• Slug: Sports–Phoenix Rising Postseason, 700 words.
• Photo available.

By Sebastian Mondaca Sepulveda
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – With only eight games left in the regular season, Phoenix Rising FC is battling to secure a playoff spot in the USL Championship. Despite Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Sacramento Republic FC, the defending champions remain in seventh place in the Western Conference.

The loss comes after a stretch of promising form, including two consecutive wins and five clean sheets in their last six matches. Interim coach Diego Gómez, who took over after the firing of Danny Stone, has been instrumental in turning Rising’s season around.

The club started the year with high expectations following its inspiring underdog run to the USL Championship in 2023. However, early results fell far short of those expectations. Continue reading “Road to a repeat: Phoenix Rising FC fighting to hold playoff position after Sacramento setback”

• Slug: Sports–Phoenix Mercury Reunion, 900 words.
• Photo available.

By Aya Abdeen
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner and guard Diana Taurasi are the only two active Mercury players who were on the 2014 WNBA championship team.

Toward the end of a ceremony Friday to honor that group, Taurasi told the crowd at Footprint Center, “Let’s do it again.”

The Mercury have been trying to do it again ever since that 2014 championship, and this year’s club hopes to use that season as motivation to add the organization’s fourth WNBA trophy this season. Continue reading “‘Let’s do it again’: Phoenix Mercury aim to channel 2014 championship spirit for another title”

• Slug: Sports–Diamondbacks Playoff Hunt Reserves, 1,090 words.
• Photo available.

By Sean Brennan
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo wasn’t surprised to see first baseman Christian Walker put up a two-home-run performance recently against the Texas Rangers.

And he knew that second baseman Ketel Marte’s 3-for-4 day less than 24 hours later, which helped the team to a two-game sweep of Texas, was in the making.

Marte and Walker, two cornerstones of Arizona’s infield, missed significant time with injuries, but Lovullo could afford to be patient. Continue reading “D-backups: Arizona Diamondbacks reserves come up big during hunt for playoffs”

• Slug: Sports–Diamondbacks Postseason Prep. 935 words.
• One photo available.

By Tyler Bednar
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – The 2024 Arizona Diamondbacks have experienced a whirlwind of a season. Coming off a miracle postseason run in 2023 that culminated with a trip to the World Series, the team started cold through the first two months of play, accumulating a 25-32 record. Now, with three weeks left before the playoffs, Arizona is back to its winning ways and eyes even more postseason magic.

With 16 games remaining in the regular season, the team is 82-64, first in the National League wild-card race, which the Diamondbacks lead over the San Diego Padres and New York Mets.

“Just staying positive,” starting pitcher Brandon Pfaadt said of manager Torey Lovullo’s message to the team as it embraces the season’s final stretch. “Playing the game that we’ve played all year and being consistent, I think that’s kind of what we’ve tried to do all year, and we’re certainly looking forward to doing it, even though it’s kind of later in the season.

Continue reading “Surging Diamondbacks prepare for crucial series against Brewers, hope for healthy lineup”

• Slug: Sports–Black QBs. 1,132 words.
• No photos.

By Ethan Desjardine
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – As the NFL wrapped up the opening week of the 2024 season, the prominence of Black quarterbacks continues to rise, solidifying their impact in the league and shaping the future of the most popular professional league in American sports.

The league saw a record number of African-American signal callers starting Week 1, with 15 of the 32 teams choosing Black quarterbacks to lead their offense, breaking the previous record set last season when 14 began the season as starters.

Black quarterbacks are not just starting at the most important position in sports, however – they are dominating.

Continue reading “Shattering stereotypes: The continued rise of Black NFL quarterbacks and the road ahead”

• Slug; Sports–Cardinals Wins. 600 words.
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• Graphic available.

By Jalen Witness Weathers
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – The NFL regular season is off to a familiar start for the Arizona Cardinals, who sit at 0-1 for the third straight year. After finishing 4-13 in each of the past two seasons, their Week 1 loss to the Buffalo Bills raises questions about whether this year will be different or more of the same.

With 17 games in an NFL regular season, every matchup matters. The Cardinals face a win total of 6.5, according to FanDuel, and to prove Las Vegas and bettors wrong, Kyler Murray & Co. must reach seven victories – something they haven’t achieved since their 11-6 campaign in 2021.

