The women’s basketball news roundup evoked some mixed emotions this week. From a franchise looking forward to its future to a heartfelt apology and the sport mourning the passing of an icon. Portland Fire, the WNBA’s 2026 expansion franchise, announced a media deal that could secure its future. In college basketball, LSU’s Grace Knox had a heated reaction during the Ole Miss game, which led to internal repercussions. Nevertheless, her apology was gracefully accepted by the Ole Miss coach. On the other hand, the WNBA mourned the tragic passing of Kara Braxton, and her son, a college football player, has made an emotional appeal. 

Portland Fire Announces Media Deal With Fox For The 2026 WNBA Season

The Golden State Valkyries have set a high bar for expansion franchises. Portland Fire has tipped off, following that with a landmark media deal. RAJ Sports announced a new multi-year deal with FOX 12 Plus to be the official regional broadcasting destination for both the city’s Fire in the WNBA and the Thorns in the NWSL.

Game broadcasts will be produced in partnership with Raycom Sports, a subsidiary of Gray Media, aligning FOX 12 Plus, Raycom Sports, and Gray Media. They will also deliver Fire telecasts, pregame and postgame shows, special programming tied to key moments throughout the season, and ongoing player and community impact spotlights.

They also announced a partnership with Kiswe, a live streaming platform that they say will offer original programming on a new branded platform just for the Fire. “The partnerships with Gray and Kiswe represent an important step in continuing to cement Portland as the global epicenter of women’s sports,” said Michael Whitehead, RAJ Sports managing director. “These partnerships are designed to put fans and accessibility first and will set a new standard for how women’s sports can be enjoyed.”

There is a lot of uncertainty around the 2026 WNBA season for Portland, as the CBA is yet to be finalized. Even the expansion draft is not done yet, and the free agency has yet to start. So, the popularity of Portland’s brand is largely in the dark. Last year, the Valkyries received 17 national broadcast slots out of the possible 44. A good local media network like Fox 12 Plus ensures that their footprint is firmly established in the local market and ensures the team builds a strong connection with its fanbase in Portland right from the start.

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Grace Knox’s Heartfelt Apology Accepted By Ole Miss Coach After Heated Incident

We already know LSU’s Grace Knox is a bit of a hothead. She tends to get fiery in games. That once again came to bite her. In the third quarter of LSU’s game against Ole Miss, Cotie McMahon was driving to the rim with Knox in the paint. Knox tried to block McMahon but committed a hard foul in the process. 

When McMahon was down, Knox taunted the Ole Miss star. Naturally, she was given a technical. Coach Kim Mulkey subbed Knox out, and she did not return to the floor. Afterward, Mulkey made a “coach’s decision” not to play Knox against Missouri. Nevertheless, Knox has apologized since. 

“I realize that hurt the team,” she said while addressing the incident in a recent one-on-one interview with WAFB-TV’s Jacques Doucet. “That really didn’t look that well for LSU, just as a school. I did apologize to my teammates. I apologized to the coaches. Because that was never really my intention, to like shoot anybody down or just be seen as that type of person all the time.”

Despite the apology, Knox maintained that she will not lose her edge. “I definitely don’t intend to take away any of my fiery, any of my passion on the court. I’m still going to play how I play. I’m just going to react a little bit less. And just control my emotions a little bit more. Especially after the play is already over,” Knox added.

“This is high level! She was extremely respectful in the handshake line, and we took none of it personally after the play. Let’s move on! These are young people, ladies & gentlemen. 🤝🏽” Coach Yo wrote.

Knox has been a key contributor for LSU in her freshman campaign, playing nearly 18 minutes per game while averaging 9.2 points and 4.6 rebounds. Mulkey needs Knox at her best as they approach March. 

Kara Braxton’s Son Sends Clear Message after Mother’s Passing

The WNBA is grieving a significant loss. At 43 years old, 2-time WNBA Champion and All-Star Kara Braxton passed away in a car accident. The Cobb County Police Department in Georgia confirmed the details of the incident: “The Ford continued in a northerly direction against the concrete wall until coming to rest on the left shoulder.” 

Kara Braxton leaves a lasting legacy in basketball, but also through her son, Jelani Thurman. Thurman is a tight end who spent the past three seasons at Ohio State. He won a national title with the Buckeyes in 2024, too, and has since transferred to North Carolina. Remembering his mother, Thurman wrote on his Instagram stories, “Imma miss my queen.” 

Thurman also recounted memories of his mother. It included a picture of himself with his mother, who was in her No. 45 Shock jersey. He requested privacy for his family. He also declared that they will not accept any guests at the house indefinitely after Sunday. The WNBA’s official account and each of Braxton’s teams, including the New York Liberty, paid homage to the legend.