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Maggie Steffens on Role Models, Media, and Jws

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Maggie Steffens is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and captain of USA Water Polo. A graduate of Stanford University, she led the Cardinal to NCAA championships in 2014, 2015, and 2017. Steffens also serves as an athlete advisor for Just Women’s Sports. Below, she spoke with JWS about the state of sports media today and the need for athletes who can be role models in and out of sports.  

What frustrates you most about the current sports media landscape today? 

Something that frustrates me is the lack of well-balanced role models. I think that’s something that has changed with how much technology we have today and how much access we have to screens and different social media platforms. We’re constantly being forced to watch certain types of sports and a certain group of athletes. And they’re amazing as athletes, but outside of their sport, I don’t think they have as much to offer in terms of inspiring people whose interests go beyond just sports.

Do you have examples of good role models you could share? 

Selfishly, I think of my teammates. Not only are they Olympic gold medalists, but they’re Stanford, USC, Cal, and UCLA graduates. They have their MBAs. They have interests outside of water polo, whether it’s art or engineering. Some are trying to train to be a doctor while they compete. They all have good morals, they’re fun, and they’re friendly. And I know there’s tons of other athletes and teams out there like that, we just don’t do a good job showcasing them. As a society, I think we should be using sports to give our kids well-balanced role models who can inspire them as athletes and as people. I think that’s something that’s very undervalued nowadays.

Is there anything that frustrates you particularly about the coverage of women’s sports? 

I just think there could be such better coverage of women’s sports. There’s not nearly enough exposure, on TV or in the media, and I think that’s the biggest roadblock for women’s sports moving forward. Something else that is a bit of a double-edged sword is focusing too much on a female athlete’s gender.

I’m very proud to label myself as a woman and as a female athlete, but sometimes it feels like people are using that label to diminish someone’s accomplishments. I think of people like Serena Williams, Kerri Walsh, or Katie Ledecky. They aren’t just good “female athletes.” They’re badass athletes, period. They’re some of the best in the world, men or women. We don’t need to say they’re good because they’re women. They’re good because of what they’ve accomplished in their sport.

In terms of covering a wider range of sports, you yourself are a two-time Olympic gold medalist. You’ve won three NCAA championships. You’re only 26 and you’ve had this incredible career, but there’s still a lot of people who don’t know you because of a lack of coverage around water polo. What are your thoughts on that? 

I think there’s two sides to it. One thing that we really love about our team is our team culture. We’re constantly working on how to improve not just as athletes, but as people, as teammates, and as role models. That’s something we talk about every single day. And it’s easy to do that when you’re not as noticed, to be honest. It’s easy to feel the humility you need to tackle that blue-collar grind, because you’re doing it all behind the scenes. You’re not being recognized on the streets or anything like that, so you can put your head down and just focus on the grind and on the feeling that we’re doing this for each other. We’re doing this for our team and for our country and for our families, not for publicity.

There’s something about that that’s right and that’s, naively, quite magical. As a team, we’re always talking about how to share our sport with the world. But ultimately, I think we are pretty grateful to have a kind of quiet public life. It’s a blessing in disguise at times. But it’s also a bit frustrating. Because when I think about my teammates, I know that these are people that should be sponsored by big companies. If I had kids, these are the athletes I would want them to look up to. These are the women that have been changing the game and changing the way we perceive both women and athletes.

Are there any questions you’re tired of being asked as a female athlete? 

I couldn’t tell you how many times either a person in the media or a potential sponsor has told me, oh, it’s too bad you don’t do another sport. That baffles me. I’m like, it’s because of water polo that I’ve been able to do all these amazing things and become the person I am today. It’s because of water polo that I even have the opportunity to talk with you, and no you’re telling me it’s too bad I didn’t do another sport? Why can’t we change that? Why can’t the story be, “I’m so glad you chose water polo. Let’s share that with people.”

You’re an advisor to Just Women’s Sports. Can you talk about why you want to be a part of what we’re doing? 

I really appreciate the values behind the company’s mission. There are incredible female role models in sports all around the world, and they’re not given the notice they deserve. And I want to help get these stories out and support these athletes. I think women need to support women, men need to support women, women need to support men — whatever it takes, we need to help showcase these incredible people from all walks of life, from every kind of sport. These are role models who could make a major difference in other people’s lives, and Just Women’s Sports understands that. I’m excited to help the company introduce these athletes to a much wider audience.

Phoenix Mercury, Golden State Valkyries Ride Upset Wins into the WNBA Weekend

Phoenix Mercury players including Satou Sabally huddle during a 2025 WNBA game against the New York Liberty.
Phoenix rose to No. 3 in the WNBA standings with Thursday's win over New York. (Catalina Fragoso/NBAE via Getty Images)

Two key upsets headlined Thursday's WNBA bill, sending the Phoenix Mercury soaring into third place in the league standings while the No. 6 Golden State Valkyries continued to outwit opponents.

The red-hot Mercury snagged their fourth straight win by taking down the No. 2 New York Liberty 89-81 on Thursday night, overcoming an 35-point performance from two-time MVP Breanna Stewart with five double-digit Phoenix scorers.

Meanwhile out West, the Valkyries stifled a surging No. 7 Fever, downing Indiana 88-77 in part by holding star guard Caitlin Clark to just 3-for-14 from the field — and 0-for-7 from behind the arc.

"We were being disruptive, we know that she doesn't like physicality, we know that she wants to get to that left step-back," Golden State head coach Natalie Nakase said about the Valkyries' strategy to effectively contain Clark.

Though the No. 1 Minnesota Lynx and 2024 WNBA champions New York still hold court atop the table, Thursday's actions proves that other squads are making some unexpected in-roads.

