Latest news with #Women'sNationalBasketballAssociation
USA Today
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Eminem surprise appearance delights fans at Jelly Roll, Post Malone show
Eminem surprise appearance delights fans at Jelly Roll, Post Malone show Show Caption Hide Caption Eminem joins bid to bring WNBA back to Detroit Rapper Eminem has joined a group of investors in a bid to expand the Women's National Basketball Association in his native city of Detroit. unbranded - Sport Before he wrapped an hourlong set at Detroit's Ford Field, Jelly Roll had one last trick up his sleeve. As he performed a cover of "Lose Yourself" — a favorite of his while visiting the Motor City — the country-rocker glanced to the stage wings. And sure enough, accompanied by a near-deafening roar May 18 inside the sold-out stadium, out strode Eminem. The Detroit-born rapper picked up the second verse of his signature 2002 hit, joining Jelly Roll as the two eventually made their way down the runway for the song's familiar chorus. Eminem becomes grandfather as daughter Hailie Jade welcomes baby boy The "Lose Yourself" moment came at the end of a multigenre medley that featured some Lynyrd Skynyrd, Nickelback, DMX, Miley Cyrus and Wiz Khalifa. It's a longtime feature of Jelly Roll shows, and its savvy, crowd-pleasing blend harks back to another Detroit staple: Kid Rock. But it was Eminem who got to steal the show from everybody, and nobody seemed happier about it than Jelly Roll himself: Pumping his fists, shaking his head in a giddy disbelief, he told fans it had just become "the greatest show" of his life. It was among the highlights of a festive night, which found Post Malone headlining the eighth stop of his latest tour, a lengthy transatlantic outing set to run through September. This is not Eminem's first surprise visit to the stadium. In 2023, the rapper made a similar "Lose Yourself" cameo during an Ed Sheeran concert. Jelly Roll has long been a loud, avowed Eminem fan. The two met for the first time nearly a year ago at the concert celebrating the reopening of Detroit's Michigan Central Station. Post Malone and Jelly Roll are heading on a 'Big' tour: How to get tickets In front of a raucous crowd, Post Malone treated fans to a two-hour set, mingling older hits with a heavy helping of material from "F-1 Trillion," his new chart-topping sojourn into country music. The show brought a high-energy, beer-chugging, Friday-night atmosphere to the Sunday evening affair. Another surprise guest, Dallas rapper BigXThaPlug, appeared in the show's homestretch, emerging for a quick performance of his viral hit "Texas," while Jelly Roll stepped back out to duet with Post Malone on "Losers," a catchy number from the new album.
RNZ News
02-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Basketballer Te-Hina Paopao carries Tokelauen heritage into WNBA
By Elena Pasilio* in Tokelau Te-Hina Paopao has never set foot on the atolls of Tokelau where her family roots run but she has cemented her footprints in Tokelau history as the first of Tokelau heritage to be drafted into the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). "I loved it," she said on Zoom about taking her historic place in the league. "It's something I'm proud of and something I'm going to cherish." WMBA star Te-Hina Paopao celebrates being drafted with her family. Photo: Supplied/ Te-Hina Paopao When Te-Hina Paopao was drafted by the Atlanta Dream on April 14, 2025, she didn't attend the draft venue in New York City and instead chose to celebrate with her close family and friends in Oceanside, California. Adorned in flower garlands and crown, a puletasi matching pair with her family and a tifa - the traditional Tokelauan wear that honours the value of women - she carried her Polynesian heritage with quiet pride. "Something that I'm actually really proud of was wearing a pule (tasi) at my draft party," Te-Hina shared with RNZ. "We wore it as a family unit, me and my siblings and my dad and mum were matching with the same fabric." FROM LEFT: Isaia Paopao, losefa Aviu, Tiare Paopao, Te-Hina Paopao, Te-Hina Nansen (Niece), Paul Paopao (Father) Linkoln Nansen (Nephew) Diana Aviu Paopao (Mother) Israel Paopao. Photo: supplied/ Te-Hina Paopao For Te-Hina, this special day wasn't just about personal achievement - it was about representation. "It's something that I wanted to showcase because not a lot of people know about our culture, especially in the league," she said. "And that's something that I wanted to start off on the right foot was letting people know that I'm really proud of my culture." Te-Hina's choice of traditional attire and her decision to celebrate with her family was a statement in a space where Pacific representation is rare. "You'll see me wearing more pule (tasi) before game days," she said. "So, you know, tune in, see what the fabric will be looking like." Te-Hina Paopao with her family. Photo: supplied/ Te-Hina Paopao For young aspiring Pacific Island athletes watching her rise, Te-Hina's message emphasises the importance of leaning on family support, on cultural heritage and an unwavering sense of faith. "There's no pressure at all, just be who you are," she urges kids in the Pacific. "Have great faith, trust in God, lean on your family because your family's always gonna have your back. Trust the process and just take it one day at a time." Although she has made history, Te-Hina spoke to RNZ with the humility of someone who knows her journey is only beginning. "The work doesn't stop," she said. "I mean, now I got a job - and that job is to play basketball. And outside of that, I'm just speaking on who I am and trying to bring everyone to know more about my culture." * This story was written by Elena Pasilio, who is Nukunonu's environment officer and a trained journalist.
