Nike Shows Women’s Sports Need No Comparison

…And they may have found it in Japan, because there, everything is cool. Their Spring/Summer 2025 collab with retailer United Arrows has raised their streetwear game to the next level.

Could a pair of designer jeans heal a nation? Kendrick Lamar’s denim seems to be the only thing we can agree on. The Celine Flared Surf Jeans will set you back $1300, but maybe they’d bring world peace. Could be worth it.

NBA trainer slash author. Drew Hanlen works with some of the biggest stars in the game. And now, he’s paying his learnings forward—to us mere mortals. It’s all in his book here, which focuses on mindfulness, growth, and positive change. It also features quotes and anecdotes from some of your fave ballers. 

Feeling a sudden itch to watch IndyCar? Maybe because Fox is putting lots of its eggs into an IndyCar-shaped basket. The network has a major IndyCar push (to the tune of about ~$30M in ad placement) taking place right now. So, yeah, watch this race. 

If you can’t get enough of the Luka, AD, Mark Williams trade deadline drama, you’re in luck. The latest is that AD is out for multiple weeks, and Mark Williams failed a physical, which meant the Lakers/Hornets trade was kaput. Also, Mavs fans are still protesting. 

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Fútbol begins February 22. Watch on @Apple TV. #MLSSeasonPass #mls #soccer #messi #appletv

Nike’s latest campaign, featuring an All-Star cast of its top female athletes like A’ja Wilson, Caitlin Clark, Jordan Chiles, and Sha’Carri Richardson, symbolizes a shift in the way we view sports. In it, Doechii reads iconic lines like: “You can’t put yourself first. So put yourself first…You can’t be confident. So be confident.” 

Just a few weeks ago, Caitlin Clark turned down an invitation to the NBA All-Star 3-point contest and instead voiced that she wants her first appearance to be at the WNBA’s corresponding event. 

When we piece a few women’s sports developments together (the aforementioned, plus, the inception of new leagues, such as Unrivaled, LOVB, and Athletes Unlimited, which give the women some say in how things go), the evidence suggests a shift in how we think about women's sports. They don’t exist to compete with men, and they don’t need to prove anything to us.

The Nike spot elicits the widely accepted understanding that as a female athlete, you’re going to be told time and time again everything you can’t do. The answer? Just do it anyway. 

Putting aside the cultural significance of this for Nike and the striking black-and-white visuals that switch effortlessly between in-game and in-fancy-studio footage, the messaging itself holds so much power: We’re ready to stop adhering to the idea that women’s sports are: charity, “on the rise,” and lesser than men’s.

If comparison is the thief of joy, why are we waiting for women’s sports to “surpass” men’s before we just accept they’re here to stay? In every piece written about women’s sports, there exists a line about how they stack up against men, be it financially or statistically.

The recent surge in investments in women’s sports proves the “if you build it, they will come” mantra true, but the narrative that women’s sports are still “building” can be counter-productive. Not to mention, women’s sports are not a monolith. Basketball is much “bigger” than lacrosse, and the NWSL is “bigger” than, say, Athletes Unlimited volleyball. 

In this blockbuster Super Bowl spot, Nike inadvertently makes the point that growth, breaking barriers, and changing the game aren’t all that’s important here. Comparisons aren’t always constructive; athletes should be who they are. 

NBA All-Star Weekend is a few days away, and there will be lots to see, do, and read about (SF small businesses are prepping as we speak). Here’s a brief look at some of the happenings: 

Jordan and Nike are unveiling 9—yes, nine—new Black Label editions of signature sneakers for athletes like Giannis, LeBron, Sabrina, Book, Wemby, Ja, and more.

And, if that isn’t enough for the sneakerheads, expect pop-ups by Crocs, Shoe Palace, Foot Locker, and others. 

Steph marched into the NBA offices himself and rallied Adam Silver to change the format up—here’s what to expect.  

SF’s Union Square is expected to get a much-needed injection of life, spirit, and dollars in All-Star Alley. 

The NBA is making a serious impact in the bay. Between the Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA clinics, the HBCU Classic, Make-A-Wish experiences, some sustainability pushes, and so much more, the good vibes are going to be flowing. 

A couple of personnel changes for the festivities: Trae Young is replacing Giannis, who is sidelined with a left calf strain, and Kyrie Irving is replacing Anthony Davis. 

And finally (for now), there will also be a special three-day concert series featuring Flo Rida, Noah Kahan, and 2 Chainz (plus others).