Happy New Year 2025

Tag: Sports

Trump to sign executive order to keep biological men out of women’s sports

President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order to keep biological men out of women’s sports, OutKick confirmed on Tuesday.

The executive order will come on National Girls and Women in Sports Day on Wednesday, which celebrates female athletes across women’s sports and those who are committed to providing equal access to sports for all females.

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University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas, left, and Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines tied for 5th in the 200 Freestyle finals at the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships on March 18, 2022 at the McAuley Aquatic Center in Atlanta. (Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Trump made fairness in women’s sports a major campaign issue on his way to winning the presidential election over former Vice President Kamala Harris in November.

At the beginning of January, a federal judge blocked the Biden administration’s attempt to redefine sex in Title IX as “gender identity.” Then, Trump’s Department of Education told K-12 schools and higher learning institutions that Title IX protections would be recognized on the basis of biological sex.

Trump made clear in December he was going to end the “transgender lunacy.”

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President Donald Trump will sign the order on National Girls and Women in Sports Day. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

“And we will keep men out of women’s sports,” he said in part at a convention in Arizona. “And that will, likewise, be done on Day 1. Should I do Day 1, Day 2 or Day 3? How about Day 1? Under the Trump administration, it will be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders — male and female. It doesn’t sound too complicated. Does it?”

As he accepted the Republican nomination for president in July, he made his stance clear.

“We will not have men playing in women’s sports, that will end immediately,” he said at the time.

Riley Gaines has championed fairness in women’s sports. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

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He also appeared on Barstool Sports’ “Bussin’ with the Boys” with former NFL players Taylor Lewan and Will Compton and called the notion of trans inclusion in women’s sports “ridiculous.”

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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.

February 4, 2025
XX-XY Athletics looks to redefine mainstream in 2025, eyeing women’s sports star signings and hit viral ads

XX-XY Athletics founder Jennifer Sey weighs in on the company’s ‘Save Girls Sports’ shirt being labeled as ‘transphobic.’

The startup sportswear brand XX-XY Athletics, founded by former U.S. gymnast and Levi’s executive Jennifer Sey, crossed seven figures in profit in its first 10 months in 2024, she told FOX Business in an exclusive interview.

Sey isn’t trying to compete with Nike for sportswear supremacy by any means. She recognizes the difference in resources between her company and the industry juggernauts. She’s simply taking up all the real estate that those companies have refused to compete for – activist apparel for women athletes opposed to trans inclusion in their sports and locker rooms.

Election year 2024 saw that issue ignite a sprawling counterculture movement. Former college swimmer Riley Gaines, considered one of the pioneers of the movement with her lawsuit against the NCAA over having to face Lia Thomas in the 2022 NCAA championships, was Sey’s first brand ambassador.

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Former Levi Strauss & Co. Brand President Jennifer Sey discusses Australia’s new ‘right to disconnect’ law and reacts to transgender golfer Hailey Davidson competing on the women’s tour on ‘Varney & Co.’

Since then, the company has launched an NIL program. That roster added prominent Mountain West volleyball players Brooke Slusser and Sia Liilii, and Gaines’ younger sister Neely Gaines, a gymnast at the University of Kentucky.

But Sey is honest about what her brand, and cause as a whole, is missing so far.

“There isn’t a top-tier competitive female athlete or coach that has stood up for the protection of women’s sports,” Sey said. She added that women’s tennis legend Martina Navratilova is one example of a star who has, but isn’t actively competing.

“We don’t have any currently-competing top-tier athletes who have spoken out. I think that’s an illustration of how far we have to go. It should be normal for them to stand up and say ‘I will fight for the protection of women’s sports,’ and yet they haven’t, because I think a lot of them are afraid of being called terrible names.”

Former Levi Strauss & Co. Brand President Jennifer Sey discusses holiday spending numbers and debt and reacts to Olympic boxer Imane Khelif being named as a contender for the AP female athlete award.

For Sey, all of the women athletes who have signed with her brand so far had no reservations about taking on the backlash that might come with it. And that’s because each of them had already been aligned with the cause of protecting women’s sports before signing.

But she thinks that can change in 2025 and beyond, and is aiming to do that. She already has her pitch for them.