In the past decade, the Cardinals have never posted fewer than seven wins in three consecutive seasons. With a relatively easier schedule this season – they rank 24th in strength of schedule – Arizona plans to maintain its streak, starting with a much-needed victory Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams.

Continue reading “Betting on a turnaround: Arizona Cardinals aim to surpass 6.5-win total after tough Week 1”

• Slug-Sports-Celeste Taylor Mercury. 1,100 words.
• 3 photos available.

By Connor Moreno
Cronkite News

PHOENIX — Twenty-one days. It’s not a lot of time. It’s three quarters of a month; six percent of a year.

But it was enough time for rookie guard Celeste Taylor to secure a roster spot with the Phoenix Mercury for the rest of the season. All it took was three seven-day contracts, each day more important than the last.

How would Taylor describe those three weeks? Emotional, anxious and impactful.

Taylor was signed to a rest-of-season contract with the Mercury on Sept. 6 after appearing in 10 games with the team and averaging 3.3 points, 1.8 assists and 1.3 rebounds in 16.9 minutes per game.

Of all the feelings and difficulties of her unique rookie season, Taylor’s initial reaction to the contract was one of fulfillment.

“(I feel) accomplished working through the things I had to work through to get to where I’m at,” Taylor said.

Continue reading “Three contracts, one dream: Celeste Taylor takes peripatetic journey to Phoenix Mercury roster”

• Slug: Sports-Isaiah Thomas Free Agency. 1,050 words.
• 3 photos available.

By Dylan Ackermann
Cronkite News

TACOMA – NBA free agency has been underway for more than two months, and many players are still searching for their next home.

Among them, only one has finished in the top five in MVP voting, top three in points per game in a season, earned All-NBA Second Team honors and is a two-time All-Star: former Phoenix Suns guard Isaiah Thomas.

Since signing a one-year deal with the Wizards in the 2019 offseason, Thomas has not secured a contract before the start of the regular season. Over the past four seasons, he has played just 31 games, with the 2022-2023 season being a complete absence.

For someone who, as Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard put it, “pretty much reached the pinnacle of being at the best,” Thomas, at 35 years old, is not ready to ride off into the sunset just yet.

Continue reading “Loving IT: Former Suns guard Isaiah Thomas embraces grind in quest for NBA comeback”

• Slug: Sports-Cam Skattebo ASU, 685 words.
• 3 photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Patrick Holleron
Cronkite News

TEMPE – To say Cam Skattebo had a good game is an understatement.

Skattebo was the fulcrum of the Arizona State offense against Mississippi State, rushing for 262 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 33 carries. He also caught three passes for 35 yards.

Skattebo’s 262 rushing yards are the second most in school history and earned the senior running back Associated Press national player of the week honors. He saved his best highlight for last, breaking off a 39-yard run that allowed Arizona State to set up in victory formation and run out the clock for a 30-23 win in front of more than 45,000 fans at Mountain America Stadium. Continue reading “‘He mauls people’: Inside Cam Skattebo’s career game to push Arizona State past Mississippi State”

• Slug: Sports-Big 12 Tiebreaker Championship, 450 words.
• Photo available (thumbnail, caption below).

By Chase Clemens
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – On the eve of Week 2 games for Arizona and Arizona State, the schools learned more about how their new conference will crown its champion.

The Big 12 announced its new tiebreaking policy Friday, which determines who will play in the conference title game if there is a tie.

Both teams are 1-0 and host games Saturday night. The Widcats face Northern Arizona and the Sun Devils will take on Mississippi State.

Continue reading “Big 12 reveals tiebreaker procedures to determine 2024 conference championship teams”

• Slug: Sports-Phoenix Mercury Resurgence, 830 words.
• Photo available (thumbnail, caption below).

By Aya Abdeen
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – One year ago, the Phoenix Mercury were a train wreck on an 11-game, season-ending losing skid that curtailed their consecutive postseason streak since 2012, with Diana Taurasi and other key players sidelined due to injuries.

Fast forward to September, and the organization appears re-energized following an offseason overhaul that saw only three players returning, along with the installation of a new coaching staff. The team’s energy on and off the court has improved thanks to the additions of Natasha Cloud, Rebecca Allen and Kahleah Copper, bolstered by the playoff and championship experience from the duo of Brittney Griner and Taurasi.

It is also clear there is still work to do. A tough loss Thursday to the Washington Mystics that saw no starters come to the postgame interview room afterward suggests the Mercury are still trying to right the ship. Continue reading “Year of change: From last place to playoff berth, Phoenix Mercury beginning to find their stride”

• Slug: Sports-Arizona Football McMillan, 620 words.
• Photo available (thumbnail, caption below).

