A Natty Special, Hosted By Treasure Wilson And Kyle Schwarber

…was not what you think. The year was 2006, and a 44-year-old Rodman, fresh off a stint on Celebrity Big Brother UK, was convinced to sign with the Brighton Bears in the hilariously and unfortunately-acronymed BBL (British Basketball League). Eduardo Tansley chronicles the chaos of Rodman’s three-game stint in the UK seaside town, which remains one of the most unique and unlikely deals in the history of basketball. 

If you didn’t already know, ice-based dramas are the trending genre du jour. Yes, TV shows and movies that are set on ice. This is thanks in equal measure to Heated Rivalry mania and a surge in interest in skating ahead of the Winter Olympics. Finding Her Edge is the latest ice-based drama set to grace our screens later this month. I hope you saved your ex’s Netflix login.  

Last week, this very newsletter heralded the Australian Open as the future of tennis’ relationship with entertainment, culture and music. Fans Down Unda’ couldn’t agree more, it seems. The “Happy Slam”—although some fans were left not that happy with longer queues inside arenas—smashed its attendance record yesterday, seeing 73,235 folks flock through the gates on Day One of the main draw. 

Ralph Lauren shut down the (fashion) internet this weekend with its star-studded comeback show at Milan Fashion Week. Of course, there were nods to sports throughout, especially given the brand’s role as the outfitter of Team USA for the 2026 Winter Olympics.

AFCON is a tournament that delivers drama and soap opera entertainment like no other. We even tried to tell you ahead of time! Last night’s final between Senegal and the hosts, Morocco, had it all. I’m talking disallowed goals, VAR interventions, a mid-game team protest with Senegal headed back to the locker rooms, fans invading the pitch and clashing with security, a missed Panenka penalty when play finally resumed, and finally, finally an extra time golazo winner for Senegal. Next time we tell you AFCON is as good as soccer gets, please know we’re not playing.

College football is the most red-blooded of sports. Indiana fans, for example, bleed red for their beloved Hoo Hoo Hoosiers.

At the U, though, we do it a little differently. We bleed orange and green. What does that even mean? Our bloodlines are different and unlike any other in college football. All due respect to the SEC, The Natty, well, it just means more to the University of Miami. And this Natty, boy oh boy, this is for more than the city. It’s for the Culture. 

A word or two about that Culture….

There’s never been a college football vibe like Miami: urban, worldly, with an unapologetic us-against-the-world swag that’s been our brand for almost half a century. This isn’t Fansville.

Let me take you through a gameday. From the time we wake up, it's preparation. We are planning our outfits, coordinating with our friends and heading to tailgates to prepare for the game. Once at the stadium, you hear the sounds from the university's Band of The Hour. And this gameday will be unlike any other in not just Miami history, but Natty history: We’re the first college football team to host a national title game in our home stadium. Omen alert!

None of us fit into a “type.” In Miami the whole world comes together to form sports’ most festive atmosphere. This is the city where you can get unmatched Caribbean soul food, an exquisite Miami Beach dining experience, world-class café con leche. Often all in the same day.

You can see the pride ring from not only the city, but also from the alumni and fans. I graduated in 2023. Who would’ve thought I would be chatting with Michael Irvin every week on the greatest sports show, It Is What It Is, making the case to the world that The U is so back! The thing is, Mike’s no stranger to winning. He’s got a Natty, he’s got three Super Bowl rings. He told me it’s a Happy U Year, so I'm telling y’all: It’s a Happy U Year.

And a BTA (Belt To Ass) Year, too.

Other days, I call up Raymond Bellamy, the university's first Black football scholarship player, just to chat it up. We are determined, see the good things in life and are the type of people to make things happen. A school needs that type of energy and loyalty from not only its players but also its graduates. 

Mike and I are united by a school we went to nearly 30 years apart. And mine and Mr. Bellamy’s campus experience is almost 50 years apart. It takes a special kind of school to allow that much shared gratitude and hold that much weight across generations. 

So this is to everyone who said we couldn’t do it (and there are a lot of you). We hear it all the time: Miami hasn’t been “good” since 2001. Before the Ohio State game, Urban Meyer said, “I just don’t see Miami scoring.” Colin Cowherd agreed, saying, “I don’t think Miami can move the ball”. 

All season… as we got closer to this moment, the other teams were always favored. And as far as Indiana goes, nobody said the team isn’t good, or a great Cinderella story. But the Hurricanes are good too, and we know what it takes to be doubted and still come out on top. (In fact, you can make the argument that the Canes are the OG Cinderella.) Playing smart football is what the Hurricanes do. 

Us Against The World. Tonight, Hard Rock Stadium, 7:30 Eastern. Let’s do this.

This has been such an exciting time to be an Indiana alum. You’ve probably heard a lot of tales in the last month about the dark days of Indiana football. Like this story. Or this one.

I was an IU baseball player from 2012-14 and the football program then had some moments and we had some players. Jason Spriggs. Tevin Coleman. But this era of Hoosier football? This era just hits different.

Dating back to last year and the run they went on then to now has been amazing to tune into college football Saturdays and the college football playoff to see your school right in the thick of it. 

To have Coach Cig running this program and taking them to historic seasons—and owning the internet in the process—has been tremendous, and I hope that there will be many more seasons to come with him at the helm, leading the Hoosiers to many more Big Ten championships and college playoff football games.

To be one win away from a National Championship is all you can ask for, and Hoosier Nation will be behind these guys the whole way. Still think this is all a dream?

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