“I would say, ‘You have enjoyed tremendous success as a female athlete, tremendous opportunity. Don’t you want to ensure that girls and young women in future generations have that same opportunity? It is impossible if we don’t keep women’s sports female.’”

But Sey also knows there are financial barriers to this.

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Former Levi Strauss & Co. Brand President Jennifer Sey says women are silenced when they speak out about the trans athlete issue on ‘Varney & Co.’

“I’m not going to pretend I can offer what Nike offers or even what a Vuori offers [financially],” Sey said about pitching potential brand ambassadors who are on the fence about joining her cause. “But I take great solace and courage myself in knowing I’m standing up and doing the right thing, and you will grow with us, and you will know that you stood and did the right thing and protect women’s sports for future generations, and you will have financial opportunity that comes with our growth.”

“But I’m not going to sit there and pretend I can compete with Nike as far as what I’m going to pay them, we’re 10 months old… but we will grow.”

Sey says she is keeping a close eye on some potential star athletes who she knows are “secretly on her side.”

“We know there are women secretly on our side who haven’t been brave enough yet,” Sey said. “We’re waiting patiently for their courage and to do the right thing.”

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For Sey, a step toward attracting that talent was taken on Sunday, when the company launched its latest video advertisement. The “Real Girls Rock” ad portrays the brand’s ambassadors, who have stood up for women’s sports, facing vulgar hate comments and witnessing liberal media outlets berate them as “transphobic.”

It tackles the mainstream’s taboo around the brand head on, and uses it as a powerful marketing prop. The ads are set to run on the respective podcasts hosted by Michele Tafoya, Megyn Kelly and Riley Gaines. The goal is to get the ad to go viral.

“With virility comes increased business, as we reach out to more people and bring new people into the fold and into the brand, that helps us grow our business.”

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February 2, 2025
Former Lia Thomas opponents share ‘abuse,’ push Georgia lawmakers to pass trans athlete in women’s sports ban

A Georgia state Senate committee passed the Fair and Safe Athletic Opportunities Act Thursday after testimony from multiple female athletes who have competed against and shared locker rooms with transgender athletes.

The bill would require athletes to participate on teams that align with their biological sex at birth. If it is signed into law, Georgia would become the 26th state in the U.S. to have a law in place to prevent or restrict transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports.

Georgia has been a prime frontier for this issue after the state hosted the 2022 NCAA women’s swimming championships, which included transgender swimmer Lia Thomas.

Two of Thomas’ former opponents testified at Thursday’s state congressional hearing.

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Riley Gaines, a spokeswoman for the Independent Women’s Forum, tied Lia Thomas for fifth place in the 200 freestyle finals at the NCAA swimming and diving championships. (Brett Davis/USA Today Sports)

Former North Carolina State women’s swimmer Kylee Alons, a 31-time All-American and two-time NCAA champion, spoke about the experience competing against and sharing a locker room with Thomas.

“We all were just guinea pigs for a giant social experiment formed by the NCAA regarding how much abuse and blatant disregard women would be forced to take in silence,” Alons said.

Alons recounted the emotions she felt sharing competitive areas with Thomas, and how much sadness she felt watching women lose out on chances to compete fairly at the event. Alons even said she wanted to cry and leave the event after seeing Thomas win the 500-meter freestyle.

“It all just felt so off and wrong,” she said.

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Things got much more difficult for Lyons after she experienced sharing a locker room with Thomas.

“I go to the locker room that day only to see Thomas and realize there is no escape from this nightmare, no matter where I go. I had no idea he was going to be allowed in the women’s locker room as we did not consent to have a man in our locker room,” Lyons said

“I am immediately on edge every time I enter that locker room afterward, knowing at any moment a man can walk in on me changing.

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Lyons added she felt so uncomfortable she resorted to abandoning the locker room altogether and instead changed in a storage closet behind the bleachers.

Former University of Kentucky swimmer Kaitlynn Wheeler joined Lyons in recounting the experience of sharing a locker room with Thomas.

“Young women, teenage girls were forced to undress next to a fully intact biological male who exposed himself to us, while we were simultaneously fully exposed,” Wheeler said. “We were never asked. We were never given a choice or another option. We were just expected to be OK with it, to shove down our discomfort, our embarrassment, our fear, because standing up for ourselves would mean being labeled as intolerant or hateful or bigoted.”