Bloomberg
24-04-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
The David Rubenstein Show: Cathy Engelbert
From being the first-ever female CEO of a Big Four consulting firm, Deloitte, to being appointed commissioner of the Women's National Basketball Association in 2019, Cathy Engelbert says basketball ran in her DNA — so it seemed like a natural next step in her career. Under her leadership, the WNBA has seen significant growth in viewership, sponsorships, and media deals. In an episode of The David Rubenstein Show: Peer-to-Peer Conversations, she discusses her turnaround strategy for the league, her hopes to further expand and globalize the game, and why it's worth investing in women's sports. This interview was recorded on March 25 at NBA Headquarters in New York. (Source: Bloomberg)
Axios
17-04-2025
- Sport
- Axios
UH poll: Houstonians want more entertainment
From pro sports to theme parks, Houston residents are hungry for more ways to spend their free time, per a new survey by the University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs. Why it matters: When it comes to things to do, the city trails the Dallas-Fort Worth area, which already has both Women's National Basketball Association and National Hockey League teams — plus two major theme parks. Houston has none. "Houstonians want to see that change," says Mark P. Jones, a political science fellow at Rice University who worked on the survey. Driving the news: Six in 10 Houstonians said they're either very or somewhat enthusiastic about bringing a WNBA team back to the city. Almost as many (57%) are very or somewhat enthusiastic about having an NHL team, per the survey. The survey, conducted March 29-April 4, includes responses from about 1,400 registered Houston voters and has a margin of error of ± 2.62%. It builds on an earlier report about city services and quality of life. Stunning stat: Almost two-thirds of respondents said they are enthusiastic about the possibility of a destination theme park opening in the area. More than half said they would visit such a theme park at least once a year. What they're saying: "We found a strong interest among Houstonians for getting out and being active," Renée Cross, researcher and senior executive director of the Hobby School, said in a statement. "The support for more entertainment and sporting options reflects this enthusiasm." Other fun facts: 48% of Houstonians reported having visited Hermann Park, while 46% said they went to Memorial Park and 33% visited Discovery Green during the past year. Between the lines: Younger people (ages 18-34), those with children at home and those with a college degree were most likely to have visited one of the city's major public parks within the last year.
USA Today
15-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Seattle Storm select Jalen Sundell's sister Serena Sundell in WNBA draft
The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) held its annual draft on Monday. With the No. 26 overall selection, the first pick of the third round, the Seattle Storm selected Kansas State combo guard Serena Sundell. She is the brother of Seattle Seahawks interior offensive lineman Jalen Sundell. Sundell was the Storm's first selection. The Seattle-based professional women's basketball team did not own selections in the first or second round as a result of previous trades. They did own two additional picks in the third round, drafting TCU's Madison Conner and Michigan's Jordan Hobbs. Jalen Sundell joined the Seahawks as an undrafted free agent last year. He ended up making the 53-man roster, earning a role as a reserve interior offensive lineman. The Seahawks see developmental potential for Sundell as he prepares for his sophomore campaign in 2025. "He can play several different positions," general manager John Schneider said about Sundell during the annual league ownership meetings. "The staff really likes him. He's smart, tough, reliable. That's going to be interesting. Those two guys, that's going to be pretty interesting there, but center's going to be hard (to find an upgrade in the draft)." Sundell is apparently scheduled to compete for a starting gig. He'll have the nearby support of his sister who will be embarking on her professional basketball career with the Seattle Storm. Congratulations to the Sundell's!
