These women are powerful. They are trailblazers. And they're changing the game.
A taste of live sports, athletes and their platforms still enacting change, various leagues solidifying their official return: Sports news has not taken a break this week, so let's get into it.
But first, in anticipation of the return of sports, we've been thinking about what made us fall in love with sports in the first place:
- For Paste BN Sports' Stephen Borelli, it's a song that still gives him goosebumps.
- For reader Bob Spitzfaden of Mt. Healthy, Ohio, it was love at first sight at Crosley Field, enjoying a Cincinnati Reds game with his father.
- And for Evan Hilbert, it's because Kentucky won a meaningless football game at the buzzer and it was "the absolute best."
We want to hear your story! Email usatodaysports@usatoday.com if you'd like to share what made you fall in love with sports.
Changing the Game
This week Paste BN Sports launched "Changing the Game," a podcast with Nancy Armour that celebrates powerful women trailblazers in sports that are changing perceptions and examining the importance of representation.
Episode 1: Laurie Hernandez Has Got This
Episode 2: Muffet McGraw Is Tired of "Firsts"
And now, the stories you have to read from last week:
- LET'S PLAY BALL: Major League Baseball commissioner implements a 60-game season, scheduled to begin July 24.
- BUBBA WALLACE: NASCAR vows to continue the investigation into a noose at Talladega. And shares a photo of the noose from Bubba Wallace's garage.
- HOCKEY HALL OF FAME: Jarome Iginla becomes the fourth Black player elected to Hockey Hall of Fame.
- NATIONAL PREMIER SOCCER LEAGUE: Tulsa's semi-pro soccer team replaces national anthem with "This Land Is Your Land."
- VINSANITY: Vince Carter retires after 22 NBA seasons.
- COACH K: Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski records a powerful Black Lives Matter video.
- 'CANCER CLIMBER': Seven Summits, two poles, one Ironman Triathlon — all on one lung.
- CAM NEWTON TO NE: The 2015 MVP agrees to a one-year deal with New England Patriots.
- TAKING A STAND: Several Kansas State athletes say they won't play unless the school takes action after student's George Floyd tweet.
- 'PAT PROTECTED US WITH HER LIFE': The anniversary of Pat Summitt's death and her outspoken voice for Black athletes.
- NBA MOCK DRAFT: Paste BN Sports projects the first round, where LaMelo Ball and R.J. Hampton are potential lottery picks.
- WHAT ABOUT THE MASCOTS?: As MLB makes plans for the 2020 season, what happens to the mascots?
- BLACK LIVES MATTER: The NBA and the players union have agreed to have “Black Lives Matter” painted on the courts inside both sidelines of the venues at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
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