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The WNBA is taking another significant step forward

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BROOKLYN, N.Y. — I’m not a fan of the players or the teams. However, I’m a fan of historical moments. An incredible historic moment took place Sunday night on the Barclays Center in Brooklyn when the New York Liberty, one among the unique WNBA teams, won their first WNBA championship.

Led by Finals MVP Jonquel Jones, Liberty defeated the Minnesota Lynx 67-62 in extra time. If any fan base deserved to win a championship, Liberty fans did it. Liberty has reached the WNBA Finals five times and has never won. Their fans have watched, waited and followed this band for 27 years, first at Madison Squares Garden.

When Knicks owner James Dolan put the team up on the market and sent Liberty to Westchester, Liberty fans followed him. The Liberty played in Newark, and in 2004 they even took the stage at Radio City Music Hall. Ultimately, the Liberty was purchased by the owners of the Brooklyn Nets, Joe Tsai and Clara Wu Tsai. When it became clear on Sunday that the long-awaited championship moment had finally arrived, the Barclays Center erupted in muted joy from fans who had been waiting for a championship moment for nearly three many years.

For those that could have had their first taste of WNBA basketball – college refugees who were dropped at the league by Caitlin Clark or Angel Reese – the Liberty-Lynx Finals could have been a revelation. For longtime WNBA fans, these Finals simply underlined what they already knew: The women on this league are incredibly talented, passionate and committed to a cause — improving women’s basketball and ladies typically.

WNBA Finals MVP Jonquel Jones celebrates on October 20 on the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Catalina Fragoso/NBAE via Getty Images

With the exception of the second match, which Liberty won after losing, every final match ended with a possession victory. In the primary game, Minnesota overcame an 18-point deficit and defeated Liberty 95-93 in extra time. In Game 3, Liberty needed a 3-pointer by Sabrina Ionescu to secure an 80-77 victory. The Lynx won Game 4 82-80 after two last-second fouls by Bridget Carleton. This marked the start of the historic drama that unfolded on Sunday.

Sunday’s victory capped a historic season not just for Liberty, but in addition for a league that has been screaming for attention in a competitive sports market that an excessive amount of ignores or marginalizes women. Just like there are men who won’t ever vote for a presidential candidate, no matter her qualifications, there are also men who is not going to listen to the WNBA. Fortunately, the league continues to thrive without them.

Despite the NFL, college football and hockey seasons being in full swing, despite the Major League Baseball playoffs being underway, the voice of the WNBA has finally been heard.

  • ESPN estimated viewership increased 170% to 1.2 million per game.
  • WNBA teams sold 400,000 tickets in a single month.
  • 21 matches attracted over 1 million viewers each. In eighteen of those games, the Indiana Fever and Clark were their No. 1 draft pick.

There’s little question that Clark and fellow Chicago Sky rookie Reese played significant roles within the league’s historic leap forward this season, but they were under no circumstances saviors. The WNBA might have fresh leadership soon, but with so many great players, it doesn’t need saviors.

WNBA commissioner Cathy Englebert made a mistake last month when, at the peak of the debates surrounding Clark and her initiation into the league, she was asked during a television interview about racism and misogyny directed on the WNBA’s predominantly black players. Engelbert said: “There is no more apathy. Everyone cares. If you remember, it’s kind of of a moment of that bird magic, in the event you remember 1979, when these two rookies got here back from an enormous college rivalry, one white, one black. And so now we have this moment with these two.

“But one thing I know about sports: you need competition. That’s what makes people watch. They want to watch important matches between rivals. They don’t want everyone to be nice to each other.”

Engelbert later posted a press release on social media explaining her position. “To be clear, there is absolutely no place for hate or racism in the WNBA or anywhere else.” But Englebert made point: Polarization attracts attention. She was unsuitable to say that, unlike the NBA within the Nineteen Seventies, the WNBA didn’t need a savior. The league needs consistency, perseverance and continuous development. It needs competitive finals just like the one we just saw.

Angel Reese (right) guards Caitlin Clark (left) in the course of the first half of a WNBA game played Aug. 30 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago.

Melissa Tamez/Sportswire Icon

Most of the coverage of the WNBA was concerning the cheerleaders and support. I’m guilty of this too. The WNBA is a league, but it surely is also a movement, a crusade. This made the league clean up; this is what separates the WNBA from other major leagues. The WNBA champions empowerment and social justice while rebuking misogyny. During a conversation last summer on the Paris Olympics, Nadia Rawlinson, co-owner of Chicago Sky, said, “Eighty percent of the people on the court are African American. A large number of these people identify as LGBTQIA. The league is about equality, access, opportunity, fighting for justice, getting a seat at the table.”

