At the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2026, Women's Sports had its own main stage. And Courtside was holding court, talking to mega star athletes and entrepreneurs like Allyson Felix and Sue Bird; massive brands like Catalyst, Athlos, and Sequel; and teams like Man City and the New York Liberty. Everyone came together to offer proof points of the Courtside thesis: that women's sports is a massive opportunity for any brand, the fandom is the bomb, and no one needs to be convinced that we matter anymore.

At the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2026, Women's Sports had its own main stage. And Courtside was holding court, talking to mega star athletes and entrepreneurs like Allyson Felix and Sue Bird; massive brands like Catalyst, Athlos, and Sequel; and teams like Man City and the New York Liberty. Everyone came together to offer proof points of the Courtside thesis: that women's sports is a massive opportunity for any brand, the fandom is the bomb, and no one needs to be convinced that we matter anymore.

Away Game: Courtside Live at Cannes!

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/93e9bdd6-e1f8-45d9-8e25-b48701342505/transcript

We take a look back at a huge through line of the Courtside show: how important it is to pay attention to how we're developing health infrastructure around all athletes. You can make the business case for it; the human case is obvious. With the influx of attention, money, and partners pouring into women's sports, we highlight the people who know what to do with it.

We take a look back at a huge through line of the Courtside show: how important it is to pay attention to how we're developing health infrastructure around all athletes. You can make the business case for it; the human case is obvious. With the influx of attention, money, and partners pouring into women's sports, we highlight the people who know what to do with it.

Game Tape: A Courtside Review of Athlete Health

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/a9f2a0cd-276a-4e64-9904-b458001538f1/transcript

Yael Averbach West grew up the lone girl on a boys' soccer team in Montclair, New Jersey, went on to wear the UNC kit and earn USWNT caps, and now runs one of the NWSL's most decorated clubs as two-time champion GM of NJ/NY Gotham FC. She joins Laura for a Jersey-girl conversation about the grit it took to get here — and the vision it takes to stay on top. They dig into how the women's professional game has transformed from survival mode to sold-out stadiums, why winning isn't enough if no one knows your players exist, what Gotham actually needs from commercial partners, and what it means to build a club culture that reflects the community that raised you.

 

00:00 Welcome Back to Courtside 

01:00 Growing Up Soccer in Jersey: The Boys Team Decision 

04:45 UNC and Finding Her People 

07:30 From the WPS to the NWSL: Surviving to Thriving 

11:00 What's Actually Changed for Players (and What Hasn't) 

15:30 Building the Gotham Standard: Infrastructure, Facilities, and Player Care 

21:00 ACL Injuries, Data, and Making Insights Actionable 

23:30 Connecting the On-Field Product to Commercial Growth 

28:30 How the GM Role Has Evolved 

31:00 What Gotham Actually Needs from Partners 

33:00 The Season Ahead and Citi Field Announcement

Yael Averbach West grew up the lone girl on a boys' soccer team in Montclair, New Jersey, went on to wear the UNC kit and earn USWNT caps, and now runs one of the NWSL's most decorated clubs as two-time champion GM of NJ/NY Gotham FC. She joins Laura for a Jersey-girl conversation about the grit it took to get here &mdash; and the vision it takes to stay on top. They dig into how the women's professional game has transformed from survival mode to sold-out stadiums, why winning isn't enough if no one knows your players exist, what Gotham actually needs from commercial partners, and what it means to build a club culture that reflects the community that raised you.
&nbsp;
00:00 Welcome Back to Courtside&nbsp;
01:00 Growing Up Soccer in Jersey: The Boys Team Decision&nbsp;
04:45 UNC and Finding Her People&nbsp;
07:30 From the WPS to the NWSL: Surviving to Thriving&nbsp;
11:00 What's Actually Changed for Players (and What Hasn't)&nbsp;
15:30 Building the Gotham Standard: Infrastructure, Facilities, and Player Care&nbsp;
21:00 ACL Injuries, Data, and Making Insights Actionable&nbsp;
23:30 Connecting the On-Field Product to Commercial Growth&nbsp;
28:30 How the GM Role Has Evolved&nbsp;
31:00 What Gotham Actually Needs from Partners&nbsp;
33:00 The Season Ahead and Citi Field Announcement

Yael Averbach West on Building a Dynasty at Gotham FC

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/5d86cbfa-e716-4c36-98ba-b44a0043e160/transcript

Laura joins the Possible NOW Podcast with Christian Muche to discuss why women’s sports isn’t charity—it’s business. Drawing on her career identifying white space and turning it into opportunity, Laura unpacks the myths keeping advertisers on the sidelines, how athletes are redefining ownership through their own media platforms, and why the next billion-dollar growth story in sports will be led by women.

