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If you thought Caitlin Clark breaking records right, left, and center was her NCAA days, think again! After being named TIME’s Player of the Year, the reigning league ROTY continues her extraordinary run, adding another accolade to her growing list of achievements. The Associated Press (AP) Female Athlete of the Year title now belongs to the Iowa sensation, further solidifying her impact on women’s sports and basketball. However, while the point guard did mention one WNBA legend, she chose to stay quiet about another.

According to a recent post on X by the Associated Press, “Caitlin Clark honored as AP Female Athlete of the Year following her impact on women’s sports.” This honor highlights her ascent in the sport, both as a player and as an icon. Clark now joins an exclusive list of basketball legends such as Sheryl Swoopes, Rebecca Lobo, and Candace Parker.

Seventy-four sports journalists from the Associated Press and its members cast their votes for the award, with Clark securing the top spot with 35 votes. Olympic gymnast Simone Biles came in second with 25 votes, followed by boxer Imane Khelif, who received 4 votes.

The point guard’s win marks a historic moment—she is only the fourth women’s basketball player to earn this distinction since its inception in 1931. And while she may or may not have known about who the others were, she chose to only speak up on the 3x WNBA champ Parker.

“I grew up a fan of Candace Parker and the people who came before me, and to be honored in this way is super special, and I’m thankful,” Clark said in a phone interview with AP. “It was a great year for women’s basketball and women’s sports.”

However, while Clark praised Candace Parker and other WNBA legends in her AP interview, she notably did not mention Sheryl Swoopes, one of her chief critics. This omission stands in contrast to a previous moment when, during her appearance on SNL, Clark openly credited Swoopes and other trailblazers.

“I’m sure it will be a big first step for me, but it’s just one step for the WNBA. Thanks to all the great players: Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie, Dawn Staley, and my basketball hero, Maya Moore. These are the girls that kicked down the door so I could walk inside. I want to thank them for laying down the foundation.”

This time, however, Clark’s silence on Swoopes was noticeable, especially considering her respect for the WNBA legend even before her own rise to prominence in the league.

However, Clark’s own AP recognition comes after a year of record-breaking performances and milestones. She led Iowa to its second consecutive National Championship Game, shattered NCAA Division I scoring records with 3,951 career points, and made a more or less seamless transition to the WNBA.

Her rookie season with the Indiana Fever was no less groundbreaking. From setting a single-game assist record of 19 to becoming the fastest player to reach 100 three-pointers in just 34 games, Clark’s impact was undeniable.

Clark’s individual accolades are extraordinary, but they’re just one piece of a much larger puzzle. Her success is a testament to the collective rise of women’s sports—a movement fueled by fans, teammates, and trailblazers who came before her.

Why Caitlin Clark is the perfect choice: Transforming women’s basketball with record viewership

Lobo, a former recipient of the AP Female Athlete of the Year award and a key figure in the WNBA’s early days, lauded Clark’s unparalleled influence on the game. “She’s brought unprecedented attention both in the building, but also viewership to the sport that was worthy of it but didn’t have it yet,” Lobo remarked in an interview with the Associated Press.

“There’s never been anything like this. That timeframe from 1995-97 was a baby step in the progression of it all. This is a giant leap forward. I’ve never seen anything like this. There’s more attention than the sport’s ever had,” said the WNBA legend who earlier in April called Caitlin Clark a “tsunami” for the league, set to raise the tide for all.

Indeed, the numbers tell the story of Clark’s far-reaching influence. WNBA viewership increased by 300% during her rookie season, with networks like ABC, ESPN, and CBS breaking their own records. Iowa’s NCAA women’s championship game, which featured Clark, attracted 18.9 million viewers—outdrawing the men’s Final Four for the first time in history.

Clark credits the rise of women’s sports to a collective effort. “It’s fascinating, you don’t always appreciate how many people 18 million is,” she reflected. “You see that number against a college football game or the Masters or whatever it is as far as the biggest sporting events in our country, and it puts it in perspective. We outdrew the men’s Final Four.”

For Clark, it’s not just about winning awards or breaking records. She remains grounded, often taking time before and after games to sign autographs and connect with fans.