In 2021, players campaigned against Atlanta Dream co-owner Kelly Loeffler, who has been a vocal supporter of Donald Trump in his bid to retain his Senate seat. She lost. WNBA players have long advocated for LGBTQ rights. They dedicated the 2020 season within the Say Her Name campaign for Breonna Taylor. WNBA players have grow to be a respected political force. A yr later, Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner was detained in Russia. Her arrest highlighted how WNBA players are forced to compete overseas to complement their income.

I’m undecided how long the WNBA’s activist imperative will last. It may grow to be a victim of its own popularity and expansion. The league will add one team next season and two more in 2026.

The WNBA has made another U-turn, but there are still more twists and turns to barter and mountains to climb. According to for a report within the New York Postthe league could lose $40 million this season. The Post’s report also found that NBA players receive about 50% of the NBA’s basketball revenue in comparison with 10% for the WNBA. Sports economist David Berri told the New York Post: “NBA men have never been as underpaid as WNBA women are today.” This may change in the following 20 years.

But within the here and now, the WNBA took another significant step forward this season, culminating in a historic moment for the Liberty. As a lover of historical moments, I felt lucky to have the opportunity to experience this.

William C. Rhoden is a columnist for Andscape magazine and the writer of Forty Million Dollar Slaves: The Rise, Fall, and Redemption of the Black Athlete. He directs Rhoden Fellows, a training program for aspiring HBCU journalists.

This article was originally published on : andscape.com
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NFL star Terrell Owens signs a contract with Michael Strahan’s talent agency

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Terrell Owens, NFL, Football


NFL Hall of Fame receiver and podcast host Terrell Owens has signed with a talent agency to further strengthen his claims within the entertainment game.

According to , Owens was signed by SMAC Entertainment, headed by host and NFL Hall of Famer Michael Strahan and his business partner Constance Schwartz-Morini.

NFL insider Jordan Schultz has also joined SMAC Entertainment.

“We are excited to add TO and Jordan to the SMAC family. They are both at the top of their game and set the standard in their industry,” Schwartz-Morini said in a written statement. “TO and Jordan have already brought an infectious energy to our team, and we are excited to help them realize their vision for careers in media, business and branding.”

A five-time first-team All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowler, Owens played for the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals. In 2018, he was finally inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

A member of the 2000 NFL All-Decade Team, Owens finished his profession with 1,078 catches for 15,934 yards, 14.8 yards per catch and 153 touchdowns, rating third all-time in receiving yards and touchdowns.

Since retiring from skilled soccer in 2012, Owens has already made several moves. He has appeared in several movies and tv shows, including “,” and in addition had his own reality show, “, on VH1.

He currently co-hosts the podcast with former NFL player and sports analyst Shannon Sharpe.

SMAC Entertainment is home to stars similar to rapper and actor Common, Wiz Khalifa, Strahan, Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders and current NFL players similar to Stefon Diggs and DK Metcalf.


This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
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Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker brings an NBA championship desire with his Olympic experience

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The gold medal went to the USA Basketball team. Mission completed on the 2024 Paris Games. U.S. men’s basketball coach Steve Kerr just answered his final query during his final news conference on Aug. 10 after his team defeated France within the gold medal game.

However, before leaving the stage of the press conference in Paris, Kerr stopped to deliver an unsolicited message to media around the globe.

“Devin Booker is an amazing basketball player. Nobody asked about him. He was our unsung MVP. I just desired to say that,” Kerr said.

The “underrated MVP” compliment meant so much to the Phoenix Suns guard.

“It meant everything. No one really asked him,” Booker recently told Andscape. “That was probably something that was weighing on his mind throughout the entire process. A 12 months ago I said what I desired to do for this team and what we desired to do for the country.

“It was a lot larger than all of us. Survival was something we’d discuss for the remainder of our lives.

The USA Basketball team was centered around NBA star icons LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant. There has also been some discussion amongst media and fans in regards to the lack of playing time for Jayson Tatum and, to a lesser extent, Tyrese Haliburton. Lost within the shuffle was the all-around, unselfish play of sharpshooter Booker wearing the armband.

Guard Devin Booker throughout the final men’s basketball game between France and the United States on the Olympic Games on Aug. 10 at Bercy Arena in Paris.

Daniel Kopatsch/Getty Images

Booker was fourth in scoring for the U.S., averaging 11.7 points, 3.3 assists and a couple of.2 three-pointers made early in all six Olympics, and likewise had the perfect plus/minus (plus-130) for an American. Kerr was impressed with Booker’s deal with a difficult defense, regardless that he is thought for his offense, ball movement and the way he has adjusted to not being one in every of the highest options on offense.

“I just understood what was at stake,” Booker said. “I’m proud to be from this country. I’m happy with playing basketball. Even though it wasn’t invented in America, we dominated for a very long time. Obviously the world is incredibly talented and the sport is growing, however it was just one other message to allow them to know who we’re.

