Emma Hruby
Oct 21, 2022
The University of Wisconsin athletic department is investigating a recent leak of private photos and video of its women’s volleyball players.
While the athletic department did not offer up any details of the leaked material in its statement, it did say that the pictures and video were not intended to be made public. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, one of the photos obtained by the outlet appears to have been taken after the team won the Big Ten title last November, showing members of the team with their sports bras lifted.
Similarly, the Wisconsin State Journal reported that the photos were taken from inside the team’s locker room.
Statement from UW Athletics pic.twitter.com/M2lK2OYg8a
— Wisconsin Badgers (@UWBadgers) October 19, 2022
“UWPD is not investigating the volleyball student-athletes for wrongdoing in this matter,” the statement said. “Our top priority is supporting our student-athletes and we are providing them with the appropriate services and resources.”
They called the leak a “significant and wrongful invasion” of the athletes’ privacy, with University of Wisconsin police investigating multiple crimes, “including potential violations of university policies and criminal statutes.”
According to the university, the athletes contacted the police upon becoming aware of the leak.
On Thursday, University of Wisconsin police spokesman Mac Lovicott confirmed the investigation.
Wisconsin won its first national title last year, and is currently ranked fifth in the country with a 13-3 record (7-1 Big Ten). The Badgers are set to play Michigan State on Friday.
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Meredith Heil
Jun 13, 2024
Voting for the 2024 AT&T WNBA All-Star Gameopened at2 PM ET todayand runs through June 29th.
All active WNBA players are eligible to make the All-Star Game, set for July 20th in Phoenix. Unlikeprevious formatsthat featuredtwo voted-in All-Star squads, this year’s contest pits a single All-Star team against the already-decided Olympic-boundUSA Women’s National Team.
Fans can submit a daily ballot nominating up to 10 athletes viaWNBA.comor theWNBA App.
Fan-submitted ballots account for 50% of vote, with the other 50% split equally between current WNBA players and members of the media. The top 10 athletes will automatically make the All-Star Game, with league coaches then voting from a pool of the next 36 to complete Team WNBA’s 12-player roster. The final lineup will be announced on July 2nd.
This year's All-Star Game format presents an opportunity for fans to vote for players they might consider Olympic snubs. Indiana rookie Caitlin Clark and Dallas’s Arike Ogunbawole seem like shoo-ins given the discussion surrounding theirOlympic omissions, while Connecticut stars Brionna Jones and DeWanna Bonner are also expected to snag All-Star nods.
And after a career-high20-point, 10-rebound double-doublein last night’s 83-75 loss to the Sun, Chicago rookie Angel Reese could also secure a spot.
Regardless,it won't necessarily be smooth sailingforTeam USA, as history has tended to favor the underdog.
The firstUSA vs. All-Stars matchuptook place in 2021, with the league’s squad humbling the Tokyo Olympians 93-85. With 26 points, Ogunbawole was namedAll-Star Game MVPafter barely missing the Olympic cut. Could she and Clark turn the tables on Team USA this year?
Watch more:"Were Caitlin Clark and Arike Ogunbowale snubbed?" by Expert Adjacent
Meredith Heil
Jun 13, 2024
The San Diego Wave introduced Camille Ashtonas their new general manager and sporting director yesterday, three weeks after Ashtonresigned from her positionas GM of the Kansas City Current.
The 34-year-old former NWSL pro will manage San Diego’s coaching staff and on-field budget, as well as lead player scouting and acquisitions. Ashton joinsWave FC president Jill Ellis andhead coach Casey Stoneyin an effort to lead the team back to their2023 NWSL Shield-winning success.
"I’ve known Cami from back in her playing days, and her impressive track record and deep understanding as both a General Manager and former player, combined with her passion and energy make her an exceptional fit with this club," Ellis said in ateam statement.
Ashton left a Kansas City teamthat remains undefeated this season — a significant leap from last year’s11th-place finish. While at the Current, Ashton inked top offseason free agentDebinhafollowed by international forwards Temwa Chawinga (Malawi) andBia Zaneratto(Brazil).
However, not all of Ashton’s roster moveswere as well received. High-profile players likeLynn Williams,Cece Kizer, andAlex Loeraposted about the mishandling of their abrupt trades, while the parent of a waived 2023 NWSL drafteeclaimedher daughter was mistreated by Ashton and the club (a subsequent investigation did not result in any public consequences).
When asked about the criticism surrounding the trades,Ashton commented, "There could be a lot of debate… but at the end of the day, that’s the mechanism that we work with right now in the league."
A Southern California native,Ashton will make the transition to the Wave in the coming weeks.
Emma Hruby
Jun 13, 2024
The Chicago Red Stars are scrambling to find a solution for a September 21st home game after it was revealed that a music festival would be taking over the team's usual stadium.
Riot Fest announced on Wednesday that SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois will host the three-day concert event from September 20th through the 22nd. The Red Stars — who were scheduled to play the San Diego Wave on September 21st — have played at SeatGeek since 2016, and recently set an all-time NWSL attendance record during a one-off game at Wrigley Field.
As for solutions, those hoping for a return to Wrigley could be out of luck: The Chicago Cubs are set to play the Washington Nationals at home on September 21st.
"It is unfair and unfortunate to have our club put in this situation, shining a light on the vast discrepancies in the treatment of women's professional sports versus men's sports," Red Stars president Karen Leetzow said in tweeted response to the double-booking.
"We are committed to ensuring our players and fans have a first-rate experience on and off pitch, and we are working diligently to find a solution that will ensure our September 21st game is a success."
Since purchasing the Red Stars last year, majority owner Laura Ricketts — a co-owner of the Cubs — has been vocal about finding a more appropriate long-term home for the team.
"We knew right from the beginning — like, rewind back almost a year and a half ago when we started considering acquiring the Red Stars — we knew that the current [stadium] situation was not the ultimate long-term solution," Ricketts told ESPN in February. "And really, the key to unlocking the door for this organization would be to solve that."
More broadly, Ricketts has been pushing for increased public funding for sports stadiums around Chicago, with both the NFL’s Bears and MLB’s White Sox looking to build new facilities.
The situation in Bridgeview is the most recent scheduling mishap for the NWSL. Angel City had to reschedule their 2024 season opener weeks before it was to be played due to an "unforeseen scheduling conflict." Additionally, San Diego's new MLS team will reportedly have priority over NWSL side San Diego Wave FC when it comes to scheduling home games at the shared Snapdragon Stadium.
"It frustrates me again that we’re the established team in the market and a men’s team comes in and gets first picks on the schedule," Wave coach Casey Stoney said last October. "Shame that it continues to happen."
Watch more: "Chicago Forced to Move Match Due to Music Festival" on TikTok
Emma Hruby
Jun 13, 2024
Sam Kerr has signed a new two-year contract with Chelsea.
The Australian forward teased fans in the announcement, after speculation regarding her future with the club had been swirling for months — particularly with the departure of head coach Emma Hayes.
In a video posted Thursday morning, Kerr thanked fans for the memories before saying she will "always be Chelsea" in a tone that suggested she was leaving the London club. But 20 minutes later, the team took to social media to announce the striker had actually signed a new two-year deal.
"Did you guys really think I was gonna end on 99 goals?" asked Kerr in a followup video.
BBC Sport reported that the contract extension fake-out was Kerr’s idea.
"It’s really exciting and a very proud moment for me," Kerr said in a statement. "Having the opportunity to stay at a club like Chelsea means a lot to me. I’m really excited to continue to push and to try to win trophies."
The 30-year-old is currently recovering from an ACL tear sustained in January. The injury will keep her out of the Paris Olympics.
