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Liberty's Jonquel Jones discusses impact new WNBA documentary can have on fans as league continues to grow

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Liberty's Jonquel Jones discusses impact new WNBA documentary can have on fans as league continues to grow

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Growth is a word used often when describing the WNBA. And one way for the league to connect with fans is allowing them to get to know the stars better — on and off the court. 

That’s the intent of “Shattered Glass: A WNBPA Story,” which is a Tubi-exclusive, behind-the-scenes view into the lives of WNBA MVPs — the New York Liberty’s Jonquel Jones and Breanna Stewart, the Los Angeles Sparks’ Nneka Ogwumike and WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes. 

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Produced by MALKA in partnership with the WNBPA and Puma, this documentary is a first-of-its-kind piece that features some of the game’s best players in the WNBA. 

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Jonquel Jones of the New York Liberty during Game 4 of the 2023 WNBA Finals Oct. 18, 2023, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. (David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)

It’s scheduled to air Jan. 31 exclusively on Tubi. 

“It was a lot of fun filming the documentary,” Jones, a four-time All-Star who won WNBA MVP during the 2021 season, told Fox News Digital. “A lot of work as well, making sure everybody was available and everything because we shot it during the season. So, there were a lot of moving pieces.

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“It was probably the first time I’ve had a group of people following me so in depth. I’ve had shorter pieces with the WNBA and other opportunities where people would come and spend like a day in the life. To have it be multiple filming sessions, different family members and the dog, you get a different perspective.”

Perspective is the key to this documentary. 

KELSEY PLUM BELIEVES WNBA MARKETING SUPERSTARS BETTER WILL HELP ‘GROW THE GAME TREMENDOUSLY’

Las Vegas Aces star Kelsey Plum spoke to Fox News Digital in November 2023, explaining how she believes there isn’t a “great inside scoop into the super stardom of WNBA stars.” Leagues like the NBA market their stars to make them more relatable for fans. 

Jones took it a step further, believing all WNBA players need to get their stories out there. 

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“I think the WNBA, at times, we try our best to connect with the superstars,” she explained. “But I think it kinda leaves a little bit more to be desired in terms of hearing some of the other stories of players in the league. I think it kinda showed in the past where we’ve had a certain budget, and we only were able to highlight certain players. Because of that, you’d see probably one commercial every year, and it was like, ‘OK, we’ve seen this commercial like 100 times now.’

“When you have companies like MALKA invested and allow us to bring our stories to the table and to be able to do it in a way we did it this year, like I said before, just having so many filming sessions and having different perspectives and just having so much material that you can bring a great product to the table, it’s going to allow us to continue to grow.”

“Shattered Glass” allows Jones to tell her story about how a 6-foot-6 forward from the Bahamas made her name with the Connecticut Sun. But while fans can look at the stat sheets and the draft record to see that, the documentary shows a more personal side of Jones that she usually keeps private.

Jonquel Jones, right, is interviewed after the New York Liberty won Game 3 of the 2023 WNBA Finals Oct. 15, 2023, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. (Mike Lawrence/NBAE via Getty Images)

“I think I’m a pretty funny person,” she said, laughing. “I think the documentary does a good job of kinda showing my humor a good bit. Just kind of allowing me to open the doors to people that have never really seen that side of me. We did some filming at my house, get to meet my dogs a little bit. And I’m a pretty private person when it comes to, like, social media and stuff. So, I think that side of me is good to see and allow fans to have that connection.”

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Players at the college level are creating their own stardom, too, thanks to NIL deals and having the ability to market themselves before going pro. 

But this documentary also shows the sacrifices WNBA players are making. Many WNBA players play overseas in the offseason to supplement relatively modest pay.

FOUR-TIME WNBA ALL-STAR BREANNA STEWART ANNOUNCES SHE WILL SIGN WITH NEW YORK LIBERTY

“It’s trying to reach the audiences and trying to let them see how many sacrifices we, as WNBA players, have to make in order to play at such a high level,” said Jones. “We kinda touch on it in the documentary as well, where we have to, most times, a lot of us go overseas. I’m one of those players. I’m only in the U.S. right now because I have a break. So, in a couple weeks, I’ll be heading back to China. 

