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WNBA player faces backlash over op-ed criticizing IOC for policy to protect women's sports

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 06:08:14 -0400

WNBA player Brianna Turner faced social media backlash after she wrote an op-ed expressing her displeasure with the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) policy to keep men out of women’s sports.

Turner, who recently signed a contract with the Las Vegas Aces after playing professionally in Australia, wrote in USA Today that she didn’t believe the new policy the IOC implemented actually protected women’s sporting events.

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The IOC said it would use genetic testing to ensure that women’s events only feature females. Turner accused the IOC of using the new policies to "scapegoat" transgender athletes while ignoring "real" issues regarding women in sports.

"Policies that single out transgender women and athletes with intersex variations do not protect women’s sports. They manufacture a scapegoat while the real challenges to women’s sports go unaddressed: unequal funding, limited access to training and facilities, pay disparities, male-dominated leadership, gender-based violence and harassment across race, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity," Turner wrote on Friday.

She also denied the IOC's argument that the new policy is being enacted to make sure that female sports are safe and fair, claiming there were no biological advantages in transgender athletes.

WNBA PLAYER OPPOSES NEW OLYMPICS TRANSGENDER POLICY, SAYING THEY DO 'ANYTHING BUT' PROTECT WOMEN

"In more than 15 years of organized basketball, I’ve played with and against people who are transgender and undoubtedly people with intersex variations, and I've never experienced any unfair advantages. I saw these players as my fellow athletes, not my enemies," Turner wrote.

She concluded by demanding that the IOC do not use women athletes in efforts to "shame or exclude" transgender athletes.

Turner received a torrent of social media responses to her critique of the IOC.

Turner’s op-ed followed a similar response from former U.S. women’s soccer star Megan Rapinoe and Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Sue Bird.

"We already know that biology, as much as we want it to be just nice and clean and tight and perfectly in one category and another, it’s not," Rapinoe said earlier this month. "We know that. So, now what we’re doing is subjecting everybody, all women and all people who are identifying as women to this really invasive testing that only to me says like, ‘Oh we’re just trying to whittle it down to a certain type of woman.' Is that what we’re doing? That’s really the whole game here."

Bird said the IOC policy was akin to "fearmongering."

Turner is set to play with the Aces this season. She was with the Indiana Fever in 2025 and the Chicago Sky in 2024 after spending the first five seasons of her career with the Phoenix Mercury.

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There are no known transgender athletes competing in the WNBA.

Fox News’ Lindsay Kornick contributed to this report.

Lexie Hull reveals most rewarding part about playing for Fever during Caitlin Clark era

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 18:50:52 -0400

Lexie Hull led the Indiana Fever to the brink of the WNBA Finals last season.

She did it without Caitlin Clark on the floor after the superstar was injured.

Now, with Clark returning in 2026, Hull believes and expects they can win a championship and promote the game for the next generation of fans and aspiring players.

"Seeing girls, seeing boys show up every day and being able to give them aspirations and show them what they can do and show them the possibilities," Hull told Fox News Digital of the rewards of playing in the WNBA.

"Growing up, I didn't necessarily watch the WNBA as much, didn't have dreams of playing in the league at a young age. And now girls have the ability to watch us, see us, dream about being professional athletes. And that's what's been the most rewarding part about it.

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"I love the game, and I love when [the fans] show up. And that's part of the reason why I love doing what I do, is to see fans in the stands, see little girls and being able to be a role model for them on and off the court. I think that's really what drives me and fuels me."

Hull, who was drafted by the Fever in 2022, played her first two WNBA seasons without the massive spotlight that Clark brought in 2024.

They got the Fever to the playoffs together for the first time since 2016 that year before Hull led the team on a playoff run while Clark and teammate Sophie Cunningham were on the bench with injuries in 2026.

In a career-best year in 2025, Hull averaged career highs in points (7.2), rebounds (4.3) and assists (1.8) while shooting 36.7% from 3-point range and appearing in all 44 games.

FEVER'S LEXIE HULL SPEAKS OUT AGAINST ATTACKS ON PLAYERS AS TEAM'S POPULARITY GROWS DURING CAITLIN CLARK ERA

In the playoffs, she averaged 10.3 points, five rebounds and two assists in eight games. It all came to an end in a 107-98 overtime loss to the Las Vegas Aces in Game 5 of the WNBA semifinals.

But Hull says she believes the 2026 team, in year three of the Clark era, will be a different show and one that is gunning for the title.

"I think it's because we made it where we made it last year without some of our key pieces, and with a lot of injuries, and a lot of, like, this adversity. … Our bench was longer than every other bench. We had more people in the training room getting treatment than any other team, and we still almost made it to the Finals," Hull said.

"Tasting that and being so close and feeling like we have so much more to give, I think that just changes our mindset a little bit. And it's not necessarily overconfident, but confident in the fact that we really do have a chance. And we should be playing like every game matters, and we're preparing for that last one.

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"I think it's very achievable with what we're going to be able to do with free agency."

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WNBA star claims league's history was 'erased for a minute' amid Caitlin Clark's rise in popularity

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 19:24:53 -0500

WNBA star A’ja Wilson has been quick to push back on the reasons the league has gained in popularity over the last two years and the narrative that Caitlin Clark is the major driver.

The Indiana Fever star has certainly helped expand the WNBA’s popularity since she entered the league in 2024.

The Fever’s regular-season game against the Chicago Sky in May drew an average of 2.7 million viewers for the most watched regular-season game in history. There’s no denying that Clark has played a huge role in those numbers.

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In an interview with Time magazine after being named the outlet’s player of the year, Wilson said she believed the history of the WNBA was being "erased for a minute" in the midst of Clark’s emergence.

"It wasn’t a hit at me because I’m going to do me regardless," Wilson said. "I’m going to win this MVP. I’ll win a gold medal. Y’all can’t shake my resume. It was more so, let’s not lose the recipe. Let’s not lose the history. It was erased for a minute. And I don’t like that. Because we have tons of women that have been through the grimiest of grimy things to get the league where it is today."

The Las Vegas Aces center has made her thoughts about Clark clear.

Wilson, in an interview with The Associated Press in 2024, agreed there was a race element to the sharpshooter’s popularity.

"I think it’s a huge thing. I think a lot of people may say it’s not about Black and White, but to me, it is," Wilson said. "It really is because you can be top-notch at what you are as a Black woman, but yet maybe that’s something that people don’t want to see.

