Dawn Staley Sends A'ja Wilson Message on Wednesday
South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley has an notable relationship with her former player and Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson.
Advertisement
The pair led the school to their first-ever National Championship in 2017. Following one more season in South Carolina, Wilson ended her collegiate career as a three-time SEC Player of the Year, NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player and Naismith College Player of the Year.
Now, Staley is repaying the favor to her former superstar.
'Little @GamecockWBB camp day 3,' the 55-year-old wrote on X on Wednesday. 'It's @ajawilson22 A'One Day! Our campers showed up and out in their A'Ones and I'm here for it all.'
Staley's campers can be seen all wearing Wilson's signature 'A'One,' Nike shoes, which resembles the countless number of young athletes the Aces center has inspired to play basketball.
Advertisement
'Keep inspiring our youth A!' Staley added. 'Love.'
The sneakers themselves are immensely popular with fans because they sold out in less than five minutes of releasing online on May 5, according to USA Today writer Scooby Axson.
'Gods been working overtime,' Wilson wrote in an Instagram post from May of her holding a pink pair of the shoes.
As her sneakers have had a profound impact on fans, she has done the same on the court this season. The 28-year-old is averaging 22 points and 9.9 rebounds per game in the seven appearances she's made so far for Las Vegas this season.
Dawn Staley celebrates with A'ja Wilson in 2018.© Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images
Her popularity has even helped the Aces set the Michelob Ultra Arena attendance record with 17,406 fans, according to a Sports Business Journal report. In 2024, Las Vegas averaged 11,283 fans per game.
Advertisement
Related: Dawn Staley Reveals Personal Chat With A'ja Wilson's Mom After Terrible South Carolina Debut
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
Insider Exposes Rough News for Raiders QB Geno Smith
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Las Vegas Raiders were widely expected to target a quarterback in the NFL Draft this past April, but things changed when the Raiders ultimately fell to sixth in the draft order. Shedeur Sanders' draft stock plummeting didn't help, either. As a result, Las Vegas ended up swinging a trade for Geno Smith to handle the reins under center for 2025 and potentially beyond, as the Raiders also signed him to a contract extension. More news: Raiders Linked to Dynamic Potential Geno Smith Replacement Smith experienced considerable success with the Seattle Seahawks the past several seasons, but here's the problem: he doesn't exactly have the same type of help in Las Vegas. The Raiders' receiving corps are pretty thin, in stark contrast to Smith's Seahawks days when he had D.K. Metcalf, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Tyler Lockett at his disposal. In Vegas, it's pretty much Jakobi Meyers and a bunch of unproven players at the position, which will make things difficult for Smith. Tashan Reed of The Athletic provided an update on the Raiders' wide receiver situation after a recent joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers, and outside of Meyers, things didn't look pretty. Geno Smith #7 of the Las Vegas Raiders reacts during the NFL Preseason 2025 game between Las Vegas Raiders and Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on August 07, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. Geno Smith #7 of the Las Vegas Raiders reacts during the NFL Preseason 2025 game between Las Vegas Raiders and Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on August 07, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. Photo by"The other receivers had a hard time creating space against the 49ers' defensive backs," Reed wrote. "San Francisco leaned on aggressive coverages with a lot of press, and the Raiders receivers often got jammed up at the line of scrimmage." Reed noted that Tre Tucker came on toward the end of the session, but that Las Vegas will definitely need him to produce more regularly moving forward. "The Raiders are going to need him to be more consistent — and get more from all their non-Meyers receivers — to have an effective passing attack this year," Reed added. Tucker caught 47 passes for 539 yards and three touchdowns during his sophomore campaign in 2024, so perhaps a bigger season is in store for the former third-round pick this fall. But can the Raiders rely on him as a No. 2? Rookies Dont'e Thornton and Jack Bech are definitely intriguing, particularly Thornton's game-breaking ability. But both players are very raw and may not become big-time contributors right off the bat. More news: Seahawks Already Expected to Dump Sam Darnold for Explosive Replacement Luckily, Smith does have elite tight end Brock Bowers at the ready, but he will absolutely need some help from his wide receivers if he wants to genuinely have a successful debut campaign in Las Vegas. It also doesn't seem all that likely that the Raiders will be able to swing a trade for a wide out before Week 1, but that could be something to monitor going forward. For more on the Raiders and NFL, head to Newsweek Sports.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Jerry Jones' Cowboys Make NFL History Ahead of 2025 Season
