

They Are the Champions
May 28, 2018 on ESPN.com Mack Beggs steps from his house in Euless, Texas, gripping the leash attached to Dani, who, at 94 pounds, is the largest of his seven dogs. Mack, only 20 pounds heavier than his bullador, strains … Continue reading They Are the Champions

Bright lights hit Maggie Borland
May 4, 2018 on ESPN.com LAS VEGAS — Maggie Borland stood on the sand in the Neon Museum’s North Gallery in early March with her arms folded across her chest and waited for her cue from the cameraman. Her Overwatch … Continue reading Bright lights hit Maggie Borland

A year later, ‘Pitch’ and Ginny Baker’s influence lives on
January 4, 2018 on ESPN.com Ginny Baker was destined to be in Cooperstown. In the fictional world of the now-canceled Fox television show “Pitch,” it didn’t matter when Baker, who was played by Kylie Bunbury, retired. As the MLB’s first woman … Continue reading A year later, ‘Pitch’ and Ginny Baker’s influence lives on

CWHL’s first transgender woman finds comfort, confidence in professional hockey
January 10, 2018 on ESPN.com Jessica Platt learned to skate in a backyard ice rink her family built in a neighbor’s yard. She called it a back-rink. For as long as she can remember — so, since she was about … Continue reading CWHL’s first transgender woman finds comfort, confidence in professional hockey

Undefeated and dominant, Joanna Jedrzejczyk seeks Ronda Rousey’s record and UFC’s loftiest ranks
November 2, 2017 on ESPN.com Joanna Jedrzejczyk climbs off her bike and wheels it through the doors of American Top Team (ATT), a mixed martial arts gym in Coconut Creek, Florida. She rides the four miles between her house and … Continue reading Undefeated and dominant, Joanna Jedrzejczyk seeks Ronda Rousey’s record and UFC’s loftiest ranks

What’s in a main? Why Ricki Ortiz might have to give up on Chun-Li
July 11, 2017 on ESPN.com Ricki Ortiz has a decision to make. As she sits down in front of the monitor with her fight stick at DreamHack Austin in April, she has to choose whether to keep playing Chun-Li, the … Continue reading What’s in a main? Why Ricki Ortiz might have to give up on Chun-Li

Meet Amanda Nunes, the fighter who has been largely forgotten in lead-up to UFC 207
December 23, 2016 on ESPN.com Her nickname is The Lioness. Fitting, given Amanda Nunes’ tenacity in the octagon, but its origin predates women’s inclusion in the UFC. It was given to her when she was the only woman at her … Continue reading Meet Amanda Nunes, the fighter who has been largely forgotten in lead-up to UFC 207

Becoming Ginny Baker: ‘Pitch’ actress Kylie Bunbury transforms for the role of a lifetime
September 20, 2016 on ESPN.com Kylie Bunbury took a deep breath before stepping on set. The upcoming scene required her character to engage in a rather tense conversation with her fictional mother, Janet Baker (Chastity Dotson), and her agent, Amelia … Continue reading Becoming Ginny Baker: ‘Pitch’ actress Kylie Bunbury transforms for the role of a lifetime

Stefanie Dolson: ‘I just am who I am’
May 10, 2016 on ESPN.com | Stephanie Dolson as told to Katie Barnes When the WNBAÂ tipped off in 1997, life was quite different than it is today for LGBT Americans. Conversations about sexual identity were much more clouded by the … Continue reading Stefanie Dolson: ‘I just am who I am’

‘Bring It On’: From spirit fingers to appropriation, the cult sports film is much more than a teen rom-com
August 25, 2020 on ESPN.com TORRANCE SHIPMAN WALKSÂ across the nearly empty gym at East Compton High School. She’s there to right a wrong. Not long ago, she discovered that her entire award-winning cheerleading career was built on lies and stolen … Continue reading ‘Bring It On’: From spirit fingers to appropriation, the cult sports film is much more than a teen rom-com