Rachel Bachman, WSJ sports reporter
@realbachscore.bsky.social
I write about sports for @wsj.com. Sometimes I post about old-timey sports.
Pinned
No One Wanted to Finance Their Stadium. Now Every Game Is a Sellout.
Building a professional women’s soccer venue was seen as brash. Now the Kansas City Current’s is a blueprint for others.
www.wsj.com
The stadium for the Kansas City Current -- whose construction 40 banks refused to finance because there had never been a professional stadium built for a women's team -- just finished its second consecutive season of sold-out games.
www.wsj.com/sports/socce...
www.wsj.com/sports/socce...
The last time Indiana won an outright Big Ten title, 1945, the leading rusher was George Taliaferro.
The next spring, he was the first Black player to be drafted by an NFL team.
The next spring, he was the first Black player to be drafted by an NFL team.
December 7, 2025 at 4:37 AM
The last time Indiana won an outright Big Ten title, 1945, the leading rusher was George Taliaferro.
The next spring, he was the first Black player to be drafted by an NFL team.
The next spring, he was the first Black player to be drafted by an NFL team.
I’ve never heard a player shout out his team for being “process-oriented” during a postgame interview
Looks like we‘re going to have a Heisman winner who’s active on LinkedIn
December 7, 2025 at 4:27 AM
I’ve never heard a player shout out his team for being “process-oriented” during a postgame interview
Looks like we‘re going to have a Heisman winner who’s active on LinkedIn
December 7, 2025 at 4:25 AM
Looks like we‘re going to have a Heisman winner who’s active on LinkedIn
A Dr Pepper contest paying for a student to go to dental school is about as American as it gets
December 7, 2025 at 3:05 AM
A Dr Pepper contest paying for a student to go to dental school is about as American as it gets
Everyone hated the BCS computers. Now, they‘re starting to look pretty good. A compelling read from @rodger.bsky.social
www.theringer.com/2021/12/03/c...
www.theringer.com/2021/12/03/c...
OK Computers: A Formal Apology to College Football’s Biggest Scapegoat
The BCS era was defined by college football fans getting mad at a set of computer formulas. But math was never the problem with the old system—and the sport’s new selection process has only gotten wor...
www.theringer.com
December 7, 2025 at 3:01 AM
Everyone hated the BCS computers. Now, they‘re starting to look pretty good. A compelling read from @rodger.bsky.social
www.theringer.com/2021/12/03/c...
www.theringer.com/2021/12/03/c...
Following a chat with a former lawmaker after a round of golf, Trump decided to pardon a sports executive in the middle of one of his Justice Department's big battles against the ticketing and concert industry, where prices for fans have skyrocketed in recent years.
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Exclusive | A Round of Golf Changed Trump’s Tone on the Concert Industry
The president’s pardon of sports executive Tim Leiweke ended a major case from his Justice Department.
www.wsj.com
December 6, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Following a chat with a former lawmaker after a round of golf, Trump decided to pardon a sports executive in the middle of one of his Justice Department's big battles against the ticketing and concert industry, where prices for fans have skyrocketed in recent years.
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
“We’re putting (football players) into harm’s way for one more game, one more television appearance, one more grand day of revenue. And it’s never enough.”
How the Big Ten transformed into an ever-expanding money machine.
www.wsj.com/sports/footb...
How the Big Ten transformed into an ever-expanding money machine.
www.wsj.com/sports/footb...
How the Big Ten Transformed Into College Football’s Money Machine
The conference that is older than the NCAA itself once envisioned itself as a paragon of academic and athletic balance. It’s now known for unbridled expansion.
www.wsj.com
December 6, 2025 at 4:55 PM
“We’re putting (football players) into harm’s way for one more game, one more television appearance, one more grand day of revenue. And it’s never enough.”
How the Big Ten transformed into an ever-expanding money machine.
www.wsj.com/sports/footb...
How the Big Ten transformed into an ever-expanding money machine.
www.wsj.com/sports/footb...
Reposted by Rachel Bachman, WSJ sports reporter
The USWNT brand is strong.
On the day of the 2026 men's World Cup draw, in the middle of NYC not far from where the final will be held, US Soccer sponsor Bank of America singles out one player to feature: Mallory Swanson.
On the day of the 2026 men's World Cup draw, in the middle of NYC not far from where the final will be held, US Soccer sponsor Bank of America singles out one player to feature: Mallory Swanson.
December 5, 2025 at 3:55 PM
The USWNT brand is strong.
On the day of the 2026 men's World Cup draw, in the middle of NYC not far from where the final will be held, US Soccer sponsor Bank of America singles out one player to feature: Mallory Swanson.
On the day of the 2026 men's World Cup draw, in the middle of NYC not far from where the final will be held, US Soccer sponsor Bank of America singles out one player to feature: Mallory Swanson.
