Well Played

EDITOR’S NOTE

It was a rough week for professional male athletes, but an A+ one for me, someone who loves to see men absolutely schooled in sports. First up, these NFL stars got completely smoked in flag football in front of a packed celeb crowd. The dramatics even trickled down to wrestling, when this kid did what I've secretly always wanted to do to an opponent. (Don’t lie — you have too.) Thankfully, women athletes showed up to remind me why I love them so much. Team USA's Laila Edwards and her Wisconsin teammates took home yet another top honor just weeks after their Olympic victory. And WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu pulled off a move that anyone who’s ever been to a tailgate will recognize. Over on the pitch, the NWSL set a brand new record. Now that baseball is back, I'm ready to spiral over all the new ballpark menus. (Seriously, how do you eat this?) I’d do anything to rate them with Aryna Sabalenka after her iconic reaction to this $100 concession. Before I get hangry, let's get to the rest of the sports stories...

— Mallory Simon / Writer / New York, New York

Let's Discuss

This Is What a Real W Looks Like

What's going on: WNBA players just took home a prize more valuable than a league championship: a contract that begins to take their worth seriously. Veteran superstars can now sign deals starting at $1.4 million and the projected average sits just under $600K. For context, four-time MVP A'ja Wilson earned a roughly $200K salary last season. A new expected supermax deal would push that to $1.4 million per year. That’s around a 500% raise. The next MVP bonus goes from just over $15K to $60K too. The full contract goes beyond the paycheck and includes charter flights, housing for all players until 2029, and salary cap exception for injured and pregnant players. The league now requires a pregnant player's consent before any trade. Why? Because of this drama. Yes, really.

Our take: The deal is transformational — but we’d also call it a correction. Retired WNBA legend Diana Taurasi called it “life-changing” for players. She once said that the WNBA was for love, but if players wanted to make money, they had to go to Europe (others have compared it to a summer job). Cameron Brink said the private chef she hired to fuel her performance cost more than what she earned in the WNBA. This deal will likely change that. Some, like the StudBudz, could become be the first millionaires in their families — the contract offers players (and their loved ones) a path toward generational wealth. But there’s room for more. LeBron James's son — who didn’t see regular play — will still outearn A’ja Wilson’s expected max. So while we applaud this massive adjustment, this isn't the finish line — just the first real marker on the way there.

Related: How Much Will Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers Make Now? (NYT Gift Link)

Pick Six

More sports talkers you don't want to miss.

🎥 The Rock's live-action Moana transformation just dropped and if his wig doesn't take you out, the prosthetics will. Now we know how far he’ll go.

🏀 This women’s basketball fan pulled off something so unhinged and perfect that Michael B. Jordan had no choice but to stan. We’re taking notes.

💝 Simone Biles surprised her best friend with the kind of present we’d love to get. How do we send her our wish list?

📸 This surprising power couple is revving up the romance rumors again after fans spotted them on vacation together.

⛷️ Six weeks, five surgeries, and crutches couldn't stop Lindsey Vonn from getting back into the gym. And Chelsea Handler's reaction says it all.

🏈 See why Joe Burrow and Olivia Ponton’s awkward postgame exit was a complete fumble. It brings us back to our middle-school dating days.

Timeout...

Caroline Hendershot, reporter for the New York Jets and Well Played co-host, tackles listener Qs.

Bring on the Madness

The NCAA basketball tournament delivered enough drama this week to convert even casual fans. Iowa’s men's team took down reigning champs Florida on a buzzer-beater — from the same player who appeared to throw a punch earlier in the game. St. John’s is on the way to its first Sweet 16 since 1999. And Texas, an 11-seed that barely made the cut, has a very unusual pet on the sidelines. (Don’t ask, just believe.) On the women’s side: UConn’s Geno Auriemma gave Azzi Fudd courtside nail advice (the only man we’d allow) that actually worked. South Carolina coach Dawn Staley gifted an opponent Louis Vuitton perfume and then her team promptly dropped 103 points on them. Queen behavior. But the moment? Maryland’s head coach Brenda Frese got in star Oluchi Okananwa’s face with a pep talk so intense it gave us chills. (Even Okananwa agreed.) That alone deserves a dance.

The Press Box

Fresh off of an Oscars performance that had everybody riveted, the boundary-breaking ballerina Misty Copeland joined theSkimm’s Well Played podcast to talk about it all. From the moment she took the stage with the Sinners performers to what she hopes audiences can learn and appreciate about ballet, our full conversation with the legendary artist covers it and you can watch that here. There’s a reason she’s the best in the world — barre none.

In Our Rotation

Here are today’s recs to help you live a smarter life…

One of our new favorite workouts lasts literally five minutes. True story.

Vest season is upon us. Here’s a cozy-chic fleece option that always gets compliments.

We took the guesswork out of getting dressed and curated a list of one-and-done pieces we’re loving for spring.

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

Tell Us

Ryan Reynolds, Patrick Mahomes and Alexis Ohanian

Virginia's women's basketball team made the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2000, and now this famous alum's investment is suddenly back in the spotlight.

A. Ryan Reynolds

B. Patrick Mahomes

C. Alexis Ohanian

Nobody asked The Rock to go this hard