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LSU star apologizes to WNBA veterans after calling on them to retire

Alexis Morris waits for her name to be called during the 2023 WNBA Draft.
Alexis Morris waits for her name to be called during the 2023 WNBA Draft. (Catalina Fragoso/NBAE via Getty Images)

Former LSU basketball star Alexis Morris apologized for her criticism of WNBA veterans, which included calling on players over the age of 35 to retire.

The 5-9 guard was selected in the 2023 draft by the Connecticut Sun but was waived by the team on May 10. A week later, as teams cut even more rookies before the start of the regular season, Morris took to Twitter to criticize older WNBA players for remaining in the league too long and taking up roster spots.

Morris, who won the 2023 NCAA title with LSU, argued in since-deleted tweets that if roster spots cannot be made available to the rookies then teams should “cut the vets.” Just 15 of this year’s 36 draftees made opening day rosters.

“The vets gotta know when to cut the net, and pass the torch bro,” she wrote. “If you knocking at 35, hang it up and I mean WIRED HANGER ‘Hang it up.’”

The rookie’s comments received swift backlash from WNBA players, which prompted Morris to apologize Thursday in an Instagram caption.

“To the veterans of the WNBA, please accept my sincerest apologies,” Morris wrote. “I never thought joining the W family would be easy, but now I understand just how hard it is to do that.

“My energy would have been better served directed toward league executives who have a say in expansion and other logistics. I look forward to celebrating your individual and collective careers and giving you all the flowers you deserve. I hope you can empathize and find it in your hearts to forgive me. I will continue to work hard in hopes of joining you all one day soon.”

Amid the WNBA’s roster crunch, Washington Mystics guard Natasha Cloud and others have called on the league to expand roster sizes or the number of teams to accommodate more players. The 12-team league caps rosters at 12 players, which means a maximum of 144 roster spots are available each season.

Morris apologized to WNBA fans as well, asking for forgiveness for herself and for support for the league as it grapples with its roster size dilemma.

“I ask for your forgiveness and support as I attempt to raise more awareness about some of the issues the league is facing,” she wrote. “It needs your support now more than ever. While I’m one of many to be affected by recent cuts, I understand that the issue is bigger than me.”

Sportico Report Taps Highest-Paid Women’s Sports Athletes

Highest-paid women's sports athlete Caitlin Clark smiles during a game.
Clark is the only basketball player to make Sportico's highest-paid women's sports athletes list. (Jeff Bottari/NBAE via Getty Images)

Fever rookie Caitlin Clark rocketed to the upper tiers of Sportico's annual highest-paid women's sports athletes report on Wednesday, landing in 10th place with an estimated $11 million in yearly earnings.

With tournaments like the US Open guaranteeing equal purses across men's and women's events, tennis players dominated the findings, accounting for nine of the 15 entries. This includes first-place Coco Gauff, who, with $9.4 million in prizes plus $21 million in endorsements, tops the list for the second year in a row.

Skier Eileen Gu came in second, complementing her individual earnings with the list's highest-estimated endorsement profits at $22 million. Gymnast Simone Biles came in at No. 9 with an estimated $11.1 million in total income.

Golfers Nelly Korda and Lydia Ko also made the cut, mirroring the LPGA Tour's expanded purses.

Report highlights endorsements in women's sports

The report underlines the continued importance of endorsements in the women's game — particularly within team sports, where many athletes rely on supplemental income to boost relatively small pro salaries.

However, 2024's estimated $221 million in total earnings is up 27% over last year, with 11 athletes making at least $10 million compared to six in 2023.

Highest-paid female athlete US tennis star Coco Gauff poses with her 2024 WTA Finals trophy
Tennis star Coco Gauff is 2024's highest-paid women's sports athlete. (Robert Prange/Getty Images)

