Kayla Nicole Cheers Up Sarah Ashlee Barker at the WNBA Draft with Stylish One-word Salutation

The excitement and enthusiasm in the world of sports during the 2024 WNBA Draft were viewed as never before. Of all the reactions-after Kayla Nicole, model and ex-girlfriend of NFL star Travis Kelce-immortalized her message on social media with a minimalist but powerful medium. As the Los Angeles Sparks selected guard Sarah Ashlee Barker with the ninth overall pick, Nicole shared her excitement in only one word, letting everybody know that she's still keeping an eye on the game but from a different perspective.


The excitement of the WNBA Draft does not merely remain in the realm of basketball but was obviously attended to by the personalities of NFL lore as well. One of those personalities was Kayla Nicole, who very subtly applauded Sarah Ashlee Barker's selection by the Los Angeles Sparks. Nicole had her way of saying very little with an Instagram story that expressed pride and excitement for Barker's future in LA.
Famed these days for her media and podcasting work, Nicole has been carving out her identity away from the shadow of her past relationship with Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce. Her acknowledgment of Barker's draft moment was not an isolated instance. Other notable names across the NFL-WNBA crossover fan base watched too.
Shortly after Barker was drafted, the Chicago Sky got news for signing guard Hailey Van Lith, reuniting her with former LSU teammate Angel Reese, who upended social media. Well aware of this was Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, who gave the moment a quiet acknowledgement via social media engagement; thus, signaling just how connected today’s sports worlds really are.

While her post-draft moment made headlines, Kayla Nicole also made waves with her new podcast “The Pre-Game”, wherein she talked about life after her breakup with Travis Kelce. In her message to keep her relationships private moving forward, Nicole noted that unwanted speculation and judgment usually came from past public exposures.
"I'm like John Cena now with men—you don't see me," she joked, saying that she'll now be dating behind closed doors. For Nicole, love comes with newly defined boundaries and back rooms rather than public display.
Kayla Nicole's one-word text to Sarah Ashlee Barker was beyond just a cheer- it spoke quietly of support and self-assurance. While Barker launches her journey into the WNBA, Nicole carries hers-also guided by her rule and her peace.
Also Read: Travis Kelce’s Ex Kayla Nicole Praises Hailey Van Lith’s Style at 2025 WNBA Draft