Is Minnesota The Epicenter Of The Sports World?

Stylist to the sports stars Kyle Smith is taking on a new role as the NFL’s first ever fashion editor. Our number one question: Is he accepting applications for internships yet?

Apple CEO Tim Cook is aiding Nike’s turnaround efforts. Cook has been on the company’s board for decades, but given the recent upheaval at the company, he’s become a key player in the drama. Former Nike CEO Mark Parker also recently stepped down from his role on the board of Disney, to focus his energy on the Swoosh’s comeback. Could this be where Apple TV+ finds its answer to HBO’s “Succession”? We’d watch.

No club in world soccer has a celebrity row quite like Como in Italy’s Serie A. We were on the guest list but just couldn’t make the match. Thanks for the invite, we’ll be there next time!

JJ Redick’s “Old Man & The Three” podcast is getting a revamp. With Redick now coaching the Lakers, he’s handing over the duties of podcast hosting for “The Young Man & The Three” to a rotating cast of current players. The first episode of the new era will be hosted by Tyrese Haliburton with special guest former President Barack Obama.

It’s time to begin our season-long celebration of “Inside the NBA,” as the show will undoubtedly have a new look when the network’s NBA rights run out next year. Is it better to have loved and lost, or never loved at all?

Minnesota superstars Anthony Edwards and Justin Jefferson recreated an iconic magazine cover that featured Randy Moss and Kevin Garnett switching jerseys. We had been waiting for the reveal since the shoot was first teased, and oh man, did it deliver. 

The cover-star treatment was especially fitting for Edwards, who began his first full season as a certified superstar on Tuesday night against the Lakers. Anyone who followed Edwards through the postseason last season, at the Olympics this summer, or on Netflix’s “Starting 5,” knows few players have ever been more ready for the spotlight.

Edwards also debuted a new ad campaign for his signature shoe with Adidas, the AE 1. He can’t lie—they’re the best in the game. He can lie about some other things though….

Justin Jefferson is also having himself a season. Now firmly established as one of the top receivers in the NFL, he spent the offseason showing that he’s one of the most stylish guys in the league, starting the summer by walking with former teammate Joe Burrow at Paris Fashion Week and ending it with a legendary Tunnel Fit courtesy of Off-White™.

Edwards and Jefferson represent a Minnesota sports moment the world hasn't seen since Garnett and Moss were at their apex. Beyond the star duo, the Lynx just took the WNBA Finals to an epic five-game series. When it comes to star power, Minneapolis punches way above its weight class. There’s an argument to be made that Minnesota is the epicenter of the American sports zeitgeist, at least for the moment. But more on that tomorrow. Stay tuned.

This man deserves a vacation.

Last night, we kicked off the inaugural OffBall Group Chat featuring Josiah Johnson, the King of NBA Twitter. As the Lakers battled the Wolves, Josiah brought his unique flair to the conversation, sharing live reactions and insights throughout the game.

We spent most of the first half the same way everyone else did—waiting to see if/when Bronny and Bron would take the floor together. It happened late in the second quarter, to the roaring approval of the Los Angeles crowd.

It was a moment 20 years, 16 days in the making, and one that the elder James had dreamed of for a long time, saying in 2018 that it would be the “greatest achievement of my life.” Sport is pretty cool sometimes.

And a huge thanks to Josiah for tapping in with us on such a big night! Stay tuned for more exciting events like this, and thanks to everyone who participated. If you want in on the fun next time, sign up here.