Penn Quakers swimmer Lia Thomas prepares for the 200 free at the NCAA swimming and diving championships at Georgia Tech in Atlanta March 18, 2022. (Brett Davis/USA Today Sports)

Wheeler and Lyons are plaintiffs in an ongoing lawsuit against the NCAA led by fellow former swimmer and 2022 NCAA championship competitor Riley Gaines over the NCAA’s policies on gender ideology.

Wheeler and Lyons shared their experiences with a message urging state senators at the hearing to pass the Fair and Safe Athletic Opportunities Act.

The bill drew opposition from parents, physicians and others. Dr. Jodi Greenwald, a Roswell pediatrician, told the panel that transgender girls are not predators and warned that transgender youth are more at risk of suicide.

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The bill passed by a vote of 8-3 after a nearly two-hour hearing.

Lt. Gov. Bill Jones called the vote an important step toward one of his critical goals of the session.

“Biological men do not belong in women’s sports, period,” Jones said.

“This is common sense to everyone but the most radical liberals in Georgia. The Senate has always led the way on protecting women’s sports, and with Senate Bill 1, we will continue to be on the right side of this commonsense issue.

“I will never waver in the fight to protect our sisters and our daughters participating on equal footing in Georgia sports. I look forward to Senate Bill 1 becoming law and the protection of women’s sports becoming a reality for all female athletes in Georgia.”

A federal ban on transgender inclusion in girls and women’s sports is also moving through Congress.

The House of Representatives passed the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act Jan. 14, which would cut federal funding for any public educational institution that allows transgender athletes to compete against girls and women in sports.

Every Republican U.S. representative voted in favor of the bill. Only two Democrats, Henry Cuellar and Vicente Gonzalez, both of Texas, voted to pass it. The remaining 206 House House Democrats opposed it. Rep. Don Davis, D-N.C., voted “present.”

A recent New York Times/Ipsos survey found the vast majority of Americans, including a majority of Democrats, don’t think transgender athletes should be permitted to compete in women’s sports. Of the 2,128 people polled, 79% said biological males who identify as women should not be allowed to participate in women’s sports.

Of the 1,025 people who identified as Democrats or leaning Democrat, 67% said transgender athletes should not be allowed to compete with women.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Jackson Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital. He previously worked for ESPN and Business Insider. Jackson has covered the Super Bowl and NBA Finals, and has interviewed iconic figures Usain Bolt, Rob Gronkowski, Jerry Rice, Troy Aikman, Mike Trout, David Ortiz and Roger Clemens.

January 31, 2025
Washington, DC, airline tragedy recalls two devastating plane crashes that rocked sports world

An American Airlines flight that collided with a U.S. Army helicopter resulting in one of the most devastating airline disasters in decades hearkened back to two tragedies.

On Wednesday night, several members associated with U.S. Figure Skating and their families were on the aircraft that collided with the helicopter. At least six had ties to the Skating Club of Boston, located in Norwood, Massachusetts.

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Emergency response units respond to the crash site of an American Airlines plane and Black Hawk helicopter on the Potomac River in Arlington, Virginia, on Thursday, January 30, 2025. (Leigh Green for Fox News Digital)

The figure skating community has felt the effects of an airline tragedy in the past.

Eighteen members of the U.S. figure skating team were killed in a plane crash in Berg-Kampenhout, Belgium on their way to Prague for the World Figure Skating Championships. Laurence Owen and Steffi Westerfield were among those killed in the crash. They were considered to be rising stars in the sport and were preparing for an Olympic bid.

There were 73 people aboard Sabena Flight 548. The New York Daily News reported, citing investigators, that it was likely the jet’s stabilizers that caused the incident.

“U.S. Figure Skating can confirm that several members of our skating community were sadly aboard American Airlines Flight 5342, which collided with a helicopter yesterday evening in Washington, D.C,” U.S. Figure Skating said in a statement on Thursday. “These athletes, coaches, and family members were returning home from the National Development Camp held in conjunction with the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas.

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View of the scene of the plane crash of the Sabena Flight 548, on February 15, 1961, near Brussels after the Boeing 707 aircraft crashed en route to Brussels, Belgium, from New York City, killing 72 people on their way to the 1961 World Championships in Prague, Czechoslovakia. (STF/BELGA/AFP via Getty Images)

“We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts. We will continue to monitor the situation and will release more information as it becomes available.”

