Claire Watkins
@scoutripley.bsky.social
Newsletter lead writer and host of The Late Sub for Just Women’s Sports
Pinned
Claire Watkins
@scoutripley.bsky.social
· Nov 13
2025 NWSL Semifinals: Gotham FC Star Jaedyn Shaw Is Hitting Her Stride
Star Gotham forward Jaedyn Shaw sits down with JWS before squaring off against the Orlando Pride in the 2025 NWSL semifinals.
justwomenssports.com
“I think this year has been a lot of mental growth. How do I weather storms?“
Jaedyn Shaw is answering the questions many former soccer prodigies face, and she’s becoming the player Gotham needs as they make a championship push. Spoke to her about it for JWS:
justwomenssports.com/reads/gotham...
Jaedyn Shaw is answering the questions many former soccer prodigies face, and she’s becoming the player Gotham needs as they make a championship push. Spoke to her about it for JWS:
justwomenssports.com/reads/gotham...
Sorry it is sadly so funny to me that we hit peak women’s sports confluence today where the WNBA and the NWSL are both publicly arguing with their PA’s
December 18, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Sorry it is sadly so funny to me that we hit peak women’s sports confluence today where the WNBA and the NWSL are both publicly arguing with their PA’s
The women’s sports boom is here and league leadership in both soccer and basketball aren’t ready for some reason
BREAKING: The NWSLPA opposes the #NWSL's proposed "High Impact Player" rule. PA exec. dir. Meghann Burke tells @espn.com that the NWSL is controlling and interfering with which players can access a certain pot of funds. The PA's proposal is to raise the cap by $1M, the proposed "HIP" amount. MORE:
NWSLPA opposes cap plan for stars like Rodman
The NWSLPA has expressed opposition to an NWSL proposal to create a new rule to pay star players outside of the cap, further clouding the league's next steps in competing with top European clubs for e...
www.espn.com
December 18, 2025 at 6:50 PM
The women’s sports boom is here and league leadership in both soccer and basketball aren’t ready for some reason
Realized I forgot my earplugs on the way to the Cameron Winter solo show but then was like actually I probably don’t need those huh
December 18, 2025 at 1:04 AM
Realized I forgot my earplugs on the way to the Cameron Winter solo show but then was like actually I probably don’t need those huh
I don't feel like I understand Chelsea's vibe this season
December 17, 2025 at 8:35 PM
I don't feel like I understand Chelsea's vibe this season
Wilson staying in the NWSL is not a surprise to me at all but very good business for Portland retaining her for at least one more year
December 17, 2025 at 1:25 AM
Wilson staying in the NWSL is not a surprise to me at all but very good business for Portland retaining her for at least one more year
Reposted by Claire Watkins
Peyton has overcome so much to be a regular presence at multiple NWSL venues on the east coast. Without a service dog, she won't be able to continue that work.
The cost of finding and training a service dog is very high, so if you can help at all, you'd be helping one of the good ones in woso.
The cost of finding and training a service dog is very high, so if you can help at all, you'd be helping one of the good ones in woso.
I’m not sure I’ll ever find the right words for this.
In October, my service dog died suddenly. If you’ve seen me, in a stadium, on a sideline, in a press box, you’ve seen her.
While I mourn her, I must look forward to find her successor. Please share & consider donating if able
gofund.me/599149570
In October, my service dog died suddenly. If you’ve seen me, in a stadium, on a sideline, in a press box, you’ve seen her.
While I mourn her, I must look forward to find her successor. Please share & consider donating if able
gofund.me/599149570
Donate to Help Peyton Regain Independence After Loss of Service Dog, organized by Peyton Skeels
My name is Peyton, and I am fundraising to bring home and trai… Peyton Skeels needs your support for Help Peyton Regain Independence After Loss of Service Dog
gofund.me
December 15, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Peyton has overcome so much to be a regular presence at multiple NWSL venues on the east coast. Without a service dog, she won't be able to continue that work.
The cost of finding and training a service dog is very high, so if you can help at all, you'd be helping one of the good ones in woso.
The cost of finding and training a service dog is very high, so if you can help at all, you'd be helping one of the good ones in woso.
That’s an absolute all time collapse by Nebraska volleyball, despite the fight back to take it to 5
December 14, 2025 at 11:08 PM
That’s an absolute all time collapse by Nebraska volleyball, despite the fight back to take it to 5
The birds trying to find a warm spot to sit in the sun on the literal Soldier Field playing surface must be having a very weird day
December 14, 2025 at 7:15 PM
The birds trying to find a warm spot to sit in the sun on the literal Soldier Field playing surface must be having a very weird day
Every single year this time of year I’m like “I love the holidays why am I so bummed out” and then the sun goes down at 4:15
December 12, 2025 at 11:17 PM
Every single year this time of year I’m like “I love the holidays why am I so bummed out” and then the sun goes down at 4:15
Sometimes I just wanna be like “Sam Kerr left anyway, guys”
This latest pod from @scoutripley.bsky.social on the Trinity Rodman saga is a great breakdown of how we got here, including some key NWSL history newer folks may not be aware of
youtu.be/_p9THyC4k3s?...
youtu.be/_p9THyC4k3s?...
