Rachel Axon

Small-ish update - excited to move from long-term freelance to a full-time staff writer for @SBJ. Not much changes coverage-wise, with LOTS of Paris stories coming. But a big deal for me personally, and it gives me a chance to branch to other sports later. So very happy today.

The @Valkyries are writing the playbook for immediate WNBA success, so our @rachelaxon asked team president @gametimejess how they did it. 🔹 Build a unique brand 🔹 Build locally 🔹 Be competitive 🔹 Know the fan and the experience they want MORE: ow.ly/nhjv50WtmyJ

Unrivaled increases investment in collegiate hoops, signing 14 to NIL deals from @RachelAxon at #WNBA All-Star Weekend sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2025/…

"This is no laughing matter." A'ja Wilson delivered a strong statement ahead of tonight's All-Star matchup about what the WNBA's growth means and why she thinks players deserve a bigger cut of the profits. From @rachelaxon in Indy🔻 ow.ly/vcHH50Wshq7

"Pay us what you owe us." WNBA players making a statement at All-Star Game with t-shirts they had under their warm-ups. This event is surely a celebration of the league and its success, but the CBA has been the focus of this weekend.

The number of brand activations at WNBA Live has more than quadrupled since the first iteration in 2022. Fans can get everything from nail art, beauty products and luxury handbags to a sneaker shine and wine samples. More from @rachelaxon in Indy 🔻 ow.ly/BsEp50WrS0K

The USOPC recorded a record $496.2M in revenue last year, according to its IRS 990 form 📈 Team USA’s success in Paris — 126 Olympic and 105 Paralympic medals — helped drive more than $85M in donations, its best year ever. 📰 @RachelAxon ow.ly/xbGa50Wh6c1

📰In the latest @SBJ women's sports newsletter, we've got: 📣 New research from The Collective digging into fan behavior 🎾 The lack of prime time spots for women at The French Open 👟 Startup footwear brands creating new models for female athletes sportsbusinessjournal.com/sb-blogs/newsl…

USA Gymnastics CEO Li Li Leung will step down at the end of the year. In six years at the NGB, she has led it out of crisis, instituted reforms and returned it to commercial and competitive success. My @SBJ story. sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2025/…

Soooo deserving and glad to see invaluable reporting from @Lindsay_Schnell being recognized.

LA28 continues its momentum in 2025 in a big way, signing Honda as its automotive sponsor. It's the sixth new sponsor this year, matching the total for all of 2024, and first tier-one sponsor in nearly four years. My @SBJ story. sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2025/…

"We went into the process kind of with two tracks in mind: Are we going to start up and run a league or are we going to make an investment and partner with somebody?" Rob Manfred explains AUSL investment, with MLB's desire to have a sustainable league. sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2025/…

Everyone watches women’s sports.

.@LA28 Chairman Casey Wasserman reacts to NFL players being allowed to play Olympic flag football. "You can only imagine the level of excitement and interest and passion is going to be imbued upon the flag football event,” he told @RachelAxon is.gd/tjOV17

Women's sports are finally getting the coverage they deserve. We're excited to launch our women's sports newsletter vertical, anchored by @rachelaxon and featuring insights from the entire SBJ newsroom. The first edition hits inboxes Tuesday, May 13 📲 ow.ly/18I050VN20J

#Nike partners with @rebelgirlsbook on content series aimed at Gen Alpha girls featuring top female athletes via @RachelAxon sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2025/…

U.S. Figure Skating has its new leader: @mattfarrell_ The Olympic veteran is set to take over as CEO of the NGB with nine months until the Milan Cortina Games. @oneelevate_ led the search. More from @Rachelaxon 🔻 sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2025/…