… You know what’s even sexier than a World Cup victory? A World Cup draw. Curacao became the latest tiny island nation to win the world’s heart when it stalemated Ecuador 0-0 (see also Verde, Cabo). When a nation of 158,000—or roughly the going turnout for a Knicks meet-and-greet these days—secures its first-ever World Cup point, it calls for a (good) New York Times think piece.
Related: At OffBall highlight reels are generally what we call OnBall, the domain of onfield platforms like ESPN and The Athletic. But when that highlight reel can make a sports co-religionist out of even the most rabid anti-sports friend in the chat, we are obligated to share. The internet is yours, Eloy Room.
The US Men’s National Team might just be the best ever (they’re certainly making history, and breaking viewership records). Could it be the new unintentional quarter system they’re playing in, thanks to hydration breaks? Or is Trinity Rodman just good luck? The New Yorker’s Louisa Thomas has the goods here.
If you didn’t love OG Anunoby enough already, you’re about to. After winning the NBA Finals, everyone’s favorite shy little guy hand selected his starting five of NYC shelter cats to help them get adopted. And it worked immediately. More like OG Animal Lover.
The photographers were photographing at the Knicks championship parade. Gabriele Holtermann. Mitch Ritter. Kait Devir. A Pulitzer for each one of you. And an Emmy for you, Mr. Don Visuals.
Happy NBA Draft Eve. Tomorrow night’s going to be a banger.
Forward this to someone who’s ready to lock in on the W.
Cannes Lions has begun, and I’m here on the French Riviera awaiting some of the most exciting Happy Hours and Happy Hangs with some of my favorite WNBA players ever. Sorry, I didn’t mean to brag. If you want to follow us along on that journey, subscribe to the SPORT BEACH newsletter here.
I was simply providing some context to explain to you why the WNBA is on my mind — despite this year’s, shall we call it, lessened fanfare and discourse.
Sue Bird, Candace Parker, and Diana Taurasi kind of run Cannes, so the discourse and fanfare will definitely be here, but let’s check in on the current W storylines. It’s been a while!
On the court, it’s been a somewhat confusing (albeit thrilling) season. A few teams will hit a stride and then find themselves dipping into the L column again. There have been upsets galore. New coaches are getting settled in, ankles are breaking, new feuds are rearing their heads, and Olivia Miles is so good she’ll have your friends making questionable decisions.
The Commissioner’s Cup is a week from tomorrow (June 30) and is a rematch of the 2023 WNBA Finals: Aces vs. Liberty. I’m trying to chase down an XS Marine Johannes Origin jersey, if you know someone. They were out of her nameplate at Barclays and I’m desperate. Anyway, will Chennedy Carter be there after her social media meltdown a few weeks ago and subsequent absence from the team? Who knows.
Off the court, Caitlin Clark’s signature shoes are finally here. The first-ever WNBA game took place 30 June 21sts ago yesterday, in 1997, and featured the LA Sparks and the NY Liberty. Last night, they had a 30th anniversary rematch, and it was spectacular. Alysa Liu is officially a Valks fan. Kelsey Plum threw the first pitch at the Dodgers game. You’ve gotta see the inside of Angel Reese’s new custom Rolls-Royce (spoiler: it’s all pink). Klay Thompson pulled up to Wings-Sky and he may or may not have been booed. He also may or may not have left at halftime.
So anyway, there’s plenty happening. And now that the NBA Finals are over, time to shift our focus back.
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