“For me, it’s still really fun,” she said. “Whether it’s 15 seconds or 10 seconds or 5 seconds can be very impactful in a young girl and young boy’s life. Seeing the fans going crazy an hour before tipoff, I never take that for granted. That’s super cool, and I never want that to go away.”

As Clark’s career continues to soar, her ability to navigate the pressure with grace remains unmatched. Her journey, from college basketball phenom to professional superstar, is not just a milestone for her but a giant leap for women’s sports as a whole. As for her heart, it is in the right place and she knows how to navigate challenges just right, even if the challenge to her is in the WNBA’s icon Sheryl Swoopes herself.

It was in August this year when Angel Reese landed the most perfect deal with a brand that was practically written in the stars—Reese’s. But while this dream partnership might seem like destiny now, the journey to make it happen wasn’t as smooth as it looks. In fact, the initial lack of response from the $34.49 billion worth Hershey Company almost derailed it. So, what went down exactly?

Reese and her longtime manager, Jeanine Ogbonnaya, recently spilled the tea on Unapologetically Angel. The duo discussed how big brand collaborations aren’t just about name-dropping and striking deals overnight; they take months, sometimes even years, of groundwork.

Jeanine revealed, “For instance, the Reese’s Puffs deal people are seeing now—that’s been in the works for over a year and a half.” That goes back to when Angel was in Louisiana. When they started working together, the two brands the W star told Jeanine were her dreams were Reese’s and Barbie’s.

But when they first reached out to Reese’s, there was no reply. Jeanine joked on the podcast, “When I deal with Reese’s team now, they’re like, ‘Yeah, we remember you reached out.’ I’m like, yeah, you guys didn’t answer me.” Despite the rocky start, Reese’s Puffs—which licenses the Reese’s name from Hershey—eventually came through.

Now, the partnership is a reality, fulfilling Angel Reese’s childhood dream. The collaboration is iconic for more reasons than one. The Chi-Town Barbie became the first-ever WNBA player to team up with Reese’s, joining the ranks of sporting legends like Michael Phelps and Simone Biles.

“Not only does this fulfill my childhood dream of being on a cereal box, but there couldn’t be a better fit for me than Reese’s Puffs cereal,” Reese said. In October, “Angel X Reese’s Puffs” officially hit shelves, complete with four unique box designs featuring Reese herself.

And the baller couldn’t hide her excitement, sharing a fun video showing off the cereal box with her face on it. Just like that, the 22-year-old is absolutely crushing it in the endorsement game, but don’t think for a second that these deals fell into her lap.

Jeanine & Angel Reese discuss securing the bag isn’t always easy

As the Sky forward and Jeanine discussed, getting to this point required resilience and a lot of hard work. Back in 2022, right after her national championship win, Reese’s NIL valuation was $1.8 million. With offers pouring in from big agencies, Reese made a bold move by sticking with Jeanine and her boutique agency, Clearview Group.

 “I told agencies, if y’all aren’t letting Jeanine in on this, it’s dead,” Reese recalled. That loyalty paid off, paving the way for deals with Topps, Airbnb, Tampax, Beats by Dre, and Reebok, skyrocketing her net worth to $2 million. Jeanine pointed out that one of the challenges with bigger agencies is their lack of attention to detail.

“They have so many clients, they’re not as in tune with things like approving hair and makeup artists,” she said. This hands-on approach is what makes Reese’s team stand out. The baller has proven time and again that she’s more than just an athlete. With her loyal manager by her side and a growing list of dream collaborations, let’s watch her become a brand powerhouse.

Over the weekend, one Tennessee Vols fan captured the heart of America after a raunchy video surfaced showing a female fan getting down on her knees to drink some beer that was being poured from a hat.

That female fan went incredibly viral.

Social media quickly identified her as OF model Sara Blake Cheek.

@saracheeky1

— Sydney Nicole (@TheSydNicole) December 21, 2024

The Tennessee Vols fan has millions of followers across all social media channels, with the most being on Instagram.

Sara Blake Cheek, responded to our tweet going viral.

It is not hard to see why Blake has so many admirers.

Sara Blake Cheek has appeared on the cover of Playboy and over ESPN radio waves.

Her popular following has made her a millionaire due to her success in the adult content industry.

