Never miss the biggest moments in women’s sports
As journalists, we don't often take breaks from the busy news cycle. But this week, Paste BN kicked back in New York City for a very special occasion: The launch of Paste BN Studio IX, our new online destination for all things women's sports.
The pop-up WNBA draft viewing party, held in partnership with the New York Liberty, boasted a crowd of journalists, passionate fans and industry professionals — all of whom were united by a deep love for women's excellence in athletics. Over 200 people gathered to celebrate the inspiration women athletes bring to their play, and Paste BN's storied track record of telling their stories (I'm trying not to have FOMO).
👋 Nicole Fallert here and welcome to Your Week, our newsletter exclusively for Paste BN subscribers (that's you!). This week, we talk with Senior Sports Editor Alicia DelGallo about Paste BN Studio IX, our new women's sports community.
Here are a few more headlines I've read this week from Paste BN:
- Can Harvard afford to lose federal research funds?
- Budget cuts and bathrooms: An ongoing potty struggle at U.S. national parks.
- Fake service dogs hurt real service animals' credibility, advocates warn.
- She went to Costco to buy toilet paper. She walked out with a $23,000 hot tub.
- Would you use a payment plan to afford expensive concert tickets?
Your new spot for all things women's sports
Alicia DelGallo wants you to know one thing about Paste BN Studio IX: This initiative is not "jumping on a trend."
Yes, women's sports is having a moment: WNBA players like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese rejuvenated women's basketball in 2024 with a landmark NCAA tournament, just ahead of a historic Paris Summer Olympics which saw highlights from top athletes like U.S. rugby star Ilona Maher, gymnast Simone Biles and USWNT's Sophia Wilson. Not to mention new fandoms for U.S. women's soccer and rugby leagues.
"Our readership doubled on women's basketball and soccer last year, not even including the Olympics," DelGallo said.
Women's sports are drawing record crowds, nailing landmark pay deals and also just playing really, really good games. But DelGallo would argue that for Paste BN, this isn't just a buzzy thing to hop on, it's always been status quo at the newsroom to dedicate resources to women's athletics. With a largely women-run sports department, Paste BN boasts its own roster of top talent to write about these teams, with columnists Nancy Armor tracking Title IX's impact and Christine Brennan scooping insider knowledge from the figure skating world.
"I'm one of three senior women sports editors at Paste BN," DelGallo said. "We were already viewed as leaders in the space."
So think of Paste BN Studio IX as where our thought leadership comes together: A central hub for you to get game updates as well as exclusive interviews and analysis. It's "beautiful and elegant," DelGallo said, but also useful for anyone who wants quick, useful journalism about a range of women's leagues.
"People wanted one place, one community, for women's sports across the board," DelGallo said. The development process wasn't always easy, she said, and required a lot of, well, teamwork and strategy: "It's hard to wrap your head around the vastness that is women's sports and the vastness that is (Paste BN), and how to bring those two together."
The unique expanse of Paste BN's network of hundreds of local newsrooms presents opportunities for expanded women's sports coverage via the hub, reaching even into high school athletics or the local games that don't get mainstream attention. Look no further than Cora Hall's beat on University of Tennessee women's sports for Knox News or Meg L. Hall's coverage of women's basketball at For The Win as evidence of the network's diversity and strength, DelGallo said.
Paste BN Studio IX has a lot coming up: In May, DelGallo is co-hosting a panel of women's sports executives in sports. The community is also set to launch video projects, merch, podcasts and a newsletter (stay tuned!). Get started by following the community on our website, or find it on social media on X, Instagram and Facebook.
"I think its important to note we're not new to this (at Paste BN)," DelGallo said. "We've been here all along and it's time to do something a little bit different to satisfy what readers are asking for. We are changing along with (readers) and there's so much potential for where Studio IX could go."
Read more from Paste BN Studio IX:
- Nancy Armour: Get with the times, NCAA. The women's game still deserves better.
- "Gator Girls stay hot": Florida gymnastics uses cues from basketball for title hunt.
- Mikaela Shiffrin, Lindsey Vonn lead a stacked U.S. women's team into the 2026 Olympics.
- 2025 WNBA Draft winners (Hailey Van Lith!) and losers (South Carolina prospects).
- Two hardcore volleyball dads came up with a crazy idea: Launch a pro women's team in Indy.
Thank you
I'm beyond excited to follow Paste BN Studio IX's evolution and success. Thank you for supporting our journalism with your subscription. Our work wouldn't be possible without you.
Best wishes,
Nicole Fallert