Head coach Dawn Staley of the South Carolina Gamecocks cuts down the net after beating the Iowa Hawkeyes in the 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament National Championship at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on April 7, 2024 in Cleveland. — Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
(NEW YORK) — Head coach Dawn Staley’s proverbial cup “runneth over” on the court Sunday, overcome with emotion after she led the South Carolina women’s basketball team to its third NCAA title.
“The emotions took over — when you’re competing for a national championship, any big goal, you pray, and then you’re not supposed to worry. And I did a lot of worrying, but I did a lot of praying,” Staley told Good Morning America Monday after the 87-75 win over the Iowa Hawkeyes. “My cup runneth over. And there’s not much I could do besides release it through crying and through thanking the Lord for giving us another yet another blessing. I never want to not give him his due because, you know, he’s given me uncommon favor.”
Since taking over as head coach in 2008, the team has made six Final Four appearances under Staley’s leadership. The Gamecocks have notched 109 wins with only three losses in the last three seasons.
Despite being down in the first quarter, Staley was confident in the team she previously called an “unlikely group.” The Gamecocks went on to become the first team to win by double digits in a national title game after trailing by double digits earlier in the game.
“I felt it at the very beginning of the season, they said give me three words to describe this team and I said, ‘expect the unexpected,'” Staley recalled on GMA, adding, “They have taken us through incredible highs and lows.”
She explained that with her own high standards for players, “if you have not come from a standard that’s high, you can’t possibly give them that standard. You have to meet them and teach them where they need to be. To be respectful to people and respectful to the game of basketball or else, you know, you’re not gonna get it. You are not going to meet your mark.”
“Luckily, thank God, they got it in time enough to do something about it, and challenge each other to be their best advocates, teammates and critics at the same time,” Staley continued.
The championship also marked the final collegiate game for Hawkeyes star guard Caitlin Clark, who broke the all-time NCAA college basketball leading scoring record for men and women this season, and is headed to the WNBA draft.
Staley, who gave a special shoutout to Clark on the court Sunday, called the 22-year-old a “generational talent” on GMA.
“I think she’s the sole responsibility of our game being raised to this level of playing, as many women’s games basketball games were on national television. … Every time she plays, she seems to outdo herself. There’s not a lot of people that can demand and command that kind of attention, and Caitlin’s one of them,” Staley said.
“I know her shoulders are heavy because of what she has to give to women’s basketball. I just want to say we’re thankful. We’re thankful that she chose to play basketball. We’re thankful for the way she’s handled all of it,” the coach said.”Her next step is the WNBA — I do think she can be that person that elevates us.”
Now that the NCAA season is complete, Staley has her sights set on the summer Olympics in Paris, where she will coach Team USA — and possibly Clark, who has said she hopes to make the team. Staley previously led the U.S. team to gold in Tokyo in 2021.
Caitlin Clark says she’s ‘ready for the next chapter’ after breaking scoring records, declaring for WNBA draft.
(CLEVELAND) — The South Carolina Gamecocks defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes 87-75, to win the NCAA women’s basketball championship in Cleveland on Sunday.
The win for the Gamecocks gave them a perfect 38-0 season.
Sunday wrapped up a historical season for women’s college basketball, and that particular game marked the end of Iowa player Caitlin Clark’s college basketball career.
Clark, who previously announced her intention to enter the WNBA draft, scored 30 points on Sunday.