Her career has not stopped her from having a love life, as she is married to her husband, Matt Cheek. They stated earlier this year that they are earning over $30,000 each per month and confessed they already made $3 million in 2023 alone.

Sara Blake Couldn’t Even Save The Tennessee Vols

The No. 8 seed Ohio State Buckeyes took down the No. 9 seed Tennessee Volunteers with a dominant College Football Playoff performance.

Before the game, Onlyfans model Sara Blake Cheek tried to pump everybody up with her revealing shirt and sucking down some beer while on her knees.

The ninth-ranked SEC Tennessee Vols got blown out 42-17 by the eighth-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes.

It was a bad ending to such a promising year for the Vols.

Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel welcomed two sons after marrying in 2012

Photo: Jessica Biel/Instagram

Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel are raising two boys.

The couple, who have been married since 2012, share two children: Silas, 9, and Phineas, 4.

Though Biel and Timberlake are Hollywood stars, they prefer to keep their sons out of the spotlight.

“I try to be conscious of making sure we can live a life where we’re not weirdly private,” the “Mirrors” singer said during an appearance on the Armchair Expert podcast in 2021. “But we’re conscious of making sure they can be kids for as long as possible and not have the weight of somebody else treating them differently because of something that their parents do.”

Just two days before Timberlake was arrested for driving while intoxicated in the Hamptons on June 18, 2024, he celebrated Father’s Day with a sweet post about Silas and Phineas on Instagram.

“My 2 greatest gifts. I learn more about myself everyday just because you both chose me to be your Daddy,” he wrote. “I will always be there for you through your peaks and valleys… to lift you up and show you how high you can take this life and to pick you up when you fall. I love you both so much. Thank you for giving me my biggest purpose.”

Here’s everything to know about Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel’s two kids.

Silas Timberlake, 9

Justin Timberlake Instagram

Timberlake and Biel’s first child, Silas Randall Timberlake, was born on April 8, 2015. The couple was fairly tight-lipped about their baby’s arrival, with reps only confirming to PEOPLE that Biel and Silas were doing well and that Timberlake was “ecstatic.” Silas was named after Timberlake’s maternal grandfather, Bill Silas Bomar. He also shares the same middle name, Randall, as his father.

When Silas was 6 months old, Biel opened up about motherhood on the Today show, saying, “It’s an amazing, amazing experience. Incredibly hard — the hardest job in the world, and I’ve never been more thankful and grateful to my own mother.” She also called her infant “amazing” and “wonderful.”

Although Timberlake has several Grammys to his name, Silas is seemingly unfazed by his father’s success. While speaking to Jimmy Fallon in 2021, Biel said of her then 6-year-old, “Whenever he hears Daddy’s song he’ll go ‘Oh yeah, that’s Dad. No big deal, whatever.’ ”

The Candy actress even admitted she can’t get Silas to watch her children’s show, Pete the Cat. “I tried to get him to watch the show, he will not watch,” she revealed. “And yet he says, ‘Hey Mom, hey Mom, do one of those voices from the show’ and I’m like ‘But you’ve never seen the show you don’t even know.’ He’s just like ‘just do it Mom,’ so I’ll do one of the voices and he’ll be like, ‘cool Mom, cool.’ ”

After Biel released her children’s book, A Kids Book About Periods, she told PEOPLE that she and Silas had started reading the book together and that it was “really cool to see him listening.”

“He was so cool about it. I was like, ‘Oh my God, score. We did it,’ ” Biel said. “That was the first step in much bigger conversations and deeper conversations that I hope to have with him. And that’s exactly why I wrote this book.”

In August 2024, Silas made a rare public appearance with Biel at the US Open in New York City. The mother-son duo watched Karolína Muchová defeat Naomi Osaka.

Phineas Timberlake, 4

Justin Timberlake Instagram

Phineas Timberlake, Biel and Timberlake’s second child, was born in the summer of 2020. However, it wasn’t until a January 2021 appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show that Timberlake opened up about his baby for the first time.

“He’s awesome and so cute. Nobody’s sleeping,” Timberlake said. “But we’re thrilled. We’re thrilled and couldn’t be happier. Very grateful.” When Timberlake was asked how Silas was doing as a big brother he replied, “Right now, he’s very much liking it. Phin can’t walk yet or chase him down. So we’ll see what happens.”

