Tag: WNBA

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes comments on desire to bring a WNBA team to Kansas City

#Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes comments on desire to bring a WNBA team to Kansas City | @EdEastonJr

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is confusing his ownership pursuits with a venture into the WNBA. During Thursday’s press conference, he addressed the recent report that he wants a WNBA franchise in Kansas City.

“We want to get basketball to Kansas City in general, and then WNBA and the success that they’ve had these last few seasons; it’s kind of a no-brainer,” said Mahomes. “I mean, to try to get a WNBA team in Kansas City to this fan base, and you see it with if you talk about Kansas University, Kansas basketball, the Chiefs, the city of Kansas City is going to come out, and they’re going to fill the stadium.”

On Wednesday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter’s report detailed Mahomes’ and his ownership group’s recent interest in a potential WNBA franchise coming to Kansas City after the recent success of the playoff-bound KC Current in the NWSL.

“So it was cool that we were able to get this women’s soccer team here in the (KC) Current. They’re going into the playoffs now, and you see the support that they have,” said Mahomes. “So let’s try to get a WNBA team in here as well, and kind of the same type of ownership group, and they’ve done the current the right way. I want to continue to work with them to take that next step in the WNBA.”

For years, Mahomes has been vocal about attracting more professional sports franchises to Kansas City, including an NBA franchise, for temporary accommodations during the Toronto Raptors’ COVID-19 restrictions season in 2021.

“Kansas City is such a great place for me; it’s a place that I call home, it’s a place that I built a house at, and that I’ll be for a long, long time,” said Mahomes. “So I think being involved in the community as much as possible, and I love sports. I know how much the city loves sports, so let’s bring as many sports in here and showcase how great Kansas City is, not only as a city but the people in the city as well.”

After taking business classes and working with groups to join ownership of several sports franchises, Mahomes hopes his efforts will encourage young girls, including his daughter, to get involved in sports.

“It started early with the Royals and Sporting Kansas City and the Current, and now hopefully, we will get this WNBA team here. It’s for life after football,” said Mahomes. “So I can still make an impact in all sports, and then, that same time, showcase to my daughter that she can follow her dream and go out there next game. Whatever that dream is.”

Caitlin Clark is reportedly considering a significant offer from Unrivaled to join

Caitlin Clark is reportedly considering a lofty offer from Unrivaled to join the 3-on-3 league.

Unrivaled is pushing hard for Indiana Fever superstar guard Caitlin Clark to join its growing roster of players.

The women’s 3-on-3 basketball league has courted some of the biggest stars in the WNBA, but Clark has yet to commit to one of the league’s roster spots.

That could soon change according to a new report from Sports Business Journal.

SBJ‘s Tom Friend reported on Thursday that Clark and Unrivaled have had discussions on a possible deal with significant upside for the WNBA standout.

“Caitlin Clark and Unrivaled have had ‘high level conversations’ about her joining the emerging 3-on-3 basketball league, sources said today, with the offer believed to include significant equity in the business and a three-month salary of over $1M,” Friend reported.

“On a day that the league expanded its rosters from 30 to 36 players, those sources said Unrivaled has told Clark she can ‘take as long as she wants’ to decide, mindful of the grind Clark has endured over the past year as a collegiate player and rookie in the WNBA. But Unrivaled has also strategically signed two of Clark’s closest friends — Fever teammate Lexie Hull and former Iowa teammate Kate Martin — to recent contracts, and, according to sources, speculation is Clark is leaning ’60/40′ to saying ‘yes.'”

The Unrivaled league also added Clark’s Fever teammate Aliyah Boston on Thursday, which could entice Clark even more to join.

While Friend’s report alludes that nothing is set in stone, it sounds like it’s definitely possible Clark could take Unrivaled up on its offer.

“Comes down to mental health, stress or playing ball – which she loves,” a source told Friend. “She has not decided yet… there will be a spot for her if she wants it, but she will be paid for what she brings to the league, as much as a new league can afford… I think a few weeks we will know.”

