Paige and Azzi Hard Launch, OKC’s Gen Z Kings, and Aaron Rodgers’ (Fake) Marriage

This week in Pretty Boys of the NFL, Tom Brady apparently hit it off with Sydney Sweeney at the Bezos-Sànchez wedding across the pond in Venice. Blake begs the very important question — can Tom Brady even flirt? Back home, Tight End University kicked off, where players came for the football and stayed for an impromptu Taylor Swift concert. Thanks, Travis. In this episode of Well Played, we also cover:  A recap of our time in the Stubhub suite for a recent Liberty game Kelsey Plum sharing the real reason many WNBA stars are in a shooting slump  Ben Shelton confirming what Caroline knew to be true – butter yellow is in  The prettiest boy in the NFL who refused to play because it was “too cold” How we want to see sporty enemies squash the beef, à la Coco and Aryna Blake’s IG: @blaaakkkke Caroline’s IG: @cghendy theSkimm’s IG: @theskimmPS: Did you know theSkimm has a sports newsletter? Sign up at theskimm.com/sports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It was a winning week for Gen-Z ballers. Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd finally hard-launched their relationship on Instagram after months of speculation. Then, the Oklahoma City Thunder won the NBA Championship with an average roster age of 24.7. Subtract a couple of pandemic years (girl math), and they’re basically 22. Their post-win celebration? Let's just say it reflected their age. In this episode of Well Played, we also cover:  The only woman who could get Stephen A. Smith to… stop talking  How Sophie Cunningham stood on business — and what it reveals about WNBA reffing  Tom Brady proving yet again that he’s the GOAT at Fanatics Fest  How Kylie Kelce plans to help Dawn Staley’s post-coaching dreams come true Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shows why he’s league *and* dad MVP after Game 7 Blake’s IG: @blaaakkkke Caroline’s IG: @cghendy theSkimm’s IG: @theskimm PS: Did you know theSkimm has a sports newsletter? Sign up at theskimm.com/sports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Emma Watson swapped scripts for sports on a certain Oxford University athletic team. Caroline has some words for her, if that gives you any clue about which sport it is. Also across the pond, the Kelce boys take Cannes Lions Festival to talk about the success of their podcast, New Heights. But the real star of the show? The outfit Jason wore in his panel there.The dad vibes are strong with this one.  In this episode of Well Played, we also cover:  How the midwest brought Caitlin Clark and Tyrese Haliburton to BFF status The impact Clark’s injury absence had on WNBA viewership  Our inaugural “Pretty Boys of the NFL” segment, ft. Jalen Hurts’ second wedding, Joe Burrow’s thirst traps (debatable) and the Kelce bros in France Why Tyreek Hill and Noah Lyles need couples therapy How JJ Spaun came back  from a late-night parenting emergency to win the US Open Blake’s IG: @blaaakkkke Caroline’s IG: @cghendy theSkimm’s IG: @theskimm PS: Sign up for the Skimm Sports newsletter at theskimm.com/sports Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coco Gauff made history with her victory at Roland Garross, despite controversial comments from her opponent after the match. And did you see her tiny trophy - what was that all about? Meanwhile, Alex Cooper’s new documentary dropped and her story from playing soccer in college is worth hearing.  In this episode of Well Played, we also cover:  Carlos Alcaraz matching Rafa Nadal’s championship pace Aaron Rodgers signed with the Steelers, but his ring finger is what has us talking The WNBA initiative that’s spreading across the country Our new partnership with the NWSL Laurie Hernandez dishes on her time as an Olympic athlete and how she learned to put her mental health first Blake’s IG: @blaaakkkke Caroline’s IG: @cghendy theSkimm’s IG: @theskimm Check out: YourMindIsTheMVP.com  PS: Sign up for the Skimm Sports newsletter at theskimm.com/sports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs was caught on video giving a mysterious bag of pink powder to women on a yacht – and he still managed to hard launch on IG with Cardi B. Meanwhile, the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Runway Show featured some of our favorite athletes – hi, Jordan Chiles – and one of the most infamous Housewives of the wine-mom variety.  