 

02:08 Laura's Early Love for Sports
04:17 The Transferable Skills from Sports to Leadership
08:34 The Business Case for Women's Sports
17:08 The Impact of Media and Athlete Platforms
25:11 Innovative Sponsorship Models
31:35 Future Visions and Partnerships
37:31 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Laura joins the Possible NOW Podcast with Christian Muche to discuss why women&rsquo;s sports isn&rsquo;t charity&mdash;it&rsquo;s business. Drawing on her career identifying white space and turning it into opportunity, Laura unpacks the myths keeping advertisers on the sidelines, how athletes are redefining ownership through their own media platforms, and why the next billion-dollar growth story in sports will be led by women.
&nbsp;
02:08 Laura's Early Love for Sports 04:17 The Transferable Skills from Sports to Leadership 08:34 The Business Case for Women's Sports 17:08 The Impact of Media and Athlete Platforms 25:11 Innovative Sponsorship Models 31:35 Future Visions and Partnerships 37:31 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Courtside Away Game: Laura Correnti on Possible Now with Christian Muche

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/24ebf755-93ee-4236-8a54-b38c0015724e/transcript

For nearly 20 years, Karina LeBlanc was known for defending Canada’s net. Now she’s defending the future of women’s sports as EVP of Strategic Growth at RAJ Sports, where she’s helping lead both the Portland Thorns and the new WNBA expansion team, the Portland Fire—which also happens to be Portlands original WNBA team. She joins Laura to talk about playing the long game—creating generational impact, measuring success beyond wins, and why Portland might just be the global epicenter of women’s sports.

 

03:15 The Impact of Sports on Personal Growth
05:53 Overcoming Challenges and Embracing Failure
12:09 Transitioning to Executive Roles
25:50 The Unique Appeal of Women's Sports
27:42 The Power of Representation and Role Models
31:10 Innovative Partnerships and Community Impact
34:52 The Epicenter of Women's Sports: Portland's Vision
42:09 Personal Reflections and Future Aspirations

For nearly 20 years, Karina LeBlanc was known for defending Canada&rsquo;s net. Now she&rsquo;s defending the future of women&rsquo;s sports as EVP of Strategic Growth at RAJ Sports, where she&rsquo;s helping lead both the Portland Thorns and the new WNBA expansion team, the Portland Fire&mdash;which also happens to be Portlands&nbsp;original WNBA team. She joins Laura to talk about playing the long game&mdash;creating generational impact, measuring success beyond wins, and why Portland might just be the global epicenter of women&rsquo;s sports.
&nbsp;
03:15 The Impact of Sports on Personal Growth 05:53 Overcoming Challenges and Embracing Failure 12:09 Transitioning to Executive Roles 25:50 The Unique Appeal of Women's Sports 27:42 The Power of Representation and Role Models 31:10 Innovative Partnerships and Community Impact 34:52 The Epicenter of Women's Sports: Portland's Vision 42:09 Personal Reflections and Future Aspirations

Karina LeBlanc on Making Portland the Epicenter of Women’s Sports

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/1e2c89c5-8658-4f82-9c12-b38c00155cbc/transcript

Joining Editor in Chief of Marie Claire Nikki Ogunnaike, Laura traces her journey from college athlete to successful partner at Giant Spoon, and how she founded Deep Blue to drive commercial investment in women’s sports. They explore the critical role sports play in achieving career leadership, the impactful intersection of advertising with women's sports, and the innovative strides being made to elevate women's sports through creative investments and new business models.

