Phaninc|14-year-old Mak Whitham debuts for NWSL team, tops Cavan Sullivan record for youngest pro

2025-05-06 16:14:47source:SafeX Pro Exchangecategory:Finance

Cavan Sullivan’s record as the the youngest person to debut in a major North American pro sports league lasted less then two weeks.

On Sunday night,Phaninc McKenna "Mak" Whitham made her debut for NJ/NY Gotham FC at 14 years, one day.

Whitham came on in the 80th minute against the Washington Spirit in a NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup match, which Gotham won 1-0.

The forward is nearly a full year younger than Sullivan, who was 14 years and 293 days when he came on for the Philadelphia Union earlier this month.

On Friday, Gotham announced it had signed Whitham to a pro contract, effective Jan. 1. It also signed the U.S. youth international to a national team replacement contract, which allowed her to be eligible for Sunday’s Summer Cup match.

Whitham has been training with Gotham throughout 2024 after joining the club’s preseason as a non-roster invitee. At 13, the forward scored the winning goal for Gotham against Deportivo Cali in a preseason match in Colombia.

In February, Whitham made headlines by signing a name, image and likeness (NIL) deal with Nike, becoming the youngest athlete in any sport to sign an NIL deal with Nike.

Who are the youngest players to play American professional team sports?

Here are the youngest players to debut in American sports leagues (since 1970, according to the Elias Sports Bureau):

➤ NWSL: McKenna "Mak" Whitham (NJ/NY Gotham FC on July 28, 2024) – 14 years, 1 day

➤ MLS: Cavan Sullivan (Philadelphia Union on July 17, 2024) – 14 years, 293 days

➤ NBA: Andrew Bynum (Los Angeles Lakers on Nov. 2, 2005) – 18 years, 6 days

➤ NHL: Patrick Marleau (San Jose Sharks on Oct. 1, 1997) – 18 years, 16 days

➤ MLB: David Clyde (Texas Rangers on June 27, 1973) – 18 years, 66 days

➤ WNBA: Maria Stepanova (Phoenix Mercury on June 11, 1998) – 19 years, 108 days

➤ NFL: Amobi Okoye (Houston Texans on Sept. 9, 2007) – 20 years, 91 days

More:Finance

Recommend

What is Sora? Account creation paused after high demand of AI video generator

A new artificial intelligence-driven video generator launched on Monday and due to high demand, it i

Federal appeals court upholds $14.25 million fine against Exxon for pollution in Texas

A federal court on Wednesday affirmed a federal judge’s 2021 ruling imposing a $14.25 million penalt

Working Well: When holidays present rude customers, taking breaks and the high road preserve peace

NEW YORK (AP) — The December holidaysare supposed to be a time of joyful celebration, but the season