Connect with us

Sports

Sun coach credits ‘superstar influx’ of Caitlin Clark, other rookies for WNBA growth

Published

on

Sun coach credits ‘superstar influx’ of Caitlin Clark, other rookies for WNBA growth

As the Connecticut Sun got ready to face Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever for the third time this season, Sun head coach Stephanie White talked about the growth of the WNBA and how Clark and the other rookies are leading the charge. 

“The influx of talent and star power from the college level – Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Cameron Brink – all of these players … have engaged with these fans from a social media perspective,” White said. “That just carries over because there’s a great following for all of these stars that are coming into our league.” 

Head Coach Stephanie White of the Connecticut Sun looks on during the game against the New York Liberty during the 2024 Commissioner’s Cup on June 8, 2024 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. (Chris Marion/NBAE via Getty Images)

Earlier Monday, the WNBA announced that it had seen unprecedented growth over the first month of the season, including “its highest attended opening month in 26 years and its most-watched start of season across each network ever: ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, CBS, ION and NBA TV.” 

Advertisement

The league also immediately promoted its “diverse audience” growth in the second paragraph of the statement. 

“Viewership grew 60% year-over-year among people of color, with the most-represented demographics in that category – Hispanic and Black fans – notching a 96% and 67% year-over-year growth in viewership, respectively,” the statement reads. 

The need to break the audience down by skin color in the second paragraph felt a bit gratuitous, but part of that is probably because it wants to counter the notion that Caitlin Clark is only bringing white views to arenas and to television sets. Why that matters, I’m not entirely sure. 

Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever takes a shot during warmups before a game against the Connecticut Sun at the Mohegan Sun Arena on June 10, 2024 in Uncasville, Connecticut. (Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)

OutKick reached out to the WNBA for comment on the decision to promote racially diverse viewership over some of its other highlights, and we will update if and when we receive a response. 

Advertisement

The league also credited the rookie class for its impact on growth, particularly on social media. 

EX-IOWA COACH LISA BLUDER ‘WOULD LOVE TO HAVE SEEN’ CAITLIN CLARK AT OLYMPICS: ‘THE HARDEST TEAM TO MAKE’

“Throughout Tip-off Week, four of the five moments that drove the most engagement on social channels featured highlights of Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark, Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese, Los Angeles Sparks’ Cameron Brink or Las Vegas Aces’ Kate Martin,” the statement read. 

White also noted that the WNBA’s growth started, in her mind, when the country was shutdown because of the restrictions set down by the government during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“I felt the turning point [came when we were] in the bubble,” White said. “You get a fan there for the first time, and then they’re going to keep coming back. So, when there was nothing else to do but watch basketball… fans who might not have watched the WNBA before watched for the first time, and they kept coming back.

Advertisement

Cameron Brink #22 of the Los Angeles Sparks reacts after scoring against the Dallas Wings in the second half of a WNBA basketball game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Friday, June 7, 2024. (Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images)

“They brought their daughters and their sons, and they got them involved … and I think it started to take off. And then you have the influx of, of these, these superstars, that are coming into the league and it’s just continuing this, this, this trajectory.” 

There’s no disputing that the league took a massive step forward this season and there’s no question that Caitlin Clark is the driving factor. But White is right, too, that the WNBA has seen growth over the past few years. 

However, the growth this season far exceeds anything the league has seen before. It’s not hard to figure out why. 

Advertisement

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Sports

Second Lady Usha Vance joins celebrity-filled crowd for Team USA’s group-stage finale in LA

Published

on

Second Lady Usha Vance joins celebrity-filled crowd for Team USA’s group-stage finale in LA

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Team USA’s final group stage match in the 2026 FIFA World Cup may not have had any implications for either team, but patriotism was in full force for the home country as Second Lady Usha Vance was among the many prominent figures at Los Angeles Stadium on Thursday night.

As the U.S. national anthem rang across the stadium, with players and fans singing in unison, the FOX Sports broadcast showed Vance in a suite with a huge smile on her face as “The Star-Spangled Banner” ended.

Vance was present at the match just two days after FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced that President Donald Trump would present the World Cup trophy to the winning team at the final in New Jersey on July 19.

Advertisement

U.S. Second Lady Usha Vance attends the 2026 World Cup Group D match between Turkey and the United States at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on June 25, 2026. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)

Vance was just the beginning of the stars that showed out in Inglewood, as Paris Hilton was seen presenting the match ball before kick-off.  Then, cameras started to pick up the many high-profile faces throughout the crowd.

Among them were Edward Norton and Brad Pitt, a pair that many movie lovers know from their hit classic “Fight Club.” Some social media users even hoped that the discussion they were seen having was about a sequel.

TOM CRUISE, DAVID BECKHAM, KATY PERRY AND MORE CELEBRITIES SPOTTED AT 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP MATCHES

Also, movie star Ashton Kutcher was seen speaking with Los Angeles Rams standout wide receiver Puka Nacua, who knows the confines of SoFi Stadium (what it is called outside of FIFA play) very well.

Advertisement

Then, Colin Farrell, though Irish born, was rocking a replica Team USA jersey alongside his son in the stands to support the Stars and Stripes. Leonardo DiCaprio, Scottie Pippen and more were also seen in the seats.

