Latest news with #WNBA
Yahoo
19 minutes ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dwyane Wade breaks down how the current WNBA players are fighting for a better future: "We are in a space right now where we see the league growing in front of our eyes"
Dwyane Wade breaks down how the current WNBA players are fighting for a better future: "We are in a space right now where we see the league growing in front of our eyes" originally appeared on Basketball Network. The 2025 WNBA All-Star Game is officially in the books, and oh, boy, if there was ever a statement that this league is booming, it was made at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, the home of the Fever and the Pacers. Even without the nominally biggest star, Caitlin Clark, who sat out nursing a groin injury of hers, the rest of the pack, from Angel Reese and A'ja Wilson to Breanna Stewart to Kelsey Plum, made sure fans got a show. But the biggest highlight wasn't just on the court. Players used the much-awaited national spotlight to push one very important conversation forward, as they all showed up in shirts that read "Pay Us What You Owe Us." Making it clear that, as much as this was a moment to relax and showcase basketball skills, it was also a reminder that the fight for more, both money and acknowledgment, is still far from over. The WNBA is boomin' That's the story of this WNBA season, a league enjoying the glow-up while never losing sight of the battles that still need to be won. These women aren't just hooping for themselves. They're hoping for the next generation of girls who will inherit a different league than the one we're watching today. The WNBA has come a long way. Bigger TV deals, arenas that draw more spectators and growing endorsement opportunities have made the league more marketable, more competitive and, frankly, more exciting for fans. But for the players, the growth goes beyond the numbers. It's about building something that lasts. Dwyane Wade, a 13-time NBA All-Star and the minority owner of the Chicago Sky, spoke on his podcast "The Timeout" about just how important that fight is. "The one thing is, what a lot of, even us NBA players, what we don't understand when it comes to the guys before us is we always take it as hate a lot. 'Oh, the older guys that hatin' on us,' and it feels like that when you are a younger guy and the older are talking about the game or about how much money you make," Wade argued in the recent episode. "When you look at the WNBA now, they are putting on for, yes, they talkin' about themselves but ultimately knowing that some people in this league today will not get the chance to experience what the league would eventually be…" the Miami Heat icon added. "We are in a space right now where we can see a league that is growing in our eyes. We didn't see that in the NBA because by the time we watched it, it seemed like it's already grown." Fighting for a better future for the WNBA It is the point of the whole conversation about what, on the surface, looks like a desire for more money. The women dominating the WNBA today may not fully reap the rewards of what they're fighting for, but they're doing it knowing that the next generation will. And that's what makes this moment so special. The WNBA is at a rare intersection: talented enough to pull in massive audiences, bold enough to challenge the system and still young enough as a league to reinvent itself. With generational stars like Reese and Clark, alongside many voices of support for their struggle, like Wade's, are planting the seeds of a better future. And we are all there to witness it. Will it happen overnight? No. But the message coming out of All-Star weekend was clear: the current generation isn't just here to play. They're here to make sure that by the time the next wave of players steps into the league, the WNBA won't need to ask for story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Caitlin Clark rookie card sells for $660,000, smashing women's sports card record
Another Caitlin Clark card, another record for the most expensive women's sports card ever. Clark's 2024 Panini WNBA Rookie Royalty Flawless patch autographed one-of-one rookie card sold for $660,000 through Fanatics Collect's July Premier auction Thursday night. This card nearly doubled the March sale of a different one-of-a-kind Clark card, her 2024 Panini Prizm WNBA Signatures Gold Vinyl autograph rookie card, which went for $366,000 through Goldin Auctions. This record sale could have quick competition, though. Clark's one-of-a-kind Immaculate patch autographed rookie card, also from the Rookie Royalty set, is up for auction. The card currently holds a price of $219,600 on Goldin with the auction set to end Aug. 9. Thursday's sale is another example of Clark's card market being unfazed by her injury riddled 2025 season. She's only played in 13 of the Indiana Fever's 25 games so far — even missing this year's WNBA All-Star Game in Indianapolis — with calf and groin injuries. A few key elements set the Rookie Royalty