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☆ Canada women reach interim pay deal amid FA's financial turmoil
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

July 28 (Reuters) - The Canadian women's national team reached an interim agreement with Canada Soccer to secure compensation for 2023, the players said on Friday, amid the governing body's financial constraints. loading"We have been forced to choose between compensation and the funding required to hold necessary training camps," women's national team players said in a statement posted on the social media of the Canadian Soccer Players' Association (CSPA). loading"We have been forced to choose between receiving a fair share of the rewards from our teams' successes at the World Cups and our commitment to equal pay and equal treatment with our Men's National Team. "While there are many important items remaining for future negotiation... we have worked... to make sure this... agreement ensures, at minimum, equal pay with our Men's National Team, within the constraints created by Canada Soccer's financial situation. Canada are second in Group B of the Women's World Cup following a goalless draw with Nigeria and a 2-1 win over Ireland.

Persons: Canada's men's, Anita Kobylinska, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Canadian women's, Canada Soccer, Canadian Soccer Players ', Men's National, Men's National Team, Ireland, Thomson Locations: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Nigeria, Gdansk

☆ Women's sports are surging in popularity and driving record World Cup viewership. Here are the top 10 advertisers cashing in.
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( Margaret Fleming | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

The Women's World Cup is a big focus for brands to reach a growing audience. The US Women's National Team's latest Women's World Cup match against the Netherlands drew record viewership on July 26, with around 6.4 million viewers. Most of those eyeballs came from the NCAA women's basketball tournament, for which the company had 141 million household views. The Women's World Cup, which kicked off July 20 in Australia and New Zealand, offers another significant opportunity for companies to reach the growing audience of women's sports fans. July 28, 2023: This story has been updated to reflect viewership for the latest USWNT match in the Women's World Cup.

Persons: it's, Jeff Kearney, Buick, Molly Peck, Peck, Marisstella Marinkovic, Ally Organizations: Buick, Nissan, US, Fox Sports, WNBA, NWSL, Gatorade, Lexus, DIRECTV, Armour, Nielsen Sports, NCAA, ESPN, Ally, Google, Nike, Subway, Volkswagen Locations: Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, Wells Fargo

☆ The 10 biggest brands advertising in women's sports as viewership reaches new heights and the World Cup takes center stage
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Margaret Fleming | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The Women's World Cup is a big focus for brands to reach a growing audience. The first match of US Women's National Team in the Women's World Cup averaged an audience of 5.3 million viewers on July 21, according to the Associated Press. The AP reported that viewership increased 99% from the team's first match of the 2019 World Cup, per Fox and Nielsen. Most of those eyeballs came from the NCAA women's basketball tournament, for which the company had 141 million household views. The Women's World Cup, which kicked off July 20 in Australia and New Zealand, offers another significant opportunity for companies to reach the growing audience of women's sports fans.

Persons: it's, Jeff Kearney, Buick, Molly Peck, Peck, Marisstella Marinkovic, Ally Organizations: Buick, Nissan, Women's National Team, Associated Press, AP, Fox, Nielsen, WNBA, NWSL, Gatorade, Lexus, DIRECTV, Armour, Nielsen Sports, NCAA, ESPN, Ally, Google, Nike, Subway, Volkswagen Locations: Australia, New Zealand, Wells Fargo

☆ How Ally Financial made women's sports a key focus in its marketing strategy and how it's measuring the results
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-24 | by ( Margaret Fleming | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Ally Financial made a pledge last year to invest equally in men's and women's sports media. The company is dropping a commercial featuring female athletes during the FIFA Women's World Cup. A year ago, an internal audit by Ally Financial revealed the company had spent 90% of its sports-media marketing budget on men's sports. The brand also signed 10 female athletes to create Team Ally, a group that posts about one another's games and increases visibility for women's sports. Notre Dame lacrosse player Kasey Choma, who's also part of Team Ally, is featured scoring a goal.

