Latest news with #FrontOfficeSports'
USA Today
9 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
The case for the WNBA extending its season into NFL territory
The case for the WNBA extending its season into NFL territory What we're all watching this summer is technically the longest WNBA season ever. All 13 teams across the league will play 44 games over 118 days, from May 16 to September 11. When it's all said and done, this will be the most games ever played in a WNBA season. As a fan, I'm thankful on one hand. The more WNBA the better. On the other, this new schedule already seems to be posing a problem for players around the league, and the season isn't even quite a month old yet. Players expressed their concerns about the schedule in an article from Front Office Sports' Annie Costabile. The crux of it is this: The WNBA's schedule has increased the number of games played over four years, from 32 in 2021 to 44 in 2025. While the league has added more games, it hasn't added the requisite amount of time in between these games for proper rest and recovery for its players. That packed schedule has resulted in stints where players are playing four games in six nights or, like in the Phoenix Mercury's case, nine games in 18 days. That's grueling and, really, unnecessary. That packed schedule is only going to get worse. The WNBA is adding two more teams next season, in the Toronto Tempo and the Portland expansion team. We're probably looking at another few games added to the schedule with those two teams coming. If that happens, an expansion on the season is desperately needed. The only argument against the expansion is that the WNBA will be encroaching deep into NFL territory, which is something essentially every league is afraid of these days. The NFL is a ratings monster. Go up against a football game — especially during primetime — and your audience is probably going to get cannibalized. It could also run up against the NBA, which could be a source of internal strife among the two organizations. MLB will also be playing the World Series around this time. However, I'd argue that these are not things the WNBA should be concerned with at this point. As far as TV ratings go, the WNBA should be confident enough at this point to believe it can hold its own against any other league it might run up against. And, yes, that includes the NFL. The W's most popular players are drawing nearly 3 million viewers to regular-season games at this point. You could argue that's a bit anomalous because it's Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese and people will watch every time they play. But when games are being played that late in the season in September and October, we're either talking about late regular-season matchups that have significance for playoff seeding or we're talking about playoffs outright. People will be drawn to these games. But, honestly, the ratings conversation doesn't even really matter here. We've said it once before and we'll say it again: The WNBA has already signed the biggest TV deal in the league's history. That deal is locked in for the next decade. Ratings no longer matter in conversations about this league. They won't until it's time to lock in the next deal, and once we arrive there, the league will likely be light years ahead of where it is today. In the end, ratings shouldn't take precedence over player health. We're only a few weeks into the season and we've already seen so many players suffer from soft tissue injuries that you can't help but feel like they could've been avoided if not for so much wear and tear on the talent. If extending the WNBA's calendar out another month or so can alleviate some of that, then so be it. The league should do it, no matter what the NFL, NBA, or anyone else thinks. Bennedict Mathurin becomes Michael Jordan The Indiana Pacers are two wins away from winning an NBA championship and pulling off one of the biggest upsets in the league's history and it's all thanks to Bennedict Mathurin, who was the hero of Game 3 for Indy. The dude scored 27 points in 22 minutes, which is bonkers. But it gets even more bonkers when you see the conversation he just entered. Mathurin is only 22 years old. Here's the list of dudes who've scored at least 25 points in the NBA Finals at 22 or younger: There are a bunch of Hall of Famers on that list and then there's Mathurin, who is still charting his course. I have no idea where things go from here for the Pacers' forward, but that's a pretty good list to be on. Byron Buxton to the moon I don't even know what to say about Byron Buxton's 479-foot homer against the Rangers. The Twins' broadcast team didn't, either. All they could do was laugh. Here's Cory Woodroof on the moonshot: "It's one of the longest home runs of the 2025 MLB season, and it's one that left the Twins television broadcast in stitches over just how dominant it really was. I mean, he sent that baseball into another time zone. You don't often see an MLB player hammer a homer like this, but Buxton slammed this baseball in stride. You know you've done well when all your team's broadcast team can do is laugh at how great of a home run it was." Look at this thing. It truly is comical. Insane. Quick hits: A new consensus mock ... The Knicks get rejected again ... and more — Here's Bryan Kalbrosky with a new consensus NBA mock draft for you. Can't believe it's almost draft season. — The Knicks really need to go find a head coach who doesn't already have a team, man. Charles Curtis has more on their latest rejections. — Our Meg Hall had a nice chat with Sha'Carri Richardson! Y'all know you need to click this one. — A dentist is playing in the US Open. No, seriously. Charles Curtis has five facts you need to know about him. — Charles Barkley roasted the Knicks' coaching search. Absolutely love this. — Here's Robert Zeglinski on Kyle Shanahan being annoyed with how fans overreact to NFL practices. This is brilliant. That's a wrap, folks. Thanks for reading. Peace. -Sykes ✌️ This is For The Win's daily newsletter, The Morning Win. Did a friend recommend or forward this to you? If so, subscribe here.
