Honoring Legends, Past and Future 🏀

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The University of South Carolina announced on Friday that Head Coach Dawn Staley has signed a groundbreaking contract extension worth over $25 million through 2030. This historic deal makes Staley the highest-paid women’s basketball coach in history. She will start with a $4 million annual salary, which will increase by $250,000 each season. The contract also includes a $500,000 signing bonus and performance-based incentives for tournament success. (University of South Carolina Athletics)

WHY IT MATTERS: This deal is a significant step toward pay equity in women’s basketball. It ensures that South Carolina retains the leader at the heart of its highly successful program for years to come. The investment also reflects the growing importance of women’s basketball to the university and the sport as a whole.

Several college institutions, including the SEC conference, have kicked off “We Back Pat” Week, a week-long initiative to raise awareness and support for the Pat Summitt Foundation. Founded by the late Pat Summitt and her son Tyler, the foundation is dedicated to advancing research and finding a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Teams are hosting special events during home games throughout the week to highlight the cause. (SEC)

WHY IT MATTERS: Pat Summitt is widely regarded as one of the greatest coaches in the history of women’s basketball, with eight NCAA Division I national championships and an Olympic gold medal to her name. Her Alzheimer’s diagnosis at age 59 shocked the basketball community, and her passing five years later at the age of 64 marked the loss of a true icon. Initiatives like “We Back Pat” honor her legacy and support an important cause.

Unrivaled, the new 3×3 full court basketball league founded by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, opened this weekend with a bang. Highlights included a dramatic comeback win by the Lunar Owls over the Mist on Friday. Three of the four games were closely contested, with margins of 9 points or fewer, and lead changes throughout. (USA Today)

WHY IT MATTERS: While Unrivaled boasts star WNBA athletes, its success is far from guaranteed. The league’s short season, city-less teams, and full-court 3×3 format are all untested innovations, unfamiliar to players and fans. However, opening weekend delivered on its promise of fast-paced, exciting basketball. If this momentum continues, Unrivaled could become an engaging new product for both athletes and fans.

Catch more action tonight: the Vinyl face the Phantom at 8:30 PM ET, followed by the Laces taking on the Mist at 9:30 PM ET. Both games will air on TNT and stream on Max.