By Saleh Awwad
Cronkite News

TUCSON – For a half Saturday, it appeared Arizona wasn’t quite ready for the Big 12 Conference as the Wildcats struggled against New Mexico in the debut of coach Brent Brennan.

Before the night was over, however, the Wildcats demonstrated that the offensive firepower of sophomore quarterback Noah Fifita and junior wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan will be all that the team’s new conference can handle as the Wildcats gave Brennan his first victory at the helm.

With a handful of NFL scouts in attendance, McMillan – affectionately known to his teammates and UA football fans as “T-Mac” – hauled in 10 passes for a school-record 304 yards, scoring four touchdowns as the Wildcats trounced the Lobos, 61-39. Continue reading “304 yards for receiver Tetairoa McMillan casts attention on Arizona football, new coach Brent Brennan”

• Slug: Sports-ASU Quarterback Follow, 600 words.
• Photo available (thumbnail, caption below).

By Tucker Sennett
Cronkite News

TEMPE – In an era when some college quarterbacks are as old as 25 – hello, Utah’s Cam Rising – Arizona State’s Sam Leavitt is just a young pup. However, in his first collegiate start against the University of Wyoming, the native of West Linn, Oregon, proved age is just a number.

“I wasn’t too nervous going into this game,” the 19-year-old redshirt freshman said after Saturday’s 48-7 victory over the Cowboys. “That’s a testament to the coaching staff and the team.”

The Sun Devils as a whole showed few nerves while pummeling Wyoming 48-7 in their season opener at Mountain America Stadium. Continue reading “‘Be yourself’: Quarterback Sam Leavitt proves experience isn’t everything in strong ASU debut against Wyoming”

• Slug: Sports-Grass League Golf, 1,540 words.
• 4 photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Jack Reeves
Cronkite News

TEMPE – The World Series, Super Bowl, World Cup, Olympics, and the Rose Bowl all have something in common. Yes, they are among the world’s most famous sporting events, but one unique feature ties them together: each event is played under the lights.

While that may seem obvious, not all sporting events benefit from playing under the lights, especially in golf. Countless golf tournaments have been postponed due to darkness, requiring an early morning finish. But what if there was a way to play not just a few extra holes, but an entire round during primetime hours?

Enter the Grass League. Established in February, the startup league has brought a new vision to the game loved worldwide. Continue reading “Golf after dark: Grass League ushers in new era with primetime professional, amateur tournaments under the lights”

• Slug: Sports-Paralympic Archer Bennett, 750 words.
• Photo available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Sydney Lovan
Special for Cronkite News

PARIS – Full-time teacher by morning, Paralympic athlete by afternoon and a father always, Team USA archer Eric Bennett is embarking on his fifth Paralympic Games with his sights set on a prize bigger than the gold medal: his family in attendance to watch him shoot.

Bennett, a Surprise native and graduate of Northern Arizona University, began practicing archery when he was 7 and quickly found a passion for the sport until he lost his right arm at 15, when a drunk driver hit the car in which he was a passenger. It wasn’t until about 10 years later that he started shooting again, this time with help from his father.

“When I realized that I could shoot again, that’s when a fire was lit, and I had gotten my love back,” said Bennett, who is set to compete in the recurve Para Archery event beginning Thursday in Paris. Continue reading “Arizona archer Eric Bennett prepares for fifth Paralympics, this time with family by his side”

• Slug: Sports-WNBA Salary Minimum, 1,400 words.
• 2 photos available (thumbnails, captions below).
• graphic available.

By Joshua Heron
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – On June 27, Liz Dixon sat on a furniture top in the Verizon 5G Performance Center hallway, discussed the difficulties of living on a WNBA minimum contract and knew she was vulnerable on the one-year, $64,154 deal that offered little to no security and stability.

Five days later, the Phoenix Mercury waived the forward.

“One of the hardships is teams can get anybody under minimal contracts,” Dixon said. “You’re already paying me less than everybody else, but what if one day they don’t need you? They’ll want somebody else they can get. They can get another vet at the exact same price as a rookie. So it’s more like, ‘Hey, even though I am making the minimum payment, am I still needed? Am I still an asset to them?” Continue reading “Minimum salaries, max effort: The unseen financial hardships of Phoenix Mercury and WNBA players”