Portland’s $150M Play to Lead Women’s Sports 🏟️

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What To Know About Women’s Basketball Today

1. Portland Unveils $150M Training Facility Plans 🏟️

RAJ Sports, the ownership group behind Portland’s new WNBA expansion team, has announced plans for a $150 million state-of-the-art training facility. Designed to be one of the most advanced performance centers for female athletes, the facility will be shared by both the WNBA team and the Portland Thorns FC of the NWSL. (WNBA)

WHY IT MATTERS: Portland is proving its commitment to elite training resources and a top-tier player experience for its women athletes. High-quality facilities are a key factor in expansion bid success and eventual player recruitment.

Here’s some what the 12-acre performance center will feature:

• 63,000-square-foot training facility

• 17,000-square-foot practice gym with two full-size courts

• Full-service dining space with an on-site chef and nutritionist

2. WNBA Trading Cards Sell Out in Hours 🤑

Panini’s highly anticipated 2024 Prizm WNBA Trading Card Hobby Box, priced at $1,200 per box, was released this week—and sold out within 24 hours. (Panini)

WHY IT MATTERS: The demand for WNBA trading cards is skyrocketing, fueled by the league’s growing popularity and the hype surrounding the 2024 rookie class, including Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. Interest in sports card collecting surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, as more people rediscovered the hobby. Since then, WNBA cards have gained serious traction, with collectors hunting for rare finds. Just last December, a 1-of-1 Caitlin Clark rookie card from the 2024 Panini Select WNBA collection sold for $234,850.

3. Dept. of Education Revokes NIL Gender Equity Guidance ⚖️

The U.S. Department of Education has rescinded its recent Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) guidance, which was issued just one month ago by the Biden administration. The original guidance stated that NIL opportunities must comply with Title IX gender equity laws, ensuring that deals and resources are proportionate across male and female athletes. (Sportico)

WHY IT MATTERS: NIL remains the Wild West of college sports, and without clear gender equity protections, the financial gap between men’s and women’s athletics could continue to widen.

Universities are investing millions into NIL collectives to attract top athletes, but a disproportionate amount of that money is going to football and men’s basketball. In 2024, women’s college basketball ranked as the third most popular NIL sport, yet the vast majority of NIL money is still funneled toward male athletes. Without federal oversight, women’s sports could struggle to maintain fair access to sponsorships and financial opportunities.

UConn Head Coach Geno Auriemma spoke out about the rollback—watch his comments here 👉 UConn on SNY