A few months later, Biel confessed to having a baby in secret on Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert podcast, saying, “I had, like, a secret COVID baby. It wasn’t like it was supposed to be a secret. It was, just COVID happened, and then I went to Montana with my family and never left.”

She also revealed Phineas was born during the summer of 2020 and she wasn’t sure if Timberlake would be allowed in the hospital for the birth because of COVID-19 restrictions. “I was really getting nervous about that situation,” she said. “But yes, he was allowed. I think if I had to be there alone, that would have been horrible. I would have been really scared.”

The Sinner star also talked about how much harder having two children is versus one. “Someone said to me, ‘Two is like having a thousand,’ and that’s exactly what it feels like,” she said. “The balance of everything is very different and super hard.”

When asked about the idea of her kids going into show business during the same interview, Biel wasn’t thrilled with the idea. “My knee-jerk reaction is ‘Oh God, no. Please no.’ But then, I look at these kids and I’m like, ‘Oh (expletive), they’re probably going to be musical.’ What are we going to do? Like, not let them play the piano? Or not let them take a voice lesson if that’s their passion?”

She continued, “I don’t want to be that parent to stifle a dream, but, man, if my kid would just be like, ‘Let’s go learn about corn in Iowa,’ (I’d be like), ‘Great.’ I would so much rather them be an engineer or something.”

The couple tapped into their cheeky Christmas spirit to make some fun for their sons Phineas and Silas

Jessica Biel and her mischievous Elf on the Shelf display. Photo: Matt Winkelmeyer/WireImage; Jessica Biel/Instagram

Jessica Biel upped her Christmas game with some next-level Elf on the Shelf setups this holiday season.

On Dec. 25, the mom of two posted an Instagram carousel showing some of the creative ways she spices up the holiday for her sons Silas, 9, and Phineas, 4, both of whom she shares with husband Justin Timberlake.

Biel shared a collection of photos and videos of toy elves getting into all kinds of trouble, including one snap of an elf holding a black marker beside framed photos of each of their kids. Facial hair and hats had been scribbled all over their portraits.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jessica Biel (@jessicabiel)

Posing as the mischievous elf, Biel penned a note to both kids: “You better stay off the naughty list, or I’ll paint your faces FOR REAL, just like this,” it read with an arrow pointing to the photos.

The first slide showed one red-suited figure splayed out in what appears to be some sort of kitchen mishap, between the dusting of flour or sugar and spilled mini marshmallows. “Naughty ass elf ,” the 7th Heaven alumna wrote in her caption.

In a following photo, Biel staged an elf with its arms over a bottle of ketchup and mustard, the same condiments that splattered the “Elf target practice” bullseye hung on the wall in front of it. Later in the carousel, an elf can be seen peeking out from a toaster with a sign reading, “It’s toasty in here … Keep it crispy this Christmas!”

Jessica Biel’s Elf on the Shelf display for her kids.Jessica Biel/Instagram

For a truly cheeky prank, the actress draped the festive doll over a bathroom sink and placed a toothbrush between its legs. The “elf” addressed Silas in his note: “Thanks for letting me use your BUTT brush!” read a note in curly handwriting.

In videos, Biel showed their house in various states of disarray, all supposedly caused by the rebellious elf off of its intended shelf. One clip showed their staircase wrapped in faux spider webs dotted with plastic arachnids. Two plush spiders were placed beside an elf hanging upside down from the white material.

In another video, toys like Spider-Man and Buzz Lightyear hung from a doorframe by strings. The elf was secured at the top of the door, appearing to hold the string of yet another dangling figurine.

It wasn’t just Biel orchestrating behind the scenes either. Timberlake got in on the fun as well, according to an Instagram Reel he shared on Christmas Day. In his video, the elf stood behind a paper a turntable labeled “DJ Fart-Butt.” The setup included other mini accessories, like a laptop, speakers and headphones.

Techno music blasted as the singer showed off the elf’s DJ booth from all angles. He panned up to his smirking wife and they repeated her original caption: “Naughty ass elf.”

“Daddy got ahold of the elf…” Timberlake wrote alongside the musical Reel from his account.

