The addition of Candace Parker is incredibly exciting, perhaps even monumental, for the future on-court success of the Chicago Sky. But beyond that, it also symbolizes a significant new era for a franchise that has suffered more than its share of big-name break-ups.

CHICAAAAGOOOOOOOOO pic.twitter.com/5wKvx7kl7m

— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) February 2, 2021

In 2015, Sky center Sylvia Fowles sat out the first half of the season in order to force the Sky’s hand in trading her to the Minnesota Lynx. At that point, the 2008 second overall draft pick was a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, two-time WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, and three-time Eastern Conference All-Star. After the Sky finally agreed to her trade in July 2015, Fowles and the Lynx went on to win the WNBA Championship with Fowles earning Finals MVP, adding an extra sting to the sore spot for Sky fans.

Just a couple years later, the Sky endured another heartbreaking departure when superstar Elena Della Donne decided she wanted out of Chicago. Della Donne, the 2013 second overall pick and WNBA Rookie of the Year, carried the torch in the wake of Fowles’ departure, earning league MVP in 2015. But after four seasons with the Sky, she made it clear she would no longer play in the Windy City. Della Donne followed in Fowles’ footsteps by forcing her own trade, in this case to the Washington Mystics, where her family lives nearby.

In addition to Della Donne and Fowles, the Sky have suffered a few other premature departures over the years: Candice Dupree after four seasons, Epiphanny Prince after five seasons, and Kristi Toliver after only a single season.

Needless to say, after Della Donne left in 2017, some changes needed to be made if the Sky were going to right the ship. Hiring James Wade as head coach in 2018, adding key draft picks in Diamond DeShields and Gabby Williams, and retaining veteran stars Allie Quigley, Courtney Vandersloot, and “Big Mama” Stef Dolson moved the Sky back into playoff contention for the past two seasons. With bench support from Kahleah Cooper, Azurá Stevens, and Ruthy Hebard, the Sky were already on track to be playoff contenders again in 2021.

And now in walks CP. The woman, the myth, the legend. Someone whose proven greatness is even more potent than what was lost in Fowles and Della Donne at the time of their departures.

Candace Parker is a WNBA Champion (2016), two-time league MVP (2008, 2013), Finals MVP (2016), five-time All-Star, and two-time Olympic Gold Medalist. Oh and by the way, her 2008 league MVP was earned as a ROOKIE. Granted that was thirteen years ago, and as the 34-year-old Parker admits herself, the bulk of her career is behind her. But in 2020’s Wubble season, she shot a career high in 2-point field goal percentage, came in third in league MVP voting, and was awarded Defensive Player of the Year for the first time in her career. She oozes greatness, and that in and of itself will raise the bar in Chicago.

Back in the city where it all started ????@Candace_Parker | #skytown pic.twitter.com/rW4edcraUg

— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) February 6, 2021

We’ll have to wait and see how she’ll be incorporated into the Sky’s on court system and if it’s enough to push them deep into the playoffs. For one thing, we’re excited to see the 6’4” center use her guard-level ball-handling skills to initiate the offense and give Vandersloot some needed breaks.

The fact Candace Parker chose the Chicago Sky out of many eager admirers does as much for them off the court as it does inside the lines. Her signing has put an end to the era in which Chicago was a place where players didn’t want to play, while also solidifying the franchise’s refreshed, cohesive, Championship-caliber identity.

For the first time in the NWSL's 12-year history, fans can now buy their own goalkeeper jerseys. And while replica goalkeeper jerseys representing all 14 NWSL teams hit the market on Wednesday, some didn't stick around for long. 

Fans across women's soccer have long vocalized their discontent over the position's lack of availability on social media, often comparing the shortcoming to the widespread availability of men’s goalkeeper jerseys. And as the NWSL has grown, so has demand — and not just from those in the stands. 

"To have goalkeeper kits available for fans in the women’s game as they have been for so long in the men’s game is not only a long-awaited move in the right direction, it’s just good business," said Washington Spirit goalie Aubrey Kingsbury in an team press release. "I can’t wait to see fans representing me, Barnie [Barnhart], and Lyza in the stands at Audi!"

just went looking at #nwsl goalkeeper kit stock out of curiosity — Alyssa Naeher's $145 kit already sold out S-XL (league announced GK jerseys on sale 3 hours ago)https://t.co/8bYA7tlwcx

— Meg Linehan (@itsmeglinehan) April 17, 2024

Business does, in fact, appear to be booming. Alyssa Naeher’s Chicago Red Stars kit sold out less than three hours after the league's announcement. Jerseys for other keepers like DiDi Haračić, Abby Smith, Michelle Betos, Katelyn Rowland, and Bella Bixby aren’t currently available via the Official NWSL Shop, though blank goalkeeper jerseys can be customized through some individual team sites. Jerseys start at $110 each.

