Author: lehang1

Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs will face the Houston Texans in their final regular season game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

Kelce’s girlfriend, singer Taylor Swift, had attended the Chiefs’ first six home games of the 2024 NFL season. However, due to her final “Eras Tour” show in Vancouver, Canada, she was unable to be at the most recent on Dec. 8.

With her tour now over, many expect the Grammy-winning singer to appear at the Chiefs vs. Texans game on Saturday. But after a new development, fans are now convinced Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark will take Swift up on her recent offer.

Clark partook in an interview after winning Time’s 2024 Athlete of the Year, where she discussed her time at the “Eras Tour” at Lucas Oil Stadium in November. Time’s senior sports correspondent Sean Gregory mentioned that Swift gave Clark a note inviting her to a Chiefs game.

“Swift gave Clark four bags of Eras Tour merchandise with a note saying Clark was inspiring to watch from afar,” Gregory wrote. “She said ‘Trav and I’ were excited to get to a Fever game now that the tour was winding down and invited Clark to attend a Chiefs game with her.”

Recently, @aclassyteaparty on X discovered the former Iowa Hawkeyes star had followed Kelce’s manager, Arron Eanes, on Instagram.

After the post made its rounds on social media, fans are now convinced that Clark will, in fact, accept Swift’s invite and attend the Chiefs vs. Texans game on Saturday.

“She’s going to that game on Saturday, I am convinced,” one user said.

“But also could she come to the game with Taylor tomorrow???” another fan asked. “Remember Taylor invited her on the note she gave her at the Eras concert???”

“she’s gonna be at that game Saturday,” wrote a third.

“Two possibile options: 1 she is on the podcast 2 she is attending the game with Taylor and his friends,” added a fourth.

“Ohhh she will be at the game and on the podcast too LFG CC,” chimed in a fifth.

“chiefs have a home game this week,” commented a sixth.

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark in action in the 2024 WNBA season.

Clark has made it known that she is a Swiftie herself, attending two concerts at the start of last month. Now, she could, in fact, find herself in the Kelce suite with the “Bad Blood” singer as soon as Week 16. If not, the WNBA All-Star point guard could attend a playoff game.

As the Chicago Sky usher a new era under head coach Tyler Marsh, they continue to make improvements and changes all around the team. On Wednesday, the Windy City franchise made another interesting move, adding former NCAA standout Courtney Paris as an assistant coach.

Paris, who had a decade-long playing career in the WNBA from 2009 to 2019 before transitioning to coaching, had previously served as an assistant for the Oklahoma Sooners women’s basketball team (2020-21) and the Dallas Wings (2023-24).

What’s interesting about Paris’ hire, however, is the track record of the one-time WNBA champion. Not only is she a two-time rebounding leader in the WNBA, but she also holds the record for the longest double-double streak in the NCAA with 112 games.

ESPNW even called Paris a “double-double queen” in its post after the Sky hired her, which prompted Angel Reese-related reactions. After all, when talking about double-doubles in the WNBA, the Chicago youngster is front and center in those conversations.

Reese tallied a WNBA-record 15 straight double-doubles and averaged 13.6 points and 13.1 rebounds in her rookie season. And so, with the Sky’s latest coaching decision, fans are convinced that she’s going to benefit from it.

“Oooh she’s going to help Reese and Kamilla,” a commenter wrote on ESPNW’s post.

Another one said, “That’s a win for Angel!”

“OH THIS IS GOING TO BE DYNAMITE!!!” another fan said.

“This should be a good move for Reese and Cardoso,” a supporter further stated.

A fifth commenter shared, “Perfect for Angel.”

“Angel about to average 25 rebounds a game,” a poster added.

Chicago Sky star Angel Reese attends the game between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers.

It remains to be seen how much of an impact Courtney Paris’ hiring will really have on Angel Reese. But sure enough, fans are excited to see her get to work with the WNBA’s newest double-double machine.

Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark became one of the more young dynamic duos in the WNBA in 2024. However, in the offseason, Boston may have a tough choice to make when it comes to the All-WNBA point guard.

On Wednesday, the Iowa Hawkeyes announced the official date they will retire Clark’s No. 22 jersey, revealing it will happen on Feb. 2, 2025, when JuJu Watkins and the USC Trojans come to town.

On the very same day, Boston’s former school, the South Carolina Gamecocks, will be retiring Las Vegas Aces star and three-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson’s jersey during a game against the Auburn Tigers.

