Nike really put a whole bunch of superstar women athletes in a commercial, and it’s glorious.
Let me say the quiet parts out loud: it’s been a long time since I’ve been totally stoked about a Super Bowl commercial. However, I’ll be talking about Nike’s “So Win” commercial for a while.
This thing has some serious heavy hitters, including WNBA elites Caitlin Clark, A’ja Wilson and Sabrina Ionescu, tennis great Aryna Sabalenka, college sensation JuJu Watkins, soccer stars Sophia Smith and Alexia Putellas plus Olympians Jordan Chiles and Sha’Carri Richardson. WHAT?!
If that wasn’t enough, the ad is narrated by rap sensation Doechii. I’m currently trying not to scream all over again just thinking about it. Here’s Nike’s first Super Bowl ad in over 25 years:
There’s one guarantee in sport. You’ll be told you can’t do it. So do it anyway.
Angel Reese took some time away from playing in Unrivaled to jet over to New Orleans, and it looks like she had so much fun.
It’s not uncommon to see Reese at anything NFL-related. She’s previously been to Ravens games and even hit up a Panthers-Bears matchup last year. So, it shouldn’t shock anyone that she was enjoying the festivities in New Orleans ahead of this year’s Super Bowl.
She attended a Fanatics Super Bowl party and participated in the NFL’s celebrity flag football game. That’s right. Reese coached Kai Cenat’s team, and the results were as hilarious as you would think. Reese wasn’t afraid to tell Kai she’d bench him if he didn’t play well. WELP.
Travis Kelce praised Caitlin Clark for being such a lovely person.
Travis Kelce thinks the world of Caitlin Clark.
It’s no secret that Caitlin is a lifelong Chiefs fan. She grew up watching the team and has been there for Travis’s tenure with the franchise. So, it’s unsurprising that the tight end is her favorite Chiefs player. But, in return, Travis is also a massive fan of the WNBA superstar.
Ahead of the Super Bowl in New Orleans, he gushed about how lovely Caitlin was after meeting her last year. “Aw, man. She’s unbelievable,” Travis told the media. Here’s more from his glowing comments about Caitlin:
“It’s been so cool to see her at Taylor’s concert, and then her coming out to a Chiefs game and hang out with us…I just have nothing but great things to say about who she is as a person. She’s so welcoming and just so warm as an individual that she can have a conversation with anybody. She’s cut from the same cloth as me in that regard.”
“You know, us midwesterners tend to just, you know, accept everybody with open arms. She was so kind to my family and everyone in the suite when she came to K.C. So, huge fans of Caitlin Clark in my family and friend group.”
First, let me be the first to say that neither one of them owes us a thing about their relationship. If they never revealed anything, that’s their business. But, after months of speculation, it was getting harder and harder to ignore them showing up for one another and that they weren’t totally adorable.
Thankfully, A’ja knew precisely what she was doing by dropping that line during her recent jersey retirement. It was planned. “The beautiful thing about our relationship, and our bond, is that we’re very aware of things,” she recently told Adrienne Gaffney of Elle. Here’s more from A’ja on her relationship with Bam:
“We know how to navigate through a lot of different things and never shy from moments, but also make sure that we uplift [each other].”
“I would’ve been doing a disservice if I did not mention my favorite Olympian. Because of that favorite Olympian, you see the best of me. Because of the care and the support that not a lot of people see all the time. If I did not recognize my special Olympian, he wouldn’t be able to get his flowers. So, in that sense, I think it was just a perfect time.”
“It was just a moment that I would love to share because people should know that I’m not alone. I have an amazing support system behind me.”
A’ja Wilson’s shoe already has my bank account in a chokehold.
A’ja Wilson, take my money already. The A’Ones are fantastic.
After what feels like a lifetime of waiting, the A’One sneaker is here, and it’s so beautiful. I mean, it’s immaculate. ABSOLUTE CINEMA. The “Pink A’ura” colorway. ARE YOU KIDDING ME, A’JA WILSON?! Okay. Let me breathe so I can get into some of the dope details.
