Herschel Walker — REUTERS/Dustin Chambers/File Photo

by Sharelle B. McNair

December 18, 2024

Herschel Walker Added To Trump’s Cabinet As Ambassador To the Bahamas

Thought we were done with him?!

CBS News reports that President-elect Donald Trump nominated failed Senate hopeful Herschel Walker to become the United States Ambassador to the Bahamas in a social media post.

Trump used the Truth Social post on Dec. 17 to celebrate Walker’s commitment to the country’s youth. “I am pleased to nominate Herschel Walker as United States Ambassador to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas,” he wrote. “Herschel has spent decades serving as an Ambassador to our Nation’s youth, our men and women in the Military, and athletes at home and abroad.”

https://twitter.com/ArtCandee/status/1869207492837966165

The announcement sent shockwaves throughout social media as users reminded others how Walker used his time in the spotlight to spout dangerous rhetoric amid a controversial past. During his senatorial campaign against Sen. Rev. Raphael Warnock, he claimed his resume was impressive compared to Warnock’s and former President Obama’s. He even taunted Obama for “never signing any checks.”

Herschel Walker on Obama (2022): I'll put my resume against his any time of the day. pic.twitter.com/0o9siKxNQ1
— Ron Smith (@Ronxyz00) December 18, 2024

Then there was a time Walker pulled out a fake police badge — labeled by moderators as a “prop” — to project his willingness to work with police officers when Warnock called him out for allegedly threatening a shootout with police.

Sen. Raphael Warnock (D): “One thing I have not done — I have never pretended to be a police officer, and I’ve never threatened a shootout with the police.”

In response, Herschel Walker (R) pulled out a prop badge: “I am work with many police officers.” pic.twitter.com/Wyh6oYD9zB
— Heartland Signal (@HeartlandSignal) October 14, 2022

Despite several controversies, including two women claiming that Walker paid for them to get abortions while he was running an anti-abortion campaign, Trump continued to push the idea of putting the former Georgia Bulldog running back in charge of a new missile defense shield prior to his 2024 presidential victory, according to The Hill.

Like other cabinet members, Walker will face Senate confirmation before taking on Bahama ambassador duties, which has not happened in nearly 10 years. The last person nominated for the role was Cassandra Butts by Barack Obama in 2014. However, her nomination was never considered for a vote by the Senate. Trump’s first-term nomination faced scrutiny and controversy.

Doug Manchester was nominated in 2017 for the ambassador role, but the process was stalled for over two years after evidence of a potential pay-to-play scheme emerged in 2019. Manchester withdrew his nomination, and Trump nominated William Douglass in 2020. It didn’t last long, as President Joe Biden withdrew Douglass’s name after taking office. Calvin Smyre was later considered but has still not been confirmed by the Senate.

Travis Hunter, Heisman — (Photo: Louis Grasse/Getty Images)

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 18, 2024

Travis Hunter Reportedly Contributed Funds To Colorado Buffaloes’ NIL Collective

Deion Sanders Jr.: 'He's paying at least 10-15 guys' NILs on the team.'

Travis Hunter, the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner, has been giving money to his Colorado teammates via the team’s NIL (name, image, and likeness) Collective, according to Deion Sanders’ son.

On a recent appearance on the Zero 2 Sixty podcast, Deion Sanders Jr. revealed that Hunter does not receive a penny from the Colorado Buffaloes Collective NIL, but, with the money the two-way football player receives from various NIL endorsements, he places money in the pockets of his fellow football players.

Sanders told podcast hosts Matt McChesney and Bailey Price that Hunter pays “at least 10-15 guys’ NILs on the team. He’s donating his own money.”

On3 has reported that Hunter has made $5.2 million with his NIL deals this season, including a recent signing with adidas.

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Let the show begin. Welcome to the adidas family, @TravisHunterJr 🔥 pic.twitter.com/McecDQcNM0

— adidas Football US (@adidasFballUS) December 12, 2024

With one last game to play in his collegiate career, Hunter is widely considered to be the first pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. On Dec. 11, Hunter became the first player to win back-to-back Paul Hornung Awards. Three days later, he took home the Heisman Trophy Award, college football’s top honor.

According to The Athletic, Hunter became the first true two-way player to win the Heisman since Syracuse’s Ernie Davis in 1961. He became the first player in NCAA history to catch 92 receptions for 1,152 yards, 14 touchdowns, and grab four interceptions in a single season.

