With training camp less than a month away, the NFL is juggling three complex and potentially damaging legal challenges.
1. Daniel Snyder: A congressional hearing, which Snyder declined to attend, was held Wednesday by the House Oversight Committee, which released the findings of its Commanders investigation earlier in the day.
Team USA Artistic swimmer and two-time Olympian Anita Alvarez was rescued by her coach after she fainted while in the pool during the FINA World Aquatics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, on Wednesday.
Driving the news: Alvarez lost consciousness in the pool and began sinking to the bottom toward the end of her solo routine, causing Team USA coach Andrea Fuentes to jump in and rescue her, per Reuters.
Title IX, the landmark 1972 legislation that barred sex discrimination in education and paved the way for a decadeslong women's sports boom, turns 50 today.
Why it matters: Before Title IX, 294,000 girls were participating in high school sports nationwide and just 15% of NCAA athletes were women. Today, those numbers are roughly 3.4 million and 44%, respectively.
Basketball player Brittney Griner has been named an honorary WNBA All-Star and starter, the WNBA announced on Wednesday.
Why it matters: Griner has been detained in Russia, where she plays during the WNBA off-season, since February after agents allegedly found vape cartridges in her luggage. The U.S. considers her to be wrongfully detained.
Attempting the world record for pull-ups in 24 hours (currently 7,715) is among the most daunting challenges on Earth. It's also among the most popular.
Driving the news: Former NCAA wrestling champion Anthony Robles — born with one leg — was the latest to attempt the feat, falling short in a heroic effort last month.
Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder and his lawyers launched a "shadow investigation" to influence the NFL's internal investigation into workplace misconduct at the team and discredit victims and witnesses, according to investigative findings by the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.
Driving the news: Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.), chair of the Oversight Committee, said that she plans to issue a subpoena for Snyder's testimony after he declined to testify voluntarily at a hearing Wednesday, citing due process concerns.
The National Women's Soccer League and BreakingT, a rapid-production apparel company, have agreed to a licensed apparel deal.
Why it matters: This is BreakingT's first major pro league license and will enable the NWSL to celebrate and commercialize its most exciting teams, players and moments.