“Jayson Tatum’s Jaw-Dropping Transformation: From Rookie to NBA Superstar in Just 7 Years!”

Jayson Tatum’s transformation from a promising rookie in 2017 to one of the NBA’s elite superstars in 2024 is a testament to his work ethic, skill development, and mental toughness. Over the past seven years, Tatum has not only evolved physically but also honed his game to become a complete player and a key figure for the Boston Celtics.

When Tatum entered the NBA in 2017, he was already recognized for his scoring ability, especially his smooth shooting stroke and versatility on the offensive end. His rookie season saw him quickly adapt to the NBA level, earning a spot in the All-Rookie First Team and making significant contributions to a Celtics team that reached the Eastern Conference Finals. His most notable attributes in that first season were his poise and maturity beyond his years, as he was able to score effectively from all three levels: shooting from deep, mid-range, and finishing at the basket.

However, it was clear in 2017 that Tatum was still a work in progress. His defense was promising, but not yet at the elite level that would define his later years. Tatum’s ball-handling was solid but lacked the refinement and explosiveness seen in the league’s top-tier players. Furthermore, his playmaking skills were still developing, and his shot selection could be inconsistent at times. He was often seen as a scorer who could contribute but still had areas to improve before becoming the leader of a championship-contending team.

By 2024, Jayson Tatum had developed into one of the best all-around players in the league. His offensive game, once considered his most significant strength, had evolved into a highly efficient, multidimensional threat. He had refined his shooting mechanics to become one of the most consistent long-range shooters in the NBA. Tatum’s deep three-point range, combined with his ability to create space off the dribble, made him a nightmare for defenders. His mid-range game, once a weaker part of his arsenal, became lethal as he improved his footwork, patience, and shot-making ability in tough situations.

Physically, Tatum had grown more mature, adding muscle and strength, which enabled him to finish through contact with greater success. His athleticism had also reached new heights, allowing him to drive more explosively to the basket and play above the rim with confidence. His increased strength and conditioning made him even more effective on defense, where he evolved into a versatile stopper capable of guarding multiple positions. In 2024, Tatum had developed into one of the top two-way players in the league, consistently earning All-Defensive Team honors alongside his offensive accolades.

Another key area of Tatum’s growth was his playmaking ability. In 2017, he was primarily a scorer with limited facilitation responsibilities. By 2024, Tatum had become an elite passer, capable of reading defenses and creating for his teammates. His increased court vision and basketball IQ allowed him to run the offense with greater fluidity, often taking on the role of the primary ball handler in crucial moments. This development in his playmaking turned him into a true offensive leader, where he not only scored but orchestrated the flow of the game.

Mentally, Tatum’s evolution was just as significant as his physical and technical improvements. In 2017, he showed flashes of confidence, but the pressure of leading a team to playoff success was still new to him. Over the years, Tatum became the focal point of the Celtics’ success, handling the weight of expectation with grace. His leadership on and off the court became a driving force for the Celtics, and he learned to embrace the challenges of being one of the NBA’s top players. In 2024, Tatum displayed a level of maturity and composure under pressure that rivaled the league’s best.

Tatum’s individual progress also paralleled the Celtics’ evolution as a team. By 2024, Boston had become a perennial contender in the Eastern Conference, with Tatum at the forefront of the team’s championship aspirations. His improved ability to lead his team during the postseason, particularly his clutch performances, established him as one of the premier stars of his generation.

The growth of Jayson Tatum from 2017 to 2024 is a reflection of his relentless pursuit of greatness. What started as a promising rookie season has blossomed into a full-fledged career that sees him as one of the top players in the NBA. Whether it’s his scoring, defense, playmaking, or leadership, Tatum has become a well-rounded player who continues to raise the bar for what it means to be an elite NBA superstar. As he looks ahead to the future, Tatum’s trajectory suggests that the best is yet to come for both him and the Boston Celtics.

In the world of basketball, where fierce competition is the norm, it’s the connections off the court that often steal the show. Lexie Hull, a rising star in the WNBA, has found herself in the midst of a heartwarming exchange that connects her to both Connor McCaffery, an assistant coach for the Butler Bulldogs, and Caitlin Clark, one of the most dominant players in women’s basketball. Now, a recent Instagram exchange further highlights the relationships at play.

It all started with McCaffery’s Instagram post following a nail-biting game between Butler and UConn on December 22, 2024. Despite the Bulldogs’ narrow 78-74 loss, McCaffery shared his gratitude on social media: “Grateful 🙏🏼 go dawgs!”

To show her support, his girlfriend, Caitlin Clark, responded with three black heart emojis “🖤🖤🖤”. McCaffery’s reply, as always, was full of affection “@caitlinclark22 🫶🏼.”

The post didn’t stop there. Lexie Hull, the Indiana Fever guard who has made waves in both the WNBA and Athletes Unlimited, added her own playful comment: “Yes Coach 🫡.”

McCaffery, ever the good sport, responded in kind “@lexiehulll ur basically an investigative asst at this point too.” Hull, the good-natured competitor, replied “@connor_m30 I do what I can!!”

These comments reflect the camaraderie that has developed between Hull and McCaffery, as well as the close-knit nature of basketball relationships that transcend the competitive arena.

Hull’s performance on the court has made her a key figure in women’s basketball. Drafted by the Indiana Fever as the sixth overall pick in the 2022 WNBA Draft, the No. 10 has steadily made an impact in the league. In the 2024 season, she averaged 5.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game. However, it was her defensive skills and her clutch catch-and-shoot threes that won over the Indiana fans.

She has also earned accolades for her time with Athletes Unlimited, where she was named both Defensive Player of the Year and Teammate of the Year. As of the 2024 season, she continues to shine as an all-around player, contributing both offensively and defensively to the Fever’s success.

But Hull’s influence extends beyond just her on-court achievements; it’s her leadership and presence both in and out of the court on Clark’s side that is catching attention.

Hull’s rise, bond with Cailtin Clark, and McCaffery’s gratitude

Hull and Clark have always been known to be thick as thieves, especially in the recent off-season when the two made constant appearances on each other’s social media platforms for either food reviews or be in the stands watching the latest game between the Colts and the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.

Not to mention the viral video of the point guard commentating on an MLB matchup between the Milwaukee Brewers and Philadelphia Phillies which took place in Hull’s apartment. And their quirky back and forth during a postgame presser where Clark even mentioned that the Stanford alum is improving because she is spending time with her.

In fact, Fever writer Scott Agness recently tweeted a picture of Clark along with her boyfriend Connor McCaffery and teammate Lexie Hull as spectators cheering for the Indiana-based franchise.

USA Today via Reuters

While Hull continues to stand by Clark’s side, McCaffery’s commitment to Butler is also drawing attention. Despite a narrow loss to UConn, his gratitude and leadership shone through, especially as he engaged with fans on social media.

In a game where his younger brother Patrick scored 17 points, the Bulldogs, now 7-6 in the Big East, fought hard but fell short. Ranked 71st in the NCAA Men’s Basketball NET Rankings, Butler currently holds a 53.8% win percentage, ranked 191st in the nation.

In the end, the bond between McCaffery, Hull, and Clark highlights the unmatched camaraderie among basketball’s elite. Whether on the court or off, their mutual respect and support are a testament to the powerful connections sports can create

Caitlin Clark, Bronny James
Bronny James or Caitlin Clark? Whatever side you pick, there’s a lot to argue. At the same time, some will say that Bronny played in the boys’ league and so on. The other side of the debate will say Caitlin Clark is a WNBA star and has been breaking records after her debut. But it could only be summed up when we get them to play one-on-one.

However, former NBA player Jeff Teague has to say otherwise. During a recent episode of the Club 520 podcast, Jeff stirred an interesting assessment of a hypothetical one-on-one matchup between WNBA star Clark and LeBron James’ son. Teague asserted that Clark wouldn’t score a single point against Bronny and predicted a scoreline of 20 to 0.

“Caitlin would not score a point on Bronny, bro. She might not even get a shot off, bro. … He would beat her by 60 [points]. He would legit beat her 20-0. Bryce James would beat her 20-0. He is 10 times more athletic than her. He can do everything better than her. She’s a girl, bro,” said the former NBA player.

