EXCLUSIVE: Former U.S. women’s Olympians MyKayla Skinner and Nancy Hogshead have signed with the activist sportswear brand XX-XY Athletics, aligning themselves with the mission to advocate for the protection of women’s sports from biological male transgender athletes. 

Skinner, who won silver in vault at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, spoke up about the issue earlier this year, and is now taking a harder stance. 

“I am excited to partner with [XX-XY Athletics founder] Jennifer Sey and her pro-woman XX-XY Athletics to tell my story as an athlete and a woman,” Skiner told Fox News Digital. 

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“Finding my voice has been hard — there’s no training for that. But every female athlete should find and use hers. No one trains you for moral courage or unwavering positivity — that’s a different kind of journey. I’m going to share that too. Why? To use my platform to be a positive role model for female athletes. But really, this is for my daughter.”

Skinner joins the brand after previously speaking out against her former teammate Simone Biles back in June. 

After Biles ignited a social media feud with fomer NCAA swimmer and OutKick host Riley Gaines for posting about a trans softball pitcher who won a Minnesota girls’ state title, Skinner was quick to side with Gaines publicly. Skinner now joins the same brand championed by Gaines, who was XX-XY Athletics’ first brand ambassador when it launched in 2024.

“As an athlete who has dedicated years to a sport, I’ve always believed that true competition should elevate us — not diminish others. That’s why it’s deeply troubling to see Simone Biles publicly label a fellow female athlete a ‘sore loser’ — simply for expressing valid concerns about fairness in women’s sports,” Skinner said in a June statement. 

“I commend and appreciate Riley Gaines for having the courage to speak up. Throughout my own career, I endured being belittled, dismissed and ostracized behind the scenes by Simone… It’s one thing to disagree. It’s another to use your platform to bully and demean… We should be lifting each other up — not tearing one another down for speaking hard truths.”

SIMONE BILES DEFENDS CALLING OUT FORMER TEAMMATE: ‘IT WAS RIGHT IN THAT MOMENT’

Meanwhile, Hogshead, a three-time Olympic gold medalist and silver medalist, is the founder of Champion Women and the Women’s Sports Policy Working Group. She has authored a petition to protect the women’s category with over 500 signatures.

Nancy Hogshead-Makar, Women’s Sports Foundation senior director of advocacy, attends the 40 For 40 Event, 40 Years of Title IX, 40 Women Who Have Made an Impact, at the JW Marriott Hotel in Washington, D.C., on June 21, 2012. (Larry Busacca/Getty Images for WICT)

Now, Hogshead joins XX-XY Athletics as the brand’s first Olympic gold medal brand ambassador. 

“Only strict eligibility standards for girls’ and women’s sports can guarantee fair, safe and respectful competition for us,” Hogshead told Fox News Digital. “More than 500 Olympians & Paralympians are playing it forward by signed Champion Women’s petition; they understand the dedication required to succeed and firmly support future generations of athletes by advocating for a level playing field for all.” 

The two medalists headline the brand’s new campaign, “The Gold Medal Collection.” The campaign features other Team USA talent, including Taekwondo athlete Jaycee Bassett, triathlete Shannon Grady and swimmer Réka György.

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Former Olympic gymnast MyKayla Skinner with Simone Biles (left) and former Olympic swimmer Nancy Hogshead (right). (Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images, Tony Duffy/Allsport/Getty Images)

“As an athlete training to be the best in the world, I look up to women like Nancy and MyKayla, who’ve paved the way,” Bassett told Fox News Digital. 

“But I also know it’s on my generation to speak up and protect the path. Every hour I’ve spent training has been to test myself against the best female athletes in the world. If I’m ever asked to compete against a male, I’ll refuse. The integrity of competition relies on a level playing field for every female athlete that invests her time, dedication and sacrifice in her pursuit of excellence.” 

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The agent of former NFL star Doug Martin provided clarity on the circumstances around his death on Monday as he released a statement on behalf of the late player’s family.

Athletes First CEO Brian Murphy said the retired running back was dealing with mental health issues in the days before authorities in California were requested to be involved by Martin’s family. Martin died on Saturday after an incident while in police custody.

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“Privately, Doug battled mental health challenges that profoundly impacted his personal and professional life,” the statement read. “Ultimately, mental illness proved to be the one opponent from which Doug could not run.

“Following recent media reports about Doug’s untimely passing, the family wishes to clarify the circumstances. Doug’s parents were actively seeking medical assistance for him and had contacted local authorities for support. Feeling overwhelmed and disoriented, Doug fled his home during the night and entered a neighbor’s residence two doors down, where he was taken into custody by police. An investigation into what transpired as he was detained is underway.”

