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The WNBA discourse is rife with racist and sexist madness as media attention increases

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ESPN host Dominique Foxworth made a wonderful point during an appearance on the Bomani Jones podcast, stating the difference between a polarizing figure and a lightning rod. In the primary category, you do or say things that draw people into opposing camps. In this second category, you haven’t got to do or say anything. Your mere existence is enough to divide the masses.

Caitlin Clark is a lightning rod that crackles each in and out of the WNBA popular culture.

Her presence brought additional scrutiny to a 28-year-old league through which 70% of players are black and 100% are women. It’s no wonder fans and the media express a number of racism and sexism.

I can imagine ESPN’s Monica McNutt’s exasperation as she deals with assumptions about (mostly) black women’s response to the adulation of Clark, a (white) rookie who has done nothing as an expert. McNutt understands each of the above-mentioned -isms – race and gender – when even black men only know half of it. Sometimes it really works out like this for Stephen A. Smith and Shannon Sharpe on “First Take” on Monday.

“There’s a perception that the WNBA is mad that this little white girl is the great white hope” – McNutt said Monday throughout the 40-minute opening segment that went viral. “It was unfair and very frustrating for those of us who have been involved in the league for a very long time.”

She and the others are committed to it, which is nothing latest, while waves of Johns and Janes have just arrived, following Clark. This jogs my memory of a meme on Facebook I saw the opposite day. Someone sprinkled salt on a watermelon and after discovering the “new” world, he acted like Christopher Columbus. I actually have childhood memories of individuals salting melon.

Players don’t roll out the red carpet to draft the No. 1 overall pick, no matter who she is. Certainly not bending the knee, though Clark is the leading force behind the surge in viewership, attendance and merchandise sales. That does not imply they’re jealous haters, though, a growing narrative that has gripped the league, especially after Chicago’s Chennedy Carter committed a flagrant foul on Clark.

Smith and Sharpe suggested that WNBA players were jealous and bitter over Clark’s arrival as, to make use of Smith’s phrase, the “golden goose.” Last month Charles Barkley accused league veterans for his or her “irrelevant” handling of Clark’s remark. James LeBron he tweeted that in case you’re not “crazy” with Clark, you are a “STRAIGHT HATER!”

I’m undecided how these competitive athletes should treat Clark – apart from wanting to kick her ass. Not through dirty play and low-cost shots (which may occur when hotheads like Carter lose their cool in the warmth of battle), but through the use of all of the skill, strength and physicality they will muster. People #1 shouldn’t expect anything different, even when some people think otherwise. “It’s a very physical game and you’re going to feel the pressure,” Clark he said last month. “This is skilled basketball. Honestly, that is what it is.”

But too many fans and media see otherwise. They see racial resentment and resentment as an overarching theme within the broad portrayal of black women. The Chicago Tribune compared Carter’s foul to against the law. “Outside of a sports competition, it would be construed as an assault,” the article says editorial, possibly written by Karen. “Even in a sporting context it was bad.”

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It wasn’t that bad, however it involved Clark, portrayed as the league’s savior. ESPN’s Pat McAfee summarized his thoughts on the rise in interest within the WNBA and dismissed any thoughts that other players deserve recognition as well.

“No, just call it like it is” – McAfee he said Monday. “There’s one white female dog on the Indiana team who’s a superstar.”

No wonder who he thinks is chatting with her in such language.

“I shouldn’t have used the word ‘white female dog’ to describe Caitlin Clark,” he later said apology. “Regardless of the context… even if we talk about race as a cause of some things.”

Of course, race is the rationale for a few of Clark’s electricity. Like her shooting, passing and sexuality. Like her Midwestern background and girl-next-door personality. WNBA players usually are not silly and do not need a monolithic temperament. Some people talk crap like Clark and some people don’t. Everyone knows she’s “the one” now.

But there are levels to this phenomenon; Full understanding requires a multi-layered and nuanced approach, which is often not the uniqueness of sports conversations. McNutt returned to “First Take” on Tuesday with ESPN broadcaster and former WNBA No. 1 prospect Chiney Ogwumike to further enlighten the lads.

