In 2024, the athletics, fitness and recreation industries tackled big topics, such as the evolution of NIL, the proliferation of AI and the completion of cutting-edge facilities. And while AB Today readers’ interests ran the gambit, one topic really came out on top this year: the transgender athlete debate.
From transgender athlete participation at all levels of competition to the locker room conversation, these headlines dominated in 2024.
So, which stories most captivated our audience this year? We compiled the top 10 trending stories of the year from AB Today. Thanks for making AB Today a part of your daily routine in 2024. In the New Year, we hope you’ll continue to check in every day for the athletics, fitness and recreation news you can count on.
10. Planet Fitness Revokes Membership of Woman who Videoed Trans Woman in Locker Room
Planet Fitness is facing a backlash from some conservatives after the fitness chain revoked the membership of a woman who took a photo of a naked person in a women's locker room at one of the chain's locations in Fairbanks, Alaska. The woman, Patricia Silva, narrated the video, saying the person who identified as "queer LBG" was shaving in the female locker room.
9. Entire Football Staff Fired After On-field Incident Involving AD the Previous Week
The entire football staff at Hamilton High School in Memphis, Tenn. — nine coaches in all — was fired prior to Friday night's game, reportedly because of an on-field incident that occurred the previous week. “My athletic director at the time was going through something or whatever, came into the game upset Friday, he wanted to pull certain kids” because of questions about eligibility, said Blanchard, who could not attend Friday’s game.
8. California HS Football Player Dies of Injuries Sustained During JV Game
A California high school student who was injured during a junior varsity game football game has died according to a letter to the community from the school's principal. According to NBC News, the student from South East High School in Los Angeles was injured during a game against Maywood Center Enriched Studies on Aug. 23.
7. Judge Rules in Favor of HS Team Bumped from Playoffs Over Alleged Ineligible Player
A judge ruled last week that the Institute of Technology football team at Syracuse Central did not have to forfeit a game and exit the playoffs over an alleged ineligible player in the team's final regular season game. The ruling comes after Syracuse (N.Y.) City School District petitioned the State Supreme Court to intervene in an effort to have the Institute of Technology football team placed back in the sectional playoffs.
6. LSU Responds to Governors Call to Revoke Scholarships of Athletes Who Skip Anthem
Louisiana State University has responded to governor Jeff Landry's call for state schools to impose stiff penalties, including the revoking of scholarships, for student-athletes who skip the playing of the national anthem at their sporting events. The governor's comments seemed to be in response to the LSU women's absence during the anthem prior the team's Elite 8 appearance against Iowa.
5. Transgender Women’s Volleyball Player Sparks Forfeits and Title IX Lawsuit
Boise State University forfeited its women’s volleyball game against San Jose State University on Saturday, citing a transgender teammate from SJSU, and the Title IX lawsuit now surrounding her, as the reason. Blaire Fleming has played on the women’s volleyball team at SJSU for three years. Prior to her time as a spartan, Fleming played at Coastal Carolina as well.
4. Ohio Governor DeWine Signs Order Allowing Schools to Pay Student-Athletes for NIL
Ohio governor Mike Dewine on Thursday signed an executive order to allow colleges and universities to directly pay student-athletes for the use of their name, image and likeness. According to DeWine’s executive order, colleges and universities can offer compensation or pay a student-athlete’s NIL. However, institutions are not allowed to use money that was allocated by the state.
3. Planet Fitness Founder: Company Pretty Much Destroyed Amid Boycott
Planet Fitness founder and CEO Mike Grondahl this week said the popular gym chain has been destroyed after allegations of internal abuse at the company and recent boycotts of the brand after the company canceled the membership of a member who spoke out after seeing a transgender woman in the women's locker room.
2. Former HS Coach Investigated Over Alleged ‘Deals’ with Players Moms for Playing Time
A former Oklahoma high school football coach is under investigation over allegations that he made "sexual deals" with the moms of his players to get their sons more playing time. According to KNWA, Greg Werner abruptly resigned from his position as head football coach at Poteau High School just days before the 2024 season began.
1. Planet Fitness Stock Tumbles After Woman’s Membership Revoked for Taking Video of Man in Woman’s Locker Room
Shares of Planet Fitness tumbled this week after the fitness chain revoked the membership of a woman who took video of a naked person in a women's locker room at one of the chain's locations in Fairbanks, Alaska. On March 7, shares of Planet Fitness were trading at $66.92 at closing. The stock has steadily declined since the controversy, opening today around $56 per share. That decreases the company valuation from around $5.6 billion to around $4.95 billion.