U.S. Second Lady Usha Vance sings the anthem during the 2026 World Cup Group D match between Turkey and the U.S. at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on June 25, 2026. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)

There has been a tremendous outpouring of support for the USMNT from everywhere, celebrity or not, throughout this tournament. The 4-2 win over Paraguay at the same Los Angeles stadium caused a frenzy in the stands, as the U.S. made a statement to begin the tournament on home soil for the first time since 1999.

USA WORLD CUP TEAM CLINCHES SPOT IN KNOCKOUT STAGE AFTER ANOTHER HISTORIC PERFORMANCE VS AUSTRALIA

Then, it was on to Seattle, where a 2-0 victory over Australia not only led to a spot in the knockout round, but led to a bellowing of the John Denver classic, “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” from everyone in the stands. The USMNT saluted their fans after yet another successful match.

Advertisement

It was a much different look for the USMNT entering Thursday night’s matchup against Türkiye, with nine changes to the starting XI after the team had already secured its place in the knockout stage. The Americans will face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32 on July 1.

Paris Hilton is seen with children before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between Türkiye and USA at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., on June 25, 2026. (Sarah Stier/FIFA)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

No matter who’s on the pitch, some of the biggest names in the country are showing support for the team that has inspired tremendous national pride to kick off this tournament.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Advertisement

Continue Reading

Sports

Shohei Ohtani is the first Dodger to be named 2026 All-Star

Published

on

Shohei Ohtani is the first Dodger to be named 2026 All-Star

Shohei Ohtani was the first Dodger to be named a 2026 All-Star, after leading the majors in Phase 1 voting for the All-Star game on July 14 in Philadelphia. Six other Dodgers were finalists through the fan ballot, giving them a chance to claim starting spots in Phase 2 of voting.

Ohtani locked down the starting DH spot for the National League squad, with 3,341,257 votes. The top vote-getters in each league bypass Phase 2. Second baseman Ernie Clement of the Toronto Blue Jays was the top vote-getter in the American League, with 3,232,932 votes.

Ohtani was the expected choice, despite a slow offensive start. His red-hot June boosted him up the leaderboards. He entered Thursday with the second-highest OPS in the National League (.963), barely trailing Mets outfielder Juan Soto (.965).

Pitchers aren’t chosen through the fan vote — hurlers and reserves have to wait for the player ballot (which includes votes from players, coaches and managers) and commissioners picks. But Ohtani has been just as impressive on the mound this year.

He has a 1.58 ERA, the fourth-best mark among NL pitchers who have thrown at least 50 innings this season.

Advertisement

Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (2,666,008 votes), third baseman Max Muncy (2,890,181) and outfielder Andy Pages (2,158,664) also led their respective NL position groups in voting. Other Dodgers finalists, who advance to voting Phase 2, include catcher Will Smith (1,871,805), shortstop Mookie Betts (1,762,343 ) and outfielder Teoscar Hernandez (1,569,932).

The vote totals reset for Phase 2, which runs from next Monday through Thursday. The remainder of the All-Star starters are set to be announced on July 4 on Fox Sports.

Continue Reading

Sports

How to watch USA vs Turkey: Live stream the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Published

on

How to watch USA vs Turkey: Live stream the 2026 FIFA World Cup

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

The United States men’s national team opened its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a commanding 4-1 rout of Paraguay behind two goals from Folarin Balogun, and after taking care of Australia, the team has one match left in the group stage against Turkey on Thursday night.

The Americans took care of Australia last week 2-0 to keep their strong start rolling. The victory clinched a knockout-round berth for Team USA. The USMNT will look to carry its momentum into their match against Turkey as the Stars and Stripes return to Los Angeles Stadium.

Players of the United States celebrate their first goal, an own goal by Cameron Burgess of Australia, during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match at Seattle Stadium in Seattle, Washington, on June 19, 2026. (Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

WATCH USA VS TURKEY ON FOX ONE

Advertisement

Australia began its World Cup run with a win over Turkey before suffering a setback against the U.S. The Australians will meet Paraguay on Thursday in a match featuring two teams already beaten by the Americans during the group stage.

Late last month, the Americans defeated Senegal, 3-2, in a World Cup tuneup match.

Under head coach Mauricio Pochettino, the USMNT entered the tournament as the No. 17 team in the FIFA World Rankings. FIFA determines its world rankings using the Elo rating system, which rewards teams for wins and penalizes them for losses while also factoring in the strength of the competition.

Alex Freeman of the United States celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between the U.S. and Australia at Seattle Stadium on June 19, 2026. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

FOX ONE’S NEW WORLD CUP VIEWING EXPERIENCE

Advertisement

This year’s World Cup features an expanded field of 48 teams.

Here’s how to watch the game, including start time, TV information and streaming options.

The FIFA World Cup Trophy is displayed on stage at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw on Dec. 3, 2025. (Michael Regan – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

 

How to Watch United States vs Turkey

When: Thursday, June 25, 2026, at 10 p.m. ET

Where: Los Angeles Stadium, Inglewood, California.

Advertisement

TV: FOX

Stream: Watch on FOX One and FOX Sports.

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending