Despite a 5-0 blowout in the UEFA Champions League final between PSG and Inter Milan last Saturday, CBS Sports has seen growth in its digital presence driven by soccer properties since boosting its presence in the sport.

“It was a culmination of a really successful season for us,” said Jeff Gerttula, EVP & Head of CBS Sports Digital.

“Soccer is a really interesting property for us, probably because it best represents new sports and where we’re investing and growing in the way that we’re approaching sports,” Gerttula said. “Soccer is something we’ve really jumped into the last five years. We didn’t have any soccer presence, and now I think it’s safe to say we’re a global leader in the space.”

According to Gerttula, Champions League has become a “massive new vertical” for CBS Sports, with an approach built around streaming and social.

“We’ve had a lot of success with soccer generally as a vertical on Paramount+,” said Gerttula, pointing to Champions League, Serie A, NWSL, Concacaf and EFL.

CBS entered the soccer space in 2020, taking over the final year of TNT Sports’ Champions League media deal. “We went from zero to everything — it was very strategic,” Gerttula said. “We identified the sport as a place for us to invest in as part of our sports strategy with Paramount+. We had to really invest in it and authentic content for these audiences, we felt like they were underserved.”

“What we’ve also done is surrounded that with the programming strategy that’s very social centric,” Gerttula said. “We think of it very much as a streaming and social unified production model. We’re going after younger audiences. It’s so core to us to be able to speak to soccer fans on multiple platforms.”

CBS Sports Golazo Network, a free streaming platform, grew 83% year-over-year in minutes watched, and CBS Sports HQ has seen a 9% increase in minutes watched.

“It’s allowed us to reach soccer fans on free streaming platforms and engage soccer fans who are in Paramount+ more,” Gerttula said. “All of that plays with the social mindset in terms of the talent we hire, the topics we cover, how we cover them and the way that we produce the shows.”

From the start of Champions League in September, the Golazo social platforms generated more than 4 billion views for the second consecutive season, culminating at 4.6 billion total views. Saturday was the second most-streamed day ever for Golazo, behind a day in August 2023 when it had Lionel Messi’s first freely available match after he joined MLS.

Overall, CBS Sports has increased total engagement on social platforms 24% year to date in 2025, despite not having the the Super Bowl this year (unlike in 2024).

In its seventh year, CBS Sports HQ is up 69% in YTD impressions, and has recently been on-site at the Super Bowl, men’s and women’s Final Four, Masters, CFP national title game, World Series, and will be at the Women’s College World Series this month.

Gerttula still sees “massive growth” potential for soccer, and identified women’s sports as a heavy focus, particularly the NWSL and WNBA. “We’re going to be aggressively integrating that within our stream ecosystem, with HQ, and really thinking about it in a more authentic way,” Gerttula said.

Coming up, CBS Sports is turning its digital attention to the NWSL, U.S. Open Cup, UWCL, USL, UEFA Supercup, EFL and Serie A.

Will Dissly’s Dual-Sport Aspirations

In the competitive world of professional sports, athletes often seek unique methods to enhance their performance and longevity. Will Dissly, the tight end for the Los Angeles Chargers, is no exception. After navigating through a challenging season marked by a shoulder injury, Dissly is not only on a path to recovery but also on a quest to broaden his athletic horizons.

Embracing New Challenges

Dissly’s venture into beach volleyball under the guidance of former NBA player and Olympic beach volleyball competitor Chase Budinger is particularly noteworthy. This unusual crossover isn’t just a casual pastime; it represents a significant step in Dissly’s athletic development. Beach volleyball demands agility, quick reflexes, and explosive power, qualities that are beneficial on the football field, especially for a tight end required to block with force and catch with finesse.

Chase Budinger, whose athletic journey took him from the basketball courts of the NBA to the sandy arenas of Olympic beach volleyball, serves as an inspiring mentor. Budinger’s transition is not just about changing sports but adapting and excelling in a new athletic environment. His experience in high-stakes competitions, like the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris and his notable second-place finish in the 2012 NBA dunk contest, provides Dissly with a blueprint for success in dual sports.