Persons: Ally Financial, Billie Jean King, Sophia Smith, Stephanie Marciano, it's, Ally, Marciano, Kasey Choma, who's, Choma, she's Organizations: FIFA, US Women's National Team, Ally, Labs, CBS, ESPN, INC, Fox, Notre Dame, Yale, III Locations: men's, Australia, New Zealand, US, Germany

☆ People are talking about this viral World Cup ad that uses deceptive editing in all the right ways
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-22 | by ( Kylie Kirschner | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A French ad for the upcoming Women's World Cup went viral recently for its tricky use of digital editing. The ad uses VFX techniques to make the women's team look like men. The real footage is revealed, showing Sakina Karchaoui, Selma Bacha, Amandine Henry, and other leading players on the French women's team. The Women's World Cup also hasn't been around as long: the Men's World Cup was founded in 1930, while the Women's was founded in 1991. The French team is scheduled for their first match on July 23, against Jamaica.

Persons: Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappé, Les Bleus, it's, Les, Sakina Karchaoui, Selma Bacha, Amandine Henry, hasn't, Marcel Organizations: Morning, Orange, French men's, women's, French, YouTube Locations: French, France, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica

☆ Live updates: USA vs Vietnam, Women's World Cup 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( Tara Subramaniam | Adam Renton | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

From left: Livia, Randy, Laurenne and Lisette Moreland are back at a World Cup for the first time since 2016. Tara Subramaniam/CNNAmericans from coast to coast have made the trek to Auckland to support the reigning Women's World Cup champions as they seek a record third title. Now, the family is at their second Women's World Cup. Tara Subramaniam/CNNElanor Espey and her mom Katrina from Sacramento, were also in France during the 2019 Women's World Cup and watched games from the fan zone in Paris. Elanor Espey told CNN she's looking forward to seeing "how the teams have developed in the past four years since the last World Cup."

Persons: Livia, Randy, Laurenne, Lisette Moreland, Tara Subramaniam, Moreland, Laurenne Moreland, Adam, Cate, she's, Stephanie, Alex Morgan, CNN Elanor Espey, Elanor Espey Organizations: CNN, USA, FIFA, US, Thailand, National Locations: Auckland, Bethesda , Maryland, Austin , Texas, Reims, France, Australia, New, Sacramento, Paris

☆ Ally Financial made a huge commitment to invest in women's sports. Here's how it's going.
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Margaret Fleming | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Ally Financial made a pledge last year to invest equally in men's and women's sports. The company is dropping a commercial featuring female athletes during the FIFA Women's World Cup. The brand also signed 10 female athletes to create Team Ally, a group that posts about one another's games and increases visibility for women's sports. Its latest effort, the Women's World Cup commercial, will premiere on Fox and run throughout the year. Notre Dame lacrosse player Kasey Choma, who's also part of Team Ally, is featured scoring a goal.

☆ Viral women’s soccer ad uses doctored footage to prove a point
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Jennifer Korn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New York CNN —One French company is using visual effects editing to promote the Women’s World Cup, putting out a now-viral video showing the French men’s soccer team playing at their best — until it is revealed that the footage is actually of the French women’s team. What first looks like Griezmann evading a defender dribbling down the field is actually a graphic overlay of Sakina Karchaoui, a professional player on the French women’s national team. The second half of the ad shows the original footage — with France’s top female soccer players owning the field. The ad was posted in June, ahead of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup taking place across Australia and New Zealand. Soccer players at the 2023 Women’s World Cup will on average earn just 25 cents for every dollar earned by men at their World Cup last year, a new CNN analysis found.

Persons: Kylian Mbappé, Antoine Griezmann, Sakina, Marcel, ’, Gianni Infantino, Women’s Soccer Australia Heather Reid, Orange, ”, “, Craig Foster Organizations: New, New York CNN, French, Orange, French women’s, French women's, “, women’s, FIFA, CNN, Soccer, FIFPRO, Women’s Soccer Australia, CNN Sport, Football, Sport Locations: New York, Orange, Australia, New Zealand, Australian

☆ US players say 'deep flaws' in how SafeSport handles abuse claims
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( Amy Tennery | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SafeSport, an independent non-profit organisation, was formed in 2017 and directed by Congress to respond to and prevent abuse within the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic movement. The letter, which pointed to "deep flaws" in SafeSport's processes, was signed by current and former members of both the men's and women's national teams. Among the concerns outlined in the document were an appeals and arbitration process that players say can be "damaging and retraumatizing for victims of abuse." "U.S. Soccer wants to do the right thing and take proactive steps against suspected abusers," the players wrote. "Our federation has tools and resources to investigate reports of abuse, but SafeSport is preventing them from participating in any way."

