Sports & Society
Dr. Jen Fry talks double standard seen with Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark
Jen Fry, a public speaker and expert on anti-racism and equity in sports, spoke with Swish Appeal’s Zachary Draves about the unfair backlash Angel Reese faced for her national championship game celebration.
A reminder of Maya Moore’s greatness on the court and homage paid to her new path
Maya Moore of the Minnesota Lynx and UConn Huskies is one of the greatest basketball players of all-time. Her rare and admirable decision to step away in her prime is what defines her as a person.
Triple Threat Podcast: Memphis backcourt’s got style
The Triple Threat Podcast shows some love to Ja Morant and Desmond Bane of the Memphis Grizzlies.
Triple Threat Podcast: How about the Jazz, Blazers and Cavs?!
The Triple Threat Podcast talks more about Kyrie Irving and Joshua Primo, but how about showing some love to the teams actually getting it done on the court? The gang does just that, praising the Utah Jazz, Portland Trail Blazers and Cleveland Cavaliers.
Triple Threat Podcast: Russell Westbrook a big part of Lakers’ first win
The Bonnet Gang checks in on the state of the Los Angeles Lakers and much more.
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The complexity of Brittney Griner’s imprisonment, explained
SB Nation writer James Dator takes a look at why Brittney Griner probably won’t come home until after the midterm elections.
Triple Threat Podcast: Defending Malika Andrews and football players’ safety
The Bonnet Gang goes after Malika Andrews haters and NFL doctors.
Mulkey’s lack of comment on BG speaks volumes
Recently asked to share her thoughts about Brittney Griner, LSU head coach Kim Mulkey resisted, refusing to offer a comment that expressed sympathy for the best player that she has ever coached. Does Mulkey deserve the benefit of the doubt for her decision to demur?
Hoops Passport: New York City episode is out on SI’s YouTube channel
Dive into the world of New York City basketball with Sports Illustrated’s new YouTube show Hoops Passport.
Hoops Passport: Washington, D.C. episode is out on SI’s YouTube channel
Dive into the world of Washington, D.C. basketball with Sports Illustrated’s new YouTube show Hoops Passport.
Renee Montgomery tells the story of legendary basketball and tennis star Ora Washington in new podcast
Never heard of the Serena Williams of the 1920s and 30s? Well, Renee Montgomery is here to tell you all about Ora Washington, a legendary Black female athlete whose story has been kept in the shadows.
New show ‘Hoops Passport’ brings out unique basketball flavor of different cities
Chloe Pavlech and "Lethal Shooter" Chris Matthews host the new show, which can be seen on Sports Illustrated’s YouTube channel.
It’s time for the WNBA to follow the example of AD
The Atlanta Dream’s AD is the first player in WNBA history to have their official name be a set of initials. As Pride Month 2022 comes to a close, it’s the perfect time for the WNBA to follow their example.
Rest in peace Lusia “Lucy” Harris
One of the greatest basketball players of all time passes away at age 66 and is being honored for her pioneering career.
To Jessika Carter: You are not alone
Hi, this is Zack Ward, site manager at Swish Appeal. I am taking a moment to raise awareness about mental health and thank Jessika Carter for sending good vibes by announcing that she has combatted and defeated suicidal thoughts. I too have fought that battle.
Women’s NCAA tournament is now ‘March Madness’
Last week, the NCAA announced that the "March Madness" slogan will extend to the women’s basketball tournament. Is this a mere descriptive distinction without a difference? Or, will being part of "March Madness" matter for women’s college hoops?
NIL agreements could expose enduring racial, sexual inequities
This new era of opportunity for college athletes carries with it old, enduring inequities, especially regarding how an athlete’s racial and/or sexual identity determines her "value."
Derek Chauvin sentenced to 22.5 years in prison
Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin has been sentenced to 22.5 years in jail for the murder of George Floyd.
Stewie’s shoe deal is cause for celebration, consideration
Last week, Breanna Stewart not only announced that she has signed a shoe deal with Puma, but that she also will become the first WNBA or NBA player to have a Puma signature shoe. While Stewie’s signature represents long-overdue progress, it also is important to recognize that more progress is required.
