The hottest Sports Substack posts right now

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Inside Pickleball's Plan to Become a Billion-Dollar Platform

Huddle Up • 58 implied HN points • 13 Feb 26
🎾 Sports Broadcasting Media Rights Sponsorship Monetization Audience
  1. Pickleball is rapidly growing on TV, with the Carvana PPA Masters drawing 791,000 viewers — the most-watched pickleball event ever.
  2. Pickleball broadcasts can outperform other live sports in their time slots, proving the sport can compete on mainstream networks.
  3. That strong viewership and broadcast success position pickleball to scale into a billion-dollar platform with major commercial potential.

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.

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

Things Worth Remembering: ‘A Game Most Like Life’

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 4136 implied HN points • 09 Feb 25
🎾 Sports Football Coaching Culture Events Leadership
  1. Vince Lombardi believed that football, like life, teaches important lessons about hard work, sacrifice, and respect. These values are essential in achieving our goals.
  2. The Free Press is evolving and will bring in new voices for its column 'Things Worth Remembering' as Douglas Murray steps back. This change reflects the ongoing journey of the publication.
  3. Super Bowl Sunday is a reminder of Lombardi's legacy, emphasizing the lessons learned through sports. His famous quote on winning reminds us of the competitive drive we all have.
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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.

Preseason Sundays: Baker Mayfield is in the Favre Zone

Freddie deBoer • 1639 implied HN points • 20 Jul 25
🎾 Sports Football Athletes Analysis Game Strategy Team Dynamics
  1. Brett Favre was known as a 'gunslinger' for his exciting but risky style of play. He took a lot of chances which led to both amazing plays and many mistakes.
  2. Despite his incredible career, Favre had a problem with turnovers, making it hard for his teams to win consistently, especially in playoffs.
  3. Baker Mayfield is compared to Favre because he also plays fearlessly and takes risks, but this can lead to similar mistakes in his games.

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

ELWAY NFL team projections

Silver Bulletin • 386 implied HN points • 02 Dec 25
🎾 Sports
  1. The NFC West has three of the top five NFL teams right now, showing they have strong performances despite some challenges.
  2. The Bears are proving to be surprising contenders, but the Lions are struggling with injuries, making their playoff chances uncertain.
  3. Even teams with losing records like the Chiefs still have good underlying metrics, suggesting they could bounce back if they win key upcoming games.

QBERT NFL Quarterback Ratings

Silver Bulletin • 364 implied HN points • 02 Dec 25
🎾 Sports Football Analytics Statistics Player Performance Forecasting
  1. The QBERT system ranks NFL quarterbacks based on many performance factors, not just traditional stats. It looks at things like rushing yards and how well they handle pressure.
  2. Ratings are adjusted for different conditions, like the strength of the opposing team and the weather, making it fairer across the board.
  3. Along with current ratings, QBERT provides future projections for quarterbacks, taking into account their recent performances, age, and experience.

Preseason Sunday: I'm Shorting Travis Hunter's Two-Way Ambitions

Freddie deBoer • 1268 implied HN points • 10 Aug 25
🎾 Sports Football Athletes Coaching Training Analysis
  1. Travis Hunter's talent as a two-way player is exciting, but it's very rare for someone to succeed at both offense and defense in the NFL. Most players focus on one position to excel.
  2. Having a versatile player can be valuable for a team, allowing them to save money on contracts and be flexible in game strategies. However, it’s tough to actually make it work in practice.
  3. The demands of the NFL are intense, with players needing to absorb a lot of complex strategies and plays for their positions. It's unrealistic to expect one player to master both offensive and defensive tasks effectively.

How a few college students bootstrapped one of the largest sports media websites in the world

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 74 implied HN points • 27 Jan 26
🎾 Sports Sports Media Digital Publishing Bootstrapping Startup Growth
  1. A few college students bootstrapped a global sports media site without raising outside capital, chasing viral platforms, or leaning on legacy media, showing indie teams can build massive audiences.
  2. It began as a dorm-room passion project with a narrow content focus and complementary founder skills—sports expertise plus technical know-how—which provided a practical foundation to grow.
  3. Patient, long-term commitment and steady work transformed the experiment into a 200-person, independently owned media company that ranks near the top of sports websites worldwide.