It is unclear whether Boston will attend either ceremony, but if she did, the forward would likely have to choose one. With Iowa’s game starting at 1:30 p.m. ET and South Carolina’s at noon p.m. ET, there would be nearly zero chance she could attend both.

Indiana Fever forward Aliyah Boston (7) and guard Caitlin Clark (22)

Boston and Wilson never played together for the Gamecocks. The Aces star was in Columbia from 2014-18, while Boston joined the program a year later. However, Boston has claimed that Wilson is “like a real sister” to her.

Boston also showed her support for Clark when Iowa announced the ceremony date.

“It’s always go cocks but so happy for you sista,” Boston wrote in an Instagram Story. “congrats and go hawks for today.”

Boston was the No. 1 pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft, one year before Clark was selected No. 1 by Indiana. She has made an All-Star appearance in both seasons. With the addition of coach Stephanie White, the Fever could be a dangerous team for years to come with the Boston-Clark duo leading the charge.

Still, if Boston were to choose between Clark and Wilson, then the decision would not come easy.

The year is about to end, yet the negativity from some camps toward Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark hasn’t stopped.

Recently, Clark was named Athlete of the Year by Time Magazine. But Washington Mystics owner Sheila Johnson didn’t agree, claiming that race was a factor in Clark getting the honor and the entire WNBA should’ve been featured instead.

Johnson swiftly earned backlash for her remarks, with fans and Clark’s fellow athletes coming to the defense of the Fever guard.

Former NBA player Matt Barnes also joined the fray, ripping Clark’s haters and stressing her wide impact on the WNBA. He also acknowledged the difficulty of Clark’s position as a national phenomenon.

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark in action in the 2024 WNBA season.

“She’s damned if she does and she’s damned if she doesn’t,” said Barnes on the “All the Smoke” podcast.

Amid the recent criticisms from Johnson, the 44-year-old Barnes also touted Clark as the WNBA’s “golden goose.”

“While the NBA ratings continue to drop over 30% as they try to figure out who’s going to fill the shoes of LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Steph Curry, the WNBA has a golden goose sitting in their league,” added Barnes, who won a championship with the Golden State Warriors in 2017.

He admitted that Clark wasn’t alone in bringing the WNBA to greater heights this season and named Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson as the league’s best player.

He, however, maintained that the 22-year-old Clark brought a “ton of opportunity and more money” to the WNBA compared to any other player.

“So instead of downplaying the magnitude of who she is and what she’s brought, enjoy the ride and take advantage of the ride and do everything you can do to show the fanbase why they should’ve been watching before Caitlin came along,” said Barnes.

TikTok reacts to Angel Reese’s dance with Khadi Rahd.

Angel Reese surprised her fans on Thursday after she uploaded a TikTok video with the musician Khadi Rahd. The Chicago Sky star is famous on the short video platform, with over 5 million followers.

The video shows Reese dancing with Rahd to one of his songs. The musician held the Sky star’s hand and spun her around before breaking some of his moves in front of the camera.

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Raad wore a grey suit while Reese wore a white top and pink trousers. Fans reacted to the video, with one criticizing the musician for his dance moves.

“He ain’t slick,” the fan wrote.

Other fans joined the bandwagon and filled up the post’s comment section.

“Disproportionate,” one fan wrote.

“Why you cuttin up on us,” another wrote.

“His pants is everything,” another wrote.

Fans comment on Angel Reese’s TikTok.

“Big Angel what’s that dance called?” One fan wrote.

“Khadirah always bringing the energy! Love your content,” another fan wrote.

Fans express their opinions on Reese’s TikTok. (Credits: @angelreese10/TikTok)

The video has become quite popular among Reese’s fans as it has already gathered 20.6K likes. The Sky star is enjoying the offseason but will soon return to the court to represent Rose BC in the inaugural season of “Unrivaled.”

Angel Reese shares post-injury workout video in Rose BC’s gear

Angel Reese uploaded a workout video on her Instagram handle. In the video, the Sky star is dressed in a white t-shirt with Rose BC’s branding as she shows off her post-injury hooping abilities.

Reese accompanied a caption with her post to express her thoughts in front of her 4.6 million followers.

“Ima make that happen regardless!”

The video featured Reese showing off her improved shooting prowess as she shot the ball into the basket from several angles on the court.

Reese was the center of attention in her draft class alongside Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark. Her dominant performances last season made her a tough opponent for Clark in the Rookie of the Year race. However, She suffered a wrist injury late into the season, which sidelined her from any basketball activities.