Impact on Football Performance

Integrating beach volleyball into his training regimen could give Dissly a unique edge in the NFL. The sport’s emphasis on lower body strength and balance can enhance his stability and tackle-breaking ability, crucial for a tight end. Moreover, the hand-eye coordination required in volleyball can translate into better catching skills in football.

Looking Ahead

As Dissly embraces this new challenge, his journey echoes a broader trend of athletes exploring sports outside their professional realms to improve their primary game. Whether this cross-training in beach volleyball will translate into enhanced on-field performance remains to be seen. However, Dissly’s openness to unconventional training methods and his determination to leverage them to maintain his starting role speaks volumes about his dedication and adaptability.

A Broader Perspective

The story of Will Dissly is more than just about sports training; it’s about resilience, adaptation, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. As he prepares for the upcoming seasons, his journey will be one to watch, offering insights into the potential benefits of integrating diverse athletic disciplines into traditional sports training. Whether Dissly can mirror Budinger’s success in becoming proficient in a second sport will be a testament to the evolving nature of athleticism in the modern era.

Marquette’s Neveah Kerber began her final year playing water polo with a heavy heart.

“This season made me especially grateful for having my sister (Alexa) and cousin (Cassidy) as teammates,” Neveah said. “One week before the season, we lost our grandpa, Papa Lou. He was the glue to our family and continuously showed us the power of unconditional love and to live by his motto to ‘go collect experiences.’

“Every time we entered the pool we were there to collect experiences whether positive or negative.”

The Kerbers helped the Mustangs finish the season 24-1. Marquette capped it all off by winning the Missouri Water Polo District Tournament championship with a 14-7 win over Kirkwood.

It was the fourth time Neveah has played in the state title game.

Last year, Marquette won the title by defeating Parkway North 9-5 to complete a 19-0 season. Two years ago, the Mustangs fell 6-4 to Ladue in the final game of a 17-5 season. In Neveah’s freshman campaign, Oakville topped Marquette 11-8 in the championship contest.

Neveah finished her Mustangs career with 347 goals and 114 assists.

Her uncle, Kevin Kerber, introduced her to the sport. He is an assistant coach for the Mustangs.

“I love how water polo includes both physical and mental aspects,” Neveah said. “You have to be able to do so many things at once using your body while also maintaining awareness of where your teammates and the ball are at the same time. Water polo has also brought me the best community of people. I have met my best friends through this sport.”

Neveah found success as a freshman, scoring 37 goals and nine assists for 83 points, but she was still adapting to the sport.

“As a freshman I didn’t really know much about the sport and was really just trying to learn as much as I could,” Neveah said. “Once I commit to something, I want to master it, so freshman year I was very hard on myself for not being the best at the sport.

“Looking back at it, for never playing a game of water polo before that season I think I played pretty well but I knew I had a lot to learn.” 

Marquette coach Claire Maniscalco remembers Neveah’s first season.

“She was cautious and supportive. It wasn’t until the state finals when she experienced what was possible if she just let the game come to her and we really saw what was possible for her,” Maniscalco said. “In that loss, she experienced a higher level of fight and grit that really established her foundation these past three years.”  

Neveah was determined to become a more skilled athlete and develop in the sport.

She played for two clubs in the offseason and started participating in Olympic Development Program camps. Her work paid off.

The Mustangs broke through last season with an undefeated campaign and won the state crown. Neveah helped achieve that by scoring 93 goals and 17 assists.

“Teams double- and triple-teamed her early last year,” Maniscalco said. “She started the season with undue pressure that she put on herself to have to do everything. We added a freshman last year who developed into a powerful offensive player, allowing her to share that responsibility and focus on defensive development. Midway through last season we saw a change where she relaxed and would just work and let the game come to her and just unfold. When she does that, she is really dominant.”

Neveah was proud to be a part of a championship team.

“Losing back-to-back (championship games) in my first two years made me really hungry for the state title,” Neveah said. “Being the only player in my class, I was the only one to have lost twice, but it really only made me want it for my team so much more.”

The Mustangs lost six seniors from last year’s squad. It could have been a down year.

“I think teams underestimated us going into this season,” Neveah said. “There were only two of our field players that have had real pool time in the sport and two of our starters have never touched a water polo ball until two months ago. I knew that the state title wasn’t out of reach but there was a long road ahead of us to get there.