01:55 Laura's Journey: From Soccer to Advertising
03:03 The Impact of Sports on Corporate Careers
05:15 Early Career in Digital Media
06:54 Building Giant Spoon and Entrepreneurial Insights
15:01 Deep Blue's Mission and Market Challenges
17:12 Partnering with Sue Bird and Strategic Vision
19:21 The Economic and Social Impact of Women's Sports
23:22 Future Vision for Deep Blue and Women's Sports
35:25 Lightning Round: Money, Style, and Power

Joining Editor in Chief of Marie Claire Nikki Ogunnaike, Laura traces her journey from college athlete to successful partner at Giant Spoon, and how she founded Deep Blue to drive commercial investment in women&rsquo;s sports. They explore the critical role sports play in achieving career leadership, the impactful intersection of advertising with women's sports, and the innovative strides being made to elevate women's sports through creative investments and new business models.
01:55 Laura's Journey: From Soccer to Advertising 03:03 The Impact of Sports on Corporate Careers 05:15 Early Career in Digital Media 06:54 Building Giant Spoon and Entrepreneurial Insights 15:01 Deep Blue's Mission and Market Challenges 17:12 Partnering with Sue Bird and Strategic Vision 19:21 The Economic and Social Impact of Women's Sports 23:22 Future Vision for Deep Blue and Women's Sports 35:25 Lightning Round: Money, Style, and Power

Courtside Away Game: Laura Correnti on Nice Talk with Marie Claire's Nikki Ogunnaike

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/41ba92b6-1392-4577-970e-b38c001063c4/transcript

Mike Nichols has spent nearly two decades proving women’s sports are undervalued—and he’s putting his investments where the returns are. The former LPGA exec turned Chief of Sponsorship Strategy at Group 1001 joins Laura to talk about Gainbridge’s partnerships with the USL Super League, Caitlin Clark, and more. They get into why 40% of his sponsorship dollars go to women’s sports, how $5,000 grants can create outsized impact, and where the opportunity lies for brands willing to get in from grassroots to the ground floor.

Mike Nichols has spent nearly two decades proving women&rsquo;s sports are undervalued&mdash;and he&rsquo;s putting his investments where the returns are. The former LPGA exec turned Chief of Sponsorship Strategy at Group 1001 joins Laura to talk about Gainbridge&rsquo;s partnerships with the USL Super League, Caitlin Clark, and more. They get into why 40% of his sponsorship dollars go to women&rsquo;s sports, how $5,000 grants can create outsized impact, and where the opportunity lies for brands willing to get in from grassroots to the ground floor.

Mike Nichols of Gainbridge on Playing the Long Game in Women's Sports 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/b2e80e92-da1c-495d-bf6f-b38200f02732/transcript

UCLA WBB head coach Cori Close joins Laura to talk about a culture that outlasts banners and awards—sweeping the sheds, nurturing the roots, and why “coaching people’s hearts” is her real playbook. She opens up about the Final Four learning curve, the NIL and transfer-era noise, and what infrastructure college programs actually need so coaches can coach. Plus: the service work that connects teams—and how gratitude, discipline, and “uncommon” choices turn talent into titles.


01:18 Coach Cori Close's Journey and Early Influences
03:35 The Coach Close Basketball Method
06:28 Achievements and Reflections on Awards
09:11 Mental Conditioning and Player Development
13:13 Challenges and Lessons from the Final Four
17:43 Navigating NIL and Financial Conversations
23:50 Future of Women's College Basketball

UCLA WBB head coach Cori Close joins Laura to talk about a culture that outlasts banners and awards&mdash;sweeping the sheds, nurturing the roots, and why &ldquo;coaching people&rsquo;s hearts&rdquo; is her real playbook. She opens up about the Final Four learning curve, the NIL and transfer-era noise, and what infrastructure college programs actually need so coaches can coach. Plus: the service work that connects teams&mdash;and how gratitude, discipline, and &ldquo;uncommon&rdquo; choices turn talent into titles.
 01:18 Coach Cori Close's Journey and Early Influences 03:35 The Coach Close Basketball Method 06:28 Achievements and Reflections on Awards 09:11 Mental Conditioning and Player Development 13:13 Challenges and Lessons from the Final Four 17:43 Navigating NIL and Financial Conversations 23:50 Future of Women's College Basketball

Broom & Shovel Leadership: Cori Close on Building an Uncommon Program

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/e75e207e-173e-4c4a-8e6d-b35c0022dd89/transcript

Constance Schwartz-Morini, CEO of SMAC Entertainment, has turned sports talent across sports into household names along with her partner and client Michael Strahan. She shares how she helped Strahan become a media mogul, why Deion Sanders is the ultimate CMO, and how she’s shaping the future in women’s sports with clients including Emma Hayes, Brie and Nikki Garcia, and Erin Andrews. They dig into what it takes to build athlete-led content, how to expand careers beyond the game, and why the women’s side of sports is ready for a bigger stage.

