Latest news with #StudBudz
Forbes
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
The Best Tunnel Fits From The 2025-'26 WNBA Season: All Star Weekend
Stud Budz Natisha Hiedeman and Courtney Williams of the Minnesota Lynx during the 2025 AT&T WNBA ... More All-Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 19, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images The time has finally come—when players from across the league, selected through a fan-driven voting system, unite as the newly crowned All Stars. All-Star Weekend feels a bit like making it to the final rounds of Love Island: you've been voted a fan favorite, there's a prize (well, bragging rights), and instead of romantic challenges, the best duos and trios face off in non-traditional basketball scrimmage. But the main event isn't just the game. The weekend is packed with fireside chats, 3x3 scrimmages, skill challenges, and the always iconic 3-point contest. This year was a bit different, as the main event was pushed over for a whole lot of partying — as seen on Studbudz's live stream. And thanks to the them, many online are saying, 'Studbudz's 72 hour stream has somehow revolutionized sports content [through the]This year, the WNBA brought back WNBA Live—a convention packed with pop-ups and experiences where fans could meet players, shop merch, and win tickets to the game. Alongside the festivities, a seemingly ubiquitous conversation about WNBA salaries also loomed over Indiana and all the weekends' happenings. All-Star Weekend happened to coincide with the period when players, through CBA meetings, were negotiating their contracts,, and more importantly, their pay. For some time, the WNBA has faced a stark pay gap compared to its NBA counterpart. Now, players are advocating for a livable wage and equity that reflects the league's growth. So, it would be remiss not to highlight a favorite look, this time not from the tunnel, but from the Clark wearing a "pay us what you owe us shirt" Wearing black-and-white t-shirts that read: 'Pay us what you owe us. ' Through this, players delivered a fashion moment that was as politically charged as it was culturally resonant Kelsey Plum of the Los Angeles arrives prior to the 2025 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game at Gainbridge ... More Fieldhouse on July 19, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images Kelsey Plum doesn't stick to a strict uniform, but she clearly dresses for a specific era—maybe even a specific movie—and she's more than ready to join Skylar Diggins in the Matrix realm. Leather jackets may not scream summer, but they never really go out of season. Plum opts for a Loewe leather bomber, complete with an oversized belt buckle that cinches the waist just right. She pairs it with relaxed khakis and the ever-iconic Loewe Puzzle bag in beige. The finishing touch: Sleek, all-black wraparound sunglasses—perfect for her Matrix-style entrance. Stud Budz Natisha Hiedeman and Courtney Williams of the Minnesota Lynx during the 2025 AT&T WNBA ... More All-Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 19, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images Natisha Hiedeman and Courtney Williams might've had the busiest schedule of anyone this All-Star Weekend. From streaming every behind-the-scenes moment on Studbudz, partying with just about everyone in the league—including Commissioner Cathy Engelbert—getting the dub' at the All-Star Game, and still finding time to throw on a fit. Williams showed up in a custom, newly dropped Studbudz tracksuit in light pink, perfectly matching her freshly dyed hair. Hiedeman, the other half of Studbudz, opted for a custom Playasociety 'Studbudz' pullover, futuristic Givenchy sunglasses, distressed jeans, and Jordan 5s. But the standout detail? A Louis Vuitton messenger bag. Like, can we bring back messenger bags ? Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky during the 2025 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on ... More July 19, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images Following what seems to be a league-wide Matrix dress code, two-time All-Star Angel Reese leans into a more business-coded agenda. Still staying true to the all-black, high-shine leather theme, Reese wears a pinstriped leather blazer and trouser set from Amiri. She finishes the look with fine-lined Miu Miu glasses and, controversially, a brown Louis Vuitton bag, but if Angel Reese wants to wear black and brown, Angel Reese can wear black and brown. Kiki Iriafen of the Washington Mystics poses during the 2025 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game at Gainbridge ... More Fieldhouse on July 19, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images Kiki Iriafen is all business, no play—well, except for the 23 minutes she played in the game—in a khaki blazer mini dress and Coach loafers. The dress itself is a standout: a one-button blazer designed to emphasize the structure of the bust and cinch