NWSL President Amanda Duffy will officially step down from her role after only one year on Feb. 15, and THE ATHLETIC's Megan Linehan wrote the move "comes at an interesting time for both Duffy and the NWSL itself," with "plenty of important processes still ongoing." Those include a "search for a new commissioner via Nolan Partners" and "ongoing negotiations for a new long-term media rights deal for both broadcast and digital games via Octagon." Sources said that an "update on the commissioner search is expected" at the league's BOD meeting next week in Baltimore -- though some "expressed doubts that a hire could be in place by the end of Duffy's transition time." Sources also said that there has been "solid progress on the media rights front -- and the mood surrounding it has been positive" (THEATHLETIC.com, 1/7).
GETTING MORE BACKERS: GOLFWEEK's Beth Ann Nichols noted the newly-formed LPGA-LET joint venture "now has the official support of the R&A and European Tour." Both organizations "will have a seat" on the BOD. They also will "give financial support and leverage other assets they manage to help the women's European Tour." LET players "voted overwhelmingly in favor of the new joint venture last November" after LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan "made a presentation at the player meeting in Spain" (GOLFWEEK.com, 1/8).
HOLDING OFF: In Philadelphia, Jonathan Tannenwald reported MLS "will not incorporate the virtual offside line technology that has caused a storm of controversy" in the EPL, "at least for now." Professional Referees Organization GM Howard Webb "confirmed the decision." He said that the technology was "tested behind the scenes in MLS last year but didn't work right because games here don't have enough TV cameras" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 1/7).