Persons: SafeSport, Arthur Ashe, Amy Tennery, Alexandra Hudson Organizations: U.S . Center, SafeSport, United States national soccer, Congress, U.S, Olympic, Paralympic, U.S . Soccer's, women's, Women's Soccer League, Soccer, . Soccer, Courage, Alexandra Hudson Our, Thomson Locations: United States, U.S, Auckland

The ninth Women's World Cup, which kicks off on July 20, is expected to attract the largest television audience in the history of women's soccer and FIFA will pay $30,000 directly to each participating player. In Argentina, the big local teams do not always open the doors of their stadiums for women's soccer matches, which are played at smaller venues. The South American Soccer Confederation (CONMEBOL)recognizes the disparity between men's and women's soccer and said recently it was taking steps to reduce it. Invigorated by Argentina's qualification for a fourth Women's World Cup, fans hope that progress into the knockout stage will generate more support for the sport. In women's soccer, everything is more difficult," she said.

Persons: Julieta Cruz, UAI Urquiza, Mariana Nedelcu, Lionel Messi, Messi, Diego Maradona, Estefania, Yamila Rodriguez, Laurina, Oliveros, Laura Fortunato, Fortunato, Martina Borgatello, Jacinta, Borgatello, Lucila Sigal, Anna, Catherine Brigida, Daniela Desantis, Nick Mulvenney, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Boca, Libertadores, America, REUTERS, Boca Juniors, soccer, FIFA, South American Soccer Confederation, CONMEBOL, women's, Thomson Locations: Buenos Aires, Argentina, BUENOS AIRES, Argentine, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, Sweden, South Africa, Albiceleste, Paraguay

☆ Netflix plans documentary series on U.S. Women's World Cup team
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/3] Megan Rapinoe gestures the number 4 with her fingers as she holds the Trophy for the FIFA Women's World Cup while the U.S. team arrives at the Newark International Airport, in Newark, New Jersey, U.S., July 8, 2019. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz/File PhotoAUCKLAND, July 18 (Reuters) - Netflix is preparing a documentary series on the United States women's national soccer team, focusing on their quest for an unprecedented third consecutive Women's World Cup title in Australia and New Zealand. Rapinoe recently announced that the 2023 tournament, her fourth World Cup, would be her last as she plans to retire at the end of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) season this year. The series builds on a portfolio of popular recent sports documentary programmes on Netflix, including tennis series Break Point and Formula 1: Drive to Survive. The World Cup kicks off on Thursday.

Persons: Megan, Eduardo Munoz, Alyssa Thompson, Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe, Rapinoe, Amy Tennery, Clare Fallon Organizations: FIFA, U.S ., Newark International Airport, REUTERS, Netflix, United, national soccer team, National Women's Soccer League, Thomson Locations: U.S, Newark, Newark , New Jersey, AUCKLAND, United States, Australia, New Zealand, Auckland

☆ U.S. forward Rapinoe to retire after current season
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-08 | by ( Nathan Frandino | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SAN JOSE, Calif., July 8 (Reuters) - United States forward Megan Rapinoe will retire after this season, the 38-year-old said on Saturday, days before she leaves for the Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Jun 27, 2023; Carson, California, USA; USWNT forward Megan Rapinoe during Women's World Cup media day at Dignity Health Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY SportsThe United States are gunning for an unprecedented third consecutive title at the World Cup. Rapinoe joined OL Reign in their inaugural season and holds the team record for most career goals (48) and assists (25). The United States kick off their World Cup campaign on July 22 against Vietnam.