ACES STAR A'JA WILSON MAKES WNBA HISTORY AFTER WINNING 4TH MVP AWARD

"They don’t see it as marketable, so it doesn’t matter how hard I work. It doesn’t matter what we all do as Black women, we’re still going to be swept underneath the rug. That’s why it boils my blood when people say it’s not about race because it is."

She then broached the subject of a racial double standard in a separate interview with Time earlier this year. She spoke about Clark talking about the supposed "privilege" she benefits from.

"I know [Clark] got a lot of backlash from that because, obviously, we live in a world where they don't want that, and it's exhausting," Wilson said in February. "But imagine dealing with that and then having to go out and play every single night, having to constantly have to worry, ‘How are they about to downgrade my résumé now? What more do I have to do in order to showcase how elite and how serious I take my job?' But I also do it with love and passion and fun.

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"A lot of people don't want to see me at the top, and that's fine, but I'm gonna be there because I worked my butt off to get there."

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WNBA's A'ja Wilson shares heartfelt message for NBA star Bam Adebayo at Aces' title celebration

Sat, 11 Oct 2025 16:42:09 -0400

Four-time WNBA MVP A'ja Wilson had a message for her beau after capping her latest standout season with another championship.

Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces defeated the Phoenix Mercury in Game 4 of the WNBA Finals on Friday to secure the franchise’s third championship in the past four years.

Wilson was named the Finals MVP for the second time in her career. She also earned WNBA Defensive Player of the Year honors for a third time. Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo, who is in a relationship with Wilson, was on hand for Friday's clincher.

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Videos shared across social media showed Wilson and Adebayo embracing and celebrating the special moment. One video showed a tearful Wilson telling Adebayo, "Thank you for believing in me, baby."

In another video, the Miami center shared some of his thoughts on Wilson.

"Super proud of her," Adebayo said.

"Y'all don't see the behind-the-scenes, the ups and the downs. So, being able to obviously have this moment with her and share this moment … truly special, truly proud of her. Like I tell everybody, be thankful for it while it's here."

WNBA COMMISSIONER CATHY ENGELBERT BOOED BY CROWD, FLIPPED OFF WHILE PRESENTING WNBA CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY

Wilson also became the first WNBA player to score 1,000 points in a single season.

The conclusion of the WNBA Finals brings the beginning of an offseason that will be defined by potentially tense negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement.

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The league will also expand to 15 teams in 2026, adding franchises in Toronto and Portland, Oregon.

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WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert booed by crowd, flipped off while presenting WNBA championship trophy

Sat, 11 Oct 2025 09:43:27 -0400

Cathy Engelbert did not receive a warm welcome in Phoenix on Friday night.

The WNBA commissioner hit the court to deliver the Finals trophy to the Las Vegas Aces, but she was promptly met with boos.

One attendee in the crowd was even spotted giving the middle finger while Engelbert spoke to congratulate the Aces.

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"Well, we're here today to celebrate a champion. Thank you to all the fans. Phoenix had a great run to get here, and I just want to congratulate the Aces on a performance, 2025 WNBA champions," Engelbert said amid continuous boos.

The Aces, despite completing the sweep for their third title in four years, appeared visibly uncomfortable, and Finals MVP A'ja Wilson showed a look of concern.

Engelbert has received a ton of backlash recently after the commissioner allegedly made dismissive and patronizing remarks about player concerns. Napheesa Collier also claimed Engelbert said that Caitlin Clark "should be grateful she makes $16 million off the court because, without the platform that the WNBA gives her, she wouldn't make anything."

Collier also alleged Engelbert told her, "Players should be on their knees, thanking their lucky stars for the media rights deal that I got them."

"When you have great players, you need to treat them like that, and that’s top to bottom," Aces point guard Chelsea Gray said after the game.

WNBA NEEDS CAITLIN CLARK MORE THAN SHE NEEDS THE LEAGUE, LONGTIME SPORTSCASTER DAN PATRICK SAYS

Wilson shared her displeasure with Engelbert earlier this month, saying she was "disgusted" with Engelbert's comments. Wilson played a tambourine in celebration of Gray's comments on Friday.

Engelbert denied making the comments about Clark.

"Obviously, I did not make those comments. Caitlin has been a transformational player in this league. She's been a great representative of the game. She’s brought in tens of millions of new fans to the game," Engelbert said at a news conference last week.

Clark said the league is in a "moment we have to capitalize on."

"I think, for me, and I have said this many times, it is all about relationships, and that’s the truth," Clark said last week. "And I know that’s really hard to say in professional sports. But whether it's a relationship with your front office, whether it's a relationship with the commissioner of the league, whether it's your relationship with your teammates — that’s the most important thing in leadership."

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The WNBA's collective bargaining agreement expires Oct. 31.

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A'ja Wilson makes unprecedented history as Aces win third WNBA championship in 4 years

Sat, 11 Oct 2025 08:46:43 -0400

A'ja Wilson showed the world why she is a four-time WNBA MVP.

She helped complete the sweep with 31 points and nine rebounds as her Las Vegas Aces took home their third title in four years after defeating the Phoenix Mercury 97-86 in Game 4 on Friday night.

Wilson averaged 28.5 points and 11.6 rebounds in the series, earning her the Finals MVP award. She is the first person in WNBA history to be named the regular-season MVP, Defensive Player of the Year and Finals MVP in the same season.

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The Aces were presented the championship trophy by embattled WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, who was greeted with boos.

Vegas never trailed in the series clincher, building a 30-21 lead by the end of the first quarter on 55% shooting. Loyd, Gray and Evans made three straight three-pointers early in the second quarter to put Las Vegas ahead by 19.

The Aces made quick work of the league's first best-of-seven Finals. They scored 54 points in the first half and averaged more than 90 points per game in the series.

The Aces led 76-62 going into the fourth quarter, but the Mercury went on an 8-0 run that cut the deficit to 76-70 with 7:56 left. That was as close as they would get.

WNBA NEEDS CAITLIN CLARK MORE THAN SHE NEEDS THE LEAGUE, LONGTIME SPORTSCASTER DAN PATRICK SAYS

Wilson came to the postgame press conference wearing giant ski goggles from a champagne celebration in the locker room and carrying a pink tambourine, shaking it after answers she liked.

"This is a symbol of the joyfulness we have right now," Wilson said, grinning. "I'm just so grateful to be with this bunch — and that's not the alcohol talking."

Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts was ejected after receiving two quick technical fouls in the third quarter.

