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Magic Johnson: Candace Parker has left an indelible mark on the Los Angeles Sparks, not only as one of the greatest players to ever grace the court, but as a true ambassador of our franchise and women’s basketball as a whole. Beginning with her arrival to the City of Angels in 2008, she not only lived up to the expectations placed on her as a two-time Gatorade Basketball Player of the Year and NCAA National Champion, she far exceeded them. Her unparalleled skill, relentless drive, and leadership elevated the Sparks to new heights and set a new standard of greatness. Candace is the best all-around player that has ever played in the WNBA. Her legacy is immeasurable — she redefined excellence, was a champion on the court and for the Los Angeles community and inspired countless fans and future generations of athletes. Very few champions get to see their jersey hanging from the rafters in this city. Retiring Candace’s No. 3 jersey is not just a celebration of her extraordinary career, but a tribute to the enduring mark she's left on this organization, the WNBA, and the city of Los Angeles. She will forever be a part of the Sparks family.
The Los Angeles Sparks will retire Candace Parker's No. 3 jersey on June 29, the team announced Thursday. She becomes the third player to have her jersey retired by the franchise, joining Hall of Famer Lisa Leslie, whose No. 9 jersey was retired in 2010, and former player and general manager Penny Toler, whose No. 11 jersey was retired in 2006. "To see my jersey hanging in the rafters amongst other legends is truly an honor. This moment is not just about me -- it's about my family, my teammates, and the incredible support from the LA Sparks organization and fans," Parker said in a statement. "I'm grateful to my parents, who believed in me every step of the way, to my brothers who still are my heroes and to my wife and kids, who inspire me every day. "
Parker was twice named the WNBA MVP in her 13 seasons with the Sparks. She also led the team to a title in 2016. "Candace Parker has left an indelible mark on the Los Angeles Sparks, not only as one of the greatest players to ever grace the court, but as a true ambassador of our franchise and women's basketball as a whole," Sparks co-owner Magic Johnson said in a statement. "Retiring Candace's No. 3 jersey is not just a celebration of her extraordinary career, but a tribute to the enduring mark she's left on this organization, the WNBA, and the city of Los Angeles. She will forever be a part of the Sparks family."
There’s also Cameron Brink, the second-year rising WNBA star of the Los Angeles Sparks who, in 2023, became the first woman to join New Balance’s basketball roster. And last year, the brand even landed Duke University freshman Cooper Flagg, the projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft, who grew up 25 miles from New Balance’s Skowhegan, Maine factory. “We take an approach of ‘fewer, bigger, better’ with signing athletes,” Naveen Lokesh, New Balance’s global head of basketball marketing, told Andscape. “We aim to sign fewer partnerships, but market athletes in a bigger way, by telling better stories.”
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Pistons owner Tom Gores bidding for WNBA franchise in Detroit
Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores submitted a bid for the city to receive a WNBA franchise, sources told Yahoo Sports. The Detroit Shock were a big part of early WNBA history, winning championships in 2003, 2006 and 2008 before moving to Tulsa in 2010 — and before being rebranded as the Dallas Wings. The Shock set single-game records for attendance in the 2003 WNBA Finals as 22,076 fans filled the Palace of Auburn Hills to see Game 3 against the Los Angeles Sparks, and they matched that mark again in the 2007 Finals. Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever set the single-game regular-season record against the Washington Mystics this past season with 20,711.
NBA coaches now interested in WNBA jobs
The WNBA, unlike other basketball leagues, finishes its season in the fall, and this year seven of the league’s 12 current franchises dismissed their coach. It’s left a frenzy for replacements, a seller's market. As such, salaries, the NBA assistant said, are expected to hit $1 million and the Los Angeles Sparks are rumored to be willing to pay $2 million. And that doesn’t even count the opportunity to coach the Indiana Fever and star player Caitlin Clark, who are among the teams in the market for a head coach.
Johnson will add the Spirit to a considerable investment portfolio that also includes stakes in the Washington Commanders (NFL), Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB), Los Angeles Sparks (WNBA), Los Angeles FC (MLS) and eSports franchise Team Liquid.
Magic Johnson: I'm devastated to hear about the loss of my friend Joe "Jellybean" Bryant, the father of Kobe Bryant. Joe was not only a talented basketball player; he was also a great coach. A lot of people don't know that he coached the LA Sparks in 2005, 2006, and 2011! Joe was an exceptional human being with a radiant smile that had the power to brighten any room, and a great husband and father. Cookie and I are praying for his wife Pam, daughters Sharia and Shaya, and the rest of the Bryant family, friends, and all those who loved Joe. 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/BOZDg35YYi
I'm devastated to hear about the loss of my friend Joe "Jellybean" Bryant, the father of Kobe Bryant. Joe was not only a talented basketball player; he was also a great coach. A lot of people don't know that he coached the LA Sparks in 2005, 2006, and 2011! Joe was an exceptional… pic.twitter.com/BOZDg35YYi
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) July 16, 2024
This is devastating news, and the timing could not have been worse. L.A. Sparks rookie and No. 2 pick Cameron Brink has suffered a torn left ACL, the team announced Wednesday. This is crushing, not only because she is done for the WNBA season but also because she was set to head to Paris for the Olympic Games, where she was going to represent the USA in 3x3 Women’s Basketball.
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Arash Markazi: The announced attendance for tonight’s Sparks-Fever game at Crypto Arena is 19,103. That’s a sell out and a Sparks record. Capacity for Lakers home games is 18,997. Incredible.
Michael Grange: WNBA announces they will having another pre-season game in Canada, this time in Edmonton, on May 5th, featuring the LA Sparks and Kia Nurse vs. the Seattle Storm. Tickets on sale on March 20th via Ticketmaster.ca Quote from WNBA commissioner Cathy Englebert: pic.twitter.com/5aoXexNSdN
2nd: Lakers and Clippers: Crypto.com Arena. Share of the vote: 71.43 percent of maximum amount possible. Opening: 1999. Capacity: 18,937. Who plays there: Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers, Kings (NHL), Sparks (WNBA). Crypto.com Arena also received six first-place votes among media members in our HoopsHype media poll. Formerly known as Staples Center, the arena will be an official venue during the 2028 Summer Olympics and has hosted the NBA All-Star Games in 2004, 2011 and 2018.
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