Chris W Henderson
@cwritefootball.bsky.social
URI 🐏 assoc teaching professor in sports media & comm. cultural studies. everyday resistance. Working on an oral history of US pro women's soccer fandom. #BAONPDX #UTFT he/him work: hendersonc.com
Pinned
Alright, starting this thing in earnest. Currently researching & writing an oral history of US pro women's league soccer fandom from 1999- 2026. Please get in touch with your stories, I'll be out and about in the stadiums for most of 2025 and would love to hear from ya'll.
Reposted by Chris W Henderson
HERE YE HERE YE
A wager has been set by representatives of supporters of NJ/NY Gotham FC and Washington Spirit regarding the outcome of the 2025 NWSL Final:
If Gotham wins, Spirit supporters donate $200 to the Ali Forney Center
If Spirit win, Gotham supporters donate $200 to SMYAL
A wager has been set by representatives of supporters of NJ/NY Gotham FC and Washington Spirit regarding the outcome of the 2025 NWSL Final:
If Gotham wins, Spirit supporters donate $200 to the Ali Forney Center
If Spirit win, Gotham supporters donate $200 to SMYAL
November 22, 2025 at 6:03 AM
HERE YE HERE YE
A wager has been set by representatives of supporters of NJ/NY Gotham FC and Washington Spirit regarding the outcome of the 2025 NWSL Final:
If Gotham wins, Spirit supporters donate $200 to the Ali Forney Center
If Spirit win, Gotham supporters donate $200 to SMYAL
A wager has been set by representatives of supporters of NJ/NY Gotham FC and Washington Spirit regarding the outcome of the 2025 NWSL Final:
If Gotham wins, Spirit supporters donate $200 to the Ali Forney Center
If Spirit win, Gotham supporters donate $200 to SMYAL
Reposted by Chris W Henderson
Journalists; we have an incredible immigration attorney friend who is trying to make the World Cup safer for undocumented people in the US. If you’d like to chat with her about her org’s ideas and the pushback they’re getting, DM us or @jessielosch.bsky.social
November 19, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Journalists; we have an incredible immigration attorney friend who is trying to make the World Cup safer for undocumented people in the US. If you’d like to chat with her about her org’s ideas and the pushback they’re getting, DM us or @jessielosch.bsky.social
The American Exceptionalism of it all.
EXCLUSIVE:
spoke to #NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman this morning about Trinity Rodman and the salary cap, which doesn’t seem to be going anywhere
the salary cap, she said, is “the reason our league is the most competitive league in the world”
www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/...
spoke to #NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman this morning about Trinity Rodman and the salary cap, which doesn’t seem to be going anywhere
the salary cap, she said, is “the reason our league is the most competitive league in the world”
www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/...
NWSL's Berman defends salary cap as Rodman contract expiration looms
Berman talked exclusively to CBS Sports shortly before Rodman's Washington Spirit kicked off their NWSL semifinal match vs. Portland Thorns
www.cbssports.com
November 15, 2025 at 10:48 PM
The American Exceptionalism of it all.
Reposted by Chris W Henderson
Beautiful @rosecityriveters.org tifo for the home playoff match 🌹❤️ #BAONPDX
November 9, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Beautiful @rosecityriveters.org tifo for the home playoff match 🌹❤️ #BAONPDX
Reposted by Chris W Henderson
Reposted by Chris W Henderson
The Black Women’s Player Collective has dropped a statement as well this morning on their Instagram in light of the recent comments made this week.
November 7, 2025 at 2:20 PM
The Black Women’s Player Collective has dropped a statement as well this morning on their Instagram in light of the recent comments made this week.
Reposted by Chris W Henderson
The way we win isn't by correctly phrasing our rebuttals to the people who hate us. It's by insisting on inclusion for all of our queer siblings
November 5, 2025 at 1:00 AM
The way we win isn't by correctly phrasing our rebuttals to the people who hate us. It's by insisting on inclusion for all of our queer siblings
Reposted by Chris W Henderson
It’s interesting to see how the responses today have been framed, whether it’s focusing on a player’s exceptional talent, or that if they were assigned female at birth.
No one in this league should be subject to transphobic hate because transphobia is based on hateful rhetoric and trash science.
No one in this league should be subject to transphobic hate because transphobia is based on hateful rhetoric and trash science.