Persons: Megan Rapinoe, Rapinoe, It's, Kirby Lee, gunning, Sue Bird, Donald Trump, Colin Kaepernick, we’ve, Nathan Frandino, Amy Tennery, Clare Fallon Organizations: JOSE, Calif, Women's Soccer League, Dignity Health Sports Park, USA, Wales, National Basketball Association, U.S, Soccer, NFL, United, Vietnam, Thomson Locations: United States, Australia, New Zealand, California, Carson , California, USA, San Jose , California, France, New York

☆ US women's team to receive courage award for equal pay fight
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

June 28 (Reuters) - The U.S. women's national soccer team will receive the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage at next month's ESPYs in recognition of their fight for equal pay with their male counterparts, ESPN said on Wednesday. In May 2022, the U.S. women's and men's soccer teams reached landmark collective bargaining agreements with the national governing body for the sport that will see players receive equal pay and prize money, including at World Cups. "It feels like this is a paradigm shift or a moment we'll look back to and say that nothing was ever the same after this Women's World Cup," U.S. forward Megan Rapinoe said on Tuesday. The ESPYs, which pay tribute to the top athletes and performances of the past year, are presented and televised by Walt Disney Co (DIS.N) sports network ESPN. Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto Editing by Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Arthur Ashe, Courage, Megan Rapinoe, Frank Pingue, Toby Davis Organizations: ESPN, Courage, Black tennis, Walt Disney Co, Thomson Locations: U.S, Toronto

☆ Qatari fund buys passive stake in Wizards parent, Sportico reports
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] Apr 7, 2023; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards center Jay Huff (34) dunks the ball against the Miami Heat in the fourth quarter at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports/File PhotoJune 22 (Reuters) - The Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) is buying a passive minority stake in Monumental Sports & Entertainment, the parent of the Washington Wizards and the Washington Capitals, Sportico reported on Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter. Monumental declined to comment, while QIA did not respond to a Reuters request for comment. The report comes weeks after another deal in the sporting world that involved a Middle Eastern country. Reporting by Granth Vanaik in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju SamuelOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Jay Huff, Geoff Burke, Sportico, QIA, LIV, Granth, Maju Samuel Organizations: District of Columbia, Washington Wizards, Miami Heat, Capital, USA, Qatar Investment Authority, Monumental Sports & Entertainment, Washington Capitals, Basketball Association's Washington Mystics, NBC Sports Washington, PGA, Thomson Locations: Washington, District, USA, Saudi, Bengaluru

Russell Westbrook, who played for the Washington Wizards in the 2020-21 NBA season, reacts prior to playing against the Denver Nuggets at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., February 17, 2021. Qatar's sovereign wealth fund has offered to buy a minority stake in Monumental Sports & Entertainment, the parent company of the Washington Wizards and other Washington, D.C., sports teams, the National Basketball Association said Thursday. The NBA is still reviewing the deal with the Qatar Investment Authority, league spokesperson Mike Bass said in a statement to CNBC. The NBA in November began to allow sovereign wealth funds and other institutional investors to buy noncontrolling stakes in the league's teams. In addition to the Wizards, Monumental owns the National Hockey League's Washington Capitals and the Women's National Basketball Association team, the Washington Mystics.

Persons: Russell Westbrook, Mike Bass, QIA, Bass Organizations: Washington Wizards, NBA, Denver Nuggets, Capital, Washington , D.C, Monumental Sports & Entertainment, D.C, National Basketball Association, Qatar Investment Authority, CNBC, Sportico, Wizards, Monumental, Hockey League's Washington Capitals, Women's National Basketball Association, Washington Mystics, NBA G League, NBC Sports Washington, Monumental Sports Locations: Washington ,, Washington, Monumental, Qatar

BEIJING, June 15 (Reuters) - Lionel Messi delighted Argentina fans in Beijing when he scored the fastest goal of his international career, netting after 79 seconds as the world champions beat Australia 2-0 in a friendly at a raucous Workers' Stadium on Thursday. "We always enjoy being with the national team," Messi said. Messi has been the focus of attention ever since he landed in Beijing last week. The areas around the stadium and the hotel where Messi and his team mates have been staying have been awash with people wearing replica Argentina jerseys in recent days. Hundreds queued outside the hotel each day in the hope of catching a glimpse of Messi leaving for training.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Enzo Fernandez, Messi, Graham Arnold, I've, Rodrigo De Paul, Emiliano Martinez, Martin Pollard, Josh Arslan, Qiaoyi Li, Rohith Nair, Toby Davis Organizations: Argentina, Australia, Workers, Inter Miami, Messi, Argentine, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, Beijing, American, Argentina, China, Australia, Argentine, Bengaluru

