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...
“Es ist eine frau!” read the headline on Sky Deutschland.
”It’s a woman!”
Former @nwslsoccer.com executive Tatjana Haenni will become the first female CEO of a German Bundesliga club after being appointed by RB Leipzig.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/687...
”It’s a woman!”
Former @nwslsoccer.com executive Tatjana Haenni will become the first female CEO of a German Bundesliga club after being appointed by RB Leipzig.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/687...
Former NWSL executive becomes first woman CEO of Bundesliga club with RB Leipzig appointment
The Bundesliga club have been without a permanent CEO since Oliver Mintzlaff stepped down in November 2022.
www.nytimes.com
December 10, 2025 at 12:53 PM
“Es ist eine frau!” read the headline on Sky Deutschland.
”It’s a woman!”
Former @nwslsoccer.com executive Tatjana Haenni will become the first female CEO of a German Bundesliga club after being appointed by RB Leipzig.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/687...
”It’s a woman!”
Former @nwslsoccer.com executive Tatjana Haenni will become the first female CEO of a German Bundesliga club after being appointed by RB Leipzig.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/687...
“I just believe in keeping people fresh and healthy. The better people feel physically, the better they feel mentally, too.”
- Indiana football Coach Curt Cignetti, on practicing less than the NCAA allows
www.wsj.com/sports/footb...
- Indiana football Coach Curt Cignetti, on practicing less than the NCAA allows
www.wsj.com/sports/footb...
They’re the Best Team in College Football—and They Barely Practice at All
Indiana went from one of college football’s losingest schools to the top team in the country. And it didn’t take endless hours on the practice field to get there.
www.wsj.com
December 9, 2025 at 3:42 PM
“I just believe in keeping people fresh and healthy. The better people feel physically, the better they feel mentally, too.”
- Indiana football Coach Curt Cignetti, on practicing less than the NCAA allows
www.wsj.com/sports/footb...
- Indiana football Coach Curt Cignetti, on practicing less than the NCAA allows
www.wsj.com/sports/footb...
Words to live by
December 8, 2025 at 11:26 PM
Words to live by
Of the push to expand the College Football Playoff, a former Ohio State athletic director said:
“We’re putting (players) into harm’s way for one more game, one more television appearance, one more grand day of revenue. And it’s never enough.”
www.wsj.com/sports/footb...
“We’re putting (players) into harm’s way for one more game, one more television appearance, one more grand day of revenue. And it’s never enough.”
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 8, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Of the push to expand the College Football Playoff, a former Ohio State athletic director said:
“We’re putting (players) into harm’s way for one more game, one more television appearance, one more grand day of revenue. And it’s never enough.”
www.wsj.com/sports/footb...
“We’re putting (players) into harm’s way for one more game, one more television appearance, one more grand day of revenue. And it’s never enough.”
www.wsj.com/sports/footb...
Welcome to Hour 4 of the 3-hour College Football Playoff selection show
December 7, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Welcome to Hour 4 of the 3-hour College Football Playoff selection show
The last time Indiana played in the Rose Bowl, in the 1967 season, the game’s MVP was O.J. Simpson
December 7, 2025 at 8:06 PM
The last time Indiana played in the Rose Bowl, in the 1967 season, the game’s MVP was O.J. Simpson
I wrote this Sept. 12, before Notre Dame’s second loss.
It ended up being right on.
The Irish missed the playoff despite ending the season on a 10-game win streak.
www.wsj.com/sports/footb...
It ended up being right on.
The Irish missed the playoff despite ending the season on a 10-game win streak.
www.wsj.com/sports/footb...
Notre Dame Football Is Facing a Do-or-Die Game—and It’s Only September
The Fighting Irish might need to beat Texas A&M on Saturday to reach the College Football Playoff. Realignment is complicating their future schedules, too.
www.wsj.com
December 7, 2025 at 5:47 PM
I wrote this Sept. 12, before Notre Dame’s second loss.
It ended up being right on.
The Irish missed the playoff despite ending the season on a 10-game win streak.
www.wsj.com/sports/footb...
It ended up being right on.
The Irish missed the playoff despite ending the season on a 10-game win streak.
www.wsj.com/sports/footb...
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...