Women's basketball icons Nneka and Chiney Ogwumike are used to the sister act narrative, and the public's impulse to twin them as a single entity. For years, the two dominated the boards, first at Stanford, then on separate teams in the WNBA until they were reunited for several seasons on the Sparks. But the two have forged separate and distinct roles off the court; older sister Nneka, 33, as president of the WNBA players union and Chiney, 32, as a basketball analyst and host on ESPN.
In 2022, Nneka and other WNBA players were essential voices in pushing for Brittney Griner's release from a Russian prison. Next, she'll lead players through the league's expansion to 14 teams and a TV rights deal that could catapult the WNBA to a more lucrative financial future. 'I love that I've seen so much change from when I entered the league,' Nneka said. 'We're dispelling the idea that people don't want anything to do with women's sports.