☆ Taylor and Conners to try and make it Canada Day at national championship
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-11 | by ( Steve Keating | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Jun 10, 2023; Toronto, ON, CAN; Nick Taylor hits his tee shot at the 17th hole during the third round of the RBC Canadian Open golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY SportsTORONTO, June 10 (Reuters) - Perhaps no sporting event in Canada goes out of its way to tug at the heritage heartstrings more than the Canadian Open. But entering Sunday's final round there is plenty of Canadian content on the leaderboard with Nick Taylor and Corey Conners in position to make history. Six will start Sunday's final round two off the pace including Taylor, who rocketed into contention with a course record nine-under 63. "I would love to win the Canadian Open for the third time.

Persons: Nick Taylor, Dan Hamilton, Caesar, Bloody Mary, Pat Fletcher, Corey Conners, Taiwan's, Pan, Rory McIlroy, Taylor, Northern Ireland's McIlroy, LIV, McIlroy, I've, Steve Keating, Andrea Ricci Organizations: RBC Canadian, Sports TORONTO, Canadian, Oakdale Country, PGA, Thomson Locations: Toronto, Canada, Muskoka, Australia, Zimbabwe, Canadian, Saudi

☆ Messi in Beijing for friendly before move to Miami
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SHANGHAI, June 10 (Reuters) - Argentine superstar Lionel Messi arrived in Beijing on Saturday for a friendly match before leaving a storied European career to join Major League Soccer side Inter Miami as a free agent. Messi, who lifted the World Cup in Qatar in December and is widely considered to be one of the game's all-time greats, confirmed this week he will leave French champions Paris St Germain for the U.S. league. This is the Argentina captain's seventh visit to China and his first since 2017. Australia and Argentina last met at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar in the round of 16, where Messi was among the scorers as his team won 2-1. Reporting by Reuters newsroom; Writing by Martin Pollard and Engen Tham; Editing by William MallardOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Messi, Paris St Germain, Martin Pollard, Engen, William Mallard Organizations: Argentine, Major League Soccer, Inter Miami, Football, Weibo, Workers, Paris St, U.S ., men's, Reuters, Thomson Locations: SHANGHAI, Beijing, Thursday's Argentina, Australia, Qatar, Argentina, China

☆ MLB, WNBA and NWSL games postponed due to poor air quality in U.S.
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] Jun 7, 2023; Bronx, New York, USA; Members of the Yankee Stadium grounds crew wait for word on the status of a game against the Chicago White Sox before the game was ultimately rescheduled due to poor air quality. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY SportsNEW YORK, June 7 (Reuters) - Poor air quality conditions forced the cancellation of Major League Baseball (MLB), National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) games on Wednesday, as smoke from Canadian wildfires drifted south. MLB postponed games in Philadelphia between the Detroit Tigers and the Phillies and in New York between the Chicago White Sox at the Yankees. "These postponements were determined following conversations throughout the day with medical and weather experts and all of the impacted Clubs regarding clearly hazardous air quality conditions in both cities," MLB said in a statement. A WNBA game in Brooklyn between the Minnesota Lynx and the New York Liberty, which was set to tip off at 7 p.m.

Persons: Brad Penner, Amy Tennery, Toby Davis Organizations: Yankee, Chicago White Sox, YORK, Major League Baseball, Women's Soccer League, National Basketball Association, U.S ., MLB, Detroit Tigers, Phillies, Yankees, Washington Nationals, Arizona Diamondbacks, Gotham FC, Orlando Pride, Aviation Administration, Newark Liberty International, WNBA, Minnesota Lynx, New York Liberty, Thomson Locations: Bronx , New York, USA, U.S, U.S . East Coast, Ohio, Kansas, Philadelphia, New York, Harrison , New Jersey, Brooklyn

