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Telegraph
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Maro Itoje: I want Owen Farrell in my England team
On the list of the most erudite British and Irish Lions players, Maro Itoje must feature near the top. Of those I have interviewed on the last seven tours, perhaps only Tom Court, the former Ulster and Ireland prop, comes close. Court, who received an SOS call to play for the Lions while on holiday in Australia 12 years ago as cover for Alex Corbisiero, used to spend his dead time on tours reading the works of Salman Rushdie among others. When asked about his decision to appoint Bundee Aki to the head of the touring party's fines committee, those asked with punishing alleged misdemeanours, Itoje chose the famous quote from Lord Acton, the 19 th century British politician and historian, on the dangers of concentrated authority. 'I'm slightly regretting it now,' says the Lions captain of his decision to appoint Aki to the position even though he had been warned by some of the senior Ireland players not to do so. 'The phrase, I learnt it in politics, I can't remember who said it exactly, but the phrase is power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts, absolutely. That definitely applies to Bundee Aki.' Itoje has a degree in politics from London's School of Oriental and African Studies, a master's degree in business, is a co-owner of an art gallery and set up a fund to help disadvantaged children in Nigeria and the United Kingdom. Yet even a player with Itoje's intellect cannot fathom the furore that Owen Farrell 's call-up to the Lions squad, as revealed by Telegraph Sport, generated last week. 'It's quite remarkable, really. He does provoke pretty strong reactions, either way. It's pretty crazy. I'm sure he's thinking 'What did I do?' But no, he's fine, and I think everything will be cool.' At that moment, sitting in the lobby of the Crowne Plaza hotel in Canberra, Farrell walks along the corridor several floors above looking down on Itoje; a snapshot of the elephant in the room. Critics of Farrell's call-up suggested that his persona as Itoje's former Saracens and England captain would undermine the authority of the Lions captain. Itoje sees it differently, and his answer shines a light not just on their relationship which stretches back beyond their time with England and Saracens, but also how Itoje sees his leadership role. 'I've had a great relationship with Owen since... Owen and I actually went to the same school (St George's in Harpenden). When I was in year seven, he was in year 10 so I've known Owen since I was literally 11 years old,' he says. 'But he didn't start talking to me until maybe I was 12 or so. The year 10s didn't really speak to the year sevens. When I got to Year 8, he started to talk. I've obviously known him for donkey's years now. I have a very good relationship with him. And he just wants the squad to do well. 'He's obviously back at Saracens now, which is great. And he just wants the team to do well. I always think sport is, for me particularly, is never about ego. I want people to speak, have their voices heard, and contribute in a positive way. It's never about me, if I'm captain, having the final say or sticking my chest out or anything like that. It's not about that. It's about how can we as a collective get the best result. How can we as a collective win? How can the team be successful? Because when the team is successful, first of all, you can't do it by yourself. And two, when the team is successful, everyone wins. Everyone has a brighter light shone on them. 'And everyone can dine on that glory for years to come. So that's all I care about. And I know Owen's exact same. That's not an issue at all.' Farrell's decision to return to Saracens from Racing 92 last month has also opened up the possibility of the 33-year-old playing for England again next season. Farrell stepped back from the international stage after the 2023 World Cup for mental health reasons. Now he has returned to the biggest stage of all, representing the Lions on what is now his fourth tour. He is set to make his first appearance against the AuNz invitational side in Adelaide on Saturday and could yet force his way on the bench for the first Test against the Wallabies in Brisbane. So would Itoje love to see him back with England as well? 'Yeah, why not? I want to see him be happy,' he adds. 'If he wants to play for England, why not? That would be amazing if that is in his plans and in his dreams. Owen is one of the best England players that we've ever seen. A fit Owen Farrell makes any team better. If that's in his ambitions, why not?' The question now is whether Farrell can make the Lions better, and Johnny Sexton, the kicking coach who played with Farrell on the 2013 and 2017 tours, said he had hit the ground running during his first proper training session in Canberra on Tuesday. 'He's already up to speed, with how he has trained,' said Sexton. 'He came off the plane and knew the plays and everything that was going on. He has trained really well today. You can see the touches he had and you could see how he was helping the No 10s, because he was at 12 today, in the bibs team, as we call them – the second team. He carved us open a couple of times. 'So, we can see the value that he's going to bring for the rest of the tour. How could you not bring him? He's a world-class player. I know he's had a little bit of injury, but so has Sione [Tuipulotu] and so has Huw Jones – they hadn't played much in the four or five months before this, just a couple of games. 