The hottest Sports Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Sports Topics

Irish Dance: Inconveniently, Boys Are Stronger Than Girls

Parents with Inconvenient Truths about Trans (PITT) • 2220 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🎾 Sports Gender Competition Athletics Inclusion Strength
  1. In Irish Dance competitions, boys have demonstrated superior strength compared to girls.
  2. The governing body allowed a boy to compete in the Girls U14 category based on gender identity.
  3. There is a call for an 'open' category in Irish Dance competitions to ensure fairness for all competitors.

Heartbreak and Heroes

JoeBlogs • 2319 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Football Championship
  1. The Detroit Lions suffered a heartbreaking loss in a game against the 49ers after leading 24-7 at halftime.
  2. Dan Campbell made three key coaching decisions in the second half that impacted the outcome of the game.
  3. The author reflects on the emotional impact of the game, mentioning a young woman crying and expressing deep empathy for Lions fans.

Jürgen Klopp: A Liverpool Legend

Original Football • 818 implied HN points • 20 May 24
🎾 Sports Football Legacy Community Leadership
  1. Jürgen Klopp transformed Liverpool from an average team to a European football powerhouse through his passion, unity, and attacking style of play.
  2. Klopp's legacy goes beyond trophies, as he deeply connected with fans, embraced Liverpool's culture, and championed important social causes.
  3. Klopp's mentorship and emphasis on values like resilience and humility have groomed future leaders within the Liverpool squad, leaving a lasting impact even after his departure.
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The NFL has been testing optical tracking technology for first downs (but is that a good thing?)

Huddle Up • 40 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
🎾 Sports Technology NFL Analytics Fan Experience
  1. The NFL is exploring new tracking technology to improve accuracy in measuring first downs during games. This could make it easier to determine if a play is successful or not.
  2. Fans are frustrated because they feel the NFL is slow to adopt advancements that other sports have already embraced. For example, technologies like Hawk-Eye in tennis are much faster.
  3. Some people are questioning whether this new technology is actually needed or if it complicates the game more than it helps. There are mixed feelings about its impact on the sport.

Nick Wright and the Shameless Clown Industry

Freddie deBoer • 4857 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Media Athletes Criticism Fans Industry
  1. Sports media can sometimes be toxic with aimless shouting and pointless provocations.
  2. Nick Wright exemplifies how sports media can corrupt individuals, where his persona often overshadows his potential thoughtful side.
  3. Wright's obsessive criticism and cruelty towards athletes, like Josh Allen and Nikola Jokic, stems from personal biases and a lack of accountability in the sports media industry.

Hall of Fame Breakdown: Shortstop

JoeBlogs • 2456 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Baseball Hall of Fame
  1. No shortstops are fully qualified Hall of Famers based on the survey.
  2. Home Run Johnson and Maury Wills are fringe candidates for the Hall of Fame.
  3. Players like Nomar Garciaparra and Dave Concepción had admirable but not Hall of Fame careers.

Free Friday: Choose the Hall of Famer

JoeBlogs • 2044 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🎾 Sports Football Baseball Basketball Hall of Fame Statistics
  1. The game 'Choose the Hall of Famer' challenges perceptions about player value based on stats and accomplishments.
  2. Comparison between players like Jim Plunkett and Joe Namath shows that stats alone may not dictate Hall of Fame worthiness.
  3. Analyzing players like Scott Rolen and Jim Edmonds reveals how defensive contributions can impact Hall of Fame considerations.

Free Friday: Filling the Void

JoeBlogs • 2299 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Football Baseball Athletes Coaching Writing
  1. Nick Saban and Bill Belichick are two legendary football coaches facing retirement and the question of finding happiness in the future.
  2. Coaching greats like Bobby Bowden and Joe Paterno faced the difficulty of retiring from their passion.
  3. The writer discusses the disappearance of old writings and the upcoming decision about staying on Substack.