Wichita Mayor Lily Wu addressed the tragedy in a news conference.

“It was truly an honor to have future Olympians and those who are at the highest competition level of figure skating, right here in our capital,” she said.

“We were so excited to have the opportunity to host the national championship, and even yesterday I had folks tell me how wonderful these last few days have been with additional individuals that came into our community, whether to watch or to participate. So, our community was really excited and thankful that everything went well with the championship. And so right now we’re just waiting for more information from U.S. Figure Skating that we can release. But right now we’re just hoping and praying again.”

The city of Wichita was described as a tightknit community, which is also no stranger to tragic aircraft incidents.

Wichita State University’s football team, flying in a Martin 404, crashed in Colorado in 1970, leaving 31 dead. Eight players and the co-pilot survived, according to the Topeka Capital-Journal.

The cause of the crash was determined to be because of pilot error.

“Wichita is located in the heart of our nation, and today we are grieving. I received confirmation this morning that no one survived the crash of American Airlines flight 5342,” Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., wrote in a post on Thursday on X.

“This is a sad day for Kansas and our nation. My heart breaks for the lives that were lost and their loved ones who are now learning that their family or friends were on the flight.

The chartered Martin 404 was carrying football players, coaches and guests of Wichita State University to Utah. (Duane Howell/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

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“There will be much to learn and do in the coming days in the wake of this tragedy, but today please join me in praying for the victims and their families. May God comfort them and watch over all those who are mourning.”

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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.

January 31, 2025
Indiana football player opts to join Barstool Sports over declaring for NFL Draft: ‘This is my thing’

After playing six years at Indiana University, Mike Katic has decided to put his NFL dreams to the side.

After initially declaring for last year’s NFL Draft, then returning for his final year of eligibility, the former center has decided to join Barstool Sports as a media personality and analyst.

“I’m pumped. This is what I think I was born to do,” Katic said on “The Yak” with Dan “Big Cat” Katz. “Football’s great, but I think this is my thing. So, I’m super excited to move in here.”

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Indiana’s Mike Katic (56) hoists the Old Oaken Bucket after a game against Purdue at Memorial Stadium Nov. 30, 2024. (Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)

Katic doesn’t start officially working until March 1, but he paid a visit to Jon Gruden, who was recently hired by the site, at Barstool’s offices. And they had about as much of a greeting as one would predict from a Super Bowl champion coach and a six-year college star.

“Barstool’s got our new center and I already love him!” Gruden said on X while posting a video of their first interaction.

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Immediately after shaking hands, Gruden asked Katic to get into his lineman stance, and the two shared another handshake and hug.

“When [Gruden] tells you to get in a stance, you get into a damn stance!” Katic posted on X.

Katic seemed to hint his playing days were over after the Hoosiers’ College Football Playoff loss to Notre Dame when he posted on X, “Thank you Indiana University. Thank you Football.”

Indiana OL Mike Katic (56) during a game against the Louisville Cardinals Sept. 16, 2023, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Katic was likely to be a late-round selection if he had been taken at all. Pro Football Focus graded Katic as the 10th best center in the Power Four conferences.

Katic said he was hired quickly after Dave Portnoy saw him in “three clips doing media” after being connected through a member of the Hoosiers’ men’s basketball team.

Indiana’s Mike Katic (56) celebrates with the Old Oaken Bucket after a game against Purdue at Memorial Stadium Nov. 30, 2024. (Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)

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The Pittsburgh native will work out of Barstool’s Chicago office after playing in 50 games for the Hoosiers.

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January 31, 2025
School reacts to video of official telling parents to alter trans kid’s birth certificate to play girls sports

A Texas school district has acknowledged footage of one of its administrators telling an undercover journalist posing as a parent to change a transgender child’s birth certificate to compete in girls sports.

The Irving Independent School District in Irving, Texas, has provided a statement to Fox News Digital addressing the recent video of Reny Lizardo, the executive director of campus operations, giving this guidance, which was obtained by Accuracy in Media.

The statement indicates Lizardo has resigned from his position.

“In Irving ISD, we are committed to upholding the requirements of state and federal laws, especially as it pertains to ensuring the safety and well-being of our students, and we will cooperate with any investigation initiated by relevant authorities,” the statement said.

