WNBA
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Source: Icon Sportswire / Getty / Angel Reese / Alyssa Thomas
White legendary sports broadcaster Bob Costas said the quiet but undeniable thing out loud regarding the coverage of Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark.
The WNBA was looking forward to a fantastic year thanks to its exciting rookie class led by players Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Kamilla Cordosa, and Cameron Brink. Instead, since the 2024 season tipped off, there have been waves of toxic conversations and awful takes.
People, specifically men, have looked very weird after Chicago Sky player Chennedy Carter’s hard foul/cheap shot on Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark over the weekend.
Since Clark’s arrival into the WNBA, many believe she has been the victim of hard fouls and, while not benefiting from any whistles.
Speaking with CNN’s Abby Phillip, Bob Costas accurately pointed out that energy for Clark following the hard fouls she receives has yet to be seen for Angel Reese, and it’s because of the obvious fact that she is a Black woman and the incidents are “Black on Black.”
Costas was referring to an incident in particular: Connecticut Suns player Alyssa Thomas grabbed Reese by the neck, slamming her to the court, resulting in a flagrant two foul and her ejection from the game.
Per TMZ Sports:
“The reason why that doesn’t spark as much conversation isn’t just that Caitlin Clark is a bigger star than Alyssa Thomas,” Costas said on CNN on Monday. “It’s because it’s a Black on Black incident and you don’t have that dynamic that people can comment on, yes, but also exaggerate and make the entire story sometimes.”
Costas further pointed out that he’s seen other rookies receive the same treatment Clark is experiencing in other sports, but the caveat is Clark is a white superstar in a predominately Black sport.
Former ESPN First Take moderator and Sportscenter anchor Cari Champion echoed Costas’ sentiments, adding that nobody cared about the women of the W getting physical with each other because it was only “women of a certain color.”
Since Clark arrived in the WNBA, the discourse on sports media has been out of control. It was so bad that Monica McNutt checked Stephen A. Smith about his WNBA coverage, or lack thereof, on the show.
You can see more reactions to Bob Costas’s statement about what we already knew in the gallery below.
1. Exactly
2. On a constant loop
3. Our sentiments exactly
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The WNBA is enjoying increased media coverage due to big names from the current season’s draft class, including Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark, and more. Things got tense on the set of First Take, ESPN’s popular morning sports program after analyst Monica McNutt checked Stephen A. Smith on his WNBA coverage, or lack thereof.
Eagle-eye fans of First Take caught wind of the moment during the Monday (June 3) broadcast of First Take which had a segment on the WNBA with Stephen A. Smith, 56, having himself a self-congratulatory moment with Monica McNutt, 34, shutting it down as it happened.
Smith began with, “Who talks about the WNBA, who talks about women, who talks about women’s sports more than First Take?”
McNutt’s rebuttal was, “Stephen A., respectfully, with your platform, you could have been doing this three years ago if you wanted to.”
Things got tense after this as Smith reacted to McNutt’s jab in incredulous fashion and the two began talking over each other with Shannon Sharpe interjecting at some point. Show moderator Molly Qerim did her best to get the strong personalities of Smith and McNutt on the same page but seemed frustrated by the overtalking and arguing over the point.
McNutt’s words echo some of the frustration WNBA players and fans have expressed that the larger sports outlet has ignored the league for years until the new influx of young talent, who brought with them the NCAA fandom that the collegiate game grew over the past few years with the aforementioned Reese, Clark, and numerous stars undergoing their rookie campaigns in the W.
On X, formerly Twitter, fans reacted to Monica McNutt dressing down Stephen A. Smith and his WNBA coverage. Check out the replies below.
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Photo: Screengrab/ESPN
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Caitlin Clark has made her professional debut after being drafted to the Indiana Fever for the 2024 WNBA season. After dominating the court during her college career, everything from her basketball jersey to rookie card has become some of the most coveted pieces of basketball merch to own.
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The basketball star has been breaking records, with the most recent being her rookie card — specifically from her college career — becoming the most expensive women’s basketball card. In January, Clark’s 2022 Bowman University Superfractor Caitlin Clark Rookie Auto card sold for $78,000, surpassing the 2004 Ultra Platinum Medallion Diana Taurasi card that originally sold for $11,500, according to Bleacher Report. Now, she stands behind only Serena Williams on the all-time list of cards that sold for more than $244,000, as reported on X by The Collectibles Guru.