In this episode of Well Played, we also cover:  Who’s taking the post-Knicks loss harder, Samantha Jones or Kylie Jenner? The certifiably most random celeb spotting at the Allen-Steinfeld wedding Why OKC + Indiana’s short commute could bring better balling in the finals A major investment in women’s sports from Major League Baseball  Why our curse-watch is on for Saquon Barkley post-Madden cover debut Blake’s IG: @blaaakkkke Caroline’s IG: @cghendy theSkimm’s IG: @theskimm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After the Knicks stumbled in the Eastern Conference Finals, we have just one question: is Timothée Chalamet okay? From Haliburton’s choke celly to KAT’s revenge tour, the NBA playoffs are delivering. Blake and Caroline chat about all the sports today (yes, even ultramarathons) and are joined virtually by Ilona Maher to talk rugby, body acceptance, being chronically online. In this episode of Well Played, we also cover:  Why Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is making Caroline’s “Mount Rushmore of Perfect Husbands” The one very important thing Coco Gauff forgot to bring to her French Open match How the Colts’ owner set his daughters up for franchise takeover  The mom who’s reminding us that athleticism doesn’t stop where motherhood begins How Ilona Maher really feels about being the face of American women’s rugby  Ilona’s IG: @ilonamaher  Ilona’s Podcast: @houseofmaher Blake’s IG: @blaaakkkke Caroline’s IG: @cghendy theSkimm’s IG: @theskimm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Men and women’s pro-hoops popped off last weekend. The Knicks upset the Celtics to make their first final four appearance in over 20 years. Meanwhile, the WNBA saw record crowds, a Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese showdown, and their foul-filled play everyone’s still talking about. Blake and Caroline break down the play and ask: if Caitlin and Angel moved on, why can’t we?  In this episode of Well Played, we also cover:  The latest rumor out of the Jordon Hudson and Bill Belichick saga  How we know a woman designed the New York Liberty’s championship ring  Whether Paige Bueckers blew it in her WNBA debut  The relatable way Nikola Jokic will spend his days after the Nuggets’ exit from the playoffs  Justin and Hailey Bieber date night with the Maple Leafs, plus which rapper accused JB of the team’s loss  Blake’s IG: @blaaakkkke Caroline’s IG: @cghendy theSkimm’s IG: @theskimm  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Over the weekend, rumors swirled that Bill Belichick’s 24-year-old girlfriend was banned from UNC football facilities. The school shot that down quickly. But between the post-CBS interview shakeup to Jordon’s recent Miss Maine competition, TBD if either of them will even make it to week one of the season. Plus, Allison Kuch joins us to talk about life since husband left the NFL – and how she got her “pink” back.  In this episode of Well Played, we’ll also cover:  Whether the Mavs got first pick thanks to a widely circulated conspiracy theory  Paul Pierce’s walk of shame to work after the Celtics’ game two loss Kylie Jenner and Jordyn Woods reuniting at the Knicks game  How one women’s soccer player highlighted the difficulties women athletes face finding jobs post-retirement  Follow Allison IG: @allisonkuch Blake’s IG: @blaaakkkke Caroline’s IG: @cghendy theSkimm’s IG: @theskimm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Met Gala Monday showed us just how much influence athletes have on culture. From Simone Biles and Angel Reese serving on the host committee to even the least fashion-forward (hi, Joe Burrow) showing up to the carpet, the intersection of sport and fashion is hard to ignore. And we’re here for it. In this episode of Well Played, we’ll also cover:  A recap of Blake and Caroline’s trip to Tampa covering DICKS Varsity Team debut Which athletes served (and which didn’t) on the Met Gala carpet  How to parent your parents: a lesson from Tyrese Halliburton ft. Giannis Antetokounmpo AJ Brown’s proposal to his fiancée, and which R&B singer helped tie the knot How Tara and Hunter Davis-Woodhall’s lives financially changed pre and post-Paris Olympics  Follow the Woodhalls IG: @thewoodhalls Blake’s IG: @blaaakkkke Caroline’s IG: @cghendy theSkimm’s IG: @theskimm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As women athletes show up more and more in the zeitgeist, so do their husbands and boyfriends. But Blake and Caroline couldn’t help but wonder: do HABs get the same treatment as WAGs? Plus, 2 Dope Queens host and comedian Phoebe Robinson answers the question: should you date someone in your run club? In this episode of Well Played, we’ll also cover:  How Shadeur Sanders failed to nepo-baby his way through the NFL draft  Why some think Travis Kelce unfollowed Ryan Reynolds this week on IG A soft-launch of a new segment called “Lore Keeper”, with inspo from Deux Moi Who just made this Bill Belichick interview even more awkward than it already was  Our Send Its this week featuring Brenda Song giving her all for the Lakers, some brotherly love in the NHL, and an attack at the hands of the Tarp Monster Phoebe’s IG: @dopequeenpheebs Blake’s IG: @blaaakkkke Caroline’s IG: @cghendy theSkimm’s IG: @theskimm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices