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☆ Jill Biden travels to Paris Olympics as her husband passes the torch
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-25 | by ( Betsy Klein | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —First lady Jill Biden watched on Wednesday night as President Joe Biden told the American people it was time to “pass the torch” on his political career. Then she got on a plane, flying nearly 4,000 miles to Paris, where another torch was being passed. Jill Biden is arriving in Paris at a monumental time for her husband’s presidency. That unity will be on display at the Olympic Games, a rare moment in intensely polarized times. In one tangible signal of how plans for the Paris trip changed since the president’s decision to drop his reelection bid, Jill Biden had been scheduled to headline a fundraiser for Americans living abroad in Paris.

Persons: Jill Biden, Joe Biden, Biden, ” Biden, “, ”, Vanessa Valdivia, Joe Biden’s, Capricia Marshall, Obama, Clinton, ” Jill Biden’s, Elizabeth Alexander, Alexander, Kamala Harris, Harris, Marshall, Joe …, Anita McBride, Laura Bush, ” McBride, it’s, Doug Emhoff Organizations: CNN, Olympic Games, Olympic, USA, White, House, Democratic, Tokyo Locations: Paris, Virginia, Tokyo, Valdivia

☆ 2024 Paris Olympics viewer’s guide: NBC’s plans, Snoop Dogg, and the big ratings question
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-24 | by ( Richard Deitsch | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +18 min

Follow our Olympics coverage in the lead-up to the Paris Games. The Paris Games will have more programming hours on the NBC broadcast network than any previous Olympics. NBC is upping its celebrity presence for its Olympic coverage in Paris, headlined by Snoop Dogg. “Research shows that it is a challenge to keep viewers after 10 p.m. ET,” NBC Olympics producer Rob Hyland said. NBCUniversal owns the U.S. media rights to the Olympic Games through 2032, so Paris (2024), Milan-Cortina (2026), Los Angeles (2028) and Brisbane (2032).

Persons: Peacock, Molly Solomon, NBC’s, “, ” Solomon, Solomon, Snoop, Snoop Dogg, Christian Petersen, Kelly Clarkson, Peyton Manning, Mike Tirico, Alex Cooper, Leslie Jones, Kevin Hart, Kenan Thompson, Colin Jost, Cooper, Simone Biles, Manning, Ryan Crouser, Jones, Katie Ledecky, Sha’Carri Richardson, Lily Collins, Anna Hall, Ledecky, LeBron James, Sydney McLaughlin, Kelly Campbell, Peacock’s, Scott Hanson, Andrew Siciliano, Jac Collinsworth, Matt Iseman, Akbar Gbajabiamila, ”, Al Michaels, Mark Lazarus, Sanya Richards, Ross, Rowdy Gaines, Tim Daggett, Laurie Hernandez, Samantha Peszek, Misty, Julie Foudy, Dwyane Wade, LaChina Robinson, Michael Phelps, Dan Hicks, Gaines, Maddie Meyer, they’ll, Rob Hyland, Andres Cantor, Rebecca Lowe, Craig Melvin, Ahmed Fareed, Damon Hack, Maria Taylor, Cara Banks, Laura Britt, Trenni Casey, Lindsay Czarniak, Carolyn Manno, Kathryn Tappen, John Roethlisberger, “ John, He’s, …, breaststroker Lilly King wagged, Ryan Murphy, Sunny Choi, Victor Montalvo, Joe Gesue, Ron Vaccaro, NBCU, it’s, NBCUniversal, Rick Cordella, Dan Goldfarb, Stuart Franklin Organizations: Paris, NBC, Paris Games, U.S, Tokyo Olympics, Olympics, NBC Olympics, NBC’s, Getty, NBC Sports, Tokyo Games, Beijing, Games, USA, CNBC, Golf Channel, Telemundo, Universo, NBCOlympics.com, “, ”, NFL, NBCUniversal Media, Paris La Défense, Research, Olympic, Grand Palais, Concorde, NBC Sports ’, Olympic Games, Cortina Locations: Paris, Beijing, Pyeongchang, South Korea, Central, Pacific, U.S, Paris ”, Teahupo’o, Tahiti, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, China, Rio, Tokyo, Peacock, United States, Versailles, Grand, London, Russian, Norway, South Carolina, Milan, Los Angeles, Brisbane, French

☆ Election Live Updates: Republicans Leave Convention Unified Around Trump
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-19 | by ( Jim Rutenberg | Adam Nagourney | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +74 min

And there was great, great sorrow. They’re going to be OK. They’re going to be doing very well. Now he’s going to get on the plane in a little while and he’s going to go back home to his wife. Great, great student at Yale. So many — just so many heroes, so many great, great people.

Persons: Dana, Bob, ”, Lee, you’ll, it’s, didn’t, Nobody, “, I’m, Corey Comperatore, David Dutch, James Copenhaver, We’re, Corey, Helen ., David, James, Dan Newlin, Dan, Trump, —, Aileen Cannon, I’ve, Don, Kimberly, Ivanka, Jared, Eric, Lara, Tiffany, Michael, Barron, he’s, “ Dana won’t, That’s Lee Greenwood, … Eric, Crazy Nancy Pelosi, They’ve, Jason, Jason Aldean, Vance, Usha, He’s, He’ll, MAGA, ” MAGA, I’ll, you’re, nobody’s, We’ve, Somebody’s, they’re, It’s, can’t, We’ll, don’t, “ I’m, we’ll, Biden, They’re, that’s, you’ve, I’d, gee, You’d, That’s what’s, Donald Trump, That’s, There’s, Tom Homan, Brandon Judd, They’ll, Obama, They’d, “ You’ve, we’re, we’ve, Hannibal Lecter, Dwight D, Eisenhower, Jocelyn Nungaray, Rachel Morin, Rachel, Laken Riley, horrifically, Viktor Orban, what’s, Bush, it’ll, Kim Jung Un, Sam Brown, Sam, You’ve, Abdul, Don’t, You’re, Ronald Reagan, America’s, Franklin Graham, Franklin, Billy Graham, he’d, soldiered Organizations: of Pennsylvania, Secret Service, Service, Democrat, Republican Party, Republican, Democrats, America, Yale, ISIS, Space Force, Energy, Apple, Trump, Republican Senate, White, Republicans, United Auto Workers, Social Security, Border Patrol, ICE, ”, Lambs, University of Georgia, “, U.S, Senate, Washington, D.C, Yankee, Win Locations: America, United States, Butler Township, of, Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Asia, Europe, Taiwan, Korea, Philippines, China, Russia, Ukraine, Israel, Iran, Germany, Mexico, Nevada, United States of America, There’s, South America, Africa, Middle East, Venezuela, Caracas, El Salvador, Houston, Los Angeles, Maryland, Hungary, “ Russia, Georgia, Crimea, Syria, Iraq, North Korea, Afghanistan, Bagram, Cuba, Miami, U.S.A, Wisconsin , Wisconsin, Washington, Japan, Delaware, Valley Forge, Yorktown, Gettysburg, Midway

☆ Angel City FC set to become world’s most valuable pro women’s sports team following new investment
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-18 | by ( Thomas Schlachter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Angel City FC (ACFC) will become the most valuable women’s professional sports team in the world, the club announced Wednesday. Angel City FC plays in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – the top division of women’s soccer in the US. “ACFC and these incredible athletes have already had a tremendous impact on the NWSL, women’s soccer, and the Los Angeles community. “With this investment of resources and capital, we hope to accelerate the growth of the Club and the NWSL. There are 56 NWSL players on Olympic rosters – including Angel City FC defender and New Zealand captain Ali Riley.

Persons: Bob Iger, ACFC, Bay, “ ACFC, Angel City, ”, Jessica Berman, ” Berman, Willow, Bob, –, Ali Riley Organizations: CNN, Angel City FC, USC Annenberg School for Communication, Journalism, Walt Disney Company, National Women’s Soccer League, Club, NWSL, of Governors, New Zealand Locations: Willow, Los Angeles, Willow Bay, Paris

☆ At ESPYs, Prince Harry Applauded a Critic While Accepting an Award
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-12 | by ( Scott Cacciola | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, is no stranger to controversy, and he found himself in the thick of another public-relations pickle before he strode to the stage at the ESPY Awards in Los Angeles on Thursday night. But in accepting the Pat Tillman Award for Service at ESPN’s annual made-for-TV gala, Harry graciously acknowledged his critics — including Mr. Tillman’s mother, Mary — while citing the work that his organization, the Invictus Games, had done since its inception in 2014. “The truth is, I stand here not as Prince Harry, Pat Tillman Award recipient,” Harry said during his speech, “but rather a voice on behalf of the Invictus Games Foundation and the thousands of veterans and service personnel from over 20 nations who have made the Invictus Games a reality. This award belongs to them, not to me.”The awards show, which had its broadcast delayed by President Biden’s news conference, featured stars from the sports world and beyond in their formal best. There were emotional moments, like a speech from the former Alabama football coach Nick Saban, who won the Icon Award; powerful ones, like Dawn Staley, the women’s basketball coach at South Carolina, highlighting the pay gap in men’s and women’s sports; and some laugh-out-loud moments when presenters took swipes at people like Harrison Butker and Bronny James.

Persons: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, strode, Pat Tillman, Harry, Tillman’s, Mary —, ” Harry, ”, Biden’s, Nick Saban, Dawn Staley, Harrison Butker, Bronny James Organizations: Invictus Games, Invictus Games Foundation, Invictus, Alabama, South Locations: Los Angeles, South Carolina, men’s

☆ Serena Williams aims dig at Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker at ESPY Awards
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-12 | by ( Samuel Joseph | Sam Joseph | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Tennis legend Serena Williams took a shot at Kansas City Chiefs player Harrison Butker while hosting the ESPY Awards on Thursday, referencing controversial comments made by the kicker earlier this year. Presenting the event with her sister and fellow tennis icon Venus Williams and Abbott Elementary actress Quinta Brunson, the 23-time grand slam champion delivered a dig at Butker during a segment about women’s sports. “So go ahead and enjoy women’s sports like you would any other sports because they are sports,” Venus said to wrap up the segment. Williams’ remark at the ESPYs was made in response to a speech that Butker made in May to 485 graduates at Benedictine College, a small Catholic school in Atchison, Kansas. Butker later reaffirmed his commitment to his comments: “If it wasn’t clear that the timeless Catholic values are hated by many, it is now.”

Persons: Serena Williams, Harrison Butker, Venus Williams, Abbott, Quinta Brunson, ” Venus, ” Serena, “, ” Brunson, Butker, Williams, Amanda Davies, should’ve, Matt Baron, BEI, ”, ” Butker, Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce, Patrick Mahomes Organizations: CNN, Tennis, Kansas City Chiefs, WNBA, Benedictine College, GLAAD, Pride, NFL, Chiefs Locations: Atchison , Kansas, Mount St, Scholastica, Kelce

☆ 2024 ESPY Awards: Steve Gleason delivers powerful speech as former NFL star is honored
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-12 | by ( Jacob Lev | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Former NFL player Steve Gleason was honored with the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage at the 2024 ESPY Awards on Thursday. All the people living with disability or other illnesses and all of you who experience fear or suffering,” Gleason continued. I have merely been a spectator to such immense resilience.”WNBA star Caitlin Clark took two awards home: Best College Athlete - Women’s Sports and Best Record-Breaking Performance award. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes won Best Athlete in Men’s Sports and Best NFL Player. Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson won the Best Athlete in Women’s Sports award.

Persons: CNN —, Steve Gleason, Arthur Ashe, Drew Brees, Gleason, Brees, “, ” “, ” Gleason, “ Arthur Ashe, Dawn Staley, Jimmy V, Mark J, Terrill, Staley, ” Staley, Caitlin Clark, Patrick Mahomes, A’ja Wilson, Simone Biles Organizations: CNN, NFL, Courage, New, New Orleans Saints, Dolby Theatre, Perseverance, South Carolina, Gamecocks, WNBA, Best, Kansas City Chiefs, Sports, Las Vegas Aces, Carolina women’s basketball Locations: New Orleans, Los Angeles, Carolina, South

☆ Is women’s track the next sport ready to boom? Alexis Ohanian is betting on it
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-11 | by ( Marcus Thompson Ii | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +9 min

Alexis Ohanian, at his first-ever track and field event, found himself transported. So he didn’t need to experience track to spark his motivation to invest in track. Gabby Thomas and Alexis Ohanian speak at the Athlos announcement in April. AdvertisementKipyegon is one of those gems of women’s track. Winning an Athlos event will pay $60,000.

Persons: Alexis Ohanian, Serena Williams, Gabby Thomas, He’d, Thomas ’, Spencer McManes, ” Ohanian, Reddit, Ohanian, Athlos, Sha’Carri Richardson, Sydney McLaughlin, Levrone, Shelly, Ann Fraser, Pryce, Athing Mu, Alica Schmidt, Elsa, Getty, Athlos ’, Thomas, “, Alexis Holmes, Kipyegon, Let’s, ”, Noah Lyles, Richardson, Jakob Ingebrigtsen, Michael Johnson, it’s, “ I’ve, Andy Lyons Organizations: Paris Games, Wimbledon, Hayward Field, University of Oregon, U.S, Angel City Football Club, Angel City FC, —, Harvard, Olympics, Diamond League, sport’s, Athletics, Netflix, de France —, Getty Locations: New York City, Germany, New York, United States, America, Paris, Athlos, Norwegian