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Topps and Panini are official partners with the WNBA, creating collectible rookie cards — including for Clark — that you can find online. You don’t have to spend five figures to buy hers, though. Here are options on Amazon that start as low as $13, allowing you to add the star player to your collection without breaking the bank.
Where to Buy Caitlin Clark’s Rookie Card Online
To help you score Clark’s college and WNBA rookie cards, we’ve rounded up a few options below that you can buy online now.
2024 Panini Instant WNBA Draft #1 Caitlin Clark Indiana Fever RC
Amazon’s No. 1 bestseller for sports collectible single base trading cards is none other than Clark’s draft into the WNBA. The card is the first of her professional career, and features a photo of the player holding up her Indiana Fever jersey along with Panini’s logo in the top left corner to signify it’s an official item. The card has also already been purchased more than 600 times in the past month, according to the online retailer.
Caitlin Clark RC 2024 Bowman U NOW All-Time NCAA Scorer #61 Pre-Rookie Iowa Card
In terms of her college career, shoppers can’t get enough of Clark’s #61 rookie card, which captured when she broke Pete Maravich’s all-time NCAA scoring record. The collectable is manufactured by Topps and has earned a No. 1 bestselling label on Amazon for sports collectible single insert trading cards. As a bonus, it comes in a plastic protector.
2024 Topps Bowman Iowa Caitlin Clark Card #49 Breaks All-Time NCAAW Scoring Record
Clark’s 49th rookie card for her NCAA career was created by Topps, and spotlights another record-breaking moment in the basketball player’s time on the court: when she broke the all-time NCAA scoring record for the women’s league with 3,528 points, according to the product description. The card comes pre-wrapped in a plastic protector to help keep it pristine.
2024 Panini Instant WNBA Caitlin Clark #19 Rookie RC Basketball Card
Another spotlighting moment for Clark’s career is her #19 rookie card that shows a point-scoring moment during Indiana’s game against the New York Liberty. The card has been graded by PSA to guarantee authenticity and has been given GM (gem mint), which is the highest rating it can get, meaning it’s nearly flawless.
2023-24 Bowman University #74 Caitlin Clark Iowa Basketball Card With Magnetic Holder Mint
Her #74 rookie card highlights when Clark set the women’s record for the most points scored in a season. The card is created Topps and comes in a magnetic holder to keep it protected. While the front features a photo of the player, the back goes into detail about the historic moment.
Certified Mint+ Caitlin Clark 2023 Bowman University Now #48 3k Pts, 1k Asts Rookie Card Iowa Hawkeyes
The #48 rookie card was manufactured by Topps and is certified to arrive in mint condition or better, according to the brand. The card arrives in an air-tight holder that was customized for the card to protect it from water, drops, light and more.
Along with Clark’s debut into professional basketball, the WNBA also received attention for its recent collaboration with SKIMS (the official undergarments brand for the professional women’s basketball teams), which features pieces selected and loved by past, present and upcoming stars of the sport.
For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best running shorts, Nike sales and gym bags.
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The WNBA is taking over Crypto Arena after being forced to move to a larger venue due to ticket demand for the heavily anticipated Indiana Fever vs. Los Angeles Sparks game airing on ION on Friday (May 24).
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If you haven’t noticed, WNBA games are becoming more popular by the week, due in part to this year’s rookie squad, which includes Caitlyn Clark, Angel Reese, Cameron Brink, Rickea Jackson and McKenzie Forbes. The WNBA’s season opener between Indiana and Connecticut Sun was the most watched WNBA game ever on ESPN. The game, featuring Clark’s regular season debut, wracked up 2.1 million viewers and peaked at 2.3 million.
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And the ratings spike didn’t end there. Phoenix Mercury vs. Las Vegas Aces, the second season opener of the night, averaged 464,000 viewers, up 5 percent. The WNBA has also seen a jump in ticket sales which could get even higher once Clark and Reese, of the Chicago Sky, meet up for the first Indiana vs. Chicago game of the season airing June 1 on ESPN.
Reese and Chicago scored a win over the New York Liberty on Thursday, ending Liberty’s four-game winning streak for the season and lifting the Sky’s record to 2-1.
Despite scoring high ratings, Indiana has struggled to secure a win thus far. The team is currently 0-5 going into tonight’s game against the Sparks (1-2).
Read on for ways to stream the Indiana vs. Los Angeles game live.
How to Stream the Sparks vs. Fever Game from Free
The Sparks vs. Fever game will air live on ION at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. Pregame coverage starts at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT.
WNBA fans can watch Ion on DirecTV Stream and Fubo. Both platforms offer a free trial and streaming plans under $80 per month (use ExpressVPN to stream multiple platforms internatinally).
DirecTV Stream’s most affordable streaming plan comes with 90+ channels including ION, ESPN, ABC, CBS, TNT and Bally Sports, along with entertainment channels such as Bravo, TLC, CMT, CNN, Comedy Central, E!, FS1, FS2, Freeform, Fuse, FX, HSN, IFC and more.
Fubo Pro offers 100+ live channels, 1,000 hours of DVR and streaming on up to 10 screens for $79.99/month.
ION will carry over 40 WNBA games this season including national, regional and local games. A weekly showcase of marquee games will air on Friday nights. Indiana vs. Los Angeles will be the first game in the weekly showcase.
ION’s game schedule for next Friday, May 31, will include Washington Mystics vs. New York Liberty, Phoenix Mercury vs. Minnesota Lynx, Las Vegas Aces vs. Atlanta Dream and Dallas Wings vs. Connecticut Sun.
ION is also available on YouTube TV, Frndly, Freevee, Google TV, Samsung TV Plus, Roku Channel and other streamers.
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The 2024 WNBA season starts on Tuesday (May 14), and Sling TV is the destination for all basketball enthusiasts, offering exclusive streaming access to all four games of the season tip-off.
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The schedule includes New York Liberty vs. Washington Mystics at 7 p.m. ET and Minnesota Lynx vs. Seattle Storm at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN3. ESPN2 will broadcast Indiana Fever vs. Connecticut Sun at 7:30 p.m. ET and Las Vegas Aces vs. Phoenix Mercury at 10 p.m. ET.
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You don’t want to miss out on star player Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever’s No. 1 draft pick from the Iowa Hawkeyes, playing her first WNBA game on opening night.
Keep reading for details on how to watch the 2024 WNBA games.
How to Watch the 2024 WNBA Games on Sling TV
You can stream all opening games on Sling TV. They’ll also be airing on ESPN3 and ESPN2 (use ExpressVPN to stream internationally). WNBA games are shown on various channels like ESPN, NBA TV, ION, Prime Video, and CBS/Paramount+. According to Sling, 25 WNBA games will air on ESPN, and NBA TV will broadcast 40 games.
To watch on ESPN or ABC with Sling, you’ll need a subscription to Sling Orange. For those, who want to watch on NBA TV with Sling make sure to add the Sports Extras pack to your Sling subscription.
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With Sling Orange, you can stream ESPN and other channels for $15 for your first month (regularly $40/month). It includes 32 channels with seven exclusive sports and family channels. Sling Blue is $20 for your first month (regularly $45/month), and it includes a total of 42 channels.
Don’t miss out on a chance to watch the WNBA games with your friends and family. Hurry up, go get your sling subscription now.
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Source: SKIMS / SKIMS
As Kim Kardashian’s Skims brand continues to grow, so do the number of celebrities who Kim recruits to become part of her Skims family.
Source: SKIMS / SKIMS
According to Page Six, Kim Kardashian is now infiltrating the sports world as Skims has become the official underwear of the WNBA. To help promote the brand, the reality star has tapped the likes of WNBA superstars Candace Parker, Dijonai Carrington, Kelsey Plum, Skylar Diggins-Smith and Cameron Brink to star in a new lingerie campaign to announce the partnership. Posing with a Skims branded WNBA basketball (that joints kinda cool), the sports stars showcase the attire that these women would be wearing at home after putting in a hard day’s work out there on the court.
Taking to Instagram to announce the move, Skims posted pictures of the stars of the campaign with a caption that read, “As the official underwear partner of the @WNBA, SKIMS is as comfortable as it gets. Just in time for the season tip-off @candaceparker, @cameronbrink22, @kelseyplum10, @dijonai__, and @skylardigginssmith sport our Fits Everybody collection.”
