WNBPA leaders confirmed ahead of Saturday's 2026 WNBA All-Star Game that players would not wear the America250 campaign's USA 250 patches in Chicago. The decision came after the union raised concerns with league leadership.
"No, they're not on the jerseys," New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart said Friday at the Obama Presidential Center.
Why WNBA Players Pushed Back Against the USA 250 Patch
The move followed a June report that the league planned to feature the patches at the United Center showdown. In response, WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike said the union engaged leadership directly. She stressed that players represent diverse communities and deserve a say.
Meanwhile, WNBPA vice president Stewart said she's focused on controlling what she can and standing firm in her beliefs. However, Las Vegas Aces forward and union treasurer Brianna Turner took it a step further. She pointed out that no WNBA players would have been free 250 years ago.
The patches are tied to the nonpartisan America250 organization — not the Trump administration's Freedom 250 initiative — which has subsequently faced its own criticism. Other leagues, including the NBA and NFL, wore similar patches this year.
Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve called the situation a "difficult balancing act" for a league that has never shied away from social justice issues.
Leylah Fernandez kicked off her title defense at the 2026 Mubadala DC Open with a straight-sets win on Monday. The seventh-seeded Canadian beat Poland's Magda Linette 6-1, 6-4 in Washington, DC.
Leylah Fernandez Dominates 2026 DC Open's 1st Round
Fernandez needed just one hour and 19 minutes to close out the straight-sets victory. She broke Linette's serve five times on nine chances and added two aces of her own. Meanwhile, Linette managed only one break all afternoon.
The result is a welcome one for a player who has struggled to find consistency this season.
The 23-year-old from Laval, Quebec, sits at 13-19 in singles and has slipped to No. 34 in the WTA rankings. Yet the DC Open remains her comfort zone. She won the WTA 500 hard-court event here last summer, marking the most significant title of her career to date.
That familiarity gives her an edge as the draw gets tougher from here. Either Alexandra Eala of the Philippines or Zheng Qinwen of China awaits in the Round of 16.
For now, Fernandez has the momentum of a clean opening win. After a turbulent stretch on the WTA Tour, a strong run at the tournament where she hoisted the trophy just a year ago could be the reset her season needs.
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert used the 2026 WNBA All-Star Game weekend in Chicago to announce a major investment in WNBA officiating. Starting in 2027, the league will operate a centralized replay center with advanced cameras installed in every arena.
Major Tech Investment Announced at WNBA All-Star Game
Reviews will funnel through the NBA's existing facility in Secaucus, New Jersey. Engelbert said the league plans to leverage the NBA's infrastructure while adding its own technology to the review system. However, she sidestepped questions about adopting the NBA's Last 2 Minute report, saying the league is still talking it over with players.
The announcement follows a season defined by officiating backlash. It also comes as Engelbert faces uncertainty about her own role. Pressed on whether she expects to return in 2027, she offered no direct answer.
Will Cathy Engelbert Stay on as WNBA Commissioner Beyond 2027?
"I'm so blessed to be at the helm of the league during this incredible hyper growth period," Engelbert said. "I will just continue to do my job, execute the strategy because it has been working."
Engelbert has served as WNBA commissioner since 2019, overseeing new TV deals and last offseason's collective bargaining agreement. Yet a recent ESPN report cited more than 20 league stakeholders questioning her leadership.
Dominique Malonga made WNBA All-Star Game history on Saturday night. The Seattle Storm center dunked in the second quarter off an Angel Reese assist.
Dominique Malonga Makes History with WNBA All-Star Game Dunk
Coming off the bench for Team Coop, she ended the night with 12 points and 13 rebounds. That output also made her the youngest to record a double-double in WNBA All-Star history.
That made her just the seventh player to throw down a WNBA dunk in the event. At 20 years old, she's also the youngest ever to do it. But Malonga wasn't finished.
The moment had been building for a while. Malonga dunked in Europe and during her Unrivaled season but hadn't done so in any of her 63 games with Seattle. Before the game, teammate Flau'jae Johnson warned she'd go silent on Malonga if a dunk didn't happen.
Consider that threat resolved.
Seattle drafted the 6-foot-6 center second overall in 2025. She showed promise in a solid rookie year and has elevated her game noticeably in year two. The Storm sit at 6-23, the worst record in the league. Still, moments like Saturday give a glimpse of the ceiling Malonga is still building toward.
She'll be back on the court for Seattle when they take on the Indiana Fever tomorrow at 9:30 PM ET on ESPN.
Parker Valby claimed her first USATF Outdoor Championships podium results on Sunday at New York's Icahn Stadium. The former Florida standout claimed bronze in the women's 5000-meter, crossing the line in 15:06.25.
Parker Valby Sees Early Results in USATF Women's 5000-Meter Final
Valby pushed to the front early and stayed there. The race tightened over the final stretch, but she held her position through a crowded kick. She ended with a strong finish, securing a medal in her first national championship appearance at the senior level.
The result caps a steady rise for Valby, who built her reputation as one of the most dominant collegiate distance runners in recent memory.
The six-time NCAA champion and Bowerman Award winner told Olympics.com earlier this year that NCAA competition shaped her professional career. With a bronze medal now in hand, that preparation is clearly paying off as she looks ahead to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Meanwhile, fellow Florida alum Claire Bryant also competed on the final day.
Bryant qualified for the long jump final on her last attempt of the opening round, then closed with a leap of 6.77 meters to finish fourth. Together, the two helped Florida's grads end the meet with four Top 5 finishes and two overall medals.
Anna Cockrell finally has a national championship to her name. The former USC track and field standout claimed her first 400-meter hurdles title at the USATF Outdoor Championships on Sunday, crossing the line in 52.94 seconds.