☆ They Called It ‘Improper’ to Have Women in the Olympics. But She Persisted.
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-10 | by ( John Branch | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

It was 1922, two years before the last time the Olympics were held in Paris. On a warm August day, about 20,000 people came to Pershing Stadium to watch 77 athletes in track and field, including a team from the United States. And at the start, a 38-year-old woman named Alice Milliat welcomed the world to Paris. She was the founder of the International Women’s Sports Federation, known in her native France as the Fédération Sportive Féminine International. Every competitor that day was a woman.

Persons: Alice Milliat, “ Organizations: Pershing, International Women’s Sports Federation, Sportive Féminine International, Olympic Locations: Paris, United States, France

☆ How the Seattle Storm became the highest valued WNBA franchise of all time
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-28 | by ( Amy Woodyatt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

‘Price tickets competitively’A rower and Olympic silver medalist in the sport, Gilder was living in Seattle and a Storm season-ticket holder when the Storm and the NBA’s SuperSonics were sold to businessman Clay Bennett in 2006. Oklahoma was not going to care about a women’s team,” Gilder explains. Now, the Storm is the WNBA’s most valuable team after it was valued at $151 million in 2023. Leah Millis/ReutersThis year, former Storm player Sue Bird – one of the sport’s greats – joined the ownership group after playing her entire 19-year WNBA career with the team. Seattle Storm co-owner Ginny Gilder poses for a photo on May 18, 2022.

Persons: CNN —, Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Ginny Gilder, Gilder, Sue Bird, Megan Rapinoe, Damian Lillard, ‘ Price, Clay Bennett, Bennett, So Gilder, Dawn Trudeau, Lisa Brummel, Anne Levinson, “, Seattle Storm Anne Levinson, Terrence Vaccaro, ” Gilder, you’ve, Biden, Barack Obama’s, Joe Biden, Leah Millis, –, “ We’ve, ”, we’d, Ted S, Warren Organizations: CNN, WNBA, Seattle Storm, ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, CBS, Storm, Milwaukee Bucks, NBA’s SuperSonics, Microsoft, CNN Sport, White, White House, Reuters, Yale Locations: Seattle, Oklahoma, Seattle , Washington, Washington , U.S, –

☆ Angel Reese’s Chicago Sky defeats Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever in front of star-studded crowd in Chicago
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-24 | by ( Ben Morse | Homero De La Fuente | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Angel Reese’s Chicago Sky defeated Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever 88-87 on Sunday in front of a star-studded crowd at the Wintrust Arena. Clark and the Fever had won the previous two meetings, but it proved to be third time lucky for the Sky who prevailed in a tense game. Kamil Krzaczynski/USA TODAY Sports/ReutersIn the two previous meetings between the Sky and the Fever this WNBA season, the hard-fought nature of the action has been the main talking point. For Indiana, Kelsey Mitchell recorded a team-high 24 points with reigning Rookie of the Year Aliyah Boston adding 18 points. Chicago sits eighth in the WNBA standings while the Fever sit one place behind them in ninth.

Persons: Caitlin Clark’s, of Famer Sheryl Swoopes, Jalen Brunson, Chance, Lil Durk, Jason Sudeikis, Clark, Reese, Sylvia Fowles, Candace Parker, ” Reese, ” Clark, Nancy Armour, Jordan, Kamil Krzaczynski, Chennedy Carter, Carter’s, Kelsey Mitchell, Melissa Tamez Organizations: CNN, Chicago Sky, Arena, WNBA, of Famer, of Famer Sheryl Swoopes , New York Knicks, Fever, Sky, ESPN, “, USA, Reuters, Chicago, Boston, NCAA Locations: Caitlin Clark’s Indiana, of Famer Sheryl Swoopes ,, Chicago, Indiana

☆ The T-Shirt’s Message Is Simple: ‘Everyone Watches Women’s Sports.’
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-18 | by ( Callie Holtermann | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The black T-shirt spells it out in capital letters: “Everyone Watches Women’s Sports.”In the past few months, the message has been hard to miss. Dawn Staley, the coach of the University of South Carolina’s women’s basketball team, kicked off a social media frenzy when she wore the shirt for a pregame interview in January. The comedian and actor Jason Sudeikis wore a version with yellow lettering to the women’s N.C.A.A. Jimmy Fallon got one on “The Tonight Show” as a gift from the recently retired W.N.B.A. The shirt, which was created by a company co-founded by Ms. Bird, has become an unofficial uniform as viewership of women’s basketball has soared, and women’s sports in general have seen greater momentum.

