Well Played

EDITOR’S NOTE

Women’s sports has major “main character energy” at the moment. Texas Tech softball pulled off an absurd eighth-inning comeback that honestly sounds fake until you watch the grand slam chaos unfold. New mom Mal Swanson is back in action for the Chicago Stars post maternity leave. And MMA fighter Ronda Rousey, who recently came out of retirement, forced Gina Carano to tap out in 17 seconds with one wild move on Saturday, then immediately retired again. *Slow claps.* Also over the weekend, Aaron Rai won his first PGA Championship, but all anyone can talk about is his wife, pro golfer Gaurika Bishnoi Rai, and her textbook swing. (Seriously, it should be studied.) Finally, the internet has become deeply invested in the newly unveiled women behind some of college sports’ most beloved mascots. It’s a lot to root for. Now, here’s what else is making sports headlines…

— Jordan Galloway, Editor, Katonah, NY

Let's Discuss

Going the Distance

On your mark... For decades, elite runners have pretty much all followed the same career path: chase faster times, run major courses, repeat. Now, some of the biggest women’s names in the sport have gone off-road. After years inside the marathon machine, Olympic medalist Molly Seidel explained how trail running helped her fall back in love with competition. At her first ultra, Seidel beat the entire field (men and women) and obliterated the 50K women’s course record. And long-distance mainstay Des Linden, who won Boston in 2018, says her 2026 vision board is full of major trail and ultrarunning races. This month alone, Rachel Entrekin smashed the men’s 250-mile course record, fueled by our favorite comfort food and only 19 minutes of sleep. Legend.

Our take: Ultrarunning offers more than a change of scenery for road racers, and women are crushing it. The sport suddenly occupies a very different place in run culture, complete with elite athletes, sponsor money, cult-favorite gear, and its own cool-kid identity. While road races ask runners to optimize every second, trail runs require them to explore, respond, and endure. “I love competing, adapting, and figuring it out when things get messy,” Seidel told Runner’s World. And even if most pro trail and ultrarunners operate in a much smaller financial ecosystem, as the sport grows in visibility, it may start to feel less like a retirement plan and more like an entirely new lane for elite competition.

Pick Six

More sports talkers you don't want to miss.

👀 What do Madonna, Shakira, and Elmo have in common? See why this history-making first has fans so excited.

💄 Wait, this all-women’s wrestling league features costumes created by a famous French designer? Why didn’t anyone tell us?

💝 Travis Kelce gifted Taylor Swift pieces from a truly iconic jewelry collection, and we’re unwell. Do you think she’ll write about this on her next album?

🏆 The NFL fumbled this player-of-the-year award so badly, the recipient said he doesn’t want it anymore. Talk about offensive.

😂 Tom Hanks had the most unexpected reunion at Citi Field this weekend. Some friendships really do survive anything.

🎙️Sophie Cunningham just scored a major honor off the court with one of Summer House’s most polarizing cast members.

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Timeout...

What's going on with the grand slams?

Honestly, there’s not a lot of love between pro tennis players and big four summer tournament organizers at the moment. With the French Open set to kick off on Sunday (qualifying matches are already underway), several tennis stars are tossing around the word “boycott” over schedules, pay, and work conditions. And some of the sharpest comments have come from Aryna Sabalenka (an athlete who isn't afraid to make controversial statements) and Coco Gauff. Hard to fault them. For fans, it doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t get to sip a Honey Deuce at the US Open or enjoy all the people watching at Wimbledon. But the vibe around tennis suddenly feels a lot less strawberries-and-cream.

Related: World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz Withdraws From Wimbledon (Forbes)

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Tell us

Which 2026 World Cup matchup is the hottest ticket so far?

A. USA vs. Paraguay

B. Brazil vs. Scotland

C. Colombia vs. Portugal

D. Argentina vs. Austria

A truly offensive move