“Every girl instantly put in the work to get better. After our first few games I think other teams realized we are going to remain a threat. Every single one of my teammates poured so much effort and energy into this season and are so deserving of the state title.” 

Her senior season, Neveah scored 123 goals and 50 assists to lead the area in scoring.

That didn’t come by accident.

“I spent countless mornings in the pool at 6 a.m. taking shot after shot,” Neveah said. “Adjusting little things each time until I get the right feel of the ball. Then come game time everything is more muscle memory, and I don’t over think.”

That attitude and work ethic sums up Neveah, Maniscalco said.

“She leads by example and just shows up and puts in the work. She celebrates the success of others and cheers on their hard work as a peer,” Maniscalco said. “It’s helped really set a foundation of approach for a program.”

While she managed to score at an unreal pace, Neveah was asked to play a bigger role on the team by Maniscalco.

“Her defense was shut down. This year, we had two other players who could help carry the offense,” Maniscalco said. “So we assigned her the best player on the other team each game and she would hold them to season lows in scoring. 

“We saw a glimpse of that in the championship game last year when she ran the offense through Cassidy and she shut down the scoring from Parkway North with three amazing steals late in the game. She continued that this season and took her defense to a special level.”  

Ending the season with a second state championship for the program was a huge accomplishment, Neveah said. 

“Being the first team to win back-to-back titles is such a huge accomplishment,” Neveah said. “There is no team more deserving of that title than this year’s team. Together we faced numerous season-altering injuries, illness and loss. No matter what was going on outside the pool, we pushed each other to the max every day and I am so glad that I was able to be back-to-back champions with this team.” 

 There’s more water polo in her future. Neveah will play Division 1 water polo at Wagner College that’s located in Staten Island, New York.

“I am so excited to broaden my knowledge of the sport at the collegiate level. I am very thankful for the head coach, Josh Hower, for this incredible opportunity,” Neveah said.

While her time as a Mustang is over, Neveah will continue to follow the team’s progress in the future.

“I am definitely going to remain a big fan of the program,” Neveah said. “I look forward to watching my teammates continuous success in and out of the pool. Marquette’s program teaches incomparable discipline and growth. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for the team.”

Maniscalco knows how she will remember Neveah.

“We’ll appreciate the joy and example she set and how she helped establish a successful culture,” Maniscalco said. “The true test will be to continue in her absence.  

“She is accomplished in her volunteering, choir, grades and also excels in training horses and being an amazing friend. I think much of her success came from how broad her interests and accomplishments were.”   

By TTU Sports Information

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech’s student-athletes continued their impressive work in the classroom, closing out the 2024-25 academic year with yet another incredible semester with a spring GPA of 3.477 GPA collectively.

In all, 283 student-athletes were named to the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll list for the spring. The AD’s Honor Roll recognizes student-athletes with a 3.0 or better GPA.

In addition, 74 student-athletes earned recognition in the Gold Club, recording a perfect 4.0 GPA.

The Spring 2025 Tech Athletic Director’s Honor Roll includes (4.0 recipients in BOLD):

BASEBALL (27): Riley Black, Jack Brafa, Luke Bragga, Jackson Green, Jared Herzog, Houston High, Garrett Holpuch, Eli Huddleston, Nicho Jordan, Owen Lee, Braxton Lewis, Greyson Madonia, Kevin Matos, Drew Mattox, Reece McDuffie, Logan Moller, Carson Parrott, Jaxson Pease, Kinnick Pusteoska, Jackson Rooker, Landon Smelser, Preston Steele, Lawson Stricklin, Micah Summar, Carter Vrabel, Mack Whitcomb, Emery Wright; 

MEN’S BASKETBALL (11): Ola Ajiboye, Mekhi Cameron, Daniel Egbuniwe, Brady Everett, Josh Heard, Kyle Layton, Triumph Olayiwola, Matthew Sells, Grant Slatten, Grant Strong, Bogdan Zimonjic;

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL (10): Megan Aulbert, Keeley Carter, Peyton Carter, Angelika Girgenson, Reghan Grimes, Reagan Hurst, Chloe Larry, Maddy Newman, Amelia Pfeiffer, Anna Walker;