Sportico's 15 highest-paid women's sports athletes

1. Coco Gauff: $30.4 million
Prize money: $9.4 million | Endorsements: $21 million

2. Eileen Gu: $22.1 million
Prize money: $62,000 | Endorsements: $22 million

3. Iga Świątek: $21.4 million
Prize money: $8.4 million | Endorsements: $13 million

    4. Zheng Qinwen: $20.6 million
    Prize money: $5.6 million | Endorsements: $15 million

      5. Aryna Sabalenka: $17.7 million
      Prize money: $9.7 million | Endorsements: $8 million

        6. Naomi Osaka: $15.9 million
        Prize money: $870,000 | Endorsements: $15 million

          7. Emma Raducanu: $14.7 million
          Prize money: $671,000 | Endorsements: $14 million

            8. Nelly Korda: $14.4 million
            Prize money: $4.4 million | Endorsements: $10 million

              9. Simone Biles: $11.1 million
              Prize money: $135,000 | Endorsements: $11 million

                10. Caitlin Clark: $11.1 million
                Salary/bonus: $100,000 | Endorsements: $11 million

                  11. Jasmine Paolini: $10 million
                  Prize money: $6.5 million | Endorsements: $3.5 million

                    12. Jeeno Thitikul: $9.1 million
                    Prize money: $7.1 million | Endorsements: $2 million

                      13. Jessica Pegula: $8.2 million
                      Prize money: $4.2 million | Endorsements: $4 million

                        14. Elena Rybakina: $7.9 million
                        Prize money: $3.9 million | Endorsements: $4 million

                          15. Lydia Ko: $6.7 million
                          Prize money: $3.2 million | Endorsements: $3.5 million

                            2024 NCAA Volleyball Tournament Hits the Court

                            Louisville's Anna DeBeer spikes the ball against Pitt during a game.
                            Both Pitt and Louisville earned No. 1 seeds in the 2024 NCAA volleyball tournament. (Jeff Faughender/Courier Journal & USA Today Network/Imagn Images)

                            The 2024 NCAA DI volleyball tournament officially kicks off on Thursday, when 64 teams will gear up to battle for postseason glory in this weekend's first and second rounds.

                            The college court's best have their sights set on competing in the December 22nd national championship match in Louisville, Kentucky.

                            Along with the 31 conference champions who automatically received postseason invites, the NCAA committee revealed its 33 selectees in Sunday's selection show. The top 32 teams are seeded one through eight in their respective bracket quadrants, and teams are guaranteed to only face non-conference opponents through the tournament's second round.

                            Leading the field with nine teams each are the ACC, Big Ten, and SEC, followed by the Big 12 with six squads selected.

                            The four teams who finished atop the national rankings — Pitt, Louisville, Nebraska, and Penn State — all earned No. 1 seeds.

                            ACC powerhouses take aim at first national title

                            Sitting atop the rankings for most of the season, overall No. 1 seed Pitt showcases the ACC's immense depth, despite the conference having yet to produce a champion. The Panthers, who finished with Division I's best record at 29-1, have come achingly close over the last three seasons, falling short in the national semifinals each year.

                            Pitt's only loss this season came courtesy of ACC newcomer No. 2 SMU, a team they could face in the regional finals after landing in the same bracket quadrant.

                            Similarly, Louisville has been a consistent contender for the conference, becoming the ACC's first-ever team to make the championship match in 2022. Last year, the Cardinals failed to advance to the Final Four for the first time since 2020, stumbling in a five-set quarterfinal thriller against conference rival Pitt.

                            Nebraska's Taylor Landfair spikes the ball against NCAA volleyball conference rival Wisconsin.
                            No. 1 seed Nebraska and No. 2 Wisconsin landed in the same NCAA tournament quadrant. (Michael Gomez/Getty Images)

                            Big Ten dynasties seek continued dominance

                            After battling through arguably the sport's toughest all-around conference, Big Ten behemoths Penn State and Nebraska will take aim at their eighth and sixth program titles, respectively. Only former Pac-12 team Stanford — now a No. 2 seed in their debut ACC season — boast more NCAA championships than the Nittany Lions or Huskers.

                            Both teams finished their 2024 regular season campaigns neck-and-neck, posting 29-2 overall records and going 19-1 in conference play to share the Big Ten title. Penn State holds the tournament edge, however, maintaining their streak as the only NCAA team to make all 44 championship brackets — one more than Nebraska.

                            Each faces an uphill battle in the 2024 championship field. The Huskers must contend with longtime rivals and 2021 champs No. 2 Wisconsin in their quadrant. Meanwhile, the Nittany Lions find themselves in the same quadrant as reigning back-to-back champion Texas, who grabbed a No. 3 seed after a rollercoaster season. 

                            How to watch the 2024 NCAA DI Volleyball Tournament

                            The first and second rounds of the NCAA volleyball tournament will take place at 16 campus sites between Thursday and Saturday.