Inbox: NWSLPA Releases statement condemning attacks on players
"We stand firmly with all our members - including, and especially, the African women who have been targeted by divisive and demeaning rhetoric”
"We stand firmly with all our members - including, and especially, the African women who have been targeted by divisive and demeaning rhetoric”
November 4, 2025 at 11:28 PM
It’s interesting to see how the responses today have been framed, whether it’s focusing on a player’s exceptional talent, or that if they were assigned female at birth.
No one in this league should be subject to transphobic hate because transphobia is based on hateful rhetoric and trash science.
No one in this league should be subject to transphobic hate because transphobia is based on hateful rhetoric and trash science.
Reposted by Chris W Henderson
Banda’s accolades, while impressive, are not relevant in the face of racist and transphobic attacks. If the league cannot be specific in naming what those "hateful attacks" are, this statement just noise.
November 4, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Banda’s accolades, while impressive, are not relevant in the face of racist and transphobic attacks. If the league cannot be specific in naming what those "hateful attacks" are, this statement just noise.
Reposted by Chris W Henderson
Some of y'all are fine with Sarah Gorden being the one who gets the smoke because of who she plays for, and you're not doing that good a job of hiding it. And if that offends you, take it to the altar. It should. These folks are coming for your league and your sport. Get over yourselves and FIGHT!
November 4, 2025 at 4:30 AM
Some of y'all are fine with Sarah Gorden being the one who gets the smoke because of who she plays for, and you're not doing that good a job of hiding it. And if that offends you, take it to the altar. It should. These folks are coming for your league and your sport. Get over yourselves and FIGHT!
Love the labor security and solidarity that enables a player to name this for what it was. Hate the silence from management that makes it necessary.
from sarah gorden:
October 31, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Love the labor security and solidarity that enables a player to name this for what it was. Hate the silence from management that makes it necessary.
One of the strengths of woso space has always been clear-eyed journalists who know the players and the fans and use their platforms to call the league to account.
The NWSL's silence on its gender eligibility approach has invited harassment of players — and now, an op-ed from a current player calling for "a clear standard" to address a problem that doesn't exist.
Statements from NWSL, NWSLPA & thoughts from me @theathletic.com
www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
Statements from NWSL, NWSLPA & thoughts from me @theathletic.com
www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
NWSL’s lack of gender eligibility policy leaves players vulnerable – just not in the way you think
An op-ed from Angel City midfielder Elizabeth Eddy called for "a clear standard" to address a problem that doesn't currently exist.
www.nytimes.com
October 28, 2025 at 11:28 AM
One of the strengths of woso space has always been clear-eyed journalists who know the players and the fans and use their platforms to call the league to account.
Reposted by Chris W Henderson
Deeply disappointed in Liz Eddy here, who I've always liked and respected. A reminder that we have a lot of work to do when it comes to educating the public about why trans inclusion isn't just morally correct, but competitively sound share.google/Gjf9a1Sl01eL...
National Women’s Soccer League must adopt gender standards to keep growing
Recent controversies across women’s sports — from swimming to track and field — have highlighted professional soccer lacks clear eligibility policies, unlike a growing number of other competitions.…
share.google
October 27, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Deeply disappointed in Liz Eddy here, who I've always liked and respected. A reminder that we have a lot of work to do when it comes to educating the public about why trans inclusion isn't just morally correct, but competitively sound share.google/Gjf9a1Sl01eL...
The Choice is Yours. (I made mine.) icarusfc.com/collections/...
October 18, 2025 at 12:23 PM
The Choice is Yours. (I made mine.) icarusfc.com/collections/...
How long is this league going to survive despite itself
SCOOP: NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman has a new three-year contract, per sources. Under her guidance the league has seen large commercial growth and undergone multiple expansions. #NWSL
More via @sportico.bsky.social 👇
www.sportico.com/personalitie...
More via @sportico.bsky.social 👇
www.sportico.com/personalitie...
NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman Receives 3-Year Contract Extension
Jessica Berman received a 3-year extension as NWSL commissioner. The deal was executed by the league's four-person executive committee.
www.sportico.com
October 11, 2025 at 1:23 AM
How long is this league going to survive despite itself
The home team just seems to invent new ways to lose.