Hunter had an historic season. He was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, was given an honorable mention for Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, and was named first-team All-Big 12 as receiver and defensive back. He was the first player to earn first-team honors on both offense and defense in conference history.

Jarred Shaw, cannabis gummies, basketball, Indonesia — (Image: iStock/sakhorn38)

by Kandiss Edwards

December 18, 2024

Incarcerated Women Receive $116M Settlement For ‘Staff-On-Inmate’ Sexual Assaults

Current and former inmates receive a small bit of justice for sexual assaults while incarcerated.

More than 100 current and former Oakland, California, inmates won a $116 million sexual assault settlement from the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.

According to the Associated Press, the Federal Correctional Institution in Dublin, California, was held liable for the rape and assault of 103 inmates. The settlement was approved Dec. 17. and will garner each inmate over $1.1 million.

Former inmate Aimee Chavira spoke about the abuse and the impact she hopes the settlement will make in the future.

“We were sentenced to prison, we were not sentenced to be assaulted and abused.” She continued, “I hope this settlement will help survivors, like me, as they begin to heal –- but money will not repair the harm that [the Bureau of Prisons] BOP did to us, or free survivors who continue to suffer in prison.”

Chavira and other inmates took action against what they described as an alleged “rape club” facilitated by officers.

The Bureau of Prisons made a statement that claimed that staff-on-inmate sexual misconduct is taken “seriously,” as is its mission to keep everyone in the facility safe.

The bureau “strongly condemns all forms of sexually abusive behavior and takes seriously its duty to protect the individuals in our custody as well as maintain the safety of our employees and community.”

Though the facility was shut down, the Department of Justice acknowledged concerns about targeting and retaliation against the women in the class action lawsuits. As a result, a court-appointed monitor was put in place as a condition of the settlement.

The women inmates were transferred to multiple institutions and feared for their safety. Some have reported similar abusive conditions at the new facilities, AP reported.

A second class action lawsuit stemming from the abuse at the Dublin facility was approved by a federal judge.

Former warden Ray Garcia was convicted on eight charges, including sexual assault, in 2022. During a federal investigation, Garcia was found in possession of explicit inmate photos on his government-issued phone.

Since 2021, at least eight Dublin employees have been charged with sexually abusing inmates.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 18, 2024

Montell Jordan Says Faith In God and Early Detection Helped Him Beat Prostate Cancer

This is how you do it, apparently.

Former Def Jam recording artist Montell Jordan revealed that early detection and his faith in God led him to beat prostate cancer.

The R&B singer, who celebrated his 56th birthday on Dec. 3, told TMZ Hip-Hop that he had a prostatectomy surgery about six weeks ago. He credited finding out about it early, along with proactive doctors, for saving his life.

The “This is How We Do It” artist, who is now a practicing preacher, wants to encourage others to get early screenings and use his experience with the deadly disease as a talking point.

He told TMZ Hip-Hop that he is working on a documentary to try to remove the stigmas associated with people going for their health screenings. He is also working on a Christmas project.

In am touching post released on the singer’s birthday, he announced to his 215,000-plus Instagram followers that he had just beat cancer.

In the video, he talked, via sheets of paper reminiscent of this famous scene in Love Actually, about the cancer being discovered in January 2024 and how he defeated it after having his prostate removed on Nov. 4.

“JESUS saved my soul,” he expressed. “EARLY DETECTION saved my life.”

Jordan also implored others to help him get his documentary done but also making sure he brings to the attention of people not going for early screenings to catch any possible traces of the deadly disease.

Megan Tthee Stallion, restraining order, Tory Lanez — left (Photo by Steve Granitz/FilmMagic), right (Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images)

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

December 18, 2024

Megan Thee Stallion Brings Receipts As She Files Restraining Order Against Tory Lanez

The rapper deemed the matter "psychological warfare," further claiming he indirectly harasses her on social media.

Megan Thee Stallion is filing another restraining order against disgraced rapper Tory Lanez and is bringing the receipts to prove she needs one.

People reported that the “Bigger In Texas” rapper filed the request on Dec. 17. In the filing, Megan, real name Megan Pete, detailed the ongoing harassment she has faced from Lanez despite his incarceration. A jury found Lanez, real name Daystar Peterson, guilty of shooting Megan in the foot in 2020. He is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence following his 2022 conviction.

