The hottest Sports Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Sports Topics

Big Super Bowl Prizes!

House of Strauss • 5 implied HN points • 05 Feb 26
🎾 Sports American Football Sports Betting Predictions Competitions Fan engagement
  1. It’s Super Bowl week with related festivities and in-person meetups among sports people.
  2. SportsPredict is hosting a zero-risk pick'em contest tied to the game where participants make picks and the top three finishers will receive prizes.
  3. The newsletter is reader-supported and encourages readers to subscribe, offering both free and paid subscription options.

When Quitting Isn’t an Option: Lessons from an 8-Year-Old at a Chess Championship

Behavioral Value Investor • 89 implied HN points • 28 Jul 25
🎾 Sports Chess Competition Parenting Resilience Lessons
  1. It's important to stay resilient and fight back, even when things look hopeless. You never know when your opponent might make a mistake.
  2. Lessons from coaching can apply to many areas of life, including how we handle challenges and setbacks.
  3. Investing, like chess, requires discipline and a willingness to adapt. Keeping a positive mindset can help you navigate tough times.

Exclusive: Sir Bradley Wiggins took ketones in Tour de France-winning year

Honest Sport • 99 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Nutrition Cycling
  1. Sir Bradley Wiggins used ketones, a performance-enhancing drink, during his Tour de France victory in 2012. Ketones were originally developed for US Special Forces and were considered legal but controversial for athletes.
  2. UK Sport conducted a secret project involving ketone testing on British Olympians, including Wiggins, leading up to the London 2012 Olympics. They were worried about the perception of unfair advantage if this information leaked.
  3. Despite the claims of Team Sky and Wiggins denying the use of ketones, internal documents reveal a clear strategy to manage public relations around the use of this substance in British sports. The situation shows a grey area in sports nutrition and ethics.

Senior Bowl Week

The Draft Scout • 98 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Football NFL Draft Quarterbacks
  1. The Senior Bowl is a great event for NFL Draft and college football fans.
  2. Top prospects like Bo Nix and Michael Penix Jr. are showcasing their skills at the Senior Bowl.
  3. One-on-one drills like OL vs DL and WR vs CB offer exciting football matchups.
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MMA in China=Ping Pong Diplomacy?

ChinaTalk • 296 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🎾 Sports MMA Politics US-China Relations Cultural Exchange Diplomacy
  1. The UFC has developed a strong relationship with Donald Trump, making appearances at events during key moments in his political career. This connection shows how sports can intertwine with politics.
  2. China has been a growing market for the UFC, with events and training programs aimed at building local talent and expanding their fan base. The UFC is interested in maintaining good relations with China, especially as they return to hosting events there.
  3. The idea of using sports, like MMA, to improve US-China relations is like the historical 'ping pong diplomacy.' It suggests that unexpected connections can help bridge gaps between countries, even in tense times.

The Explicit Baseball Card Edition

Why is this interesting? • 301 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
🎾 Sports Baseball Collectibles History Entertainment
  1. Billy Ripken's baseball card from 1989 is famous for its hilarious and playful mistake. It features something unexpected that caught fans' attention.
  2. Baseball cards were a big deal for many kids, with the thrill of finding rare ones like the Michael Jordan card.
  3. Different brands of baseball cards had their own unique styles, with Fleer being seen as less premium compared to brands like Upper Deck.

The Premier League, Ranked, Vol. 3

No Grass in the Clouds • 179 implied HN points • 31 Oct 23
🎾 Sports Soccer
  1. Spurs in the Premier League are outperforming their expected goals both offensively and defensively.
  2. The aggressive playing style of Tottenham might not lead to sustainable over-performance in defense.
  3. The analysis featured by Ryan O'Hanlon highlights the potential future performance of the team.

NBA Future of the Franchise Rankings

Silver Bulletin • 210 implied HN points • 08 Feb 25
🎾 Sports Basketball Franchises Trade Championships Analysis
  1. Teams' future success in the NBA is heavily influenced by their current roster and ability to attract superstar talent. A team with young superstars has a better chance at winning more championships over time compared to one that has an aging roster.
  2. The current standings of a team may not reflect their long-term potential. Teams like the Los Angeles Clippers and Phoenix Suns made big trades but now face challenges with roster depth and future draft assets, making it hard to build a championship-caliber team.
  3. It's crucial for teams to prioritize championship potential over just being competitive. Teams that are stuck in the middle, like the Sacramento Kings and Chicago Bulls, are less likely to achieve success because they lack pathways to acquire star players and improve their chances of winning titles.

The Work of Tony Siragusa

Oliver Bateman Does the Work • 137 implied HN points • 22 Nov 23
🎾 Sports Obituaries NFL TV shows
  1. The writer aims to secure more paid subscriptions and increase publication frequency to explore varied aspects of 'the work.'
  2. The writer questions the value of paid content in a world saturated with freely-accessible material and the potential impact of AI on content creation.
  3. The obituary covers the multifaceted life and career of former NFL player Tony Siragusa, highlighting his diverse achievements on and off the field.

The 2023 True Sack Rate (TSR): Week 18 Update (Final Rankings)

Trench Warfare • 119 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Analysis Statistics Rankings Players Defense
  1. The 2023 True Sack Rate (TSR) metric differentiates sacks into four categories to evaluate pass-rush production accurately.
  2. The TSR provides valuable insights into how players earn sacks based on skill, technique, and circumstances.
  3. TSR results and rankings for edge rushers are available, including top performers in various efficiency metrics.

What Are Eight Games in the Premier League Really Worth?

No Grass in the Clouds • 179 implied HN points • 20 Oct 23
🎾 Sports Soccer Premier League Data Analysis Team performance Predictions
  1. Expected goals (xG) are a powerful indicator of team quality and future performance in the Premier League.
  2. The ultimate title winner in the Premier League often has the best xG differential at even strength.
  3. Looking at xG differentials can provide insights into the top-four race in the Premier League.

