EDITOR’S NOTE
If you’re not tuning in to any of the sports finals this week, it might be time to reevaluate your plans. The NBA Finals officially tip off in Oklahoma City on Thursday — after a tornado warning diverted the Pacers’ flight. (In memory of the Knicks, here’s a roundup of all of Timothée’s sideline looks.) Coco Gauff has advanced to the French Open semifinals (honestly, the Roland-Garros clay court deserves its own documentary). And fans are settling in for a Stanley Cup finals rematch. Somehow, I’ll find time to squeeze in the latest episode of New Heights — in which Shaq and Travis Kelce make some big plans for Taylor Swift’s future concerts. Now, let’s get to some other sports highlights…
— Maria Corpus / Editor / Madison, WI
Let's Discuss
What to look out for in our latest episode.
MLB Goes To Bat for Women's Softball
What's going on: The road to the Women’s College World Series final is never easy. But in a nail-biting semifinal earlier this week, the Texas Tech Red Raiders stunned fans by defeating four-time defending champion Oklahoma. For the first time in five years, a new college softball champ will be crowned — fueling more momentum for the sport. It’s momentum Major League Baseball is getting behind. According to Sports Illustrated, MLB has made an eight-figure investment into the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL), which kicks off its inaugural season this weekend. The game plan: help AUSL grow, build a pipeline of softball talent, and create a pro path that doesn’t end after college or require playing abroad. Sounds like a home run.
Our take: This is MLB’s first major investment in women’s sports — spurred by the explosive growth of leagues like the WNBA, NWSL, and NCAA women’s basketball. The takeaway? Investing in women’s sports lifts all boats. Instead of buying AUSL or starting its own softball league, MLB chose to support an existing one. “During this extraordinarily exciting time for women’s sports, we want softball to thrive,” MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. As the partnership moves forward, many hope AUSL becomes the rare US pro softball league that lasts — unlike others that have come and gone.
Related: The Real Highlight from the Dodgers-Yankees Game? Shohei Ohtani’s Cat Nap (Well Played)
Pick Six
More sports talkers you don't want to miss.
✨ Livvy Dunne struck the perfect pose at the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Runway Show. Plus, we’re flipping out over Ilona Maher’s postshow revelation.
👀 Olympian Gabby Thomas is speaking out about her scary experience at a track meet.
🏈 The trailer for season 2 of America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders is leaving fans thunderstruck. The squad is back.
🤣 Scottie Scheffler handling a diaper blowout right after winning the PGA Championship is peak dad energy. Give that man another trophy — and maybe some wipes.
🍷 Cheers — a bar dedicated only to women’s sports is expanding to four new cities. Is yours on the list?
💒 Out of all the guests, we did not expect this celeb to be at Josh Allen and Hailee Steinfeld’s wedding.
Timeout...
Our Well Played co-hosts and friends of the show tackle listener Qs.
Some analysts say the NBA Finals are not what many expected. What’s going on?
The Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder are small-market teams and, according to some analysts, lack “superstars” — factors that could lead to lower viewership for the NBA. Still, the Thunder had the top-ranked defense during the regular season. The Pacers, meanwhile, pulled off three of the most improbable comebacks in playoff history. So while the finals are missing the big-star names like LeBron James or Anthony Edwards, this should still be a series filled with competitive basketball and the potential for an underdog upset from the Pacers.
FEATURED EXPERT:
Caroline Hendershot
Reporter for NY Jets and co-host of Well Played
Just Trust Us
Here are today’s recs to help you live a smarter life…
Our picks for the best summer workout gear just dropped. Time to kiss blisters goodbye.
We’re not sure if the French Open or the 70-plus-degree weather has anything to do with it, but this summertime activity has us dusting off our tennis shoes.
Father’s Day is just around the corner. Rally up the group chat and get $250 off this at-home workout setup, with code SKIMMWAVE.
Psst…love our recs? Follow @skimmshopping on Instagram for more products, gifts, and services that are actually worth the hype (and the price tag).
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