Her A’One logo on the shoe is inspired by the star she draws inside the “A” in her signature. She also has Celtic symbols for the words “mom” and “dad” that honor her parents. A’ja’s new signature shoes drop in May 2025 with an apparel line and matching Calm Slides. I’m so sorry in advance to my bank account and every bank account across the country. GATHER YOUR COINS NOW. YOU NEED THESE IN YOUR LIFE.
On Sunday, when Caitlin pulled up to Carver-Hawkeye arena for her jersey retirement, she was all smiles and wearing a pretty dope letterman jacket. Nike made a custom creation for the former Iowa legend, which did not disappoint. The interior had a host of fantastic details in gold-colored font.
What were the details? Oh, nothing. It was just a list of her accomplishments as Hawkeye, including NCAA D1 all-time leading scorer, NCAA D1 single-season 3-point record and two-time Naismith College Player of the Year. The jacket also included a nod to the Indiana Fever and a tag saying, “Made exclusively for Caitlin.”
Bam and A’ja have not *officially* announced that they’re dating. But, for months, headlines have been swirling about the pair. Whether it’s tweets of Bam seemingly trolling us all or A’ja’s Aces teammates and the Miami-Dade major seemingly leaning into the assumptions, the stories about Bam and A’ja are growing.
On Sunday, the Miami Heat certainly didn’t help. Here’s what we mean.
Just hours before a not-so-subtle Bam Adebayo tweet, South Carolina retired A’ja Wilson’s jersey. During Wilson’s thank you speech, she noted some of the folks in attendance, specifically calling out her “favorite Olympian from out of town.” (See the 1:50 mark of the clip below.)
Now, DiJonai Carrington is moving on to Dallas, effectively ending whatever was left of Connecticut’s era, which included two WNBA finals and six consecutive semi-final appearances.
She joins the Wings after four seasons in Uncasville and brings an impressive resume with 2024 Most Improved Player honors and a WNBA All-Defensive First Team nod.
The Wings get: Guard DiJonai Carrington, the No. 12 Pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, the rights to swap picks with Connecticut in the second round of the 2026 draft
The Sun get: Guard Jacy Sheldon and the No. 8 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft
May 15, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale (24) looks to shoot as Chicago Sky guard Dana Evans (11) defends during the first quarter at College Park Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Dallas Wings grade
Alright, new general manager Curt Miller. You’ve got my attention.
In the last week, the Wings lost three starters (Satou Sabally, Natasha Howard and Jacy Sheldon) plus part of its second unit (Sevgi Uzun and Kalani Brown).
But, through some wheeling and dealing, Miller netted Ty Harris (from Phoenix), NaLyssa Smith (from the Fever), DiJonai Carrington, and the No. 12 draft pick. Now, we’re cooking a bit. We’re simmering, even.
Here’s that starting lineup change again.
Old lineup: Jacy Sheldon
Arike Ogunbowale
Satou Sabally
Natasha Howard
Teaira McCowan
New lineup: Ty Harris
DiJonai Carrington
Arike Ogunbowale
NaLyssa Smith
Teaira McCowan
The re-tooled starting lineup is something tangible the Wings can work with during so much change. (Sorry, new head coach Chris Koclanes. You’ve got a lot happening here.) It’s hard to replace a Satou Sabally. But drying your tears with DiJonai Carrington and friends should help.
The best part of this trade is snagging Carrington from Connecticut, which probably wasn’t too hard considering the franchise’s state and former teammate Ty Harris and girlfriend NaLyssa Smith were already onboard.
Carrington is an immediate upgrade to Dallas’ backcourt. She’s a highly intuitive player with an out-of-this-world motor. Her two-way abilities are some of the best in the league and helped Connecticut become one of the league’s powerhouses last season.