This might have been the most difficult of Las Vegas' championships. The Aces had a 14-14 record in early August and were coming off a record-breaking 53-point home loss to Minnesota.

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That defeat could have torn the team apart, but instead it grew closer, and Las Vegas didn't lose a game during the rest of the regular season, winning 16 straight. Including the playoffs, the Aces went 25-3 after that loss.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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A'ja Wilson 'disgusted' by WNBA commissioner's alleged comments, backs Napheesa Collier amid league criticism

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 13:38:55 -0400

Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson slammed WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert after Players Association Vice President Napheesa Collier shared details of a conversation she had with Engelbert earlier this year in which the commissioner allegedly made dismissive and patronizing remarks about player concerns.

Following Tuesday’s Game 5 overtime win over the Indiana Fever, the four-time league MVP wasted no time addressing Collier’s earlier remarks, calling out the league office.

"I was honestly disgusted by the comments that Cathy made. But, at the same time, I'm very appreciative that we have people like Phee in our committee of players association representing us, because that's what we are going to have to continue to make the push to stand on what we believe in," Wilson began.

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"I'm grateful to have those types of people be able to continue to speak up for us."

After the Minnesota Lynx were eliminated from the playoffs over the weekend, Collier addressed the media with a lengthy statement voicing concerns about the league and its leadership.

In addition to raising concerns about player safety and officiating, Collier claimed the biggest issue facing the WNBA is the "lack of accountability from the league office." She then shared details of a conversation she had with Engelbert.

LYNX'S NAPHEESA COLLIER RAILS AGAINST WNBA LEADERSHIP, CALLS FOR OFFICIATING CHANGES

"I sat across from Cathy (Engelbert) and asked how she planned to address the officiating issues in our league," Collier said. "Her response was, 'Well, only the losers complain about the refs,'" she said.

"I also asked how she planned to fix the fact that players like Caitlin [Clark], Angel [Reese] and Paige [Bueckers], who are clearly driving massive revenue for the league, are making so little for their first four years. Her response was, 'Caitlin should be grateful she makes $16 million off the court, because without the platform that the WNBA gives her, she wouldn't make anything.'

"And in that same conversation, she told me, 'Players should be on their knees thanking their lucky stars for the media rights deal that I got them.' That's the mentality driving our league from the top."

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Engelbert responded to the accusations in a statement, saying she was "disheartened" by Collier’s characterization of their conversation.

"I have the utmost respect for Napheesa Collier and for all the players in the WNBA. Together, we have all worked tirelessly to transform this league. My focus remains on ensuring a bright future for the players and the WNBA, including collaborating on how we continue to elevate the game," her statement read.

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Aces star A'ja Wilson makes WNBA history after winning 4th MVP award

Sun, 21 Sep 2025 13:25:52 -0400

Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson has once again been named WNBA MVP, and she made league history with her latest award.

Wilson became the first player in WNBA history to win the MVP award four times, beating Minnesota Lynx leader Napheesa Collier to claim back-to-back honors.

The league announced Wilson received 51 first-place votes and 657 points, finishing ahead of Collier, who had 18 first-place votes and 534 points.

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Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (third place, three first-place votes, 391 points), Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray (fourth place, 180 points) and Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell (fifth place, 93 points) rounded out the top five.

TEAM COLLIER WINS WNBA ALL-STAR GAME AS PLAYERS CALL FOR PAY INCREASE

Wilson joined elite company last season after winning her third MVP, becoming just the fourth player to do so, along with Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie and Lauren Jackson. She was also just the second player to win unanimously, joining Cynthia Cooper.

The 29-year-old Wilson has been dominant since entering the league. She won her first MVP trophy in 2020 and her second in 2022.

"By the time it’s all said and done, she will be the greatest to ever do it," Aces head coach Becky Hammon told ESPN. "Four [MVPs] already says she is. In a league that has continued to get much better, she keeps getting better."

This season, Wilson led the league in points (23.4 per game) and blocks (2.3), while also averaging 10.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists. She was also named Co-Defensive Player of the Year alongside Lynx star Alanna Smith.

"You’re watching poetry in motion. You’re watching history," Hammon said. "And she’s just 29 years old. She could win four more of these by the time she is finished."

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Wilson is looking to add another WNBA title to her résumé after securing her fourth MVP. The Aces will face the Fever in the playoff semifinals, which begin Sunday.

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WNBA star NaLyssa Smith 'sick to my stomach' after unexpected trade to Aces separates her from girlfriend

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 17:42:48 -0400

WNBA veteran NaLyssa Smith was traded by the Dallas Wings to the Las Vegas Aces, and she was clearly blindsided by the deal after reacting on social media.

"Sick to my stomach dawg, never seen this coming but.. I love you Dallas nation, thank you 4 everything," she wrote on X after news of the trade came out.

It was announced on Monday that the Aces acquired Smith, who has been struggling this year, for a 2027 first-round pick.

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The Wings have been struggling this year, owning a 1-11 record, and Smith hasn’t fared well with her new team. She was averaging 6.7 points and 4.9 rebounds, both career lows, over 18 games.

Smith was acquired by the Wings in an offseason trade with the Indiana Fever, as Dallas tried to build a better roster around Paige Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale. Unfortunately, the moves did not pan out, and Dallas was quick to get assets back in return.

FEVER MOVE ON FROM 2-TIME WNBA CHAMP DEWANNA BONNER AMID RUMORS OF FRACTURED RELATIONSHIP

It’s also worth noting that Smith was playing alongside her girlfriend, DiJonai Carrington, who also joined the Wings this offseason. They were teammates previously at Baylor, and have had a relationship ever since.

Carrington simply posted a broken-heart emoji on X when the news dropped, followed by a separate post with pictures of herself and Smith on and off the court.

Smith, though, followed up her post explaining her shock with some positivity as she headed to Las Vegas.

"On another note tho [sic] if I could’ve chose anywhere to go it would’ve been Vegas so hella excited 4 this new opportunity wit [sic] my goat," Smith wrote on X.

While Smith didn’t specifically say who she considers her "goat," it’s a fair guess to say it’s three-time WNBA MVP and two-time league champion A’ja Wilson, who leads the Aces in her eighth season since being taken No. 1 overall out of South Carolina in 2018.

Meanwhile, Smith was the No. 2 overall pick by the Fever in 2022, where she made the WNBA All-Rookie first team after averaging 13.5 points and 7.9 rebounds over 30.7 minutes per game. She finished third in WNBA Rookie of the Year voting.