Absolutely brutal way for the Phillies to lose, Dodgers win the series
October 10, 2025 at 1:47 AM
The home team just seems to invent new ways to lose.
Reposted by Chris W Henderson
Dearest Isabelle, We have taken refuge with thousands of fellow citizens at the town stadium in war ravaged #Portland, as drums pound and smoke fills the air, along with the cries of the citizenry. Around us we see the horror of empty beer cups and insufficient hot dog relish. #BAONPDX
October 5, 2025 at 3:23 AM
Reposted by Chris W Henderson
if you’re a visual learner i made you some maps of where the people quoted in this article as supporting portland being occupied by troops live
September 30, 2025 at 8:57 PM
if you’re a visual learner i made you some maps of where the people quoted in this article as supporting portland being occupied by troops live
The broadcast deal that sent valuations into the stratosphere and attracted a new class of owners is also the driving force behind nonsense like this. In 2020, MLB, NBA, and NFL valuations all went up w/ no fans in the stands and a lethal virus not under control when players returned to play. 1/
NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman threatened to fine the Kansas City Current after a disagreement over extreme heat procedures that delayed a match against Orlando Pride roughly three and a half hours, sources told The Athletic.
August 21, 2025 at 8:21 PM
The broadcast deal that sent valuations into the stratosphere and attracted a new class of owners is also the driving force behind nonsense like this. In 2020, MLB, NBA, and NFL valuations all went up w/ no fans in the stands and a lethal virus not under control when players returned to play. 1/
Reposted by Chris W Henderson
Every Blade of Grass: In the wake of the dangerous conditions during this weekend's Current-Pride matchup, @southernsylvs.bsky.social vs makes an impassioned plea to the league:
Protect this league. Protect its players.
#NWSL
fearlesssc.com/protect-your...
Protect this league. Protect its players.
#NWSL
fearlesssc.com/protect-your...
Every Blade of Grass: On Heat, Turf, and Protecting Your Players – Fearless SC
fearlesssc.com
August 19, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Every Blade of Grass: In the wake of the dangerous conditions during this weekend's Current-Pride matchup, @southernsylvs.bsky.social vs makes an impassioned plea to the league:
Protect this league. Protect its players.
#NWSL
fearlesssc.com/protect-your...
Protect this league. Protect its players.
#NWSL
fearlesssc.com/protect-your...
Something, something "no duty of care" something, something. Their lack of ability to pay attention, learn, and change is exhausting.
This is a colossal failure by the league and its television "partners," and it's still only their second biggest fumble by the league this season. Remember, they made two teams keep playing after their colleague died and came back to life in the stadium on the pitch. That was 3 months ago. Alright.
August 16, 2025 at 10:57 PM
Something, something "no duty of care" something, something. Their lack of ability to pay attention, learn, and change is exhausting.
Reposted by Chris W Henderson
This is an incredible tweet for someone of his influence to make, and even more so as a direct question to UEFA
August 9, 2025 at 5:11 PM
This is an incredible tweet for someone of his influence to make, and even more so as a direct question to UEFA
Reposted by Chris W Henderson
not enough to allege that racism has no place here, clearly it’s found one. the question is only when will white people be willing to categorize and punish racism as not just words but the promotion of the world’s most violent and inhumane ideology
July 20, 2025 at 5:08 PM
not enough to allege that racism has no place here, clearly it’s found one. the question is only when will white people be willing to categorize and punish racism as not just words but the promotion of the world’s most violent and inhumane ideology
100%. Not (or no longer) a reporter. But if I didn't (willingly and lovingly) pay out of my own pocket to do this project right, it would not exist.
There are fewer than five people making a living as women's soccer reporters in the US.
The entire industry runs on them, a dozen or so more people like me who have writing jobs that sometimes include woso, and everything else is done by freelancers or for free.
The entire industry runs on them, a dozen or so more people like me who have writing jobs that sometimes include woso, and everything else is done by freelancers or for free.
Common knowledge in your field but shocks outsiders?
A whole lot of athletes are very boring to talk to.
A whole lot of athletes are very boring to talk to.
June 17, 2025 at 6:47 PM
100%. Not (or no longer) a reporter. But if I didn't (willingly and lovingly) pay out of my own pocket to do this project right, it would not exist.