'When the team [squad] was picked, there were other players who were picked without a lot of rugby. I remember Sean O'Brien getting picked in 2017 with no rugby behind him and he was played into form on tour. You could say something similar about me in 2017 as well. 'Experience is experience. He's a world-class player. Look at what he's won. He's not just a guy who has hung on to the coat-tails of other people, he's the one who has been driving those teams. He's been fantastic to have in camp and I'm sure he's going to add loads for the rest of the tour.' For now, Itoje and Sexton's focus is on ensuring the Lions deliver a statement performance against the ACT Brumbies on Wednesday, leading what is a Test side in all but name. Andy Farrell, the Lions head coach, has been frustrated that his side have not been direct enough in their approach on tour so far. It is time for a Test match performance, and the narrative this week has been about avenging the defeat here 12 years ago against the Brumbies. 'Rugby doesn't change too much, whether it's Harpenden under-14s rugby or the Lions,' Itoje adds. 'You have to go forward. You have to earn the right, the famous saying, earn the right to go wide. 'And that is definitely the case for us. We need to punch holes, get go forward, then space opens up, wherever that may be. At times we've been very good in playing direct and playing through teams. But at times we probably look to go wide before we probably earn the right. 'The Brumbies are a very good outfit and they've been preparing for us for the last four weeks or so. So they're going to be ready. They're going to be ready to go. But so are we. 'This is a big game for us. This is a big game. All these games and tours are building towards something. And this is another important step forward for us.'
Washington Post
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
Former Mercury interim coach Nikki Blue accuses team in lawsuit of racial and gender discrimination
PHOENIX — Lawyers for former Phoenix Mercury interim coach Nikki Blue have filed a lawsuit against the organization, alleging unequal treatment based on race and gender, unequal pay based on race and that her employment was terminated in retaliation for complaints about unequal treatment. The suit was filed on Thursday in U.S. District Court in Arizona. Blue, who is Black, was hired in 2022 as an assistant coach and was named the team's interim coach in June 2023 after Vanessa Nygaard was fired midseason. Blue had a 7-21 record in the interim role. Blue was not retained after the season. The Mercury hired Orlando Magic assistant Nate Tibbets, who is white. The suit claims that Blue was paid $250,000 in her interim role, which was less than the $375,000 that Nygaard, who is white, was making. Tibbets is reportedly making more than $1 million per season. Blue also claims that the Mercury organization set her up to fail, making roster decisions in 2023 that made the team noncompetitive. 'Despite her exemplary record and professionalism, Ms. Blue was cast aside, demeaned, and denied the opportunity to lead,' the law firm Mesidor PLLC, co-counsel on the case, said in a statement. 'This lawsuit is not just about one woman's career — it's about the pervasive, institutional disrespect for Black women in sports leadership.' One of Blue's lawyers is Sheree Wright, who has filed other suits against the NBA's Phoenix Suns and the Mercury in recent seasons. 'This is the fifth lawsuit brought against the organization by Sheree Wright, an attorney who has been disciplined twice by the Supreme Court of Arizona for committing numerous violations of the rules of professional conduct — including making false and unsupported allegations of racial bias against a judge,' Suns and Mercury senior vice president of communications Stacey Mitch said in a statement. 'Like Ms. Wright's other cases, this case is completely meritless. Ms. Blue was interviewed and considered for the head coach position, but didn't get the position based on her performance as interim head coach, as well as her limited professional coaching experience. 'Sheree Wright's continued abuse of the legal system for financial gain is unethical.' ___ AP WNBA:
Associated Press
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Former Mercury interim coach Nikki Blue accuses team in lawsuit of racial and gender discrimination
PHOENIX (AP) — Lawyers for former Phoenix Mercury interim coach Nikki Blue have filed a lawsuit against the organization, alleging unequal treatment based on race and gender, unequal pay based on race and that her employment was terminated in retaliation for complaints about unequal treatment. The suit was filed on Thursday in U.S. District Court in Arizona. Blue, who is Black, was hired in 2022 as an assistant coach and was named the team's interim coach in June 2023 after Vanessa Nygaard was fired midseason. Blue had a 7-21 record in the interim role. Blue was not retained after the season. The Mercury hired Orlando Magic assistant Nate Tibbets, who is white. The suit claims that Blue was paid $250,000 in her interim role, which was less than the $375,000 that Nygaard, who is white, was making. Tibbets is reportedly making more than $1 million per season. Blue also claims that the Mercury organization set her up to fail, making roster decisions in 2023 that made the team noncompetitive. 'Despite her exemplary record and professionalism, Ms. Blue was cast aside, demeaned, and denied the opportunity to lead,' the law firm Mesidor PLLC, co-counsel on the case, said in a statement. 