Arizona tribal gaming contributions up 20% over last year, nearing $2 billion mark since 2004
PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Gaming announced its contributions to the Arizona community, which are up 20% from last year. Close to $2 billion has been contributed to educational, emergency and other Arizona funds.
A forgotten history: the Story of Dot Wilkinson, Billie Harris and the Phoenix Ramblers
PHOENIX – Many years ago, the Phoenix Ramblers brought Arizona its first state championship in 1940. Now that team is mostly forgotten to history. Superstars Billie Harris and Dot Wilkinson, through the words of Lynn Ames, explain why the Ramblers’ journey is so important to the Valley, to softball history and to women’s sporting history.
Pac-12 marks Title IX anniversary with first all-female Hall of Honor class
LAS VEGAS – The Pac-12 Conference celebrated the 50th anniversary of Title IX with its first all-female Hall of Honor class. The event’s success sparked possibilities for more female representation in future years.
‘The game needs us’: MLB has diversity problem and no easy solution
PHOENIX – With no United States-born Black baseball players featured in the 2022 World Series between the Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies, many felt as though baseball had taken a step away from building a diverse game. The next generation of players are growing within the youth community and the MLB DREAM Series in Tempe proved that the game still has more to learn.
No All-Star Game starters for Phoenix Mercury; Brittney Griner given honorary title
PHOENIX – At the halfway point of the WNBA season, the All-Star Game starters were announced. For the first time since 2009, a player from the Phoenix Mercury will not start in an All-Star game.
Steeped in Black history, Eastlake Park celebrates Juneteenth
PHOENIX – The historic Eastlake Park neighborhood in Phoenix held its annual Juneteenth celebration. Countless civil rights activists have graced Eastlake Park, from W.E.B. Du Bois to Martin Luther King Jr. The neighborhood is “so important to the civil rights history of Arizona," said Mayor Kate Gallego.
Meredith Loewenstein reflects new look, vibe of skateboarding culture
MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif. – In a male-dominated sport, Meredith Lowenstein, 16, is making her mark in the skateboarding world.
‘Shut up and dribble’? Not anymore as Steve Kerr, Mercury players use their platform
PHOENIX – In the aftermath of the Uvalde, Texas, shootings, athletes including Steve Kerr and Brianna Turner continue trend of speaking out about social justice issues.
Peanuts, Cracker Jack and the origins of spring training: the evolution of baseball’s preseason
PHOENIX – It is hard to imagine, but spring training – a baseball fan’s rite of passage – wasn’t always part of the sports narrative in Arizona.
Jailed Brittney Griner, absent players contribute to slow start for Phoenix Mercury
PHOENIX – As Brittney Griner remains detained in a Russian prison, the Phoenix Mercury continue to struggle with a new coach and unavailable players.
‘It’s gotta be the shoes’: Why are Scottsdale nightclubs prohibiting retro sneakers?
SCOTTSDALE – Young adults increasingly are being turned away from Scottsdale nightclubs because of their retro sneakers, such as Jordans and Air Force 1s, raising questions about what determines the selectivity.
Going pro in esports? ASU Valorant players eye turning professional
PHOENIX – The college-to-pro pipeline for esports players isn’t as clear as their NCAA counterparts. For players on the ASU Esports Valorant team, their dreams of going professional are undeterred by this lack of clarity.
