…Once again, you legally have to say hi to me, because I’m here, too! Be on the lookout on OffBall’s Instagram (mine, too) for all kinds of athlete interviews, BTS from the Orange Carpet, and content from WNBA Live. Oh yeah, also I guess there’s a game happening. 

What’s better than Glen Powell as Chad Powers? I don’t know, maybe Glen Powell cast as Lou Gehrig in a biopic produced by SNL legend (and Yankees fan) Lorne Michaels? This is really happening, folks. Deadline has the story here. 

“Dating had quietly become men’s new favorite sport. The only catch is, most of them are playing from the bench.” Ouch. But Isabella D’Ambra’s latest Substack is no screed, rather a simple, thoughtful call to action to take a break from your profile pic edits and find a hobby. (Closes app, goes outside, can’t believe this is my new life).

Count on Katie Heindl to be a voice of sanity amid the X hellfire unleashed by last week’s inappropriate comment, and subsequent suspension, of Toronto Tempo coach Sandy Brondello, who referred to Angel Reese as a “protected species.” There’s no patience or reward for careful, considered examination on the internet anymore, but we will never stop thanking Katie for believing otherwise.

Still suffering here, big-time, from World Cup Withdrawal (we’re petitioning the World Health Organization to recognize it as an official medical condition). We need to get away, we need an escape, maybe to Disney, or maybe to the Disney of soccer pitches, Italy’s Como 1907.  That’s not our analogy, those are words straight from the mouth of Como 1907 president Mirwan Suwarso. Frankly, we think Mirwan is underselling the experience. 

On Wednesday night, I watched the New York Liberty defeat the Chicago Sky in the game’s last few seconds. The atmosphere was electric, as it always is in Barclays for its women’s basketball team, and I walked home feeling like a kid on Christmas Eve, eager for my flight to Chicago the next morning (yesterday). So far, All-Star has not disappointed, and we’re only getting started. 

So far, it kind of feels like if the Super Bowl and Cannes Lions had a baby. It’s one of the most chaotic, fun-filled events in all of sports, and this year, it’s on ‘roids. 

The Orange Carpet is always my favorite event part of All-Star Weekend, because the athletes are so incredibly engaging and enriching. Being in their presence is something I’ll never quite feel worthy of, but always soak up every minute of. And this year was no different. 

Especially because of this interview with Paige Bueckers. 

However, the event I really want to talk about is the exclusive first look I got at “Life in the W.” From what I can tell (after seeing one episode), the docuseries, which features intimate looks at the lives and careers of Napheesa Collier, A’ja Wilson, and Dewanna Bonner, was really special. 

Everyone’s going to be talking about Bam holding doors open for A’ja and making fun of her white socks with an all-black outfit, or Phee’s daughter Mila, but I need everyone to give that same attention to DeWanna’s story. 

In her testimonial interviews, she details her many years in the league, starting with how she had to work her butt off to remain in the league for this new CBA. She also pulled back the curtain on her relationship with her partner Alyssa Thomas, who she playfully says sometimes takes out her in-game frustration on Bonner. 

“She told me, ‘you’re my person, I know I can unload on you,’ but I’m stressed out, too!” Bonner says in her confessional. 

There is also a moment I won’t totally spoil that includes a very angry text A’ja sent her teammates. What I will say is if she sent me a text like this one, I’d probably crawl into a hole to die, but that’s probably why I just write a newsletter. 

Directed and EP’d by Trishtan Williams (who was a total pleasure to listen to before the viewing), co-produced by DICK’S production company, Cookie Jar and a Dream Studios, and UNINTERRUPTED, this will be worth your time. 

And as always, this is not sponcon, this is just me talking about DICK’S — again — because they’re always doing cool stuff.  

See you Monday with a full recap on what you missed. Check out our Substack and socials in the meantime! 

Has anyone noticed how much sports have penetrated the reality TV space lately? I first realized this when this man, who played basketball at Ohio State a few years ago, kept persistently but perhaps inadvertently showing up on my reels. Now, he's on one those matchmaking-style game shows… “Love Island”? “Temptation Island”? “Perfect Match!” That’s the one. 

And although I don’t watch a lot of reality TV, I do watch “Love Island,” and I did see Bea’s premature and sorrowful exit. And obviously, last year, I saw Chris and Pepe embarrass basketball fans everywhere (just kidding, sort of). Something I learned the other day is that Kayda, from this past season of “Love Island” has familial roots in the NHL. 

And then there’s Banana Ball. Those guys are kind of doing their own reality show every night. In fact, they should probably just have their own show, but for now, they’ll be on “Dancing with the Stars.” 

“Married At First Sight” is a show that hasn’t made it across my desk yet, and I kind of hope it doesn’t. Nonetheless, sports are rearing their heads there, too. 

And then there’s the “Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test” of it all. Which is a “reality quasi-military training television series,” obviously! Olympic ice skater Maxim Naumov, former NFL LeSean McCoy, and NBA player slash podcaster Matt Barnes are all featured.  

Everybody wants to be a part of sports these days! 

Watch Season 3 of Netflix’s ‘Quarterback’. Is Joe Flacco Still Elite?

Learn about WAFCON…There’s still time!

Spend some time with your pup, even if it’s not in a PJ like Charles Leclerc.