Persons: Dawn Staley, Jason Sudeikis, Jimmy Fallon, Sue Bird, Bird, Megan Ramos, ”, Ramos, Alex Morgan, Simone Manuel, Chloe Kim Organizations: ”, University of South, “ Shipping, Togethxr

☆ Caitlin Clark: The reasons for and against the WNBA star’s exclusion from the Team USA Olympic roster
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-11 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

CNN —USA Basketball’s decision to omit Caitlin Clark from the Olympic roster was initially met with some shock. However, USA Basketball has made a “terrible decision,” according to CNN Sport analyst Christine Brennan, by omitting a phenomenon like Clark from the roster. Breanna Stewart, a two-time WNBA champion, Brittney Griner, a nine-time All Star and A’ja Wilson, a two-time MVP, have all represented Team USA at an Olympic Games before. “She’s the biggest thing in sports, not just women’s basketball in the United States,” Brennan said of why Clark should be included. With or without Clark, Team USA is the overwhelming favorite to win gold in Paris and continue its unbeaten Olympic record stretching back to 1992.

Persons: Caitlin Clark, Clark, wasn’t, ”, Christine Brennan, She’s, ” Clark, Brian Spurlock, I’m, Alyssa Thomas’s, Diana Taurasi’s, Breanna Stewart, Brittney, A’ja Wilson, Greg Fiume, Sabrina Ionescu, Jackie Young, Stewart, Betnijah Laney, it’s “, “ I’ve, “, that’s, ” Brennan, Caitlin, Don Riddell, Brennan, Gregory Shamus, Diana Taurasi, Diana, ’, ” Stewart, Taurasi, Paige Bueckers, USA, Jennifer Rizzotti, she’s, Jayne Kamin, There’ll, Rebecca Lobo, Candace Parker, –, Christian Laettner, women’s Organizations: CNN, USA, WNBA, CNN Sport, Chicago Sky, Indiana Fever, Indiana, Team USA, Olympic, Getty, NCAA, Hamilton, Fever, Basketball, “, Iowa, Sports, Reuters, USA Basketball, Team USA’s, NBA Locations: Paris, …, Iowa, Long, men’s, United, United States, Clark, America, Africa, Europe

☆ The WNBA just had its most-watched games ever
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-10 | by ( Ramishah Maruf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

The league also said Monday it had its most-watched start of the season games ever across all six networks that broadcast matches — ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, CBS, ION and NBA TV. Women’s basketball is experiencing a boom thanks to the phenomenon around WNBA rookie Clark. Since then, her entry to the WNBA, along with other players like Reese, has kicked off a new era in the league. Tick Pick, an online ticketing site, reported a 435% increase year over year in total tickets sold for WNBA games in May, with the average price of the tickets increasing 60%. Indiana Fever had a whopping 4,493% increase in May tickets sold.

Persons: Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Clark, Reese, we’ve, ”, Edison, Los Angeles Sparks’s Cameron Brink, Kate Martin, Tick Pick Organizations: New, New York CNN, WNBA, ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, CBS, ION, NBA, NCAA, Iowa Hawkeyes, South Carolina Gamecocks, Indiana Fever, Chicago Sky, Las Vegas Aces Locations: New York, alma, Los Angeles

☆ Angel Reese ejected during Chicago Sky’s loss to New York Liberty
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-05 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese was ejected late in the fourth quarter of her team’s 88-75 defeat by the New York Liberty on Tuesday after receiving back-to-back technical fouls. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball seemingly offered to pay Reese’s fine. “Ref that threw out @Reese10Angel is weak btw… You know who you are (Keep ya money Angel I got you),” Ball wrote on X. Reese finished the Commissioner’s Cup game with 13 points and 10 rebounds but shot 25% from the field. Breanna Stewart had a huge game for the Liberty, putting up a game high 33 points to go with 14 rebounds and three assists.