Jonquel Jones of the New York Liberty smiles during practice and media availability at the 2023 WNBA Finals Oct. 14, 2023, in Brooklyn, N.Y.  (David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)

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“So, we have those younger players coming in [with] those NIL deals, and they’re going to be stars in our league. I hope that this documentary sheds light on the sacrifices we’re making now so that, when they come into the league, they don’t have to make those sacrifices. They can play in the summer and be able to rehab their bodies and work on their games during the offseason and not have to commit to playing overseas. 

“I think shedding a light on that is going to hopefully bring more of those conversations to the table and allow the Caitlin Clarks and Angel Reeses to not have to do what we do.”

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Orioles’ Craig Albernaz says he must eat baby food for weeks after foul ball to face leads to 7 fractures

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Orioles’ Craig Albernaz says he must eat baby food for weeks after foul ball to face leads to 7 fractures

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Baltimore Orioles manager Craig Albernaz has seven fractures in his orbital area as well as a broken jaw after taking a foul ball to the face, but he remains in the dugout with his squad.

However, Albernaz has one big change to his daily routine over the next month or so. He needs to eat baby food.

The injury occurred on Monday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks, as the foul ball came whipping toward the Orioles’ dugout and hit Albernaz square on the right side of his face. But he was back at Camden Yards on Tuesday, less than 24 hours after suffering his multiple facial injuries.

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Baltimore Orioles manager Craig Albernaz looks on before an MLB game against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field in Chicago, Ill., on April 8, 2026. (Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire)

Reports from Baltimore state that he has a visible bruise on the right side of his face, and that he will need to consume baby food for the next six weeks as his face heals.

“This is what we’re here for,” Albernaz said to reporters, per the Baltimore Banner. “We’re here for the players. We have a game. I’m physically able to be here, so let’s go.… If my jaw was wired shut, I’d still be here.”

ORIOLES MANAGER CRAIG ALBERNAZ TAKES LINE DRIVE TO FACE IN TERRIFYING SCENE

Albernaz said he felt “pretty good” considering the circumstances from Monday night’s foul ball off the bat of one of his own, Jeremiah Jackson.

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“Ball hit me pretty flush in the cheek, but I feel good,” he added. “Luckily, no surgery. I think all in all, it was at least seven fractures in my cheek area, orbital, and then a broken jaw. But luckily, it doesn’t have to be wired. No surgery. I just have to eat baby food for six weeks.”

Baltimore Orioles manager Craig Albernaz stands on the field before the game against the San Francisco Giants at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Md., on Apr. 10, 2026. (Mitch Stringer/Imagn Images)

Albernaz, like many managers, was standing at the top of the dugout steps when Jackson was late to a pitch that shot immediately toward his teammates and coaches. It’s an unfortunate situation for Albernaz, but the first-time MLB manager is clearly showing his grit and resilience for his squad.

They also showed it for him on Monday night, as they were trailing at that point in the game. However, the Orioles rallied to win the game 9-7.

A lot of that had to do with Jackson, who bashed two home runs, including a grand slam in the victory.

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“I hit, and then I kind of saw Alby holding his face,” Jackson told reporters. “My heart kind of dropped. I was able to see him afterward and see he was doing OK.… Knowing he was OK helped. It made me feel a little bit better. I’m just happy he’s doing OK and in good spirits.”

Baltimore Orioles manager Craig Albernaz talks to media in the dugout before a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox in Chicago on April 8, 2026. (Nam Y. Huh/AP)

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The Orioles’ win keeps them tied with the New York Yankees atop the AL East standings at 9-7.

Albernaz will continue to lead the way in the dugout moving forward, even if his diet does have to change.

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NFL reporter Dianna Russini resigns after photos published of her and Patriots coach Mike Vrabel

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NFL reporter Dianna Russini resigns after photos published of her and Patriots coach Mike Vrabel

NFL reporter Dianna Russini has resigned from The Athletic days after the New York Post’s Page Six published photos of her and New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel interacting at an Arizona resort.

The photos appear to show Russini and Vrabel holding hands, hugging and sitting a hot tub and a swimming pool. In the April 7 article that accompanied the photos in the Post’s Page Six, Russini and Vrabel — both of whom are married to other people — gave statements denying anything inappropriate was happening between them.

The article also included a statement from Steven Ginsberg, executive editor of The Athletic, who expressed full support of Russini and said the photos “are misleading and lack essential context.” The New York Times, which owns The Athletic, reported days later that the digital sports outlet would conduct an investigation into the matter.