While he might be a fan of the James brothers, his comments seem to gloss over the hard work and talent that female athletes like Clark and A’ja Wilson bring to the game. In a time when women’s basketball is growing in popularity, such statements can feel a bit dismissive.

Where Does Bronny James Stand Against Caitlin Clark

While Teague’s Bronny Jamess analogy might get fans bifurcated with their choices, the comparison is rather baseless. Moreover, his analogy taps into the ongoing debates about gender equality in sports and the challenges faced by female athletes.

Caitlin and A’ja Wilson both have made a name for themselves in their respective time in the league. CC is having a phenomenal rookie season at the Indiana Fever. She averaged 19.2 points per game and led the league in assists.

Similarly, A’ja Wilson is a three-time MVP and one of the best players in the WNBA currently. A’ja has numerous accolades to her name. Broony had an unimpressive start in the NBA. After his controversial debut for the Los Angeles Lakers, he was sent to the G League to grow professionally. However, with all the pieces on the table, it can be said that it is not a stone-to-stone comparison.

While Bronny’s stats would hopefully improve over time, the comparison does not sit well in the current situation. It remains to be seen how well things will turn out for the NBA superstar’s son in the future.

 

Cast your mind back to the summer, and you might recall how one famous woman seemed suddenly to emerge as public enemy No 1. That woman? Actor Blake Lively.  

If you spent any time scrolling through social media, you might have seen TikTok stars enumerating every mistake that Lively, 37, had ever made in public. You’ll have spotted Twitter/X threads claiming that her upbeat promotional tactics for her movie It Ends With Us, a film that deals with an abusive relationship, didn’t appropriately chime with the solemnity of its message.

Online sleuths combed the internet for evidence of an alleged feud with her co-star and director Justin Baldoni. Instagram commenters criticised her, too, for launching a haircare brand in the middle of all this. Lively was, it seemed to have somehow been decided, the celeb that it was totally fine to slag off for apparently being “annoying”, “too much” or “tone deaf”.

However, this weekend, there was a new twist in the story, with the actor reportedly suing Baldoni for harassment. Lively’s lawsuit alleges that his on-set behavior caused her “severe emotional distress” and claims that he then launched a campaign to “destroy” her reputation (in response, Baldoni’s attorneys called the allegations “false, absurd, and intentionally obscene with the intent to cause public injury”).

It’s the sort of celebrity news that prompts a slightly queasy feeling when you read it; when you realise that the drama that was being exploited for TikTok views and the dopamine buzz of sharing gossip turns out to be more serious and complex than we previously thought. And it arguably raises important questions about how we respond to women in the public eye: namely, why are we always so quick to assassinate their character (and why is this still such a rich source of entertainment)?

In order to get to grips with that, first we need to take a closer look at the backlash against Lively that brewed around the release of It Ends with Us. First, eagle-eyed fans spotted that Lively, along with IEWU author Colleen Hoover and some other cast members, appeared not to be following Baldoni on social media in the lead-up to the film’s release. The cast appeared divided on the red carpet. Lively, by far the film’s most established star, seemed to try to lean into more uplifting aspects of the story, while Baldoni earned praise online for talking about its themes of trauma and abuse.

Then, Lively took some heat from social media users for promoting her various commercial interests – including a new haircare line, as well as her drinks brands – at around the same time. Celebrity interviewer Kjersti Flaa unearthed a short but excruciatingly awkward clip recorded during a promotional chat with Lively back in 2016, titled “The Blake Lively interview that made me want to quit my job”. Lively appeared to be the worst thing that any famous woman can possibly be – unlikeable (Flaa, I should add, has vehemently denied any involvement in an alleged smear campaign against the actor).

It opened the floodgates for everyone to elaborate on every previous reason for which they might have disliked the woman formerly best known as the leading lady of Gossip Girl. To say that we love to tear women down has become a cliché, and yes, often this line is used as a convenient defence when women actually do bad things. But many clichés are clichés because they’re rooted in truth. Sometimes it feels as if we are just waiting for the smallest excuse to unleash a tide of criticism against a woman for the heinous crime of being annoying in public.