NEW: For most of its century of history, the Big Ten Conference has positioned itself as a moral custodian of college football.
Now, it’s a money machine.
www.wsj.com/sports/footb...
Now, it’s a money machine.
www.wsj.com/sports/footb...
How the Big Ten Transformed Into College Football’s Money Machine
The conference that is older than the NCAA itself once envisioned itself as a paragon of academic and athletic balance. It’s now known for unbridled expansion.
www.wsj.com
December 5, 2025 at 6:09 PM
NEW: For most of its century of history, the Big Ten Conference has positioned itself as a moral custodian of college football.
Now, it’s a money machine.
www.wsj.com/sports/footb...
Now, it’s a money machine.
www.wsj.com/sports/footb...
The USWNT brand is strong.
On the day of the 2026 men's World Cup draw, in the middle of NYC not far from where the final will be held, US Soccer sponsor Bank of America singles out one player to feature: Mallory Swanson.
On the day of the 2026 men's World Cup draw, in the middle of NYC not far from where the final will be held, US Soccer sponsor Bank of America singles out one player to feature: Mallory Swanson.
December 5, 2025 at 3:55 PM
The USWNT brand is strong.
On the day of the 2026 men's World Cup draw, in the middle of NYC not far from where the final will be held, US Soccer sponsor Bank of America singles out one player to feature: Mallory Swanson.
On the day of the 2026 men's World Cup draw, in the middle of NYC not far from where the final will be held, US Soccer sponsor Bank of America singles out one player to feature: Mallory Swanson.
The next move by Crumbl Cookie CEO, after rallying fans to keep the BYU football coach in Provo?
Launching a site to charm the CFP selection committee into picking the Cougars:
www.cfplovebomb.com
Launching a site to charm the CFP selection committee into picking the Cougars:
www.cfplovebomb.com
#CFPLoveBomb
Send appreciation to the CFP committee members who make our community great!
www.cfplovebomb.com
December 5, 2025 at 2:38 PM
The next move by Crumbl Cookie CEO, after rallying fans to keep the BYU football coach in Provo?
Launching a site to charm the CFP selection committee into picking the Cougars:
www.cfplovebomb.com
Launching a site to charm the CFP selection committee into picking the Cougars:
www.cfplovebomb.com
Another Bear (after BYU's Bachmeier) and a Moose have entered the college football chat, via Michigan signing day:
mgoblue.com/sports/footb...
mgoblue.com/sports/footb...
December 3, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Another Bear (after BYU's Bachmeier) and a Moose have entered the college football chat, via Michigan signing day:
mgoblue.com/sports/footb...
mgoblue.com/sports/footb...
Happy college football signing day. Remembering the days when coaches huddled around fax machines to confirm players' commitments:
www.wsj.com/articles/SB1...
www.wsj.com/articles/SB1...
December 3, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Happy college football signing day. Remembering the days when coaches huddled around fax machines to confirm players' commitments:
www.wsj.com/articles/SB1...
www.wsj.com/articles/SB1...
For context, athletes in major-college sports now receive about 22% of their schools’ athletic revenue.
BREAKING Sources told @theathletic.com, the league’s salary structure proposal would result in players receiving less than 15% of total league revenue
Plus NEWS on nearly 10 more proposal items including a draft combine
nytimes.com/athletic/6857443/2025/12/03/wnba-cba-proposal-draft-combine-salary/
Plus NEWS on nearly 10 more proposal items including a draft combine
nytimes.com/athletic/6857443/2025/12/03/wnba-cba-proposal-draft-combine-salary/
WNBA CBA proposal includes mandatory draft combine, new revenue-sharing model: Sources
The league proposed a draft combine requirement that ties participation to rookie salary.
nytimes.com
December 3, 2025 at 4:43 PM
For context, athletes in major-college sports now receive about 22% of their schools’ athletic revenue.
Highly recommend Apple TV‘s Snoopy screensaver, which cycles through mostly chill scenes until this one of… Snoopy and Woodstock getting into a hockey fight.
December 3, 2025 at 2:02 AM
Highly recommend Apple TV‘s Snoopy screensaver, which cycles through mostly chill scenes until this one of… Snoopy and Woodstock getting into a hockey fight.
Just imagine your 2015 brain reading that Paul Finebaum decided not to run for Tommy Tuberville's U.S. Senate seat, even though he's had little time to do anything but think about Lane Kiffin.
www.al.com/politics/202...
www.al.com/politics/202...
Paul Finebaum will not run for Tuberville’s US Senate seat
"It’s time for me to devote my full attention to something everyone in Alabama can agree upon - our love of college football.”
www.al.com
December 2, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Just imagine your 2015 brain reading that Paul Finebaum decided not to run for Tommy Tuberville's U.S. Senate seat, even though he's had little time to do anything but think about Lane Kiffin.
www.al.com/politics/202...
www.al.com/politics/202...