Russini submitted her letter of resignation to Ginsberg on Tuesday, then posted it on X. In it, Russini states she has “no interest in submitting to a public inquiry that has already caused far more damage than I am willing to accept.”

“I have covered the NFL with professionalism and dedication throughout my career, and I stand behind every story I have ever published,” Russini wrote. “When the Page Six item first appeared, The Athletic supported me unequivocally, expressed confidence in my work and pride in my journalism. For that I am grateful. In the days that followed, unfortunately, commentators in various media have engaged in self-feeding speculation that is simply unmoored from the facts.

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“Moreover, this media frenzy is hurtling forward without regard for the review process The Athletic is trying to complete. It continues to escalate, fueled by repeated leaks. … Rather than allowing this to continue, I have decided to step aside now — before my current contract expires on June 30. I do so not because I accept the narrative that has been constructed around this episode, but because I refuse to lend it further oxygen or to let it define me or my career.”

The New York Times confirmed Russini’s resignation but declined to comment further for this article.

Page Six wrote Tuesday that it received a statement from Ginsberg following Russini’s resignation.

“When this situation was brought to our attention last week, there were clear concerns,” Ginsberg wrote, according to Page Six, “but we received a detailed explanation and it was our instinct to support and defend a colleague while we continued to review the matter.”

But as “additional information emerged,” Ginsberg wrote, according to Page Six, “new questions were raised that became part of our investigation.” Ginsberg’s statement did not elaborate on the “new questions.”

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The investigation is ongoing, according to Page Six.

Russini joined The Athletic in 2023 after nearly a decade at ESPN, where her roles included “SportsCenter” anchor and NFL analyst and insider. Vrabel was a three-time Super Bowl champion as a Patriots linebacker and was head coach of the Tennessee Titans from 2018-2023 before returning to New England as head coach last season.

In Page Six’s initial article last week, Russini said the photos of her and Vrabel “don’t represent the group of six people who were hanging out during the day.” Vrabel said in the same article: “Those photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Orioles manager Craig Albernaz takes line drive to face in terrifying scene

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Orioles manager Craig Albernaz takes line drive to face in terrifying scene

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Baltimore Orioles manager Craig Albernaz was involved in a terrifying moment during the team’s victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday night.

Albernaz was struck by a line drive off the bat of Orioles second baseman Jeremiah Jackson in the fifth inning. The ball hit the manager’s left cheek and he left to be looked at by the team’s medical staff.

Baltimore Orioles manager Craig Albernaz talks to media in the dugout before a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox in Chicago on April 8, 2026. (Nam Y. Huh/AP)

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Albernaz briefly returned to the game after Jackson hit a grand slam to help the Orioles to the 9-7 win.

“He’s doing good. Just as a precaution, he’s going to get it scanned,” Orioles bench coach Donnie Ecker said.

Jackson said he had a sunken feeling when he saw Albernaz in pain after the errant liner.

“I hit and then I kind of saw Alby holding his face. My heart kind of dropped,” Jackson said. “I was able to see him afterward and see he was doing OK.”

AVALANCHE COACH TAKES PUCK TO THE FACE, WILL MISS FINAL REGULAR-SEASON GAMES

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Baltimore Orioles manager Craig Albernaz stands on the field before the game against the San Francisco Giants at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Md., on Apr. 10, 2026. (Mitch Stringer/Imagn Images)

“Knowing he was OK helped. It made me feel a little bit better,” Jackson added. “I’m just happy he’s doing OK and in good spirits.”

Albernaz and Jackson embraced after the infielder hit the big home run in the sixth inning.

“That was awesome,” Jackson said of the impromptu embrace from his manager. “You never want to hurt anybody, and Alby’s awesome. It sucked. But he wore it well and he’s in good spirits so it made me feel better.”

Albernaz is in his first year as Baltimore’s manager. He served as a bench coach and assistant manager for the Cleveland Guardians in 2024 and 2025.

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Baltimore Orioles’ Jeremiah Jackson rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the eighth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Baltimore on April 13, 2026. (Stephanie Scarbrough/AP)

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Baltimore improved to 9-7 with the win and are tied with the New York Yankees for first place in the American League East.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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