(NEW YORK) — Here are the scores from Sunday’s sports events:
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
INTERLEAGUE Pittsburgh 3, Baltimore 2 Milwaukee 12, Seattle 4 Tampa Bay 3, Colorado 2
AMERICAN LEAGUE Cleveland at Minnesota (Postponed) Oakland 7, Detroit 1 Kansas City 5, Chi White Sox 3 NY Yankees 8, Toronto 3 Boston 12, LA Angels 2 Houston 3, Texas 1
NATIONAL LEAGUE Atlanta 5, Arizona 2 Washington 3, Philadelphia 2 NY Mets 3, Cincinnati 1 Miami 10, St. Louis 3 Chi Cubs 8, LA Dodgers 1 San Francisco 3, San Diego 2
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION LA Clippers 120, Cleveland 118 Dallas 147, Houston 136 (OT) Indiana 117, Miami 115 Boston 124, Portland 107 Orlando 113, Chicago 98 Oklahoma City 121, Charlotte 118 New Orleans 113, Phoenix 105 Toronto 130, Washington 122 Final New York 122 Milwaukee 109 Sacramento 107, Brooklyn 77 Philadelphia 133 San Antonio 126 (2OT) Golden State 118, Utah 110 Minnesota 127, LA Lakers 117
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE Detroit 3, Buffalo 1 Minnesota 4, Chicago 0 Carolina 3, Columbus 0 Arizona 5, San Jose 2 Ottawa 3, Washington 2 (OT) Final N-Y Rangers 5 Montreal 2 Nashville 3 New Jersey 2 (SO) St. Louis 6, Anaheim 5 (SO) Dallas 7, Colorado 4
MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER Portland 3, Sporting Kansas City 3 (Tie)
(COEUR d’ALENE, Idaho) — Video and audio evidence collected by investigators “corroborates” reports that members of the Utah women’s basketball team were harassed and subjected to racial slurs during an incident on March 21, 2024, police in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, confirmed Wednesday.
“We’ve identified an audio recording where the use of a racial slur was clearly audible,” police said in a statement Wednesday night. “We’re working to determine the context and conduct associated with its use to determine if it is a violation of the law. While we’re still reviewing evidence, it appears the use of a racial slur occurred more than one time.”
Police also released a photo of a silver car that was in the area at the time of the incident and encouraged anyone with information related to the vehicle to reach out to detectives at the Coeur d’Alene Police Department at 208-769-2320 or to submit a tip online.
Police said on Wednesday that detectives have now “conducted interviews with the involved parties,” and have also collected about 35 hours of surveillance video from businesses in the area as they investigate the incident.
A spokesperson for the Coeur d’Alene Police Department (CAPD) told ABC News on March 27 that local detectives and the FBI, which is “involved” in this case, planned to travel to Utah to interview the players.
The FBI told ABC News on March 27 that they are “aware” of the incident but have not launched an investigation, and added that if “information comes to light of a potential federal violation, the FBI is prepared to investigate.”
A spokesperson for the Utah women’s basketball team told ABC News on Monday that the team is “continuing to work with the authorities who are conducting the investigation and continuing to support our student athletes.”
According to a police report filed on March 21 by Robert Moyer, a witness who identified himself as a team donor who was traveling with the Utah women’s basketball team, the players were targeted twice while arriving at and leaving the Crafted Tap House, where they had dinner.
“Two lifted pickups (NFI) were revving their engines and speeding by the team as they walked down Sherman. The trucks then turned around and came back towards the team and yelled the N-word at them as many of their players are African American,” according to the report. “Robert stated the incident caused a well-founded fear among the players.”
ABC News obtained police body camera video that includes audio of Moyer’s call to 911 asking to meet with police to report the incident and his subsequent conversation with a police officer who arrived at the scene.
The Utah women’s basketball team, which is a part of Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), was in Coeur d’Alene for several days to compete during March Madness, Moyer said, adding that he feared for their safety as they remained in the city after the incident.
“I’m so pissed,” Moyer said, before proceeding to tell a police officer that he wants to file a report after a group of white men “revving their engines” drove down the strip near the Crafted Tap House in Coeur D’Alene and they started “throwing the f-bombs and the n-bombs” at a group of Black female basketball players near the Crafted Tap House.
According to Moyer, the first incident took place at around “6-ish” and the second was at around 8:30 p.m. He said that after harassing the players before they went into the restaurant, the same trucks “were waiting for us to come out” and then did it again.
“That scared them. That scared them a lot,” Moyer said, adding that one of the players was in tears after the incident.
The women’s NCAA Tournament is having a big moment that has also been marred by missteps Asked if he could describe the individuals or the trucks, Moyer said that one of the trucks was white and the trucks were “screamer trucks” that were “jacked up.”
The police officer confirmed to Moyer that he has written up a report and the incident is on record and encouraged Moyer to call the police if anything else takes place during their stay in Coeur D’Alene.
“If we hear that stuff and it’s in our presence, we will absolutely take them to jail, the officer said.
While the players have not spoken out publicly about the incident, Utah’s women’s basketball head coach Lynne Roberts addressed it during a post-game press conference on March 25.
“We had several instances of some kind of racial hate crimes towards our program and [it was] incredibly upsetting for all of us,” Roberts said. “Racism is real, and it happens, and it’s awful.”
The NCAA told ABC News in a statement on March 27 that the league is “devastated” by the incident.
“The NCAA condemns racism and hatred in any form and is committed to providing a world-class athletics and academic experience for student-athletes that fosters lifelong well-being,” the statement said. “NCAA championship events represent the pinnacle of a student-athlete’s collegiate career.”
ABC News’ Jade Lawson and Luke Barr contributed to this report.
(NEW YORK) — Here are the scores from Wednesday’s sports events:
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
INTERLEAGUE Detroit at NY Mets (Postponed) Atlanta at Chi White Sox (Postponed) LA Angels 10, Miami 2 Minnesota 7, Milwaukee 3 NY Yankees 6, Arizona 5
AMERICAN LEAGUE Texas 4, Tampa Bay 1 Baltimore 4, Kansas City 3 Boston 1, Oakland 0 Cleveland 8, Seattle 0 Houston 8, Toronto 0
NATIONAL LEAGUE LA Dodgers 5, San Francisco 4 Cincinnati 4, Philadelphia 1 San Diego 3, St. Louis 2 Washington 5, Pittsburgh 3 Chi Cubs 9, Colorado 8
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION Portland 89, Charlotte 86 LA Lakers 125, Washington 120 Atlanta 121, Detroit 113 Boston 135, Oklahoma City 100 Brooklyn 115, Indiana 111 Minnesota 133, Toronto 85 Memphis 111, Milwaukee 101 Orlando 117, New Orleans 108 Phoenix 122, Cleveland 101
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE Vancouver 2, Arizona 1 Tampa Bay 4, Toronto 1 NY Rangers 4, New Jersey 3 Los Angeles 5, Seattle 2 Dallas 5, Edmonton 0
(NEW YORK) — Ronda Rousey, UFC champion, shares her story in her new book, Our Fight: A Memoir. The book reflects on her rise to the top of the sports world, her lowest moments and the lessons she learned along the way.
In her memoir, Rousey recalls dealing with concussions for a decade. She had to change her fighting style to prevent getting hit and, until now, she remained silent about the details of her struggles.
Rousey also opens up about her journey into motherhood and her fervent desire to shield her family from the public eye. In her book she admits to becoming “addicted” to the online world, a struggle which, at times, drew her focus away from her family.
Rousey is a former judoka and mixed martial artist who became a professional wrestler and actress. She became the first American woman to win a bronze medal in judo at the 2008 Summer Olympics.
She sat down with ABC News Live to discuss her family, her career and reveal where she’s currently working as an intern.
ABC NEWS LIVE: She has been described as the world’s most dominant athlete, knocking out barriers and setting records. In her new memoir, “Our Fight,” UFC and WWE champion Ronda Rousey chronicles her journey to the top and back from her lowest point as she reflects on the losses and the lessons experienced along the way. Joining us now is UFC Hall of Famer Ronda Rousey. Thank you so much for being with us.
RONDA ROUSEY: Thank you for having me and for such a kind introduction.
ABC NEWS: Oh, no, it is a pleasure. And I read a lot of this book over the weekend. I was, I was gripped by it. You are already a bestselling author. You have dabbled in acting. You are obviously a Hall of Famer. What made you want to come out and write this book now? I know you say you wanted to be in your own words.
ROUSEY: Yeah, I just had so many things I couldn’t talk about until now, namely my concussion history. Where in my judo career out of like ten years, I had concussion symptoms more often than not. This is before all the research about CTE and everything was out.