Unrivaled president Alex Bazzell also told Sportico’s Eric Jackson this week there will always be a place for Clark in the league if she wants to play. 

“We’re always going to have a roster spot for Caitlin Clark,” Bazzell said, via Sportico. “We’re not applying a full-court press the way people think… She knows that we have a spot for her when she’s ready.” 

While it seemed for a while like Clark joining Unrivaled was a long shot, this gives new hope for the league that it could welcome her into the fold.

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes draws interest in WNBA expansion to Kansas City

Could #Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes help bring professional basketball back to Kansas City?

According to a report by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and his wife Brittany could be looking to expand their sports franchise portfolio.

The entrepreneurial couple already owns a stake in the KC Current of the National Women’s Soccer League, the Kansas City Royals, and Sporting KC.

This week, it was reported that the KC Current ownership group, which includes the Chiefs’ star signal-caller, met with the WNBA to discuss bringing an expansion team to Kansas City.

According to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the league is interested in adding franchises, and the KC Current’s ownership group seems to be vying for the deal.

Take a look at Schefter’s report, which was shared on his official Twitter account:

 

Though no deal seems to be imminent, sports fans in Kansas City have long hoped for basketball’s return to the Show Me State, and Mahomes may be able to deliver if things get serious with the WNBA.

Indiana Fever part ways with head coach Christie Sides

Caitlin Clark will have a new head coach in the 2025 WNBA season.

Following the franchise’s first WNBA playoff appearance since 2016 and a remarkable Rookie of the Year season by Caitlin Clark, the Indiana Fever announced early Sunday that they have parted ways with former head coach Christie Sides.

Sides, who had been the head coach of the Fever over the past two seasons, finishes with a 33-47 regular-season record, including a 20-20 season in 2024.

While the Fever qualified for the WBNA playoffs for the first time in eight years, they suffered a first-round sweep in two games by the Connecticut Sun.

Fever President of Basketball Operations Kelly Krauskopf announced the move on Sunday.

“We are incredibly thankful to Coach Sides for embracing the challenge of leading us through an integral transition period over the last two seasons, while also positioning us well for future growth.

“While decisions like these are never easy, it is also imperative that we remain bold and assertive in the pursuit of our goals, which includes maximizing our talent and bringing another WNBA championship back to Indiana. Coach Sides was an incredible representative of the Fever and our community, and we wish her nothing but success in the future,” Krauskopf said in a statement.

Sides was hired following the 2022 season to replace Marianne Stanley and her interim successor, Carlos Knox. Sides had two years remaining on her four-year contract as coach.

The news adds to the list of coaches who have not lasted longer than three seasons since Lin Dunn held the position for six seasons from 2008 to 2014.

The latest Fever campaign saw several ups and downs, beginning with a 1-9 record to start the season, but rebounded with an 18-9 stretch between June 1 and Sept. 10.

The Fever, aided by the offensive talent of Caitlin Clark and Co., also held the league’s best offensive rating (109.6 points per 100 possessions) following the Olympic break.

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

The Fever, aiming to return to the WNBA playoffs in 2025, will return Clark along with 2023 Rookie of the Year Aliyah Boston and hope to re-sign All-Star Kelsey Mitchell in free agency.

For Clark, this will be the first time she will endure a coaching change, as she spent her four seasons at Iowa under the tutelage of head coach Lisa Bluder. As Clark enters her sophomore WNBA season, it will be interesting to watch how a new coach will utilize her talents.

Clark finished her rookie season averaging 19.2 points, 8.4 assists, 5.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 41.7% from the field, 34.4% from 3-point distance and 90.6% from the free throw line.

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions.

Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNews

Shaq jokingly thanked Angel Reese for making him look smart with a new Reebok deal

Angel Reese’s awesome new signature shoe deal had Shaq making jokes.

Last year, Shaq leveraged his role with Reebok to bet on Angel Reese while she was still in college. As a result, the Chicago Sky forward now has a new signature shoe deal with the apparel company.

