Expanding the LGBTQ+ Conversation

Normalizing Black Voices and Faces in Hockey

We're Keeping the Movement

As society has again been forced to reckon with the killing of Black women and men — such as Breonna Taylor and George Floyd — soccer players demanded the United States Soccer Federation repeal policy 604-1 and issue an apology. The federation has…

U.S. Soccer repealed the anthem policy, but regaining trust will be much more difficult

This won’t be your normal hockey edition of The IX. How can it be?
If I was tired of it all last week, I am beyond words to even begin to comprehend how I feel today. However, since I am the only Black writer on this staff, I am going to to call on…

The IX: Hockey Friday with Erica L. Ayala, May 29, 2020

A look at the unwavering unity of the national team and what it could mean for the gameThe U.S women’s national team continues to sail on cloud nine after winning on and off the ice. The newest deal with USA Hockey is a shiny notch on the way to a…

#BeBoldForChange: Where does women’s hockey go from here?

"I'm going to Sweden because of the way things were handled in the NWHL."On Monday, the NWHL announced the third player departure in the wake of salary cuts. Molly Engstrom of the Whale is the most recent separation; the former Connecticut captain is…

Molly Engstrom on her decision to play in Sweden

(Hi! Howard Megdal here. The IX helps build the necessary infrastructure for women’s sports media. In this moment, freelance budgets are being cut, reporters are losing their jobs. Women’s sports always bears the brunt of that first.
We hope you…

The IX Hockey Friday with Erica L. Ayala - May 8, 2020

(Hi! Howard Megdal here. The IX helps build the necessary infrastructure for women’s sports media. In this moment, freelance budgets are being cut, reporters are losing their jobs. Women’s sports always bears the brunt of that first.
We’re here for…

The IX: Hockey Friday with Erica L. Ayala, May 1, 2020

The IX: Hockey Friday with Erica L. Ayala, April 24, 2020

Sabrina Ionescu and her entourage sat on a couch in her mother’s California living room Friday night while they waited for the WNBA Draft to begin. Ionescu’s mother, Liliana Blaj, and father, Dan Ionescu, sat on either side of her; her older brother…

Inside the New York Liberty’s franchise-altering draft week

Michael Ainsworth/Associated Press
As a stream of racial slurs directed at the New York Rangers prospect K’Andre Miller popped up on fans’ screens during his online video chat with them this month, Alyx Farias was shocked yet not surprised.
Farias,…

A Black Hockey Player Faced Racial Taunts. Some Fans Aren’t Surprised.

(Hi! Howard Megdal here. The IX helps build the necessary infrastructure for women’s sports media. In this moment, you can expect freelance budgets to be cut, reporters to lose their jobs. History tells us that women’s sports always bears the brunt…

The IX Hockey Friday with Erica L. Ayala, April 10, 2020

Hi! Howard Megdal here. The IX helps build the necessary infrastructure for women’s sports media. In this moment, you can expect freelance budgets to be cut, reporters to lose their jobs. History tells us that women’s sports always bears the brunt of…

The IX Hockey Friday with Erica L. Ayala, April 3, 2020

The IX: Hockey Friday with Erica L. Ayala, March 27, 2020

On March 10, Penny Toler filed a lawsuit against the Los Angeles Sparks, her former employers Christine Simmons and Eric Holoman and upwards of 50 other people in Los Angeles County Court. Toler’s complaints for damages range from breach of…

Making sense of Penny Toler’s explosive lawsuit against the Sparks

Subscribers, thank you for your support! You’ve opted to join us for five different women’s sports newsletters in your inbox every week! The IX helps build the necessary infrastructure for women’s sports media. For our free weekly readers, it’s been…

The IX: Hockey Friday with Erica L. Ayala, March 6, 2020

In December, the New York Liberty announced Walt Hopkins as their eighth head coach in franchise history. General manager Jonathan Kolb spoke highly of Hopkins’ potential. Hopkins beamed at the opportunity to lead a franchise in Brooklyn where his…