My Weekend (Couple) Crush

Fine, last sportball thing for the week. I swear! You’d think I was the turning into a total jock. But who can resist Basketball’s Cutest Frenchies. I’m so glad that Gabby Williams and Marine Johannès are still together after hard launching their relationship at last year’s All-Star game. I love to see them interact, and that Gabby talks so openly about Marine’s importance in her life. Also, she finally hit Marine’s signature one-legged three at this year’s All-Stars. Like, that’s some romantic shit – for sporty gals. Plus, come on, they’ve giving Pazzi a serious run for their money in the Hottest WNBGAY Couple department. Bonus points because, for me, they’re slightly more age-appropriate. Also, the below interaction. Like, if that isn’t the most adorably coupley teasy comfy with each other lesbian thing you’ve ever seen. Plus that look Marine gave Gabby right after getting stamped? *low lesbian whistle* Someone is in trouuuuuble, but the mostly good kind. Happy weekend, all.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Unrivaled Basketball (@unrivaledbasketball)

Sitting Courtside

Speaking of the WNBGAY, two of the league’s out stars have signed on to a new sapphic sports film “Courtside,” which has some other very familiar faces the camera as well. Abbot Elementary writer/producer Brittani Nichols and Autostraddle-alum Carly Usdin are writing and directing the film which “follows an injury-plagued women’s hoops superstar whose championship ambitions are upended when she falls for her teammate.”

Real-life out WNBA stars Gabby Williams of the Golden State Valkyries and Sydney Colson of the Indiana Fever and recent WNBA player Theresa Plaisance (last with the Seattle Storm in 2023) have all signed on to play, and I’m wildly guessing here, fellow WNBA stars.

But Colson isn’t just appearing, she’s also an executive producer. And guess what new production company is behind all this love and lesbian basketball? Run-A-Muck which was co-founded by, drum roll please, Ilene Chaiken and Jennifer Beals. Yes, that Ilene Chaiken and that Jennifer Beals of “The L Word” fame and infamy.

It’s actually heartening that two of the women behind the seminal lesbian TV series are still making stories for queer women. And, with the pedigree behind it, I have outrageously high hoops, I mean hopes. (I had too, apologies.).

As Brittani told Deadline:

“It feels like I’ve been waiting my whole life for this kind of excitement to surround women’s basketball, and I’m excited to blend my love of sports, lesbian tension, and comedy into one project,”

Add this to the happily growing list of upcoming sapphic sports stories vying to become queer women’s “Heated Rivalry," including the “Slo Pitch” and “Ripe!” and (maybe) “Cleat Cute.” I say, why have one “Heated Rivalry” when we could have at least one for each sport – softball, soccer and now basketball. Who’s got next? Looking at you, women’s rugby stories.