One of Shaq’s first moves as president of basketball was signing Reese to Reebok, the company’s first major NIL deal with an athlete. After a successful college season and a WNBA rookie season in which her fame continued to climb as she broke records, Reese’s deal with Reebok produced not only a clothing line but also something else — a signature shoe.

ESPN’s Shams Charania broke the news late Thursday that Reese agreed to a multiyear contract extension and a shoe that hits shelves in 2026. Here’s Reese teasing the announcement on her social media accounts.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DBhXMj1x14N/?igsh=MTk2Mnk5eWUyenVieA==

Reese also used her Unapologetically Angel podcast to announce her shoe during an episode with her longtime mentor.

While she shared the news, Shaq jokingly said, “When I first came there, I was like, ‘Hey. I want to sign Angel Reese…’ and then we called her. So, thank you for making me look like I know what I’m doing.”

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 tag=117952]

Breanna Stewart shared the coldest Liberty championship trophy photo mid-parade

Thanks for playing, everybody. Breanna Stewart wins COLDEST photo of the day.

Breanna Stewart had the time of her life at the Liberty’s championship parade, and one photo showed her journey, which, despite a tough WNBA Finals, was all worth it.

No one had a better time celebrating New York’s first championship than Stewie. Her wife kicked things off early with a hysterical custom parade shirt of Stewie smiling while holding an enormous wine glass. Then, Stewie tweeted that someone should bring her a bottle of wine for the parade, and guess what? SOMEONE BROUGHT STEWIE THE WINE.

As excellent as that sequence of events is, nothing tops a mid-celebration photo that Stewie shared on her social media. In an unbelievably spectacular image from the parade, Stewie is on a float, smoking a victory cigar and holding a glass of red wine while sitting beside the Liberty’s championship trophy. COLDDDDD. 10/10 content. No notes.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DBg2piIOkS-/?igsh=cTJrYTQ2MTNrZGwx

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 tag=117952]

Sabrina Ionescu wore a sick custom jacket to the Liberty’s parade

Sabrina’s jacket is FIRE.

Sabrina Ionescu wore a sick custom Nike championship jacket to the Liberty’s parade, and it was awesome.

The New York Liberty held its championship parade Thursday for thousands of fans to celebrate the city’s first WNBA title. As you might suspect, there was plenty of celebrating to do after a thrilling five-game series with Minnesota that took New York down to the wire.

When something like that happens, you gotta celebrate big. And if you’re Sabrina Ionescu, that means stunting in a custom jacket at the victory parade. Sab rolled through New York in a SWEET black, white and seafoam look, complete with the records it took to beat the Dream, Aces and Lynx, her logo, and several phrases like “Liberty has a nice ring to it.”

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBgrCSQRIQi/?igsh=MWFydmhraDdjd29ydg==

https://www.instagram.com/p/DBgujPyuCpK/?igsh=NDM1dTBhcjZjeGY=

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 tag=117952]

Breanna Stewart’s wife, Marta Xargay, wore a perfect custom Stewie shirt to Liberty title parade

The smile. The GINORMOUS glass. 10/10 shirt.

Breanna Stewart‘s wife, Marta Xargay, wore an epic shirt with Stewie’s face on it to the Liberty’s championship parade, and we could not stop laughing.

First, let us say that when you win a championship, there are no rules at the parade. YOU DO WHAT YOU WANT. That includes drinking at wildly early times of the day. For Breanna Stewart, that meant wine before noon, and her wife, Marta — another basketball champ —was totally here for her shenanigans.

Ahead of Thursday’s Liberty championship parade, Stewie shared a photo of the whole family patiently waiting for the festivities to start. It seemed harmless until we realized Marta was wearing a shirt with a picture of Stewie smiling while holding a GIANT wine glass.

But wait. It gets better. Shortly after Stewie posted the image, she tweeted, asking someone to bring her a bottle of wine at the parade.

While she didn’t get the red wine she requested, her Instagram story shows someone brought her some white wine.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 tag=117952]

NY Liberty and Megan Thee Stallion made an awesome TikTok dance video during Tonight Show appearance

The Liberty had a BLAST with Meg.

