Axios

WNBA star Brittney Griner pleaded guilty on Thursday in a Russian court to drug charges that carry up to 10 years in prison, Reuters and Russian state media report.

Why it matters: Griner's court appearance comes days after the basketball player wrote in a letter to President Biden that she is "terrified I might be here forever" and as the White House faces mounting public pressure to bring her home.

The Las Vegas Raiders have hired Sandra Douglass Morgan as its new team president, making her the first Black woman in NFL history to serve in the role.

The big picture: Morgan is just the third woman to serve as an NFL team president, joining the Buffalo Bills' Kim Pegula and the Carolina Panthers' Kristi Coleman, USA Today reports.

U.S. soccer player Megan Rapinoe on Thursday wore a white suit with Brittney Griner's initials embroidered into the lapel while receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House.

The big picture: Thursday's ceremony took place just hours after Griner, who has been detained in Russia since February, pleaded guilty to drug charges for carrying vape cartridges with cannabis oil in her luggage.

U.S. gymnast Simone Biles became the youngest person ever to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Thursday at 25 years of age.

Driving the news: President Joe Biden presented the nation's highest civilian honor to Biles and 16 other individuals, including former Rep. Gabby Giffords, the late Sen. John McCain and U.S. soccer player Megan Rapinoe.

Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from Wimbledon ahead of his semifinal match, tournament organizers announced on Thursday.

Why it matters: The 22-time majors champion withdrew due to an abdominal tear, ending his hopes of a calendar-year Grand Slam.

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal aren't the only tennis legends in action at Wimbledon this week.

Driving the news: Japan's Shingo Kunieda, the greatest wheelchair tennis player of all time, began his quest this morning to fill the only remaining gap on his résumé: winning the Wimbledon singles title.

Sabrina Ionescu had 31 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists on Wednesday to lead the Liberty past the Aces, 116-107, in a wild game that set WNBA records for points in regulation (223) and combined three-pointers (31).

By the numbers: There have been just 16 triple-doubles in WNBA history. Five have come in the past 46 days — two from Ionescu, two from Candace Parker and one from Moriah Jefferson.

President Biden plans to send WNBA star Brittney Griner a letter and is working to secure her release, he told Griner's wife, Cherelle Griner, in a phone call Wednesday.

Why it matters: Brittney Griner previously wrote a letter to President Biden asking him to help her and other American detainees in Russia. Biden read Cherelle Griner the letter he plans to send to Brittney, the White House said.

Phoenix Mercury star Diana Taurasi has called on the U.S. government to do whatever it takes to bring Brittney Griner home.

Driving the news: "We're expecting our U.S. government to do everything and anything possible to get 'BG' home as quick as possible," she told Axios.

NBA 2K23 will break a new barrier in gaming by having two WNBA athletes on the cover for the first time, Diana Taurasi told Axios in an interview last month.

Driving the news: WNBA stars Taurasi and Sue Bird will grace the cover of the WNBA edition of 2K23 opposite Michael Jordan, who will be one of two cover athletes for the regular edition of the game, 2K announced Wednesday.

American thoroughbred racing quietly changed forever this weekend.

Driving the news: The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority's new safety rules went into effect on Friday — the first phase of a two-part plan to create national standards for a scandal-ridden sport.