Sports & Society
The post-election imperatives for the WNBA
As the world continues to come to grips with the 2024 US presidential election results and what is next, there can be no doubt that the WNBA must strengthen its social justice resolve.
Esther Wallace talks Playa Society
As the world of women’s basketball grows, so does a groundbreaking apparel company. Swish Appeal chats with founder Esther Wallace about her brand, Playa Society.
This Week in Women’s Basketball: Unrivaled expands to 36
Ahead of its inaugural season, Unrivaled already is expanding, with the 3x3 league now including 36 players. WNBA expansion also remains a topic of conversation in this week’s news.
Ogwumike knows democracy is not a spectator sport
The Seattle Storm star and WNBPA president is hitting the ground and getting out the vote on behalf of LeBron James’ More Than A Vote initiative, with a focus on reproductive freedom.
Questioning Shaq’s intentions with Angel Reese
After making wildly inappropriate comments on Angel Reese’s podcast, there is possibly something nefarious about Shaquille O’Neal’s role as a "father figure" to the WNBA rookie phenom.
This Week in Women’s Basketball: Unrivaled’s big media deal
Ahead of its inaugural season, Unrivaled, the 3x3 league co-founded by WNBA Finals rivals Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, announces a landmark media rights deal.
Misogynoir cannot be the price of growth
The explosion in popularity in women’s basketball is great, but racist attitudes towards Black women can’t come with the new territory.
This Week in Women’s Basketball: Harassment distracts from hoops
In the middle of the playoffs, the WNBA might be on the verge of a reckoning, as the WNBPA and individual players began to more prominently speak out against the racist, sexist and homophobic harassment that has been increasingly directed at players.
What’s the future of WNBA labor?
While the current WNBA CBA expires after the 2027 season, the WNBPA can opt out by Nov. 1, moving the expiration date to after next season. This coming choice, in concert with the NWSL’s new CBA, makes it worth exploring the future labor possibilities for WNBA players.
This Week in Women’s Basketball: Paige is Unrivaled
Unrivaled continues to establish itself as a ground breaker in the women’s pro basketball space, signing UConn star Paige Bueckers to an NIL deal. Here’s more on Bueckers’ big move and other women’s basketball news.
Jayda Curry interviews Dawn Staley
Louisville guard Jayda Curry interviews Dawn Staley, speaking with South Carolina’s three-time national championship-winning head coach about her faith, maintaining perspective and her love for the game.
Angel Reese should be celebrated, not excoriated
All while exceeding expectations, the Chicago Sky rookie has been villainized. She does not deserve to bear the brunt of such venom.
How to improve the popularity of women’s sports
Former Swish Appeal editor-in-chief Zack Ward shares takeaways from his master’s capstone project about improving the popularity of women’s sports.
“A Touch More Live” on all things women’s basketball
Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe hosted "A Touch More Live" during the Final Four, talking all about this moment in women’s basketball. ESPN’s "BIG 3" of Elle Duncan, Andraya Carter and Chiney Ogwumike also joined the live show.
Ignorance takes center stage in BIG3 offer to Caitlin Clark
The $5 million offer may be a game changer, but it’s generosity is overshadowed by the rap legend’s disdain for European basketball.
Women’s basketball’s best talk NIL truths
The conversation about NIL is full of misconceptions and misunderstandings. Hear the truth about NIL from Paige Bueckers, Aliyah Boston, Nneka Ogwumike and Sue Bird, who had an exclusive conversation about the subject for TOGETHXR.
WNBA players go fanatical for Fanatics
The Las Vegas Aces’ Alysha Clark and the Chicago Sky’s Brianna Turner look to future off-the-court opportunities as they participate in Fanatics’ innovative internship program for athletes.
WNBA launches partnership with VOICEINSPORT
Aliyah Boston, Natasha Cloud and Nneka Ogwumike headline a list of players who will provide virtual mentorship to girls in sports across the world, thanks to a new WNBA partnership.
A’ja talks about her new book, “Dear Black Girls”
The two-time WNBA MVP, back-to-back WNBA champion and Olympic gold medalist shares poignant and powerful stories as a way to uplift and inspire Black women and girls to be their authentic selves.
“Shattered Glass” captures humanity of WNBA players
A new Tubi documentary meets the moment, chronicling the lives of three current WNBA players and one legend as they are—fully human.
Moolah Kicks, a trailblazer in the basketball sneaker world
Under founder and president Natalie White, Moolah Kicks is leading the charge in athletic performance as the only company focusing exclusively on girls’ and women's basketball sneakers.
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Ref Che Flores comes out as trans
Former NCAA and current NBA referee has come out publicly as trans and nonbinary in an interview with GQ. They are the first trans referee in major US pro sports.
This Week in Women’s Basketball: Mercury miss mark with head coach hire
Amidst much positive progress for the WNBA and women’s basketball at large, the Phoenix Mercury’s head coaching hire hits like a speed bump. Here’s more on the Mercury’s decision and other women’s hoops news.
This Week in Women’s Basketball: WNBA celebrates viewership, attendance growth
While most recent women’s hoops news highlights the celebratory-worthy growth of women’s basketball, other items distressingly remind of the scourge of domestic violence in sports.
“We Play Too,” a new women’s basketball comic book
Available in comic and magna versions, "We Play Too" chronicles what life is like for women athletes outside the WNBA.
The incredible journey of Karen Stack Umlauf
Northwestern’s Director of Basketball Operations Karen Stack Umlauf reminisces with us on how she became the first woman to serve as a coach for the Chicago Bulls.
Happy Mamba Day...but should women’s basketball fans celebrate it?
More than three years after his death, it is still hard to settle on how Kobe Bryant should be remembered by women’s sports fans.
Dr. Jen Fry talks double standard seen with Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark
Jen Fry, a public speaker and expert on anti-racism and equity in sports, spoke with Swish Appeal’s Zachary Draves about the unfair backlash Angel Reese faced for her national championship game celebration.
A reminder of Maya Moore’s greatness on the court and homage paid to her new path
Maya Moore of the Minnesota Lynx and UConn Huskies is one of the greatest basketball players of all-time. Her rare and admirable decision to step away in her prime is what defines her as a person.
Triple Threat Podcast: Memphis backcourt’s got style
The Triple Threat Podcast shows some love to Ja Morant and Desmond Bane of the Memphis Grizzlies.
Triple Threat Podcast: How about the Jazz, Blazers and Cavs?!
The Triple Threat Podcast talks more about Kyrie Irving and Joshua Primo, but how about showing some love to the teams actually getting it done on the court? The gang does just that, praising the Utah Jazz, Portland Trail Blazers and Cleveland Cavaliers.
Triple Threat Podcast: Russell Westbrook a big part of Lakers’ first win
The Bonnet Gang checks in on the state of the Los Angeles Lakers and much more.