Jerry Jones' Cowboys Make NFL History Ahead of 2025 Season originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Dallas Cowboys have built an empire unlike anything else in American sports. Year after year, they dominate conversations, not just for what happens on Sundays, but for the scale of their reach, the scope of their brand and the way their name alone sparks attention. From coast to coast, the Cowboys remain a constant presence in sports media cycles. Their history, their star logo and their reputation as 'America's Team' have created a cultural footprint that defies geography. Dallas hasn't been to the Super Bowl in decades, yet the team still sells out massive venues and headlines prime-time slots with ease. This combination of legacy, brand power and relentless marketing under owner Jerry Jones, has made the franchise as much a business empire as a football team. Now, in the weeks ahead of the 2025 NFL season, that empire has reached a new milestone that pushes it further ahead of the league it already leads. Dallas Cowboys Hit Record $12.8 Billion Valuation Sportico's latest 2025 ranking places the Dallas Cowboys at a jaw-dropping $12.8 billion, breaking their record and setting a new high-water mark for NFL franchise valuations. This is not just a modest climb. It's a significant leap, reinforcing the Cowboys' unrivaled financial dominance. In comparison, the next-closest NFL team, the Los Angeles Rams, comes in at roughly $10.43 billion. The gap between Dallas and the rest of the league is now wider than ever, cementing its brand as one of the most powerful in all of sports. Looking back at 2024, Sportico had already made headlines when the Cowboys crossed the $10.32 billion threshold, becoming the first professional sports franchise ever to exceed $10 billion in value. That figure represented a steep jump from an estimate of about $9.2 billion earlier in the same year, showing how quickly the team's market worth was accelerating. For perspective, the average NFL team was valued at around $5.9 billion at that time. This 2025 valuation doesn't just nudge the needle; it rockets it forward. It reflects how the Cowboys' brand continues to outperform their on-field record, powered by bold ownership decisions, high-profile stadium investments and unmatched cultural reach. Jerry Jones Continues Financial Domination Despite On-Field Silence Owner and general manager Jerry Jones, who purchased the team in 1989 for roughly $140 million, has turned the Cowboys into a business titan. Even without a Super Bowl appearance since the 1995 season, Jones has kept the franchise relevant and profitable through a blend of aggressive branding, bold stadium investments and constant media visibility. The team's home, AT&T Stadium, nicknamed 'Jerry World,' stands as a monument to this strategy. Costing $1.3 billion to build, it draws events well beyond football, from major concerts to championship boxing, fueling the Cowboys' financial engine and global profile. This marks the sixth consecutive year the Cowboys have topped Sportico's rankings. In 2024, they became the first NFL franchise to surpass $10 billion in value. As the 2025 NFL season approaches, fans will look for wins on the field, but the Cowboys have already secured a different kind of victory: one built on legacy, scale and unmatched financial clout. Sportico's 2025 NFL Franchise Valuations Rankings Dallas Cowboys, $12.8 billion Los Angeles Rams, $10.43 billion New York Giants, $10.25 billion New England Patriots, $8.76 billion San Francisco 49ers, $8.6 billion Philadelphia Eagles, $8.43 billion Miami Dolphins, $8.25 billion New York Jets, $8.11 billion Las Vegas Raiders, $7.9 billion Washington Commanders, $7.47 billion Chicago Bears, $7.45 billion Houston Texans, $7.17 billion Atlanta Falcons, $7.05 billion Seattle Seahawks, $6.59 billion Denver Broncos, $6.55 billion Kansas City Chiefs, $6.53 billion Pittsburgh Steelers, $6.51 billion Green Bay Packers, $6.48 billion Tampa Bay Buccaneers, $6.47 billion Minnesota Vikings, $6.28 billion Los Angeles Chargers, $6.21 billion Tennessee Titans, $6.2 billion Cleveland Browns, $6.14 billion Baltimore Ravens, $6 billion Detroit Lions, $5.88 billion Buffalo Bills, $5.87 billion Carolina Panthers, $5.76 billion Indianapolis Colts, $5.72 billion Arizona Cardinals, $5.66 billion New Orleans Saints, $5.63 billion Jacksonville Jaguars, $5.57 billion Cincinnati Bengals, $5.5 billionThis story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Ohio State football 2025 fan poll results: Ryan Day approval rating, expectations and more
