Latest news with #rivalry
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
"Thanks for the Nike ad" - Caitlin Clark fires back at Kelsey Plum after her thoughtless Instagram post
"Thanks for the Nike ad" - Caitlin Clark fires back at Kelsey Plum after her thoughtless Instagram post originally appeared on Basketball Network. The rivalry between Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark and Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese has helped the WNBA reach the popularity it has today. Some even compared them to Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, who brought their college competition from the college ranks to the pros and revolutionized the NBA. But while the Clark-Reese rivalry remains as strong as ever, the former may be building another one with Kelsey Plum. During last season's WNBA All-Star Game, Plum earned notoriety for picking up Clark full court on defense, despite it being an exhibition game. She explained why she did it, and Clark's fans seemed to have accepted her reasoning. But in recent weeks, the two have been going back and forth, although with words and off the court only. The most recent one was Clark commenting on an Instagram post by Plum. Plum had the Swoosh on her Instagram post After the All-Star weekend in Indiana, every All-Star was talking about their experience on social media. Plum herself did it with an Instagram post captioned, "What a weekend." But perhaps innocently, she did not realize that in the background of her photo was the Nike logo, and Clark was quick to point that out to her. Plum used to be a Nike athlete, but in 2022, she jumped ship and signed with Under Armour after five years with the Swoosh brand. She wore the "Plumberry" colorway of UA Breakthru 5 shoes during Saturday's WNBA All-Star game. Meanwhile, Clark is Nike's top WNBA athlete, whom they re-signed to a $28 million multi-year deal in April 2024. She wears PEs of Kobe Bryant's shoes, and she's debuted a handful in the last couple of months. For the All-Star game, Clark paraded a new Kobe 5 Protro PE. Related: Dave Portnoy says anybody who doesn't think WNBA players deserve a salary raise is a moron: "This is marketing and the ability to make money on this league" Plum took a swipe at Clark's team Clark's comment may have been a revenge for what Plum said about her one day earlier. Reporters asked Plum about the All-Stars wearing a black T-shirt printed with "Pay us what you owe us" at the front. After explaining how they ended up wearing the shirt, she took a jab at Clark by saying that zero members of her team were present at the players' meeting. Sabrina Ionescu, who was on the podium with her, was unimpressed with her bringing that up. "That really needed to be mentioned," she said sarcastically. Earlier this season, Plum told a fan wearing a Clark T-shirt inside Arena to "do better" before giving her a Los Angeles Sparks shirt and taking a picture with her. A week earlier, when the Sparks faced the Fever, she also tried to get the referees to call a technical foul on Clark, who didn't play but was standing and talking on the Indiana bench. It looked like both Plum and Clark were laughing after the "snitching" incident, and everything seemed to be friendly banter between two WNBA stars. Still, this thing between them could be low-key becoming a new rivalry in the league. Related: "It was a very powerful moment" - Kelsey Plum explained why the WNBA All-Stars decided to wear "Pay us what you owe us" shirts during warmups This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
Free Malaysia Today
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Awang Tengah shoots down factional feud claims
Sarawak deputy premier Awang Tengah Ali Hassan said the unfounded claims have sparked suspicion among certain quarters, painting him as someone who is 'power crazy'. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Sarawak deputy premier Awang Tengah Ali Hassan has shot down allegations of a brewing silent rivalry between those aligned with him and supporters of premier Abang Johari Openg. He dismissed the notion of a power struggle, insisting that the allegations were unfounded, The Borneo Post reported. He also disputed FMT's report which stated that the rivalry between the factions aligned with each leader had been intensifying ahead of a potential showdown that could determine the state's future direction. Awang Tengah, who is the state international trade and investment minister, also challenged the source cited in the report. 'It's nothing more than rubbish. 'I am not one to pretend. My support for Abang Johari's leadership is undivided,' he told reporters after chairing Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu's Bukit Sari branch committee meeting in Lawas last night. His dismissal of the claims comes a day after Abang Johari said the 'baseless' allegations were driven by jealousy over Sarawak's rapidly growing economy. Awang Tengah said the unfounded claims have, to some extent, sparked suspicion among certain quarters, painting him as someone who is 'power crazy'. 'I believe in what was instilled in me, which is the spirit of teamwork, loyalty to leadership and prioritising the party over any form of factionalism. 'I hold firmly to these principles,' he said. On Thursday, FMT cited a source as saying the rivalry between the factions aligned with each leader could trigger intensive political manoeuvring in the months ahead, with the next state election slated for 2026. Abang Johari commands strong support among rural voters and delegates from PBB, which he leads, according to the source. He also has the support of the state's civil service, having aggressively pursued infrastructure development, digital economy initiatives and autonomy over state revenue, which flows through the government machinery. Awang Tengah, who is a PBB deputy president, is seen by some as a charismatic leader, with the source saying that he also commands significant grassroots support and is an efficient administrator of state development projects. PBB information chief Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah had dismissed talk of a power struggle, saying PBB's top two leaders were not in competition with each other.
