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SOURCE SPORTS: LeBron James Teams with LIFEWTR to Inspire Communities, Culture, and Creative Spirit

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LeBron James and LIFEWTR, a premium bottled water company, have announced a multi-year relationship that combines James’ love of storytelling, community, and empowerment with LIFEWTR’s goal of enabling people to thrive.

“I’ve always loved LIFEWTR and how every detail – from the original art showcased on its bottles to the brand’s efforts to champion diverse voices – serves a bigger purpose,” said LeBron James. “LIFEWTR is all about inspiring creativity, and I want the kids in my I PROMISE program and people everywhere to be inspired by the exciting work we’ll do together.”

Since the brand’s launch in 2017, LIFEWTR has taken pride in offering customers reviving hydration in the manner intended by nature. It does this using its reverse osmosis technology to remove contaminants to produce pure, pristine water and incorporate electrolytes for a smooth, crisp flavor. The launch of specific content will be a part of the new LIFEWTR partnership with LeBron, which will be unveiled later this year.

“LeBron James’ unwavering dedication to uplifting individuals and communities mirrors our mission at LIFEWTR to help people thrive,” says Zach Harris, Vice President, Water Portfolio at PepsiCo Beverages North America. “We are thrilled to work with him to further the LIFEWTR brand’s commitment to helping underrepresented voices flourish.”

His partnership with LIFEWTR marks the next stage in James’ continuous engagement with PepsiCo. The collaboration’s evolution supports the commitments PepsiCo has made to its Racial Equality Journey. Like LIFEWTR, PepsiCo has a track record of assisting diverse communities. Through a $400 million and $172 million investment over five years, the PepsiCo Racial Equity Journey seeks to elevate diverse voices within the organization and among its supply chain partners. In the communities, it serves while also assisting in removing enduring racial barriers for Black and Hispanic Americans.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Zach Lavine Says He Didn’t Meet With Anyone But the Chicago Bulls During Free Agency

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For Zach Lavine, it was the Chicago Bulls and them only. Speaking on a Zoom call after officially signing a five-year, $215 million extension with the Bulls, Lavine revealed he never took a meeting with any other franchise.

“I went into the offseason with an open mind,” LaVine said, according to The Athletic. “I laid out my goals just like I always have. And once I was able to meet with (Bulls management) and they came to me with everything that I wanted, there was no other reason for me to go outside and look at any other teams.

“I think that would have been disrespectful on my end because they gave me everything I asked for, and everything on the table that I looked at had Chicago as all the pros. I did my due diligence on my own time, as well, and looked at things and made a decision for me and my family. But my heart was in Chicago.”

During his stint with the Bulls, Lavine averaged 24.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 4.4 assists in over 270 games. Last year was a significant step forward for Lavine as the Bulls’ brass built a core around him consisting of DeMar DeRozan, Nikola Vucevic, Lonzo Ball, and more, that placed the team at the top of the conference for much of the season before injuries made an impact. Those injuries included Lavine’s nagging knee, which he received a procedure that he called “run of the mill” during this summer.

On May 24, Lavine had arthroscopic surgery on his knee and stated he feels way better. He also added that his goal is to win a championship for the team.

You can read more about Lavine’s goals for the upcoming season here.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Zach Lavine Says He Didn’t Meet With Anyone But the Chicago Bulls During Free Agency appeared first on The Source.

SOURCE SPORTS: Former Dallas Cowboys RB Marion Barber III Died From Heat Stroke

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As previously reported, famed Dallas Cowboys running back Marion Barber III was found dead last month in his apartment in Texas, however, his autopsy has revealed that Barber’s body was found in his apartment where the thermostat was set to 91 degrees.

The autopsy also unveiled that there was no evidence of trauma or drug overdose found in Barber’s body and “no clear evidence of natural disease found.” An incident report from the Frisco Police Department found officers reporting that Barber hadn’t been seen for almost three weeks before his body was found on June 1.

Barber was selected by the Cowboys as the 109th overall pick in the 4th round of the NFL Draft in 2005 and played his entire career except for one season for the Cowboys with the lone season he played for the Chicago Bears before retiring. 

He was just 38-years-old. 

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Former Dallas Cowboys RB Marion Barber III Died From Heat Stroke appeared first on The Source.

SOURCE SPORTS: Frank “The Ghost” Martin Talks Errol Spence Jr, Lightweight Division & More

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Undefeated lightweight boxing sensation Frank “The Ghost” Martin (15-0-11KOs) sent shock waves throughout boxing in January 2022 with a highlight knockout victory against Romero Duno — making him a fight-to-watch of 2022 in a division that includes recognizable boxing superstars Gervonta Davis, Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia.