This is a good look for Kim Kardashian’s baby as it’s gone from spokespeople in the music industry to actual athletes who shine in the sports world.
Page Six reports:
“Championing women and women in sports is incredibly important to Skims,” the “Kardashians” star, 43, said in a press release.
The Skkn by Kim founder continued that her company “is rooted in inclusivity, representation and women’s empowerment, which are values shared with the WNBA.”
The WNBA players are the latest celebs to take part in a Skims campaign, joining the likes of Sabrina Carpenter, Usher and a group of male athletes including fellow b-ball star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder, who helped announce Skims as the official underwear of the NBA as well.
What do y’all think of Skims becoming the new official underwear of the WNBA? Let us know in the comments section below.
Source: SKIMS / SKIMS
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Caitlyn Clark makes her WNBA debut this year, but that’s not all the basketball league is celebrating. SKIMS, the official underwear for the women’s basketball teams, has partnered with the WNBA for its new Fits Everybody campaign, which officially launched Monday (May 13) to align with the 2024 season’s tip-off.
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The new campaign is the first one that spotlights the WNBA, featuring legends and rising stars including Candace Parker, second-overall draft pick Cameron Brink, Dijonai Carrington and All-Stars Kelsey Plum and Skylar Diggins-Smith. Each player models their favorite underwear style in the official campaign video that was posted on Monday via Instagram.
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“As the official underwear partner of the @WNBA, SKIMS is as comfortable as it gets. Just in time for the season tip-off,” the caption says.
Right now you can bundle and save on the WNBA player’s favorite underwear styles and buy three pairs for $36. No promo code is required, the discount will automatically be applied once you add pieces to your cart.
Keep reading to shop the SKIMS x WNBA styles seen on the athletes below.
Fits Everybody Bandeau
$14
$28
50% off
Ditch the wire bra and try this soft bandeau on for size. It’s not only seamless and wire-free for a smoother appearance, it also comes with a little bit of support to keep your chest comfortable whether you’re going for a morning walk or just working at the office.
Fits Everybody Brief
This classic pair of briefs provides comfy coverage using a mid-rise waist and SKIMS’ bestselling soft fabric. It also comes in 16 colors to stock up on (including some limited-edition shades that are quickly selling out).
Everybody Cheeky Brief
These cheeky briefs aim to provide stretch and comfort while forming to your body without digging into your skin. It utilizes the brand’s top-rated fabric that looks to feel like a “second skin” so you can walk around in complete coziness.
Fits Everybody Boy Short
After feeling these boy short’s soft fabric made from the brand’s signature second-skin material, you’ll want to buy one in every color. The design aims to feel as though you’re wearing nothing and uses a fabric that will hold its shape over time.
Fits Everybody Full Brief
With 16 shades to pick from, you can easily stock up on these full briefs if you prefer even more coverage. The style features a “no-cut” finish that aims to prevent any digging in for more comfortable, all-day wear. They’re great for sports too.
SKIMS is no stranger to tapping the shoulders of artists and celebrities as the center of their campaigns. The brand previously used Sabrina Carpenter for a Y2K-themed campaign as well as Usher for their growing men’s collection and Lana Del Rey as the model for its sultry Valentine’s Day campaign.
For Parker, this was the perfect opportunity to continue leaving an everlasting legacy while connecting with new WNBA players.
“I’m thrilled to be included in the first-ever SKIMS WNBA campaign alongside this amazing group of rising stars and all-stars,” she said in a press statement. “As I move onto this next chapter in my life, I hope to leave the game in a better place and continue to be an example of what is possible both on and off the court.”
Whereas for Brink, it was a chance to combine two of her favorite passions.
“My fans know how much I love fashion,” she said in a press release. “SKIMS has been an underwear staple in my wardrobe for years. I’m really grateful to be included in this lineup of players, especially with the greats who I have looked up to for so long. It’s truly a dream come true to be working with a brand that I love so much.”
For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best SKIMS dupes, Lululemon dupes and running shorts.
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The WNBA is back for what could be a defining season for the league. Preseason launches with Caitlin Clark making her Indiana Fever debut against the Dallas Wings on Friday (May 3).
“The embrace has been amazing,” Clark said of Indiana in a recent interview. “I think coming to a city that really supports [not just] basketball, but women’s basketball specifically, I couldn’t really imagine a better place to be playing my first WNBA season. I’m super excited.”