And so by the time that I got into MMA, every time you get a concussion, it’s easier to get another one. And, I quickly discovered in MMA any kind of significant strike, I’d be seeing stars, getting concussion symptoms. So I had to develop a system of fighting that was more efficient than anything I had ever seen before. So I would not get, not get touched at all because I just knew I couldn’t take that kind of damage. And, it just continued to get worse and worse.
You know, I, I had matches, I was winning in less than a minute, you know, 16, 14 seconds. But there’s 50 rounds of sparring that goes into every one of those matches. And, it started to get to the point where, like the lightest jabs or touches were giving me concussion symptoms.
And then, it all came to a head, right before the home fight. I slipped down some stairs, knocked myself out, tore out my knee, went into that that, that match already concussed and, had had the wrong mouth guard. It was like the terrible, horrible, no good day.
ABC NEWS: A confluence of bad factors, yeah.
ROUSEY: My mouth guard didn’t have, like, a back to the bottom teeth. And the first time I got touched all like my, all my bottom teeth got knocked loose and I was, I was completely out on my feet and concussed. And, I basically like I, it’s hard to describe what it’s like. It’s like you have photo vision. Like someone just took a picture of you, like, there’s big splotches in your vision. And like, the world is, like, two dimensional, like you can’t see distance between things.
And so, the whole fight, I was just trying to come forward because I can’t really go backward.
ABC NEWS: Do you feel like your industry took the concussion seriously enough at the time?
ROUSEY: I think they did. So much so that I didn’t want to say anything to my my coach or Dana about it because I thought they would make me stop and I wasn’t ready to stop. I thought I could just continue to be perfect forever, that I could continue to win without being touched forever.
ABC NEWS: One of the things that is so touching about this book is your vulnerability. We see this beautiful picture of you on the back of your book with your daughter in an embrace. How has motherhood changed this chapter of your life?
ROUSEY: It’s just changed my perspective on so many things and so many frivolous things that I would let myself be consumed with. She doesn’t let me.
And she puts in perspective what, what’s really important. And that’s her. And it’s hard for me to, like, ruminate and dwell on things when I’m getting, like, puked on and getting my hair pulled. The cutest thing I’ve ever seen is happening in front of me at the same time. So she she forces me to be in the present, which is what I, I learned is what I need to appreciate the most.
ABC NEWS: It seems like nature has such a central role for you and healing. I know that in the book you talk about how your husband whisked you away to a campsite when you were at your lowest point. So has farming sort of brought out some resilience in you and a different side of you?
ROUSEY: I think it’s just, it’s something that’s self validating and it makes me happy without anyone having to see it and appreciate it. And it’s nothing that I feel like I’m pandering to anyone or trying to impress anyone. I’m just trying to make these, these animals’ day a little bit better, their lives better, and give them a life worth living and, you know, feed my family and help the the land that they’re on. And it’s just, a virtuous circle where, you know, it’s, and just the act in itself is a reward.
ABC NEWS: I can’t let you go without asking what comes next. Now you have two books. Your multi-hyphenate and so many industries. What’s next?
ROUSEY: Oh, God. Oh, we get into it in the book a little bit because I wrote this. And the first one, with my sister, I’ve gotten like, more into creative writing and stuff like that. So I started writing screenplays just for fun.
My my mom would write fantasy novels as a hobby when since forever, and would give them to us to read. And it was such like a fascinating, fascinating insight into her. And you read that, you’re like, oh my God, this is so mom.
And so, I’ve started writing a lot creatively. I’m an intern at the WME story department. I like read and write coverages of scripts and things. And my first comic book is coming out soon, and, it’s just stuff that I really enjoy and I’m a big nerd for. And it’s not something to, to impress anybody. But the act in itself is so rewarding for me. So I do it.
ABC NEWS: Well, thank you so much. You’re such a beacon of strength for so many out there. Ronda Rousey’s book “Our Fight,” her memoir, is out tomorrow. I suggest you go and get it.