DiJonai plays much bigger than she is, and that’s going to be a treat in Dallas. Get ready for lightning-quick buckets and stellar defense with plenty of steals and blocks.
Also, Arike Ogunbowale has to be thrilled right now. Miller’s moves help soften the blow of a season of change. She doesn’t have to be everything all at once and can lean on her teammates to help bring Dallas back to prominence.
Keep an eye on how Dallas moves in the 2025 WNBA draft to sure up this roster. They could be an under-the-radar playoff team.
Trade Grade: B+
Oct 6, 2024; Uncasville, Connecticut, USA; Connecticut Sun guard Marina Mabrey (4) reacts after her basket against the Minnesota Lynx in the second half during game four of the 2024 WNBA Semi-finals at Mohegan Sun Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
Connecticut Sun grade
Now, Connecticut Sun. I want you to come in and sit down. I’m going to hold your hand when I say this.
This is a rebuild. I don’t care what you tell yourself when you wake up in the morning; your actions say otherwise.
Say it with me. Rebuild.
Losing four starters (I’m including DeWanna Bonner in this) plus a head coach all in one offseason is truly something. From the outside looking in, it’s easy to assume it’s because of failed playoff runs or lost WNBA Finals. That’s the easy stuff. But it’s tough to ignore that so many people walked away from the franchise.
Is it a culture issue? Is it that they don’t feel valued? Is it that your players shouldn’t have to share the practice facility with a child having a birthday party?
You see where I’m going here. This is more than change. This is a mass exodus eyesore that you will have to fix.
How do you keep newly acquired Natasha Cloud, Rebecca Allen and Jacy Sheldon from bolting? What do you tell poor Marina Mabrey, who came to Connecticut to compete?
Whatever you do, you’re going to have to fix it fast. Reality is setting in, and you just handed your new head coach, Rachid Meziane, one heck of a mess.
It’s the end of an era in Connecticut. DiJonai Carrington is going to Dallas.
DiJonai Carrington, you are a Dallas Wing.
Yep. Connecticut is in a full-on rebuild. Carrington was the last puzzle piece of a era for the Sun that included Alyssa Thomas, DeWanna Bonner, and Bri Jones as starters.
Carrington’s run with Connecticut ends after four seasons. During 2024, her first season as a starter, she churned out quite an impressive year. The two-way guard won 2024 Most Improved Player honors and made the WNBA’s All-Defensive First Team.
The Dallas Wings are finalizing a deal with the Connecticut Sun that would send the No. 8 pick and Jacy Sheldon to the Connecticut Sun in exchange for Dijonai Carrington and the No. 12 pick multiple sources tell @Winsidr
WNBA free agency has officially hit fabric-altering levels. Satou Sabally’s trade to the Phoenix Mercury is the third massive swap within the last week.
The Dallas Wings cored Sabally earlier this offseason, meaning any efforts to move her had to be with a sign-and-trade. Additionally, she would have to approve the new destination.
The deal marks the end of Sabally’s five-year stint in Dallas, which included two WNBA All-Star nods, All-WNBA First Team honors and a WNBA Most Improved Player award in 2023.
The Mercury get: Forward Satou Sabally, center Kalani Brown, guard Sevgi Uzun
The Wings get: Guard Ty Harris, Forward NaLyssa Smith, the rights to forward Mikiah Herbert Harrigan and the No. 8 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft
The Fever get: Guard/Forward Sophie Cunningham and the No. 19 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Phoenix Mercury grade
When reports dropped that Phoenix was meeting with Satou, I wondered how they would make this work. They had just traded for Alyssa Thomas and Ty Harris and moved Natasha Cloud, Rebecca Allen and the No.12 pick to Connecticut. That’s a lot to give up.
However, they had a long-term vision in mind, and to make it happen, they had to get a little crafty. Here’s the high-level nuts and bolts of how this works out.