Persons: Angel Reese, Reese, Charles Watson, “, waiving, Marina Mabrey, “ You’ve, Teresa Weatherspoon, ”, Lonzo, Angel, ” Ball, ” Reese, Breanna Stewart, Melissa Tamez, Chennedy Carter, Clark, Billie Jean King, Chris Evert’s, King, Maya Moore, Sheryl Swoopes, Candace Parker, Diana Taurasi, A’ja Wilson, Caitlin, Christine Brennan, we’ve Organizations: CNN, Chicago Sky, New York Liberty, WNBA, Twitter, Chicago Bulls, Liberty, Sky, tennis, USA

☆ The media is in meltdown over Caitlin Clark
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-04 | by ( Allison Morrow | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New York CNN —The male-dominated sports media apparatus is stumbling over Caitlin Clark. He later apologized for using the slur, emphasizing that his broader thesis was that Clark’s star power created a halo around a league that’s been languishing in obscurity. “I was talking about how I hoped that the WNBA and sports media, ex-WNBA players, would show a little bit more respect to Caitlin Clark for what she has brought to the WNBA,” McAfee said on his show Tuesday. The league those women built has always been a physical one, a fact that Clark herself acknowledged in a postgame news conference. Much like Clark, the mainstream sports media is new to the WNBA.

Persons: Caitlin Clark, hasn’t, Chennedy, Clark, Pat McAfee, Clark —, ” —, “, ” McAfee, it’s, McAfee, Charles Barkley, ”, Victoria Uwumarogie, Barkley, ” Clark isn’t, She’s “, who’ve, ” Uwumarogie, Monica McNutt, ” McNutt, Stephen A, Smith, huff, ’ ” McNutt Organizations: New, New York CNN, ESPN, Indiana, WNBA, TNT, CNN, Warner Bros . Locations: New York, Indiana, America, Iowa

☆ WNBA officially expanding to Toronto, first franchise to exist outside U.S.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-23 | by ( Lukas Weese | Eric Koreen | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

Toronto, the most populous city in Canada, will be home to the league’s 14th franchise, the WNBA announced Thursday at a news conference. AdvertisementLed by Toronto billionaire Larry Tanenbaum’s Kilmer Sports Venture, the unnamed franchise will use the 8,000-seat Coca-Cola Coliseum as its home arena. Tips off in 2026. pic.twitter.com/NjwjmetAiY — WNBA (@WNBA) May 23, 2024Teresa Resch, a former Raptors executive and the executive vice president for Kilmer Sports Venture, will serve as team president. Engelbert called it a “seminal moment” for Toronto in its feasibility to receive a WNBA expansion team. The WNBA team will add to the list of Toronto’s professional women’s sports franchises.

Persons: Larry Tanenbaum’s, Tanenbaum, ” Tanenbaum, “, Justin Trudeau, Doug Ford, Olivia Chow, Masai Ujiri, Scottie Barnes, Kyle Lowry —, ” Trudeau Organizations: WNBA, Area, Toronto, Larry Tanenbaum’s Kilmer Sports Venture, Cola, Associated Press, University of Toronto’s, ”, Toronto Raptors, Raptors, Philadelphia 76ers Locations: United States, Toronto, Canada, Vancouver, Montreal, Ontario

☆ Transgender Athlete Ban in a Long Island County Is Struck Down in Court
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-11 | by ( Hurubie Meko | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A New York court on Friday struck down a Long Island county order that barred transgender women from playing on women’s sports teams at county-owned sports facilities. The case had raised questions about whether the ban was legal under the state’s human rights law. But the ruling on Friday by Justice Francis Ricigliano of Nassau County Supreme Court turned on a technical issue: The county executive, Bruce Blakeman, had “acted beyond the scope of his authority as the chief executive officer of Nassau County” when he imposed the ban, Justice Ricigliano said. The right to pass such laws is reserved for legislative bodies, and chief executives of local governments cannot “unlawfully infringe” on those rights, the ruling stated. Gabriella Larios, a staff attorney at the New York Civil Liberties Union, said on Friday that the decision “deals a serious blow to county executive Blakeman’s attempt to score cheap political points by peddling harmful stereotypes about transgender women and girls.”

Persons: Justice Francis Ricigliano, Bruce Blakeman, Ricigliano, Gabriella Larios, Blakeman’s, ” Organizations: Nassau County Supreme, Nassau County ”, New, Civil Liberties Union Locations: York, Nassau County

☆ New Study Bolsters Idea of Athletic Differences Between Men and Trans Women
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-23 | by ( Jeré Longman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A new study financed by the International Olympic Committee found that transgender female athletes showed greater handgrip strength — an indicator of overall muscle strength — but lower jumping ability, lung function and relative cardiovascular fitness compared with women whose gender was assigned female at birth. That data, which also compared trans women with men, contradicted a broad claim often made by proponents of rules that bar transgender women from competing in women’s sports. It also led the study’s authors to caution against a rush to expand such policies, which already bar transgender athletes from a handful of Olympic sports. The study’s most important finding, according to one of its authors, Yannis Pitsiladis, a member of the I.O.C.’s medical and scientific commission, was that, given physiological differences, “Trans women are not biological men.”Alternately praised and criticized, the study added an intriguing data set to an unsettled and often politicized debate that may only grow louder with the Paris Olympics and a U.S. presidential election approaching.