Smith warned that players were “standing in the way” and hindering Clark’s profession as a money cow within the league. Sharpe complained about foul play, as if Clark needed to deal with low-cost shots each time he took the court. Everyone agreed that Carter’s foul would have been historyless had it not been for Clark.

She is definitely a lightning rod, a white woman who triggers racist and sexist madness just by her presence. Black women within the WNBA and beyond may ask the identical query:

“What else is new?”


 

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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Fear of God Athletics enters the amateur basketball portal thanks to cooperation with Overtime Elite

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In collaboration with Adidas, dressmaker and founder of Fear of God Athletics Jerry Lorenzo has officially entered recent territory. Fear of God Athletics might be represented as the eighth team in the Atlanta Overtime Elite (OTE) youth basketball league.

According to a press release, Team Athletics might be equipped with performance uniforms and footwear designed by Fear of God Athletics throughout the 2024-25 season, representing, as the label puts it, “a commitment to the next generation of athletes.” It all began off victorious when the team defeated consecutive champions OTE City Reapers 97-90 at the OTE Arena, debuting on November 8 in recent uniforms and shoes.

“Giving back and being an example of what is possible for young men and women in the next generation is fueled by the fear of God,” said Lorenzo, son of former MLB player, coach and manager Jerry Manuel, during a fireplace chat with the former NBA player Matt Barnes at the partnership announcement event on November 7. “I grew up in a sports family. My dad did well in the big leagues. Now he works with Major League Baseball to bring top (African-American) talent back to baseball. It’s simply in our family to give back to the youth.”

Cilk McSweeney (center) joins Fear of God Athletics as the coach of the Overtime Elite team.

Adidas

“Jerry’s values ​​and morals and what he stands for are consistent with what we are about in our program,” says Fear of God Athletics coach Cilk McSweeney, who joins the team after coaching Calvary Christian Academy in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, for 12 years, he said.

The collaboration comes just weeks before the December release of the Adidas x Fear of God II Basketball, Fear of God’s first true performance sneaker. The shoe has already appeared in NBA games, as has Los Angeles Lakers guard Gabe Vincent I wore it in lots of games this season.

The recent model is a continuation of the Adidas x Fear of God I model, which premiered in December 2023. Similarly, the Fear of God I model, worn by the players, was presented basketball teams from the University of Indiana and the University of Miamibut just for one game. Fear of God and Overtime Elite’s partnership is meant to be long-term and construct on the latter’s mission to equip basketball players ages 16-20 with the resources they need to take their talents to the next level through non-traditional pathways that emphasize academic acceleration and economic strengthening.

Members of the Athletics Team. Front row, left to right: Colin Paul, Cayden Daughtry and Sean Morgan. Back row, left to right: Ashley Sims II, Shon Abaev and Michael Ephraim.

Adidas

“Connecting with (Fear of God) provides greater exposure to our league and it is a common cause for them,” said Damien Wilkins, general manager and head of basketball at OTE. His role includes connecting the league with brands and providing players with exposure. “I also think it’s great for our players as well, as Fear of God is certainly popular with this age group. All our boys wear it anyway, so it made sense.

“I am very excited about the possibilities that can come from being a part of this relationship” – Shon Abaev, Fear of God Athletics senior point guard, currently ranked No. 29 on the ESPN 100 2025 highschool recruits listhe said. “I’ve already worn Fear of God and Essentials. I’m grateful to be able to wear the (Fear Of God Athletics) shoes on the court.”

Maurice Garland is a marathon-running, yoga-practicing author who has had the same phone number and hairdresser since 2003. He has written powerful stories for legendary publications from Billboard to Black Enterprise. In addition to being a long-time mentor at the youth media organization VOX ATL, he has appeared on VH1, spoken at Spelman and Princeton, co-authored The Art Behind the Tape, and edited the autobiography Pimp C and the memoirs of J. Prince.


