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[theSkimm Logo] Daily Skimm WEEKEND [Header Image]( [Together with]( [WW Weight Watchers]( Skimmâd with [the ultimate weight loss accountability partner]( âFrankmobileâ â [The new name]( for Oscar Mayerâs iconic Wienermobile. Hot diggity dog. theSkimm With Sabreena Merchant The [2023 WNBA season]( tipped off last night â and the league isnât playing around. During her first official WNBA game since returning to the US, [Brittney Griner]( had 18 points, six rebounds, and four blocks in 25 minutes. While [the Washington Mystics]( scored a surprisingly easy win over the New York Liberty. Expect plenty more action as the leagueâs 12 teams each play a record 40 games over the next few months. To learn more about the hoopla, we spoke to [Sabreena Merchant](, a womenâs basketball staff writer at [The Athletic](. Hereâs what she had to say... Q: What will be some of the biggest storylines this season? Now that the investigation into the [defending champions] Las Vegas Aces [has been resolved](, I imagine most of the conversation will revert to their chances for a second consecutive title. A team hasnât repeated as champions since 2002 and this might be the best chance any team has had since then, other than the 2017 Minnesota Lynx. I think that quest for a second consecutive title will be the dominant storyline, especially now that the Aces have added Candace Parker and Alysha Clark. Also, the continued rivalry between Aâja Wilson and Breanna Stewart. Theyâve won three of the last five MVP awards and theyâre easily the top two players in the league. So I expect to see the two of them continue to bring out the best in each other. And thereâs the return of Brittney Griner, which is going to be of great interest â not just to fans in Phoenix, but also around the country. Q: Speaking of Griner, her detainment in Russia highlighted the fact that many players head overseas during the off-season to supplement their WNBA salary. Has the league made any changes since then? The current collective bargaining agreement runs until 2027 and the players association doesnât have the opportunity to opt out until 2025. So itâs unlikely that salaries are going to change for at least the next three years. I do think that the league has put in more effort to create off-season opportunities for players that are stateside ... [but] theyâre fairly limited ... Also, just having the ability to play basketball year-round is hard for a lot of players to pass up because the league only has 12 teams. So thereâs only so many minutes to go around. And if youâre trying to develop yourself as a young player, itâs really hard to do that when youâre not getting the time on the court ... I think players will continue to go overseas so long as there are limited opportunities to play in the WNBA. Q: Are there any other players that fans should keep an eye on? Weâve got the number one pick, Aliyah Boston, fresh off of a collegiate career where she only lost nine games. Now, itâs quite possible sheâll lose more than that during her first season with the Indiana Fever, but Indiana has so much young talent â Grace Berger, Lexi Hull, Taylor Mikesell, Kelsey Mitchell. Thatâll be a really interesting team to watch ... I also think Atlanta is a team to watch [with] last yearâs rookie of the year, Rhyne Howard. The team also just brought in Allisha Gray, whoâs been underrated for the bulk of her career. And it has two incredible rookies, Haley Jones and Laeticia Amihere. Q: The WNBAâs 2022 season was its [most watched]( in 14 years. What does its growing popularity mean for the league and womenâs basketball? The future of womenâs basketball in this country is the WNBA. Itâs great that college basketball is [achieving new heights](, but players are maxed out at four years. Whereas careers in the WNBA can span 15 or 20 years. So for womenâs basketball to have a permanent foothold in the sports landscape, it needs to be in the WNBA. And in order for basketball not to get lapped by soccer or volleyball or other sports young girls are gravitating towards, there needs to be an example to strive towards. There needs to be something that little girls can grow up dreaming of achieving. That means continuing to make the WNBA as attractive as possible â pouring more money into the league, expanding to more than 12 markets across the country, and making it easier for people to actually follow teams. Psst, this interview has been edited for length and clarity. [Facebook]([Twitter]([Email](mailto:?body=What to watch for during the 2023 WNBA season #theSkimm%0A3Ftype%3Demailurl%26r%3DSKIMM%26utm_source%3Demail%26utm_medium%3Ddsshare%23custom) What's Happening ð In entertainment... Despite the ongoing [writersâ strike](, [the Tony Awards]( will be able to give its regards to Broadway on June 11. On the big screen, Disneyâs â[Haunted Mansion](â is coming back to life. (Fingers crossed youâll actually be able to [tell whatâs going on](.) Meanwhile, on the small screen, if you couldnât help but wonder when â[And Just Like That](â was coming back, the answerâs here. Plus, âThe Bachelorâ franchise will enter [its golden years]( this fall. And [Reba McEntire will take her seat]( â well, Blake Sheltonâs seat â on âThe Voice.