Of course, Clark isn’t the only rookie making her debut. Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardosa will also suit up tonight, for their first WNBA game with the Chicago Sky on Friday, while Cameron Brink will play her first game with the Los Angeles Sparks on Saturday night (May 4).
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Keep reading for ways to stream WNBA games live.
WNBA Live Stream: Where to Watch Games Online
The WNBA 2024 Preseason kicks off with the Chicago vs. Minnesota at 7 p.m. ET, and Indiana Fever vs. Dallas Wings at 8 p.m. ET. Both games will be available on WNBA League Pass and local networks such as Bally Sports Midwest.
How to Join WNBA League Pass
Basketball fans can watch WNBA out-of-market games (including Clark’s opening game) with a subscription to WNBA League Pass.
Subscribe to WNBA League pass for $12.99/month, or 34.99/year to access live out-of-market games, plus every game on-demand and hundreds of archival games.
Click below to join, keep reading for more ways to watch WNBA games.
How to Watch WNBA Games on Bally Sports
If you’d rather not subscribe to WNBA League, there are other ways to catch local WNBA games live and on-demand. Friday’s Indiana vs. Dallas game will broadcast on Bally Sports, but the channel isn’t available in all areas.
For Midwest viewers who don’t have cable but want to watch Clark’s debut, Bally Sports is also available on DirecTV and Fubo.
To watch games outside of your local area, subscribe to Bally Sports+ and enjoy the WNBA from anywhere. The streamer also offers access to NBA, NHL, MLB, Professional Women’s Hockey League, British Basketball League, and other sports leagues. Click below to launch your 7-day free trial.
How to Watch WNBA Games on DirecTV
You can stream select WNBA Games on DirecTV, including local games that broadcast on Bally Sports and other networks such as ESPN, ABC and ESPN2 (use ExpressVPN to stream internationally).
DirecTV Stream offers 75+ channels including plenty of sports channels: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, FS1, FS2, NBA TV, NHL Network, Bally Sports, NBC Sports Network, and more.
How to Watch WNBA Games on ESPN
ESPN platforms will broadcast coverage of 25 WNBA games during the regular season, which starts on Tuesday, May 14. CBS/Paramount+ will air and stream eight WNBA games; 12 will be available on CBS Sports Network, 40 on NBA TV and 21 on Prime Video.
The season opener will feature a double header with Indiana at Connecticut Sun and Las Vegas Aces at Phoenix Mercury on Tuesday, May 14.
The WNBA Tip-Off, presented by CarMax, will take place on Saturday, May 18. The doubleheader will open with the New York Liberty vs. Indiana at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT on ABC, followed by Las Vegas vs. Los Angeles Sparks at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT.
Can you watch ABC without cable? Of course! If you don’t have a digital antenna, you can stream the network live on platforms such as DirecTV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV and Sling TV.
How to Watch WNBA Games on Sling TV
Sling TV will stream select games in the WNBA Season. Subscribe to Sling Orange to stream Indiana at New York on Friday, May 14, at 7 p.m. ET on NBA TV. On May 15, Sling TV will stream Chicago vs. Washington and Las Vegas vs. Seattle on ESPN3. Other games on the Sling TV schedule include Minnesota vs. New York on Tuesday, May 18, and Seattle Storm vs. Minnesota on Thursday, May 20.
Join Sling TV and save $10 off for the first month. With Sling Orange, you can stream ESPN and other channels for $30 for the first month (reg. $40/month). Sling Blue is $45 per month, but new subscribers can sign up for $35 for the first month.
Other channels available on Sling TV: AMC, BET, CNN, Food Network, HGTV, History Channel, ID, Lifetime, TBS, and TNT.
How to Get WNBA Tickets
WNBA Tickets are expected to see a bump in popularity this year thanks to a team of rookies looking to make their make on the league. Ticket to Clark’s debut preseason game are sold out, but resale tickets are available starting at around $80 up to $400+, roughly three times higher than the average price of a game tickets.
WNBA tickets are available at StubHub, Vivid Seats, Game Time, Ticketmaster, and Seat Geek.
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. Caitlin Clark is flying high. In less than a week, Clark has gone from college basketball star to a Saturday Night […]