(NEW YORK) — Here are the scores from Tuesday’s sports events:
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
INTERLEAGUE Detroit at NY Mets (Postponed) Milwaukee 3, Minnesota 2 LA Angels 3, Miami 1 Chi White Sox 3, Atlanta 2 Arizona 7, NY Yankees 0
AMERICAN LEAGUE Kansas City 4, Baltimore 1 Tampa Bay 5, Texas 2 Toronto 2, Houston 1 Cleveland 5, Seattle 2 Boston 5, Oakland 4
NATIONAL LEAGUE Philadelphia 9, Cincinnati 4 Chi Cubs 12, Colorado 2 St. Louis 5, San Diego 2 LA Dodgers 5, San Francisco 4
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION LA Lakers 128, Toronto 111 Washington 117, Milwaukee 113 Miami 109, New York 99 Philadelphia 109, Oklahoma City 105 Minnesota 113, Houston 106 Cleveland 129, Utah 113 Denver 110, San Antonio 105 Sacramento 109, LA Clippers 95 Golden State 104, Dallas 100
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE Pittsburgh 6, New Jersey 3 Buffalo 6, Washington 2 Montreal 5, Florida 3 NY Islanders 2, Chicago 1 Minnesota 3, Ottawa 2 Boston 3, Nashville 0 Anaheim 5, Calgary 3 Vegas 6, Vancouver 3
(NEW YORK) — For the second straight season, head coach Lisa Bluder has led the Iowa Hawkeyes women’s basketball team to the Final Four of the NCAA tournament.
Bluder spoke to “Good Morning America” following her team’s 94-87 win over LSU in the Elite Eight — a rematch of last year’s championship game when the Hawkeyes came up short — and shared how they will be preparing for the next round.
“We just kept talking about, this wasn’t a rivalry with LSU, it wasn’t a rematch of last year’s game, it was a whole new team, a whole new year,” Bluder said. “Our team was so locked in. They were so ready to play last night. I’m really, really happy for them.”
Caitlin Clark, the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer among men and woman, accounted for 71% of the scoring against LSU with 41 points, 12 assists and seven rebounds.
“She’s absolutely amazing,” Bluder said. “She has been consistent throughout her entire career, but when the spotlight is on, she is at her very best at that time.”
Clark is one of the many stars on the court helping drum up massive media attention and interest from fans during this tournament and beyond, something Bluder — who has coached the women’s game for 40 years — said she’s proud to be part of.
“I could never have fathomed the amount of interest that we are getting right now in our game,” she said. “When I played and when I started coaching, you know, you’re begging people to come and watch your team play. And now it’s so fulfilling.”
“Our game has gotten so much better, quite honestly. And the media exposure that we’ve gotten through national networks like the Big Ten Network and such, that has helped us expose our brand to so many different people. For us, it’s an exciting time to be part of women’s basketball,” Bluder continued.
Iowa will now set its sights on another exciting matchup, going head to head with UConn and their star, Paige Bueckers, on Friday. But Bluder isn’t quite ready to look ahead at the Huskies.
“I haven’t even thought about it yet,” Bluder said, candidly. “I gave myself about 20 hours to enjoy this one. That’s what I’m going to do. I’ll star prepping this afternoon.”
(LONDON) — Prosecutors are seeking a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence for Spain’s former soccer chief, Luis Rubiales, who may stand trial over a nonconsensual kiss at the Women’s World Cup last year, the Madrid prosecutor’s office confirmed to ABC News.
Rubiales kissed Spanish soccer player Jennifer Hermoso on the lips without her consent during the team’s trophy ceremony following Spain’s 1-0 win against England on Aug. 20, 2023. The incident was captured on video and in photos.
The former Spanish soccer federation president was banned in October 2023 from national and international soccer activities for three years after the organization found he violated an article of FIFA’s disciplinary code with the kiss incident.
Earlier this year, a judge said enough evidence existed to propose a trial for Rubiales and three other former executives with the Royal Spanish Football Federation.
Prosecutors confirmed to ABC News on Wednesday that they have asked for a two-and-a-half-year sentence for Rubiales, arguing he was holding the head of Hermoso without her consent and that the nonconsensual kiss had personal and professional consequences for the soccer player. He could also face a fine of at least 50,000 euros ($54,000), they said.
Prosecutors said they are also requesting that Rubiales be prohibited from getting within a 200-meter radius of Hermoso and be barred from communicating with her.