The Sun
23-04-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Liverpool FC showcases its leadership in sustainability with latest The Red Way report
LIVERPOOL, UK - Media OutReach Newswire - 23 April 2025 - Liverpool FC published its latest The Red Way report today, celebrating the club's continued sustainability progress in building a better future for its people, planet and communities. The Red Way (TRW), which was launched in 2021, is the club's award-winning sustainability strategy, and its third annual season report marks an important milestone in the club's ongoing journey to becoming a more sustainable organisation. Aligned to 16 of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the strategy outlines the progress made on the club's long-term commitment to driving positive change through governance, innovation and strategic and collective action. The 2023/24 season saw TRW recognised with nine major sustainability awards in a 12-month period, including the Front Office Sports' Most Sustainable in Sport award and the Sports Industry Awards for Environmental Sustainability. These accolades reflect the demonstrable progress being made across all areas of the club from Operations to Retail and Travel. Environmental sustainability remains a central focus under the Planet pillar, with 96% of all energy used at club sites coming from renewable or low-carbon sources. During the 2023/24 season the club offset 100% of its football operations emissions, reduced its overall carbon emissions by 12.5% compared to the previous season (2022/23) and achieved a 15% reduction on its 2019/20 baseline. Significant steps were also taken to reduce emissions from travel, including eliminating 100% of carbon emissions from domestic team flights through investment in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). The club also continue to utilise Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) to fuel its team buses, which creates a reduction in carbon emissions of up to 90 per cent from regular diesel. Biodiversity efforts have flourished under the club's award-winning grounds team with over 1,000 trees and hedges planted. Further initiatives include the installation of honeybee colonies and solitary bee habitats, the club now has 60,000 bees across all its sites. This helps to support local pollinators, attract new wildlife and plant species and the continued success of the club's allotment, which produced half a tonne of food used within its busy kitchens. The legendary Anfield pitch is now fully recyclable and has already been put to good use making benches for the club's new orchard at the AXA Training Centre. Liverpool FC also remains the first Premier League club to achieve ISO20121 (sustainability) and holds both ISO45001 (health and safety) and ISO50001 (energy) certifications – which reflects both its commitment and governance credentials in this space. Under the People pillar, LFC continues to champion equality, diversity and inclusion through its Red Together initiative. The club hosted its first ever Iftar event at Anfield, welcoming over 2,800 people to break fast together during Ramadan. The club also created powerful and engaging content for International Day of Disabled Persons, with 12-year-old super fan Dáire Gorman helping to raise awareness of Crommelin Syndrome, leading to a surge in public interest and a 12-month high of worldwide online searches for the condition. The club's work in its local and global communities continues to expand through the club's official charity, LFC Foundation. Last season, the Foundation supported more than 127,000 people and delivered an impressive social return of £13.70 for every £1 spent. More than 60% of participants came from the most deprived areas of the country, demonstrating the Foundation's commitment to making a real difference where it matters most. Jonathan Bamber, Liverpool FC Chief Legal and External Affairs Officer and Executive Sponsor of The Red Way, said: 'Understanding the impact that we do – and can – have is critical if we are to continue to succeed, on and off the pitch. 'The landscape we work in, and the challenges we are facing, are increasingly complex and regularly shifting. Despite this, we remain as ambitious, determined and optimistic as ever. We do this work because we believe it is vital if we are to be the football club that we want to be. Our commitment to The Red Way is stronger than ever.' The club has also played a key role in global sustainability conversations, attending 24 international events across the 2023/24 season, including COP28 and the UN's Global Eradicate Hate Summit. This global engagement reinforces LFC's growing influence as a sustainability leader not only in football, but across the wider sports industry. Rishi Jain, director of impact at Liverpool FC, added: 'The Red Way is more than a strategy – it's a key priority for the club and is embedded into every aspect of the business. This is our third annual report and it's incredible to see the progress that has been made and that we continue to make, thanks to the support from our fans, staff, partners, and communities who help us achieve our ambition to be a truly sustainable football club. 'We have set ambitious targets, including achieving net zero by 2040, and we understand that we are on a journey and there is still much more to do. This report is a celebration of how far we've come and confirms our commitment to go even further.'