A Complicated Man

JoeBlogs • 3852 implied HN points • 22 May 23
🎾 Sports Football
  1. The article discusses the influence of two superheroes from the author's Cleveland hometown: Superman and Jim Brown.
  2. Jim Brown, a significant figure in the author's life, passed away at age 87.
  3. Readers can subscribe for a 7-day free trial to access the full post archives on JoeBlogs.

Free Friday: Let's Talk Hall of Fame Catchers!

JoeBlogs • 2142 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Baseball Hall of Fame Players History
  1. Joe Mauer, Buster Posey, and Yadier Molina are likely to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, marking a golden age for catchers.
  2. Thurman Munson is a strong Hall of Fame candidate, but doesn't quite match up to some of the other legendary catchers in history.
  3. Different eras in baseball history have seen peaks in catcher talent, with gaps in the 1950s and 1980s for Hall of Fame catchers.

Jimmy Butler Trade Shows Me I'm a Casual

House of Strauss • 36 implied HN points • 06 Feb 25
🎾 Sports NBA Trades Fan culture Player analysis Media
  1. There's a big gap between casual and hardcore NBA fans. Casual fans enjoy the excitement of trades and star players, while hardcore fans focus more on the details and how moves affect teams overall.
  2. Many NBA trades seem great at first but can be risky or have bad fits. Fans often feel hopeful but need to consider the team's overall strength and needs before celebrating a trade.
  3. After a trade, fans often look for expert opinions to understand if the move was good or bad. This shows how people want to feel smart about their opinions, and they may be influenced by what experts say.

My Hall of Fame Predictions

JoeBlogs • 2024 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Baseball Hall of Fame Predictions
  1. The author predicts Adrián Beltré will be elected into the Hall of Fame with a high percentage.
  2. The author introduces the concept of 'Hock Score' to measure a player's popularity at the Hall of Fame.
  3. The author plans to engage readers with a discussion thread and video related to the Hall of Fame ballot.

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.

Ch-ch-ch-changes!

JoeBlogs • 3695 implied HN points • 02 Mar 23
🎾 Sports Baseball
  1. The article discusses changes in baseball this year and their impact.
  2. The writer has a story about baseball changes in _Esquire_.
  3. Readers can sign up for a 7-day free trial to access the full post archives.

Playoff Baseball is the Best Baseball

Points And Figures • 719 implied HN points • 08 Oct 24
🎾 Sports Baseball Playoffs Athletics Culture Strategy
  1. Playoff baseball is exciting because of the high stakes. The games feel different and more intense than regular season games.
  2. Anyone can play baseball, no matter their size or background. It’s a sport that allows for dreams and opportunities.
  3. Baseball is deeply rooted in American culture, offering strategy and unpredictability without time limits, making it unique.

How The Field At Caesars Superdome Is Being Prepared (And Tested) For Super Bowl LIX

Huddle Up • 17 implied HN points • 07 Feb 25
🎾 Sports Football Events Athletics Training
  1. The field at Caesars Superdome is being specially prepared and tested for Super Bowl LIX. This ensures that the players have a safe and reliable surface to play on.
  2. There was a lot of criticism about the field during the previous Super Bowl because players were slipping. This highlights the importance of having a good playing surface.
  3. Proper field maintenance is crucial to prevent issues like slipping and sliding, which can affect the game's outcome and players' safety.

The Case for Joey Votto

JoeBlogs • 3459 implied HN points • 20 Jun 23
🎾 Sports Baseball Athletes Hall of Fame
  1. Fame and recognition can impact a player's Hall of Fame induction.
  2. A player's value on the field might not always reflect their chances of being in the Hall of Fame.
  3. Joey Votto's case sheds light on how Hall of Fame decisions are influenced.

Mark Cuban, Kobe Bryant: Two More Theories on Why the Luka Dončić Happened

House of Strauss • 37 implied HN points • 04 Feb 25
🎾 Sports Athletes Teams Management Trade Analysis
  1. Mark Cuban hired Nico Harrison as GM, but it seems he was not ready for the job. This has led to problems that only became noticeable later.
  2. There are underlying reasons for the issues that the NBA community is aware of, even if they don't openly discuss them.
  3. Kobe Bryant's influence and theories regarding the situation may also provide additional insights into what is happening with Luka Dončić and the Mavericks.