"This should be the benchmark," said Spirit Chief Operations Officer Theresa McDonnell. "The expectation is that all players’ jerseys are available to fans. Keepers are inspiring leaders and mentors with their own unique fan base who want to represent them... I can’t wait to see them all over the city."

Decorated gymnast Simone Biles took to the popular Call Her Daddy podcast this week to open up about her experience at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, revealing she thought she was going to be "banned from America" for her performance.

After Biles botched her vault routine due to a bout of the "twisties," she withdrew from the team final as well as the all-around final in order to focus on her mental health. She later reentered the competition to win bronze in the individual balance beam final.

In her interview with podcast host Alex Cooper, Biles admitted to feeling like she let the entire country down by failing her vault attempt.

"As soon as I landed I was like 'Oh, America hates me. The world is going to hate me. I can only see what they’re saying on Twitter right now,'" she recalled thinking. "I was like, ‘Holy s---, what are they gonna say about me?'"

"I thought I was going to be banned from America," she continued. "That’s what they tell you: Don’t come back if not gold. Gold or bust. Don’t come back."

Widely regarded as the greatest gymnast of all time, Biles has hinted at a desire to join her third Olympic team in Paris, though her participation won't be confirmed until after the gymnastics trials in late June. She holds over 30 medals from the Olympic Games and World Artistic Gymnastics Championships combined, and if qualified, would be a sure favorite heading into this summer’s games.

Caitlin Clark is reportedly close to cementing a hefty endorsement deal with Nike.

The Athletic was the first to break the news Wednesday evening, commenting that the deal would be worth "eight figures" and include her own signature shoe. On Thursday afternoon, the publication tweeted that the deal would top $20 million, according to lead NBA Insider Shams Charania. Both Under Armour and Adidas are said to have also made sizable offers to the college phenom and expected future WNBA star.

The new agreement comes after Clark's previous Nike partnership ended with the conclusion of the college basketball season. She was one of five NCAA athletes to sign an NIL deal with the brand back in October, 2022. 

Considering Clark's overwhelming popularity and Nike's deep pockets, the signing's purported value doesn't exactly come as a shock. New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu’s deal with the brand is reportedly worth $24 million, while NBA rookie and No. 1 overall pick Victor Wembanyama’s deal is rumored to weigh in at $100 million. And in 2003, LeBron James famously earned $90 million off his own Nike deal. 

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Clark’s star power continues to skyrocket, with the NCAA championship averaging 18.9 million viewers and the 2024 WNBA Draft more than doubling its previous viewership record. Following the draft, Fanatics stated that Clark's Indiana Fever jersey — which sold out within an hour — was the top seller for any draft night pick in the company’s history, with droves of unlucky fans now being forced to wait until August to get their hands on some official No. 22 gear.

In Wednesday's Indiana Fever introductory press conference, the unfailingly cool, calm, and collected Clark said that turning pro hasn’t made a huge impact on how she’s conducting her deals.

"If I’m being completely honest, I feel like it doesn’t change a ton from how I lived my life over the course of the last year," she said. "Sponsorships stay the same. The people around me, agents and whatnot, have been able to help me and guide me through the course of the last year. I don’t know if I would be in this moment if it wasn’t for a lot of them."

Former Oklahoma slugger Jocelyn Alo has signed on with Athletes Unlimited and will compete in the AU Pro Softball AUX this June.

The NCAA record holder in career home runs (122), total bases (761), and slugging percentage (.987), Alo was originally drafted by the league in 2022 but opted instead to join the newly debuted Women’s Professional Fastpitch. 

Alo currently plays for independent pro softball team Oklahoma City Spark, with team owner Tina Floyd reportedly on board with her recent AUX signing. AUX games are scheduled for June 10-25, while the Spark's season will kick off June 19th. Alo will play for both. 

Among those joining Alo on the AUX roster are former James Madison ace pitcher Odicci Alexander and former Wichita State standout middle infielder Sydney McKinney.

According to Alo, the decision to play in the Athletes Unlimited league was fueled by her desire to propel women's sports forward as well as provide more exposure to a sport that's given her "so many opportunities."

"Not only to challenge myself more, but just for the growth of the game," Alo said, explaining her reasoning to The Oklahoman. "I genuinely believe that professional softball can be a career for girls."

Joining AUX is also one more step in her plan toward representing Team USA at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

"I’m constantly thinking about how can I do these little things right in these four years to prepare me for the biggest stage of softball," she told The Oklahoman. "I definitely want to play in the Olympics, for sure."

Alo further expressed enthusiasm in the hope that the rise of other women’s sports, like women’s basketball and the NWSL, will push softball’s professional viability even higher.

"We’re seeing the NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League) get their stuff going, I see the WNBA starting to get hot," she continued. "I feel like the softball community is like, 'All right, it’s our turn and it’s our turn to just demand more.'"