By Vladimir Isachenkov, The Associated Press The Kremlin said Aug. 5 that it’s open to talking about a possible prisoner exchange involving American basketball star Brittney Griner but strongly warned Washington against publicizing the issue. Griner, a two-time U.S. Olympic champion and an eight-time all-star with the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, has been detained in Russia […]
Category: Sports
Posted inSports
Terrell Owens posts video of confrontation with ‘Karen’ after she calls cops
By AFRO Staff Terrell Owens just made a personal discovery: The “Karen” phenomenon is real. In urban slang, a “Karen” is usually an obnoxious, entitled and often racist White woman who uses her privilege to get her way or police other people’s behavior. Historically, and in more recent times, it also refers to White women […]
Posted inCommentary
To Be Equal #30 – NBA Great Bill Russell Paved the Way for Two Generations of Social Activist Athletes
By Marc H. Morial, President and CEO, National Urban League “Racism cannot just be shaken out of the fabric of society because, like dust from a rug, it dissipates into the air for a bit and then settles right back where it was, growing thicker with time. Police reform is a start, but it is […]
Posted inNational Sports
Bill Russell’s legacy of NBA championships and his fight for equal rights
By Aram Goudsouzian, Spokesman-Recorder On May 1, 1968, Bill Russell led the Boston Celtics to another NBA championship, triumphing over the rival Los Angeles Lakers. But this time Russell was not just the star center, the defensive stalwart, the linchpin of pro basketball’s most extraordinary dynasty. He was also the coach. During the locker room […]
Posted inSports
Russian judge sentences WNBA’s Griner to 9 years in prison
By JIM HEINTZ, Associated Press KHIMKI, Russia (AP) — A judge in Russia convicted American basketball star Brittney Griner of drug possession and smuggling Thursday and sentenced her to nine years in prison. for drug possession and smuggling. Judge Anna Sotnikova said the time Griner has served in custody since her arrest in February would […]
Posted inSports
#WordinBlack: Paving the way for Black entrepreneurs in esports
By Jodi B. Jiles, Word in Black African Americans may enjoy playing games and buying games and consoles, but we are not necessarily represented in the industry as developers, event coordinators or chief marketing officers. Esposure CEO Danny Martin is an exception. In 2017, he founded the global esports technology company with an education to […]
Posted inSports
Bill Russell, NBA great and Celtics legend, dies at 88
By JIMMY GOLEN, AP Sports Writer BOSTON (AP) — Bill Russell redefined how basketball is played, and then he changed the way sports are viewed in a racially divided country. The most prolific winner in NBA history, Russell marched with Martin Luther King Jr., supported Muhammad Ali and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from […]
Posted inNational News
In rare contact, US offers Russia deal for Griner, Whelan
By Matthew Lee and Eric Tucker, The Associated Press The U.S. has offered a deal to Russia aimed at bringing home WNBA star Brittney Griner and another jailed American, Paul Whelan, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on July 27. In a sharp reversal of previous policy, Blinken also said he expects to speak with […]
Posted inSports
The SacTown Lady Golfers get in the swing of things
By Genoa Barrow, Word in Black Relaxation and recognition are the names of the game for a group of local women who golf together and acknowledge those who tore down doors for them to do so. The SacTown Lady Golfers recently paid tribute to Dr. Charlie Sifford, the first Black player on the PGA Tour. […]
Posted inSports
Las Vegas Raiders name the NFL’s first Black woman team president
The hiring of attorney Sandra Douglass Morgan builds on team’s impressive record of fostering diversity By Antonio Harvey, Word in Black Nevada attorney Sandra Douglass Morgan was appointed as president of the Las Vegas Raiders’ team on July 7. She’s the first Black woman to hold such a title in the National Football League. The […]
Posted inNational Sports
Jackie Robinson’s legacy looms over All-Star Game in LA
By Beth Harris, The Associated Press The legacy of Jackie Robinson showed in Major League Baseball’s recent draft, with four Black players among the first five selected for the first time in history. Six of the first 18 players chosen as well as nine players taken in the first round are Black. All of them […]
Posted inNational Sports
Felix comes out of retirement, helps 4×400 relay into final
By Pat Graham, AP Sports Writer Enjoying retired life, Allyson Felix was eating hot wings and sipping on a root beer float in Los Angeles when the phone rang. She was needed back in Oregon for the prelims of the 4×400 women’s relay. Could she return to world championships? The most decorated sprinter in U.S. […]