the waist, giving it a sharp, tailored look. She pairs it with a black leather fold-over purse for a clean, pulled-together finish. Kayla Thornton of the Golden State Valkyries poses prior to the 2025 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game at ... More Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 19, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images Bling, bling, bling—dressed like an All-Star and playing like one, Kayla Thornton steps into the orange Nike tunnel in an oversized, crystal-embellished denim-on-denim two-piece. All-Star Weekend is for the star performers, so why not go all out in something shiny and head-turning. Kelsey Mitchell of the Indiana Fever poses during the 2025 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game at Gainbridge ... More Fieldhouse on July 19, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images A new look for Kelsey Mitchell — she steps out in a reconstructed Nike corset, made from the leather outer layers of Jordan SE sneakers and perfectly suited for the Nike tunnel. She pairs it with a Louis Vuitton monogram pouchette and tie-up stiletto heels that echo the corset's lacing. Paige Bueckers of the Dallas Wings arrives prior to the 2025 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game at Gainbridge ... More Fieldhouse on July 19, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images The internet quickly dubbed this look 'Baby Daddy at the Baby Shower,' but for Paige Bueckers, the 'Unctie' style is basically her uniform. Although the classic striped Burberry monogram suit has traditionally been reserved for baby showers, Bueckers proves it's versatile, and wearale at All-Star Weekend, too. Nneka Ogwumike of the Seattle Storm during the 2025 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse ... More on July 19, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images There's hardly a moment when Nneka Ogwumike isn't seen wearing print, with animal print being her go-to pattern for the tunnels. So it makes perfect sense that she would double down on it for All-Star Weekend. Out of the Tunnel, there were too many looks shown by players who weren't All-Stars and it'd be almost remissed to not show them off. So, after the 3-point contest, straight from the hardwood, we piled together our best outfits.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
WNBA All-Star Game 'Team Hangover,' explained: How Napheesa Collier's squad earned party moniker
With basketball fans' eyes on the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game in Indianapolis, Team Collier beat the odds to defeat Team Clark. To be clear, Team Collier didn't exactly defy odds by overcoming any mismatches or a lopsided point spread, but instead, the group overcame the aftereffects of enjoying the Indianapolis nightlife. After Team Collier's record-breaking 151-131 win, the team broke down their final huddle by giving themselves a new name: Team Hangover. 📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp Here's how that nickname is a fitting one. It's unclear when Team Collier officially adopted the Team Hangover moniker, but they began the process of earning it on Friday night. MORE: The best highlights, moments from Team Collier's 2025 WNBA All-Star Game win Thanks in large part to the StudBudz Twitch stream, fans got a firsthand look at what Team Collier was up to on Friday. It helps that one half of the StudBudz is Lynx guard Courtney Williams, who made her All-Star debut for Team Collier in 2025. Rewind to Friday night, and a few of Team Collier's members were shown having a time on the stream. From Kelsey Plum's apparent affinity for Crown Royal to Alyssa Thomas' incredible reaction to Williams' lemon drop order, Team Collier was a major winner throughout Friday's festivities. It didn't stop there, as rookie Paige Bueckers joined Williams for an inspired duet to sing Keyshia Cole's "Love." Fast forward to Saturday, and Team Collier was all business throughout the game. With its namesake winning MVP honors with an All-Star record 36 points, Team Collier also enjoyed a groundbreaking triple-double from Skylar Diggins, and the team scored 151 points on 54.8 percent shooting from the field. MORE WNBA NEWS: Napheesa Collier nabs All-Star Game MVP with record performance What to know about the WNBA's 'Pay Us What You Owe Us' shirts How Minnesota Lynx 'StudBudz' duo became viral WNBA streaming favorites Sabrina Ionescu picks up second 3-Point Contest title with 30-point outburst As for those captured on the above clips, Williams finished with 13 points and five assists, Bueckers dished out eight assists in her All-Star debut, Thomas had six points and four assists in 13 minutes, and Plum scored 16 points on 50.0 percent shooting in 17 minutes of action. These methods might not be sustainable when the regular season rolls back around, but it's hard to argue that Team Hangover Collier's methods got in the way of their performance in the All-Star Game.
