Michelle Obama's WNBA Take, Brady's Burrow Bomb, & Mets' Misery

Today’s WOW moments from sports world!

⚾️ LA'S LOSING STREAK
🏀 BATTLES, BADMOUthing & BIG CONFESSIONS
⛹️‍♀️ WNBA PAY DEBATES
🏈 LEGENDARY SHADE

⚾️ Dodgers' Double Trouble, Mets' Misery & Alonso's Crown

This was a rough week for two of New York's biggest MLB teams, and their star players are feeling the pressure. For the Mets, the losing continues. They dropped another series to the Braves and have now lost nine out of their last ten games. Meanwhile, the Dodgers' prized young pitcher, Roki Sasaki, had a rough first rehab start in the minor leagues, a discouraging sign for a team hoping for his return from injury.

The Dodgers' woes weren't confined to the minor leagues, either. The crosstown Angels, a team many expected them to dominate, did the exact opposite. The Angels completed a perfect 6-0 sweep of the Dodgers for the entire season. For the Angels, it's a massive confidence boost, while for the star-studded Dodgers, it's a humiliating footnote in a season full of high expectations.

The free newsletter making HR less lonely

The best HR advice comes from those in the trenches. That’s what this is: real-world HR insights delivered in a newsletter from Hebba Youssef, a Chief People Officer who’s been there. Practical, real strategies with a dash of humor. Because HR shouldn’t be thankless—and you shouldn’t be alone in it.

Sign Up Free

Amidst the Mets' misery, there was one shining moment of franchise history. Slugger Pete Alonso cemented his legacy as the team's all-time home run king. Alonso smashed his 253rd and 254th home runs, surpassing Darryl Strawberry for the top spot. It was a well-deserved milestone for a fan favorite who has delivered consistent power since his debut.

Pete Alonso's achievement is a perfect encapsulation of the mixed emotions swirling around these teams. The Dodgers and Mets are both struggling to find their rhythm, facing both team-wide slumps and individual setbacks. But even in a tough season, a superstar like Alonso can still provide a reason for fans to cheer, giving them a glimpse of hope for better days ahead.

🏀 Edwards' Paternity Plight, KD's Dig & MPJ's Confession

First up, Anthony Edwards is in a messy paternity battle. His ex, Ayesha Howard, is not only seeking a hefty $500,000, but she's also demanding a public apology from the Wolves star posted on all his social media. The legal saga continues as both sides blame each other for delays, making it clear this is far from a simple family matter.

Meanwhile, Kevin Durant has been on a social media tear. After the NBA announced the schedule for the 2025-26 season, Durant's upcoming game against his former team, the OKC Thunder, became a hot topic. A Warriors fan tried to get a rise out of him, but Durant had the perfect comeback, tweeting a sarcastic dig at the haters by reminding them of his two Finals MVPs.

The off-court struggles don't stop there. Michael Porter Jr. is trying to pick up the pieces of his family life after a truly difficult year and a half. His brother Jontay was banned from the NBA for gambling, while another brother, Coban, was sentenced to a maximum of 8 years in prison for a fatal drunk-driving accident.

A third brother, Jevon, also had a recent run-in with the law for a DUI. In a surprisingly candid moment on his podcast, Porter Jr. finally addressed the family's turmoil. He talked about how his brother Jontay struggled with gambling as a "vice."

Porter Jr. then made a confession of his own, admitting that his "vice has always come in the form of women." It was a rare, vulnerable moment from the NBA champion as he navigates his family's highly publicized troubles.

💰️ Obama's Pay Critique, Parker's Past & Clark's Trolling

The WNBA is in a new era, and legends like Candace Parker are watching it unfold with a mix of pride and caution. While she's thrilled with the league's progress—charter flights, better facilities—she can't help but reflect on her time playing overseas.

On her podcast, Parker revealed the stark difference, recalling the private chefs, drivers, and lavish gifts from her time in Russia. This level of luxury, she said, made players "feel like you're one of the top players," a feeling the WNBA is only now beginning to replicate.

The conversation about player value was also amplified by a surprise voice: former First Lady Michelle Obama. She weighed in on the league's pay, bluntly stating that the WNBA is "using" its players to build its business brand without compensating them properly.

Obama also offered a powerful take on the Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese rivalry, pointing out that their greatest achievement is not just their on-court greatness, but how they have managed to thrive under the immense pressure of the social media era.

Sophie Cunningham took full advantage of her newfound fame on a recent road trip. She and teammate Lexie Hull posted a sunbathing bikini photo from Los Angeles, asking for swimsuit brands to collaborate. The post quickly went viral, but it was the comments that truly sealed the moment's legacy.

Ever the team mom, Caitlin Clark playfully trolled her teammates, telling any potential brands to "please comment, 'focus on basketball.'" Cunningham's response was pure gold, feigning frustration and joking, "I’m going to kill her. Dude, you are ruining me and Lexi’s deals."

🏈 Swift's Shout-out, Ward's Wit & Brady's Burrow Bomb

The NFL offseason is a mix of pop culture, preseason drama, and Hall of Fame legends, and this week was no exception. It all kicked off with a surprising celebrity shout-out from Taylor Swift. The pop icon, on boyfriend Travis Kelce's podcast, admitted she became obsessed with the Chiefs' first-round pick, Xavier Worthy. Swift hilariously recalled running through her house screaming with excitement, proving she's more than just a casual fan.

While one celebrity was busy getting to know the league, another was busy trying to get some preferential treatment. Titans QB Cam Ward provided a classic training camp moment, jokingly trying to bribe a referee for some calls in his favor. The official, however, was not swayed, shutting down Ward's playful attempt with a witty "I ain’t giving you nothing dawg."

The mood quickly turned serious at Bengals practice, where a full-on brawl erupted. Rookie Shemar Stewart landed an ugly hit on quarterback Joe Burrow, sending a scare through the franchise. The hit sparked a melee between players, showing just how high the emotions run in training camp, especially when the franchise QB is on the line.

The drama didn't end there for Joe Burrow, who was also the target of an indirect shot from the GOAT himself, Tom Brady. On a podcast, Brady criticized quarterbacks who don't push their teams for better personnel.

He questioned what Burrow was doing to "help your defense" and "push the personnel department," making it clear he believes Burrow needs to be more hands-on if the Bengals want to return to championship contention.

Thank you folks for reading our newsletter! Will see you in the next edition with more exciting highlights from the sports world curated for you! 🙏