“Despite being sentenced to 10 years in prison for shooting Ms. Pete, Mr. Peterson continues to subject her to repeated trauma and revictimization,” the filing alleges.

Although Lanez remains behind bars, Megan has asserted that he continues defaming her character through other parties. The rapper deemed the matter “psychological warfare,” further claiming he indirectly harasses her on social media.

The request continues, “Mr. Peterson is fully aware of the impact of the psychological warfare he has waged against Ms. Pete, yet he continues to deputize his supporters to attack Ms. Pete’s character and integrity.”

TMZ reports that Megan’s defense team obtained proof to further her claims shortly after filing the restraining order request. Her lawyers reportedly have receipts of payments between Lanez’s father and a blogger whom Meg recently sued.

Megan accused Milagro Elizabeth Cooper, known on social media as Milagro Gramz, of taking payment from Lanez’s father to spread lies against her.

“In these prison calls, Mr. Peterson’s father—when he thought no one was listening— asked his son about payments to Ms. Cooper for her harassment of Ms. Pete: ‘How are they ever going to prove something like that?’” Mr. Peterson responded, ‘Exactly,’ ” the filing against Cooper states.

Megan has called the matter a “conspiracy” to continue directing hate toward the Grammy winner. She hopes to find a legal solution to the ongoing harassment allegedly sparked by her assaulter.

However, she also believes Lanez is doing so to aid his appeal. Currently, Lanez is appealing his multiple charges, including assault with a semiautomatic firearm.

Cynhia Erivo, WICKED — Rhododendrites, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

December 18, 2024

Cynthia Erivo Explains How She Added Micro Braids So ‘Wicked’ Character Could Honor Black Women

Erivo wanted a hairstyle that better represented her character being played by a Black woman.

Cynthia Erivo shared why she gave her Wicked character micro braids, using the hairstyle to honor Black women.

Erivo plays Elphaba Thorpe, eventually known as the Wicked Witch of the West, in this Wizard of Oz retelling. The film focuses on Erivo’s character and her relationship with Glinda, the future Good Witch, played by Ariana Grande. However, Erivo made stylistic choices that grounded her character even more in real life.

In Wicked, Elphaba faces discrimination her entire life due to her skin color. As a Black woman, Erivo wanted her performance to represent herself and her relation to the character’s story. With this in mind, Erivo sought to switch up Elphaba’s original hairstyle. Despite most iterations featuring long, black, wavy hair, she chose a look that better aligns with her identity.

Erivo chose to pay homage to Black women by selecting micro braids for Elphaba. She decided upon braids because they resembled the hair her character typically has, yet slightly differed in texture.

“I asked if we could reimagine that hair as micro braids because I knew you’d still have the movement, and you could still have the length, but there was a texture that was slightly different to what you would normally see on stage, and it was a direct connection between me as a Black woman and Elphaba as a green lady,” the near-EGOT winning actress explained to Variety.

Erivo is the second Black woman to star as Elphaba since the musical’s first major production in 2023, with its 2024 adaptation being the first to hit theaters. The 37-year-old has spoken before about what this role means for her and other Black women. In a previous letter to the news outlet, she called the film and her character’s journey a “love letter” to those who have ever felt unwelcome.

“I hope it’s a bit of a love letter to everyone who feels different, who feels out of place, to all of the Black women who have walked into rooms and felt like they haven’t been welcomed,” wrote Erivo in November. “To anyone who’s walked into a room and felt they haven’t been welcomed. I am glad to be the conduit through which this character has been brought to the world.”

Since then, Erivo has garnered considerable acclaim for her role, recently earning a Golden Globe nomination for her performance.

Vikings.Rondale Moore, Die,25 — (Photo: Tetra Images/Getty Images)

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 18, 2024

Celebration Bowl Attendance Drops For Third Straight Year, But Television Ratings Up 37% Over 2023

Nearly 37,000 people witnessed Jackson State University defeat South Carolina State 28-7 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium last weekend.

Over the weekend, 36,823 attended the 2024 Crick Celebration Bowl in Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where Jackson State University defeated South Carolina State, 28-7.

But, according to HBCU Gameday, attendance dropped for the third straight season. In 2023, 41,108 watched Florida A&M get by Howard University 30-26 in 2023. In 2022, a record-breaking 49,670 fans came out to see North Carolina Central University beat Jackson State in overtime, 41-34.

