Well Played

EDITOR’S NOTE

Is it just me or do the dog days of summer feel particularly brutal this year? (Thanks, heat dome.) To cope, I’ve taken a few trips to Long Island where my brother’s pool offers a welcome escape from the sweltering city. As an added bonus, the train rides give me plenty of time to fall down every Wimbledon and World Cup rabbit hole imaginable. I can’t get enough of Coco Gauff’s incredible time management skills or the fact that she just surpassed Maria Sharapova’s nearly 20-year record. And since the USMNT’s bitter loss to Belgium, I’ve consoled myself with deep dives into the longtime bromance between Norway and England's top stars Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham ahead of their quarterfinals matchup — as if I wasn’t already invested enough in the viral Viking’s every social media move, I’ve now got even more reasons to circle Saturday’s game on my calendar. May the best friend win. Now, let's get to the rest of the sports headlines...

— Mallory Simon / Writer / New York, New York

Let's Discuss

When Fandom Goes Too Far

What's going on: Former LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne says airport stalking has become so common that she no longer feels safe traveling alone. In a recent TikTok video, she told her nearly 8 million followers that a group of male autograph seekers monitor her flights, buy refundable tickets to get through airport security, and wait at gates to confront her when she lands. She said the situation recently escalated when several men tried to follow her into a women's restroom at an airport, prompting her sister to intervene. The incident is the latest in a string of such encounters Dunne has publicly discussed over the past year on her social media. Olympic sprinter Gabby Thomas has also reported similar accounts of airport harassment. Both athletes suggest these aren't overzealous fans so much as professional autograph resellers who profit from their signatures.

Why is this happening?: Dunne and Thomas are far from the first female athletes to grapple with stalking. When the New York Times investigated the issue last August, it found 52 reported cases involving athletes across sports since 2020, which it says is likely an underestimate. As women’s sports become more popular, security experts say the risks facing female athletes have grown, too — especially as social media makes it easier to map their movements in real time. Some leagues and governing bodies have responded by expanding security measures at arenas, monitoring online threats, and investing in more advanced athlete protection programs. But many athletes say they're still navigating the risks largely on their own. Which left Dunne to wonder in her latest post: "Should a woman have to change her behavior because men can't handle the word ‘no’?"

Pick Six

More sports talkers you don't want to miss.

😂 On a trip to Disneyland Paris, Kylie Kelce asked Ilona Maher’s sisters to share the rugby star’s most-annoying habit, and they didn’t even pause to think.

♥️ See why Simone Biles's look at the Swift-Kelce wedding has fans hearing one Taylor track. So scarlet…

⛰️ Kate Middleton's mountain-climbing challenge came with one sweet detail we didn't know about until her posthike photo dump.

👀 Adele showed up to the British Grand Prix in the last shoe anyone expects at a racetrack. Go easy on her, she made it work.

💪 Lindsey Vonn posted a progress video following her horrific crash back in February, and her level of recovery feels unbelievable five months post-op.

💦 Summer McIntosh just broke the longest-standing record in women’s swimming, but it’s what she called the “other highlight” of her night that’s made her iconic in our book.

In Our Rotation

Big news: Anthropologie is offering 30% off brand-new fall arrivals starting today. Time to up our wardrobe game.

The dog days of summer are coming. Here’s the one-and-done outfit we’re reaching for until September.

Keep scrolling...more recs below

On Our Calendar

Thursday, July 9

⚽ World Cup quarterfinals start

From 48 down to eight: The first quarterfinal match kicks off in Boston at 4 pm ET — and the bracket predictions are rolling in.

Friday, July 10

🤝 NWSL Rivalry Week begins

The week’s four marquee matches kick off with the league’s newest rivalry: Orlando Pride vs. Kansas City Current. Catch it on Prime Video at 8 pm ET.

Monday, July 13

🧢 MLB Home Run Derby

This year’s Derby in Philadelphia has a different format, a spot on Netflix (watch at 8 pm ET) — and a soon-to-be disclosed prize. Last year, the participants split $2.5M. Swing, batter, swing.

Tuesday, July 14

⭐ MLB All-Star Game

The best players in the league go head-to-head in Philadelphia. Here’s who made the cut and who did not. Watch it on FOX at 8 pm ET.

⚽ World Cup semifinals kick off

Four teams, two games. The first comes to you live at 3 pm ET from Arlington, TX. Here’s who you might see on the field.

Psst…this is just the preview: Subscribe to theSkimm app and never miss a moment.

Timeout...

What’s the drama over the WNBA All-Star lineups?

Last week, when the WNBA announced the starters for its All-Star Game set to tip off in Chicago on July 25, one thing became clear: Fans and players had very different ideas about who deserved those positions. But since the former control 50% of the voting power, their picks dominated the decision-making process. As a result, Caitlin Clark earned a starting spot after fans ranked her second among guards, even though players ranked her 11th. Meanwhile, Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard (who players ranked second) didn't earn a starting nod. Fast-forward to this week: Coaches have named the reserves, and Howard made the roster after all. But as ESPN's roundup of the biggest snubs and surprises shows, the debate over this year’s lineup is far from over.

Related: WNBA Coach Has One Word for Kelsey Plum Not Starting at All-Stars (Sports Illustrated)

In Our Rotation

Our shopping editors shared their favorite products from the last month. And yes, we’re adding them all to our carts.

This under-$50 teeth-whitening hack can get your pearly whites looking pearlier and whiter in one week.

Psst…love our recs? Follow @skimmshopping on Instagram for more products, gifts, and services that are actually worth the hype (and the price tag).

No Notes

Cabo Verde as a new bombshell in World Cup?

Tell Us

Which actor turned a custom-motorcycle "fantasy" into a real racing team and filmed the whole ride for a new docuseries?

A. Tom Hardy

B. Keanu Reeves

C. Jason Momoa

Kylie Kelce’s Disney playdate