For the first time in her career, Smith played less than 20 minutes with Dallas, but perhaps that will change now with Las Vegas.

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The Aces are currently seventh in the WNBA standings, and fifth in the Western Conference, with an 8-8 record to start the year.

Smith’s presumed first game with her new squad will be against her former team, as the Fever host the Aces on Thursday night in Indianapolis.

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Mystics’ Jade Melbourne chips tooth in gruesome injury after getting elbowed by Aces’ Chelsea Gray

Fri, 27 Jun 2025 15:47:51 -0400

Washington Mystics guard and Olympic medalist Jade Melbourne lost part of a front tooth after taking a wild elbow to the mouth in Thursday night’s win over the Las Vegas Aces.

Melbourne was injured in the first quarter when she tried to drive past a screen from Aces guard Chelsea Gray.

Gray’s elbow made direct contact with Melbourne’s mouth, and as she bent over in pain. A tooth appeared to fall onto the court.

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A bloodied Melbourne was taken off the court, and although she remained sidelined for the remainder of the game, she did join her team on the bench. Gray was assessed a flagrant foul.

Mystics coach Sydney Johnson said after the game that Melbourne did require stitches, Yahoo Sports reported.

Despite the initial shock of the injury, Melbourne appeared in good spirits after the game. Teammate Georgia Amoore shared a post on Instagram that showed Melbourne smiling with a bloodied mouth and chipped tooth and two thumbs-up.

FEVER, MYSTICS PLAYERS GET INTO HEATED INCIDENTS DURING PRESEASON GAME

Melbourne, an Australian basketball player who earned a bronze medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, is averaging 6.5 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists this season.

It was not immediately clear if she would miss any additional time because of Thursday’s injury.

The Mystics secured a 94-83 win even without Melbourne and the team’s leading scorer, Brittney Sykes, who was sidelined for the second straight game with a lower leg injury.

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The WNBA has seen an uptick in physical plays this season. Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark has been on the receiving end of many of those plays, but Melbourne’s injury Thursday ranks as one of this season's most serious.

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Ex-WNBA star downplays uproar over physicality of game amid spate of hard fouls on Caitlin Clark

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 14:25:08 -0400

Former WNBA star Candace Parker talked about the physicality Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark has dealt with in comparison to when she first entered the league with the Los Angeles Sparks.

Clark was involved in several scraps during her first year in the WNBA. The number of incidents begged the question of whether she was being targeted due to jealousy over the attention she received.

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But Parker explained on Jemele Hill’s podcast "Spolitics" that the tough play in the WNBA was "part of the game."

"When you are a generational talent, I say that in Dianna [Taurasi], Maya [Moore], myself, Breanna Stewart, Cailtin Clark, Aja Wilson – you’re going to experience the physicality. The scouting report is to stop you, a lot of it is to be physical," Parker said. "Do you take a couple extra licks from people? Yeah. Was I the rookie coming in and got different shots taken at me or hard fouls? For sure. It is a part of the game."

Parker suggested there was a bigger issue with how the physicality of the WNBA was received among a new television audience.

"I think the problem is now it is a balancing act of society and the expectation of women versus what is necessary in sports," she said. "And for so long they were conflicting and that women in society were supposed to be strong, but not too strong. I remember not wanting to go up in weight in college, power cleaning, because I’m like, ‘Oh my shoulders in the dress are looking kind of muscular.’ And now I’m like you know, ‘What I’m a b----, like who cares? You’re going to see my muscles.’

WNBA SHOULD INVESTIGATE BRITTNEY GRINER VIDEO AFTER PROBING FALSE CLAIMS ABOUT FEVER FANS, GOVERNOR SAYS

"I think it’s a different generations of players that are willing to take on society’s problems with women head on. As a result, I think now we're seeing social media explode and more followers wanting to follow women because we are so dynamic on what we can do on and off the floor."

Clark and Angel Reese have developed a storied history with each other dating back to the 2023 national championship between Iowa and LSU.

Their storyline has strongly been compared to the rivalry Magic Johnson and Larry Bird cultivated in the NBA, which helped increase viewership for the league.

But Parker stopped short of making the comparison.

"I think it's comparing apples and oranges," she said. "Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, it’s like what are we doing? They like doing the Magic and Bird comparison, well they played similar positions. They at least kind of matched up.

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"I’m not falling into that. I’m not falling into the comparison and I think that there are a number of things that Angel can improve on, will improve on in the situation she’s in. And I think Caitlin Clark has done that even in her first year..... She makes her team better."

Fox News’ Connor McGahan contributed to this report.

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Storm assistant's alleged use of profanity toward former player prompts WNBA review: report

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 19:08:28 -0400

The Seattle Storm are facing scrutiny again after reports Wednesday indicated the WNBA has launched an investigation into the team’s coaching staff.

The team was previously the subject of a separate internal investigation in December.

WNBA reporter Khristina Williams reported Wednesday that sources said the league and league security have launched a probe into the team’s coaching staff. Williams later added a source said the investigation was linked to a former player.

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According to Williams, the complaint accused an assistant coach of directing profanity at that unnamed player.

But Annie Costabile of Front Office Sports reported a source with direct knowledge called the inital reports "inaccurate."

Costabile reported that an allegation of a team assistant cursing at a former player after Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Aces was made, and the league reviewed the complaint.

WNBA STAR JEWELL LOYD REQUEST TRADE FROM STORM AFTER TEAM'S BULLYING PROBE ENDS: REPORTS

The Seattle Storm directed inquiries to the league when reached for comment. The WNBA did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

The Storm hired outside counsel last year to investigate allegations of bullying and harassment by the coaching staff. The probe concluded that there were no violations of workplace misconduct.

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"I believe that the organization did the right thing," Storm coach Noelle Quinn said in February. "Throughout this entire process, the communication level was tremendously high. I felt supported in a lot of ways, and I know my staff felt supported as well. With anything like this, it is important to take the right steps, and our organization did that."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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WNBA champion A'ja Wilson talks Caitlin Clark's 'privilege' remarks

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 17:31:33 -0500

Caitlin Clark received several honors following her first season in the WNBA. In addition to being named the league's rookie of the year, Clark was also selected as the 2024 Time "Athlete of the Year."

While Clark produced a strong stat line during her time at Iowa and at the WNBA level, there has been much debate about whether she also had an inherent privilege that helped her rise to stardom. During her interview with Time magazine, Clark admitted to having a particular built-in benefit.