â In music news, the party donât start âtil you play Keshaâs [new album](. Same with the long-awaited new music from [Dave Matthews Band](. --------------------------------------------------------------- ð In style⦠Still not over the eleganza extravaganza that is [RuPaulâs house](? Same. Even if you donât have the space for your own disco ball room, you can make a splash with some [mermaidcore](. Though, if youâre currently saying âsashay awayâ to [home improvement projects](, youâre not alone. In fashion news, [kitten heels]( may be the purr-fect summer sandal. The [Wes Anderson aesthetic]( may help you tap into main character energy. And as some Swifties leave a blank space in their closets for [tour merch](, other people are guilty of loving [trial merch](. Plus, ring the alarm, because Beyoncé is apparently launching a [haircare line](. --------------------------------------------------------------- ð In adulting⦠Too tired to prioritize [healthier habits](? Maybe try adding a few more â[filler episode](â days to your schedule. Or, if that doesnât work, maybe the [May new moon]( can help you enter a new phase. Speaking of new phases, some are opening their hearts to [polyamory](, while others are saying âI doâ to [sologamy](. And an increasing number of [Jewish singles]( are saying âmatchmaker, matchmaker, make a match.â Meanwhile, for parents, little feelings have become [the biggest thing](. At least, [for now](. Oh and if you feel like your home is covered in their toys â or [your toys]( â there are some [solutions]( you can, ahem, toy around with. Skimm Reads â[Dances](â by Nicole Cuffy...Raise your hand if you love a ballet novel. Meet Cece, who has just become the first Black ballerina to become a principal dancer at the New York City ballet. This debut follows her as she juggles major media attention, a complicated relationship with her white ballet partner, and the disappearance of her beloved brother. It pairs beautiful writing (full of arabesques, etc.) with an exploration of racism in the dance world, and gets at what itâs really like to be a professional performer. Skimm Picks Here are todayâs recs to help you live a smarter life⦠1. The vacuum you need if your hair gets absolutely everywhere. Guilty. Good thing [this Dyson Ball Vacuum]( has three cleaning modes and seven unique tools (including a detangler) to tackle debris on virtually any surface. Snag it today and get $100+ off.* [Go on](
--------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Our review of Jones Road beauty products. We tried items in their [101 Set]( to see if they're universally flattering. Does this makeup make the cut? [Find out](
--------------------------------------------------------------- 3. Up to 50% off at Goodee's Anniversary Sale. Chic [home goods]( are calling your name, so don't miss out on this opportunity to upgrade your space. [Start shopping]( Psst...looking for more discounts on brands Skimm'rs love? Check out all of our exclusive promo codes [here](. Weekend Escape *Slams laptop shut until Monday.* We know the feeling. And weâve got some tips for escape. If youâre one of the [42 million Americans]( traveling for Memorial Day, you might want to buckle up. Experts say next weekend is supposed to be [one of the busiest]( in more than two decades. So whether youâre hitting the road or [heading to the airport](, expect some company. That said, a little planning can go a long way. Here's how to get going... - Pack wisely. Turns out, bigger isnât always better â particularly when it comes to [suitcases](. To avoid bringing more than you need, stick to a carry-on. And try the [5, 4, 3, 2, 1 rule](. Now to make sure everything fits, consider using [packing cubes]( and placing bulkier items, like shoes, at the bottom of your bag. To save even more space, you could also try the [rolling method](. - Prep your house. All that packing can get chaotic. And if coming home from a dreamy vacation wasnât already tough, [returning to a mess]( ups the ante. So take a little time before leaving to tidy up. That could include putting fresh sheets on the bed, putting away any clothes that didnât make the cut, taking out the trash, and running the dishwasher. Future you will thank you. - Get a head start. Memorial Day is notorious for crowds, so it helps to be a bit strategic with your travel plans. Experts say Friday, May 26, will be the [busiest driving day](, so consider hitting the road early in the morning, after 6 pm, or even the night before. If youâre flying, itâs best to give yourself some [extra time]( â meaning, get to the airport at least two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights. And to make security run smoother, keep your ID, ticket info, and [toiletries]( easily accessible. - Pack patience. Traveling can be stressful, so dedicate a few minutes to mentally prepare for your trip â whether thatâs double checking your itinerary or just taking a few deep breaths. And bring a couple items that can help you find calm even if things get chaotic. Think: downloading your favorite playlist or guided meditation, packing some comforting snacks, or bringing a [book]( you canât put down. News Quiz Letâs see how well you kept up with the Daily Skimm this week. Which star is cooking up two new shows on Food Network? A. Hailey Bieber B. Miley Cyrus C. Selena Gomez D. Demi Lovato Check back tomorrow for the answer. But if you just need to know, youâll find what youâre looking for [here](. Did you like this newsletter?
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