New York Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New York Times
The simple solution to solve the WNBA's looming ‘Pay Us' labor crisis: MoneyCall
Welcome back to MoneyCall, The Athletic's weekly sports business cheat sheet. (Was this forwarded to you? Subscribe here.) Name-dropped today: Stud Budz, Lloyd Howell Jr., Sydney Colson, Derrick Rose, Dave Portnoy and Pat McAfee, Sephora, Kim Kardashian, Peacock, Soar the Eagle, Snoop Dogg and more. Let's go: 'Pay us what you owe us' Few pro athletes are as comfortable and willing to speak up as the players of the WNBA, as you saw on and off the court this past weekend in Indianapolis — from message T-shirts to the Stud Budz. (If you don't know the Stud Budz, you must read this explainer.) No one wants to see a lockout. Most everyone — even WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert — agrees the players should be paid more. (At her annual midseason press conference, she even said, 'We want to significantly increase their salary.') Players are meaningfully underpaid relative to the value they drive for the league. And so as the league and players carom towards a brutal labor battle this fall — just as the league is hitting escape velocity — what to do? Advertisement Let's solve this with sensibility: Just match the NBA. In the NBA, 50 percent of league 'basketball-related income' (TV deals, tickets, sponsorships, merch sales) goes to player salaries, split equally among the teams. Currently, the WNBA's current BRI rev split with the players is reported to be anywhere from 75/25 to 90/10 (depending on your accounting), either of which feels archaic. To be sure: Team owners will hate going from 90/10 to 50/50, but their ever-increasing franchise valuations and overall revenue growth will more than make up for it. Let's take an easy example, and focus specifically on TV money: The WNBA's new TV deal, which goes into effect next season, is around $200 million a year. Half would go to player salaries. Split that $100M among the 15 teams in 2026. That's $6.5 million per year per team for salaries, a $5 million increase from the current salary cap. That's a jump in average player salary from $117K to $540K — of course, star players would (and should) get more than role players, just as they do in the NBA. The bottom line is that there is already a standard for how major pro basketball leagues split the basketball-related revenue with players. It can be applied here. It's less a question of what is owed than: 'Pay us … like our pro basketball counterparts in this country.' Much more coming on all this from The Athletic's WNBA reporters. Rocky times for NFLPA, plus instructive WNBA ratings Big talkers from the sports-business industry… NFL, ESPN near NFL Media deal: My colleague Andrew Marchand gets you caught up on the fascinating potential 2025 bookend to the 1987 media deal that you could argue officially put ESPN on the map. Can NFL Media help accelerate ESPN's new direct-to-consumer platform, officially launching in a few weeks? Advertisement Without Clark, WNBA ASG ratings solid: 2.2M didn't come close to matching last year's (Caitlin Clark's WNBA All-Star Game debut), but they were up huge over 2023 B.C. (Before Clark), and it was still the second most-watched WNBA ASG ever. Big 12 turns down Memphis millions: In this avaricious era of college sports realignment, you'd never think a conference would turn down a couple hundred million dollars to add a school — but the Big 12 actually said 'no thanks' to Memphis. NFLPA leadership crisis: Lloyd Howell Jr. out (from two jobs!). JC Tretter out. What does it say about the strength of the most powerful sports league in the world that the players' union is so rudderless? My colleague (and host of our new 'No Free Lunch' podcast) Ndamukong Suh is taking questions from readers (including MoneyCall readers!), and I will be sending him that one. But you should submit your own questions for him: nofreelunch@ Other current obsessions: Sydney Colson doing a stand-up set during WNBA All-Star weekend … Derrick Rose's enthusiasm for chess … Mac Miller bobblehead night in Pittsburgh … the return of 'Happy Gilmore' to the zeitgeist … Peak's new seven-day walking challenge … No, seriously: Stud Budz … ESPN's Pat McAfee vs. Fox's Dave Portnoy? Barstool Sports is partnering with Fox Sports around college football Saturdays and weekday programming. I had to check in with my colleague Andrew Marchand for his take on the latest Fox vs. ESPN battleground: How do you envision the rivalry playing out? 