 

00:31 Introduction
01:50 Constance Schwartz-Morini's Early Life and Career
06:28 Building SMAC Entertainment with Michael Strahan
08:40 Developing Athlete Brands: The Case of Deion Sanders
12:48 Empowering Women in Sports
15:16 Challenges and Strategies in Women's Sports Management
20:10 Future Directions and Final Thoughts

Constance Schwartz-Morini, CEO of SMAC Entertainment, has turned sports talent across sports into household names along with her partner and client Michael Strahan. She shares how she helped Strahan become a media mogul, why Deion Sanders is the ultimate CMO, and how she&rsquo;s shaping the future in women&rsquo;s sports with clients including Emma Hayes, Brie and Nikki Garcia, and Erin Andrews. They dig into what it takes to build athlete-led content, how to expand careers beyond the game, and why the women&rsquo;s side of sports is ready for a bigger stage.
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00:31 Introduction 01:50 Constance Schwartz-Morini's Early Life and Career 06:28 Building SMAC Entertainment with Michael Strahan 08:40 Developing Athlete Brands: The Case of Deion Sanders 12:48 Empowering Women in Sports 15:16 Challenges and Strategies in Women's Sports Management 20:10 Future Directions and Final Thoughts

The Playbook for Multi-Hyphenate Marketing: Constance Schwartz-Morini on Athlete-Led Brands

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/04c015d4-e53f-4f5c-80c1-b35500060b04/transcript

When Laura founded Deep Blue Sports + Entertainment, the first firm dedicated to commercial investment and growth opportunities in women's sports, she changed the game. She dives into how she did it: explaining inspiration she drew from the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team, why she’s torn up her five-year plan so many times amidst the growth of women’s sports, and what needs to be done to create more “multi-hyphenates” amongst female athletes.

When Laura founded Deep Blue Sports + Entertainment, the first firm dedicated to commercial investment and growth opportunities in women's sports, she changed the game. She dives into how she did it: explaining inspiration she drew from the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team, why she&rsquo;s torn up her five-year plan so many times amidst the growth of women&rsquo;s sports, and what needs to be done to create more &ldquo;multi-hyphenates&rdquo; amongst female athletes.

Courtside Away Game: Laura Correnti on The Deal with Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/2d39d149-3502-4e16-a3f1-b34700f71000/transcript

Women’s sports aren’t just growing—they’re booming. And Courtside is where you’ll get the inside track on the deals, disruptors, and dollars driving the industry forward. Hosted by Laura Correnti, award-winning media executive and founder of Deep Blue Sports & Entertainment, this podcast goes beyond the scores to spotlight the power players, trends, and investments shaping the future of this billion-dollar business. From groundbreaking sponsorships to media rights battles and the investors betting big, Courtside delivers the play-by-play on how women’s sports are changing the game. Whether you’re an industry insider, investor, athlete, or a fan ready to see women’s sports thrive, this is your front-row seat to the action: Courtside.

Women&rsquo;s sports aren&rsquo;t just growing&mdash;they&rsquo;re booming. And Courtside is where you&rsquo;ll get the inside track on the deals, disruptors, and dollars driving the industry forward.&nbsp;Hosted by Laura Correnti, award-winning media executive and founder of Deep Blue Sports &amp; Entertainment, this podcast goes beyond the scores to spotlight the power players, trends, and investments shaping the future of this billion-dollar business.&nbsp;From groundbreaking sponsorships to media rights battles and the investors betting big, Courtside delivers the play-by-play on how women&rsquo;s sports are changing the game. Whether you&rsquo;re an industry insider, investor, athlete, or a fan ready to see women&rsquo;s sports thrive, this is your front-row seat to the action: Courtside.

Courtside with Laura Correnti

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