Today marks the beginning of the 2024 Global Sports Mentoring Program (GSMP), a public-private collaboration between the U.S. Department of State and espnW. This initiative brings together international women in sports with top American sports executives, harnessing the power of mentorship to inspire growth, leadership, and inclusion in sports across the globe. Now in its 13th year, the GSMP has established a global network of women committed to driving change through sports. This year, 15 emerging women leaders from countries such as Azerbaijan, Brazil, New Zealand, and Tanzania will be paired with American mentors from organizations like the NFL, NCAA, ESPN, and the U.S. Tennis Association. These pairings aim to foster professional growth, build networks, and create opportunities for young women and underrepresented groups in sports.

We’re excited to share that thanks to your generous support, we’ve reached our fundraising goal, and Grandmaster Vladislav Kovalev is on his way to the European Individual Chess Championship in Montenegro. With the funds raised, Vladislav’s travel, accommodation, meals, and tournament fees are now fully covered. He can focus entirely on competing and performing at his best in the upcoming championship. Your donations and shares made this possible, and Vladislav is grateful for the support you’ve shown. This is not just about competing in a tournament—it’s about pursuing his passion and standing by his values. Thank you for being a part of this effort. We’ll keep you updated on his journey in the tournament.

Pressure is mounting on FIFA as players and leagues push back against an overloaded 2024/2025 soccer calendar. In the global soccer landscape, resistance is mounting against FIFA’s relentless push to expand the match calendar, culminating in a showdown over the proposed expansion of the Club World Cup in 2025. Players, leagues, and fans alike are increasingly voicing their frustrations as the game is overloaded with matches, leading to burnout, injuries, and diminished fan engagement. Тhe global players’ union FIFPro, along with the European Leagues association—which represents 39 divisions including the Premier League, Serie A, and La Liga—filed a groundbreaking legal complaint against FIFA. They accuse the governing body of abusing its role as both tournament organizer and regulator, pushing for more games at the expense of player welfare.