The Billionaire Tax Trick Fueling Record-High Sports Valuations

Huddle Up • 71 implied HN points • 06 Aug 25
🎾 Sports Valuation Economics Business Politics Finance
  1. WNBA team valuations increased significantly, even though the league lost money last season. This shows the market interest in women's sports is growing.
  2. Powerful team owners took action to protect their investments after policies impacted sports valuations negatively. Their influence helps shape the financial landscape of sports teams.
  3. Tax laws and political decisions can have a big effect on how much sports teams are worth. Changes in these laws can lead to record-high valuations.

The Greatest World Cup Ever

Pen>Sword • 259 implied HN points • 28 Dec 22
🎾 Sports Soccer Culture Diversity Immigration Media
  1. The World Cup in Qatar showcased cultural fusion, breaking stereotypes and promoting inclusivity.
  2. The event emphasized the importance of true cultural exchange and challenged biases from Western perspectives.
  3. The tournament highlighted subaltern solidarity, resilience against Western supremacy, and represented a significant moment in history.

The 2023 OL almanac

Trench Warfare • 218 implied HN points • 05 Sep 23
🎾 Sports NFL Offensive Line Rankings Analysis
  1. The 2023 OL Almanac is now updated with changes in starting lineups.
  2. Experience levels, age rankings, draft capital, and unit weight are important factors in analyzing offensive line units.
  3. The Colts, Falcons, and Chiefs have some of the most athletic offensive line units based on the Relative Athletic Score (RAS).

The 2023 True Sack Rate (TSR): Week 3 Update

Trench Warfare • 198 implied HN points • 27 Sep 23
🎾 Sports Analysis NFL Player evaluation
  1. The True Sack Rate (TSR) metric evaluates sack quality based on different factors like skill, move, and athleticism.
  2. TSR differentiates sacks into categories like Rare High Quality (RHQ), High Quality (HQ), Low Quality (LQ), and Coverage/Cleanup, providing insights into player performance.
  3. Through TSR analysis of edge rushers, players like Rashan Gary and Dennis Gardeck stand out with impressive sack scores and performances.

It’s Getting Hard to Take the FIFA Peace Prize Seriously

I Might Be Wrong • 10 implied HN points • 06 Jan 26
🎾 Sports Soccer Governance Politics Awards Ethics Reputation
  1. Awarding the FIFA Peace Prize to a leader who later orders military action and issues threats makes the prize look hollow and undermines its claim to honor real peacemakers.
  2. FIFA’s reputation for fairness and probity is at risk, raising doubts that the prize process could involve cynical deal‑making or corruption.
  3. If high-profile awards come to be seen as vanity or puffery, people may stop trusting prizes and the institutions that hand them out, eroding their cultural value.

The Hall of Fame is about more than WAR

Silver Bulletin • 232 implied HN points • 06 Jan 25
🎾 Sports Baseball Analytics Hall of Fame Player evaluation Statistics
  1. The Hall of Fame should consider many factors, not just one statistic like Wins Above Replacement (WAR). This means looking at achievements, player talent, and character too.
  2. Players might have high WAR scores but lack the greatness often associated with Hall of Fame status. For example, a consistent but average player shouldn't necessarily be in the Hall over a standout who had fewer career years.
  3. Voters for the Hall of Fame are required to consider a player's overall impact, including postseason performances and fan appeal. This makes it a more complex decision than just focusing on statistics.

Road Trip: Rono on the Road

Beck of the Pack • 98 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Running Marathons Athletes Race Training
  1. The article provides insights into the life and mindset of elite runners, like Elly Rono, and their dedication to road racing.
  2. Elly Rono's journey from Kenya to the United States highlights the challenges and aspirations of an athlete striving for success on the international stage.
  3. The road trip narrative captures the camaraderie, struggles, and dreams of runners competing in races and navigating the intricacies of the sport.

“There's nothing I can do about it.”

The Better Letter • 157 implied HN points • 20 Oct 23
🎾 Sports Baseball Statistics Playoffs
  1. Baseball analytics have revolutionized the sport, but interpreting data on human behavior is complex.
  2. Clutch hitting in baseball is a controversial topic with no solid evidence of its existence as a repeatable skill.
  3. Combining traditional scouting with statistical analysis in sports management is often more effective than choosing one over the other.

How to Win at Gambling and in Life

Kneeling Bus • 185 implied HN points • 28 Feb 25
🎾 Sports Betting Media Culture Analytics Technology
  1. Courtsiding is when someone at a game places bets based on what they see in real time, taking advantage of the delay in betting apps. This shows how technology can create new opportunities to win in gambling.
  2. Sports betting is changing the way we consume sports media, with odds and spreads becoming more common on screens. This shift reflects a deeper trend where everything is becoming about numbers and predictions.
  3. As gambling expands into everyday life, people might start betting on personal actions. This can create new ways to have agency, suggesting that even if traditional success seems difficult, there are still ways to find success in unexpected places.

New Hampshire Indoor State Championships livestream and previews (via N.H. Track and Field)

Beck of the Pack • 78 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🎾 Sports Running Championships Livestream Records
  1. New Hampshire High School Indoor Track and Field Championships are happening today at Plymouth State College with Division 2 events starting at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time and Division 1 at 4:30 p.m.
  2. The state record in the 1,000 meters set by Conant's Zak Wright in 1994 is a significant benchmark for runners, and two boys are aiming to break it at the championships.
  3. New Hampshire Track and Field has integrated results of the state's high-school athletes with TFRRS to create rankings for Granite State preps, allowing viewers to follow performances within the state.