Thanks for reading: Support Women’s Sports is a fan-written and centered newsletter. It is the next step of a project I started in 2010 to elevate women’s sports stories and athletes. I am a full-time feminist creator and your support of this newsletter, both as a subscriber and member, helps me devote more space in my day for more content. Support this work by forwarding this newsletter to a few friends. Thanks.

— Veronica

Was this season getting boring for you? Cause, babe, wake up, more spice just arrived.

Tonight we may see Courtney Vandersloot take the court for the first time since she went down with an ACL injury at the United Center last season (see, this is why we stick to OUR court, y’all).

The upside: During our multiple losing streaks, the chatter has been about our injured stars. There is a crisis cause Skylar was hurt, then Rickea, and we’re waiting on Sloot. Now she’s making her comeback and a lot is riding on her to fix what is oh so wrong on this team.

Coach vs Floor General: Every team with a strong vet on their roster and that often makes her a de facto coach. But this player-coach is carrying baggage from her relationship with Angel Reese and how that may have impacted Reese being traded. Reese fans absolutely blame Sloot for the trade.

Even if she had zero influence in the decision, we need to take a look at how well she’s been coaching the younger players. This is why you bring back a beloved well-seasoned vet to finish her storied career in front of hometown fans. For the record, I’ve loved her play from the jump. I loved watching her play alongside her wife, Allie Quigley. I have a tee that says, “Vanderquigs.” That said, a vet brought in to support the next generation needs to, well, support the next generation.

As much of a fan I am of hers, I don’t think it’ll end our woes. Angel was correct in that she’s at the end of her career. We needed to be building the team around Angel.

That said, I’m excited that she’ll be back on the court. But she can’t paper over the poor leadership we have.

What’s next: The Chicago Sky take on the Portland Fire at home tonight. And the Aces arrive on Sunday at the United Center.

While this newsletter and the larger project of supporting women’s sports is my passion project, I still need to buy groceries and buy nachos at games.

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