This article was originally published on : andscape.com
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Klay Thompson: ‘There’s no point in looking back’ on Golden State Warriors tenure

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DENVER – For the Golden State Warriors and their fans, the return of four-time NBA champion Klay Thompson on Tuesday will likely be a celebration of one in all the best players in franchise history.

As for the brand new Dallas Mavericks defenseman, it doesn’t appear like his first game in the Bay Area against his old team has been circled on his calendar.

“This chapter is over,” Thompson told Andscape after the Mavericks’ 122-120 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Sunday night. “I’m in the technique of attempting to win here. There’s no point in losing anything when we’ve such a fantastic opportunity here to be great. There’s no point in looking back…

“I have to look to the future. I have to try to give it my all.”

Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson shoots a three-pointer during a game against the Phoenix Suns on Nov. 8 on the American Airlines Center in Dallas.

Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images

The Warriors chosen Thompson with the eleventh pick in the 2011 NBA draft out of Washington State. The five-time NBA All-Star averaged 19.6 points and three.1 three-pointers per game over 11 seasons with the Warriors. Playing with the Warriors in Oakland, California and San Francisco, Thompson won 4 NBA championships and played in six NBA Finals.

Thompson is sixth in Warriors history in points (15,531), fourth in games played (793) and second behind Stephen Curry in three-pointers made with 2,481. He scored 60 points in 29 minutes against the Indiana Pacers on December 5, 2016 and set an NBA record 14 three-pointers in a game against the Chicago Bulls on October 29, 2018.

With the early-season matchup against the Warriors looming, Thompson told Andscape he did not have time to reflect on his accomplishments.

“I appreciate it, but I’m still trying to keep going and keep winning here,” Thompson said Sunday during his postgame press conference.

In recent years, the Warriors have rewarded Curry, Draymond Green, Andrew Wiggins and current Washington Wizards goaltender Jordan Poole with latest contract extensions. Thompson, who missed 2019-2021 attributable to injury, didn’t reach the terms of his contract extension despite being eligible to play last season and have become an unrestricted free agent in June. The two-time All-NBA player averaged 17.9 points for the Warriors last season, his lowest scoring average because the 2012-13 season. After contract talks with Golden State stalled, the 34-year-old agreed to a three-year contract price $50 million against the Mavericks on July 1.

Asked if there was anything he was most dissatisfied about his departure, Thompson told Andscape: “Honestly, not really. This is what it looks like.”

While the Warriors missed the playoffs in the 2023-24 season, the Mavericks advanced to the NBA Finals with stars Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving. By signing with the Mavericks, Thompson joined a team that was the Western Conference champion while the Warriors seemed to be in decline.

However, Curry, Green and the Warriors began this season 8-2, tied with the Phoenix Suns and Oklahoma City Thunder for the perfect record in the West. The Mavericks are 5-5 and Thompson is third on the team in scoring (14.2 points per game).

Thompson told Andscape he’s confident this will likely be a “special” season for the Mavs.

“We have real experience and a chance to win,” Thompson said. “I do know we’re .500 immediately and we’re playing mediocre basketball. But in my experience, the season is long and you will have to peak at the suitable moment…

“You have to keep going, keep your emotions and stay the course. Keep a smile on your face. It’s a long (season). We have a chance to be special.”

From left to right: Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson, guard Stephen Curry and forward Draymond Green after a game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Chase Center on November 30, 2023.

Kelley L. Cox – USA TODAY Sports

Curry, Thompson and Green were amongst essentially the most successful trios in NBA history. He and the Warriors won 4 NBA championships with a combined 518 regular-season and playoff victories. Their 98 playoff wins rank third in NBA history amongst three-team teams, in accordance with ESPN Stats & Information research.

Has Thompson been in contact with Curry and Green?

“I’m locked up. Probably not,” Thompson told Andscape. “I’ll see them after I see them. That’s all.”

