The Twins had the most Black players in the American League this year, but Black fans remain a rare sight at Target Field. Sports columnist Charles Hallman asks what it will take to bring them out to the ballpark.
Sports
Local and national sports reporting and commentary by the state’s leading African American sportswriters, including award-winning columnists Charles Hallman and Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald, with a special emphasis on the local prep scene and disparities in sports administration and media coverage.
Posted inAnother View
Twins’ Black players reflect on a ‘special’ clubhouse
The Minnesota Twins ended 2026 with a league-high five Black players and a Black coach, a fact the team’s own final game notes skipped. Sports columnist Charles Hallman held exit interviews with all six.
Posted inSports
Study finds women’s sports coverage still ‘siloed and secondary’
A recent study reveals that coverage of women’s sports remains under 10% on traditional networks, showing minimal growth over nearly three decades.
Posted inWNBA
Brunson sees a wide-open race for the WNBA title
As the 2026 WNBA Playoffs kick off, veteran broadcaster Cindy Brunson calls it the most competitive title race in league history. Sports columnist Charles Hallman breaks down the bracket, plus the case for keeping award votes private and this season’s record-setting performances.
Posted inAnother View
Dr. Queenie, Ixchel McKinnie use social media to push back for the W
Two Black women, Dr. Queenie and Ixchel McKinnie, are pushing back against toxic social media discourse targeting Black WNBA players and coaches. Sports columnist Charles Hallman talks with them about race, fandom and building a positive space for women’s basketball talk in the second installment of his series.
Posted inOdds and Ends
Tamryn Spruill’s new book chronicles three decades of WNBA history
Sports columnist Charles Hallman talks with journalist Tamryn Spruill about her new book, “The W: A History of the WNBA,” a comprehensive account of the league’s 30-year fight for legitimacy. Plus, Unrivaled 3-on-3 brings its cross-country tour to Minneapolis in January.
Posted inOdds and Ends
Time for a Black woman to lead the WNBA
As WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert prepares to retire, Black women dominate the shortlist of possible successors. Sports columnist Charles Hallman makes the case for why the league’s next leader should be a Black woman.
Posted inSports
U.S. Open Influencers spark backlash over ring lights, filming as Gauff and Osaka speak out
Tournament expands creator access as viral disruptions prompt new reminders about tennis etiquette The U.S. Open’s effort to bring more social media creators into one of tennis’ biggest events is generating plenty of attention, just not always for what is happening on the court. The tournament nearly doubled its official content creator program this year, […]
Posted inAnother View
UST’s full-speed climb to Division I
Pushed out of Division III for being too dominant, the University of St. Thomas fast-tracked its way to full Division I status. As national exposure grows, MSR examines the numbers behind the program’s athletic success and its diversity efforts.
Posted inCoaching while Black
Coaching while Black: New chances and new voices
From junior college sidelines to high school gridirons, Black coaches in Minnesota are paving pathways for youth, proving that representation on the whistle changes lives on and off the field.
Posted inThe Prep Scene
Johnson comes back to defeat St. Agnes
Down 12-0 at halftime and missing key graduated stars, the St. Paul Johnson Governors engineered a thriller, pulling off a 21-20 comeback win over St. Agnes sealed by a late two-point conversion.
Posted inSports
Girls flag football takes the field at U.S. Bank Stadium as sport grows across Minnesota
High school girls flag football teams took the turf at U.S. Bank Stadium on Aug. 30, marking a major milestone in a sport surging toward Olympic recognition.
Posted inThe Prep Scene
Howell has outstanding coaching career at St. Paul Central
For the first time in over two decades, St. Paul Central will open its athletic season without Scott Howell on the sidelines. We look back at a historic run that defined Minutemen sports.
Posted inBlack College Sports Report
SWAC coaches sound off as HBCU football season kicks into gear
With the MEAC/SWAC Challenge in the books, HBCU football is in full swing. Dive into what SWAC head coaches are saying about preseason hype, college football chaos, and big matchups ahead.
Posted inOdds and Ends
Taylor, Smith give Gophers reasons for optimism
As the Minnesota Gophers kick off its 2026 season against Eastern Illinois, running back Darius Taylor and defensive lineman Anthony Smith step up as the heart and hustle of Dinkytown. Here is how mentorship, family motivation, and unfinished business brought them back to lead.
Posted inSports
Brianna Edwards builds legacy beyond basketball at North High
Returning to the gym where her career started, North High alumnus and former pro athlete Brianna Edwards is building a program that prioritizes the whole person, on and off the court.
Posted inThe Prep Scene
Fab Five Photos
As high school football season nears, stadiums across the Twin Cities are getting ready for packed stands and big plays. Check out this week’s Fab Five photo spread spotlighting local prep powerhouses.
Posted inAnother View
Could this college athletes’ union finally stick?
Previous attempts to unionize college players for some reason or another failed without getting any meaningful traction. Over 100 women’s college basketball players last month signed union cards with the new United College Athletes Association (UCAA). The Oregon State players at the same time filed a formal petition with the state for collective bargaining. In […]
Posted inOdds and Ends
Culpepper’s early flashes give Twins a look at their future
Rookie shortstop Kaelen Culpepper is already making waves in a Minnesota Twins uniform. Sports Columnist Charles Hallman breaks down Culpepper’s big-league adjustment, praise from veterans, and what his arrival signals for the franchise.
Posted inSports
St. Thomas opens second Division I season looking to build on preseason buzz
The St. Thomas Tommies are gearing up for year two in Division I with serious momentum. As preseason honors roll in for key playmakers, Coach Glenn Caruso and his squad remain laser-focused on unity, execution, and competing for the top spot in the PFL.