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"I want to say I’ve earned every single thing, but as a White person, there is privilege. A lot of those players in the league that have been really good have been Black players. This league has kind of been built on them. The more we can appreciate that, highlight that, talk about that... I think it’s very important. I have to continue to try to change that," Clark said.

"The more we can elevate Black women, that’s going to be a beautiful thing."

CAITLIN CLARK MAY NEVER BE PAID WHAT 'SHE'S REALLY WORTH' TO WNBA, AGENT SAYS

Those comments received mixed reactions within the basketball world. Last May, two-time WNBA champion A'ja Wilson was asked whether race and double standards in sports played a role in Clark's meteoric rise.

"I think it’s a huge thing. I think a lot of people may say it’s not about Black and White, but to me, it is," the Las Vegas Aces star told The Associated Press at the time and shortly before she inked a major endorsement deal with Nike for her first signature shoe. "It really is because you can be top-notch at what you are as a Black woman, but yet maybe that’s something that people don’t want to see.

Wilson once again broached the subject during a recent interview with Time magazine.

"It's powerful to me," Wilson, who was featured in Time's "Women of the Year" issue, said. American gymnastics star Jordan Chiles was also featured in the issue.

"As a Black woman in the WNBA, we have our struggles in showcasing who we really are. A lot of agendas get pushed on a lot of different platforms that may shadow us. You work so hard, but you still have to work 10 times harder just to be seen. So when we can have our counterparts speak up, it speaks volumes to me, because they're in spaces where my path is never supposed to go. It's crazy that we're talking about that in 2025, but it's real. We see those things as Black women. We see where people stand up and speak for us," said Wilson.

Wilson did speak about the pushback Clark received for her remarks, but the Las Vegas Aces center also acknowledged the barriers she has faced throughout her standout career.

"I know [Clark] got a lot of backlash from that, because obviously we live in a world where they don't want that, and it's exhausting. But imagine dealing with that and then having to go out and play every single night, having to constantly have to worry, How are they about to downgrade my résumé now? What more do I have to do in order to showcase how elite and how serious I take my job? But I also do it with love and passion and fun. A lot of people don't want to see me at the top, and that's fine, but I'm gonna be there, because I worked my butt off to get there," she continued.

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Wilson said she intends to continue speaking out and using her own privilege in a variety of ways.

"I have a privilege in a lot of different ways," she said. "I can be in spaces where a lot of other Black women, White women, however you want to see it, are not — but that's where I'm going to try to use my privilege of being a professional athlete to help others, because that's what gives me my why. So claps, steps, all the in-between, because I know it's hard to speak out on that. That's why I try to speak out as much as I can, but people just see it a different way. That's OK. I just want people to understand that when people can speak up about us as Black women in rooms that we may not be in, that means a lot. Because it's a little piece of us in there — they can hold that door open for us to walk through. So I'm grateful."

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Aces' Becky Hammon tears into Kelsey Plum as Las Vegas falls to Liberty in Game 2

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 10:01:23 -0400

The Las Vegas Aces lost a Game 2 thriller to the New York Liberty on Wednesday night, 88-84, and their quest for a three-peat is on the brink as they are now down 2-0 in the series.

Aces head coach Becky Hammon’s frustration with her team appeared to boil over at one point, During a timeout, Hammon was seen going in on Kelsey Plum on the bench.

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Hammon explained her concerns with her team’s play after the game.

"We understand that it's mostly us," she said, via the Las Vegas Sun. "The turnovers, we leave seven points on the free-throw line.

"And it really was a one-point game, one-possession game, give or take. We got a couple of good cracks and missed, but it shouldn't come to that point."

WNBA PLAYOFF RATINGS PLUMMET AFTER CAITLIN CLARK GOES HOME

One of the Aces’ final possessions underscored that notion. The team inbounded the ball with 11.6 seconds left in the game. But a bounce pass to Plum went off of her. Las Vegas turned the ball over. The Aces had 13 on the night.

Plum finished with six points on 2-of-9 shooting. WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson scored 24 points, grabbed seven rebounds and four assists.

Sabrina Ionescu led the Liberty with 24 points, grabbed nine rebounds and dished out five assists. Breanna Stewart added 15 points.

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New York has a 2-0 series lead. No team has ever come back from a 2-0 deficit to win a best-of-five series.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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WNBA playoff ratings plummet after Caitlin Clark goes home

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 21:01:31 -0400

The first weekend of the WNBA playoffs without rookie phenom Caitlin Clark were a bit quieter in terms of attention and viewership.

After Clark drew a WNBA record 1.84 million viewers to her first playoff game against the Connecticut Sun on Sept. 22, while competing with an NFL Sunday, she followed it up with another record audience of 2.54 million viewers for Game 2. Clark and the Indiana Fever lost both those games, however, sending Clark home for the offseason.

Now, the remaining teams contending for the WNBA title are the New York Liberty, the defending champion Las Vegas Aces and MVP A'ja Wilson, the Sun and the Minnesota Lynx.

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The first game between the Aces and Liberty, a rematch of last year's WNBA finals between two of the league's most popular and successful teams, drew an audience of 929,000, ESPN announced, which is 50% less than the Fever's Game 1 against the Sun. Still, it was historically good for any WNBA playoff game that doesn't involve Clark, as it was better than any of the TV numbers for the finals games between the two teams last year.

Meanwhile, Game 1 of the Sun-Lynx series had an audience of just around 650,000.

Both of those games have also fallen well behind some of Clark's regular season games in terms of viewership as well. In early September, Clark’s Indiana Fever played in front of a TV audience of 1.26 million viewers, in a game against the Minnesota Lynx that was played at the same time as a Week-1 Friday night NFL game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers.

In Clark's first regular season finale against the Washington Mystics on Sept. 19, a total of 20,711 fans that showed up at Capital One Arena set a new record for the highest-attended WNBA regular-season contest.

On the TV front, Clark made the Fever the most-watched team in the WNBA by a landslide in her rookie year, as the 14 most-watched WNBA games of the season all included the Fever.

Clark's teammate point guard Kelsey Mitchell told reporters in September that Clark is the reason that she has a player has more attention and fans than before.

INSIDE CAITLIN CLARK'S IMPACT ON MEN'S BASKETBALL

"I think the reality of it is that I don't think people would know without [Clark]," Mitchell said when asked about getting more attention and fans this season. "She's done an unbelievable job of bringing her own fans and people that support her, but, for me, I kinda laugh at it and I embrace it at the same time because I always flew under the radar. I've always kind of been that person that is very conservative, very introvert, so now I get to see the flip side of it.