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Watch – Barcelona fans hurl vile chants targeting Vinicius Jr. ahead of Copa del Rey final
Seville is buzzing as a large number of football fans have thronged the streets ahead of the Copa del Rey final between Real Madrid and Barcelona tonight at Estadio de La Cartuja. There has been a lot of tension in the lead-up to the game and given the rivalry and animosity between the two teams, fans clashing was always a possibility. Advertisement As confirmed by COPE a while back, police have already arrested a Barcelona fan for assaulting a Real Madrid supporter. Barcelona fans chant against Vinicius Jr. Despite that, the Barcelona supporters are still stirring up troubles in Seville as they have taken to hurling vile and abusive chants towards Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Jr. The Brazilian international has been constantly targeted by fan groups from opposition teams and heading into tonight's grand finale, a section of Barça supporters did the same, as they started chanting: 'Vinicius, d*e.' The rivalry between the two clubs means tempers are expected to flare, but chants of this nature, wishing death on an opponent, are simply unacceptable. Advertisement Vinicius, over the past year and a half or so, has been a target of racist and abusive chants from opposition fans. The Real Madrid superstar, at times, has allowed the frustration and anger get the better of him, but must ignore all the outside noise if he is to lead his team to the trophy tonight.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Ravi Shastri claims Ashes is NOT Australia's biggest rivalry and singles out one England star for turning India series in their favour
Ravi Shastri reckons that despite its 143-year history, the Ashes is no longer Australia 's biggest cricket rivalry. England v Australia stretches back to 1882-83, but world cricket's oldest series has now been surpassed by India v Australia, Shastri told The Overlap and Betfair's Stick to Cricket show, citing the record attendance of 373,691 at last winter's Boxing Day Test in Melbourne as evidence. 'I would say, in the years I played, the biggest rivalry is India v Pakistan. The interest it generates from the outside is massive,' said the former India head coach. 'Having said that, in the last 10 years, India v Australia has taken off. In cricketing terms, India v Australia has produced some series. 'This year, you've got record crowds into the MCG for Boxing Day. The largest number of people that came in since Don Bradman's team in 1936. 'Now, I think that The Ashes will get a lot of people, but to upstage that you have to have a great series and probably the best crowd ever.' That could be possible, with Cricket Australia reporting 50,000 ticket sales to English fans alone within the first 24 hours of general purchase last month. It coincides with a feeling that this England side under Ben Stokes is the best equipped to win down under since the 3-1 victory in 2010-11. Fast bowlers Jofra Archer and Mark Wood should be fit, improving England's firepower, and Shastri reckons they could also benefit from including Liam Dawson ahead of Shoaib Bashir. A fractured finger for Somerset off-spinner Bashir, 21, has led to the recall of veteran Dawson this week, following an eight-year absence at Test level. But Shastri, a former spinner himself, said: 'You will need a spinner to do a controlling job, more than anything else. Someone who can keep it tight on a hot day, and hopefully give you some runs as well. 'Australia will be hard (for Bashir). You might need a spinner to give you more with the bat. Dawson's a good choice there.' As for the here and now, Shastri has praised Ben Stokes' influence in England opening up a 2-1 lead when, on the balance of play, the scoreline could be drastically different. Shastri was also full of praise for Ben Stokes' efforts in England's victory against India at Lord's Shastri also highlighted the importance of Liam Dawson's recall with Shoaib Bashir out injured 'If India had seized their moments it could have been 3-0 but England have shown a lot of character, first at Leeds, then again on the final day at Lord's, where the captain put his hands up, bowled those long spells, put his neck on the line and pulled it off. It is set up beautifully,' the 63-year-old said. 'If you saw the two captains, Shubman Gill was having an outstanding series and Stokes was getting there. 'You could almost sense at Edgbaston, he was preserving himself, wanting enough in the tank to go to Lord's at full pelt.' The fourth Test of five begins in Manchester on Wednesday, although forecast rain could disrupt its start.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Commentary: LAFC fans put aside their rivalry with Galaxy to stand in solidarity against ICE