MORE: SOURCE SPORTS: Devin Haney Dominates George Kambosos To Become Undisputed Champion

The Ghost is the latest boxing star in Derrick James’s stable, already home to two undisputed champions in Errol Spence Jr and Jermell Charlo. Ahead of his upcoming fight this Saturday (July 9) in San Antonio, the 27-year-old southpaw spoke with The Source’s Bryson “Boom” Paul about a variety of topics, including training with Errol Spence Jr, the pros and cons of knockouts, mental health, rankings, if he is the “scariest” fighter in the lightweight division and so much more. Watch the full interview above.

Martin is scheduled to fight Jackson Martinez on the Magsayo vs Vargas undercard at the Alamode in San Antonio, Texas, and airing on Showtime Championship Boxing-Premier Boxing Champions. Martin was originally slated to fight Ricardo Nunez before the last-minute replacement in Martinez. Martin vs. Martinez will open this weekend’s Showtime/PBC event.

MORE: SOURCE SPORTS: Jermell Charlo Talks Brian Castaño, Jermall Charlo, Al Haymon & More

Martinez is coming off a loss and marks Martin’s third TV appearance. “I’m looking to establish myself and this will be the third time on TV and I think people are getting to know who I am,” Martin told Ring Magazine. “I wanted to fight when I was young, but my mom (Erica) wouldn’t let me, so I played football and wrestled. When I first told my mom I wanted to box, I was 11 or 12 and she wasn’t for it. There was no pestering my mom about it, but I was always fighting as a kid outside of boxing. My mom wanted me to do something else, because I was at that age when I was fighting in the streets.”

WBC featherweight titlist Mark Magsayo’s first defense against unbeaten Rey Vargas on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING (9PM ET/6PM PT) from the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Frank “The Ghost” Martin Talks Errol Spence Jr, Lightweight Division & More appeared first on The Source.

[WATCH] Twitter Clowns WNBA For Low Budget All-Star MVP Trophy

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You know Black Twitter doesn’t miss a thing and now they are dragging the WNBA for its less than stellar WNBA All-Star Most Valuable Player trophy.

The WNBA was dragged on the social media platform for its low-budget MVP hardware in comparison to the trophy the NBA splurges on.

Las Vegas Aces star Kelsey Plum, of Team Wilson, was presented with the pint-size MVP trophy during the 2022 AT&T WNBA All-Star game at the Wintrust Arena on July 10, 2022 in Chicago.

Kelsey led her team to a 134-112 victory over Team Stewart. She scored 30 points to match the All-Star scoring record set by Maya Moore in 2015.

One Twitter user wrote, “The WNBA could have gone to Amazon and bought a better looking trophy.”

Other Twitter users decided to chip in and buy Kelsey a fancier MVP trophy with her name on it.

Do you think the WNBA could have done better?

The post [WATCH] Twitter Clowns WNBA For Low Budget All-Star MVP Trophy appeared first on The Source.

SOURCE SPORTS: Nike Announces Support for Black and Latina Female During MLB All-Star Week, Reveals All-Star Jerseys

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Nike is working with a diverse group of league, retail, and community partners during MLB All-Star week to improve the equity, accessibility, and enjoyment of diamond sports for Black and Latina females and all young people in LA.

A Project Play report from the Aspen Institute found that since 2020, girls’ softball participation has decreased by more than 15% due to pandemic-related limitations, an absence of entry-level coaches, and referee shortages. By offering Nike Diamond Community Camps, Retail Experiences, and Coaching Clinics throughout the city and continuing to invest in the Jackie Robinson Foundation and Play Equity Fund, Nike will give opportunities across softball and baseball at all skill levels.

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Nike will hold a coaching clinic in collaboration with the LA Dodgers Foundation to increase the caliber and number of female coaches, giving young women robust and supportive role models for life outside of sports.

The Nike women’s athlete family will join us in LA to motivate the upcoming wave of elite athletes. They’ll participate in three Nike Diamond Pop-Up Community Camps held at the LA Dodgers’ Dreamfields and take on a neighborhood partner at a softball match presented by UNDFTD.

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A kid-inspired home run derby will be held at the Nike East Los Community Store as part of the Midsummer Classic festivities, which will be made more accessible to young people in neighborhoods throughout LA thanks to Nike’s network of retail partners.

These initiatives come after LA Made to Play Neighborhoods was introduced in May. Nike is contributing $1.3 million over three years through the Play Equality Fund (PEF) to support 13 neighborhood organizations and close the pay equity gap for Black and Latina girls in Boyle Heights and Watts.