She averaged 13.6 points, 13.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game while shooting 39.1% from the field. The Sky star was criticized for poor shooting prowess during her rookie season.

The recent retirement ceremony for Caitlyn Clark’s jersey has sparked some of the funniest and most intense debates in basketball discourse. On February 2nd, the University of Iowa announced the retirement of Clark’s number 22 jersey, a moment that quickly gained attention due to the symbolic significance of the date (2/2) matching Clark’s number. Iowa had been meticulously planning this event for months, ensuring that it would coincide with their home game on that date. The anticipation surrounding Clark’s jersey retirement was so great that tickets sold out almost immediately, with prices skyrocketing to as much as $1,000 each, setting new records for ticket sales in college basketball.

However, on the same day, a different controversy brewed in South Carolina. The University of South Carolina, home of legendary player AA Wilson, also planned a jersey retirement ceremony for Wilson’s number 22. The timing of the two ceremonies on the same day raised eyebrows, particularly since both players wore the same number. To make matters even more dramatic, the ticket prices for Wilson’s ceremony were significantly lower than Clark’s, with some tickets going for just $64. This price disparity became a major talking point, with Wilson’s supporters feeling disrespected by the attention and high prices for Clark’s ceremony, while Clark’s fans defended their player’s unprecedented impact on women’s basketball.

The situation quickly escalated into a full-blown debate, especially when the announcement from South Carolina came after Iowa’s event was already planned. Fans, analysts, and journalists all took to social media to express their opinions, with some accusing Iowa of overshadowing Wilson’s moment, while others argued that the date had been chosen for symbolic reasons long before South Carolina made its announcement. The public outcry reflected a deeper division within women’s basketball, with fans debating issues like respect for the game’s history versus embracing the future, and the relative importance of traditional achievements versus modern popularity.

Both Clark and Wilson represent different eras of basketball greatness. Wilson symbolizes established excellence, with her Olympic gold medal and WNBA MVP awards, while Clark represents a new wave of social media-driven fame that has helped elevate women’s basketball to new heights. This conflict between the two eras added another layer of complexity to the controversy, raising questions about how the sport should handle celebrations of its stars and whether such celebrations should be coordinated to avoid clashes like this.

Despite the online drama, both players have shown mutual respect for each other, with the animosity primarily coming from their fanbases. What started as a scheduling conflict has turned into a larger conversation about the state of women’s basketball. The debate about ticket prices, media coverage, and how the sport should honor its stars is a reflection of its rapid growth and the growing pains that come with it.

The controversy has also led to important discussions about how to respect the pioneers of women’s basketball, such as Christy Sides and Stephanie White, who also wore number 22 before Clark and Wilson. As the two ceremonies approach, it’s clear that while both players deserve their moments, the collision of their celebrations has created an unintended rivalry that has captured the attention of fans, analysts, and the wider basketball world. This situation highlights the challenges of balancing the growing popularity of the sport with the need to respect its history, and how social media can amplify conflicts that might otherwise go unnoticed.

The Clark effect has undoubtedly caught everyone’s attention. Whether through praise or criticism, the Fever star is undeniably the talk of the town. She is the face the league can leverage to achieve massive success. And it seems to be doing so already. Former NBA player Matt Barnes has always highlighted Clark’s potential. Following Sheila Johnson’s recent claims, he spoke about the backlash Caitlin has faced as he defends her.

During the latest segment of the All The Smoke podcast, Matt Barnes discussed Clark’s contribution to bringing attention not just to the WNBA but to women’s basketball as a whole. He said that she has brought more money and attention to the pro league while simultaneously helping shine the spotlight on other talents in the league.

While the NBA grapples with a concerning 30% drop in TV viewership, Barnes noted, “Caitlin is someone who has if you look at it done everything you’re supposed to do and has been criticized along the every step of the way.” “Again she’s damned if she does and she’s damned if she doesn’t while the NBA ratings continue to drop over 30% as they try to figure out who is going to fill the shoes of LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Steph Curry the WNBA has a golden goose sitting in their league,” Barnes explained.

As Barnes mentioned, Indiana Fever’s first trip with Clark to the State Farm Arena saw an attendance of nearly 17,500 seats. And Barnes isn’t alone. The Washington Mystics even had to move to larger NBA or NHL arenas when the Fever visited. The retired NBA player’s comments came just days after the Mystics’ owner Sheila Johnson’s remarks regarding Clark’s TIME magazine honor surfaced.

TIME paid tribute to Clark with Athlete of the Year. In an interview with CNN, Johnson claimed, “This year, something clicked with the WNBA and it’s because of the draft, the players that came in.” She further added, “It’s not just Caitlin Clark, it’s (Angel) Reese, there’s so much talent out that has been unrecognized, and I don’t think we can pin it on just one player.” What do you think about Johnson’s comment?

From playing college basketball to making herself comfortable battling against the pro stars, Clark showed an incredibly entertaining display in her rookie year, which also saw her claim the ROTY award. She is the first player to be named Player of the Month and Rookie of the Month in the same month. She set the record of most points and most assists by a rookie. Clark is the first rookie to hit a triple double in WNBA history.

The WNBA No. 1 pick made history when she signed an 8-year endorsement deal with Nike worth nearly $28 million. She was praised for opening the door of opportunities for others. And she will likely get her signature shoe soon. However, she was also quickly criticized for the same, with many claiming that WNBA veterans such as Wilson should be the first to get a signature deal.

Basketball Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman, who had once called Fever’s game against the Dallas Mavericks, recalled how entertaining it was to watch Clark bring a new change to women’s basketball. She further claimed that Clark will also bring attention to other stars, just as Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods once did in the respective sports they played.  “You’re going to make all these women multimillionaires one day. Like Tiger did. Like Michael Jordan did. And we shouldn’t hate on her. We should celebrate her. Not tolerate her,” Lieberman said. The Clark effect seems real!

Two iconic names. One historic date. On February 2, 2025, women’s basketball will celebrate A’ja Wilson and Caitlin Clark in ways that cement their legacies forever. As fans debate whose impact is greater, ticket sales tell a story of their own, with Clark’s jersey retirement commanding prices more typical of marquee NBA games.

A’ja Wilson, the cornerstone of South Carolina’s rise to prominence, will see her No. 22 jersey retired at Colonial Life Arena when the Gamecocks face Auburn. Tickets for this monumental occasion start at $64. However, in Iowa City, the retirement of Caitlin Clark’s No. 22 jersey at Carver-Hawkeye Arena during Iowa’s game against USC is shaping up to be an even bigger spectacle.

Fans snapped up tickets at unprecedented rates. One Twitter user marveled “In the span of 40 minutes, the cheapest ticket to Iowa WBB vs. USC went from $200 to $784, with a bunch of tickets listed for over $1,000. Incredible.” The minimum price for a seat now hovers at $587, a stark contrast to Wilson’s ceremony, despite her storied legacy.

Wilson’s jersey retirement is well-earned. As the program’s first No. 1 recruit, she transformed South Carolina into a powerhouse. A three-time Southeastern Conference Player of the Year, Wilson led the Gamecocks to their first national championship in 2017 and left as the school’s all-time leading scorer with 2,389 points. Her contributions earned her a statue outside Colonial Life Arena in 2021, an honor rarely bestowed so quickly.

Yet, Clark’s explosive impact has redefined the sport. The NCAA’s all-time leading scorer—surpassing even Pete Maravich—Clark has become the face of a movement that’s brought women’s basketball unprecedented visibility. In April, after leading Iowa to a second consecutive NCAA Finals appearance, her team declared, “There will never be another 22.”

Clark’s jersey retirement comes with significant fanfare, including an emotional tribute video. It opens with one of her signature deep threes before fading to her jersey in the rafters, accompanied by the date: 2.2.25. Reflecting on the honor, Clark shared

“I’m forever proud to be a Hawkeye, and Iowa holds a special place in my heart that is bigger than just basketball. It means the world to me to receive this honor and to celebrate it with my family, friends, and alumni. It will be a great feeling to look up in the rafters and see my jersey alongside those that I’ve admired for so long.”

Both players have transformed their programs and elevated the game. Wilson’s dominance laid the foundation for South Carolina’s continued success, while Clark’s star power has drawn more fans, sponsors, and media attention to women’s basketball than ever before.

As February 2 approaches, fans will gather in Columbia and Iowa City to celebrate two extraordinary athletes. Whether through Wilson’s steady leadership or Clark’s electrifying style, their legacies will forever be intertwined with the growth of women’s basketball.

In the end, it’s not about whose jersey hangs higher—it’s about the path they’ve paved for the future.

The rivalry between Caitlyn Clark and Angel Reese is not just a competition between two talented basketball players, but also reflects differing attitudes and work ethics in professional sports. While Caitlyn Clark is proving her dedication and commitment through her efforts to improve her weaknesses, the workout video released by Angel Reese has raised questions about her seriousness in developing her skills.

