Daily Skimm Weekend: July Like a Firefly

Skimm’d while texting with Chrissy Teigen and Pepper Thai July 9, 2022 [Read in browser]( [theSkimm Logo] Daily Skimm [Weekend with a bike]( Skimm’d while texting with [Chrissy Teigen and Pepper Thai]( What's Happening …in your Twitter feed: Still more [tweets from Elon Musk](. But maybe no more takeover. …in your book club: Recs for every reader, courtesy of [theSkimm]( and [#BookTok](. …in your suitcase: Very specific, very confusing [wedding dress codes]( (hi, "South Beach Chic"). As if there isn’t enough to worry about. ...in your watchlist: [Ghost hunting]( with Kesha. [And hiding out]( with celebs’ lesser-known relatives. Away Game Design: theSkimm | Photo: Getty Images All eyes on Brittney Griner: After nearly five months of being “[wrongfully detained](,” the world’s attention is on the American WNBA All-Star as she [stands trial]( in Russia. Let’s not forget why the league’s best offensive player was overseas in the first place. The Story In the US, the average NBA base salary is reportedly $5.4 million, nearly [45 times as much]( as the WNBA's average of $120,600. Result: About half of the players spend their off seasons abroad, to earn extra money. In February, as she has done for several years, Griner was [traveling to Russia]( to play with the team UMMC Ekaterinburg, when she [was arrested and detained]( — a [week]( before the country invaded Ukraine. Many have speculated that if it’d been [Steph Curry]( or [LeBron James]( instead, American outrage would be [off the charts](. But that response was [muted for Griner](. Why's that? American female athletes don’t have the same clout — or [media coverage]( — as male athletes. Reminder: The door for women in sports wasn’t really opened until [Title IX]( in 1972. (And there’s still [a long way to go](.) Not to mention, the WNBA didn’t even exist until 1997. Today, the league nets a fraction of the NBA's average TV viewers and in-person crowds, according to ESPN. The women’s teams play 46 fewer in-season games than the men — meaning, less opportunity to gain fans. Or the kind of fame that results in lucrative sponsorships. All of which ends up affecting how much women’s basketball players, even All-Stars like Griner, can be [paid](. Explain. The WNBA is working with much less revenue. The league doesn’t release exact numbers, but one sports economist [estimates]( it’s around $70 million. (For perspective, that wouldn’t even cover the combined NBA salaries of LeBron James and Steph Curry.) Still, the WNBA is trying to make strides: In 2020, it [reached a deal]( with the players’ union for pay increases and new benefits, like paid maternity leave. And this year, it raised [$75 million]( in hopes of shifting its business model — and turning its athletes into “household names.” But that’s not likely to change the fact (at least, for now) that many players will still have to rely on working in foreign leagues to supplement their income. theSkimm Griner’s situation is shining a light on how unequally American female athletes are regarded — and paid. Everyone could be doing more: The WNBA. The corporate sponsors. And the public. If you’re outraged, go to a game. Or watch one on TV, as soon as tomorrow, when the league hosts its 2022 All-Star Game — which Griner would [surely be playing in](, if she were home. PS: We've got more on Brittney Griner — from why she was arrested to the latest with her trial — [here](. [Facebook]([Twitter]([Email](mailto:?body=Brittney Griner’s trial is shining a light on WNBA pay #theSkimm%0A3Ftype%3Demailurl%26r%3DSKIMM%26utm_source%3Demail%26utm_medium%3Ddsshare%23away-game) Eyes On: Abortion Access Design: theSkimm | Photo: Getty Images ICYMI, President Joe Biden took some steps yesterday to protect abortion access. He blasted the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and called on voters and on Congress to do more, too. Then he signed [an executive order]( that: - Directs HHS to find ways to safeguard access to abortion medicine and emergency contraception nationwide. - Tasks the same agency to educate people on potentially tricky situations with authorities — since doctors and patients in some states are afraid of being sued or charged with crimes. - Convenes volunteer lawyers to provide free legal representation and help navigate new restrictions. - Asks the FTC to find ways to protect the privacy of people searching for reproductive care info online. TBD on how any of that plays out in practice. Either way, some are saying it falls short of what they [had hoped for]( (think: setting up clinics on federal land). But Biden said lasting change would have to come from Congress. And voters. [Facebook]([Twitter]([Email](mailto:?body=Biden signed an EO about abortion #theSkimm%0A3Ftype%3Demailurl%26r%3DSKIMM%26utm_source%3Demail%26utm_medium%3Ddsshare%23custom) Bookmark'd Here's a look at the reads we’ve saved, texted, and emailed to our friends… [Family Recipes Etched in Stone. Gravestone, That Is](…a new trend in taking cherished recipes to the grave. [The Ubiquitous Look That Took Over a Generation’s Homes](…a deep dive into curvy chairs, velvet touches, and all things ‘Mid-century millennial.’ [Want Closer Friendships? Move Away From Your Friends](…turns out, distance can make the heart grow fonder. [Facebook]([Twitter]([Email](mailto:?body=Here are your weekend long reads #theSkimm%0A3Ftype%3Demailurl%26r%3DSKIMM%26utm_source%3Demail%26utm_medium%3Ddsshare%23custom) Downtime Design: theSkimm | Photo: iStock Downtime doesn’t have to mean doing nothing. Here’s one idea for making the most of your weekend. Nothing screams summer more than lazy days at the shore. But most people can’t make it to the beach every weekend. So here are a few ways to recreate that feeling at home. First things first: Find the perfect sunny spot, whether that’s in your backyard, at your local park, or on your rooftop. Bonus points if there’s water nearby — and don’t forget to apply [sunscreen](. Then, dress up in your easiest, breeziest beach-ready look (think: a [high-waisted swimsuit](, [some chic sunnies](, and [a good sun hat](). And pack [everything you need]( for a day of fun in the sun, like a blanket, an outdoor speaker, and — of course — a picnic with your go-to snacks. Don’t forget to bring entertainment, like an outdoor game (tip: [pickleball]( is popular for a reason) or [a bingeable beach read](. Because, keeping up with summer rituals can tide you over ‘til the next time your toes hit the sand. [Facebook]([Twitter]([Email](mailto:?body=Life’s a beach #theSkimm%0A3Ftype%3Demailurl%26r%3DSKIMM%26utm_source%3Demail%26utm_medium%3Ddsshare%23custom) Skimm Picks Here are today’s recs to help you live a smarter life… 1. Stuff that'll help you stay cool all summer long. We’re talking [inflatable pool options]( for your backyard and some items under $25 that’ll make the [heat more manageable](. Time to chill out. 2. Bathing suits and cover-ups you'll be looking for any excuse to wear. Because no matter the temps, you should always [showcase your style](. PS: [These swimsuits]( are totally worth your money and will last ya years. 3. Tons of comfortable shoes you'll wanna wear out. Stiff sandals with no arch support? Thank you, next. Here are [some pairs]( made for walkin', plus [a few more]( to dance in. You're welcome. Skimm More More Skimm, more knowledge. Here’s what else we covered this week… - A guide to [emergency contraception]( - The truth on how long caffeine [stays in your system]( - Just in time for wedding season, here’s how much you should [spend on a ring]( - What Megan Rapinoe and Denzel Washington [have in common]( Save the Date Like ours, your work and personal calendars are probably hectic. So here are some events you should know about... [Amazon Prime Day](. So many deals, so little time. [Bastille Day](. Vive la France. Lizzo’s [new album]( is released. About damn time. PS: Want more events like this on your cal? theSkimm App gives you a heads-up on when everything from holidays to sports games to awards shows are going down. Download it [here](. [Facebook]([Twitter]([Email](mailto:?body=Three things to add to your cal this week #theSkimm%0A3Ftype%3Demailurl%26r%3DSKIMM%26utm_source%3Demail%26utm_medium%3Ddsshare%23custom) theSkimm Loyalty Program Design: theSkimm Don't miss out on the latest member-only discounts. We’re saying hello to self-care staples, gifts, and more — and goodbye to full prices. [Log in or join]( theSkimm Loyalty Program to get in on the savings. Skimm'd by Rasheeda Campbell, Xian Chiang-Waren, Melissa Goldberg, and Clem Robineau Subscribe Listen [Daily Skimm ❯]( Today’s headlines, Skimm’d [Skimm This ❯]( This week’s news, Skimm’d [Skimm Money ❯]( The week’s news and your $ [9 to 5ish with theSkimm ❯]( Our weekly career podcast [Skimm Your Life ❯]( Shopping recs, reads, and more [Pop Cultured with theSkimm ❯]( Weekly pop culture podcast Download [theSkimm App ❯]( The app for all things Skimm [app store icon]( [Instagram]([TikTok]([LinkedIn]([Twitter]([Facebook]( [theSkimm.com]( Skimm’d something we missed? skimmthis@theskimm.com Issues? help@theskimm.com [Advertise with us]( | [Careers]( [See our full sponsor agreement]( | [Unsubscribe]( Copyright (c) 2022 theSkimm, All rights reserved. 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