Welcome To 2024

The future is here, sort of. Hope to comment on these stories in an upcoming newsletter. First, Mahindra racing “fired” (?) their AI-generated reporter. Also, we’re playing polo on cloned horses.

Women’s Sports 2023 In Review

Here’s a really nice recap–with a ton of data–of a historic year in women’s sports. As Katie Lever demonstrates here, the important numbers (e.g., viewership, dollars) all suggest that female athletes are beginning to get their due.  Key paragraph: It’s no wonder Deloitte projects women’s elite sports to generate $1.28 billion worldwide in 2024–over 300% higher than their…

Hail To The Cheaters

I’m reasonably confident that Michigan was the best college football team in the country this year. I think they deserve their title, as much as anyone can. But…it seems a little off that we just collectively decided that the cheating scandal from earlier this year just…doesn’t matter? Here are some things: I’m not losing sleep over this,…

Mexico Diary #5: más fotos

Mexico Diary #4: CDMX Photo Dump

What a fantastic place this is.

Mexico Diary #3: If It Ain’t Broke

Another lovely day in San Miguel. I walked around, sat around, and read. Pretty much a perfect day.  I promise I do more than drink, but I’ll add another alcohol endorsement: Casa Murciélago Mezcaleria, a few steps off the square. My kind of place: tucked away in the back of a restaurant, tiny, and focused. 2 beers on…

Mexico Diary #2: The Best Bar In The World

Another 24 hours in San Miguel de Allende and I remain thoroughly charmed. I’m sure some folks would find this place too touristy and I’m sure I would find those folks exhausting. I’m coming to terms that my perfect places are urban and small scale: narrow streets, tiny shops, bars and cafes with a few stools.  I…

Mexico Diary #1: San Miguel de Allende

Some places just open strong. Six or so hours into my first visit here and San Miguel is definitely a strong opener. The vibes abound.

No Surprises: Bad Policy From the IOC

Like many, I have no satisfying resolution to the question of transgender athlete participation at the elite/professional level. (At lower levels: everyone plays. Next.) Here’s a gross oversimplification of two things that are both true: sports should be as inclusive as possible and athletes born physically male have physical advantages over athletes born physically female in most…

Movie Context: The Iron Claw

We caught Sean Durkin’s The Iron Claw a few days back: totally good movie, do recommend. The film tells the (relatively) historically accurate story of the Von Erich family of professional wrestlers, a clan who had great success and suffered much greater tragedy. It’s a heavy, well-made film, perhaps most notable for elevating Zac Efron into Serious…