The hottest Sports Substack posts right now

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The Secret Behind Norway's Olympic Dominance

The Healthtech Initiative • 4 implied HN points • 27 Feb 26
🎾 Sports Training Exercise Endurance Performance Winter sports Sports culture Sports Analytics
  1. Norway dominated the 2026 Winter Olympics with a record 41 medals and an outsized per‑capita performance.
  2. People in Norway favor outdoor, nature‑based activities like walking, hiking, and cross‑country skiing and tend to train more at sustainable tempo and threshold intensities (Z3–Z4) with less time spent at maximum effort.
  3. These activity patterns appear across the whole population, suggesting Norway’s success comes from a broad, inclusive sports culture that emphasizes fun and steady training rather than early specialization.

NFL Thoughts: A Contrarian Theory on Who the NFL's Best Player is and a Reader Dumps on Justin Herbert

House of Strauss • 23 implied HN points • 17 Jan 26
🎾 Sports NFL Player analysis Defense Coaching Injuries Analytics
  1. Derek Stingley Jr. may be the NFL’s most impactful player because quarterbacks often avoid his side of the field. His coverage stats — a very low completion rate and tiny passer rating when targeted — suggest elite, game-changing disruption.
  2. Cornerbacks are widely undervalued and losing a starting corner can cause a big defensive drop-off, so truly elite corners can provide outsized team advantage. That lack of public and analytic attention may hide how important the position is.
  3. Justin Herbert is a very good quarterback but not clearly elite; repeated OC changes, persistent injuries, and middling advanced metrics indicate he hasn’t taken the next step. Blaming only the organization for his shortcomings is becoming a weaker explanation.

Re-tiering the NBA

Good Morning It's Basketball • 471 implied HN points • 21 Feb 23
🎾 Sports NBA Playoffs Teams
  1. Consider 8 teams as top contenders in the NBA.
  2. Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, Denver Nuggets, and Phoenix Suns are in Tier 1 of contenders.
  3. Philadelphia 76ers, Memphis Grizzlies, Los Angeles Clippers, and Cleveland Cavaliers are also strong contenders.
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Paris Saint-Germain Finances 2021/22

The Swiss Ramble • 471 implied HN points • 15 May 23
🎾 Sports Finances Team performance Expenses Investments
  1. Paris Saint-Germain's finances show a significant loss despite an increase in revenue and profit from player sales.
  2. The team experienced a substantial rise in operating expenses and faced challenges with compliance to UEFA's Financial Fair Play regulations.
  3. PSG's revenue improved mainly in commercial areas, but broadcasting revenue decreased due to poor Champions League performance and deferred income.

Is Chess a Game of Luck?

Zwischenzug • 471 implied HN points • 14 May 23
🎾 Sports Chess Luck Results Training
  1. Chess is a game of skill, not luck. Players have full control over their moves.
  2. There is still some luck involved in chess, such as external distractions or unexplained variations in performance.
  3. To improve in chess, focus on the process, consider long-term results, and seek outside perspectives for feedback.

MatchQuarters ICYMI - Week of 1/8/23

MatchQuarters • 275 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Football
  1. Exciting NFL matchups to watch this weekend includes Browns vs. Texans, Dolphins vs. Chiefs, and Steelers vs. Bills.
  2. The importance of strong LB play in pass coverage and its impact on the game.
  3. Teams like the Lions, Rams, and Buccaneers are showing strong performances heading into the playoffs.

Harry Kane: A Brilliant Season That Ended in Heartbreak

Original Football • 99 implied HN points • 09 May 24
🎾 Sports Football Team performance Future prospects
  1. Harry Kane had a season full of personal success but ended up without major trophies, showcasing his individual brilliance despite team struggles.
  2. Despite Kane's outstanding performance, Bayern Munich ended the season without major silverware due to underlying flaws in the team's performance and reliance on Kane.
  3. Kane's future with Bayern Munich is uncertain amid speculations about his loyalty and desire for trophies, with potential changes in the team to address the shortcomings of the past season.

Forecasting the Future

Knicks Film School • 734 implied HN points • 17 Jul 23
🎾 Sports Basketball Player Performance
  1. The Knicks considered a trade involving multiple teams to bring in Cam Payne and free up salary cap space.
  2. The Knicks have promising young players like Jalen Brunson that could elevate their status in the Eastern Conference.
  3. Teams like Boston and Brooklyn are in strong positions for the future due to their roster and draft assets.

Friday Mailbag: Is the decision now influenced by the division?

Purple Insider • 255 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Football Coaching Drafting Offensive Line Team Strategy
  1. There are different tiers of quarterbacks and what it takes for them to win a Super Bowl.
  2. The Vikings are considering different options regarding their quarterback situation, including re-signing Cousins or drafting a new QB.
  3. The team is evaluating potential changes to the coaching staff and strategies for rebuilding the defense.

Observations: Florida 81, Auburn 65

The Auburn Observer • 216 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🎾 Sports Basketball
  1. Auburn struggled in Gainesville against Florida, continuing a long history of difficulties winning there.
  2. Despite good previous teams, Auburn faced issues like turnovers and poor shooting in their recent game against Florida.
  3. Losing to Florida didn't severely impact Auburn's season goals, but the team hoped for a more competitive performance.

Reaching for the Stars

Mets Fix • 255 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Baseball International Players
  1. The Mets signed Dominican and Venezuelan prospects while Starling Marte stands out in winter ball.
  2. The Mets had a Dominican-themed week, celebrating their Academy's graduation ceremony.
  3. Read more by subscribing to Mets Fix for a 7-day free trial.

The options and implications of the Vikings' QB decision

Purple Insider • 393 implied HN points • 30 Oct 23
🎾 Sports Football Quarterback NFL Team
  1. The Vikings have to make a significant decision regarding their quarterback situation due to Kirk Cousins' injury.
  2. The team's timeline for competing affects the direction of their decision - whether to focus on the present or the future.
  3. There are a variety of options available for the Vikings, including potentially trading for another QB or giving rookie Jaren Hall a chance.

On becoming an athlete

The Half Marathoner • 432 implied HN points • 06 Mar 23
🎾 Sports Athlete Running Transformation Self-confidence Challenges
  1. Transition from being a hobby jogger to an athlete by expanding your sense of what's possible.
  2. Even when faced with self-doubt, finding the inner strength and belief in yourself can lead to transformative moments.
  3. Choosing to step out of your comfort zone and embrace a new identity, like becoming an athlete, can lead to a fulfilling and liberating experience.

That wraps up indoors⏱

The Lap Count • 432 implied HN points • 15 Mar 23
🎾 Sports Events Athletes Records Championships
  1. VELOUS active recovery footwear offers new styles and technology for post-workout comfort and support.
  2. New Balance National meet showcased top high school athletes breaking records and impressing the audience.
  3. NCAA Indoor Nationals saw 10 college records being set, with athletes from various disciplines delivering outstanding performances.