The Good Sport Guide to Women's Sports in NYC: June 29th - July 5th
Everything you should know, watch, and do as a women's sports fan in NYC.
Good evening my glorious readers. Before we begin, a quick anecdote from my weekend: At a party, my bestie Maya and I were talking to a girl we didn’t know when the Liberty came up, and she said that her hot take was that she “didn’t believe in women’s sports.” She just liked watching men better, she explained, laughing in a way where it was like we were all in on the joke. Oh my love…you’re in danger…
Imagine the look Maya and I shared. I, the proprietor of Good Sport NYC. Maya, the proprietor of Liberty season tickets. This girl had no idea how unsafe an audience she had. Never have I been more excited to tell someone about this here project. And when I did, she was appropriately mortified, and attempted to get on my good side throughout the night. My love, I just think you’re so boring! I feel sad for you! You’re 30-something, and you haven’t figured out that you can be a fan of men’s sports without putting women down!
I trust my memory haunts her. I am a poltergeist for casual internalized sports misogyny. Anyways…
I’ve got something for ya that was the opposite of hater vibes, though: Last week’s Big Gay Knockout, our first event. Like 50 people came and we had fun and made merch and ate fruit roll-ups. I’m still smiling about it! More fun gatherings on the horizon.
In today’s newsletter: Gotham FC makes it official with Sam Kerr, and brings home a cup. Plus the Liberty look towards a chip of their own.
What to know
Welcome back to NYC, Sam Kerr. Earlier today, Gotham FC confirmed what was reported last week: The all-time NWSL regular-season leading scorer is returning to the league, and returning to New York City. Gotham’s socials were buzzing with the announcement all day. Here’s what Gotham’s President of Soccer Operations, Yael Averbuch West, told Jenna Tonelli for Sports Illustrated:
“There are very few players in the world who can take over a game the way Sam can, and she’s consistently proven why she’s one of a kind. The fact that she chose to return to Gotham speaks volumes about our ambition, the environment we’ve created, and the direction of this club.”
I’ll be honest, Averbuch West has only given me reason to trust her vision and leadership so far. I am so excited to see Kerr play with our team.
Courtesy of Gotham FC Gotham FC are the 2026 NWSL Challenge Cup Champions. On Friday, we beat the Kansas City Current 2-0 in the Challenge Cup. TLDR on this thing: The Challenge Cup is a winner-take-all "super cup" game played between the two top teams from the previous season: the NWSL Champions and the NWSL Shield winners, which is the team with the best regular season record. I personally don’t put much stock into in-season tournaments, but for a league that’s still trying to grow, it’s fun, and I’m here for it. Especially when my girls win!
It’s the Liberty vs. the Aces for the 2026 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup. Speaking of in-season tournaments…Barclays hosts the Commissioner’s Cup Championship tomorrow (Tuesday) night. The quick on how this cup works: The team with the best Cup record in the Eastern Conference faces off against the team with the best Cup record in the Western Conference. Players are competing for a $500,000 prize pool, and the W donates money to both teams’ selected non-profits based on game results. Kay…maybe I do like these tournaments…
What to watch this week
Tuesday 6/30
🏀 The Liberty are home at Barclays Center to take on the Las Vegas Aces at 7:00 pm ET for the 2026 WNBA Commissioner's Cup Championship. Watch on Prime Video.
Thursday 7/2
🥎 The Rise open a 3-game road series at the KC Diamonds at 7:35 pm ET. Watch on AWSN (Pluto TV).
Friday 7/3
🏀 The Liberty host the Minnesota Lynx at Barclays Center at 7:30 pm ET. Watch on ION.
🥎 The Rise are at the KC Diamonds for game 2 of the series at 7:35 pm ET. Watch on AWSN (Pluto TV).
Saturday 7/4
⚽ Gotham FC returns to NWSL regular season play, traveling to face San Diego Wave FC at 8:45 pm ET. Watch on ION.
🥎 The Rise close the KC road trip with game 3 at 7:35 pm ET. Watch on AWSN (Pluto TV).
Before you go…
There are now over 200 of you subscribed to this thing! I am absolutely honored that you trusted me with your email address in exchange for information and community around our city’s women’s sports culture. Remember when I said I want to hit 1,000 by September? I’m scared, but I believe. Share Good Sport with your friends so our dreams come true…
New pod on Thursday. Love you bye.