The results from The Dispatch's first Ohio State football fan poll are in. More than 200 eople responded to a series of questions about the Buckeyes, ranging from the expectations for the upcoming season and direction under coach Ryan Day to their preferred kickoff times on fall Saturdays. It is evident that optimism is running high after the Buckeyes broke through to win their first national championship in Day's tenure in January, the result of a historic run in the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff. Here are the full results from the poll. 1. What do you consider the state of the program? Very good: 80.9% Good: 16.2 % Fair: 1.3% Poor: 0.0% Very poor: 1.7% It's evident that a national championship and high ranking in the preseason polls have given a demanding fan base some new perspective. 2. How did you feel about the 2024 season? Still on cloud nine after a historic playoff run: 65.1% Though a national title is the ultimate prize, it felt incomplete with the setbacks in the regular season: 22.1% I'm not over that debacle against Michigan: 10.6% Other: 2.2% The idea of being able to capture a national title without winning the Big Ten or beating your chief rival is still novel. Previous titles in the CFP and BCS era did not have the same blemishes. 3. How would you rate Ryan Day's six years as head coach? Excellent: 54.5% Above average: 39.6% Average: 3.4% Below average: 1.3% Poor: 1.3% The additions to the trophy lobby at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center bolster Day's approval rating. 4. How many games will the Buckeyes win in the upcoming season? 13 or more: 40.9% 11 or 12: 51.1% 8 to 10: 6.4% 7 or fewer: 1.7% In the era of the expanded playoff, the cutoff between the quarterfinals and semifinals is around 13 wins, so consider the fan base split on how far the Buckeyes will go this winter. 5. What best defines a successful season for Ohio State in 2025? Repeat as national champions: 16.6% Reach the CFP semifinals: 31.9% Make the CFP: 14% Win the Big Ten: 8.5% Beat Michigan: 26% Other: 3% It's not national championship or bust for the Buckeyes in 2025. Expectations are … a little lower? With a postseason run and a win at Michigan, most fans would seemingly be satisfied. 6. How will you feel about Ryan Day if the losing streak to Michigan is not snapped this year? Day endured calls for his firing following a fourth consecutive loss to Ohio State's bitter rival last November, but only 17 out of 235 responses advocated for his dismissal if the downturn continues this fall. Most expressed sentiments that ranged from disappointment to frustration. Others acknowledged the changing stakes in the sport. Some responses, lightly edited for clarity: 'He's got to get over this mental block. Coach the way he did against Tennessee and the 2nd Oregon games. But how can you argue with his winning percentage?' 'As we know, that game is no longer the end-all, be-all. It's on US as fans to adjust to this new reality.' 'I loved the incredible championship run this past year. I like Ryan Day and would judge him on the entire season. No, I wouldn't want to jump out of a window or go crazy with hate. That's for really stupid people! They played a lot of really good football teams last year. And will do the same this year!' 'Meh. There are actually more important goals.' 'Last season proved that a loss isn't the end of the world, but (the Buckeyes) have to win against TTUN. It's not job-dependent in 2025, but the negative streak has got to end.' 'He needs to seriously figure something out. ... He's a great coach, I love him, but one of the main jobs as the head coach of the Buckeyes is to beat TTUN.' 'You don't hang banners for beating TTUN, but I will be pretty angry/confused.' 'Living on borrowed time. We're not doing 2-10-1 again.' 7. Who will be Ohio State's team MVP this year? S Caleb Downs: 21.7% WR Jeremiah Smith: 65.5% LB Sonny Styles: 5.1% WR Carnell Tate: 3% Other: 4.7% Smith is widely seen as the best player in college football, and nearly two-thirds of respondents see him as carrying the Buckeyes this year. 8. What grade would you give the Buckeyes' offseason? A: 35.7% B: 58.3% C: 4.3% D: 0.9% F: 0.9% The Buckeyes' latest offseason was not as splashy as in 2024, when they hired a sitting Big Ten coach to call their offense, but most are pleased on the whole. 