Oakland police also released more information about Martin’s death.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin (22) during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017, in Tampa, Florida. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken, File)

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“Prior to his death, Martin was involved in a break-in at a residence in Oakland,” police said in a news release. “While responding officers were attempting to detain him, a brief struggle occurred. After being taken into custody, Martin became unresponsive.

“Paramedics responded to the scene, provided medical aid, and transported Martin to a local hospital, where he later died.”

Police said they have been in contact with Martin’s family since the incident on Saturday and the situation remained under investigation.

Martin’s death was announced on Sunday. He was 36.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin (22) against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome on Dec. 17, 2017.  (Aaron Doster/USA TODAY Sports)

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He played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Oakland Raiders during his career.

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Chelsea will make a fresh attempt to sign Spain striker Samu Agehowa, while Manchester United have learned how much it will cost to sign VfB Stuttgart midfielder Angelo Stiller. Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.

Transfers home page | Men’s grades | Women’s grades

TOP STORIES

– Forest hire Dyche as Postecoglou replacement
– Klopp refuses to rule out Liverpool return one day
– PL clubs concerned over spending cap in Championship

TRENDING RUMORS

– Chelsea are prepared to make an £87m offer to FC Porto for striker Samu Agehowa next summer, according to Record. The Blues had been close to signing the Spain international from Atlético Madrid in the summer of 2024, but the move collapsed and he joined Porto instead. Samu scored 25 goals in his first season in Portugal, and has netted eight goals in nine games so far this term. The 21-year-old has a contract at the Estádio do Dragão until June 2029.

– Stuttgart have set their fee for Angelo Stiller at €50 million with Manchester United among the clubs who have expressed an interest in the midfielder but the 24-year-old’s valuation could still rise, according to Sky Sports Deutschland. While Stiller has a €40m release clause, the Bundesliga club can buy that out and make his transfer fee freely negotiable. Meanwhile, TEAMtalk reports that United are looking to January with their list of options featuring Sporting CP‘s Morten Hjulmand, Crystal Palace‘s Adam Wharton, Brighton & Hove Albion‘s Carlos Baleba, Borussia Dortmund‘s Jobe Bellingham and Porto’s Victor Froholdt. The Red Devils are optimistic that they can reunite coach Ruben Amorim with Hjulmand for £50m despite the 26-year-old’s £70m release clause, with this coming due to Sporting’s relationship with their former manager.

– Sky Sports Deutschland have offered an insight into the domino effect that could happen regarding free agent centre-backs in the summer. A final decision hasn’t been made on David Alaba‘s future but he is likely to leave Real Madrid, while the Saudi Pro League is watching the situation of his teammate Antonio Rüdiger with his future uncertain despite an offer having been tabled for a contract that runs until 2028. Liverpool‘s Ibrahima Konaté could be the replacement if either of them leave, while Marc Guéhi could replace the Frenchman at Anfield but is also wanted by Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. Dayot Upamecano could also move despite Bayern wanting to extend his contract to 2030.

– Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is weighing up a January loan move with Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United, Manchester City and Brentford all looking at the 20-year-old, according to TEAMtalk. Mainoo remains committed to the Red Devils, but the feeling is that he needs more minutes to aid both his development and ambitions to represent England at the FIFA World Cup. Man United’s lack of depth in midfield has raised questions about whether they will be willing to allow a loan move.

– Barcelona are monitoring Mallorca winger Jan Virgili and could look to re-sign him, as reported by Diario Sport. The 19-year-old left the Blaugrana for €3.5m this summer as he didn’t want to be part of a reserve team any longer, but Barca included a clause that would see them receive a percentage of the funds from his next move and another clause that would allow them to re-sign him. Virgili marked his return from the Under-20 World Cup by providing the assist for Vedat Muriqi‘s equaliser in Mallorca’s win against Sevilla.

OTHER RUMORS

– AC Milan had a scout at Parma’s goalless draw against Genoa to watch goalkeeper Zion Suzuki. (Nicolò Schira)

– Paris Saint-Germain centre-back Willian Pacho could extend his contract in the coming weeks, with an offer on the table to extend his deal by one year so it lasts until 2030. (Le Parisien)

– Clubs from across Europe are monitoring Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta. (Rudy Galetti)

– Massimiliano Allegri has given his approval for AC Milan to extend Fikayo Tomori‘s contract with initial informal discussions already taking place. (Calciomercato)

– Rodez centre-back Mathis Magnin is being monitored by various Ligue 1 clubs having impressed in Ligue 2. (Rudy Galetti)

– Several European clubs, especially from Italy and England, are monitoring Copenhagen centre-back Gabriel Pereira. (Rudy Galetti)

– Barcelona will not move in the January transfer window unless they suffer injuries. (AS)

– Bologna have turned down a “huge” offer from Saudi Pro League club Al Qadsiah for Riccardo Orsolini, and the Rossoblu are in talks to extend the winger’s contract until 2029 with the option for another year. (Nicolò Schira)