Sports Culture War State of the Union

House of Strauss • 31 implied HN points • 24 Feb 26
🎾 Sports Culture Politics Media Athletes Olympics College
  1. Sports culture depoliticized briefly under Biden but has swung back since Trump returned, with more athletes openly appearing with him. This shift is helped by the decline of corporate media and platforms that reduce fear of public backlash.
  2. The "Blue Veto" describes progressive-media shaming that once forced public figures to hide conservative ties, but its bite is diminishing as people grow more willing to shrug off criticism. That dynamic means public appearances with Trump matter less for stopping or advancing him than they used to.
  3. Athletes, especially in contact sports, often hold different political views than coastal elites, and celebratory acts (songs, meetings) likely reflect real affinity rather than mere naivete. Older patriotic cultural symbols are being recycled and embraced by new audiences, signaling a change in sports culture.

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.

Nothing is Ever Lamar Jackson's Fault

Freddie deBoer • 3558 implied HN points • 20 Jan 25
🎾 Sports Football Media Athletes Performance Criticism
  1. Lamar Jackson is a great quarterback but often gets excused for his poor performances in important games. Many in the media seem to overlook his mistakes while criticizing other quarterbacks more harshly.
  2. Some people defend Jackson by pointing to others' mistakes in games, but they ignore that a quarterback's turnovers are significant in losing. It's not fair to just blame teammates when the QB makes big errors.
  3. Using playoff wins to judge quarterbacks is tricky. If Jackson played like others, he would face more criticism. Fairness in criticism should apply to all players, regardless of their race or past achievements.

The Aging Athlete

Life Since the Baby Boom • 1383 implied HN points • 07 Jul 25
🎾 Sports Fitness Aging Injury Recreation Health
  1. It's normal to worry about getting hurt when playing sports as you get older. But staying active is important for your health, and you should find what works for you.
  2. Joining a sports group where everyone has fun, regardless of skill, can make physical activities enjoyable. It's okay if you aren't as good as you used to be.
  3. Pain is a part of exercise, but knowing when to stop and when to push through is key. Don’t let fear of injury hold you back from having fun.

Preseason Sunday: I'm Afraid That Justin Fields is Not a Very Good Quarterback

Freddie deBoer • 1206 implied HN points • 27 Jul 25
🎾 Sports Football Athletes Coaching Statistics Analysis
  1. Justin Fields might not be a good quarterback after evaluating his performance over 50 games. Many fans still hold hope for him because of his past potential.
  2. Fields has struggled with passing yards, averaging only 155.6 yards per game, which is quite low for an NFL starter. Elite quarterbacks usually get much more yards in fewer games.
  3. Even with his talent, Fields' inefficiency in throwing the ball makes it hard for his team to be competitive in a league that relies heavily on passing.

The Fine Art of Losing: Redux

The Contender • 1277 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Fan culture Hope Support
  1. The writer discusses the experience of being a fan of a tragic sports team like the Lions.
  2. Fans were warned about possible heartbreak if the Lions achieved success, which later proved true.
  3. Despite the pain, fans are advised to endure and continue supporting their team.

The Profile Dossier: Nick Saban, America's Most Successful Coach

The Profile • 1665 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Coaching Success Leadership Psychology Techniques
  1. Nick Saban focuses on constant improvement and attention to detail in all aspects of preparation and leadership
  2. Saban believes in investing time in habits that align with your goals and identity
  3. To be successful, one should focus on persistence, a champion's attitude in all endeavors, and taking personal responsibility for outcomes

For Me, the Lack of Individual Creativity and Shot Creation in the Half Court is the Real Problem with the NBA

Freddie deBoer • 3465 implied HN points • 27 Dec 24
🎾 Sports Basketball Athletes Coaching Sports culture Performance
  1. The NBA has become too focused on team systems and analytics, which limits individual creativity and shot-making. This means fans don't see as much exciting, personal play on the court anymore.
  2. Players now are often coached to follow strict offensive structures, which can make their gameplay feel robotic and less entertaining, especially compared to past stars like Kobe or McGrady.
  3. The current rules and playing styles could be adjusted to allow more freedom for star players, making games more engaging and fun for fans.

