Don’t Cry That The Nico Era Is Over, Smile That It Happened

…No, I’m not being weird, that’s just what everyone’s saying to their dogs, who they’re naming Josh Allen, and Arch Manning. There’s a dog on my block named Russell Westbrook, by the way. Not relevant, but worth sharing. 

This week, the first snow fell in a few cities across the country. You know what that means…time to do your part as an American consumer and buy a bunch of stuff. I personally have my eye on the Hermès sporty chic tie. 

What’s the deal with all the fighting movies? Maybe it’s that historically they’re magnets for Oscars. Or maybe we just love to watch man bleed…Sorry, that was weird. No, yeah, it’s the first thing. 

Everyone’s doing calisthenics these days. ENERGY is a brand fusing streetwear, community, and the very specific weight training form. Our wealthier and more handsome cousin newsletter that I totally support and don’t have a complex about, SportsVerse, covered it. 

If you’re interested in hearing more about how I (and we) tell stories at OffBall, check out this episode of the She’s Got Next podcast. Thanks to my long-time internet friend, Olivia Christian for having me on! 

The last few months of Nico Harrison’s life have been a little bit like a soap opera (arguably of his own making). After plotting an evil or heroic (depending on who you ask) scheme to move the Mavs’ number one boy to LA, he became Dallas’s main villain. 

Everyone wondered if he’d be metaphorically “killed off the show,” a plot twist he didn’t care for (fair).

Sports figures all over knew it was coming. 

Cut to this morning, the sports world gets its very first pre-emptive breaking news, with a looming timestamp.

And the anticipation built for the viewers. 

Meanwhile, the “Cooper-Flagg’s-Mom-Is-Mad-At-Fans-For-Chanting-Fire-Nico-During-Her-Son’s-Free-Throws” B plot happened.

The good news is that he is a hero to some (Southern Californians, mostly). And who knows, maybe we’ll see him come back from the metaphorical dead in a purple and gold tie.

Or with a mic. 

Now, since you watched the episode, you’ll need to head to IMDB and/or Reddit to see how everyone else reacted. 

Something is quietly brewing in Milan, and obviously, it’s fashion-related. With Rafael Leão at the helm, AC Milan seems to be making its famed stylish city proud by…kind of turning into a fashion house. No big deal, but my colleague Daniel-Yaw Miller was the first to call this out, by the way. 

Whether on the slopes with Rossignol or even on the fairway with Puma, these uoimini (Italian word for men, even though that seems fake) simply can’t stop throwing fits.

Their collabs with Off-White range from tunnel fits to Champions League game night formalwear to philanthropy. When it comes to the Rossoneri (what you call AC Milan if you’re in the know) fashion game, it’s been hit after hit ever since the team decided to leverage its iconic heritage and Milanese sartorial elegance to level up its look and feel both on the pitch and in the stands. Last season, its fourth kit (a work of art designed in collaboration with LA streetwear label Pleasures) became its best-selling jersey of all time just days after launching.

And if someone can get me this 1967/68 Goalkeeper Kit Knit, I’ll give you all the cash in my wallet and a big old platonic hug.  

Anyway, considering they have a shot at winning a Serie A title this year, maybe the secret is in the sauce.