BEACH VOLLEYBALL/VOLLEYBALL (13): Brooke Amann, Katie Green, Mallory Jenkins, Jordan Karlen, Bella Lineberger, Emma Pabon, Alayna Pierce, Bella Powell, MK Roberts, Ava Schubert, Elena Wallace, Jazmine Yamilkoski, McKenna Young;

MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY (8): Carter Bradford, Sam Bridges, Robert Dawson, James Hyland, Isaac Legault, Miceal McCaul, Zak Myles-Hawkins, Dante Torres;

WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY/TRACK AND FIELD (23): Savanna Amos, Carolina Bannach, Ally Beneke, Paris Bowles, Rachael Brewer, Mattie Bush, Kategie Casseus, Alexis Dotson, Hannah Faudi, Megan Forstner, Angela Hoover, Lauryn Jackson, Makaleigh Jessee, Kendall Johnson, Madison Johnson, Aliyah Kennedy, Riley Knoyle, Hannah Little, Maddie Long, Hayley Stegall, Tyla Street, Zaely Tilt, Rylee Wells;

FOOTBALL (64): Spencer Ashby, Torin Baker, Dyson Bell, Toby Bolton, Ezekiel Brinson, Kanstin Brooks, Steve Brown, Travis Carlucci, Miles Cooney, Brian Courtney, Tim Coutras, A.J. Crawford, Kalvyn Crummie, Wes Delk, Brady Downs, James Edwards, Kennedy Fauntleroy, Naquavious Giles, Luke Graves, Josh Hand, Dylan Hassid, Ahmad Haston, Gabe Hecht, T.J. Holmberg, Monty Hunt, Devin Hunter, Tremel Jones, Jack Kendrick, Idris King, Isaac Knowles, Keisen Lindsey, D.J. Linkins, Taylor Love, Seth Maldonado, Ethan McLaurin, Ty Moss, Tyler Nix, Myles Parker, Mekhi Penix, Omari Philyaw, Bertin Placide, Xavier Randolph, Daniel Rickert, Laz Rodriguez, Jeremiah Sandiford, Obie Sanni, Jalin Shephard, Luke Shields, Nason Simmons, Aaron Swafford, Tayton Swift, Zion Tamaska, Eric Taylor, Mason Taylor, Christian Thomas, Cole Thompson, Hudson Tucker, Greg Turner, Parker Vorhees, Coby Walton, Wyatt Watson, Logan Weedman, Jameson Wharton, Drew Wilder;

MEN’S GOLF (7): Alexander Bassel, Drew Bolton, Owen Bright, Alex Broyles, Haden Maxwell, Spencer Stuke, Hil Thompson;

WOMEN’S GOLF (7): Lydia Baker, Sydney Branson, Chloe Griffith, Lexus Julian, Kailey Lane, Reagan Stuke, Palmer Sykes;

SOCCER (21): Anna Baker, Maggie Conrad, Lucia Cuadra, Abigail Davis, Bella Garrett, Melina Hamm, Natalie Howard, Addison Johnson, Allison Lee, Cheyenne McCloud, Ebba Melin, Presley Morales, Madison North, Claire Palya, Sam Schroeffel, Reagan Smiley, Tori Soutuyo, Katie Toney, Delaney Wade, Skylar Williams, Ashley Wood;

SOFTBALL (23): Addison Abell, Ella Bishop, Ashley Capelouto, Sofia Carroll, Olivia Evans, Lainey Fitzgerald, Makayli Harris, Abbee Klinefelter, Hannah Lange, Julie Martin, Bella Ochoa, Jailynn Paderez, Kyleigh Pitzer, Ashlyn Riggs, Faith Rush, Alina Schlageter, Abby Shoulders, Bailee Stack, Brooklyn Stewart, Hailey Stewart, Skylar Sybesma, Payton Wagner, Emily York;

