CHICAGO — News that the New York Liberty have a valuation of $450 million, a record for a women’s sports team, isn’t just cause for celebration.

It’s a warning shot.

The days of treating women’s teams like charity projects with owners thinking they can run their franchises on the cheap are over. You can either invest, like the Liberty’s Clara Wu Tsai and husband Joe Tsai have, or you’re going to get left behind.

That should have been clear after the Chicago Sky lost pretty much the entire 2021 championship team to free agency. Or from the mass exodus from the Connecticut Sun this past off-season.

If it wasn’t, and we’ll get to that in a moment, the Liberty valuation is making it clear. With fireworks and blaring lights, no less.

According to The Athletic, the Liberty recently sold a portion of the team to investors in a deal that valued the franchise at $450 million. That not only makes the defending champions the most valuable women’s franchise in the world, it is more than double a $208 million valuation for the Dallas Wings just a year ago.

“I’ve been in this league for a really long time, and it’s just great to see the evolution,” Liberty coach Sandy Brondello said ahead of Monday night’s game against the Sky.

“Everyone is pushing for excellence, and it does start at the top. It starts with ownership,” she said. “We’ve got the best owners in the WNBA and they’re going to keep pushing for us to keep growing, us and collectively as a league.”

This isn’t just a case of the Liberty being a New York team or having a roster of stars. Once relegated to suburban Westchester County, Wu Tsai has described the Liberty as “a distressed asset” when she and her husband bought them in 2019.

But they invested. Quickly and deeply. They moved the team to Brooklyn. Gave the team first-class facilities at Barclays Center. Created a mascot, Ellie the Elephant, who has become a social media phenomenon — and money maker — in her own right.

It was these kind of moves that attracted the big names, like MVPs Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones. The sponsors followed in droves. Liberty Mutual. Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty. Essie. And on and on it goes.

“It’s a testament to what investment will do,” said Natasha Cloud, who came to the Liberty in an off-season trade. “If you fully invest as our owners have, as our front office, as our staff has, that (valuation) number clearly is a reason as to why.

“That’s what we talk about when investing into women’s sports,” Cloud added. “It’s not only enough to be here supporting. You have to put your money into it, too, so that we can continue to climb. The demand has never been higher.”

This is where the warning part comes in.

The players know their value. They’ve always known it, but now that they know others do, too, they’re not going to settle for less. The smart owners know that, which is why we’ve seen the facilities arms race accelerate so quickly.

But there are still teams that are treading water. Yes, Los Angeles Sparks, Chicago Sky, Washington Mystics and Connecticut Sun, this means you.

The Sky did announce plans last year to build their own practice facility — not anywhere close to the city, mind you — and even had a groundbreaking ceremony. But now it’s delayed by six months. Which means Angel Reese, Kamilla Cardoso, Courtney Vandersloot and Co. will spend yet another season sharing their practice space with senior citizens and weekend warriors at a suburban rec center that is even less close to the city.

And despite the Sky saying they planned to recognize their 20^th season with an anniversary logo “across on-court, in-arena, digital, content, and merch assets,” that logo was conspicuously absent from the Wintrust Arena court Thursday night.

These things sneak up on you, I guess.

Connecticut has at least acknowledged its inability to keep pace, with Sportico reporting two weeks ago that the Mohegan Sun have hired an investment firm to explore a sale of the franchise.

There’s money to be made in women’s sports. A lot of money, when the new $2 billion media rights deal begins next year. But like in all businesses, you’re going to have to spend money in order to make money.

Owners who can’t, or won’t, are on notice.

Follow USA TODAY Sports columnist Nancy Armour on social media @nrarmour.

No Caitlin Clark 3-pointers? No problem for the Indiana Fever.

The Fever star didn’t hit a single 3-pointer for the first time in her WNBA career, but her team held on to beat the Atlanta Dream 81-76 on Thursday.

It was a frustrating 3-point shooting night for Indiana overall, but especially for Clark. She was mostly quiet on the night as she dealt with foul trouble, finishing with 11 points, six assists and four rebounds. From 3-point land, she went 0-for-5.

It’s the first time she’s played a game without a made 3 since Jan. 13, 2022, when she was a sophomore at Iowa.

Despite the tough night for Clark, Indiana dominated near the bucket. Natasha Howard had a game-high 26 points on 12-for-17 shooting as the Fever outscored Atlanta 46-20 in the paint. The Dream did most of their damage from behind the arc with 10 made 3-pointers. Rhyne Howard led Atlanta with 24 points and three makes from behind the arc.