💬 The intrigue is in the big names and traditional media vs. new media. On weekdays, Stephen A. Smith and Mike Greenberg, traditional media, are ESPN stars on mornings and will face Barstool directly. ESPN has a huge advantage in reach, so it will have better TV ratings, but with Pat McAfee, ESPN has leaned into a new way of tallying audience, using YouTube and social — Fox may lean into that. Advertisement On Saturdays, McAfee has been something of a flight risk on 'GameDay,' threatening not to return at times, but now against Dave Portnoy and Barstool on 'Big Noon Kickoff,' I imagine McAfee may be more inclined to stay for the fight. The one misconception is that Portnoy will be used like the every-down panelist McAfee is. Fox will likely mix and match Portnoy to best utilize him, but not on every segment. Get more from Marchand on this on his podcast this week. Data Point: $2.38 billion That was The Athletic's proprietary valuation for the University of Texas' football program — roughly the valuation of the Carolina Panthers when they sold in 2018. Our college football team did valuations for all 68 power-conference teams, and the entire list is definitely worth checking out. Price Increase: NBC's Peacock As of today, Peacock's pricing goes up $3 per month (the cheapest tier, ad-supported, goes from $7.99 to $10.99). It's reductive, but call it the 'live sports tax' — NBC adding the NBA creates valuable new programming for Peacock subscribers, but it wasn't cheap for NBCU to acquire (~$2.5B per year). Brand Launch: Denver Summit FC Love the name. Love the logo and crest. Kudos to the team for letting the fans pick the name. Runner-up: The American. The American Athletic Conference ('AAC') is now just the American Conference ('American'), complete with a very, um, atypical *conference* mascot, Soar the Eagle. Sponsorshipping > Sephora x AUSL: The beauty giant is the presenting sponsor for the softball league's championship series this weekend, doubling down after deals with the Golden State Valkyries and Unrivaled. >Skims x League One Volleyball: Kim Kardashian's company is replicating its WNBA and NBA deal (official underwear) with the start-up volleyball pro league (official loungewear/intimates/sleepwear). Advertisement Investor of the Week: Snoop Dogg Let's get Swansea City that behind-the-scenes TV show deal for the days when new part-owner Snoop comes around the training grounds. Elevator Pitch: WNBA in an NFL stadium Loved this idea from my colleague Richard Deitsch about why the WNBA should schedule the Fever to play in the Colts' stadium and smash the attendance record for a WNBA game. Power Ranking: Top NHL local broadcasts See the full 32-team ranking here. Beat Dan in Connections: Sports edition Wed 7/23: Puzzle #303 Dan's time: 00:27 Try the game here! Great business-adjacent reads for your downtime or commute: How Premier League teams convince players to sign with them. Two more: Back next Wednesday! Here's a sensible 50/50 split: Forward MoneyCall to three colleagues, then to three friends. And, as always, give a (free!) try to all The Athletic's other newsletters.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Lynx HC Cheryl Reeve drops truth bomb on StudBudz All-Star livestream
The post Lynx HC Cheryl Reeve drops truth bomb on StudBudz All-Star livestream appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Minnesota Lynx are well-represented at the 2025 WNBA All-Star Weekend, with MVP candidate Napheesa Collier headlining her own All-Star Game team that also features star Courtney Williams as a reserve and Cheryl Reeve filling her familiar position of head coach. But so far, the most attention they've drawn has come from their off-court activities. Williams, along with Natisha Hiedeman — who traveled to Indiana with her teammates — make up the infamous duo known as the StudBudz and regularly stream together on Twitch. The two decided to turn All-Star weekend into a 72-hour livestream on their channel, giving WNBA fans an entertaining behind-the-scenes look into the league's players and the pair's movements. Reeve revealed during a Friday press conference what she thinks about Williams and Hiedeman's antics. 'They are being themselves,' Reeve said simply. 'I remember a time in our league where that would not have been okay … I think it's really telling, is what we've been saying for years, and what you all have been working on for years — telling the stories of the players.' Fans got to witness many notable events that were captured on stream throughout the night, but one interaction involved their head coach, who joined the two at a party that took place as WNBA players arrived in Indianapolis to tip off the weekend. Reeve was seen on camera for a short time, turning up and dancing with her players to a Bobby Shmurda song in a hilarious and surprisingly endearing bonding moment between the three. The courtside boss clearly gives Williams and Hiedeman her approval for their stream and the amount of attention it's bringing to the WNBA. However, the next morning, Reeve joked that the video circulating online of the moment wasn't her at all and was instead AI-generated. If the Lynx present at All-Star Weekend can translate their downtime success into on-court chemistry during the WNBA All-Star Game, Team Collier should have no problem taking care of a Caitlin Clark-less Team Clark when the main event starts July 19 at 8:30 p.m. ET. Related: Lynx's Napheesa Collier makes bold Angel Reese 'Team Pheebounds' declaration Related: Storm's Skylar Diggins, Lynx's Courtney Williams exchange trash talk before WNBA All-Star Skills Challenge
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Who are the Stud Budz? Understanding the sensation of WNBA All-Star Weekend