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“We are aware of the unauthorized video footage circulating on social media of an individual connected with Irving ISD. The videos were obtained under false pretenses by an individual who posed as a concerned parent and additional individuals who posed as family friends of the employee pictured.

“The individuals also held themselves out as members of the media, but were not credentialed as such, constituting a breach of security. In addition, the footage has been edited and is an incomplete representation of the entire conversation, making it difficult to properly assess its probative value.”

In the footage, Lizardo said, “It’s not illegal if you don’t get caught,” with regard to changing the gender on a child’s birth certificate, and “if you can get that done, and you turn us a birth certificate that says ‘this gender,’ that’s the gender we go with.”

While discussing potential repercussions of the discussion, Lizardo suggested pleading plausible deniability.

The district insists Lizardo’s handling of the situation does not reflect the values and protocols of the school district.

Fox News Digital has reached out to Lizardo for comment.

HOW TRANSGENDERISM IN SPORTS SHIFTED THE 2024 ELECTION AND IGNITED A NATIONAL COUNTERCULTURE

“We want to reiterate that Irving ISD complies with all state and federal laws, and all employees are expected to adhere to any and all legal and ethical standards. The message conveyed in the video, as presented, does not reflect the views nor policies of the district,” the statement said.

“Individual employees do not speak on behalf of the district. The individual identified was acting outside of his role as it relates to legal and regulatory expertise. While the matter continues to be under investigation, the individual identified in the video has tendered his resignation.”

The district’s statement concludes by claiming all of its athletes participate in the proper gender category.

“We can also confirm that all Irving ISD student-athletes are participating in their sport in accordance with the sex they were assigned at birth,” the district said. “Irving ISD is unwavering in our commitment to the safety and well-being of all of our students and staff. We remain focused on our primary function to maintain educational excellence and foster the full potential of our students.”

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Texas is one of 25 states in the U.S. with a law that prevents or restricts transgender athletes from competing against girls and women. In June 2023, the state passed the Save Women’s Sports Act that prohibits transgender athletes from competing in girls and women’s sports and only allows students to compete in the gender category listed on their birth certificate.

The law only allows schools to recognize changes made to birth certificates that were made to correct a clerical error.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott addressed the footage involving Lizardo in a post on X and called for him to be fired and investigated.

“This Irving ISD Administrator should be fired on the spot. Both criminal & civil investigations must be taken against both the Administrator & Irving ISD,” Abbott wrote. “Has Irving ISD and its employees been involved in a fraudulent breach of state laws & a cover up? We must get the facts.”

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Jackson Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital. He previously worked for ESPN and Business Insider. Jackson has covered the Super Bowl and NBA Finals, and has interviewed iconic figures Usain Bolt, Rob Gronkowski, Jerry Rice, Troy Aikman, Mike Trout, David Ortiz and Roger Clemens.

January 30, 2025
Fox News Sports: Super Bowl rematch with Eagles puts Chiefs on the brink of history

A Wilson official Duke football with Super Bowl 59 LIX logo at the Super Bowl Host Committee Handoff press conference at the Super Bowl LVIII media center at the Mandalay Bay North Convention Center on Feb. 12, 2024. (Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)

Welcome to the Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter.

BRINK OF HISTORY – Patrick Mahomes shares his thoughts about the opportunity to make history, as the Kansas City Chiefs pursue an unprecedented three consecutive Super Bowl title. Continue reading …

TRAGEDY – A Philadelphia Eagles fan who celebrated the team’s NFC Championship win and Super Bowl LIX clinch, later died after sustaining injuries after falling from a light pole. Continue reading …

BIG GAME VIEWING GUIDE – Super Bowl LIX kicks off at 6:30 p.m. ET on FOX, with Kevin Burkhardt doing play-by-play and Tom Brady as the color commentator in his first Super Bowl as a broadcaster. Continue reading …

The Caesars Superdome is being prepared for Super Bowl LIX at the Caesars Superdome on January 16, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

THE SWIFT EFFECT – Former NFL star Julian Edelman discussed singer Taylor Swift, who has been a fixture at Kansas City Chiefs games over the past two seasons, during an appearance on “Fox & Friends.”Continue reading …