Anna Cockrell Dominates USATF Outdoor Championships Hurdles
It was a wire-to-wire victory. Cockrell pulled ahead early and never let up, building a gap that no one could close. Deonca Bookman finished second in 53.95, while Shamier Little rounded out the podium in 54.37.
For Cockrell, the win caps years of near-misses at the national level. She earned an Olympic silver medal in 2024 but had yet to stand atop the podium at a US championship. That changed Sunday at Icahn Stadium in New York.
USC Track & Field Standouts Fill USATF Field
The women's hurdles results also carried a USC connection beyond Cockrell. Her alma mater had multiple athletes competing across events at the four-day meet, reinforcing the program's depth on the national stage.
Still, this moment belonged to Cockrell. At 28, she ran one of the fastest times in the world this season, and she did it when it mattered most. With the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, the USC alum now has a national title and serious momentum heading toward a home Games.
Lilli Tagger rallied from a set down to claim her first WTA Tour singles title at the 2026 Prague Open on Sunday. The 18-year-old Austrian defeated Ukraine's Daria Snigur 7-6(3), 6-2 at the WTA 250 event, capping a breakthrough week.
How Lilli Tagger Rallied to Win the 2026 WTA Prague Open
Tagger trailed 5-2 in the opening set before finding her rhythm. From there, she reeled off three straight games to level at 5-5, then took the tiebreaker 7-3. She carried that momentum into the second set, breaking early and never looking back.
Along the way, Tagger knocked off three seeded opponents, including No. 2 seed Barbora Krejcikova and No. 3 seed Sara Bejlek. She finished the final with nine aces and converted three of seven break points.
Lilli Tagger Breaks Into Top 50 WTA Rankings
The win marks a rapid rise for the young star. Just a year ago, Tagger sat outside the Top 500 in the WTA rankings. Now, she's projected to crack the Top 50 when rankings update on Monday.
She also became the first Austrian to win the Prague title and only the second teenager to capture a WTA Tour singles title in 2026, after Mirra Andreeva.
Sunday's Racing Louisville vs Angel City FC NWSL matchup had everything: a rookie brace, a late rally, and a near-equalizer off the woodwork. But, the home team failed to score the win this time.
Maja Lardner Brace Powers Racing Louisville to Early Lead
Maja Lardner scored both Louisville goals in a 2-1 road victory at BMO Stadium, netting the first brace of her NWSL career. Lardner opened the scoring in the 24th minute. She attacked a rebound after goalkeeper Angelina Anderson saved a long-range effort.
Then in the 55th minute, she headed home a cross from Kayla Fischer to double the lead.
Angel City FC answered in the 80th minute through Sveindís Jónsdóttir. She collected a long pass from Sophia Mattice, beat her defender, and slotted the ball under the keeper. The assist was the first of Mattice's career.
From there, the pressure mounted. Gisele Thompson launched a shot that rippled the side netting in the 85th minute. Riley Tiernan struck the woodwork moments later. Still, Louisville's defense held firm through stoppage time.
NWSL Scores & Standings After Angel City Upset
Angel City finished with 67% of possession and outshot Louisville in the first half, but they couldn't find a way to capitalize.
This latest loss drops them to ninth in the NWSL standings, one point outside the playoff line. Louisville, meanwhile, picked up just their second win from the bottom of the table.
The latest Seattle Reign FC vs San Diego Wave meeting ended with a decisive road win for the Reign on Sunday night. Two early headers, both from San Diego natives, sealed a 2-0 shutout at Snapdragon Stadium.
Maddie Mercado & Jordyn Bugg Spark Early Seattle Reign Lead
Maddie Mercado opened the scoring in the 17th minute after midfielder Ainsley McCammon found her with a sharp pass inside the box. Mercado got behind defender Perle Morroni to nod it home.
Just three minutes later, Jordyn Bugg doubled the lead off a corner kick. McCammon again played provider, flicking a backward header for Bugg to tap in.
It was the sixth time this season San Diego has been shut out. Still, the Wave generated chances after halftime, finishing with 22 shot attempts and seven corner kicks. But Reign goalkeeper Claudia Dickey stood firm, recording eight saves to preserve the clean sheet.
Meanwhile, Sandra Paños made her NWSL debut in net for San Diego. She finished with three saves but was put in difficult positions on both goals.
NWSL Scores & Standings After San Diego Wave Loss
The win gives Seattle some momentum after losing two of its previous three matches. The Reign climbed to eighth with 11 points, right on the playoff line. San Diego, meanwhile, dropped to third with 18 points after its fourth loss this season.
The tennis world is swinging back to the States, as the WTA’s best hit the hard court at Washington, DC’s Mubadala DC Open this week ahead of August’s US Open.
The Mubadala DC Open serves as a WTA 500 tune-up tournament for both singles and doubles, as the season’s final Grand Slam looms.
Slam winners Naomi Osaka, Madison Keys, and Venus Williams headline this year’s field, alongside US favorites world No. 3 Jessica Pegula and No. 26 Emma Navarro.
VenusWilliams had originally paired with Filipina rising star Alexandra Eala in doubles, before a late scratch saw Russia’s Diana Shnaider step in.
Eala is one of several missing big names, as No. 6 Karolína Muchová, No. 12 Victoria Mboko, and No. 15 Jasmine Paolini all sit this one out.
“Venus is someone who deserves a partner who can give their all,” Eala said. “Right now I think I can only do that for singles.”
Where to Watch WTA Stars at the 2026 Mubadala DC Open
2026 DC Open coverage continues through Sunday, live on Tennis Channel.