EDITOR’S NOTE
Some people hit the gym when they’re having a bad day. Others binge reality TV. Travis Kelce? He blasts Taylor Swift. (Been there.) Meanwhile, Luka Dončić just survived the NBA’s version of an awkward family reunion, and A’ja Wilson is saying what Jordan Chiles can’t about that whole Olympic bronze medal controversy. Now let’s get to other sports highlights from the week…
— Claudia Rupcich / Writer / Richmond, VA
Let's Discuss
What to look out for in our latest episode.
It’s 2025 and Women Athletes Still Can’t Live in Peace
What's going on: Last week in Dubai, British tennis star Emma Raducanu broke down in tears after spotting a man with “fixated behavior” in the stands. In 2022, another man was convicted of stalking her after he repeatedly showed up at her home. Scary, yes. Uncommon for women athletes? Not at all. Last month, a man was charged with stalking Caitlin Clark. And Olympic runner Gabby Thomas recently shared that a group of men were stalking her at airports. Her post struck a chord with tennis star Coco Gauff and Olympic gymnasts Suni Lee and Simone Biles, who said they experience the same thing.
Our take: Current security measures catch some problems — like removing Raducanu's stalker from the match — but the protection often stops when athletes leave a sports venue. And many threats actually start online. Women athletes need social media to grow their fan base (and bank accounts) when traditional coverage falls short, but that same visibility can put targets on their backs. Just look at the numbers: Women's college basketball players endure three times more online threats than men. At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, 87% of all online abuse was directed at women athletes, and in the 2022 World Athletics Championships, 59% of abusive posts targeted women. Let’s be real — those creepy DMs and comments aren’t just words. They can escalate into real-life danger, from lurking at airports to showing up at homes.
Pick Six
More sports talkers you don't want to miss.
🏀 “I’m full and I’m happy.” The WNBA’s all-time leading scorer just hung up her sneakers after six Olympic golds. Talk about going out on top.
👀 The Chiefs just dropped two bombshells about Travis Kelce’s mysterious Super Bowl illness and retirement plans. We need Jason to follow up.
🏈 The Eagles-White House drama is officially over.
🥇 Paging all Pommel Horse Guy fans: Men's gymnastics uniforms might be getting an update, and, spoiler, it doesn’t involve unitards.
🧔🏻♂️ The Yankees just ditched their decades-long no-beard policy, and the internet is wondering if the team's going through an identity crisis. Blink twice.
🏒 Justin Bieber got into a fight at a hockey game, and no, it wasn’t with the paparazzi.
The Press Box
We sat down with actress and Lakers superfan Brenda Song, who plays Kate Hudson’s chief of staff in Mindy Kaling’s new Netflix sports comedy, Running Point (out February 27).
Q: Which past costar would you choose to run the Lakers with?
A: It's kind of a cheat, but I would probably choose my partner, Mack [Macaulay Culkin], because he loves sports just as much as I do. We have very different opinions when it comes to running an organization, so I feel like we'd be a good partnership.
Q: What are your thoughts on the Luka trade to the Lakers?
A: I'm so excited. He is the future of our Lakers. Now we have to slowly build around him. I feel like we have a very bright future ahead of us.
Q: You're putting together your dream sports team — who's your first draft pick?
A: Hands down, Kobe Bryant. But I actually have a starting five and their backups: Shooting guard — Michael Jordan with Kobe as his backup. Point guard — Magic Johnson with Steph Curry. Small forward — Dennis Rodman with LeBron James. And power forward— Tim Duncan with Kevin Garnett. Center — Shaquille O'Neal with Hakeem Olajuwon.
To watch the full interview, follow us on social @theskimm.
This interview was edited for clarity.
Timeout...
Our Well Played co-hosts and friends of the show tackle listener Qs.
Why is the NFL Combine important?
The NFL Combine is an invite-only event in Indianapolis where college players showcase their skills before the April draft. Over four days, players are tested in a series of standardized physical tests to show off their athleticism, agility, and skill at their specific position. Teams can also conduct interviews to assess players' football IQ. This event is crucial for athletes hoping to be drafted into the NFL, as it can boost their "draft stock" — the consensus on how high or low they are expected to be selected. A standout performance, like a fast 40-yard dash, can significantly elevate a player's draft position and improve their chances of being picked earlier.
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