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Football

‘The discussion kind of annoys me – but I was part of the problem and I’m part of the reason that these discussions are still happening’ Football Manager studio director reveals why women’s football is so ‘late’ to be added to the game

Football Manager 26 launches next month, with women’s football available on the game.

The integration was announced four whole years ago – in part because it would have been impossible to keep such a huge project quiet – but now, we’re on the cusp of seeing women’s players in the game for the very first time.

In truth though, getting women’s football into the game has taken much longer than even that…

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Sports Interactive's Miles Jacobson (R)

Sports Interactive’s Miles Jacobson (R) (Image credit: Getty Images)

“We’re late to the party on this. I was looking at this from a commercial perspective,” studio director of Sports Interactive, Miles Jacobson, tells FourFourTwo.

“I was on a panel where we were talking about it and I was asked why we hadn’t done women’s football – and I said it wasn’t commercially viable.

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“Three Lionesses grabbed me afterwards and sat me down, and said, ‘Unless we get the support from other games companies and media companies, it’s never going to be commercially viable. You need to help us break through the glass ceiling.’

“This was at a time when it wasn’t at a level that it is now. The discussion kind of annoys me – but I was part of the problem and I’m part of the reason that these discussions are still happening.”

“Let’s hope that us, Sky, the BBC, FourFourTwo, EA Sports FC and everyone else – let’s hope that we can get to a point where we don’t have to have this discussion anymore. And to be frank, to have the discussion, ‘Why the f*** didn’t you do this before?’

Real-world football clubs now use Football Manageras a scouting tool – and now, Jacobson says that he hopes that FMcan help as a source that will improve data in the women’s game.

Football Manager 26

Bunny Shaw, as seen in FM26 (Image credit: Sports Interactive/SEGA)

“We were late to it but we’re trying to fix that now,” he says. “I think data will be invaluable to football clubs and will hopefully open doors to more people to do data on this side of things as well.

“Because you look at the importance that women’s football is having on kids around the world: everyone across society needs role models. Let’s hope that we help, even if it’s a tiny bit. Women’s football is football. It’s football.”

Football Manager 26 is out on November 4, 2025.

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Basketball

Natalia Bryant makes her debut as a creative director with Lakers short film

Natalia Bryant has made her debut as a creative director with a short film that features a subject matter with which she’s very familiar.

The 70-second piece is called “Forever Iconic: Purple and Gold Always,” and it’s all about the worldwide impact of the Lakers — something Bryant has experienced throughout her life as the oldest daughter of one of the Lakers’ great icons, Kobe Bryant.

The film, posted online Wednesday by the Lakers, is a fast-paced tribute to the team and its fans. It features a number of celebrity cameos — Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani takes batting practice wearing a Lakers cap; current Lakers star Luka Doncic yells “Kobe!” as he shoots a towel into a hamper; fashion designer Jeff Hamilton creates a number of Lakers jackets; actor Brenda Song obsessively watches and cheers for the team on her computer; Lakers legend Magic Johnson declares, “It’s Showtime, baby!”

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Mixed in are shots of regular fans paying tribute to the team in their own ways.

“This project was an amazing, collaborative environment with such creative people and we all came together to try and portray the Lakers†impact, not only in L.A. but around the world,” Natalia Bryant said in a statement released by the Lakers. “Everyone has their own connection to the Lakers. I hope those who already love this team watch this project and remember what that pride feels like. And if youâ€re not a Lakers fan yet, I hope you watch this, and it makes you want to be.â€

Bryant, who graduated from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts in May, included some famous Lakers clips, such as LeBron James arguing, “It’s our ball, ain’t it?” and her father hitting a buzzer-beating shot against the Phoenix Suns during the 2006 playoffs.

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“Such an honor to be apart of this project!” Bryant wrote on Instagram. “Thank you @lakers for having me join as creative director💛lakers family forever”

Lakers controlling owner and president Jeanie Buss also posted the video on Instagram.

“Cheers to the millions of fans around the world who make the Lakers the most popular team in the NBA!!” Buss wrote. “You are the best fans in the league. Congratulations and huge thanks to the amazing @nataliabryant who helped bring this film to life for her creative director debut.”

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Lakers superfan Song also posted a number of photos related to the project on Instagram, including one of herself with Bryant.

“Lake show for life,” Song wrote.

Bryant responded in the comments, “For life!”

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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Basketball

Natalia Bryant serves as creative director for Lakers’ preseason video

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    Anthony GharibOct 8, 2025, 04:01 PM ET

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The Los Angeles Lakers turned to a familiar face to be the creative director of their preseason hype video: Natalia Bryant.

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Bryant had a star-studded cast for the “Forever Iconic: Purple and Gold Always” video with Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, Lakers legend Magic Johnson and actor and noted Lakers fan Brenda Song all having a role. Celebrity jacket designer Jeff Hamilton also made an appearance.

It included moments such as Song re-creating a viral LeBron James meme where he yells: “it’s our ball, ain’t it?” and Luka Doncic yelling “Kobe” as he performs a stepback move to shoot a towel into a trash can. Johnson appears toward the end, holding a Larry O’Brien Trophy and saying: “It’s Showtime, baby.” Natalia, the eldest daughter of Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, also included a clip of her father’s iconic game winner against the Phoenix Suns in the 2006 NBA playoffs.

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Natalia wrote on Instagram that it was “such an honor” to be part of the project. She also wrote “Lakers family forever” in the caption.

She graduated from the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts in May. She also appeared in a Nike commercial with New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson in August to promote the Kobe 3 Protro.

The Lakers’ regular season tips off against the Golden State Warriors on Oct. 21.

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