Additionally, Nike is unveiling the 2022 MLB All-Star Game Jerseys and Lunar Cortez BSBL, which both pay homage to the city of Angels, and celebrating the legacy of Dodger great and LA native Jackie Robinson through the continued support of the Jackie Robinson Foundation and the official release of the Nike Dunk Low (Jackie Robinson). 

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The Nike Dunk Low (Jackie Robinson) will go on sale on July 19 at Nike SNKRS, UNDFTD, and a few other retailers as part of Nike’s ongoing commemoration of Jackie Robinson, the MLB All-Star Game, and the spirit of breaking down barriers. Robinson’s well-known phrase from 1947, printed all over the design, illustrates his philosophy, which encouraged people worldwide to push the boundaries of their own lives. His original uniform’s worn-in color scheme inspired the design’s colors. The Jackie Robinson Foundation (JRF) has long received funding from Nike, Inc., contributing around $3 million in the last five years ($1 million in FY22) to support the JRF’s scholars, mentorship, and leadership development program and museum.

JRF Scholars benefit from a program that offers career counseling, internship, and permanent job placement, among others, in addition to receiving college subsidies over four years. His ground-breaking accomplishments will be remembered for the upcoming generation of athletes at the Jackie Robinson Museum in New York City.

The 2022 Nike MLB All-Star Game Jersey and Lunar Cortez BSBL chronicle the journey from rookie to stardom and are intended to motivate the upcoming LA diamond sports stars.

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The dark grey base of the American League jersey symbolizes the effort and commitment that all great put into their art. The National League’s white-based uniform represents the dazzling lights of the biggest stages in entertainment and sports. Gold accents can be seen all over both jerseys, simulating the prizes that denote excellence in both sports.

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LA’s young people can perform at their peak without sacrificing their style or flare, thanks to the traditional silhouette. One of LA’s favorite Nike footwear models hits the diamond with the Lunar Cortez BSBL. The color pattern matches the 2022 Nike MLB All-Star Game Jersey, and the cleat’s Lunar midsole replicates the comfort of the original Cortez.

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SOURCE SPORTS: WNBA All-Star A’ja Wilson Talks Off-court Style and What’s Next for the Las Vegas Aces

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During WNBA All-Star Weekend, MTN DEW hit up Chicago to provide an experience throughout the weekend. In addition to hosting the three-point contest, MTN DEW had Las Vegas Aces superstar and league style icon A’ja Wilson on hand at the MTN DEW Style Suite.

Ahead of leading Team Wilson for the second straight All-Star game, Wilson spoke with The Source about the first half of the season, her partnership with MTN Dew, and more.

Being a style icon yourself. What did you think about the concept of the MTN DEW Style Lounge?

A’Ja Wilson: Man, it was so dope. It really put a smile on my face because when I tell you those Jersey dresses just popped in my mind – it was something that I really didn’t even honestly plan for. Honestly, MTN DEW brings a side of A’ja that doesn’t really come out because I’m always on the athlete’s side. So MTN Dew wants me to be bigger than an athlete. They want to dig a little deeper and have people connect with me on another level. So when I saw the style lounge, I was like, that’s gonna be so dope. And people love it, especially now. Like it’s all about the drip now. So I love that.

Coming into All-Star, did you already have an idea of what you want to wear to the game, or is it a spur of the moment?

It’s really spur of the moment, but also I have people just around me to see what we can do. I’m a simple girl, but I like my shoes to pop. I want all the focus to be on my shoes. So yeah, when it came to picking out stuff, I said let’s just do something slight, but let the feet do the talking. I’m in between and just like popping out, but really just kind of being subtle.

In this Style Lounge, we have a couple of your jersey dresses. Do you have one that you feel is your favorite so far?

It’s definitely Sheryl Swoopes. Because it’s [number] 22. For me, just being able to even say that I can talk to her is pretty dope. She’s, of course, one of the legends of our game. I also got Coach Staley, my old coach, and then Lisa Leslie, my role model. But my favorite has to be Sheryl that’s like the first one that really popped out.

What attracted you to working with MTN DEW in general?

It truly was a partnership that wanted to dig deeper than the player and show people my kid side. They turned to me as their WNBA player and they really just show a lot of love. They show me and the idea is when you can see her, you can be her. When they push me out there, I know that there are young girls out watching and that’s what it’s really for.

A couple of hoops questions. The first half of the season is wrapped up, what part of the season has you the most excited so far?

That we have a winning record. I love that we are having a winning record. That means that we’re on the right path. We’re doing something right. So I’m excited just to get ready for the second half.

In the second half, you want to keep that going, but is it something that you hope to improve on?

Oh my God. Yes. Our defense, we need to work on our defense a lot more. I think that’s something that we need to really lock in on. But other than that, I think we’re on the right path.

