Brazil and the First 'Fits of the WNBA Season
US Women's Water Polo's surprising new sponsor.
A’ja Wilson is finally getting a Nike signature shoe. Kelsey Plum kicked off the season in Under Armour shoes inspired by her cigar cellies. The first ‘fits of the WNBA season did NOT disappoint (see also: Cameron Brink, Olivia Nelson-Ododa, and Angel Reese). And Skims partnered with the WNBA for its Fits Everybody campaign.
Brazil to Host 2027 Women's World Cup, Bringing the Tournament to South America for the First Time (CBS)
The CBS article calls out one factor that may have made Brazil’s bid stand out over Belgium-Germany-Netherland: stadium capacity. All of Brazil’s venues can seat 40,000 or more fans. Here’s to the women’s game selling out more major stadiums.
Jamie Chadwick Becomes First Female in a Decade to Secure Indy NXT Podium Finish (Sky Sports)
The three-time W Series champion took the Indy NXT podium for the first time since joining the grid last season. (Note: W Series collapsed in 2019 and has since been replaced by F1 Academy.) Chadwick’s next race is on June 2 in Detroit.
WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries Unveil Name and Logo in Epic Video Narrated by Kehlani (Bleacher Report)
ICYMI, professional women’s basketball is coming to the Bay. The Valkyries will start playing in the WNBA next season. And Paige Bueckers, the projected number-one pick for the 2025 WNBA Draft, is a big fan of the team’s colors. 👀
Flavor Flav Is the Official Hype Man for the US Women’s Water Polo Team in the Paris Olympics (AP)
Thanks to an Instagram post shared by US Women’s Water Polo team captain Maggie Steggens, Flavor Flav is reportedly finalizing a deal to become an official USA Water Polo sponsor. The team is going for their fourth (!) consecutive gold medal.
Exposure, Popularity and Stars. Is College Softball on the Brink of a Breakthrough? (The Athletic)
With talent like NiJaree (NiJa) Canady, Stanford's pitcher, college softball is gaining traction with fans. The sport is breaking viewership milestones, and players are coming for records. Monica Abbott, a retired pro softball player turned ESPN analyst, holds the record for the quickest fastball, but thinks it’ll be broken soon.
“NiJa is already throwing as fast as I was as a pro,” said Abbott, now an ESPN analyst. “Her limit does not exist. I think she could potentially reach 80 (mph). I don’t know — can NiJa be the Caitlin Clark of softball? I kind of believe she can.”
2014 Boston Marathon Winner Finally Gets Prize Money, but Not from Race Organizers (CBS)
The original winner was disqualified for doping and organizers say they’re still trying to recoup the prize money (including a $25,000 bonus for setting a course record) — and the trophy — from her. In the meantime, a stranger gifted Buzunesh Deba $75,000 she should have been awarded.
First Women’s Club World Cup to Take Place in 2026 (BBC)
The inaugural 16-game tournament — which will pit women’s soccer clubs from leagues around the world against each other — is slated for January and February 2026. Some crucial details, like where the tourney will be, are still TBD.
Fast Break…
A few quick moments of joy.