one-of-ones apart from the Prizm card that previously held the record sale. The autograph on the Flawless and Immaculate cards are directly on the card — this is far more desirable to collectors than autographed stickers that are placed on cards, which is what the Prizm card has. In addition, the Flawless and Immaculate cards also feature the WNBA 'Logowoman' patch from Indiana Fever jerseys. Even though they're from jerseys that weren't personally worn by Clark, league logo patches command a premium in cards. Clark also inscribed the Flawless card with '769 pts and counting.' This refers to how many points she scored during her 2024 campaign in which she won the WNBA rookie of the year award. The Immaculate card is inscribed with 'ROY 24' to signify Clark's rookie of the year honors. The Flawless and Immaculate brands typically stand as two of Panini's top high-end products, meaning the cards from those sets command some of the highest price tags for collectors to buy on the secondary market. Flawless and Immaculate have traditionally been a stand-alone sets, but Panini inserted the brands and other high-end company labels like National Treasures and Noir within the Rookie Royalty boxes. That means there is also a similar one-of-a-kind National Treasures Clark Logowoman autographed card in Rookie Royalty, too. This wasn't the only part of the unusual set up. Panini launched its Dutch auction for the boxes containing two cards starting at $30,000. Most boxes sold for around $4,000, though. Each box includes just two cards and is guaranteed to contain an on-card autograph of either Clark or Angel Reese and a Downtown or Kaboom insert of one of 12 players (including Clark and Reese). The Athletic maintains full editorial independence in all our coverage. When you click or make purchases through our links, we may earn a commission. This article originally appeared in The Athletic. Indiana Fever, WNBA, Sports Business, Memorabilia & Collectibles 2025 The Athletic Media Company
New York Times
4 hours ago
- Business
- New York Times
Caitlin Clark rookie card sells for $660,000, smashing women's sports card record
Another Caitlin Clark card, another record for the most expensive women's sports card ever. Clark's 2024 Panini WNBA Rookie Royalty Flawless patch autographed one-of-one rookie card sold for $660,000 through Fanatics Collect's July Premier auction Thursday night. This card nearly doubled the March sale of a different one-of-a-kind Clark card, her 2024 Panini Prizm WNBA Signatures Gold Vinyl autograph rookie card, which went for $366,000 through Goldin Auctions. Advertisement This record sale could have quick competition, though. Clark's one-of-a-kind Immaculate patch autographed rookie card, also from the Rookie Royalty set, is up for auction. The card currently holds a price of $219,600 on Goldin with the auction set to end Aug. 9. Thursday's sale is another example of Clark's card market being unfazed by her injury riddled 2025 season. She's only played in 13 of the Indiana Fever's 25 games so far — even missing this year's WNBA All-Star Game in Indianapolis — with calf and groin injuries. A few key elements set the Rookie Royalty one-of-ones apart from the Prizm card that previously held the record sale. The autograph on the Flawless and Immaculate cards are directly on the card — this is far more desirable to collectors than autographed stickers that are placed on cards, which is what the Prizm card has. In addition, the Flawless and Immaculate cards also feature the WNBA 'Logowoman' patch from Indiana Fever jerseys. Even though they're from jerseys that weren't personally worn by Clark, league logo patches command a premium in cards. Clark also inscribed the Flawless card with '769 pts and counting.' This refers to how many points she scored during her 2024 campaign in which she won the WNBA rookie of the year award. The Immaculate card is inscribed with 'ROY 24' to signify Clark's rookie of the year honors. The Flawless and Immaculate brands typically stand as two of Panini's top high-end products, meaning the cards from those sets command some of the highest price tags for collectors to buy on the secondary market. Flawless and Immaculate have traditionally been a stand-alone sets, but Panini inserted the brands and other high-end company labels like National Treasures and Noir within the Rookie Royalty boxes. That means there is also a similar one-of-a-kind National Treasures Clark Logowoman autographed card in Rookie Royalty, too. This wasn't the only part of the unusual set up. Advertisement Panini launched its Dutch auction for the boxes containing two cards starting at $30,000. Most boxes sold for around $4,000, though. Each box includes just two cards and is guaranteed to contain an on-card autograph of either Clark or Angel Reese and a Downtown or Kaboom insert of one of 12 players (including Clark and Reese). The Athletic maintains full editorial independence in all our coverage. When you click or make purchases through our links, we may earn a commission.