Analysts say the venue’s size, much bigger than the previous stadium, the Georgia Dome (which was destroyed in 2017), contributed to the drop in attendance. Higher ticket prices and changes in logistics also affected turnout.

If this game had been played in the Georgia Dome, it would have surpassed 2015’s attendance of 35,528.

After canceling the 2020 bowl because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the game returned in 2021 with nearly 50,000 fans in attendance. That number has been attributed to Jackson State’s involvement as Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders was the team’s head coach.

But there is good news. The Celebration Bowl soared in television ratings, HBCU Gameday reported. The game, televised by ABC, drew an average of 2.1 million viewers, a 37% increase over last year.

“This year’s success reaffirms the Celebration Bowl’s role as the premier showcase for HBCU football,” John T. Grant, executive director of the Celebration Bowl, told HBCU Gameday. “The decision to adjust the game’s timing was strategic, and it clearly paid off. We are excited about the momentum this creates as we continue to elevate HBCU athletics on a national platform.”

Timing also helped.

“Moving the 2024 Cricket Celebration Bowl one week earlier proved to be a successful gamble,” HBCU Gameday’s Steven J. Gaither observed. “The shift avoided direct competition with the expanded College Football Playoff, ensuring the game retained a primetime spotlight on ABC.”

Doctoral Student, 83-Year-old Woman, Harvard — (Photo: Ian Lamont/flickr)

by Kandiss Edwards

December 18, 2024

Black Admissions At Harvard Law Is The Lowest Since 1965

In 1965, Harvard Law School saw 15 Black students in its graduating class.

Harvard Law School welcomed its lowest number of Black students this fall since the 1960s, according to the New York Times.

In 2023, the Supreme Court ruled against the reinstatement of affirmative action, saying that the implementation of the policy is unconstitutional as it violates the 14th Amendment’s equal protection clause.

Due to this reversal, Harvard’s Black admissions have decreased to barely above the size of its 15-member 1965 class.

“A student body composed of persons with a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences is a vital component of legal education,” said Jeff Neal, a spokesperson at Harvard Law School. “Harvard Law School remains committed to following the law and fostering an on-campus community and a legal profession that reflect numerous dimensions of human experience.”

The change in the policy seemingly works against creating diversity in higher education.

“The conclusions that can be drawn from one year of data are necessarily limited,” Neal said. “We continue to believe that a student body composed of persons with a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences is a vital component of legal education. Harvard Law School remains committed both to following the law and to fostering an on-campus community and a legal profession that reflects numerous dimensions of human experience.”

Harvard Law is not the only institution seeing low entrance numbers for Black students. There has been a decline of Black enrollees at other Predominantly White Institutions (PWI.)

Amherst College, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Washington University in St. Louis have all reportedly dropped in Black enrollment.

Danielle Holley, president of Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts, said removing racial data hampered the college’s ability to reach multiple demographics. Therefore, the college had to take alternative measures to find eligible, diverse candidates.

“That demographic information that used to be readily available for a student’s file is now masked,” Holley said.

Tiffany Haddish, comedian, payment — Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images for WGAW

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 18, 2024

Tiffany Haddish’s Ex-Friend Forced To Pay Comedian $95K In Legal Fees After Losing Defamation Suit

Tiffany Haddish was awarded more than $95,000 in legal fees after her ex-friend's defamation lawsuit was dismissed.

Tiffany Haddish will be reimbursed nearly $100,000 in legal fees after her former friend lost her defamation lawsuit against the comedian.

Recently obtained court documents reveal that Haddish was awarded $95,198 in legal fees after successfully shutting down Trizah Morris’s defamation claims, In Touch Weekly reported. The ruling comes more than a year after Morris filed a lawsuit against Haddish and fellow comedian Aries Spears, alleging they made false statements about her while defending themselves against a lawsuit brought by her two children.

Morris alleged that her children were the ones who sued Haddish and Spears, accusing them of sexualizing the kids in old comedy sketches filmed during their childhood. Haddish and Spears denied any wrongdoing, calling the lawsuit “nothing but a shakedown” attempt by Morris. This came a year after Morris’ daughter dismissed her initial lawsuit against Haddish.

