventual 4-0 thrashing of Paris FC, firing in her debut UWCL goal off a low cross from England mainstay Kiera Walsh. (Watch full highlights)

• “She brings a lot of speed up front,” Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor said of Thompson. “She also is a player who is really comfortable on the ball.”

Up next: League phase action continues today, as Manchester United faces Atletico Madrid at 12:45 PM ET before Arsenal visits Benfica at 3 PM ET, live on Paramount+.

Alexis Ohanian backs LOVB Volleyball’s LA expansion

Professional women’s volleyball is landing in Los Angeles, with LOVB announcing plans to launch an LA expansion team funded by Angel City investor — and Serena Williams’s husband — Alexis Ohanian.

• Ohanian’s Seven Seven Six firm is behind the new club, adding to a portfolio that also includes track and field competition Athlos and NWSL-focused docuseries The Offseason, as well as men’s team Los Angeles Golf Club.

• “We’re excited to make LOVB the third jewel in Seven Seven Six’s LA sports family,” Ohanian said in a statement. “Volleyball is such a natural addition for Southern California, which has already proven how warmly it embraces new pro sports teams.”

Taking off: LOVB wrapped its inaugural six-team season in April 2025, with the league’s second season set to kick off in January 2026 before LOVB LA joins in 2027.

• “We’re thrilled to partner with Alexis and the Seven Seven Six team, true women’s sports champions,” said LOVB president Rosie Spaulding. “We can’t wait to work with them to bring professional women’s volleyball to Southern California as we continue to grow the sport across the US.”

Reign star Jess Fishlock headlines international retirement spike

As 2025’s penultimate international window kicks off next week, several global stars are hanging up their national team boots with global attention turning towards next year’s 2027 World Cup qualifiers.

• Wales all-time top scorer and longtime Seattle Reign midfielder Jess Fishlock will suit up for the Dragons one last time against Australia next week, ending a 19-year international career.

• “The Euros was the pinnacle of my football career, seeing the dragon on the world stage for the first time will be a memory that will stay with me for a lifetime," Fishlock posted, referencing her country’s 2025 Euros debut.

Following suit: 2022 Euros champ and Chelsea defender Millie Bright is also stepping away from international duty, after removing herself from consideration for the Lionesses’ successful title defense this year.

• Other international retirement announcements this week include Ireland’s Megan Campbell, France’s Sandie Toletti and Amel Majri, and Dutch teammates Sherida Spitse and Renate Jansen.

NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman signs 3-year contract extension

NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman is sticking around, with Sportico reporting the NWSL Executive Committee voted to extend Berman’s contract an additional three years through the 2028 LA Olympics.

• The 48-year-old inked her initial four-year deal in 2022, quickly driving commercial growth following a period of league scandals.

• Berman is also credited for successful CBA negotiations and a blockbuster $60 million-per-year media deal, boosting team valuations from the low single-digit millions to upwards of $250 million. 

Ups and downs: Berman faced recent backlash around the league’s handling of on-field medical incidents, with Sportico’s sources noting that the board of governors’ decision to move forward with the extension was not unanimous.

• “We’re proud to have Jessica Berman’s continued leadership,” executive committee chair Tisch Blodgett said. “Under her guidance, the NWSL has reached new heights in attendance, revenue, and global visibility. This extension ensures we can continue building on that momentum.”

Quote of the day

Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese
on manifesting her runway debut in this week’s Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.