The Enshittification of Manchester United

Grace on Football • 1159 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🎾 Sports Football Finance Management Commercialization Ownership
  1. The Glazers' ownership of Manchester United has led to mismanagement on and off the pitch, creating a downward trajectory for the club.
  2. The concept of 'enshittification' can be seen in how tech platforms first cater to users, then prioritize business customers over users, and eventually focus on extracting maximum value for themselves before declining.
  3. Manchester United's shift towards prioritizing commercial success over sporting success has negatively affected the club's growth and standing, leading to concerns about the future of the team.

Upcoming Release: The Hunden Files

Richard Lewis • 2338 implied HN points • 27 Mar 23
🎾 Sports Esports Scandal Investigation Coaching
  1. The Hunden Files reveal private communications shedding light on the behavior of Nicolai 'Hunden' Petersen.
  2. Petersen faced consequences for cheating in competitive matches and leaking strategic documents to Astralis.
  3. Legal actions against Petersen are ongoing, with evidence showing his involvement with Astralis while still employed by Heroic.

Premier League Money: The Economics of Winning, Relegation and Promotion

Original Football • 459 implied HN points • 14 May 24
🎾 Sports Soccer Economics Competition Finance
  1. Winning the Premier League not only brings glory but also substantial financial rewards through broadcasting revenue and merit payments.
  2. Relegation from the Premier League can have severe financial consequences for clubs, leading to reduced revenue and parachute payments to soften the impact.
  3. Clubs in the Championship strive for promotion to the Premier League due to the financial windfall it brings, especially through the lucrative Championship Playoff Final.

Chiefs Fans Doing the "War Chant" After Beating the Worst Team in the League by Two is the Most Pathetic Thing I've Ever Seen From Any Fanbase

Freddie deBoer • 3712 implied HN points • 30 Nov 24
🎾 Sports Football Fan culture Analytics Team Dynamics Media Coverage
  1. Chiefs fans celebrated a narrow win over a bad team with their war chant, which some see as embarrassing and inappropriate. It's not cool to act like you just beat a top team when you barely won against the worst one.
  2. There are concerns about the Chiefs' performance this season compared to past years. Their offensive play has slowed down, and some fans and analysts feel they aren't as dominant as before.
  3. Many Chiefs fans act like a lot of people hate them because they are successful. Instead, they should recognize their team's success and stop complaining about being disrespected, as they are now a winning franchise.

Gonzo Awards: Worst Decision Of The Year

Richard Lewis • 1316 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Esports Gaming Athletes
  1. Esports can be full of drama and downfalls due to incompetent narcissists.
  2. Astralis made a series of questionable decisions involving a coach named Hunden.
  3. Astralis' actions resulted in denigration of their own legacy, angering the community, lawsuits, fines, and no improvement in tournament results.

Could Mark Cuban Really Buy Back the Mavericks?

Huddle Up • 38 implied HN points • 11 Feb 26
🎾 Sports Team Ownership Political Influence
  1. There are reports that Mark Cuban, working with a Dallas investor group, may try to buy the Mavericks back from Patrick Dumont and the Adelson family.
  2. The common explanation is that both sides are unhappy after the Luka Dončić trade and that Cuban felt boxed out when an agreement to let him run basketball operations was allegedly reneged on.
  3. A deeper motive could involve a secret land deal and heavy political activity around Texas casino legalization—hundreds of lobbyists, over $50 million in contributions, and a tight timeline that could be driving the families' decisions.

Psyched Out

The Leap • 299 implied HN points • 11 Jun 24
🎾 Sports Poker Psychology Decision-making Cognitive Bias Tournaments
  1. The gambler's fallacy is a common mistake. People often think that after a losing streak, they're 'due' for a win, which isn't how probabilities work.
  2. Rumination can hurt your game. If you keep thinking about past bad hands, you're wasting mental energy that could be used to make better decisions now.
  3. Anchoring is when you focus too much on past chip counts. It's important to play based on your current stack, not how much you had before.