9. How confident are you in Matt Patricia as defensive coordinator? Very confident: 17.4% Confident: 51.5% Fairly confident: 20% Slightly confident: 6.4% Not confident: 4.7% While Patricia last coached in college as a graduate assistant at Syracuse more than two decades ago, any concerns about his acclimation are pretty muted. 10. Who was the best transfer portal acquisition? DE Beau Atkinson: 10.6% OT Phillip Daniels: 9.8% RB CJ Donaldson Jr.: 8.9% DE Logan George: 6% TE Max Klare: 47.2% OT Ethan Onianwa: 12.3% Other: 5.2% Klare's 51 receptions at Purdue last season would have been the second-most ever by an Ohio State tight, making him an alluring addition to the offense. 11. Did Ohio State miss on adding a quarterback through the transfer portal? Yes: 9.4% No: 90.6% While the Buckeyes found their national championship-winning quarterback through the transfer portal the previous year, few respondents saw it as an approach to replicate. 12. Who will win Ohio State's starting quarterback competition? Lincoln Kienholz: 7.7% Julian Sayin: 90.6% Other: 1.7% Day said last week that the battle between Kienholz and Sayin would go down to the wire, but most see little suspense. 13. Will Jeremiah Smith win the Heisman Trophy this year? Yes: 30.6% No: 69.4% History might be a consideration, even with Smith's high profile. Only one pure wide receiver has ever won the Heisman Trophy in Alabama's DeVonta Smith in 2020. 14. Which freshman excites you the most? S Faheem Delane: 2.1% RB Bo Jackson: 31.9% OT Carter Lowe: 3% LB Riley Pettijohn: 7.7% WR Quincy Porter: 9.4% CB Devin Sanchez: 26.8% QB Tavien St. Clair: 15.7% Other: 3.4% While there is excitement surrounding St. Clair, a former five-star recruit from Bellefontaine who figures to be the Buckeyes' quarterback of the future, his immediate impact will be more limited. Jackson and Sanchez could see the most snaps among the freshmen. 15. Which area are you most confident in the program's operations? High school recruiting: 26.8% Player development: 59.1% Transfer portal retention and selection: 14% The fruits of development were obvious in January. A roster filled with players with years of experience in the program was arguably the biggest factor in the Buckeyes' title. 16. What do you like and/or do not like about gameday at Ohio Stadium? The draws and drawbacks might be obvious. Pros: tradition, especially the marching band. 'The ramp entrance still gives me goosebumps,' one wrote, 'and Script Ohio of course.' Cons: the cost of tickets, the length of games, TV timeouts and energy within the stands. As another wrote, 'I like the historic nature of every game by virtue of the facility. I dislike that it is not always as noisy as it should be for one of the biggest and best college programs.' 17. How do you feel about the frequency of noon kickoffs? Too many: 67.7% About right: 27.2% Too few: 5.1% Fatigue with noon kickoffs is real after the Buckeyes' final six games in the 2024 regular season all began at 12 p.m. 18. Which is your favorite telecast of OSU games? ABC/ESPN: 43% CBS: 8.1% BTN: 5.1% FOX: 37.9% NBC: 1.7% Maybe the best telecasts are the ones airing your team's championship run. ESPN has long held the exclusive media rights for the CFP, so while it does not telecast the Big Ten during the regular season, the network had all four of Ohio State's playoff wins. 19. Which pregame TV show do you prefer? A: "Big Noon Kickoff": 24.7% B: "College GameDay": 57% C: Neither: 18.3% The older of the college football pregame shows is also the more popular one. 20. Should another Buckeye get a statue outside Ohio Stadium after Archie Griffin? A: Yes: 35.3% B: No: 64.7% The school unveiled a statue of Griffin, the former tailback who remains the only two-time winner of the Heisman Trophy, under the stadium's rotunda last year. No one else is immortalized outside the Horseshoe, and the majority do not see reason for that to change so soon. 21. If yes, who should receive a second statue? Eight suggested Chic Harley, the All-American running back who increased the popularity of the Buckeyes in Columbus in the late 1910s, leading to the construction of Ohio Stadium, as former Dispatch columnist Bob Hunter recounted in a biography. Six others proposed another statue for legendary coach Woody Hayes. Four proposed ones for Howard Cassady and Eddie George, two other Heisman Trophy-winning backs. 22. Will Ohio State win a second national championship under Ryan Day? Yes: 85.1% No: 14.9% Neither Urban Meyer nor Jim Tressel led the Buckeyes to multiple national titles in their tenures, a feat in program history that has only been accomplished by Hayes, but a significant majority expect Day to join the rare company. Joey Kaufman covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Email him at jkaufman@ and follow along on Bluesky, Instagram and X for more. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State football 2025 fan poll results: What are expectations?