It was back-and-forth for much of the game and Atlanta led with less than three minutes to go, but Kelsey Mitchell made her first 3-pointer of the night when it mattered most, putting the Fever ahead for good with 85 seconds left. Indiana closed the game on a 10-1 run.

Indiana gets revenge after Atlanta defeated the Fever at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Tuesday and moves to 2-1 on the season.

Caitlin Clark, Fever vs. Dream highlights

Caitlin Clark stats tonight

• Points: 11
• Assists: 6
• Rebounds: 4
• Steals: 1
• Blocks: 0
• Turnovers: 4
• Fouls: 5
• Shooting: 4-for-11
• 3-point shooting: 0-for-5
• Free throws: 3-for-5

Fever closing in on victory

Indiana is on its way to hanging on, leading 80-76 with five seconds left. Caitlin Clark found Aliyah Boston for a critical layup to extend the lead, and Atlanta couldn’t respond.

Indiana leads Atlanta with one minute left

Kelsey Mitchell hits her first 3-pointer of the game to give Indiana a 76-75 lead. Caitlin Clark then hits one of two free throw attempts to make it a two-point ballgame in the final minute.

Caitlin Clark in foul trouble

It’s been a frustrating night for Clark, and it could end early. She picked up her fifth foul with 2:32 left in the game and one more will result in her fouling out. Atlanta has a 75-71 lead.

Brittney Griner fouls out

It’s another early exit for Brittney Griner. She fouls out with 3:38 left in the contest, the second straight game she has fouled out against Indiana. It wasn’t a quiet night for Griner as she was mostly in foul trouble with five points, seven rebounds and one block.

Atlanta leads 71-68.

End of 3rd: Fever 61, Dream 58

This game looks like it will go down to the wire with the Fever up by three points with 10 minutes left.

Atlanta had a run sparked by Te-Hina Paopao to tie it midway through the third quarter before Indiana gained some control back. Despite the lead, it’s been a relatively quiet night for Clark as she has just six points, five assists and one rebound. However, it’s been the Natasha Howard show for Indiana. She’s been efficient on the floor with a game-high 21 points on 10-for-14 shooting as the Fever have dominated near the bucket.

Despite not shooting the ball as well as Indiana, Atlanta has relied on the 3-point shot to keep the game close with nine deep shots made.

Fever, Dream tied

An 8-0 run by Atlanta has the score knotted up at 46-all with 5:31 left in the third quarter. The run has been sparked by rookie Te-Hina Paopao, who drilled back-to-back 3-pointers and has 11 points on the night. She’s one of three Atlanta players in double-figures alongside Rhyne Howard and Brionna Jones.

End of 2Q: Fever 37, Dream 34

A furious second quarter by the Fever has given Indiana a slight lead at halftime. After trailing by as much as eight points in the first quarter, Indiana got out to an 11-0 run to start the second frame and outscored Atlanta 24-16 in the quarter. It was primarily Kelsey Mitchell that got the Fever going with all nine of her points so far coming in the second quarter.

Rhyne Howard and Brionna Jones have been clicking for Atlanta as they account for 24 of the Dream’s points. Each player has also made two 3-pointers.

It was a mostly quiet effort from Clark in the first half with just four points, and she already has three fouls.

Sophie Cunningham has made a positive impact in her first game with Indiana as she’s dealt with an ankle injury. She was a +12 in the first half with five points, five rebounds and three assists.

Fever start 2Q on run

Indiana is starting to click with a 11-0 run to start the second quarter to take a 24-18 lead.

End of 1Q: Dream 18, Fever 13

Atlanta used a hot start to get an early lead on Indiana and lead by five after the first quarter.

The Dream started the game on a 12-4 run before Indiana’s offense found some rhythm to get back in the game. The combination of Rhyne Howard and Brionna Jones have done most of the damage for Atlanta with seven points each.

Clark was mostly quiet to start with just two points in the first 10 minutes.

Caitlin Clark, Rhyne Howard shove each other

Things have gotten chippy early with Clark and Howard exchanging words after they shoved each other.

Toward the end of the first quarter, Howard was guarding Clark as she brought the ball up court. A foul was called on Howard and immediately afterward, the two shoulder checked the other. Words were exchanged and the two were separated. No excessive foul was called on either player.

Atlanta takes early lead

The Dream have gotten out to a solid start in their first home game of the season. Atlanta leads 12-4 with 4:33 left in the first quarter.

Indiana has struggled shooting and taking care of the ball. It’s just 2-for-8 from the field with four turnovers. Clark scored the first bucket of the night for the Fever and has two points.

