Los Angeles Sparks player Sarah Ashlee Barker (Photo via LA Sparks)
The Los Angeles Sparks are doing anything they can to get fans to come out and support them.

The team is just 4-8 on the year, but they are continuing a nice attendance trend. Their 2025 season is on pace for their fourth straight year of growth. They are currently averaging 11,033 fans per home game, a substantial improvement compared to previous seasons.

On Tuesday, the team’s official Twitter account took to the popular social media site and posted about their upcoming game later that night.

The Sparks were set to take on the Seattle Storm inside the Crypto.com Arena.

Leading up to their game against the Seattle Storm, the Los Angeles Sparks’ social media team shared a photo of Sarah Ashlee Barker with the caption, “Back in front of the home crowd.”

Unfortunately, they decided to draw way too much attention to the post by including a provocative picture of their player wearing a revealing black top.

Most teams would use a picture of a player in the team’s jersey.

Fans Blast The Los Angeles Sparks Over Their Picture of Sarah Ashlee Barker

Jun 6, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Sparks guard Sarah Ashlee Barker (13) drives to the basket as Dallas Wings guard Aziaha James (10) defends during the first half at College Park Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
“WNBA Yall need to have more control over these organizations. I take my daughters to these games, and we on here promoting the games with women half naked? This is embarrassing,” one fan said.

“Tf is happening? Isn’t this a basketball game?” one fan added.

“Lingerie pics? 😂😂,” a second fan stated.

“Never knew the day would come when men complained about seeing a woman in a top 😔. What are we coming to?” a third fan added of the Los Angeles Sparks.

“I’m old enough to remember when someone whined about “sexualization of women’s bodies” in this sport,” one final fan commented.

Houston Texans star Azeez Al-Shaair has admitted regrets over his illegal hit to Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence and the ensuing brawl between the teams in a lengthy statement on social media.  

Al-Shaair’s statement comes as his three-game suspension as a result of the incident has ended and he is slated to return to the field for the Texans on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.

On December 1, an Al-Shaair hit to the head of a sliding and defenseless Lawrence caused chaos in Jacksonville. The defensive back needed to be restrained by several coaches and Lawrence has not played since taking the barbaric contact.

‘While so many jumped at the first opportunity to hop on the false narrative – that l’m a dirty player or bad person – the messages from all who stood by me were the only things keeping me mentally afloat during a time of isolation,’ Al-Shaair said on social media.

‘I’ve learned so much from this entire experience. Seeing myself on video – letting my emotions get the best of me to the point where I completely lost it – was an embarrassing and eye-opening moment for me.’

‘I’ve had to earn everything in my life. I never want to allow anyone to get me to a point where I jeopardize everything that I’ve worked all my life to obtain. That was not the way I want to represent myself or my family and I will continue to learn and grow from that moment.’

Azeez Al-Shaair has admitted regrets over his hit to Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence
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Azeez Al-Shaair has admitted regrets over his hit to Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence

The Texans defensive back was suspended for three games as a result of the hit to Lawrence
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The Texans defensive back was suspended for three games as a result of the hit to Lawrence

Al-Shaair said during his three-game ban, he met with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and other league executives for the first time, taking issue with how he was characterized in the official announcement of his suspension.

The defender said he thought his character and integrity were ‘unjustifiably smeared’ in the release but the meeting with Goodell and others was ‘productive’ and gave him hope it would not happen again.

‘In that conversation – man-to-man – I owned and acknowledged that my actions following my ejection were careless and, in that moment, I didn’t think about the responsibility I have been blessed with to represent the shield,’ Al-Shaair continued.

‘I also stated that the letter, and specifically the language used in the letter, was equally as careless and conveyed that the context of the words used were not a reflection of my character, nor my career, as I have not been warned multiple times for my play on the field.’

Al-Shaair’s hit on Lawrence was not the only controversial incident he was involved in this season.

During the Texans’ game against the Bears in September, he punched Roschon Johnson, who wasn’t even in the game at the time of another sideline confrontation.

Al-Shaair ended his statement by saying his view is that everyone in the league office and on the field are on the same team to represent the NFL in the best nature possible, something he failed to do earlier this month.

‘Lastly, I’ll say that this world is full of negative people who can’t wait to tear you down, but if you move with love and compassion, the seeds of good you planted in others’ lives can grow into the very tree that shades you with comfort and compassion when you need it most,’ Al-Shaair concluded.

‘I am a man of God, I am a leader, a warrior and a lover. I am also a hell of a football player and I’m grateful to be back doing what I love.’