The NWSL is FAILING Trinity Rodman | The Late Sub
YouTube video by Just Women's Sports
youtu.be
December 12, 2025 at 3:09 AM
Sometimes I just wanna be like “Sam Kerr left anyway, guys”
I’m genuinely trying not to be jaded about this but the league created something very similar to this in 2019 and it’s since been phased out because it wasn’t keeping up to demand
SOURCES: The #NWSL board has voted to approve a new star player fund—internally called "High Impact Player"—to allow teams to spend up to $1M over the cap with a much smaller cap hit for players who meet criteria.
Crucially: A change affecting the cap requires NWSLPA consultation. On @espn.com:
Crucially: A change affecting the cap requires NWSLPA consultation. On @espn.com:
Sources: NWSL 'star' salaries tied to player profile
The NWSL's Board of Governors has approved a new roster mechanism to pay select star players above and beyond the current salary cap, multiple sources confirmed to ESPN.
www.espn.com
December 12, 2025 at 2:59 AM
I’m genuinely trying not to be jaded about this but the league created something very similar to this in 2019 and it’s since been phased out because it wasn’t keeping up to demand
Allocation money is dead, welcome back allocation money
NEWS: The #NWSL board is voting on a proposal that would allow teams to pay top players beyond the current salary cap but with limits, w/the hope that it's a solution for Trinity Rodman and other stars. Proposal still needs to pass. Details (so far) on @espn.com 👇
Sources: NWSL voting on extra funds to pay stars
The NWSL's Board of Governors is in advanced discussions about implementing a new roster mechanism that would allow each team to pay star players significant salaries beyond the current salary cap, mu...
www.espn.com
December 11, 2025 at 4:41 AM
Allocation money is dead, welcome back allocation money
Digging what Iowa State is cooking but my favorite player coming out of that matchup was Chit-Chat Wright
December 11, 2025 at 2:08 AM
Digging what Iowa State is cooking but my favorite player coming out of that matchup was Chit-Chat Wright
This is the first time I’ve ever heard of a Michigan coach cheating
December 10, 2025 at 10:22 PM
This is the first time I’ve ever heard of a Michigan coach cheating
As bummed as I am to be missing host city festivities Chicago was absolutely correct in not taking this deal
US host cities facing at least $250m shortfall due to new Fifa deal
Fifa take virtually all WC revenue, and costs supposed to be covered by sponsors
But cities can’t do big deals as, eg, convenience store Wawa cuts across Fifa deal with McDonald’s
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Fifa take virtually all WC revenue, and costs supposed to be covered by sponsors
But cities can’t do big deals as, eg, convenience store Wawa cuts across Fifa deal with McDonald’s
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
2026 World Cup to cost US host cities upwards of $250m after ‘worst deal in history’
The United States federal government may be forced to cover the shortfall caused by a restrictive deal with Fifa
www.independent.co.uk
December 9, 2025 at 9:05 PM
As bummed as I am to be missing host city festivities Chicago was absolutely correct in not taking this deal
UWCL and UCL running the same time on Paramount+ is beautifully confusing this is pure football bb
December 9, 2025 at 8:48 PM
UWCL and UCL running the same time on Paramount+ is beautifully confusing this is pure football bb
Went 0-2 bad this weekend I never want to see the red zone again
December 8, 2025 at 12:34 AM
Went 0-2 bad this weekend I never want to see the red zone again
No matter how this ends the Bears looking like a normal football team for most of this game is a genuine marvel to me
December 7, 2025 at 11:49 PM
No matter how this ends the Bears looking like a normal football team for most of this game is a genuine marvel to me
If that’s it that’s a really shitty way for Zach Ertz to go out
December 7, 2025 at 9:09 PM
If that’s it that’s a really shitty way for Zach Ertz to go out
A big ten championship where both teams score one touchdown apiece feels spiritually correct
December 7, 2025 at 4:26 AM
A big ten championship where both teams score one touchdown apiece feels spiritually correct
Can’t say I’ve caught a ton of Big 12 CFB this year but watching the title game I get why some of the better 2-loss at large CFP schools are making a ruckus
December 6, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Can’t say I’ve caught a ton of Big 12 CFB this year but watching the title game I get why some of the better 2-loss at large CFP schools are making a ruckus
The demise of Stanford women’s soccer appears to be a little overstated
December 6, 2025 at 3:57 AM
The demise of Stanford women’s soccer appears to be a little overstated
Oh no the wall
December 6, 2025 at 2:50 AM
Oh no the wall
“Come on, FIFA!” - Lauryn Hill
December 5, 2025 at 6:05 PM
“Come on, FIFA!” - Lauryn Hill
The World Cup draw means little to me as an average viewer I like to know who is playing who approximately 25 minutes before kickoff
December 5, 2025 at 5:31 PM
The World Cup draw means little to me as an average viewer I like to know who is playing who approximately 25 minutes before kickoff