The Best Tournament In Sports Is Almost Here

…Well, some (three) did. My guy was only trying to set a positive culture and demonstrate inclusive leadership, and they all turned him down. That’s when things started to fall apart. I would have been the first one there, in the best Joker costume the NBA’s ever seen.  

Just when you think we’ve reimagined it all, Netflix and FIFA join forces to reimagine a FIFA-style simulation game…which, to me, is confusing, but I imagine means Netflix will offer a VR experience for its users to feel the emotion of being on the pitch and/or at the game. I imagine can get behind this. 

And in other Netflix news, they’re putting podcasts on TV. These three podcasts, specifically. How are those of us with ADHD going to watch our TVs, autoplay podcasts on YouTube on our computers, and listen to music on our phones at the same time now?

Thanks to her baking prowess, Ann Michael Maye is being hailed as the Queen of New England. Drake Maye’s wife is only 22, but she’s baking her way right into America’s hearts. There’s a joke about the Great British Bake Off in here somewhere. 

Sophia Wilson is the NWSL’s very first Million Dollar Woman. Plus, she’s opted to stay in Portland (shoutout to my hometown). And everyone (me) is incredibly pleased. Is this a good sign for Trinity Rodman’s contract?? I don’t know, that’s above my paygrade. 

@nbaresdev

kevin durant and momtok have scientific connections

After speaking with my colleagues Daniel-Yaw Miller and Master Tesfatsion, it became clear to me that I’ve been making a huge mistake. I have never watched or followed the Africa Cup of Nations, aka AFCON, aka the Euros or Copa América of Africa. That’s something that’s going to change today. Er, this weekend, because it doesn’t start until Sunday. 

Anyways, I wanted to extend the invite to you, my devout readers, to follow along with me. Heck, come on over, and we’ll pop some corn and fire it up IRL, if you want. But first, I’m going to count on three of my friends to convince you. Dan, Master, and Luis Miguel Echegaray are going to tell you why you need to be following this tournament. 

OffBall: What makes AFCON so much more special than other tournaments?

Daniel-Yaw Miller: My family is from Ghana, so I’ve been watching AFCON for as long as I can remember. It’s unique for so many reasons, but for me, the two things that stand out the most are: 1) the playing styles. All-out attack, high-scoring games…the mixture of elite global superstars on the same team (or playing against) semi-professionals with other full-time jobs; 2) The pride. AFCON is where you can see the purest expression of joy and the love of the game that football brings, both from the fans and the players. The singing, the dancing, the choreographed team 

Master Tesfatsion: It is truly the most unpredictable football tournament in the world. You might see a semi-pro player become a national legend overnight. You might see a nation fire their coach right before AFCON, and win the entire tournament. You might see a nation make a Cinderella run while their government collapses from a military coup d'etat. There are two constants, though: the favorite never wins, and it is the most joyous crowd the sport has to offer.

Luis Miguel Echegaray: AFCON is more than just a football tournament; it is a testament of cultural and national pride for African nations. Back in 2022, I interviewed Sadio Mané right after he led his Senegal win their first ever AFCON, and he was so emotional, even weeks after they had won it. I think because every player knows that they're not just playing for a trophy, they're playing for their people. 

OB: Have you been? 

DYM: I haven’t been yet, but if the AFCON organisers are reading this, I'm a 3-hour flight away from Morocco and my passport is up to date!!! 

OB: Who is your must-watch team?

DYM: I’m all for the underdogs. I can’t wait to watch Mozambique, Botswana and Sudan.

MT: I think Senegal is the best team in Africa, with all due respect to Morocco. They are STACKED. I'm also watching Sudan, which qualified despite not playing a single qualification match in its home country due to the ongoing civil war conflict. 

LME: Nigeria is an African telenovela…they enter AFCON after much drama, including a dispute between players and the federation over unpaid bonuses. This was resolved last month, but still, the off-field issues have overshadowed the action on the pitch. 

OB: Who is the best dressed team? Which team has the most swag? 

DYM: The Super Eagles (Nigeria) have a proud tradition as one of the swaggiest teams in world football, both through their custom Nike jerseys but also thanks to the flair of players past and present, like the legendary Jay Jay Okocha (aptly named Nike’s Chief Flair Officer ahead of the tournament) and his nephew Alex Iwobi who will represent Nigeria as this year’s tournament. 

MT: It's Africa! If you don't board that plane looking like it's your wedding day, we will judge you!! I would say Ghana is the best dressed team, but they didn't qualify (that will be a recurring joke…it will never get old). I think Nigeria or Cameroon will be the best dressed, because they didn't qualify for the World Cup. They better use all those garments now while they can. South Africa will be the swaggiest. They will be chanting and dancing all tournament long, putting the San Francisco 49ers' boombox entrance to shame.

LME: Mali. First, did you see their threads upon arrival to the competition? Magnificent. Then there's the kit, which is a piece of art. But when you talk about swagger, you can't beat the defending champions: Cote d'Ivoire.

OB: Who is your pick to win it all? 

DYM: Egypt and Morocco will fancy their chances, but my heart is with Senegal (since Ghana failed to qualify). 

LME: I'll make this one very obvious. Morocco, the host, are also the favorites to win (something they haven't done in almost 50 years), but for a reason. 

Something I am into these days (for the past 20 years) has been Abercrombie & Fitch for staple pieces. I’ve been willing to overlook the fact that they only let hotties work there in high school, as well as whatever problematic things they’ve done in the past. I probably wouldn’t overlook them if I knew, but at this point, ignorance is bliss. Let me know if that should change. Anyway, my style is a little more eccentric and less preppy, but I think people overlook the fact that you can have fun with A&F clothes. And thanks to the NFL, I’ve got proof. 

Disclaimer: this isn’t even SponCon. No one paid me to say this. But what if they did? Anyway…

Exhibit A, your honor. Look at Ceedee in this fit. 

Exhibit B, people of the court. I have this sweater. See! 

Exhibit C, America. This is technically a pretty fun look. 

So, once again, I am telling you to shop at A&F. I want to go on record and say I actually disagree with the Cowboys' takes on trucker hats (trucker hats are fine; these players are just falling victim to trends).