Indiana Fever starting lineup

• Caitlin Clark, guard
• Kelsey Mitchell, guard
• DeWanna Bonner, forward
• Natasha Howard, forward
• Aliyah Boston, forward

Atlanta Dream starting lineup

• Te-Hina Paopao, guard
• Allisha Gray, guard
• Rhyne Howard, guard
• Brionna Jones, forward
• Brittney Griner, center

What time is Fever vs. Dream?

The Indiana Fever vs. Atlanta Dream game will tip off at 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, May 22 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.

How to watch Fever vs. Dream game: TV, stream

• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
• Location: State Farm Arena in Atlanta
• TV (local): MeTV Indianapolis | PeachtreeTV
• Stream: Prime Video

Fever vs. Dream odds

Odds via BetMGM

• Spread: Fever (-4.5)
• Moneyline: Fever (-190); Dream (+154)
• Over/under: 173.5

The only downside to the Florida Panthers’ dominant 5-0 win in Game 2 against the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday was that key forward Sam Reinhart went down with an injury.

The Panthers announced during the second period that Reinhart, who was sent flying by a Sebastian Aho hit in the first period, had a lower-body injury and wouldn’t return to the game. He had been grimacing on the bench before heading to the dressing room.

Panthers coach Paul Maurice had no update after the game, saying Reinhart would be examined on Friday. He expected to have an answer by Saturday.

Reinhart plays on the top line with Aleksander Barkov and had 57 goals last season. He’s a finalist (along with Barkov) for the Selke Trophy as top defensive forward after finishing with five short-handed goals.

The Panthers had a 3-0 lead after one period but still had two periods to play. Other players, including fourth-liner A.J. Greer, rotated onto the top line throughout the rest of the game.

‘That guy, you can’t really replace. He does everything,’ Barkov said of Reinhart. ‘Every single guy who played there, he was great.’

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

A former Milwaukee Brewers first baseman is suing the Cincinnati Reds over an injury at the ballpark he says ended his professional career.

While chasing a foul ball during a June 2023 game at Great American Ball Park, Darin Ruf injured himself on a tarp roller used to cover the infield during bad weather, according to a May 22 lawsuit filed in Hamilton County (Ohio) Common Pleas.

He fractured his kneecap and deeply lacerated his right knee, causing him to leave the game and be placed on the 60-day injured list, according to CBS Sports.

Ruf says the tarp roller had no protective cushioning or cap over the end of the roller, which was made of sharp metal. He also says he couldn’t see the exposed metal because a Gorilla Glue advertisement was covering it, according to the lawsuit.

“This didn’t need to happen. I wish it didn’t happen.” said Ruf in a news release. “Players shouldn’t have to worry about hidden hazards like that on a Major League field.”

A Cincinnati Reds spokesman did not immediately return The Enquirer’s request for comment.

Who is Darin Ruf?

Darin Ruf was a utility player in MLB for nine seasons, having stints with the Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants, New York Mets and Milwaukee Brewers. He also spent three years playing professionally in South Korea.

For his MLB career, Ruf registered a .239 batting average to go along with 67 home runs and 205 RBI. He also recorded an on-base percentage of .329.

He was 36 years old when he suffered the knee injury at Great American Ball Park in 2023.

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

Aaron Rodgers has still not yet clarified whether he will play during the 2025 NFL season, even amid his strong connection to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Pittsburgh appears to still be in a holding pattern six weeks later. Rooney echoed his patient approach when asked about the team’s pursuit of Rodgers as this week’s NFL owners meetings in Minneapolis.

‘A little while longer,’ Rooney said, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. ‘I’ll say the same thing.’

Rooney did not provide further information about the state of the Steelers’ discussions with Rodgers. In April, the Steelers owner had expressed confidence the 41-year-old would eventually sign with the team.

‘We keep getting positive sort of signals about it,’ Rooney said at the NFL’s annual meeting, per ESPN’s Brooke Pryor. ‘So yeah, I’d say we feel pretty good about it at this point.’

The Steelers presently have three quarterbacks on their roster, none of whom were with the team in 2024. Mason Rudolph, who spent six seasons with the Steelers before playing for the Tennessee Titans last season, currently tops the team’s depth chart ahead of sixth-round rookie Will Howard and former Miami Dolphins quarterback Skylar Thompson.

Pittsburgh’s general manager Omar Khan made it clear the Steelers will carry four quarterbacks into training camp, so the team will likely sign another signal-caller soon. It’s just a matter of whether it will be Rodgers or someone else.