GREAT BASKETBALL ON DISPLAY AT THE CORETTA SCOTT KING CLASSIC

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is incredibly important in the basketball calendar. For decades, the NBA has used the day to honor Dr. King and showcase its best games and brightest stars. It’s a day that means a lot to the league and one they treat with honor and respect. In women’s college basketball, they’ve begun a new tradition of their own to honor an American hero.

Coretta Scott King was instrumental in the Civil Rights Movement worldwide throughout her life. She was one of the leading voices against apartheid in South Africa, the Vietnam War, and both Iraq Wars, and helped lead the Poor People’s Campaign, among many important feats. In the 1980s, she was instrumental in having Dr. King Day enacted as a federal holiday. With the gains made from the Civil Rights Movement under threat from the United States government, the holiday takes on even more importance.

“This holiday means a lot to our community and who we are as people,” Ohio State guard Chance Gray said. “Being able to honor that and play in this [game], and also honoring Coretta Scott King. You know, she was behind Martin Luther King a lot. So just being able to notice that women are behind it too.”

In the first game of the Classic, the fans in Newark were treated to a thriller between TCU and Ohio State. Jaloni Cambridge has taken the country by storm, wowing fans and legends alike. In the first half, she struggled against the TCU defense as she went 2-10 from the field and couldn’t find her shot.

However, great players always find a way, even amidst early struggles. Cambridge scored ten points in the fourth quarter and helped Ohio State collect its biggest win of the season in a 71-69 thriller over No. 9 TCU. It was the Buckeyes’ second win against a Top Ten opponent this season and have a chance to beat another Top 10 opponent when they visit No. 10 Iowa on January 25.

In the second half of the holiday doubleheader, undefeated Vanderbilt took the court against Michigan. Vandy dominated early and built a lead as big as 19 points. However, Michigan is a resilient team and fought all the way back to make it a one-possession game in the final seconds.

They had a chance to tie or go ahead late, but missed three pointers by Olivia Olson and Syla Swords helped Vanderbilt survive Michigan’s furious comeback, 72-69. Vanderbilt is 19-0 and has a big-time matchup in Columbia against No. 2 South Carolina on January 25.

The SEC is a lot like the Royal Rumble. You survive one opponent, and the entrance music plays, and a bigger, badder opponent is coming down the aisle with their eyes on you.

The Coretta Scott King Classic was tremendous. The games were excellent, and fans paid respect to two American heroes.

We can only hope this country heeds the message of Coretta and Dr. King and applies it to their lives and communities.

ANOTHER BIG WEEK ON DECK

Here’s the latest in the AP’s Top 25 rankings:

Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
Week 10

ATHLETES UNLIMITED IS GEARING UP FOR THE NEW YEAR

We’re a few weeks away from Season 5 of Athletes Unlimited!

On January 17, AU announced the roster for the new season starting on February 4.

Kysre Gondrezick was set to play this season, but recently suffered a torn Achilles tendon and will miss this season. All the best to her.

Sydney Colson will also be out of action as she continues to recover from a torn ACL. This AU season, she join the broadcast team, which includes Sheryl Swoopes, Cindy Brunson, Pam Ward, etc.

AU continued their promo with a teaser featuring many of the players heading to the Music City

For players competing this year at AU, it represents an opportunity to get better and learn from some experienced veteran players.

“Everybody has their own unique story, and I feel like that’s the biggest thing about it, just being able to sit down and talk to them and be able to actually get to know them and their story,” Aneesah Morrow said. “Being around a lot of players that are a lot older than you, some might even be younger, lets you know a lot of things about life and opportunities and connections and networking.”

As the WNBA continues negotiations, leagues like Athletes Unlimited give players the chance to play against good competition, stay in the USA, and earn good money. AU has been a success, and as they begin Year Five, they have a chance to make more of an impact.

SORTING OUT THE DETAILS

Negotiations for the WNBA CBA are ongoing. In the meantime, the league is looking to shore up some things internally.

In 2022, the WNBA amassed $75 million in a capital raise. A series of investors, including Joe and Clara Tsai, Swin Cash, Ted Leonsis, and plenty more. The capital raise divided the ownership stake in the league from what was a 50/50 split between the NBA and the 12 WNBA owners to a 42/42/16 split between the NBA, WNBA, and investors from the capital raise.

At the time, the move was lauded for giving the WNBA a much-needed boost of money to help the league expand its reach. The move was praised at the time and set in motion a lot of what we see in the WNBA in 2026.

“The way to build a business is to have capital to invest in innovation, digital and fan-facing events, a global platform, and all that,” Cathy Engelbert said in 2022. “We’re going to be off on our way of generating new revenue and bolstering player marketing and consumer touchpoints.”

Four years and many millions (and millions) of dollars later, the league is on much better financial footing. The WNBA has broken through and is part of the mainstream sports discussion. Thanks in part to the capital raise, the league has expanded its footprint. And now, the league is looking to buy those investors out.

On January 16, Annie Costabile of Front Office Sports reported that the WNBA has begun exploring the possibility of buying back the 16 percent stake in the league that they sold in 2022. It’s in the very early stages, and there are questions as to how this would actually happen, but nothing is set in motion as of yet.

The early thought is that the league is looking to buy things back for CBA purposes, but it might not be so simple

The WNBA is in a fascinating place. The league is growing and on track to grow even more. As this growth continues, they have to figure out how the expanding financial pie gets spread.

It’s been a long journey, but if they get it right, they’ll be secure for decades to come.

At Black Rosie Media, we love to give flowers to other writers and creators in the women’s basketball community.

Here’s what we’re reading:

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