Sports entity, Scripps, broadens its portfolio to include more women's sports events
In the lead-up to this year's upfronts, Scripps Sports is upping the ante with an extended lineup of women's sports. The new roster includes the Fort Myers Tip-Off Classic Tournament and the SI Women's Games.
These additions amplify Scripps Sports' existing partnerships with the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). They've also inked local deals with various sports teams like the Florida Panthers, Vegas Golden Knights, Utah Hockey Club, Las Vegas Aces, and the Big Sky Conference.
At a TV Tech Summit keynote, Scripps Sports President Brian Lawlor shed light on the surging interest in women's sports and their plans to snap up more rights for women's sports. One of the latest deals sees ION, a Scripps-owned network, becoming the exclusive TV broadcaster for the Elevance Health Women's Fort Myers Tip-Off, a much-loved early season college basketball tournament. This five-year deal, a new multiyear agreement between Scripps Sports and Intersport, commences with this year's Thanksgiving weekend tournament, November 28-29, held in Fort Myers.
The tournament marks the first national women's college basketball rights deal for Scripps Sports. ION will air every matchup live both days across cable, satellite, major streaming platforms, and over-the-air.
Switching gears, Sports Illustrated has unveiled an exclusive, biennial all-star competition for elite athletes levitating across six sports. Dubbed the SI Women's Games, athletes can vie for prize money based on their performances while aiming for the title of SI Women's Games Champion.
SI has collaborated with Scripps Sports for ION to be the exclusive U.S. broadcast home of the SI Women's Games. The Games will also be covered extensively across SI's digital, video, and social media platforms.
"The SI Women's Games inaugurate an exciting new avenue for Sports Illustrated to chronicle the best sports narratives," said Sports Illustrated editor in chief Steve Cannella. "We can't wait to witness these amazing athletes face off and celebrate their achievements, both on and off the field."
Lawlor at Scripps Sports chimed in, "We're thrilled to align with the illustrious Sports Illustrated brand to present the gripping and exhilarating stories, athletes, and events of the SI Women's Games to every American household. This is yet another milestone for Scripps Sports and ION as a premier destination for cutting-edge women's sports."
For precise event updates and schedules surrounding the SI Women's Games on ION, visit their official websites or check back regularly for announcements.
- Scripps Sports is expanding its women's sports offerings, adding the Fort Myers Tip-Off Classic Tournament and SI Women's Games to its roster.
- These additions strengthen existing partnerships with the WNBA, NWSL, and various sports teams like the Florida Panthers and Las Vegas Aces.
- In a new multiyear agreement between Scripps Sports and Intersport, ION, a Scripps-owned network, will exclusively broadcast the Elevance Health Women's Fort Myers Tip-Off.
- The tournament, Scripps Sports' first national women's college basketball rights deal, will air live both days across cable, satellite, streaming platforms, and over-the-air.
- Sports Illustrated has announced the SI Women's Games, an exclusive, biennial all-star competition featuring elite athletes across six sports.
- Scripps Sports and Sports Illustrated have collaborated for ION to be the exclusive U.S. broadcast home for the SI Women's Games.
- Scripps Sports President Brian Lawlor stated that aligning with the Sports Illustrated brand will position ION as a premier destination for cutting-edge women's sports, including sports like hockey, basketball, and the WNBA.
![Direct Sales of Books: Perspectives from Over 500 Writers [2025 Review]](/en/content/images/size/w1280/format/webp/20250802212615_authors-selling-books-directly.jpeg)