☆ Messi to lead Argentina in friendly against Australia in China
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BEIJING, May 22 (Reuters) - Argentina captain Lionel Messi will lead his side against Australia in a friendly in Beijing next month with his first visit to China in six years set to spark a mass scramble for tickets. The Argentina embassy in China said on Monday that the World Cup winners would play Australia on June 15, bringing Messi to the country for the first time since 2017. Messi has received a fervent welcome on each of his previous visits to China, which has a huge soccer fan base despite the struggles of the men's national team. Since his first China trip in 2005, Messi has played for Argentina or his former club Barcelona in friendlies. The Spanish side beat Beijing Guoan 3-0 in a friendly in 2010.

☆ Aces lose 2025 first-round pick, Hammon suspended for WNBA rule violations
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

May 16 (Reuters) - The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) stripped defending champions Las Vegas Aces of their 2025 first-round draft pick and suspended head coach Becky Hammon for two games without pay for violating league rules on Tuesday. Hammon, who took the reins last year after eight years as an assistant coach with the NBA's San Antonio Spurs, was found to have committed a "Respect in the Workplace" violation with comments regarding Hamby's recent pregnancy. The investigation, however, was not able to substantiate concerns over the Aces' conduct during the off-season. The Next reported in February that The Aces were under investigation by the WNBA for circumventing the salary cap. "The Aces failed to adhere to league rules and regulations and have been disciplined accordingly.

☆ Toronto rolls out welcome mat for WNBA's first Canada game
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-13 | by ( Frank Pingue | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

TORONTO, May 13 (Reuters) - The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) held a game in Canada for the first time on Saturday in what amounted to a celebration of women's basketball while perhaps planting the seeds for an expansion franchise. The sold-out pre-season game played at the home of the NBA's Toronto Raptors offered the latest sign that there is a growing appetite in Canada's biggest city and financial capital for professional women's basketball. The game aired live on three networks across Canada and the United States, featured an all-women, all-Canadian team for the broadcast and prompted the city to proclaim May 13 as "Welcome WNBA Day" to mark the occasion. "So Toronto is definitely on the list, but we'll continue to work on that through the season and hopefully have something to announce later." Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto, editing by Ed OsmondOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Griner plays in WNBA for first time since Russia detention
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-13 | by ( Amy Tennery | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"I didn't think I would be sitting here. I didn't think I would be playing basketball this quickly," Griner told reporters after the Sparks handed them a 90-71 loss. Griner was greeted to roars of celebration at Phoenix's Footprint Center on Friday as she exited the tunnel and strode onto the court. "I didn't feel like I was gassed or dying," said Griner, who offered a withering self-appraisal of her defensive performance. The two-time WNBA scoring champion has been subject to enormous media interest since her return to the United States, using her super-sized platform to champion the cause of other Americans detained abroad.

REUTERS/Andrew KellyNEW YORK, May 1 (Reuters) - American basketball star Brittney Griner stepped onto the red carpet at the star-studded Met Gala on Monday, embracing a larger spotlight months after returning home from detention in a Russian penal colony. The twice Olympic champion has pledged to advocate for the release of other Americans detained abroad after she was freed from Russia in a high-profile prisoner exchange after nearly 10 months of detention. "I was able to come home," Griner told Vogue at the gala. "It is everything, to be here with my wife able to be here it means so much," Griner said. Twenty-times Grand Slam winner Roger Federer served as a co-chair of the event while China's twice Olympic champion freestyle skier Eileen Gu was also in attendance.

☆ Pro sports unions unite to discuss importance of mental health
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( Jessica Golden | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The NFL Players Association, National Basketball Players Association, National Hockey League Players' Association, MLB Players Association, MLS Players Association and Women's National Basketball Players Association will work together to raise awareness about the cause and invest resources to improve mental health for the pro athlete community. This is the first time the sports organizations have come together to promote mental health. The high stakes, busy lifestyles and pressures of professional sports have caused many athletes to reveal their own mental health struggles in recent years. As athletes from all levels have expressed their struggles, many of the leagues realized that mental health needs to be as much of a priority as physical health is. The sports leagues will also highlight inspirational stories from athletes and the various mental health efforts they are leading.

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