MLB Hall of Fame candidate Brandon Phillips and Jade Cargill announce The Texas Smoke

Austin'southward second professional sports squad announces ownership, leadership and initial player signings

AUSTIN, Texas , March 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Former Cincinnati Reds second baseman and MLB Hall of Fame candidate Brandon Phillips and serial entrepreneur Jade Cargill are excited to announce the formation of the Texas Smoke. Texas Smoke will be the second professional sports team in Austin and the 4th franchise in Women'due south Professional person Fastpitch (WPF).

"I am thrilled to join the world of women's professional person fastpitch softball! These players are amazing athletes, and we will bring them a new level of back up to help them hone their craft," says Philips, a iv-time Aureate Glove winner. "Austin, get set for the Fume!"

Phillips has brought on Tori Tyson as head double-decker for the Smoke. Jitney Tyson is currently serving as the caput bus at Howard University Softball and will be the showtime motorbus of a professional fastpitch softball team to come from a historically Black higher and university. Before Howard University, Passenger vehicle Tyson was an assistant coach for pro fastpitch softball team Chicago Bandits.

"I am thrilled to be returning to professional fastpitch softball," states Coach Tyson. "Being a small part of these players' continuing their careers is an accolade. I hope to bring the tools that allow these players to abound further and keep their dear for the game alive."

Former University of Texas softball superstar and 2022 World Games Gold Medalist Janae Jefferson was the first athlete announced for the Fume's 2023 squad, signed to the team as a free agent. The Texas Smoke as well recently welcomed to the squad:

  • ASU RBI leader Morgan Howe

  • Texas native and "Queen of bat flips" Samantha Show

  • LSU standout and pitcher Shelbi Sunseri, another Texas native

  • Academy of Louisiana alum and outfielder Ciara Bryan

  • Puerto Rico National Team bronze medalist Alyssa Rivera

  • Italian softball player and Olympian Marta Gasparotto

  • Oregon Softball alum Jordan Dail

  • 3-time USF batting average leader AnaMarie Bruni

The pro sports power couple aims to create a top-tier professional environment for The Smoke, and set a high bar for histrion development, experience and growth. Austin-based bureau The Customs Mill has been brought on as creators of a tailored monetization strategy for each player that has never been seen from a professional sports organization. The Community Factory will besides oversee the squad's brand partnerships, with exciting sponsorships to exist announced in the next few months.

Veteran sports amanuensis and marketing executive Eric Mays will serve as the general manager, and Austinite and professional baseball outfielder Courtney Hawkins will exist the assistant full general manager alongside fastpitch legend Sarah Pauly . Concrete therapist and able-bodied trainer Cullen Nigrini is Chief Medical Officer.

Texas Smoke has also brought on Dr. Jess Garza equally the team's mental functioning consultant. Dr. Garza volition work with the players on and off the field on mental skills training such as building confidence, staying composed, minimizing negative thoughts, and more. Dr. Garza'due south improver to the team is merely one component of the innovative athlete care programme the Smoke is rolling out to players.

Opening day for the season is June 15.

Virtually Brandon Phillips and Jade Cargill
Brandon Phillips is a World Series Champion (Boston Red Sox, 2018). He has 17 years of major league experience playing for the Cleveland Indians, Cincinnati Reds, Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Angels and Boston Red Sox. Phillips is a iii-time MLB All-Star, 4-time Gold Glove winner, Silver Slugger Award winner, 30-xxx Guild Member, and is currently an MLB Hall of Fame candidate. Professional person wrestler and serial entrepreneur Jade Cargill is signed to All Aristocracy Wrestling (AEW), where she is the inaugural and current AEW TBS Champion. Her ongoing reign is the longest reign of any AEW championship over 400 days.

About The Texas Smoke
The Texas Smoke is Austin's second professional sports team in Austin and the fourth franchise in Women's Professional Fastpitch (WPF). Their current roster includes Janae Jefferson, AnaMarie Bruni, Ciara Bryan, Jordan Dail, Marta Gasparotto, Morgan Howe, Alyssa Rivera, Samantha Show and Shelbi Sunseri. Motorbus Tori Tyson coaches the Texas Smoke. For more information, visit thetexassmoke.com.

Media contact:

Zilker Media
Shelby Janner
shelby@zilkermedia.com
512.298.4081 x702

Sponsorships contact:

Nicole Osibodu
Community Factory
nicole@thecommunityfactory.com
619.368.9527

Cision
Cision

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SOURCE The Texas Smoke