Persons: Yannis Pitsiladis Organizations: International Olympic Committee, Paris Olympics, U.S

☆ Opinion: Shaking off the Trump effect
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-21 | by ( Richard Galant | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +19 min

We’re looking back at the strongest, smartest opinion takes of the week from CNN and other outlets. CNN —“We are most deeply asleep at the switch,” wrote Annie Dillard, “when we fancy we control any switches at all. When the Senate voted to send new aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan two months ago, House Speaker Mike Johnson took no action. With the help of Democrats, the House approved aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan on Saturday. Writing for CNN Opinion, he emphasized that there are legal principles that require universities to prohibit expressions of antisemitism.

Persons: CNN —, ”, Annie Dillard, “, time’s, —, Mike Johnson, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Trump, Biden, Sleepy Joe ”, Israel, Johnson, MAGA, Julian Zelizer, Walt Handelsman, Marjorie Taylor Greene’s, Kevin McCarthy’s, Clay Jones, Fareed Zakaria, Alejandro Mayorkas, “ Biden, ” Zakaria, Bill Clinton, ” Trump, Jack Ohman, Agency Donald Trump’s, dozed, Elliot Williams, Patrick T, Brown, …, ‘, ’, Attorney Alvin Bragg, ” Will, Jeffrey Abramson, ” “, Norm Eisen, Stormy Daniels, ” Eisen, Michael Cohen, Elie Honig, Frida Ghitis, Benjamin Netanyahu, ” Lisa Benson, GoComics.com Peter Bergen, Daniel R, DePetris, Dean Obeidallah, Susanne DeWitt, ” David Schizer, ” Schizer, Danielle Campoamor, Caitlin Clark, Simone Biles, Campoamor, Latika Bourke, John Howard, Justin J, Pearson, Winston Churchill, Holly Thomas, Boris Johnson, Rishi Sunak’s, It’s, ” Thomas, YouGov, ” Don’t, Drew Sheneman, Agency David M, Perry, Frankie de la, Angel Reese, Roy Schwartz, Joni Mitchell —, Raul A, Reyes, Sonia Sotomayor, Jules Boykoff, Jaime M, Valiathan, Ed Manning, Sara Stewart, Noah Berlatsky, Taylor Swift Amy Bass, Taylor Swift, Swift, Department ”, ” Bass, “ Swift, Joe, Alwyn, Diana, they’re, Clara Bow, Dylan Thomas, Patti Smith — Organizations: CNN, Republicans, MAGA Republicans, Agency, Congress, Biden, Homeland, National Guard, ‘, Manhattan, Attorney, New York Democrats, Twitter, Facebook, New York Times, Trump, Berkeley, Nazism, Columbia, Nike, Team USA, Sydney, Port, Conservative, Squadron, Royal Auxiliary Air Force, Central Press, Hulton, National Health Service, WNBA, Ungentlemanly, Department Locations: Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, Manhattan, Iran, Russia, China, ‘, New, CNN Iran, “ Israel, Gaza, Israeli, Damascus, Iraq, America, Dearborn, Nazi Germany, Berkeley , California, Berkeley, East Bay, Sydney, Port Arthur, Tennessee, Surrey, Croydon, Quebec, Britain, Vancouver, London, Welsh

After the Indiana Fever made Caitlin Clark the W.N.B.A.’s No. In exchange for Clark’s once-in-a-generation talent, the W.N.B.A. The simplest reason the W.N.B.A. isn’t paying Clark more is that the league brings in just $200 million annually and relies on the N.B.A. The N.B.A., by contrast, brings in about $10 billion.

Persons: Caitlin Clark, ”, Clark’s, Biden, Clark Organizations: Indiana Fever, Nike

☆ Led by stars like Taylor Swift and Caitlin Clark, women keep breaking boundaries (and records) in entertainment
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Oliver Darcy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

The highest-grossing film in recent memory is Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie.” And the most-watched basketball star is Caitlin Clark. Beyoncé’s first country album, “Cowboy Carter,” topped Billboard’s charts with nearly half a million copies sold in its debut week. Meanwhile, Swift is set to release her highly anticipated album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” on Friday. The impact of a once-in-a-generation star like Swift will surely inspire interest in other female-led performers, spawning even greater appetite and opportunities. Compare that to the NBA’s top pick Victor Wembanyama, who signed a $55 million contract with the San Antonio Spurs.