In Morris’ lawsuit, she claimed Haddish’s legal team defamed her during her children’s case by making “defamatory, slanderous, and libel comments to the press.” Morris accused Haddish and Spears of trying to make it seem like she was trying to extort them by having her children, who were adults at the time, sue.

“The statements made against Trizah Morris are malicious, defamatory and slanderous representation of Trizah Morris.” Morris’s complaint added, “Aries Spears alleged that Trizah Morris was an extortionist and shakedown artist.”

“Trizah Morris never extorted or attempted to extort Tiffany Haddish and/or Aries Spears,” her suit read.

Morris claimed that the allegations about her ruined her reputation and caused her to suffer personally and professionally.

“Trizah Morris’ name and photograph appeared in blogs and media reports available all over the world as the cunning, conniving, deceitful ‘ex-friend’ of Tiffany Haddish,” her suit read.

In her defense, Haddish argued that Morris signed a settlement agreement in the lawsuit involving her children, which resolved all claims between the parties. Haddish asserted that Morris made a defamation claim before the contract was finalized.

After the children’s lawsuit was moved to arbitration, it was determined that Morris’s settlement agreement had released all claims against Haddish, preventing her from suing for defamation. As a result, Haddish was awarded $95,000 in legal fees, while Morris paid Spears $50,000.

It was also revealed that a friend, not Haddish or Spears, made the settlement payment. The friend, who ran a comedy camp that the adult children had attended and where Haddish had previously volunteered, agreed to pay $232,000.

Of this, $184,000 went to a charity selected by the Morris family, while $48,000 was placed in a trust account for Morris’ son, a minor at the time. Both parties agreed not to disparage each other, with a $100,000 penalty for any breach of this agreement.

JuJu Watkins, NCAA Women’s Basketball, USC, highest scoring, 920 points — (Photo: Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

by Daniel Johnson

December 18, 2024

Juju Watkins Part of Unrivaled’s Star-Studded $35 Million Series A Investment Round

According to Unrivaled president Alex Bazzell, Watkins wanted to make an investment in the basketball league.

Unrivaled, the new three-on-three women’s basketball league founded by Women’s National Basketball Association stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart intended to supplement the income of WNBA players in the off-season, closed its fundraising this week with $35 million.

According to a press release, the Series A investment round was led by the Berman Family, and according to Unrivaled president Alex Bazzell, Collier’s husband, the funds raised offer a look into the potential for women’s sports.

“Our players haven’t even taken the court yet, and the foundation we are building with our partners unites unparalleled expertise, strategic insight, and an incredible product,” Bazzell said. “Together, we’re setting the stage for Unrivaled for years to come.”

According to Sportico, the financial terms of those who invested were not disclosed, but notable names attached to the fundraising round include NBA star Giannis Antekoumpo, University of South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley, and USC star guard Juju Watkins.

Bazzell said that the league has made it a priority to accept investments from entities and individuals who were connected to sports properties during the investment round.

He also noted that Watkins, a sophomore, was clear about making an investment in the league, as opposed to an NIL deal offering equity in the league.

“You need people that can see a vision and aren’t worried about ‘How quickly can you exit?’” Bazzell told Sportico. “And then secondly, selfishly, for the business, we have to find partners who are willing to roll up their sleeves and utilize their networks and get us from point A to point B much quicker.”

He continued, “The priority was investing into the athletes and the resources to make a first impression. That’s why it was so great to raise the amount we raised—it gave us more flexibility to not have to be perfect out of the gate but to know that we have more than enough runway for multiple years before we have to concern ourselves with, ‘Where’s the next investment potentially come from?’”

Bazzell confirmed to SB Nation that the starting salary for the league’s players will come from an $8 million pool. The average salary for the players will be $242,000 but it would fall to $222,000 if all 48 slots are filled.

The WNBA’s current max salary is capped at $214,000.

Each athlete who participates in the league will also receive a stake of equity, which adds to the value of their contracts, and according to Bazzell, the coaches selected have strong player development backgrounds.

The league, which will run for nine weeks starting on January 17, also has plans for the venue being constructed in Miami to hold everything players need to compete, including a childcare center.

“The data is clear,” Bazzell said. “When you look at women’s sports and where it’s going, it’s not an oversaturated market right now. In men’s sports, you can go down the line and watch a number of different leagues or teams. Women’s sports are still at that tipping point. You’re going to see more growth in the coming years. And when you look at viewership numbers, women’s basketball is the pinnacle of that viewership.”