SUSPENDED – A Colorado high school basketball coach was suspended after he was seen hanging up a Palestinian flag, and after he refused to shake hands with the opposing coach following a game against a Jewish school. Continue reading …

STAR ENDORSEMENT – Former tennis player Martina Navratilova publicly backed former British Olympic champion Sebastian Coe, who she hopes is eventually named the president of the International Olympics Committee (IOC). Continue reading …

STREAM TUBI – The entire Super Bowl LIX, including pre-game, Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show, and post-game shows will be available to stream for free on Tubi. Fans just need to complete a hassle-free, no-cost registration. Continue reading …

Super Bowl LIX will be streamed on Tubi. (Tubi)

FROM FOX SPORTS – Former Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy became the latest person to withdraw from consideration for the New Orleans Saints vacancy. Continue reading …

FROM OUTKICK – The Cowboys hired Brian Schottenheimer, but team owner Jerry Jones flirted with the idea of bringing in Deion Sanders. The billionaire later shared details of the conversation he had with Sanders during the hiring process. Continue reading …

WATCH NOW – FOX Sports’ LeSean McCoy discusses whether this season’s Kansas City Chiefs squad is the best version of the reigning champs or not. Watch here …

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January 29, 2025
School official appears to advise parents of trans athletes to change birth certificate to play girls sports

A school district administrator in Texas was seen encouraging parents to make false changes to their child’s birth certificate so they would qualify to play in girls’ sports as a biological male, according to a recently released video.

The footage shows a man, allegedly Reny Lizardo, who serves as the executive director of campus operations for the Irving Independent School District, telling an undercover journalist that “It’s not illegal if you don’t get caught” in regard to doctoring a child’s birth certificate to undermine Texas state law that prevents trans athletes from competing in girls’ sports.

“Could you legally change the gender on a birth certificate? I don’t know enough about that subject,” he says, according to video obtained by Accuracy in Media. “If you can get that done, and you turn us a birth certificate that says ‘this gender,’ that’s the gender we go with.”

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When asked if a hypothetical trans athlete had the gender on a birth certificate changed to female and would be able to then play on the girls’ soccer team, the man allegedly identified as Lizardo responds, “Yeah.” He also says the school district could plead plausible deniability if the athlete’s birth gender was uncovered and prompted a lawsuit.

“If a parent found out or a student found out and said, ‘Wait a second. This person isn’t this gender,’ and they, like, sued the district, we’d be in trouble. But, we can also say, ‘We didn’t know’ … So, there’s a plausible deniability, I guess,” he is seen saying before suggesting their conversation not be spoken about again.

“Me and you never had this conversation.”

In June 2023, Texas passed the Save Women’s Sports Act that bans trans athletes from competing in girls’ and women’s sports, and only allows students to compete in the gender category listed on their birth certificate. The law only allows schools to recognize changes made to birth certificates that were made to correct a clerical error.

Texas is one of 25 states in the U.S. to have a law in place to prevent or restrict trans athletes from competing against girls and women, and a national bill is currently making its way through Congress.

HOW TRANSGENDERISM IN SPORTS SHIFTED THE 2024 ELECTION AND IGNITED A NATIONAL COUNTERCULTURE

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott addressed the footage involving Lizardo in a post on X, and called for him to be fired and criminally investigated.

“This Irving ISD Administrator should be fired on the spot. Both criminal & civil investigations must be taken against both the Administrator & Irving ISD,” Abbott wrote. “Has Irving ISD and its employees been involved in a fraudulent breach of state laws & a cover up? We must get the facts.”

Fox News Digital has reached out to the Irving Independent School District for comment.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act on Jan. 14, which would cut federal funding for any public educational institution that allows trans athletes to compete against girls and women in sports.

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Every Republican representative voted in favor of the bill, but only two Democrats, Reps. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, and Vicente Gonzales, D-Texas, voted to pass it. The remaining 206 House Democrats all voted against. Rep. Don Davis, D-N.C., voted “present.”