There are more important things than the results of a soccer game. Even when that soccer game is between bitter rivals whose supporters would rather bust one another's heads than shake hands. The El Tráfico match between LAFC and the Galaxy is one of those proper rivalries. In just eight seasons, it has blossomed into the most intense, meaningful and emotional rivalry in MLS. And at times, especially in the derby's early years, that emotion went largely unchecked, with some fans seeing their nights end in handcuffs or a hospital emergency room. Last Saturday was different. Well, at least it started differently before ending with the same wild raucousness that has come to define El Tráfico. More about that in a bit. But first, some background. Read more: Galaxy scores in final minute to force draw with LAFC in tense El Tráfico contest More than six weeks ago, masked federal agents, soon to be backed by National Guard troops and U.S. Marines, began invading neighborhoods across Southern California during immigration raids that The Times reported increased fear while leading to more than 2,700 arrests. More than two-thirds of those arrested had never been convicted of a crime and 57% had never been charged with a crime. And this is where the story becomes a soccer one. Soccer, by custom and breeding, is an immigrant sport. Like pizza, sushi and Halloween, soccer was imported to the U.S. by immigrants and was popularized in immigrant neighborhoods before spreading to the culture at large. So for many soccer fans, the violent raids, which upended families and communities, were personal. Angel City FC, Los Angeles' National Women's Soccer League team, and LAFC reacted immediately. Within hours of the first raids, both teams issued statements of support of their fans. Read more: Commentary: Angel City takes stand against immigration raids as others stay silent 'When so many in our city are feeling fear and uncertainty,' the LAFC statement read in part, 'LAFC stands shoulder to shoulder with all members of our community." The Galaxy and its parent company, AEG, like the rest of MLS, have so far been silent — a silence that has been deafening to so many of its supporters, they began boycotting the team and its activities. Longtime season-ticket holders have canceled their orders and at Saturday's El Tráfico at BMO Stadium the three sections in the upper deck reserved for fans of the visiting team were nearly half empty for the first time. So LAFC's supporters' union stepped into the void, delivering the message Galaxy fans have yet to get from their club: we have your back. Just before kickoff LAFC fans in the north stand unfurled a massive banner that read: 'Los Angeles Unidos Jamás Será Vencido" ("Los Angeles, united, will never be defeated.") The message is a take on a revolutionary slogan that begins 'the people united.' It originated in Chile in the 1970s but has long been popular with grassroots movements throughout Latin America because its meaning transcends political — and soccer — affiliations to deliver a universal truth about unity and justice. In this fight, the LAFC supporters were saying, the two local MLS teams were on the same side. It wasn't exactly joining hands with Galaxy supporters and singing "Kumbaya." But it was close. Given soccer's history and heritage, it's both sad and revealing that LAFC remains the only MLS organization that has spoken out about the fear and frustration the immigration raids have caused. This isn't a political issue, after all; LAFC's brief 49-word statement, which a league source not authorized to speak publicly said was approved by MLS, never mentions politics or immigration. Instead, it celebrates the importance of diversity. Yet no other team, in a league that owes its very existence to immigrants, has had the courage to take even that tepid a step. Rolling Stone, citing league and team sources, said there is worry taking any kind of stand would lead the Trump administration, which launched the raids, to retaliate. They cite the example of the Dodgers, who were sued by a Trump-aligned conservative legal group, after pledging to give $1 million to support immigrant families. A league executive, not authorized to speak on the record, pushed back on that. The closest the league has come to making a formal policy declaration about such matters, the executive said, is a two-decade-old fan code of conduct that 'prohibits fans from displaying signs, symbols, or images used for commercial purposes or to advocate for or against any political candidate, party, legislative issue, or government action.' Read more: Galaxy disciplines fans for rule violations while protesting team response to ICE raids The league may tacitly have encouraged teams to stay silent, but its policies don't expressly prohibit the Galaxy, or any other team, from supporting immigrants and opposing the arrests of legal residents. Yet LAFC — and Angel City and the Chicago Red Stars in the NWSL — are the only top-tier soccer teams that have yet done so. So it's fallen to the fans to take action, with MLS supporters in Seattle, San Diego, Chicago, Nashville, Austin and elsewhere waving banners and staging boycotts. But if ICE is a common enemy, it's not the only one. After the Galaxy rallied twice from two-goal deficits Saturday to tie LAFC on the final touch of the game — a game marred by a mini-brawl involving as many as 10 players early in stoppage time — the rivalry was back on, with LAFC fans pelting the referees with beer and trash and arguing with Galaxy supporters in the parking lots. Solidarity, it seems, has its limits. ⚽ You have read the latest installment of On Soccer with Kevin Baxter. The weekly column takes you behind the scenes and shines a spotlight on unique stories. Listen to Baxter on this week's episode of the 'Corner of the Galaxy' podcast. Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
