Alysa Liu, You Are Perfect

…Hello, “Women’s Sports Sunday.” Launching in the summer, the new programming will be a hub for NWSL and WNBA coverage on ESPN. This change will end a 35-year-long network tradition, but you know what they say? Everyone all Togethxr now: Everyone Watches Women's Sports.

Russell Westbrook is working to bring soccer to OKC. It’s a project that would cost upwards of $1 billion. OKC’s USL team is set to relaunch in 2028, along with a very very expensive entertainment center and stadium. The project recently welcomed prolific American soccer player Jozy Altidore as an investor, too. OK, I could C that. 

The Consumer Collective and SportsVerse have linked up to give insider tips to beauty and fashion brands that want to break into sports. If that’s you, you’re welcome. If that’s not you, I promise it’s still worth a read, and I would never lie to you. 

Project B, the international basketball league featuring men and women, is still mostly a mystery. From the sponsors to the uniforms to the logistics, I still have many questions. All we really know is they will play in November, and they want the games to double as a fashion runway. 

Bill Simmons did dueling back-to-back ad reads for rival soda (that’s pop, for my people in Oregon and maybe the Midwest?) brands Pepsi and Coca-Cola, and it was awesome. I don’t know if he did it to make a point or to be a troll, but I’d like to formally request more shenanigans like this. 

For the first time since I’ve been The Most Online Girl In The World (yes, I recently won that award), hockey is more ubiquitous on my timeline than any other sport. Heck, any other topic. This is not to say hockey has never been cool or interesting, because of course that isn’t true. But there must be something in the frozen water these days, because I am far from alone.

The Gold Medal game yesterday between Team USA and Team Canada was one of the most scintillating events of the Olympics. It really felt like I was watching it with the entire world, even though I was on my couch with Karl-Anthony Towns (my cat, not the Knick, unfortunately). Tom Brady and Seth Meyers probably felt the same. 

And although hockey is on the rise everywhere (shout out PWHL, NHL, hockey smutt — I mean romance — novels), the storylines in these Olympics are just too good. Haley Winn’s three crazy (positive) brothers have my hockey love levels spiking off the charts. 

And two days prior to the game, Team USA captain Hilary Knight (I’m pouring pasta sauce on you, GOAT) and speed skater Brittany Bowe went viral for getting engaged in Milan because people love love stories. Hello, Heated Rivalry! 

And just as heartwarming news gets us tuning in, so does heartbreaking news. When word of a breakup between Team USA’s KK Harvey and Daryl Watts broke, so did the internet. I guess because as much as people love love, we also love gossip, and being parasocial about athlete relationships. 

Sabres’ Josh Dunne, whose sister, Joy, plays for Team USA, and girlfriend, Ella Shelton, who plays for Team Canada, was happy either way. Also sad either way, I guess. 

Plus, Believelanders Jason and Kylie Kelce agree — we’re witnessing the greatest athlete from Cleveland Heights to ever do it. 

Hockey fever seems to be palpable on the ground in Milan, where this season’s hottest accessory is an NHL jersey. Or is a vintage Team USA jacket? Or “The Viral Fleece?” 

And if you didn’t love hockey enough, watching Team USA win the gold on a golden goal probably did it. I’m feeling incredibly patriotic, suddenly. Let’s run it back on the men’s side, defend this country, let freedom ring, etc., shall we?

During the Olympics, a handful (or so) of athletes totally captivate us with their presence, grace, talent, and story. Like Stephen Nedoroscik or Tara Davis-Woodhall and Hunter Woodhall in the 2024 Summer Games. These are the athletes who, even if you were brand new to watching their sport, in a couple of days, become the people you would die for. Luckily, it doesn’t usually come to that, but I hope Alysa Liu knows that I would die for her if she asked. And I’m not taking that vow alone.

Yesterday, the anime-loving, Laufey-listening, figure skater who pierced her “smiley” herself and adds a new bleach ring to her hair each year, came out of retirement and became the first American women’s figure skater to win an Olympic gold medal since 2002.

And while she made history on the ice, I have a feeling she’ll make history in the salons, too. Everyone’s gonna be rocking the Alysa rings in their hair soon. 

Read a book for god’s sake! How about this one about women’s hoops legends by Emma Baccellieri and Jordan Robinson? Ok, technically it isn’t out yet, but you can pre-order!

Learn how to ice skate, like Sue Bird plans to. I’m actually planning on doing this with my friend Jeff this weekend. Shout out Jeff.  

Treat yourself to a new piece of jewelry. Say, I don’t know, this perfect “Moving Goal Post” pendant made of diamonds and emeralds? Maybe we get matching ones?