You’ve probably seen the photo of A’ja Wilson by now. Nike’s creative leads certainly have. If you haven’t, Madeline Carter, photojournalist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal, snapped the internet’s new favorite A’ja shot (new favorite anyone’s shot, truthfully) during the Aces’ win over the Fever on Thursday. Carter was “mostly speechless,” but eventually found the words to explain how the overwhelming reaction to the photo helped pull her out of a slump. Support your local creatives, and properly credit when you share. 

Coach Jackie J announced her new podcast “Is She Game?,” is set to debut this Friday. If the promo trailers are any indication for the show, which is a women’s sports podcast produced by the Obamas’ Higher Ground production company, we’re in for a treat.  

Forty-One Magazine published its inaugural print issue, and unlike the Miranda Priestly meme, it truly is groundbreaking. According to Vinciane Ngomsi, whose work is published in the footy lifestyle mag, “we need publications like [Forty-One] that explain that you don’t have to be a fan of the game — of course, you should be a fan of the game because it’s fantastic — but even if you’re not, you can find community through fashion, through music, through events.” 

If your wardrobe needs a refresh, take a trip Down Under. Not literally. But check out this piece by Maggie Zhou for Australian outlet Broadsheet that will open your eyes to incredible brands taking inspiration from niche sports. 

The 50th anniversary of “Rocky” is around the corner, and Emma John of The Guardian did a deep dive into the decades-long relationship between boxing and the box office.    

There’s a lot of basketball left, but Sunday’s WNBA semifinal games really set the tone, and I’d be surprised if yesterday’s two winners (Dream, Valkyries) don’t take each series. But even off the court, it’s already been a playoffs to remember.  

Before the games even started, a clip of Kelsey Mitchell getting real with Indiana Fever fans went viral. In it Mitchell explained how challenging it’s been to play for a fanbase that may not like her. It’s worth a watch. Former Fever guard Sydney Colson reshared it. Dramaaaaa. 

Then, the Dream beat the Liberty, even though I specifically asked them not to. Alyssa Thomas was there to watch her fiancée get the W. Angel Reese looked incredible in her tunnel fit. Yung Joc and Taylor Townsend were there.

Then, the second game (Aces vs. Valks) started, and the change in court color blinded us all. We absolutely have to discuss the Dream’s court someday. 

Ali Wong was there to bang the drum. This game was all Valks from start to finish. Fans immediately noticed the Valks’ fearless leader, Gabby Williams, got a new ring, with her partner Marine Johannes’ initials. And Gabby got to meet her (and many other queer women’s) favorite artist, Kehlani. No but really, Gabby loves her. Semi-related, thank you to this Twitter user for this unhinged Valkyries Venn diagram. 

It feels like every weekend or so there’s a new type of race or strength test or celebrity run club. I’ve been so inundated with running content lately that I myself went for a run* recently. Nike got Quenlin Blackwell to run a half marathon against her better judgement. It’s contagious, I guess. Here are the races that have been dominating my timeline: 

On Saturday, the 9th Edition of the International Taco Bell 50k Ultramarathon was held in Colorado. Now there’s a race I can get behind. The course featured 11 stops, at various Taco Bell locations all throughout Denver, and runners were required to eat something off the menu at a minimum of 10 of the 11 locations. It seems like it isn’t officially sponsored by Taco Bell — which is a missed opportunity for America’s premier fast food chain, if you ask me. 

Recently (amid the midday runners) I had a quaint Central Park conversation with Olympian Colleen Quigley, and she told me about forming a first of its kind running team. She and three other runners (who run on road, track, and trails), all in Colorado, make up a running team called Meridia. Unlike other teams, they don’t share coaches, and they aren’t sponsored by a shoe company. They create and post content together on YouTube, Substack, and social media and split the revenue from each of their brand deals. The power of community! 

Athlos has been all over my timeline since its inception, and it’s more successful than ever. Their latest meet in London boasted a remarkable 7.3 million viewers and a sold-out crowd. And I believe them when they say they’re just getting started.  

HYROX. Where I’m from, High Rocks is a place you go to jump off of high rocks into the river, but I recently learned this is different than that. Everyone is doing HYROX — the indoor fitness race that featuring eight kilometers of running with eight workout stations. 

*basically just a fast walk for 25 minutes