SPIRIT SQUADS (28): Lauren Akande, Ryann Allen, Faith Bettencourt, Mariah Crateau, Kamyah Crowley, Isabella Crump, Shannon Donnelly, Chloe Fleenor, Isabella Gresham, Seneca Haggard, Katie Hale, Kenadi Hall, Madison Jackson, Mackenzie Johnson, Ashlyn Kelley, Jordyn Liddell, Fancy McCann Rojas, Hayden Michaelson, Brooklyn Moore, Drake Pyle, Keira Reynolds, Autumn Sells, Kara Shope, Jace Simmons, Kimsey Turner, Jasmine Williams, Michael Wissert, Brynn Woodlee;

MEN’S TENNIS (11): Alex Alvarez, Lucas Bitzer, Murilo Burckhardt, Oliver Dao, Ricard Garavi Yepez, Lukas Krause, Darek Kuczynski, Elia Lauper, Benedikt Mosbauer, Elyad Oshnavie, Davids Spaks;

FIFTH-YEAR/CONTINUING STUDENT-ATHLETES (1): Madolyn Isringhausen;

MANAGERS AND TRAINERS (29): Jonas Alger, Jayden Baker, Lilly Bridges, Jaxon Fox, Angel Garcia, Dylan Gibson, Noah Glenn, Emma Hightower, David Hilliard, Brayden Holliman, Weston LaRue, Shaela Ledbetter, Bethany Lyons, Kaleb McCoy, Isabella Miya, Kendall Morgan, Destiny Nunley, Simon Ogletree, Kennth Parker, Steven Peyatt, Ainsley Pfeiffer, Jarick Reynolds, Anna Riggs, Ally Silcox, Olivia Smith, Aaron Sullivan, Jack Summers, Brevin Swartzenturber, Taylor Ward.

OTTAWA — The Canadian women’s volleyball team dropped to 1-1 in Nations League action with a loss to the Netherlands on Thursday.

The hosts fell 3-1 (25-18, 22-25, 25-15, 25-23) to the Dutch at the Arena at TD Place in Ottawa after opening with a five-sets victory over Bulgaria.

The Netherlands, ranked eighth in the world to Canada’s ninth, dominated at the net with 13 blocks to Canada’s three.

“Of course, we wanted to come out stronger today,” Canadian captain Kiera Van Ryk said after the match. “Playing against this team has always been a battle. We’re very close in the way that we play and our rankings in the world. … We’re fighting for that 8-9 spot most of the time. So it’s always a battle with them. “We have a lot of new players and we’re still trying to find our system. I think tonight really showed that. I am sure we’re going to do a lot of learning over the next day, really try to prepare ourselves, to reconnect with each other, and to become more of a team.” Van Ryk of Surrey, B.C., led Canada with 17 points, including 15 off the attack. Veteran Emily Maglio of Coquitlam, B.C. had nine points.

Canada faces world No. 7 Japan on Saturday. The 18 participating countries aim to be among the eight that reach the quarterfinals.

“I’m hoping that we can take what we did wrong today and grow from that for our next game,” said Van Ryk. “I think if we can continue to have a good mentality and still have more fight in us – I think that’s one thing that we lacked today – if we can fight a little bit more together, I’m so hopeful for us in the future.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 5, 2025.

The Canadian Press

FIFA Rivals is bringing the sports brand Adidas into its soccer universe with exclusive in-game content.

Adidas is entering the world of FIFA Rivals with a series of digital products, features, and
in-game content.

The multi-year licensing agreement kicks off with the worldwide launch of FIFA Rivals on June 12th, the new officially licensed, arcade-style mobile football game from FIFA and Mythical Games, which makes hybrid Web2/Web3 games. In soft launch in just three countries, FIFA Rivals has 150,000 players already.

The Adidas brand and products will be featured across FIFA Rivals, providing players with access to exclusive digital items, including kits, jerseys, and shoe releases inspired by the brand’s rich soccer heritage.

“This is a great partnership for us. They definitely understand gaming well, which is awesome. And they, they’ve jumped in very happy. So we have a multi-year contract with with Adidas, it’s going to be very exciting. I think we’re doing many drops a year with them. There’s a lot of integrations happening. The Adidas gear will actually come into the game,” Mythical CEO John Linden said in an interview with GamesBeat.