Newsweek
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
A'ja Wilson Makes WNBA History vs Indiana Fever
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. Some believe Las Vegas Aces star A'ja Wilson to be the best player in the WNBA today, and her professional accolades seem to back that up. A seven-time All-Star, a four-time All-WNBA first-team selection, a three-time league MVP, two-time WNBA champion, two-time Defensive Player of the Year, and WNBA Finals MVP, Wilson has a resume that's second-to-none. And despite the Aces falling to .500 with an 80-70 loss to the Indiana Fever on Thursday, Wilson still played like the best player on the court. The 28-year-old center scored a team-high 20 points along with six rebounds, three steals, two assists, and a block — and she wrote her name in the WNBA record books as well. A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces reacts to a score during the second half of a game against the Dallas Wings at College Park Center on July 16, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces reacts to a score during the second half of a game against the Dallas Wings at College Park Center on July 16, 2025 in Arlington, Basketball: Angel Reese Bracing for WNBA Suspension After Sky-Lynx Wilson tied recently retired Phoenix Mercury legend Diana Taurasi for the most 20-point games through her first eight seasons (150), according to espnW. Taurasi, 43, retired after the 2024 season. She was an 11-time All-Star, 10-time All-WNBA first-team selection, five-time league scoring champion, three-time WNBA champion, and two-time WNBA Finals MVP. A'ja Wilson joining elite company 🤝 making WNBA history — espnW (@espnW) July 25, 2025 More Basketball: Wings Rookie Paige Bueckers Ties WNBA Record vs. Seattle Storm It was Wilson's 13th 20-point game this season, and her 10th since the beginning of June. Her next 20-point game will give her sole possession of the record. Wilson is tied with Los Angeles Sparks guard Kelsey Plum for the third-most 20-point games this season behind Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (16) and Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell (14). Wilson's feat is just the latest in a long list of records and notable accomplishments in her career. This year, she became the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 5,000 career points, and she became just the second player ever to be a unanimous MVP selection.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
WNBA All-Star Game Performer Arrested On Felony Charge
WNBA All-Star Game Performer Arrested On Felony Charge originally appeared on The Spun. The WNBA All-Star Weekend took place in Indianapolis, Indiana, to rave reviews. While Caitlin Clark was unable to play in the game - or take part in the 3-Point Contest - thousands of fans still flocked to Indianapolis for the special weekend. The 3-Point Contest was won by Sabrina Ionescu, the players wore "Pay Us What You Owe Us" T-shirts before the game and the TV ratings were solid. However, one of the halftime performers from the WNBA All-Star Game has since been arrested. And she has reportedly been arrested on a felony charge. It's troubling. Rapper GloRilla, who performed at halftime of the WNBA All-Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, was arrested on a felony drug possession charge, according to TMZ. From the report: As we told you, GloRilla's house was broken into this weekend ... by the time cops arrived, the suspects were gone -- but investigators say they encountered weed in their search for the burglars, and the rapper was then charged with felony drug possession. The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office tells TMZ ... deputies responded to a report of a burglary in progress Saturday around 1:30 AM at a residence in the Atlanta suburbs. The sheriff's office says three suspects entered the house when an "armed occupant fired at the intruders." Her lawyers have since spoken out. "When her family members did the right thing and called law enforcement, instead of investigating the violent home invasion and theft at Ms. Woods' home, they instead sought a search warrant when they spotted what they believed was a small amount of marijuana," the attorneys said. "Law enforcement then sought arrest warrants for her even though she hadn't been at her home for some time. No arrest warrants have been issued for the violent home invaders. Ms. Woods is a victim, not a suspect. This is our tax dollars at work, absolutely unbelievable." Police, meanwhile, are standing by their decision. "The homeowner is a victim of a serious crime, and we are committed to bringing the suspects to justice," Sheriff Ron Freeman said in a statement, according to FOX 5 in Atlanta. "At the same time, we must continue to uphold and enforce the law in all aspects of this case." WNBA All-Star Game Performer Arrested On Felony Charge first appeared on The Spun on Jul 24, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jul 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