Rubiales, who was charged with sexual assault and coercion, has claimed the kiss was consensual and denied any wrongdoing.
The prosecutor’s office said it also requested one-and-a-half years in prison for the three former executives. The judge said they may have put pressure on Hermoso to say it was a consensual kiss.
(NEW YORK) – The grass may be greener if it’s made of synthetic turf, but some communities are raising concerns about “forever chemicals” that may be found in many of the faux fields.
“Think about the wisdom of putting down acres of plastic in the year 2024… and then allowing athletes to go play on that for hours a week,” Dr. Kyla Bennett, director of science policy for advocacy group Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER), told ABC News.
“To me, it doesn’t pass the straight-face test,” she said.
A number of synthetic turf fields in use today are believed to be made with plastic that may contain chemical substances perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl, known as PFAS, according to advocates and industry specialists. However, the percentage of synthetic turf fields made with these chemicals already installed or being manufactured for the future is unknown.
PFAS are a class of over 12,000 manufactured chemicals that have been used in industry and consumer products since the 1940s, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. They are known as “forever chemicals,” because they break down very slowly.
In a June 2023 letter, Synthetic Turf Council president and CEO Melanie Taylor said the industry needed until 2026 – “in line with other PFAS legislation currently pending” to “develop viable alternatives for the marketplace” without PFAS chemicals.
“We are concerned that trace quantities of a chemical may be present in natural or synthetic ingredients, recycled content, manufacturing processes or equipment,” Taylor said.
In addition to synthetic turf, PFAS can be found in drinking water, food, cleaners, textiles, paper, paints, fire-fighting foams, wire insulation and more, according to the EPA, which notes some of these chemical compounds can accumulate and stay in the human body for long periods of time.
Many industries are attempting to remove PFAS from their products. In February, the FDA announced that after a four-year commitment, food packaging in the U.S. no longer includes PFAS for grease proofing, “This means the major source of dietary exposure to PFAS from food packaging like fast-food wrappers, microwave popcorn bags, take-out paperboard containers and pet food bags is being eliminated.”
The health risks of forever chemical accumulation in the body are still uncertain and could include a higher risk of cancer, liver damage, fertility issues or asthma, according to the EPA.
However, there are known risks associated with ingestion or inhalation — It’s not clear if there are significant health risks from touching them.
Some communities are concerned amid the uncertainty.
“Parents should not have to have a Ph.D. in analytical chemistry, to send their kids out to play on what they presumed to be a safe field,” Dianne Woelke, a board member for Safe Healthy Playing Fields, Inc., an all-volunteer advocacy group, told ABC News.
“They assume that these chemicals have been proven to be safe, and they absolutely have not,” she claimed.
In 2016, the EPA launched an investigation into the chemicals found in recycled tire crumb, a component of some synthetic turf and what, if any, human exposure might occur during contact with turf fields. The results of this investigation are still pending, but regardless of their findings, the agency states that its report should not be interpreted as a risk assessment and cannot determine levels above which health effects could occur.
PFAS chemicals are widely used to help with the molding and extrusions of plastic, which is often seen in synthetic turf, according to the Journal of Vinyl and Additive Technology.
Hailed by some proponents as the antidote to the effects of climate change, synthetic turf offers what is believed to be a no-water-necessary, durable and fertilizer-free option for athletic fields at every level.
Synthetic turf was first installed in a major sporting venue at Houston’s Astrodome in 1966. More than 50 years and several variations of synthetic turf later, thousands of recreational and professional-level fields across the country removed natural grass in favor of synthetic turf.
“Communities, schools, businesses and families across the country are choosing synthetic turf because of the significant benefits it offers, being accessible year-round, being more affordable to maintain, and protecting the environment through reduced water and chemical use,” Synthetic Turf Council president Melanie Taylor told ABC News in a statement. “The synthetic turf industry is proud to deliver quality products that make a positive difference and are used by thousands of communities nationwide.”
According to the Synthetic Turf Council, there are between 12,000 and 13,000 synthetic turf sports fields in the United States, with approximately 1,200 to 1,500 new installations each year.