Thompson was beloved in the Bay Area for all the time being himself. Thompson threw paper airplanes constituted of boxes on the media after post-match press conferences and was well-known for having an English bulldog named Rocco who was pictured next to him in an motion figure doll handed out at a Warriors home game. He earned the nickname “Captain Klay” for sailing his boat across the San Francisco Bay to games on the Chase Center after the Warriors moved from Oakland to San Francisco in 2019.

Thompson told Andscape that the one thing he misses in regards to the Bay Area is “the water,” but he has no plans to take his boat to Tuesday’s game.

Golden State is looking Tuesday’s game against Dallas a “Captain Klay Salute.” Before introducing Thompson, the Warriors will play a one-minute tribute video. Curry is anticipated to deliver a speech in honor of Thompson, and all fans attending the sport will receive a white captain’s hat with the Warriors logo to tip their hat to Thompson in the course of the introduction. The Warriors have said they plan to retire Thompson’s No. 11 jersey sooner or later.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Sunday. “I feel all of us are. It will likely be very emotional. I do know our fans are ready for it and might’t wait to see Klay.

“I think it’s good news for the fans. Bravo for that,” Thompson said Sunday.

Coincidentally, this can be the primary NBA Cup game for the Warriors and Mavericks. Thompson was excited in regards to the second edition of the intraseason tournament, with the ultimate 4 going down in Las Vegas in December.

“Obviously it will be good to see the people you raced against,” Thompson said Sunday. “For me, it’s just one other November regular season game. Of course, the NBA Cup has greater implications. So it’s in our minds to win it.

Despite all of the Warriors’ plans and anticipated excitement, Thompson doesn’t think he’ll be distracted by all of the hype in his honor. He also told Andscape that he doesn’t expect his return to be emotional.

Why?

“I’ve been playing basketball a long time,” Thompson said Sunday. “Basketball is basketball.”

Marc J. Spears is Andscape’s senior NBA author. He used to have the option to dunk on you, but he hasn’t been capable of do it for years and his knees still hurt.

This article was originally published on : andscape.com
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The best Mike Tyson-Jake Paul boxing match “Experience” will earn you $2 million

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Mike Tyson, Jake Paul, Boxing, professional record, July 20, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations


If you need to get the fine quality MVP of the upcoming fight between Jake Paul and Hall of Fame boxer Mike Tyson, you’ll should spend $2 million to get it.

According to , Elevate has designed an exclusive premium package called “MVP owner experience” to accommodate two people in a non-public suite situated lower than six feet from the ring.

According to the consulting company, that is the closest place to sit down to the ring, ever approved by Texas state regulators and equipped with high-quality leather seats.

Package covers a visit to the locker room before the fight with Paul and Tyson, a probability to look on stage on the pre-fight weigh-in, gloves autographed by each boxers, security and private concierge services during fight week.

There are also 4 seats in the primary two rows on the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium in Arlington, which seats 80,000.

Elevate and Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions, which he co-founded with Nakisa Bidarian in 2021, have teamed as much as sell the MVP owner experience and other hospitality packages for the fight.

Time will tell if the fight itself justifies this particular price tag. Tyson has already indicated that yes cannot see distance combat unless he has to chase his prey.

“If I don’t have to catch him, you can expect a knockout in the first round,” Tyson said at an October news conference. “But I might have to catch him because I expect this guy to run away from me.”

Tyson also indicated that he has largely change into a greater person in retirement than he was as an lively fighter.

“When I was fighting professionally, I was too stressed,” Tyson said. “I never had a probability to loosen up or benefit from the championship because every little thing was going against me. There were lawsuits and divorces. I actually have never enjoyed being a human being. This is the moment once I can enjoy myself as a human being. I actually have higher life skills now than I did in combat.

The fight will be streamed survive Netflix on November 15 and in accordance with , it exists as a part of the streaming giant’s $5 billion bet on live sports broadcastsheadlined by the agreement with TKO, the parent company of WWE and TKO, which will stream “Raw” (formerly “Monday Night Raw”) on Netflix, but will also acquire international rights to “Smackdown”, “WrestleMania”, “SummerSlam” for Netflix ” and “Royal Rumble.”


This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
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