Paige Bueckers Is A Sell Out (Positive)

…At least her Unrivaled Breeze BC jersey is, because it sold out before the season even started. Not only in stores. Also on the World Wide Web. I didn’t even know they could run out of stuff there. And in fact, it seems like every player on the very-young Breeze is sold out. The kids are alright!

Hockey is so hot right now, and speaking of jerseys, why not take a break from watching “Heated Rivalry” TikTok edits and check out this ranking of the 2026 Olympics hockey jerseys? I’m partial to Denmark’s sweaters because of the giant lion with the crazy toes. 

Texas Tech’s new player is quite possibly the biggest get ever. No, really, Nigerian Stephanie Okechukwu, who is seven-feet-one-inch tall, was scooped up after playing high school ball in Japan, and now, she’s awaiting word on her eligibility. 

For Substack, ‘Background Noise,’ writer Michael Mignano, explains how the AI era has only strengthened his love for live sports. I know what he means. These days, there is something about knowing what you are watching is real. Unlike the animal videos my grandma sends me.

IShowSpeed is kind of the Rick Steves of the streaming world. The man has traveled more than [NBA player] badum tssss. Anyways, Speed says he does it to bring new places to people who can’t travel. A travel streamer of the people. 

If you don’t know, now you know: Love One Volleyball (LOVB) starts today. I know many people haven’t been lucky enough to witness the magic of professional volleyball firsthand, or maybe even on TV, so I figured I’d give you a little taste of what you are missing. So, to give you a primer, I brought in my friends: Tiffany Oshinsky, who started Side Out Society, a media brand covering all women’s indoor volleyball (more here), and LJ Rader who you may know from ArtButMakeItSports, and who has started FANFLARE, an app (currently) focused on women’s volleyball live scores, rankings, and play-by-play—because women’s sports deserve nice things, he told me. 

We had a little group chat. Here’s what else they told me. 

OffBall: What does LOVB offer that other leagues don’t? 

Tiffany Oshinsky: Not only do they have the best players in the United States (technically, they have 9 Olympians in the league, but three are pregnant!! One of which I had a sneaky suspicion would be, haha), but they also have brought in numerous international players who are the best in the world… Plus young players who already have a strong following and are ready to make a name for themselves on the Olympic level (Lexi Rodriguez, Madsen Skinner, Rachel Fairbanks) and you have some of the best volleyball being played in the states… something we didn’t have before. 

LJ Rader: From my perspective, it offers a great way to continue growing fandom for newcomers like myself. I got real deep into the NCAA this season, and now that doesn’t have to end; plus, because it’s pro, the gameplay is that much stronger. 

OB: What are some of the things these women are doing off the court that make them fun to watch on the court? 

TO: If you look on social media, a lot have really funny videos. Whether it’s dances [or] being silly with their teammates. But they are doing cool things outside of social…Lexi Rodriguez just wrote a children’s book (which, yes, I bought and already read to my daughter), Logan Eggelston is making a name for herself as an analyst… she did a few SEC games this offseason, Haleigh Washington, Jordan Larson and Justin Wong-Orantes held a clinic for both youth players and adult players in NYC (which of course I participated in). They enjoy some wine, beer, traveling, reading, and watching shows…Professional athletes… they’re just like us!

OB: LJ, does FANFLARE amplify these social posts at all? Or, put differently, does it help to grow fandom apart from just the accessibility part of it?

LR: Our goal is to amplify content that’s already being created by centralizing it, and then also launching a feed/ability for users to post so that the women’s volleyball community has a dedicated space for their fandom.

OB: I know there are lots of big investors. Can we expect any celeb cameos this season or even this week? Have you seen any there?

TO: LOVB Houston is owned by the Texans, so they invited the team to their game on Sunday, which was pretty cool. They got to go on the field pregame. And LOVB Austin went to the Austin Spurs G League game. They had a fun video of their setters doing a little game with two of their players… And I know Ari Chambers will be there! She is part of the LOVB San Francisco ownership group, which will be coming next season.

OB: Would you say women’s volleyball is the next big thing?

TO: I think it already is, and not everyone realizes it yet.

LR: I’d say from a viewer experience perspective, it already is, but from the accessibility and coverage side, it’s very much a work in progress, and everyone involved should continue to be vocal and push for it to receive the love it deserves. 

TO: It’s like a volcano ready to erupt, though.

You thought the biggest news out of Vegas would be Timmy C standing on the sphere, but you were wrong. There’s a lot more happening there right now. First and foremost, some of the OffBall team is at 2026 CES, hanging out with DT, Masai Russell and Miles Chamley-Watson (lucky). 

That’s the good news. Here’s the…bad…? Neutral? 

The US Trademark Office ruled Sin City can’t have the “Athletics” as their nickname, because it’s too “generic,” and the hardened and vengeful city of Oakland laughed menacingly, probably. (Montreal did for sure). Anyway, you can send your name ideas to Caesar’s Palace. They’ll know what to do with them. 

Sandwich strategy! More good news: this past weekend, the Raiders got the number one pick! How exciting! They can draft our little God-fearing QB phenom, Fernando Mendoza! Yay! (Sorry, Geno Smith).  

But uh oh, that means they had the worst record in football. Which also means their coach, legend Pete Caroll, didn’t live up to expectations. So, he’s out. Because Tom Brady (minority owner) and Mark Davis and their GM said so. And after three coaches in four seasons, they hope to get things right. 

But regardless of the lack of success, everyone’s watching the “player to executive” pipeline with reverie. Matt Ryan will be copy-pasting what Tom is attempting in Atlanta. 

Everyone, say a prayer for Sin City. They’ve got a lot to figure out.