                            No. 5 BYU will kick off the action against Loyola Chicago at 3:30 PM ET on Thursday, with all 32 first-round and 16 second-round matches airing across ESPN platforms.

                            USWNT Pulls Off Wild Win Over the Netherlands in 2024 Finale

                            USWNT forward Lynn Williams slides in the game-winning goal against the Netherlands.
                            Forward Lynn Williams' sliding goal gave the USWNT the 2-1 win over the Netherlands. (Daniela Porcelli/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

                            The USWNT ended 2024 with an unlikely win, overcoming a Dutch shooting barrage to earn a 2-1 comeback victory in Tuesday's Euro trip closer.

                            The world No. 1 squad looked overrun for much of the first half as the No. 11 Netherlands outshot the US 14-1. Oranje rookie Veerle Buurman ultimately broke through with a 15th-minute goal off of a corner kick to give the Netherlands a well-earned lead.

                            That said, the USWNT held tight, equalizing in the 44th minute when Buurman headed in Tierna Davidson's free kick for an own goal.

                            Subs made all the difference in the game's second half, taking back enough control to mount an impressive US comeback. In just her fourth cap, forward Yazmeen Ryan produced her first international assist, finding her Gotham FC teammate Lynn Williams streaking into the penalty area to put away the 71st-minute sliding goal that allowed the US to gut out the win.

                            "I thought today we demonstrated by not being at our best, both in and out of possession, that finding a way to win is a sign of a great team," commented US boss Emma Hayes after the match.

                            SWNT keeper Alyssa Naeher's epic final match against he Netherlands

                            Longtime starting goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher earned Player of the Match honors with six stunning saves in her final USWNT performance on Tuesday. The now-retired star finishes her international career with 89 wins, 69 clean sheets, and 112 starts in her 115 caps.

                            Reflecting on her final year in goal for the States, Naeher said after Tuesday's match, "I think part of why I've been able to play with so much extra joy and smiles and really enjoy it this year even more, is I really felt like it was the last the whole time."

                            The USWNT celebrates their gold medal on the 2024 Olympic podium.
                            The USWNT finishes 2024 as the reigning Olympic champions. (Daniela Porcelli/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

                            A golden 2024 to fuel 2025 USWNT success

                            With Saturday's draw against No. 2 England and Tuesday's victory over the Netherlands, the USWNT ends 2024 on a 20-match unbeaten streak that included their 16th Concacaf title and fifth Olympic gold medal.

                            After taking the US reins in May, head coach Hayes caps the year with a 13-0-2 record, with eight of those wins coming against FIFA-ranked Top-15 teams.

                            The momentum Hayes has built sets the stage for continued success next year. The USWNT will kick off 2025 with a mid-January training camp to run concurrently with a "Futures Camp," designed to identify and develop young talent for the senior squad.

                            The first matches on the USWNT's 2025 schedule will come in February, when the team hosts No. 7 Japan, No. 15 Australia, and No. 21 Colombia in the 10th annual SheBelieves Cup.

                            Breaking Down the 2024 USWNT Campaign on ‘The Late Sub’

                            Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher is honored after her final USWNT match on Tuesday.
                            The USWNT caps a successful 2024 by bidding adieu to keeper Alyssa Naeher. (Brad Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)

                            On today's episode of The Late Sub, host Claire Watkins wraps up a banner year for the USWNT. She starts by diving into how Tuesday's dramatic 2-1 win over the Netherlands, discussing how it showcased just how far the team has come and what they’ll need to do to continue to grow in 2025.

                            Later, Watkins chats through the lessons learned from the USWNT midfield's recent performances, plus the differences in player form between their clubs and national team.

                            Finally, she dishes about Alyssa Naeher's epic final performance, underlining how much the starting goalkeeper will be missed as she officially retires from the USWNT.

                            The Late Sub with Claire Watkins brings you the latest news and freshest takes in women’s sports. This is the weekly rundown you’ve been missing, covering the USWNT, NWSL, WNBA, college hoops, and whatever else is popping off in women’s sports each week. Special guest appearances with the biggest names in women’s sports make The Late Sub a must-listen for every fan. Follow Claire on X/Twitter @ScoutRipley and subscribe to the Just Women’s Sports newsletter for more.

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