Booker said he also learned in regards to the preparations from his all-star team, watching the preparations on and off the court. The 28-year-old added that he gained lifelong friendships.

“It’s cool to see that everyone has their own issues,” Booker said. “In my 10 years in the NBA, I’ve learned that you have to choose what you can use for yourself. But the level of detail, the attention to detail, the intensity – it’s all consistent across the board.”

As for Durant, Booker said the bond between the 2 Sun stars “is close and grows stronger every day.” They live about five minutes from one another within the Phoenix area and commonly spend time at home and on the road. Most recently, Booker had to steer the Suns without Durant, who was sidelined with an injury.

The amazing Durant averaged 27.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and three.4 assists, which were tops for the Suns. However, the 14-time NBA All-Star has been sidelined since November 8 with a left calf strain. Suns players Bradley Beal (calf) and Jusuf Nurkic (ankle) were also sidelined. The Suns are 1-5 without Durant, which incorporates 4 straight losses.

Booker and Suns sans Durant’s next rivals shall be the New York Knicks on Wednesday evening (ESPN, 10 p.m. ET). Over the last six games, Booker is averaging 24.1 points, shooting 43.2% from the sphere and making 16 of 43 three-pointers. Suns guard Tyus Jones said there was numerous pressure on Booker offensively due to the injury.

“We’re asking a lot of Book,” Jones said after Monday’s 109-99 loss to the visiting Orlando Magic. “It’s numerous pressure for him. We are very focused on it. They are physical with him, holding him and grabbing him, throwing two or three bodies at him all night long. So he’s got so much on his plate and we just need to proceed to seek out ways to get him open within the moments we will and proceed to assist him when other players are taking shots and making plays.

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (left) with Suns forward Kevin Durant (right) during a game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Oct. 31 on the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.

Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images

Booker currently has two Olympic gold medals, 4 NBA All-Star appearances and one NBA Finals appearance. The only thing missing from the Suns’ second-leading all-time scorer is an NBA championship. Since the Suns joined the NBA as an expansion team in 1968, they’ve yet to win a title.

After experiencing the joys of winning a gold medal, Booker as an NBA champion wants the gold Larry O’Brien NBA Championship Trophy much more.

“Most of the guys that were there did it,” Booker said of his Olympic teammates who were NBA champions. “They were champions. This is standard for them. Anything lower than that, they need nothing to do with it. It’s contagious…

“That’s all I want. That’s all I want.”

Marc J. Spears is Andscape’s senior NBA author. He used to have the ability 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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New Unrivaled Women’s League Reveals Team Rosters and Coach Allocations

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After months of introducing the players and coaches who will participate in its inaugural season, the brand new Unrivaled 3-on-3 women’s basketball league announced its team rosters and coaching assignments on Wednesday.

Founded by WNBA players Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, Unrivaled consists of six teams of six players each. The league was created to offer WNBA players with a substitute for playing overseas in the course of the offseason.

Although initially announced as having 30 players, the league has since expanded to 36, which Collier attributed “above financial forecasts”. The league has announced 34 players publicly up to now.

The inaugural season of Unrivaled will begin on January 17, 2025, with all games going down in Miami. Here are the official teams for the inaugural season, as well season schedule.

Vinyl Basketball Club:

Arike Ogunbowale

Rhyn Howard

Aliyah Boston

Jordin Canada

Rae Burrell

Dearica Hamby

– Coach: Teresa Weatherspoon

Rose Basketball Club:

Chelsea Grey

Kahleah Copper

Angel Reese

Brittney Sykes

Lexie Hull

Azura Stevens

– Coach: Nola Henry

Mgła basketball club:

Jewell Lloyd

Dijon Carrington

Breanna Stewart

Courtney Vandersloot

Rickey Jackson

Aaliyah Edwards

– Coach: Phil Handy

Lunar Owls Basketball Club:

Skylar Diggins-Smith

Allisha Gray

Napheesa Collier

Natasha Chmura

Shakira Austin

– TBD: wild card

– Coach: DJ Sackmann

Phantom Basketball Club:

Jackie Young

Marina Mabrey

Satou Sabally

Tiffany Hayes

Brittney Grinner

– TBD: wild card

– Coach: Adam Harrington

Laces Basketball Club:

Kelsey Plum

Kayla McBride

Alice Thomas

Courtney Williams

KateMartin

Stefanie Dolson

– Coach: Andrew Wade

Mia Berry is senior HBCU author at Andscape, covering every thing from sports to student-led protests. She’s from Detroit (What’s up, Doe!), a long-suffering Detroit sports fan and Notre Dame alum who randomly shouts “Go Irish.”


This article was originally published on : andscape.com
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