The tunnel beneath Gainbridge Fieldhouse was eerily quiet as the WNBA's biggest stars lined up to strut their pre-All-Star-Game looks Saturday night. Red carpets and tunnel walks are usually cacophonous, but at this game, the media were oddly hushed. Then Courtney Williams walked in. The WNBA's unofficial and unparalleled hype train had arrived. 'We need some music back here, some energy!' Williams exclaimed to the small crowd. Then, turning to the line of All-Stars as the night's soon-to-be MVP Napheesa Collier started her tunnel walk, 'Yes, Phee! Period! You look good!' The crowd laughed. The stars laughed. Everyone loosened up. Williams, a guard on the Minnesota Lynx, is one half of the now-viral streaming duo known as the 'Stud Budz.' The other half is Williams' teammate Natisha Hiedeman. Their Twitch stream was the thing everyone at All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis was talking about. 'I was streaming (Stud Budz) all last night,' Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark told Williams on Saturday. 'I had it on my TV downstairs. I was commenting.' All across the events in Indianapolis, the gregarious duo with matching pink close-cropped hair transformed every space they entered. Their recipe of behind-the-scenes access, buddy-comedy vibes and true-to-themselves authenticity became an instant viral hit. Here's what to know about the WNBA's newest media sensation. What is 'Stud Budz?' The 'Stud Budz' are two people: Williams (or 'Court') and Hiedeman (or 'T'). The basketball stars have a combined 17 years in the WNBA, with Williams drafted by the Phoenix Mercury in 2016 and Hiedeman by the Lynx in 2019. But they recently added another accolade to their resumes as viral streamers. In June 2025, just a few weeks before the All-Star break, Williams and Hiedeman launched a Twitch channel that they dubbed 'StudBudz,' and it amassed more than 10,000 followers in their first two weeks. It's now up to 70.8K and climbing. Here's the proposition: Ever want to just hang out with your favorite professional ball players? Now you can. Williams and Hiedeman film their everyday lives — travel, practice, hotel stays or hair-dyeing escapades. They react to WNBA games. They interview competitors and teammates. And they just hang out. What did the Stud Budz do at All-Star Weekend? With their livestream cameras in hand, Williams and Hiedeman provided fans with a unique behind-the-scenes look at All-Star festivities, broadcasting everything over the three-day event, from locker room moments to early-morning hotel room wake-ups to the 'orange carpet' runway. 'I was glued to my phone watching the stream all weekend, and I was in Indy,' WNBA fan and Cleveland native Sam Kavander told The Athletic. 'We got to see the players as people, not just athletes. I really do believe Stud Budz brought a majority of the hype to All-Star weekend, especially from a fan perspective. It just really brought the players and the fans together.' The Athletic's Ben Pickman broke down some of their most viral moments in his list of 'winners' from the weekend: 'Stud Budz' capturing WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert dancing to Crime Mob's 'Knuck If You Buck' at a party on Friday night. Seattle Storm star Nneka Ogwumike walking into Williams' hotel room Saturday morning to alert her to an upcoming WNBPA meeting. Indiana Fever star Aliyah Boston taking a drink away from Clark at a party while Clark was on screen, and Williams providing an almost-instant reaction to Thursday's CBA meeting. 'Stud Budz has been the highlight of everybody's weekend,' Collier said. Why do fans love it? Connection and authenticity For many, the Stud Budz create a vibrant-pink visual representation of the WNBA's distinctive connection between fans and stars, and the league's earned role in championing every type of female athlete, no matter their identity, expression, orientation or body type. For a few years now, WNBA stars have been setting the standard across sports in terms of access and authenticity around their interaction with fans. Both Williams and Hiedeman are out, LGBTQ+ players who embrace their identities, something that was more difficult for LGBTQ+ players to do even a few years ago. 'I think my favorite thing about Stud Budz is just their authenticity,' Kavander said. 'They're so unapologetically them. Not only are they entertaining, they do it all with kindness. Getting to see different players on different teams hang out, who you normally wouldn't expect (to see together), was awesome.' As The Athletic's Sabreena Merchant wrote: 'Whatever format the duo pursues, they have already proven that every type of player in the WNBA is marketable, no matter their sexuality or if they present more feminine or masculine.' What's next for the Stud Budz? Fans are speculating already, hoping the Stud Budz get involved in other major events like the ESPYs or the Met Gala. 'I want Stud Budz to stream from everywhere. The Grammys. The ESPYs. Essence Fest. A Cowboy Carter concert. The Senate Floor. An Ecumenical service. The Gracie's Corner Tour. My kid's storytime. EVERYWHERE,' writer and activist Brittany Packnett Cunningham posted to Threads. Because of their rising profile since this weekend, branding opportunities and broadcast offers are likely next for the duo. For now, Williams said at the Lynx's first practice after the weekend, she and Hiedeman 'drank some electrolytes, some water, got a little rest, (and) we're back.' This article originally appeared in The Athletic. WNBA, Sports Business, Culture 2025 The Athletic Media Company