This is a really interesting episode that sheds light on a vicious cycle in women's sports that's just now starting to be broken:
Ally CMO Andrea Brimmer talks about the company’s groundbreaking 50/50 Pledge to reach equal spend in media across men’s & women’s sports, her favorite “I told you so” moments and why Ally leaned into the NWSL in its darkest moment, instead of abandoning it.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/g...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/g...
December 1, 2025 at 9:32 PM
This is a really interesting episode that sheds light on a vicious cycle in women's sports that's just now starting to be broken:
Incredible result from the weekend: Iowa State's Audi Crooks scored a program-record *47 points* in a game over the weekend.
Not against a cupcake. Against Indiana (7-1).
She shot 19-for-25 from the field.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/685...
Not against a cupcake. Against Indiana (7-1).
She shot 19-for-25 from the field.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/685...
December 1, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Incredible result from the weekend: Iowa State's Audi Crooks scored a program-record *47 points* in a game over the weekend.
Not against a cupcake. Against Indiana (7-1).
She shot 19-for-25 from the field.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/685...
Not against a cupcake. Against Indiana (7-1).
She shot 19-for-25 from the field.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/685...
Besides Lane Kiffin, has a major-college coach ever bailed on a playoff run to take another job?
Oh, yes, and it didn’t end well for the coach:
www.wsj.com/sports/footb...
Oh, yes, and it didn’t end well for the coach:
www.wsj.com/sports/footb...
November 30, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Besides Lane Kiffin, has a major-college coach ever bailed on a playoff run to take another job?
Oh, yes, and it didn’t end well for the coach:
www.wsj.com/sports/footb...
Oh, yes, and it didn’t end well for the coach:
www.wsj.com/sports/footb...
The SEC lost its last unbeaten team -- and won rivalry weekend:
www.wsj.com/sports/footb...
www.wsj.com/sports/footb...
The SEC Lost Its Last Unbeaten Team—and Won College Football’s Rivalry Weekend
The Big Ten has the top two teams in the country, but after a wild week and one major upset, the Southeastern Conference has as many as seven teams in playoff contention
www.wsj.com
November 30, 2025 at 8:24 PM
The SEC lost its last unbeaten team -- and won rivalry weekend:
www.wsj.com/sports/footb...
www.wsj.com/sports/footb...
👀
Bryce Boettcher and Dillon Thienemann with matching t-shirts: Caucasian Collision Unit.
November 30, 2025 at 1:01 AM
👀
If you're having a tough day, just know that there's a charity called Pile of Puppies that sends litters of pups on visits to uplift chronically or terminally ill children.
www.oregonlive.com/living/2025/...
www.oregonlive.com/living/2025/...
Pile of Puppies cheers up seriously ill kids with small, furry bundles of joy: Season of Sharing 2025
Founder Jennifer Trepanier envisions a world where everyone behaves like puppies — unconditionally loving and nonjudgmental.
www.oregonlive.com
November 29, 2025 at 9:59 PM
If you're having a tough day, just know that there's a charity called Pile of Puppies that sends litters of pups on visits to uplift chronically or terminally ill children.
www.oregonlive.com/living/2025/...
www.oregonlive.com/living/2025/...
So was the choice of this Italy crest for a women’s game a mistake, or do the Italian men’s and women’s teams both use the men’s version? (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
November 29, 2025 at 1:20 AM
So was the choice of this Italy crest for a women’s game a mistake, or do the Italian men’s and women’s teams both use the men’s version? (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
Reposted by Rachel Bachman, WSJ sports reporter
Imagine telling these 2 crazy kids that:
• They’d be HC and GM together
• GM is a thing that exists
• Partly to manage player payments, which are legal
• At an ACC school
• And that ACC school is Stanford
• They’d be HC and GM together
• GM is a thing that exists
• Partly to manage player payments, which are legal
• At an ACC school
• And that ACC school is Stanford
November 28, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Imagine telling these 2 crazy kids that:
• They’d be HC and GM together
• GM is a thing that exists
• Partly to manage player payments, which are legal
• At an ACC school
• And that ACC school is Stanford
• They’d be HC and GM together
• GM is a thing that exists
• Partly to manage player payments, which are legal
• At an ACC school
• And that ACC school is Stanford
Clarification: Irish FA, Northern Ireland, is part of the bid
Women‘s World Cup news: The UK, Ireland, Scotland and Wales are bidding to host the 2035 tournament.
It would be 48 teams, 22 stadiums, 16 host cities.
Previous European hosts have been Sweden (1995), Germany (2011) and France (2019).
It would be 48 teams, 22 stadiums, 16 host cities.
Previous European hosts have been Sweden (1995), Germany (2011) and France (2019).
November 28, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Clarification: Irish FA, Northern Ireland, is part of the bid