Women in professional sports are gaining more support from audiences who once overlooked women's athleticism. The WNBA's viewership increased this season by 67% which is a big move for the franchise, the ladies are also gaining more endorsements, and on the college level are slam-dunking the NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals. Women's athletics is making huge strides, surfing the waves, building the momentum for record-shattering knockouts, Olympic gold medalist, and basketball NCAA champions.
Professional Track and Field star Sha'Carri Richardson had a rough time in 2021; however, she did not let the adversities stop her from returning to the track field better than ever, leaving her competitors behind to eat dust. It's quite obvious Richardson has been putting in the work on and off the field. In July 2023 Richardson competed in the USATF meet in Oregon where she came in first in the women's 100 m. Richardson is set to compete in the upcoming Budapest 2023 track and field competition. After her victory in Oregon, Sha'Carri was quoted in an interview stating she is ready mentally, physically, and emotionally and is here to stay. Sha'Carri Richardson's story is a testament to perseverance and the desire to go after what you want in life. I applaud her courage to stand on her belief in her capabilities in a world quick to highlight your shortcomings and silence your victories. The epitome of, "if at first you don't succeed, dust yourself off and try again." Sha'Carri please know that supporters are rooting for you!
Aliyah Boston, Angel Reese, and Flau'Jae Johnson; what do these three baller babes have in common? Besides their trendy hairstyles and fashionable looks, these ladies can ball. Angel and Flau'Jae are the women's college basketball NCAA champions, but the true tea is before Aliyah's college team was put out by Iowa she led the team with a record of 129 wins and 9 losses throughout her four-year college career. The anticipated match-up would have been LSU vs South Carolina. Angel "Bayou Barbie" Reese, Flau'Jae Johnson who is also an up-and-coming rap artist, along with the LSU basketball team did the alleged faceoff with South Carolina justice by putting the University of Iowa out of the game with a commanding victory 102- 85. All three ladies have moved on to bigger and better things, Aliyah Boston has been drafted to the Indiana Fever and is carrying her own this rookie season, ranked 22nd in the scoring leaderboard, Flau'Jae signed a distribution deal with Roc Nation, and Angel has made guest appearances in music videos for some of the hottest artists, grossed more than a million in NIL deals, and both Angel and Flau'Jae have a current circulating Amazon advertisement. These ladies are ballin'.
Claressa Shields is a champion in the female boxing ring and she makes no quarrels about making it known to all challengers that there is power behind her punch. Claressa is the only boxer in history, female or male, to hold all four major world titles in boxing—WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO—simultaneously, in two weight classes. The Light middleweight boxer and Flint, Michigan native is known as the "GWOAT" in these boxing streets and does not back down from any opponent. Alycia Baumgardner is the reigning champion in the women's super featherweight class. Alycia has held the WBC and IBO titles since 2021 and it does not appear that she will be relinquishing the titles anytime soon. Currently, neither boxing champion has a scheduled fight upcoming; but speculations of potential opponents for both have been discussed. Just know there isn't an opponent they're intimidated by.
Tia Norfleet is the first and only Black American woman that has a NASCAR driver's license. Tia is the daughter of NASCAR driver Bobby Norfleet which piqued her interest in NASCAR driving early. Tia began her racing career competing in Kart racing during adolescence and also competed in drag racing on the local and regional levels. Tia and her father, Bobby have taken the initiative to bring awareness and interest in NASCAR driving to communities less likely to receive exposure to the sport. We are witnessing history in real time which will potentially spark the interest of more women to compete in NASCAR racing.
Dominique "Nique" Miller is internationally ranked among the top 10 female competitive stand-up paddle surfers in the Association of Paddlesurf Professionals. Nique's athletic career began in high school playing on the lacrosse team and running cross-country where she earned a scholarship to the University of Hawaii. While studying in Hawaii she explored and taught herself how to surf eventually leading to her professional career in surfing. Nique competes professionally on the world circuit for both longboard and paddleboard with the goal to become the world champion.
If you are in the Santa Cruz, CA area and interested in learning to surf look into "Black Girls Surf" a non-profit training camp for women and girls interested in competing in professional surfing.
Simone Biles made her debut after a two-year hiatus on Saturday, August 5 back to the beams and it was as if she never left. Biles delivered a flawless performance as she flipped and turned landing gracefully on her feet. Biles has 4 gold medals, 19 world championships, and 24 national titles displayed why she is crowned the champ during the U.S. Classic. Biles is one of the best on the beams and also delivers an excellent floor routine. Biles expressed that she is in a better space physically and mentally which has contributed to her decision to resume training and competition.
Professional women athletes are worthy of our viewership and support. Pick a team, choose a sport.
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