Shooting guard Erica Wheeler told reporters that Clark's presence this season has resulted in the team needing to be more resilient to scrutiny.

"All we do is have fun with Caitlin Clark, who never takes anything seriously," Wheeler said. "I tell people all the time she’s really a kid at heart. … There’s moments where we need to be serious, and we are serious, but a majority of the time, we’re having fun. Because you gotta understand, the outside world was really trying to get inside this building. We just didn’t let it."

The fans that tuned in to watch Clark in her rookie year got to see the Iowa product break a handful of league records en route to the WNBA Rookie of The Year award.

She broke the record for most points by a point guard in a single season in WNBA history on the final day of the regular season.

Clark previously broke the record for most points by a rookie and the league's single-season assist record.

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As the single-season record holder and league-leader in assists this year, Clark is the youngest player to ever lead the league in assists.

Clark also led the league in 3-pointers this year, and had the second most of all time in a single season with 122.

On top of that, she broke the record for most All-Star votes for any player in WNBA history, and became the first rookie to ever record a triple-double.

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Spike Lee chirps Aces star Kelsey Plum during WNBA playoff game

Mon, 30 Sep 2024 08:00:10 -0400

If there is playoff basketball in New York City, you could bet Spike Lee is going to be there.

The filmmaker traded in his orange and white New York Knicks jersey for some New York Liberty swag on Sunday as the team played the Las Vegas Aces in Game 1 of the WNBA semifinal playoff matchup.

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Lee, who was wearing a Sabrina Ionescu jersey, made his presence known as he was seen talking trash with the Aces’ star guard Kelsey Plum. The ESPN broadcast caught Plum and Lee going back and forth at each other in the second quarter.

"I can’t say exactly what was said, but I told him that he should talk louder," Plum told reporters. "But it was all well and fun and really cool that he’s here, even last round was really cool. I know he’s a big sports fan."

Plum led the Aces with 24 points and WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson had 21 points, but it was the Liberty that went home with the victory, 87-77.

LEBRON JAMES LIKENS START OF NBA CAREER TO CAITLIN CLARK AMID SCRUTINY: ‘IN SUPPORT OF HER SINCE DAY ONE’

Breanna Stewart had 34 points, and Ionescu added 21 points in the win. Jonquel Jones had 13 points and 12 rebounds.

"He was the first person who called me and shared the excitement with New York getting the No. 1 pick," Ionescu said of Lee. "Every time I've seen him we've had small talk and I said he's got to come out to a game. To be able to see him here cheering us on loud, over there chirping at the refs and talking to the players."

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Game 2 of the best-of-five series is set for Tuesday night.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Aces' A'ja Wilson wins WNBA MVP for 3rd time

Sun, 22 Sep 2024 10:25:27 -0400

Wilson was the unanimous MVP

WNBA, Aces file motions seeking dismissal of Dearica Hamby's federal discrimination lawsuit

Thu, 12 Sep 2024 19:04:08 -0400

Last month, Los Angeles Sparks star Dearica Hamby took legal action against the WNBA and the franchise she spent the majority of her professional basketball career with, the Las Vegas Aces.

Hamby, who was drafted in the first round by the San Antonio Stars, submitted documentation to the U.S. District Court of Nevada Aug. 12. The Stars relocated to Las Vegas for the 2018 season and were renamed the Aces.

The complaint alleges the three-time WNBA All-Star faced "repeated acts of intimidation, discrimination and retaliation" leading up to and after she was traded to the Sparks in 2023. Hamby was pregnant at the time. Almost one month later, the WNBA and Aces filed motions to dismiss Hamby’s federal lawsuit.

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The league argued Hamby doesn’t have standing to sue the WNBA because it doesn't employ her.

A probe into Hamby's discrimination claims was launched in 2023. Aces coach Becky Hammon received a two-game suspension as a result of the investigation. The franchise also forfeited a first-round draft selection. But Hamby's attorneys argued the league's response to the situation was inadequate.

"The WNBA is, at its core, a workplace, and federal laws have long shielded pregnant women from discrimination on the job. The world champion Aces exiled Dearica Hamby for becoming pregnant, and the WNBA responded with a light tap on the wrist," Dana Sniegocki, Erin Norgaard and Artur Davis of HKM Employment Attorneys said in a statement released after the lawsuit was filed.

However, the WNBA is now disputing Hamby's claim that the league failed to properly investigate her allegations. The league also denied it failed to extend Hamby’s marketing agreement with the WNBA as a form of retaliation. The league pointed to the nine-month gap between her complaint and the contract expiring as evidence of lack of causation.

Meanwhile, the Aces asserted in the motion that Hamby failed to provide evidence of retaliation or discrimination.

WNBA CHAMPION DEARICA HAMBY FILES FEDERAL LAWSUIT AGAINST LEAGUE, ACES ALLEGING DISCRIMINATION

"Hamby’s Complaint alleges the Aces traded the rights to her contract because she was pregnant and retaliated against her after she created a social media post about the purported pregnancy discrimination," the club said in its filing. "Hamby’s false allegations against the Aces fall short of stating a plausible claim for relief."

Hammon addressed the lawsuit Aug. 18 during a news conference following the Aces' win over the Sparks.

"I’ve been in either the WNBA or the NBA for now 25 years," Hammon said at the time. "I’ve never had an HR complaint. Never, not once. I still didn’t, actually, because Dearica didn’t file any. She didn’t file with the players’ union. She didn’t file with the WNBA. Those are facts.

"It’s also factual that nobody made a call about trading her until Atlanta called us in January (2023). That’s a fact. So ... it just didn’t happen."

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Hamby is a two-time WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year and was a member of the Aces' 2022 WNBA championship team.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Caitlin Clark furious as offensive foul thwarts Fever's comeback attempt in loss to Aces

Wed, 11 Sep 2024 21:44:33 -0400

Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark was furious when an offensive foul call on her late in a game against the Las Vegas Aces Wednesday night halted her team's momentum as it mounted a comeback.

NaLyssa Smith’s foul shots cut the Fever’s deficit to six points.

After Aces forward Alysha Clark missed a jumper, Fever center Temi Fagbenle grabbed the rebound, and the Fever pushed the ball up the floor.

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When Clark drove into the paint against Aces guard Chelsea Gray, Clark bumped into Gray as she went up for a shot to try and draw a foul. Instead, Clark was called for an offensive foul, and she was incensed. Clark’s Fever teammates had to calm her down to avoid a technical foul.

