NBC Wants Us To Enjoy Basketball

…But that’s not what it sounds like. This SNL sketch, which pokes fun at the team’s name, has caught the attention of hockey fans with this one. I’m not going to make any more jokes about it because they did them all and I don’t want to get in trouble.  

“Who’s the face?” “Wemby’s the face!” “Shohei’s the face!” Everyone calm down, we’ve all got faces. Well, I guess the NFL doesn’t…why is that? Writer Keith Mode explores the NFL’s superstar problem. 

They made The Fast and The Furious a real thing. “Super Street After Dark” is a celebration of early 2000s SoCal culture. I don’t know anything about cars but sign me up for that, please. 

Uno, dos, tres, rompe! Sorry, that was terrible, it’s just that Daddy Yankee is making his return to the stage next week, at the first-ever NFL Spain game. He’ll be joined by Argentinian artist BIZARRAP.

All Betts are on for UCLA ballin’ sisters Lauren and Sienna, who were profiled by SLAM, and will have one year together to try and win it all. Though Sienna says most importantly she hopes they enjoy themselves. 

Reminder that the newsletter takes the weekend off, but our homepage and social pages don’t. Check back there for news on Saturdays and Sundays! 

Content is in an interesting place. For instance, the fact that we even call it “content” is still something that takes getting used to. Content can be anything from a newsletter (whoa that’s me) to a 2 second viral clip to a feature film. Sports content ranges from brief TikToks to full live studio shows—a fact that frustrates some, and others welcome. 

Arguably the best content out there is being put out not by the major cable networks, but rather those that built themselves up from social media. Like Enjoy Basketball. Founders Cody and Cole Hock and Kenny Beecham are following a blueprint that’s completely different than traditional networks (but one that resonates with us). Their shows celebrate the game as opposed to tearing it down. And it’s proven highly effective. 

At OffBall, we’re all about highlighting the positive, so the #synergy was palpable on my Zoom call with the bright minds behind the brand. 

Cole told me, “people are really really tired of the talking heads and hot takes.” I still think about this quote as I scroll past social clips of the Scowling Screaming Guys on my phone. He’s obviously right about this, considering NBC tapped Enjoy Basketball to join their network in covering the NBA. Cody told me having Kenny on the NBC broadcast team as “the creator alongside all of [these] Hall of Famers…is a massive win” for their brand. 

They’re serving sickos and casuals alike, Cole tells me. A winning business model that most creators and brands haven’t been able to crack. And more importantly, they’re providing respite from the Take Machines. Their talent (Kenny, Pierre, et al.) aren’t yelling or refuting others, instead, they’re offering a “yes, and” to the game of basketball by engaging in the good. And Cody made a point to tell me they still offer fair and tasteful analysis, because focusing on all positives isn’t authentic either. 

The truth is that being a hater can be fun. I’m actually great at it. But we all tire from doomscrolling and ridiculing. I would argue as a society we’re exhausted of keeping tabs on who’s doing bad where and how we can capitalize by commenting and hot-taking on it. Enjoy Basketball were ahead of the curve on that way of thinking.

A few hours after I interviewed the co-founders, I opened Peacock to watch a game and saw one of their shows, T’d up with Pierre, on the home screen and smiled—because watching a game is a privilege, and I’m grateful to have someone to love it with me. Even if they’re on TV. And don’t know I exist. 

Every now and then (daily) I like to shop. Sue me! In this world, there are two kinds of things: things I have, and things I have my eyes on. If you like shopping too, take a scroll with me. If you don’t like shopping, that’s ok, I’m sure other hobbies exist, even if I can’t name any. 

If you you want to show off: 

• Mountain Gazette is a print outdoor sports magazine. But that’s not all! Now, it’s a book, too! And it rocks. Your friends will be like “wow you can read, huh?”   

• It’s getting colder, and now, so is your jewelery. I bought a NY Liberty pendant and chain from GLD and so many people ask where I got it from. Plus they have really sick NFL options. 

If you run into Wemby and need a conversation: 

• This Panisa chess set from the MoMA design store is clean as hell and is the perfect addition for your game room. What 7”+ frenchman could say no to a game on this bad boy?

• Wemby is one of the biggest readers in the league. Literally. Here are some of the best sports books of the year. 

If you into crafting: 

• Kevin Bui aka @KevinConcepts is one of the best follows on social, in my opinion. If you buy this air drying clay and resin from Blick, he’ll show you how to rep your team via a DIY incense holder. 

• Do as Stewie does and buy one-of-a-kind items from real craftheads on Etsy.  

If you do your spending on experiences: 

• Athletes Unlimited tickets are on sale now. Fine! You’ve convinced me! I’ll go to a fun city and watch my favorite players! Ugh! 

• They just drafted the teams this week, so now’s the time to buy tickets to Unrivaled Philly.