Major League Baseball vs Golden State Valkyries

MLB's 'No Time Like October' Playoffs Campaign Boosts Ratings

Major League Baseball launched its 2026 postseason campaign, 'No Time Like October,' featuring full-page ads in major newspapers declaring 'October Starts Today.' The campaign aims to build urgency and excitement around the playoffs, which are experiencing a ratings boost. The league's marketing strategy focuses on disrupting daily routines and emphasizing the unmissable nature of playoff moments. This move is part of a broader effort to engage fans and drive viewership across traditional and streaming platforms.

• MLB launched the 'No Time Like October' campaign for the 2026 playoffs.
• Full-page ads ran in The New York Times and LA Times in late September.
• The campaign tagline is 'No Time Like October'.

X expands Gametime sports hub beyond NFL with MLB

X has announced the expansion of its 'Gametime' feature, a sports hub previously focused on the NFL, to include Major League Baseball (MLB). The new MLB experience, launching this month, will offer baseball fans postseason coverage, scores, stats, and real-time discussions. This move is part of X's strategy to attract advertisers by capitalizing on engaged sports audiences. The company plans to add more leagues, including the NBA, to make Gametime a year-round destination. The announcement comes after X's settlement with the World Federation of Advertisers (WFA) over an alleged boycott, as X seeks to rebuild relationships with brands.

• X expands its 'Gametime' sports hub to include Major League Baseball (MLB), starting this month.
• The MLB experience on X will offer postseason coverage, scores, stats, and real-time discussions.
• X plans to add more leagues, including the NBA, to make Gametime a year-round destination.

MLB Local Media Strategy Post-Cable Shift

This article discusses Major League Baseball's (MLB) challenge of maintaining its local media business as traditional cable (RSNs) declines. The league has agreed to a three-year national rights deal with Peacock, Netflix, and ESPN before the 2026 season, moving away from ESPN after 39 years. MLB is taking back local rights from collapsed networks like FanDuel Sports Network, offering short-term solutions via MLB.TV. Commissioner Rob Manfred envisions a unified streaming package for all teams, which could generate more revenue than individual team deals. However, big-market teams like the Dodgers, Yankees, and Red Sox have lucrative existing local rights deals (e.g., Dodgers' $500M/year with Charter), creating a revenue gap with small-market teams. International stars like Shohei Ohtani also complicate revenue sharing. The article suggests teams should build direct fan relationships and diversified revenue streams during the three-year transition period.

• MLB signed a three-year national rights deal with Peacock, Netflix, and ESPN before the 2026 season.
• MLB is shifting away from ESPN after 39 seasons for national games.
• The Dodgers' local rights deal with Charter Communications tops $500 million annually by 2038.

Golden State Valkyries' Jess Smith on winning sponsors

Golden State Valkyries president Jess Smith discusses the team's sponsorship strategy, emphasizing the blend of mission-driven growth and capital. The WNBA's newest team has become the first women's sports team to reach $100 million in annual revenue, with sponsorship income up 30% year-over-year. Smith highlights the importance of exclusivity, data-driven measurement, and partnerships like with Athleta, Sephora, and Iren, an AI storage company. The team leverages shared resources with the NBA's Warriors for insights and has partnered with talent agency The Team to measure community impact. Smith notes growing interest from non-traditional categories and the natural growth of the league, including additional games and increased ratings.

• Golden State Valkyries are the first women's sports team to reach $100 million in annual revenue.
• Sponsorship income increased 30% year-over-year.
• The team announced a partnership with Athleta, part of Gap.

Nneka Ogwumike Announces Retirement from the WNBA Following the 2026 Season

Nneka Ogwumike, WNBA champion, league MVP, 11-time All-Star and President of the Women’s National Basketball Players Association, announced her intent to retire from the WNBA at the conclusion of the 2026 season.

Brands Rally Around WNBA All-Star Weekend

The 2026 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game in Chicago is drawing significant brand participation, with 34 WNBA brand partners and licensees expected during All-Star Weekend. The immersive activation WNBA Live Presented by AWS returns for its fifth year at McCormick Place, offering fans player meet-and-greets, panel discussions, exclusive merchandise and interactive contests. The All-Star Game at the United Center will feature top players including Napheesa Collier, Caitlin Clark, Breanna Stewart, A’ja Wilson, Paige Bueckers and Angel Reese, while brands use the event for experiential and sponsorship activations.

• The 2026 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game is taking place at the United Center in Chicago.
• 34 WNBA brand partners and licensees will be present for All-Star Weekend.
• WNBA Live Presented by AWS returns for its fifth year at Chicago’s McCormick Place with immersive fan activations.