The play underscored a rough shooting night for the rookie. She scored 16 points on 6-for-22 from the floor. She was 1-for-10 from 3-point land. Kelsey Mitchell led Indiana with 24 points.

The Aces won the game, 86-75.

CAITLIN CLARK MAKES RECOMMENDATION TO AMERICANS AFTER LIKING TAYLOR SWIFT'S HARRIS ENDORSEMENT POST

A’ja Wilson, the leading candidate for WNBA MVP, had a game-high 27 points and added 12 rebounds.

Wilson set the record for most points in a single season. She now has 956 points with several games remaining on the schedule. She topped Jewell Loyd, who set the record with the Seattle Storm last year with 939.

Las Vegas, the defending WNBA champion, is 23-13 on the year. Indiana is 19-18.

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Both teams will compete in the postseason.

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WNBA champion Dearica Hamby files federal lawsuit against league, Aces alleging discrimination

Mon, 12 Aug 2024 20:19:18 -0400

Los Angeles Sparks star Dearica Hamby is taking legal action against the WNBA and the franchise she spent the majority of her professional basketball career with.

Hamby, who was drafted in the first round by the then-San Antonio Stars, submitted documentation to the U.S. District Court of Nevada on Monday. The Stars relocated to Las Vegas for the 2018 season and were rebranded to the Aces.

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The WNBA launched an investigation into Hamby's discrimination claims in 2023.

ANGEL REESE JOINS 3X3 BASKETBALL LEAGUE SET TO PAY OUT HIGHEST AVERAGE SALARIES IN WOMEN'S SPORTS

Aces coach Becky Hammon received a two-game suspension as a result of the probe. The franchise also forfeited a first round draft selection. But, Hamby's attorneys argued the league's response to the situation was inadequate.

"The WNBA is, at its core, a workplace, and federal laws have long shielded pregnant women from discrimination on the job. The world champion Aces exiled Dearica Hamby for becoming pregnant and the WNBA responded with a light tap on the wrist," Dana Sniegocki, Erin Norgaard, and Artur Davis of HKM Employment Attorneys said in a statement.

The lawyers added that Hamby's ordeal should put other potential mothers who are in the WNBA "on notice."

"Every potential mother in the league is now on notice that childbirth could change their career prospects overnight. That can’t be right in one of the most prosperous and dynamic women’s professional sports leagues in America."

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Hamby is a two-time WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year and was a member of the Aces 2022 WNBA championship team.

Fox News Digital contacted the WNBA and the Aces, but did not immediately receive a response to a request for comment.

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WNBA star A'ja Wilson roasts Aces teammates for photo op with Usher after disappointing loss

Wed, 17 Jul 2024 21:43:50 -0400

The Chicago Sky visited the defending WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces on Tuesday. The Sky ultimately picked up their tenth win of the season by upsetting the Aces.

Shortly after the final buzzer sounded, some of the Aces players made their way over to the courtside seats where music star Usher took in the game — much to the displeasure of A'ja Wilson.

The two-time league MVP, promptly roasted her teammates for seeking out a photo with the R&B sensation, considering they had just suffered a disappointing loss.

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"They ain’t did s--- all day, but they want to take a m----f---ing picture with Usher," a hot mic caught Wilson saying as one of her Aces teammates stood nearby.

SABRINA IONESCU'S HISTORIC NIGHT REIGNITES CAITLIN CLARK ROOKIE OF THE YEAR DEBATE

A YouTube video posted to Vegas Sports Today's channel showed the game's referees and several Aces players taking postgame photos with Usher.

While some believed Wilson's comments were made in jest, she did not miss her opportunity to pose for a photo with Usher.

She presented the Super Bowl halftime performer with one of her Aces jerseys. Usher then hugged the WNBA scoring leader and after a brief chat, they posed for a photo together.

Wilson finished the game with a double-double, scoring 28 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. Jackie Young was the only other Aces player to finish the game with double-digit points.

The loss dropped the Aces' overall record to 16-8. The team will not play together again until Aug.17 because four players on the Aces roster will travel to Paris and represent the US in the Summer Olympics.

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The Games opening ceremony is scheduled for July 26.

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Fever, Caitlin Clark draw historic WNBA crowd in loss to Aces: 'There was just mobs of people'

Wed, 03 Jul 2024 14:47:52 -0400

The heavily anticipated matchup between the Indiana Fever and the Las Vegas Aces Tuesday night drew the largest crowd the WNBA has seen in nearly three decades, a trend that continues to follow the growing popularity of this year’s No. 1 overall pick, Caitlin Clark.

The Aces’ veteran-stacked roster earned its fifth straight win with an 88-69 victory over the Fever before a crowd of more than 20,000 fans that packed into T-Mobile Arena, the home of the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights.

The game attracted the largest regular-season crowd at a WNBA game since 1999, and it was the fifth largest crowd in league history.

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"It was probably one of the best we’ve had from an energy standpoint, even during warm-ups," Clark said after the game. "The amount of people here just watching warm-ups, that’s when I can kind of get a gauge on how good the crowd is or how excited they are about the game. Obviously, they’re always excited, but tonight it just felt very different. There was just mobs of people watching us warm up and stuff.

"I think it was 20,000. That’s a lot of people," Clark added. "It’s great. It’s super cool to be a part of. And I hope everybody enjoyed it and also everybody saw how good the Aces are. That was really good for them too, and obviously their fans show up and are incredible themselves."

ACES' A'JA WILSON DISCUSSES 'ENERGY' SHIFT IN WNBA AFTER CAITLIN CLARK CONVERSATION GOT 'TOO GOSSIPY'

The Fever are no stranger to sellout crowds and record viewership, but the WNBA has seen an unprecedented spike in popularity since Clark entered the league.

May marked the highest attended opening month in 26 years and the most-watched start to a season ever across every major network.

The Aces, the defending back-to-back champions, also became the first team to sell out every home game, including a September game against the Chicago Sky at T-Mobile Arena.

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"What’s happening now in women’s basketball is confirmation of what we’ve always known: The demand is there, and women’s sports is a valuable investment," Chief Growth Officer Colie Edison said in a statement last month.

"We’re encouraged by growing engagement across all our verticals, especially as we welcome new and diverse audiences into our fandom. The WNBA continues to experience sustained growth as our league embraces this heightened momentum."