A Perfect Ending

JoeBlogs • 3419 implied HN points • 22 Mar 23
🎾 Sports Baseball Writing Emotions Journey
  1. The author writes the ending of their essays first and then works backward to build up to it
  2. Great endings should make the reader feel the emotions and journey that led to that point
  3. The World Baseball Classic had an unforgettable ending that was emotionally overwhelming

Baseball and Time

JoeBlogs • 3380 implied HN points • 03 Mar 23
🎾 Sports Baseball Time
  1. The post discusses the unique aspect of baseball being a sport without a clock or time.
  2. A reader questions the essence of baseball as a sport existing outside of time.
  3. The post also mentions a comment from a reader referring to the notion that baseball is timeless.

Gamesmanship, Sportsmanship, and the Case of the Giant Boulder

The Leap • 559 implied HN points • 28 May 24
🎾 Sports Athletics Competition Gaming Culture Strategy
  1. Gamesmanship involves using clever tactics to gain an advantage in a game, sometimes bending the rules. It's important to know when it's okay to be strategic and when it might cross the line.
  2. Sportsmanship is about respect and fairness in competition, focusing on integrity and camaraderie. Good sportsmanship means playing by the rules and being gracious, win or lose.
  3. Understanding the balance between gamesmanship and sportsmanship can enhance how we engage in competitive activities. Finding the right mix helps maintain the spirit of the game and keeps it enjoyable for everyone.

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.

WHY WE LOVE FOOTBALL Cover Reveal!

JoeBlogs • 1788 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Football
  1. Book 'WHY WE LOVE FOOTBALL' by joeblogs is a countdown of 100 greatest moments in football history
  2. Author is enthusiastic about sharing moments even for non-football fans
  3. Cover of the book reflects a dark and brooding tone compared to WHY WE LOVE BASEBALL cover

Football Ultra's: The Fans Igniting the Atmosphere

Original Football • 479 implied HN points • 28 May 24
🎾 Sports Football
  1. Ultras are the most ardent football supporters, shaping the atmosphere with intense dedication and coordinated displays.
  2. Ultra culture originated in Italy in the 1960s but spread across Europe and Latin America, adapting to local traditions and footballing styles.
  3. Chants, choreographies, and pyrotechnics are key elements of Ultra culture, creating a passionate and intimidating atmosphere in stadiums.

The FA Cup: Economic Snapshot of Football's Oldest Final

Original Football • 479 implied HN points • 24 May 24
🎾 Sports Economics Sponsorship
  1. The FA Cup is a significant financial powerhouse in football with around 90,000 fans attending and 500 million global viewers, showcasing tradition and economic impact.
  2. Television rights play a major revenue role for the FA Cup, with broadcasting deals like ESPN's extension in the US through 2028, a substantial source of income.
  3. Sponsorship is key for the FA Cup's financial success, as brands like Emirates have multi-million dollar deals, supporting various football initiatives and programs.

Let’s Use Prediction Markets for Olympic Athlete Selection!

Something to Consider • 139 implied HN points • 01 Aug 24
🎾 Sports Athletics Olympics Competition Betting Selection
  1. Using prediction markets could help select the best Olympic athletes. It lets people bet on who they think will win medals, creating a more informed decision.
  2. A single race can be too random to decide who goes to the Olympics. Markets can help show which athletes have the best chances over time.
  3. This approach could work alongside the current Olympic trials, giving athletes an extra chance to prove themselves. It encourages transparency and competition among the athletes.

How Mercedes-Benz Stadium Created A Blueprint For Modern Sports Venues

Huddle Up • 49 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
🎾 Sports Events Venues Teams Fan Experience Marketing
  1. Mercedes-Benz Stadium is a modern sports venue that serves as a model for others. It's designed to enhance the experience for fans and players alike.
  2. The stadium hosts a variety of events, showing its versatility and importance in the community. From football games to championships, it’s always busy.
  3. Its innovative features set a new standard for sports facilities, making it a blueprint that other stadiums might follow in the future.