“FIFA Rivals is all about celebrating the global passion for football in a fresh and modern way,” said Linden. “Bringing Adidas into this world gives players a deeper cultural connection and the chance to represent one of the most iconic brands in football – on and off the pitch. This collaboration sets a new standard for how brands show up in digital experiences.”

A new era of soccer gaming

FIFA Rivals offers a bold new take on mobile football—combining FIFA authenticity with lightning-fast, arcade-style gameplay. Players can build their dream team from the world’s biggest clubs and stars, compete in real-time PvP, and trade digital player cards on the Mythical Marketplace. As part of this collaboration, fans and FIFA Rivals players can unlock a range of digital items to outfit their teams in true three-stripe style, including:
● Digital Kit Drops featuring classic and future-forward Adidas jersey designs
● Boot Releases tied to real-world player performance and Adidas drops
● A limited-edition match ball designed for FIFA Rivals gameplay
● A fully immersive Adidas Training Facility, where players can level up player cards and complete challenges

The collaboration also includes limited-time in-game events, challenges, and rewards tied to Adidas’ connection to the digital pitch, and includes cover-athlete rights and cross-promotional campaigns.

FIFA Rivals: The future of soccer powered by Mythical

Following a successful beta in key markets, FIFA Rivals is launching globally next week on the App Store and Google Play Store. Built for both core football fans and mobile gamers, FIFA Rivals is a high-octane arcade-style game that allows anyone to jump into the action instantly, build their dream squads, compete in real-time PvP matches, and trade player cards—represented as digital collectibles—on the Mythical Marketplace.

Backed by Mythical’s platform and Marketplace, FIFA Rivals gives players full ownership of their in-game assets with the ability to buy, sell, and trade securely with others around the world.

FIFA Rivals is scheduled to launch globally on iOS and Android on June 12.

The backstory

Mythical has had a a hybrid Web2/Web3 NFL Rivals football game out for a while and it has been a success, with seven million downloads to date and 60,000 a day engage with the Web3 marketplace. That’s a small percentage of the overall players, but those players tend to monetize better and keep coming back to trade items in the marketplace. Most players don’t care that it’s a hybrid game, as players cannot purchase victory.

Since NFL Rivals launched, the app stores have loosened up some restrictions in the marketplace. One of the potential problems was that the platforms could have placed a 30% fee on every trade transaction in the Web3 marketplace. But that isn’t the case at the moment with the way Mythical handles “quick trades,” said Linden.

If you want to trade to get a Cristiano Ronaldo card, it might require you to send a whole package of less famous players to another player. Mythical carries out those trades as a kind of barter, which carries no fee in the app stores. If there are multiple trades that need to happen, then Mythical carries them out. With each trade, Mythical collects a small transaction fee. But the players don’t incur the bigger platform fees.

Adidas can also bring in a lot of its running shoe fans — 400 million of them — into the FIFA Rivals game.

“They are such a big influence in the world of football,” Linden said.

And since players no longer seem to care about the Web3 distinction, Linden said the company is lose to dropping the Web3 terminology from the description of the game.

“It’s just a game with a tradeable economy, and I think everybody’s starting to understand that,” Linden said. “NFL really helped us kick that off the ground. Trading is happening around the world and it is an exciting global secondary market. You’re able to trade seamlessly with each other.”

As for the advances Epic Games has made in getting Fortnite back into the App Store after winning antitrust litigation with Apple in the U.S., Linden said, “I think what Epic is doing is absolutely remarkable for the industry. I think it’s a much needed thing to be done. I don’t think we’re out of the woods yet as an industry, but I do think Epic is making some good progress in terms of what developers can do to engage with their players. And I think that’s awesome.”

As for the ability to create alternative web shops and promote them inside an app, Linden said it is OK to push players toward a secondary market. So the restrictions have loosened on that front. Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) still have some restrictions, but the market is opening up.

“It makes it much easier for what we’re doing,” Linden said. A lot of the things we dealt with over the last three or four years from bot a regulatory perspective and also with the App Store perspective, I think that’s all going away now.”

And Linden noted that Adidas has embraced Web3 pretty heavily in the past with sales of collections. But this partnership focuses on Adidas’ interest in gaming and gamers.

With the success of NFL Rivals, Mythical has been able to grow close to 250 people now.