Sometimes it feels as if we are just waiting for the smallest excuse to unleash a tide of criticism against a woman for the heinous crime of being annoying in public

It is convenient for us to be given the collective go-ahead to hate on someone like Lively, because it allows us to indulge in that most satisfying of emotions – schadenfreude. She is about as conventionally beautiful as it is possible to be, is extremely wealthy, is happily married to another film star, Ryan Reynolds, and has children who are namechecked in Taylor Swift songs.

She has, of course, made some very public mistakes (her and Reynolds’ 2012 wedding on a former plantation in South Carolina remains a source of controversy). She might not come across winningly in every interview recording, and she might, like many of us, be prone to making the odd ill-judged remark. The fact that those supposed missteps seemed like just cause for “cancellation” says much more about us than it does about her.

What’s especially frustrating about seeing the cycle of gossip, backlash, then back-pedalling occur is that we should, and do, know better. We’re in the midst of a vogue for rehabilitating the reputations of female stars that were knocked down years ago, and discussing how unfair that treatment was.

When Anne Hathaway starred in The Idea of You earlier this year, her role was heralded by a flurry of weighty think pieces and discussions about how bizarre and downright cruel it had been to attack her for being a bit earnest and self-serious in the mid-2010s. The “Free Britney” movement, a slew of documentaries and Spears’s autobiography The Woman in Me have shone light on just how unfairly Britney was treated by the media a decade earlier.

But despite this, we remain absolutely rubbish at spotting these patterns when they are happening in real time. You can see something similar (and similarly noxious) playing out in the current tabloid portrayal of Ariana Grande, where salacious and gossipy speculation about her weight is being framed with a sprinkling of faux concern, as if to legitimise invasive conversations about her body.

Lively is suing her co-star and director Justin Baldoni, left (Sony Pictures)

It’s all too easy to get caught up in the rush of watching another woman’s popularity take a nosedive. We fill in the gaps and presume that they are the villain. So next time this happens (and if we can make one 2025 prediction with any degree of certainty, it’s that a famous woman will find herself at the heart of a brutal backlash), let’s pause and ask ourselves a few questions before rushing to delight in someone’s potential downfall. What do we actually know about this scenario? Why do we feel so vehemently about a woman we’ve never met? And why are we so keen to knock them down a peg?

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The internet is abuzz with rumors of a new Hollywood feud after backstage video from the MTV Video Music Awards surfaced showing singer Justin Timberlake and rapper Megan Thee Stallion getting into a heated exchange.

Video circulating shows Timberlake, who was there for the NSYNC reunion, stopping to talk to Megan backstage. She quickly begins gesticulating with her hands, leading some to speculate that she and Timberlake were arguing.

As Timberlake and his entourage walked away, Megan turned her attention back to styling her hair.

MTV VMAS RED CARPET: TAYLOR SWIFT, SELENA GOMEZ AND SHAKIRA DEFY TREND BARELY-THE AT STAR-STUDDED SHOW

Behind-the-scenes video from the VMAs shows Justin Timberlake and Megan Thee Stallion seemingly having a heated exchange. (Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/Getty Images)

Despite the reports, a source told Fox News Digital that those rumors are untrue.

“Meg loves Justin. She said, ‘No, no, no, we’ve never met before.’ This was the first time they met and she was so excited.”

Both Timberlake and Megan scoffed at the speculation when the “Bongos” rapper shared a video of the two of them on her TikTok account.

Megan captioned the video: “I just talk with my hands lol.” “See you next time @JustinTimberlake.”

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Justin Timberlake and Megan Thee Stallion mocked rumors they were feuding in a TikTok video. (Kevin Mazur/Jason Kempin/Getty Images)

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Megan was nominated for two awards at the VMAs, but didn’t take home any hardware. Timberlake shocked the audience when he appeared with his former NSYNC bandmates to present the award for best pop.

 

NYSNC members, from left to right, Chris Kirkpatrick, JC Chasez, Justin Timberlake, Lance Bass and Joey Fatone gather backstage at the VMAs. (John Shearer/Getty Images for MTV)

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“We were just kids 20 years ago when we won Best Pop Video for ‘Bye Bye Bye,’” JC Chasez told the audience. “It was our first VMA and it meant a lot to us.”

Taylor Swift took home the Moonman statue for her song “Anti-Hero.”