As team owners grow their investments in the NWSL, the league is investing in its teams.

The NWSL has increased its salary cap by 25% to nearly $1.4 million and bumped up the available allocation money to $600,000 for the upcoming season.

“Our teams are doubling and tripling their investment, whether it relates to coaching staff, or facilities, or other areas that we know our players need and deserve in order to perform at the highest level,” NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman said ahead of Thursday’s 2023 NWSL Draft. 

As the league focuses on its teams and players, Berman also addressed the results of the league’s joint investigation with the NWSLPA into misconduct allegations.

• Four former coaches were permanently banned.
• The Chicago Red Stars and Portland Thorns — which are both for sale — were fined a respective $1.5 million and $1 million.

“Fine money is going to be used in furtherance of systemic reform and to directly benefit the lives of players,” Berman said.

Thorns owner Merritt Paulson pledged $1 million upon his sale announcement to be used for establishing an NWSL player safety office.

Window of Opportunity

Berman revealed CBS’ exclusive negotiation window to renew the league’s media rights has ended. Its current deal — reportedly worth $4.5 million — expires after the upcoming 2023 season.

“We’ve both expressed a positive sentiment toward a future relationship — while also recognizing that we will need to have conversations with the broader marketplace,” Berman said.

The NWSL plans to add two teams for the 2024 season.

Phoenix wants to project a clean image when it hosts Super Bowl LVII on Feb. 12, but a resident is pushing back.

The city is being sued by resident Bramley Paulin, who owns two pieces of property in the city’s downtown area, after city officials told Paulin to remove unapproved signage.

• Phoenix has instituted a “clean zone” ordinance over certain areas in the leadup to the Big Game, which requires residents and businesses to receive approval for signage.
• The city has said that signs showing the logos of Super Bowl sponsor competitors or that make unlicensed use of the Super Bowl LVII trademark will be denied. Sponsors include Apple Music, Bud Light, and Lowe’s.
• Phoenix has pointed out that clean-zone policies are common around major sporting events.

Paulin, represented by attorney John Thorpe, is challenging the ordinance on First Amendment grounds. 

Record Price for 30 Seconds

Fox, which will broadcast this year’s Super Bowl, said in September that it had sold 95% of its ad inventory, charging a record $7 million for a 30-second spot.

Matt Voda, CEO of marketing analyst Optimine, told Front Office Sports that Super Bowl ads can be a good buy for large, consumer product brands, but some may be better off with more targeted spending.

“Six million [dollars] goes a long way across a lot of other channels, and you might be able to get reach that exceeds that [of a Super Bowl ad],” he said, referring to the approximate price charged last year by NBC.

Manchester United will reportedly invite formal takeover bids by mid-February after receiving interest from several groups.

The Premier League club has attracted groups from the Middle East, Asia, and the U.S., according to Telegraph Sport, and is expected to inform those interested that it will take bids for total buyouts and minority stakes.

• Saudi and Qatari ministers have previously minimized the potential of a takeover, but other reports don’t rule them out.
• British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe is reportedly interested, but no formal talks have been held. Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton could also join Ratcliffe’s bid.

Manchester United co-owner Avram Glazer reportedly held several informal meetings at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Doha.

The bid deadline appears to be flexible, but the club wants to have a deal by the end of April, per Telegraph Sport. 

The Glazers are reportedly looking for an offer of more than $7.2 billion for the team. Forbes last valued Manchester United at $4.6 billion.

The Fans Factor

The Glazers, who also own the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, have been criticized by fans for their management of the team.

“We will be advising any prospective new investors on the value of the fan-engagement processes we have built in recent years and recommending that they continue to be strengthened,” said Richard Arnold, Manchester United’s chief executive.