Gotham FC Raises $100M at $350M Valuation as Nebraska Fires OC

Franchise valuation milestones in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), a high-profile Big Ten coaching dismissal, a Madison Square Garden championship card, and AI-assisted tournament ratings shaped sports coverage on November 7, 2026.

Gotham FC Secures $100 Million Capital Raise at Record $350 Million Valuation

Two-time NWSL champion Gotham FC closed a $100 million capital raise at a league-record $350 million valuation, led by the Moelis family alongside 7 new minority investors. The $350 million valuation marks an 84% increase over Forbes' $190 million estimate for the club in April and will finance a new dedicated training facility in Whippany, New Jersey as well as commercial operations ahead of the club's planned 2028 relocation to the 25,000-seat Etihad Park stadium in Queens, New York.

On the pitch, Gotham FC set a single-match club attendance record of 42,175 spectators at Citi Field and grew its average home attendance by 23% during the 2026 campaign to 10,943 fans per game, tracking a broader NWSL surge that saw league-wide attendance average 11,003 per match and reach 2.64 million total spectators across 39 sellouts.

Nebraska Head Coach Matt Rhule Fires Offensive Coordinator Dana Holgorsen Amid 4-Game Slide

In collegiate football, University of Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule dismissed offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen following a 4-game losing streak. During the 4 consecutive losses, the Cornhuskers' offense averaged 13.5 points per game, prompting Rhule to make an immediate play-calling change for the remainder of the season.

Ciryl Gane and Josh Hokit Headline UFC 334 Title Card at Madison Square Garden

In mixed martial arts, Ultimate Fighting Championship officials confirmed the complete fight card and broadcast schedule for UFC 334 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, where former interim heavyweight titleholder Ciryl Gane will face contender Josh Hokit in the main-event championship matchup.

Blaze Pickleball Debuts AI-Powered VAIR Rating System and $4,500 KASHKUP at SWFL Open

In community and tournament racquet sports, Blaze Pickleball announced that the Blaze Pickleball SWFL Open on November 21–22, 2026 at The Courts Cape Coral (420 SW 2nd Avenue in Cape Coral, Florida) will introduce the AI-powered Verified AI Rating (VAIR) player evaluation system alongside the inaugural $4,500 KASHKUP cash-prize competition. The 2-day tournament also pairs with a community pet food drive benefiting the Cape Coral Animal Shelter, offering the first 150 registered athletes a Margaritaville Beach Club Pass and raffle entries for a $568 Naples resort stay and a $200 Selkirk pickleball paddle.