Welcome to this week in women’s sports, your digest of the most exciting women's sports headlines featuring Black and Brown women athletes. I’m writing this while running on 3 hours of sleep after a 3-hour plane arrival delay from a 3-hour time zone difference (say that 3 times fast). I’m excited to share photos and recaps from my time in Seattle at the Storm vs. Mercury (Forever Sue) game and Reign vs. Stars game, but in the meantime, let me know when you reach the last word!
P.S. I’ve been working with a designer to rebrand Melanin MVP, and I’m excited to have some limited runs on merch soon. In the meantime, if you want some free stickers for your outdoor group or watch party, let me know!
Saniya Rivers
Mo’ne Davis
JuJu Watkins
Saniya Rivers is the fastest guard in WNBA history to reach 30 career blocks. I’m calling it now – NC State will be hanging her jersey in the rafters in the very near future. Connecticut may be eliminated from playoff contention this season, for the first time since 2016, but this rookie is part of the building blocks of an incredible team. This block on Kamilla Cardoso is delightfully disrespectful.
Mo’ne Davis threw the first pitch at the Nationals game. The Little League legend threw the ball to Robert Hassell III, who the Philadelphia-native struck out in 2014. On Monday, Mo’ne will return to the mound at this very field to try out for the Women’s Pro Baseball League. The AUSL, also known as Athletes Unlimited Softball League, just wrapped its second season (consisting of 4 teams), and will have 6 city-based teams beginning in 2026. Major League Baseball made an 8-figure investment in the league to help secure its sustainability. The WPBL will start its first season in 2026 with 6 teams as well, but without the backing of the MLB. I’m curious how these two leagues will compete for talent.
Elevate your outdoor adventures with ToughCutie socks - where durability meets style for women who never back down from a challenge. These premium performance socks are engineered with moisture-wicking technology and reinforced cushioning to keep you comfortable whether you're crushing miles on the trail or scaling new heights. Use our affiliate link to get 15% off your order and give your feet the support they deserve (code: MELANINMVP).
Juju Watkins signs record shoe deal with Nike. Klutch Sports Founder and CEO Rich Paul recently revealed in an interview that Juju Watkins has signed the biggest shoe deal in the NBA or WNBA since Zion Williamson in 2019, which was worth $75M. Cooper Flagg, who went #1 in the NBA draft, reportedly signed a deal with New Balance that was worth $13M….so she’s more lucrative than the number #1 draft pick in the NBA. WNBA, it’s past time to raise the salaries for current and future players.
Our marketing number in terms of dollars made this year, LeBron excluded, was led by two women, which was actually pretty cool. The numbers rolling in were led by A’Ja (Wilson) and Juju. One is an NIL. The deal I just did for Juju is the largest footwear deal on the men’s or women’s side since probably Zion… She’s still in college, so it’s a pretty big deal.
Dawn Staley makes an appearance on IMO. Michelle Obama has had many incredible guests on her new podcast with her brother, Craig Robinson. Adding Dawn Staley to that roster makes complete sense. Dawn Staley has been making her public appearance rounds this offseason, and I’m glad she stopped by a podcast where she could relax and answer questions from both ends of the personal and professional spectrum.
The Last Word 🥂
The summer is winding down, but the memories will live on forever. I’m excited for additions coming to the Watch Party scene, as well as more outdoor groups coming to a city near you. How are you getting outside and in the stands before the season ends?
If you enjoyed this article, consider sharing it with someone else who might enjoy it! It’s free to join our community!