'This lawsuit is not just about one woman's career — it's about the pervasive, institutional disrespect for Black women in sports leadership.' One of Blue's lawyers is Sheree Wright, who has filed other suits against the NBA's Phoenix Suns and the Mercury in recent seasons. 'This is the fifth lawsuit brought against the organization by Sheree Wright, an attorney who has been disciplined twice by the Supreme Court of Arizona for committing numerous violations of the rules of professional conduct — including making false and unsupported allegations of racial bias against a judge,' Suns and Mercury senior vice president of communications Stacey Mitch said in a statement. 'Like Ms. Wright's other cases, this case is completely meritless. Ms. Blue was interviewed and considered for the head coach position, but didn't get the position based on her performance as interim head coach, as well as her limited professional coaching experience. 'Sheree Wright's continued abuse of the legal system for financial gain is unethical.' ___ AP WNBA:
Telegraph
29-06-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
Billie Jean King interview: Wimbledon should change tradition – no all-white kit and names on shirts
From the top floor of a London hotel, Billie Jean King scans the city skyline through her fuchsia spectacles with the air of a businesswoman perfecting a sales pitch. While most octogenarians are doing crosswords or busying themselves with a spot of gardening, King, who turns 82 in November and has spent her life serving up answers to advance women's sport, is on a never-ending mission to exercise her influence. She has just finished delivering a speech about leadership – sharing a stage with one of the world's most powerful women, Melinda French Gates, at a women's sport summit – days out from her favourite time of the year: Wimbledon. Ever since powering to her maiden Wimbledon title in the doubles as a 17-year-old in 1961 – the first of 20 titles she won at SW19 across singles and doubles – King has returned every summer to the All England Club. She continues to be captivated by its eye-catching floral displays and meticulously mowed lawns, which rekindle happy memories of her time as a serial winner on its hallowed grass courts. But there is one thing about the place that she resents: Wimbledon whites. In an age where sports are jostling to stand out in a saturated marketplace, King believes the clothing rule, officially implemented two years after she landed that doubles title as a teenager and dictates that players must wear predominantly white kit, was a 'total mistake'. King herself wore dresses featuring blue and pink embroidery as well as intricate patterns during her playing days at Wimbledon but the rule became more restrictive in the mid-Nineties, which she believes makes it harder for viewers to distinguish between players. 'There's a match that comes on, you sit down, and you look – let's say it's television – who's who? Tennis people say: 'Well, the mark is next to their name' [to indicate who is serving]. I shouldn't have to look at a mark, I shouldn't have to look at anything. I should know [who's who]. My sport drives me nuts,' she sighs, burying her head in her hands. After momentarily being stunned into silence, I meekly point out that whites are what make Wimbledon quintessentially British. It is a sporting institution that has – and always will be – draped in tradition. 'But they shouldn't have the same uniforms on. They both have white on,' retorts King. 'You can change tradition.' It is a mantra that King has embodied as a lifelong campaigner for social justice and equality. She was instrumental in pushing for equal prize money for men and women at the US Open in 1973 – the same year her ' Battle of the Sexes ' victory over Bobby Riggs would irreversibly shift public perceptions of women's athleticism. Despite having the foresight to spread her influence across different sports spheres, it is tennis where King's status as a visionary shines through. One of her latest ideas is for players to be assigned numbers and have names on their kit. 'I'd have merch with their names on the back so they'd make money, the tournament makes money, everybody makes money,' she says. 'We're losing out on millions and millions because of that. Numbers are really important! Kids love numbers and they can retire numbers – like a Federer. It's so obvious. Take what other sports are doing and what people like from other sports.' Ever since she started owning tennis tournaments with her former husband, Larry King, her continued advocacy of women's sport has exploded into a booming portfolio that includes teams from baseball, basketball and soccer. In 2020, she was part of a star-studded list of celebrity names who bought a stake in Angel City FC in the United States' National Women's Soccer League. Last September, it sold for $250 million (£182 million), making history as the most valuable football club ever in women's sport. More recently, King was a major financial backer in a new, professional Women's Ice Hockey League, which drew record-breaking audiences and viewership in its inaugural season. Nowadays, King is all too happy that others have joined the party in dipping into their pockets to help level the playing field. Last month, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian pledged to make Chelsea women a 'billion-dollar franchise' after buying a stake in the Women's Super League club, while Michele Kang, the American tech pioneer, has invested more than $85 million (£67 million) into women's sports projects. The owner of three women's football clubs – Washington Spirit, Lyon and London City Lionesses – Kang last year donated $4 million (£2.9 million) to the USA Rugby women's sevens programme after seeing the impact of social media phenomenon Ilona Maher. 