Zawya
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Zawya
Liverpool FC showcases its leadership in sustainability with latest The Red Way report
LIVERPOOL, UK - Media OutReach Newswire - 23 April 2025 - Liverpool FC published its latest The Red Way report today, celebrating the club's continued sustainability progress in building a better future for its people, planet and communities. The Red Way (TRW), which was launched in 2021, is the club's award-winning sustainability strategy, and its third annual season report marks an important milestone in the club's ongoing journey to becoming a more sustainable organisation. Aligned to 16 of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the strategy outlines the progress made on the club's long-term commitment to driving positive change through governance, innovation and strategic and collective action. The 2023/24 season saw TRW recognised with nine major sustainability awards in a 12-month period, including the Front Office Sports' Most Sustainable in Sport award and the Sports Industry Awards for Environmental Sustainability. These accolades reflect the demonstrable progress being made across all areas of the club from Operations to Retail and Travel. Environmental sustainability remains a central focus under the Planet pillar, with 96% of all energy used at club sites coming from renewable or low-carbon sources. During the 2023/24 season the club offset 100% of its football operations emissions, reduced its overall carbon emissions by 12.5% compared to the previous season (2022/23) and achieved a 15% reduction on its 2019/20 baseline. Significant steps were also taken to reduce emissions from travel, including eliminating 100% of carbon emissions from domestic team flights through investment in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). The club also continue to utilise Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) to fuel its team buses, which creates a reduction in carbon emissions of up to 90 per cent from regular diesel. Biodiversity efforts have flourished under the club's award-winning grounds team with over 1,000 trees and hedges planted. Further initiatives include the installation of honeybee colonies and solitary bee habitats, the club now has 60,000 bees across all its sites. This helps to support local pollinators, attract new wildlife and plant species and the continued success of the club's allotment, which produced half a tonne of food used within its busy kitchens. The legendary Anfield pitch is now fully recyclable and has already been put to good use making benches for the club's new orchard at the AXA Training Centre. Liverpool FC also remains the first Premier League club to achieve ISO20121 (sustainability) and holds both ISO45001 (health and safety) and ISO50001 (energy) certifications – which reflects both its commitment and governance credentials in this space. Under the People pillar, LFC continues to champion equality, diversity and inclusion through its Red Together initiative. The club hosted its first ever Iftar event at Anfield, welcoming over 2,800 people to break fast together during Ramadan. The club also created powerful and engaging content for International Day of Disabled Persons, with 12-year-old super fan Dáire Gorman helping to raise awareness of Crommelin Syndrome, leading to a surge in public interest and a 12-month high of worldwide online searches for the condition. The club's work in its local and global communities continues to expand through the club's official charity, LFC Foundation. Last season, the Foundation supported more than 127,000 people and delivered an impressive social return of £13.70 for every £1 spent. More than 60% of participants came from the most deprived areas of the country, demonstrating the Foundation's commitment to making a real difference where it matters most. Jonathan Bamber, Liverpool FC Chief Legal and External Affairs Officer and Executive Sponsor of The Red Way, said: "Understanding the impact that we do – and can – have is critical if we are to continue to succeed, on and off the pitch. "The landscape we work in, and the challenges we are facing, are increasingly complex and regularly shifting. Despite this, we remain as ambitious, determined and optimistic as ever. We do this work because we believe it is vital if we are to be the football club that we want to be. Our commitment to The Red Way is stronger than ever." The club has also played a key role in global sustainability conversations, attending 24 international events across the 2023/24 season, including COP28 and the UN's Global Eradicate Hate Summit. This global engagement reinforces LFC's growing influence as a sustainability leader not only in football, but across the wider sports industry. Rishi Jain, director of impact at Liverpool FC, added: "The Red Way is more than a strategy – it's a key priority for the club and is embedded into every aspect of the business. This is our third annual report and it's incredible to see the progress that has been made and that we continue to make, thanks to the support from our fans, staff, partners, and communities who help us achieve our ambition to be a truly sustainable football club. "We have set ambitious targets, including achieving net zero by 2040, and we understand that we are on a journey and there is still much more to do. This report is a celebration of how far we've come and confirms our commitment to go even further." To learn more about The Red Way and view the full 2023/24 season report, visit Hashtag: #LiverpoolFC The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Liverpool Football Club