Persons: New York CNN —, Taylor Swift, Greta Gerwig’s “ Barbie, Caitlin Clark, Swift, Beyoncé’s, Cowboy Carter, ”, Tom Poleman, CNN’s Alli Rosenbloom, ” “ It’s, ” Poleman, Clark, Barbie ”, Gerwig, didn’t, Victor Wembanyama, “, Hoda Kotb, Caitlin Organizations: New York CNN, Poets Department, Clark’s Hawkeyes, South Carolina Gamecocks, NBA, WNBA, Street Journal, NCAA, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Warner Bros . Pictures, CNN, Indiana Fever, San Antonio Spurs Locations: New York, America

☆ Opinion: Skimpy Olympic uniforms for women are an outrage
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-16 | by ( Opinion Danielle Campoamor | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Nike’s new Olympic outfit designs for the US women and men were revealed last week, and the track and field uniforms have rightly been met with intense criticism. Just look at what Caitlin Clark, Dawn Staley and this year’s women collegiate basketball players did for the NCAA. For the uninitiated, prior to the settlement the women were earning as little as 40% of what the men were paid, despite winning four World Cup championships. A woman, Simone Biles, is the most decorated gymnast of all time, winning an astounding 37 World and Olympic medals… and she’s not done competing. Instead, while male athletes are simply referred to as “athletes,” we are “women athletes” who must shave and trim, wax and pluck our way into the hearts and minds of… men.

Persons: Danielle Campoamor, CNN —, Danielle Campoamor Ashley Batz, Leslie Jones, Katie Moon, ” Katelyn Hutchison, ” Jaleen Roberts, ” Lauren Fleshman, “, Fleshman, Caitlin Clark, Dawn Staley, Simone Biles, —, I’m, ” Organizations: NBC, CNN, Olympics, Paris Games, NPR, Nike, Air, University of Kentucky, NCAA, US Soccer, Team USA, Go Locations: Paris

☆ Federal appeals court blocks West Virginia from enforcing anti-trans sports ban against 13-year-old girl
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-16 | by ( Devan Cole | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —A federal appeals court ruled Tuesday that West Virginia cannot enforce its anti-transgender sports ban against a 13-year-old girl, dealing a blow to one of nearly two dozen such laws enacted by GOP-led states in recent years. We hold it cannot,” Circuit Judge Toby Heytens wrote in the decision, which was joined by Judge Pamela Harris. Signed into law by West Virginia Republican Gov. The court’s majority said the law violates Pepper-Jackson’s rights under Title IX, a federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex at schools that receive federal aid. The federal judge who initially blocked the law in 2021 reversed course last year and sided with state officials.

Persons: Becky Pepper, Jackson, Toby Heytens, Pamela Harris, Jim Justice, Pepper, “, ” Heytens, Steven Agee, Roy Rochlin, Agee, Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Joshua Block, ” Block, Patrick Morrisey, ” Organizations: CNN, GOP, Appeals, ”, Republican, West Virginia Republican Gov, Lambda Legal, Conservative, American Civil Liberties Union, West Virginians, West Virginia Locations: Virginia, New York City, West Virginia

☆ The NCAA women’s basketball final outrated the men’s for the first time ever
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( David Goldman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —For the first time in its 42-year history, the women’s NCAA basketball final outrated the men’s. On Monday, the University of Connecticut’s victory over Purdue in the men’s final drew 14.8 million viewers, Nielsen said. That was up a smidge from the 14.7 million who watched last year’s men’s championship game, but fell 4 million viewers short of the women’s final. To put the women’s championship game viewership in perspective, it outrated every 2023 World Series game and every NBA finals game from last year, according to Nielsen. Oh, yeah, and in the men’s college basketball final Monday, UConn won its second-straight championship, beating the Boilermakers, who were in their first final since 1969.

Persons: Nielsen, Caitlin Clark, Clark, Hall, Pete Maravich Organizations: New, New York CNN, NCAA, Sunday’s women’s, Nielsen, University of Connecticut’s, Purdue, Hawkeyes, Gamecocks, NBA, Hall of Famer, LSU —, Iowa, WNBA, Indiana, UConn, Boilermakers Locations: New York, South Carolina, Iowa, Louisiana

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