You’re going to be in Chicago again in a couple of weeks for the Commissioner’s Cup Finals. Fans and analysts spoke a lot about the historic comeback the Chicago Sky made in your last matchup, does that add extra motivation to the game?

Commissioner’s Club doesn’t really need much motivation as a whole. We are raising so much money for our charities and a mid-season tournament is pretty dope. So we’re gonna have some fun. It’s always a good game when we play Chicago.

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PUMA Hoops Announces Breanna Stewart’s Signature Sneaker ‘The Stewie 1’

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Breanna “Stewie” Stewart, WNBA MVP, Olympian, and PUMA brand ambassador, unveiled the upcoming Stewie 1, the first new women’s signature basketball shoe in more than ten years.

The Stewie 1’s Quiet Fire colorway, which features a startling juxtaposition of black and neon yellow, captures Breanna’s fierce-yet-humble attitude. While a North Star-inspired top captures the Forward’s exceptional talent and pays homage to her high school squad, the aggresive flame shaping transforms into the tranquil ripples of water in the midsole, highlighting the dichotomy of Stewie’s game and attitude.

“Working with PUMA to craft the first women’s signature basketball sneaker in the last 12 years was an honor,” said Breanna Stewart. “I hope that this is the first in a legacy of signature sneakers to come for women athletes across all sports and serves as inspiration for all young people that this, along with any achievement, is possible.”

The Stewie 1 provides multi-zoned monomesh layers for targeted support, breathability, and comfort along with NITRO Foam technology for superior responsiveness and cushioning while remaining lightweight, and a Molded Heel Counter for additional stability and lockdown marked with scars to represent Stewie’s two Achilles surgeries.

The newest example of PUMA’s dedication to increasing equality for female athletes is Stewie’s trademark shoe. With legendary Creative Director June Ambrose, the company formally introduced a Women’s Hoops branch in 2021, and they are still making progress in it. Breanna is taking the next step in encouraging a new generation of young athletes to think that having a signature shoe is a possibility, regardless of who you are or where you are from, by releasing the Stewie 1.

This fall, the Stewie 1 and related items will be offered in North America on PUMA.com, at the PUMA NYC Flagship store, and at a few other shops, with prices ranging from $35 to $140.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Kelsey Plum Wins MVP as Team Wilson Bests Team Stewart at WNBA All-Star Game

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During the 2022 WNBA All-Star game, the game’s legends were celebrated as basketball icons Sue Bird and Sylvia Fowles are closing the curtain on their WNBA careers.

Throughout the game in Chicago, both stars celebrated their achievements and what they provided to the game, including standing ovations as the two received flowers from game captains A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart. Fowles impressively slammed home a breakaway drunk during the second quarter.

The game was a 134-122 win for Team Wilson and Kelsey Plum of the Las Vegas Aces took home the MVP award behind a 30-point effort. Plum tied the scoring record set by WNBA legend Maya Moore.

During halftime, every player in the game changed into Brittney Griner’s jersey to play the remainder of the game. Griner was named an honorary starter and received fan support throughout Wintrust Arena in BG-branded t-shirts.

“We just wanted to make sure at some point that we were able to — on national television, obviously in front of a sold-out crowd — put Brittney’s name in the forefront,” said Bird to ESPN. “Hopefully at some point she sees a picture or something, letting her know that she is always on our minds and in our hearts.

Highlights from the star-studded game are available below.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Las Vegas Raiders Hire Sandra Douglass Morgan As Team President

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The Raiders are breaking barriers and issuing in a new future for an NFL front office.  Las Vegas announced on Thursday it’s hired Sandra Douglass Morgan to be its new team president. 

Morgan becomes the first ever Black woman to hold that title for an NFL franchise. She joins the team after working as the chairwoman and executive director of the Nevada Gaming Control Board. 

Raiders owner Mark Davis said in a statement that Morgan’s “experience, integrity and passion for this community will be invaluable to our organization.”  He continued, “From the moment I met Sandra, I knew she was a force to be reckoned with. We are extremely lucky to have her at the helm.”

The former litigation attorney shared her thoughts in a statement, according to NFL.com.

“I have been the first in other positions that I’ve held, whether it be city attorney or the Gaming Control Board. I definitely never want to be the last, and I want to get to a point obviously where there is no more first.”

Morgan added, “But as I kind of mentioned in my comments, the impact that this has is not lost on me. I definitely would tip my hat to all of the prior women that were leaders and visionaries, and if I could be an inspiration or help or open doors for any other woman and girl out there, then that’s an incredible accomplishment for me.”

Share your thoughts with us on social media.

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