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Aces' A'ja Wilson discusses 'energy' shift in WNBA after Caitlin Clark conversation got 'too gossipy'

Wed, 03 Jul 2024 06:47:29 -0400

Caitlin Clark, once again, brought fans to the seats on Tuesday night.

Despite her Indiana Fever losing their fourth game out of their last five, and her dropping only 13 points (she did hand out 11 assists), over 20,000 people packed the T-Mobile Center in Las Vegas to see her take on the defending WNBA champions.

It was the biggest crowd the Aces have seen in franchise history, and it was also the arena's largest crowd ever, with 20,366 coming through the doors.

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Clark's stardom, though, has also been a subject of some hot-button debates. One headline came back in May, when Aces star and back-to-back WNBA MVP A'ja Wilson said that Clark being White was a "huge thing" in her popularity.

However, Clark says the "energy" in the WNBA has shifted from gossip and making headlines to appreciation for the game.

"It’s a good vibe, it’s a good feel. People are just coming to see the product on the floor. It got a little too gossipy in the beginning, but then it started to fizzle out, because people are starting to realize we’re really good at what we do, we’re elite at what we do. I love the energy now," Wilson said on Tuesday to the ESPN broadcast after she dropped 28 points and nine rebounds.

The two shared a hug and smile after the Aces' 88-69 win.

CAITLIN CLARK RECEIVES MOST VOTES FOR WNBA ALL-STAR GAME, WILL BE TEAMMATES WITH ANGEL REESE

"People are seeing good hoops, and that’s what it’s about. We come out here, we work hard, we play basketball at a very high level, and people are believing in it, they’re trusting in it, and investing in it. And that’s the energy we’re feeling right now," Wilson continued.

Wilson's race comments are just the tip of the iceberg, as there have been plenty of slights directed at Clark, both directly and indirectly.

Whether it is opponents playing harder (and arguably dirtier), celebrating her rough showings on the floor or social media posts, Clark has become a rather polarizing figure for much more than her skill.

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Last week, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert shut down the notion that she was targeted, saying that it seems that way due to her spotlight, and her treatment on the floor is similar to everyone else.

The rookie phenom received the most votes for this month's All-Star Game, being the only player to receive over 700,000 votes - she beat Wilson by nearly 90,000.

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Las Vegas Aces list notes on Breonna Taylor's death, anti-LGBTQ bills as 'key stats' in game recaps

Fri, 28 Jun 2024 06:28:18 -0400

Similar to other teams around the WNBA, the Las Vegas Aces publish game recaps on the team's official website following each of their contests. The Aces take a unique approach to their recaps, however, as they feature notes about the death of Breonna Taylor and the ACLU's tracking of anti-LGBTQ+ bills in their ‘key stats’ section, and have been doing so for quite some time.

Prior to noting any actual key stats from the game at hand, the Aces have a paragraph about Taylor being "murdered" while reminding readers that a new trial involving the officers involved in her death is set for October 2024. The next paragraph lists the number of anti-LGBTQ+ bills the ACLU is tracking in the United States as of that specific date.

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In the Aces' most recent game recap, an 85-74 win over the Connecticut Sun on June 21, the ‘key stats’ begin with "It has been 1,561 days since Breaonna Taylor was murdered" followed by a note on the "523 anti-LGBTQ+ bills in the United States."

OutKick has reached out to the Aces for comment, and if one is provided, the story will be updated.

Taylor was shot and killed in Louisville, Kentucky on March 13, 2020, and the Aces have included a note about her death as a ‘key stat' in each of their game recaps since the start of their 2020 campaign. The team's first game following Taylor's death was on July 26, 2020, a contest that was held in the WNBA ‘bubble’ due to the pandemic. The ‘key stats’ from the team's game on July 26 began with, "It has been 135 days since Breonna Taylor was murdered."

CAITLIN CLARK, ANGEL REESE REMATCH DRAWS ATTENDANCE NUMBERS NOT SEEN IN OVER TWO DECADES

The WNBA devoted the 2020 season to "the fight against systemic racism and police brutality with a focus on women victims" with teams wearing warm-up shirts with ‘Black Lives Matter’ written across the front of them and jerseys with ‘Breonna Taylor’ on the back.

The Aces specifically stating that Taylor was "murdered" is worth noting. While the 26-year-old's death was an absolute tragedy, no officers involved in her death have been charged with murder. The United States Department of Justice defines murder as "the unlawful killing of a human being with malice" which indicates "intention" to commit an unlawful act.

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As for the Aces adding a note about the ACLU's tracking of anti-LGBTQ+ bills, it appears they first introduced that ‘key stat' in a game recap on June 4, 2023. The team announced nine days later that it had joined with a number of LGBTQ+ partners to host a Pride Night during an upcoming game that season.

The Aces appear to be the only team in the WNBA to feature notes about Taylor's death and anti-LGBTQ+ bills in their game recaps.

Caitlin Clark's ex-teammate speaks out on 'unrealistic' expectations for WNBA rookie

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 08:25:52 -0400

Las Vegas Aces rookie Kate Martin was among the players in the 2024 WNBA rookie class who were garnering thousands of votes for the All-Star Game.

Martin has appeared in 13 games, averaging 4 points and 2.5 rebounds for the two-time defending WNBA champions.

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While she is not getting the same amount of attention as her former Iowa teammate Caitlin Clark, she spoke out about the media whirlwind about the Indiana Fever star in her first season.

"I don’t know if there’s too much I can do besides just be a friend, right?" Martin told FOX 5 Vegas when asked if she was doing anything to support Clark. "Being a listening ear, being there for her and being there for everyone.

"I mean, Caitlin’s phenomenal, and she is having a great rookie season. I think people are really hard on her and expecting her to be perfect. That’s unrealistic, right? She’s a phenomenal person. She’s a phenomenal player. I’m going to support her through everything, right? She’s one of my best friends. I’m just there for her."

MAGIC JOHNSON COMPARES CAITLIN CLARK-ANGEL REESE RIVALRY TO HIS WITH LARRY BIRD

With great expectations comes great responsibility, and the responsibility has been bestowed on Clark, Martin and the other terrific rookies in the WNBA to help take the league into the sports stratosphere.

So far, the interest in Clark has been high, and it has shown in the matchups she has faced this season.

Getting to the next point would mean Indiana making the playoffs and, as of Tuesday, they were on the outside of the bracket looking in following their recent loss to the Chicago Sky.

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Clark is averaging 16.3 points, 6.6 assists and 5.4 rebounds per game.

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