Barnes, Staley and the state of Black women head coaches
In leading Arizona and South Carolina to the Final Four, head coaches Adia Barnes and Dawn Staley put the spotlight on Black women head coaches, showing what can happen when they are given a fair opportunity. Will their success change how Black women coaching prospects are considered?
Investment, not an investigation, can solve the NCAA’s gender equity issues
In response to the resource disparities in the women’s and men’s NCAA basketball tournament bubbles, the NCAA has hired an outside law firm to investigate issues of gender inequity across all NCAA championships. However, an investigation cannot "solve" the NCAA’s gender problems. The NCAA’s unequal consideration of women athletes is a symptom of deeper cultural attitudes.
A’ja Wilson expands understanding of mental health
From the outside, A’ja Wilson’s past year seems incredible. Not long after the 2020 WNBA MVP led the Las Vegas Aces to the WNBA Finals, the University of South Carolina honored her with a statue. Yet, as she shared in an essay in The Players’ Tribune, things were more complicated. Her revelations help to expand the conversation about mental health, especially for Black women.
Gabby Williams muscles into the mainstream
WNBA fans are used to seeing Gabby Williams "show some muscle" in her Chicago Sky blue uniform. Now, a new partnership with Ford gives her the platform to smash outdated gender mandates and send a powerful message on women’s equality.
Clarendon on being ‘magically trans,’ fighting anti-trans legislation
After announcing on Jan. 29 that they had undergone successful top surgery, New York Liberty guard Layshia Clarendon spoke with ACLU lawyer Chase Strangio about the wave of bills sweeping the nation that seek to limit trans rights.
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Cloud: Inauguration Day brought tears, ‘a sense of hope’
WNBA champion Natasha Cloud spoke with Outsports recently and reflected on her journey toward embracing her bisexual and biracial identities, and explained why Inauguration Day was emotional for her.
Asia Durr’s basketball career is in jeopardy due to COVID-19
"Complicated and arduous" is how Asia Durr characterized her battle with COVID-19 when announcing she’d been medically excused from the 2020 WNBA season. The New York Liberty guard revealed on the season-opening episode of HBO’s "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel" that she has no timetable for recovery and no guarantee she can return to basketball.
Atlanta Dream co-owner Kelly Loeffler lost her Senate seat. Now what?
Atlanta Dream co-owner Kelly Loeffler, appointed in 2019 to the U.S. Senate by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, will not be returning to Washington. She was defeated on Tuesday by Rev. Raphael Warnock, whose candidacy was supported by WNBA players.
Sue Bird plays elf to Steph Curry’s Santa
NBA superstar Stephen Curry employed the help of WNBA champion Sue Bird to help him and Rakuten deliver a money gift to Dr. Kakra, a COVID-19 physician in the Seattle area.
CP3 pays it forward in her hometown of Chicago
Candace Parker was on hand via virtual live stream at the Sports Matter Giving Truck, sponsored by The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation. The truck was there to present basketball-related gifts to girls in the underserved Pilsen community of Chicago. Parker is a native of Chicago and played high school hoops at Naperville Central.
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SI snub of WNBA’s collective activist efforts a ‘stinging, yet familiar slap in the face’ to Black women
Outsports took a comprehensive look at the significance of Breanna Stewart being named a Sports Illustrated ‘Athlete Activist’ Sportsperson on the Year, and examined the backlash. WNBPA first vice-president Layshia Clarendon condemned the publication for not honoring the WNBA as a whole. Swish Appeal editor-in-chief Tamryn Spruill stated in her interview with Outsports that SI’s choice is a "familiar slap in the face" to Black women.
Tasha, Chiney and A’ja named to ‘Forbes 30 Under 30’
Three WNBA stars — Natasha Cloud, Chiney Ogwumike and A’ja Wilson — were named to Forbes’ 2021 "30 Under 30 List." These three deserving honorees are defining what it means to be an athlete in the 2020s, both on and off the court.
A breakdown of political donations of WNBA owners
Despite ardent support for the GOP by Atlanta Dream co-owner and Georgia Senate candidate Kelly Loeffler, WNBA owners lean Democratic. But can the political activism of WNBA players be just as impactful as the high-dollar donations of team owners?