Putting together an impressive road record are the Mercury, who will ride a 4-2 away record into their Saturday matchup against the No. 11 Chicago Sky — the last stop on a four-game road trip that's been perfect for Phoenix thus far.

Already flipping the script on expectations is Golden State, with the 2025 expansion team rising despite relying on a hodgepodge roster as several players compete at EuroBasket 2025. The Valkyries will aim to keep their winning momentum in their Sunday clash with the No. 12 Connecticut Sun.

How to watch the Mercury, Valkyries this weekend

Both of Thursday's victors will be back in action this weekend, with Phoenix facing Chicago at 1 PM ET on Saturday, airing live on ABC.

Then on Sunday, Golden State will host Connecticut at 8:30 PM ET, with live coverage on WNBA League Pass.

Las Vegas Aces Aim to Stop Skid Ahead of Tough WNBA Weekend Matchups

Las Vegas's A'ja Wilson tries to defend a lay-up from Seattle's Gabby Williams during a 2025 WNBA game.
The Las Vegas Aces will face both Seattle and Indiana this weekend. (Rio Giancarlo/Getty Images)

In another weekend full of WNBA action, all eyes are on Las Vegas, as the No. 8 Aces will try to curb a two-game losing streak against two formidable opponents.

A successful weekend for Las Vegas could hinge on three-time WNBA MVP A'ja Wilson's potential return from injury, with the star forward recently upgraded to "questionable" after landing in concussion protocol last week.

Overall, the margin for error has narrowed in the middle of the WNBA pack, as talented teams continue to translate quality performances into consistency.

  • No. 5 Seattle Storm vs. No. 8 Las Vegas Aces, Friday at 10 PM ET (ION): The Aces will try to end their free fall in Friday's head-to-head battle with a Seattle side that can beat anybody at their best.
  • No. 7 Indiana Fever vs. No. 8 Las Vegas Aces, Sunday at 3 PM ET (ESPN): Las Vegas next faces a Fever team still smarting from Thursday's away loss to the Golden State Valkyries, with both teams narrowly clinging to positions above the playoff line.
  • No. 2 New York Liberty vs. No. 5 Seattle Storm, Sunday at 7 PM ET (WNBA League Pass): The Liberty have a comfortable hold on second place, but with two losses in their last three games, New York is flirting with danger entering their Sunday game with Seattle — particularly if star big Jonquel Jones is out after suffering a knock to the ankle on Thursday.

Ultimately, there's no rest for the weary in the WNBA, as a series of difficult matchups can see a single error quickly slide into a losing streak.

NWSL Kicks Off Final Gameday Slate Ahead of Summer Break

The San Diego Wave celebrate a goal by María Sánchez during a 2025 NWSL match.
The San Diego Wave will take on 2024 runners-up Washington on Sunday. (Marcus Ingram/Getty Images)

The final NWSL weekend heading into the league's six-week summer break has arrived, giving teams one more chance to prove themselves before regular-season play pauses to make way for major international tournaments.

With a five-point gap separating No. 1 Kansas City from No. 2 Orlando in the NWSL standings, the Current will enter the break as the 2025 Shield frontrunners regardless of this weekend's results.

Despite Kansas City's grip atop the table, there's still plenty of room for movement both above and below the postseason cutoff line, as clubs across the NWSL look to wrap their midseason finales on a high note:

  • No. 1 Kansas City Current vs. No. 10 Angel City FC, Friday at 8 PM ET (Prime): Angel City has a shot at launching themselves above the cutoff line on Friday, but they'll have to snap the Current's five-game winning streak to make it happen.
  • No. 8 Gotham FC vs. No. 9 Bay FC, Saturday at 7:30 PM ET (ION): Gotham and Bay FC enter the weekend tied on points while staring at each other from on opposite sides of the playoff line — meaning a Saturday win for either club could set the tone for the rest of the 2025 season.
  • No. 3 San Diego Wave FC vs. No. 4 Washington Spirit, Sunday at 10 PM ET (CBS Sports): The weekend's only top-table clash could see San Diego sprint back into second place — unless Washington leapfrogs the upstart Wave to claim the third-place spot.

KPMG Women’s PGA Championship Ups Purse to $12 Million, Ties LPGA Tour Record

Thailand's Jeeno Thitikul hits a shot during the 2025 KPMG Women's PGA Championship.
Thai golfer Jeeno Thitikul is in the lead after one round at the 2025 KPMG Women's PGA Championship. (Sam Hodde/Getty Images)

The LPGA Tour has turned its attention to Texas, with the 2025 KPMG Women's PGA Championship — the third major of the pro golf season — teeing off in Frisco to a flurry of first-round action on Thursday.

All of the sport's Top 100 athletes are participating in this week's event, including No. 1 Nelly Korda, who sits in a 14th-place tie with an even-par first-round performance, and surging US dark horse No. 50 Lexi Thompson, who tied for 10th in her Thursday return from a brief retirement.

However, leading the pack heading into Friday's second round is Thailand's world No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul, who finished the first day of competition atop the leaderboard with a score of 4-under-par.

Australia's No. 24 Minjee Lee also posted a strong start, capping Thursday at 3-under to sit in second place.

While the sport's best chase victory on the links, the 2025 KPMG Women's PGA Championship is already making history off the green.

Not only is it the first-ever women's major to tee off at Frisco's Fields Ranch East, the tournament also increased its purse to $12 million on Tuesday — nearly tripling the $4.5 million prize pool from just four years ago and tying the US Women's Open for the LPGA Tour's highest payout in the process.

How to watch the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship

The third LPGA Grand Slam of 2025 continues through Sunday.

Friday's second round will air live on the Golf Channel, while coverage of Saturday and Sunday's final rounds will air across NBC and Peacock.

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