Caitlyn Clark, with her impressive gameplay and exceptional vision, continuously strives for self-improvement. Her workout video went viral on social media, garnering over 2 million views within 24 hours. This is largely due to the way she focuses on addressing her weaknesses, such as ball control in tight spaces, improving mid-range shooting, and finishing plays through contact. Every step in her training has a clear objective, designed to elevate skills that even her most loyal fans recognize could make her one of the greatest players in WNBA history.

From improving her ball handling under pressure to developing sharper mid-range shots, Clark is not only aiming to maintain her form but also working to make herself an unbreakable force in the game. This has sparked excitement among fans and experts alike, as they eagerly anticipate what she can accomplish in the upcoming season.

In contrast, Angel Reese stirred controversy with the release of her workout video shortly after Clark’s video gained massive attention. Many have criticized this move as a “hasty” PR attempt to catch up with Clark, yet lacking genuine effort to improve her personal skills. In her video, Reese performs dribbling drills and shooting, but many feel that she is more focused on maintaining a social media presence rather than addressing real weaknesses in her game. Her statistics in close-range scoring suggest that she is one of the least efficient players in that area, but instead of focusing on improving her post-game, she opts to work on long-range shooting, leaving many to question if she is heading in the right direction.

The absence of the Chicago Sky coaching staff in Reese’s workout video further raised doubts about her commitment to improving her game. While Clark benefits from close guidance from coaches and teammates, Reese appears to be training solo with personal trainers, which makes some wonder if she is fully dedicated to developing her skills.

Fans of both players have had strong reactions to these videos. Caitlyn Clark’s supporters are excited to see how far she can go in the upcoming season, while Angel Reese’s fans are left confused and disappointed, as her video does not seem to address the real issues with her play. Some even suspect that Reese is attempting to emulate Clark’s style but lacks the true commitment and effort to back it up.

What fans expect from sports stars is not the flashy social media presence or PR moves, but the commitment to their craft, a constant drive to improve, and dedication to their teams. If Reese does not change her approach and focus on her weaknesses, she could face a challenging season ahead. Meanwhile, Caitlyn Clark, with her unwavering commitment and continuous improvement, seems poised to move closer to greatness in her basketball career.

Caitlin Clark is set to have her illustrious career honored by the University of Iowa as they retire her No. 22 jersey on February 2, 2024. This significant event will take place at Iowa’s Carver-Hawkeye Arena. It will be a memorable day for the young WNBA star as the date chosen is particularly meaningful. It corresponds with her jersey number.

In her senior season, Clark hit one after the other milestones during her stay at the camp. She was averaging an impressive 31.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 8.9 assists per game. Clark also went on to break records and surpassed legends like Pete Maravich and Kelsey Plum. And she became the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer across both men’s and women’s divisions.

However, this honor will place her among other Hawkeye greats, joining the ranks of Megan Gustafson and Michelle Edwards, whose jerseys hang in tribute to their career. As Clark takes to the court one final time on February 2, her fans are eagerly awaiting the ceremony against USC. But the ticket price for the special event is what has the social fans going gaga.

Caitlin Clark’s Jersey Retirement Ceremony Sparks Internet Frenzy

The said event is generating a lot of excitement among college basketball fans, mostly because of the soaring ticket prices. This news quickly made the upcoming game against the USC Trojans a hot ticket, pushing prices on sites like TickPick to all-time highs. Just one day after the announcement, the cheapest ticket was listed at an incredible $711, much higher than the previous lowest price of $283.

Coming from these soaring numbers, fans took to social media to share their emotions.

“I would have had it in the football stadium & probably cashed out even more,” a fan wrote.

“Iowa that’s nasty work,” another fan disapproved of the high prices.

“Even with as good as Caitlin Clark, I still can’t bring myself to watch the WNBA,” a fan commented.

“You said how much?!” another account commented with disbelief.

“711 DOLLARS?” a fan asked.

“I would not pay that priviledged price,” a fan added.

“I’m good. That’s too rich for my blood,” another fan joked.

The hype is real and shows just how much people want to be part of this amazing moment in sports history. The record for ticket prices was previously set during Clark’s last home game when tickets ranged from $358 for standing room to $450 for regular seats.

Now, many fans are finding tickets above $1,000 for the jersey retirement ceremony. Everyone wants to witness this historic occasion and celebrate Clark as one of the greatest players ever. Her No. 22 will soon hang proudly in the rafters of Carver-Hawkeye Arena, a fitting tribute to her remarkable career.