'I've waited my whole life to see people believing in the investment of women's sport,' says King, clapping her hands together. 'That we matter. It's great.' Never one simply to cheer-lead, King insists it is impossible to champion women's sport – the global revenues of which Deloitte predicts will surpass £1.82 billion this year – without recognising its commercial viability. 'Women athletes sometimes say: 'We deserve more. We deserve this.' I'm like, 'Did they make money this year?' If they haven't, why do you think you deserve more? I want athletes to know the business side of it. When an athlete asks me: 'What do I do?' I say: 'Understand the business you're in. If the budget isn't going well, guess where my prize money is going to go? Back into the budget.' That's really understanding the business.' Half an hour in King's company is an intense experience. Other than sport, there is no linear thread to our conversation, which meanders from the PE diet British schoolchildren are fed during summer ('You have rounders – do you pitch underarm for that?') to the biweekly hit-about she has with her wife and business partner, Ilana Kloss, to stay in shape, and how the Premier League is wallowing in collective financial debt (£3.6 billion being the last reported figure). King cracks a wry smile at the latter. 'Men's sports lose money too, but people never talk about the men,' she says. Tennis is one of a number of sports that has deepened its ties with Saudi Arabia, with the sport last year hosting the WTA Finals in Riyadh. Is the country's harsh stance on LGBTQ+ rights not a profound mismatch with her own moral compass? 'I know things don't change without engagement,' says King, who was the first prominent female athlete to be publicly outed as gay in 1981 and subsequently lost $2 million-worth of endorsement deals. 'You're damned if you do and damned if you don't. I have a feeling it's going to help long term. In the short term, it probably doesn't feel like it. It's the girls who watched it [the WTA Finals]. They had some mothers and girls there of colour and they started getting excited about it. You never know how one person is going to impact another person's life. Muhammad Ali and I used to talk about this a lot. If you don't engage, things will stay the same.' That engagement has culminated in a landmark maternity policy, which is being bankrolled by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and includes fertility grants for players to freeze their eggs and covers the top 150 players in the world. Again, King believes opportunity trumps optics. 'I would have frozen my eggs for sure,' says King, whose well-publicised abortion in 1971 led her to becoming a fierce advocate for women's reproductive rights. 'But it costs money. If I was a young woman and had the money I would have got my eggs frozen by the time I was 30, knowing what we know now. But we didn't know any of this.' Tennis' flagship women's team competition – the Billie Jean King Cup – stages its finals in Shenzhen, China, this September, starting a three-year association with the country that is yet to provide answers over the disappearance of Peng Shuai. The Chinese tennis player accused a high-ranking government official of sexual assault in 2021 before vanishing from public life, instigating international concern and leading the WTA to boycott the country. She later said there had been a 'huge misunderstanding', although this was in a highly controlled interview, and the WTA said a return to China would not be considered until the request for a private meeting with her had been met. At the time, King hailed the organisation she founded as being on 'the right side of history' but the opportunity to take the sport to a country with the second-largest tennis-playing population globally was too good to pass up – WTA backpedalled and announced its return to China in April 2023. King harbours her own regrets over the situation. 'The fact we're taking tennis back to China is important,' she says. 'I'm very big on engagement and building bridges. I'm really looking forward to it. I'm sorry we left China. I thought we should have stayed.' Engagement remains high on King's agenda when discussing one of sport's most divisive topics: transgender women in sport. Ever the advocate for inclusion, she believes the debate requires less toxicity and more empathy. 'The whole thing's a nightmare,' she says. 'I don't think people have any idea of how hard it is for trans people. Just listen to their stories. Listen – not tell them. Everyone is unique. Make them feel included because you really don't know. With every person I meet, I try to start with a blank. Ask questions. If I weren't doing this interview with you, I'd be bugging you with a lot of questions.' And with that, King is whisked away to her next engagement. A day trip to Wimbledon on a London Routemaster bus beckons, and with it another trip down memory lane.
Forbes
16-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
2025 Forbes Iconoclast Summit: The Next Era of Women's Sports
Forbes Chief Content Officer Randall Lane is joined by USWNT Forward, Founder and Offseason Inc CEO Midge Purce and Alexis Ohanian, Founder & General Partner, Seven Seven Six; Founding Control Owner, Angel City FC, Los Angeles Golf Club, and ATHLOS, at the 2025 Forbes Iconoclast Summit in New York City.