A recent New York Times/Ipsos survey found the vast majority of Americans, including a majority of Democrats, don’t think transgender athletes should be permitted to compete in women’s sports. Of the 2,128 people polled, 79% said biological males who identify as women should not be allowed to participate in women’s sports. Of the 1,025 people who identified as Democrat or leaning Democrat, 67% said transgender athletes should not be allowed to compete with women.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Jackson Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital. He previously worked for ESPN and Business Insider. Jackson has covered the Super Bowl and NBA Finals, and has interviewed iconic figures Usain Bolt, Rob Gronkowski, Jerry Rice, Troy Aikman, Mike Trout, David Ortiz and Roger Clemens.

January 29, 2025
Brandon Marshall’s ‘I Am Athlete’ aiming to push boundaries with new REVOLT Sports partnership

Check out what’s clicking on FoxBusiness.com.

Former All-Pro wide receiver Brandon Marshall has been leading the charge in the athlete-drive media space since his playing days on the gridiron came to an end, and he is taking a groundbreaking step with his “I Am Athlete” platform with a new partnership looking to push boundaries in sports media.

REVOLT, the leading Black-owned multimedia platform, announced on Wednesday their new REVOLT Sports vertical, which is headlined by “I Am Athlete.”

Marshall spoke to FOX Business Digital about this new venture from his perspective with “I Am Athlete,” where he could not contain his excitement about how far the respective platforms can go for the culture by working together.

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Former NFL wide receiver Brandon Marshall, right, interviews Clemson Tigers running back Travis Etienne Jr. at the House of Athlete Scouting Combine for athletes preparing to enter the 2021 NFL draft at Inter Miami Stadium. (Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports / IMAGN)

“What excites me about the partnership is what I can learn and how far we can go,” he explained. “The creative economy is one of the highest economies out there, so great market to invest in. It’s been through a lot over the last couple years, and it’s going to continue to go through a lot of changes. What I found being independent, almost like an artist, like a musician, sometimes you can go farther and be more efficient when you have the machine behind you.

“So, REVOLT gives us that machine. I’m excited about what they’re already doing with us through this partnership, and also what I’m learning. That’s the goal for a lot of us creators, is to own and participate in the upside.”

REVOLT Sports Weekly powered by “I Am Athlete” is the main component behind this partnership, which features Marshall alongside media personality and cultural commentator Kayla Nicole as co-host.

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On the show, Marshall, Nicole, special guests and celebrity contributors do not just break down the latest in sports, but also culture – a main reason why Marshall knew this was the right “machine” to get behind.

“‘I Am Athlete’ lives at the intersection of hip-hop and sports,” Marshall said. “So, talking about things that are relevant to the culture – pop culture, whatever you have it – is just a general conversation that is natural to us. That’s what you’ll get from this show every single week. We’ll dive into the hottest topics in sports, and also the biggest stories in pop culture.”

Deon Graham, chief content officer at REVOLT, added, “Sports have always been synonymous with our culture, shaping our communities and reflecting some of the stories that matter most. With the launch of REVOLT Sports, we’re not just adding to the conversation – we’re redefining it, authentically. Partnering with ‘I Am Athlete’ allows us to create hundreds of hours of content that further connects sports, culture, and community like never before.”

Brandon Marshall, chief executive officer and founder of House of Athlete, speaks to reporters during the House of Athlete Scouting Combine for athletes preparing to enter the 2021 NFL draft at Inter Miami Stadium. (Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports / IMAGN)

REVOLT Sports Weekly’s first episode was a prime example of how this new partnership is looking to push boundaries when it comes to sports programming.

Joined by Marshall’s former UCF teammates, Josh “Beezo” Bellamy and Mike Sims-Walker, the panel discussed not only the NFL’s Championship Sunday matchups in the AFC and NFC, but they discussed whether celebrating rapper “Big Meech” with a “Welcome Back” party next month after spending 16 years in jail for drug trafficking and money laundering is right for the community.

The group also talked about the new Unrivaled women’s 3-on-3 basketball league, specifically the fashion statements that have been displayed by the WNBA stars in the groundbreaking league.

At the end of the day, this partnership aims to be raw and authentic – two pillars they were living by independently to begin with.

REVOLT Sports, co-hosted by Brandon Marshall and Kayla Nicole, aims to push boundaries with sports and culture talk in a new partnership with “I Am Athlete.” (REVOLT Sports / Fox News)

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“I think you have to be raw and authentic to win in today’s landscape when you talk about media. That’s what people want,” Marshall said. “How you dress, how you talk, even the way the show is shot. We’re tired of over-produced content, over-produced conversations. So, that’s what is needed to separate yourselves in this space. So, for me, those are the only conversations I can participate in. I can’t sit down with people that I can’t learn from, that I can’t teach something to – conversations that aren’t impactful.

