Axios

National Football League have chosen not to vote on a proposal to allow private equity investment in franchises, although negotiations are continuing.

Why it matters: The NFL is the last major U.S. sports league to eschew private equity, with even college sports cashing in.

The WNBA announced Thursday it will expand outside of the U.S. with a new Toronto-based team joining the league for the start of the 2026 season.

Why it matters: The professional women's basketball league has seen a surge in popularity, ticket sales and prices — as interests mounts in the women's sports industry as a whole.

Los Angeles-based investment firm Oaktree Capital Management says that it's become the new owner of Italian soccer club Inter Milan, after Chinese holding company Suning missed €395 million in loan repayments.

Why it matters: Inter Milan is among Italy's most popular and successful teams, and is sure to become a takeover target for those who view Oaktree as an accidental owner.

Mattel is making Barbie dolls depicting U.S. tennis star Venus Williams and eight other athletes who've "broken boundaries" and encouraged girls to stay in sports, the company announced Wednesday.

Why it matters: These "one-of-a-kind Role Model dolls" are part of a Barbie program aimed at "leveling the playing field for girls globally, in sports and beyond" and to "close the gap that comes between girls and their full potential," per a company statement announcing the toys ahead of the Paris Olympic Games.