Ty Harris, who had just come over with Thomas, returns to Dallas where she started her career. Sophie Cunningham goes to Indiana. So, if you’re keeping up with the moves of the last week, the Mercury’s starting lineup dramatically shifted in the blink of an eye by *technically* only giving up a draft pick.
Old lineup:
Natasha Cloud
Diana Taurasi
Kahleah Copper
Sophie Cunningham
Brittney Griner
New lineup:
Diana Taurasi (?)
Kahleah Copper
Satou Sabally
Alyssa Thomas
Kalani Brown
The new-look Phoenix Mercury involves franchise staples Kahleah Copper, Alyssa Thomas and *checks notes* Satou Sabally. WHEW.
That’s one heck of a turnaround.
Truthfully, letting go of Sophie Cunningham was probably rough. Sophie’s a bigger guard who could play the three or four in a lineup as needed. Phoenix has spent time developing her into a reliable starter.
But getting Sabally in return probably made this a lot easier to digest. Despite only playing 15 games last season due to injury, Satou cranked out similar production to her best year as a pro. She averaged nearly 17.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and five assists a game. Not to mention, Satou’s been cooking down in Unrivaled after a slow start in Miami, showing that she’s still “the Unicorn.”
Kalani Brown was Teaira McCowan’s backup in Dallas, but she should do well in the Mercury’s lineup. Her height, length and production, combined with McCowan’s, made the Wings tough to defend in the paint.
Finally, after all those moves, there’s only one question everyone is seemingly waiting to see answered:
When is DeWanna Bonner joining the party?
Trade grade: A-
(Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
Dallas Wings grade
If you know a Wings fan, they might need a moment. All of these franchise shifts might be a lot to take in.
But it’s not all bad. Ty Harris is back, and she came with friends — Texas native NaLyssa Smith and another top-ten draft pick. Landing NaLyssa comes with a few questions: What happened in Indy? Can she still be productive?
If you’ve been paying close attention, things with NaLyssa and the Fever seemed strained. There were complaints about lack of playing time, and then she was in and out of the starting lineup later in the season in favor of Temi Fagbenle.
The former No. 2 overall draft pick also had a down year in 2024, well below the 15 points and nine rebounds she averaged in 2023. Smith has a chance for a fresh start.
With Dallas now owning two top-10 draft picks, I would not be shocked to see them add some help at the center position, especially after losing Kalani Brown.
Ideally, if you’re drafting that high, you want that player to start, but I wouldn’t be upset about adding someone who could back up McCowan now and eventually be a starter. Keep an eye on UCLA Bruins center Lauren Betts or TCU’s Sedona Prince.
Trade grade: B+
(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
Indiana Fever grade
Alright, Fever. I’m trying to follow the logic, but I’m struggling.
You moved NaLyssa Smith and also lost a top-10 draft pick. In return, you got *checks notes* Sophie Cunningham and are seemingly okay with pick No. 19.
WHAT.
I understand feeling like you need to move on from Smith, but losing the No. 8 pick makes me sick, and it’s not even my pick. Sure. Any player drafted that high is seemingly expected to start, and maybe you felt like they wouldn’t do that in your rotation. So, you moved back.
But a top-10 draft pick? IN THIS ECONOMY?!
Nope. I do not like it. It’s a zero-out-of-10 for me—half a star.
You’re still rebuilding and could use the help. After winning 20 games last season, it’s clear that you are elevating, and you might not be back in such a position unless you get on the phone to cook something up and give up more.
Now, let’s talk about Sophie Cunningham. Is Sophie going to start over Lexie Hull? Is she backing up Natasha Howard? I’m genuinely perplexed by her fit in this starting lineup.
Maybe some of these answers will get worked out in training camp and over time, but I’m scratching my head right now. I’ll be curious to see how the offense operates under new head coach Stephanie White.
@justdoechii pic.twitter.com/2zbZRXEM8Q