“It feels good to be in a place finally with a network and also just in today’s times where those conversations are embraced.”

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January 29, 2025
Martina Navratilova endorses Olympic president hopeful who suggests ban on trans athletes from women’s sports

Former women’s tennis star Martina Navratilova expressed her desire to see former British Olympic champion Sebastian Coe become the next president of the International Olympics Committee (IOC).

The key issue that drives Navratilova’s endorsement is banning trans athletes from women’s competition — an issue the the former tennis star has been a prominent advocate of.

“IOC’s shift may alter DSD (Differences of Sexual Development) trans rules – here is hoping Seb Coe is the next president!” Navratilova wrote in a post on X while re-sharing an article that lays out Coe’s stances.

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The former Czech tennis player Martina Navratilova receives the golden racket during the Italian tennis internationals at the Foro Italico. Rome (Italy), May 21st, 2023. (Massimo Insabato/Archivio Massimo Insabato/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images)

Coe published his manifesto for his vision as International Olympics Committee (IOC) president, as he campaigns for the position going into 2025, and it stressed the importance of protecting female athletes.

Unlike current IOC president Thomas Bach, Coe staunchly opposes trans inclusion in the women’s category, and said he would explore a complete ban on trans athletes in a previous interview with Sky News.

“We will have a very clear policy that will be un-ambiguous,” Coe said. “We’ve been very clear in World Athletics that transgender athletes will not be competing in the female category at the elite level.”

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Lord Sebastian Coe speaks during a Memorial Service for Kevan Gosper AO in the Olympic Room at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 17, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. Mr Gosper was an Olympian, former AOC President and IOC Vice President, who passed away on 19 July 2024 after a short illness. (Daniel Pockett/Getty Images for the AOC)

Coe declined to state whether he would advocate for mandatory sex-eligibility tests for Olympians.

Coe is the current head of World Athletics — the governing body for international track & field competition. In 2023, the governing body tightened its regulations on trans athletes to exclude transgender women who have gone through male puberty from competing in the female category. That regulation also lowered the maximum testosterone level for eligible female competitors.

Coe said that if his becomes IOC president, the new Olympic policy on trans inclusion will “probably” reflect the one he has established in World Athletics.

While criticizing the IOC’s current policies on the issue, Coe referenced an incident at the recent Paris Olympics. The recent summer games were overshadowed by controversy when Imane Khelif of Algeria and Lin Yu-ting of Taiwan won gold medals in women’s boxing.

Both athletes had previously been disqualified from international competitions for failing gender-eligibility tests. However, the IOC and current President Thomas Bach supported the inclusion of both athletes, insisting they were qualified to compete as women under the current rules.

Coe previously said the situation involving Khelif and Lin made him feel “uncomfortable,” in a November interview with the BBC. Neither athlete has been confirmed to be transgender.

NCAA PREZ SUGGESTS ONUS ON FEMALE ATHLETES TO USE OTHER FACILITIES IF UNCOMFORTABLE SHARING WITH TRANS PLAYERS

Algeria’s Imane Khelif (in red) punches Italy’s Angela Carini in the women’s 66kg preliminaries round of 16 boxing match during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the North Paris Arena, in Villepinte on August 1, 2024. (MOHD RASFAN/AFP via Getty Images)

The United Nations released study findings saying that nearly 900 biological females have fallen short of the podium because they have been beaten out by transgender athletes.

The study, titled “Violence against women and girls in sports,” said that more than 600 athletes did not medal in more than 400 competitions in 29 different sports, totaling over 890 medals, according to information obtained up to March 30.

“The replacement of the female sports category with a mixed-sex category has resulted in an increasing number of female athletes losing opportunities, including medals, when competing against males,” the report said.

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Jackson Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital. He previously worked for ESPN and Business Insider. Jackson has covered the Super Bowl and NBA Finals, and has interviewed iconic figures Usain Bolt, Rob Gronkowski, Jerry Rice, Troy Aikman, Mike Trout, David Ortiz and Roger Clemens.

January 29, 2025