The New York Liberty are on a fantastic media victory tour after winning its first franchise title, and nothing would stop the team from crashing The Tonight Show and dancing with Megan Thee Stallion to celebrate even more.

In case you missed it, the Liberty have been on a sweet press run this week. There’s no chance that anybody slept before appearing on Good Morning America to talk to Liberty fan and longtime anchor Robin Roberts. Then, the team headed to the New York Stock Exchange to ring the bell, signaling that the day was open for trading.

They also crashed The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon on Wednesday. They stuck around to take a selfie with the audience, which looked terrific. Here’s a video of that moment: 

As if that wasn’t enough, Megan Thee Stallion was also a guest on the show the same day, and they found time to chop it up with her.

The Liberty gifted Meg a jersey, took photos and made a dope video doing her viral TikTok Mamushi Dance. (Warning: NSFW language)

https://www.instagram.com/p/DBfizIbMD18/?igsh=MTdiOWY2ZHJta2N3MQ==

https://www.instagram.com/nyarasabally/reel/DBfdePDthyy/

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 tag=117952]

The Mystics cleaning house after a failed tank job won’t fix anything

The Mystics’ tank job spectacularly failed, and now the team’s direction feels shaky at best.

The Washington Mystics likely won’t land Paige Bueckers after a failed tank job, and cleaning house will not fix much.

On Wednesday, Washington parted ways with general manager Mike Thibault and his son, head coach Eric Thibault. Eric’s departure is the fifth coach firing since the season ended just over a month ago, and Mike’s is the second general manager opening. But no one should be surprised that the Mystics are seemingly without direction and in a bit of disarray. The writing has been on the walls for quite some time.

Mike famously led Washington to a championship in 2019 as head coach, but failed to recapture any of that magic in the following three years — each of which saw the team finish under .500. When he retired from coaching in 2022 and moved into the front office, Eric took over. Sadly, things did not improve. The Mystics finished 19-21 in 2023.

However, all hope wasn’t entirely lost. There was a perceived optimism that Washington could rebuild and land potential No. 1 Draft pick Paige Bueckers in 2025. That meant committing to tanking the 2024 season. It’s possible Mike and Eric might have been on board with that plan, but the Mystics finished the year 14-26 (9th place) and ownership showed them the door.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DBeNYjlgJFj/?igsh=MW5mcHRtdzZ2bG00ZQ==

How does a disconnect between leadership and ownership happen? It begins with missteps, including straining the relationship with a franchise player from the region.

After a messy offseason ordeal with Elena Delle Donne, which resulted in her sitting out in 2024, Washington needed someone to help push the team forward. Drafting Aaliyah Edwards was a solid start, but Edwards wasn’t quite ready for that pressure, and the Mystics’ maddening rotations didn’t help her develop as much as many thought she would.

Relying on other players like Brittney Sykes and Shakira Austin didn’t pan out, either.

Sykes, Austin and multiple Mystics players were injured for a good portion of the season, putting Washington in a hole early. That should have signaled the Thibaults to wave the white flag and look towards the 2025 draft. But then Washington went on a wild run, pushing for the postseason and seemingly playing itself right out of the best chance for a top draft pick.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DAHqffaPUtT/?igsh=dWM4ZjNqYWkzaG1i

As of the Thibaults’ exit,  Washington owns pick No. 4 in next year’s draft, just outside a slot that could land them Bueckers. It’s possible she still lands in Washington, but the franchise would need to ask the basketball gods to work their magic during the WNBA Draft Lottery on November 17.

Moving on from the Thibaults is probably correct if Washington’s ownership feels the rebuild is still on and the team won’t be good in 2026 or 2027. This would put the franchise in a prime position to land someone like women’s college basketball star JuJu Watkins, who could alter the organization’s fabric for the better.

However, the Mystics’ direction is unclear, and removing the franchise’s general manager and head coach will not change that until everyone agrees on which path to take moving forward.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 tag=117952]