But first: the NWSL is back with new teams on the pitch — and a celebrity assist.
EDITOR’S NOTE
Deadlines come and go — and for the WNBA, that seems to be the norm when it comes to CBA negotiations. While the league’s schedule still hangs in the balance, I’m keeping busy. Between the Paralympics, World Baseball Classic (WBC), the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) kickoff (more on that below), and March Madness anticipation, my attention span is practically nonexistent. Of course, I have to stop and watch everything. Otherwise, I would’ve missed the very cute espresso machine Team Italy brought to the WBC dugout — a celebratory shot after a home run sounds bellissimo. Meanwhile, Team Mexico fans stole the show with a lovely serenade that hit me with all the nostalgia. Elsewhere in the sports world, there’s more proof that age is just a number when it comes to winning gold. Now, let’s get to the rest of the sports headlines…
— Maria Corpus / Editor / Madison, WI
Let's Discuss
And It Was All Red
What's going on: NFL free agency deals are rolling out now — but one player’s fate has already been sealed.After weeks of headlines about Travis Kelce’s future, the Kansas City Chiefs tight end confirmed — in the only way he knows how — that he’s keeping his red jersey for a 14th NFL season. (Hear that? That’s the collective sigh of relief from Swifties.) The fine print in his contract scored extra points — eight figures, to be exact. The three-time Super Bowl champion signed a one-year, $12 million deal that’s worth up to $15 million, according to reports. Forget girl math, this is football math. And it’s likely the payday could’ve been even larger. (Thankfully, he didn’t take a page out of Aaron Rodgers’s offseason playbook.) Safe to say QB Patrick Mahomes is counting his blessings.
Our take: Kelce is coming off a disappointing 6-11 season. If you need a reminder of just how bad things got last year, never forget his angry sideline outburst or when he got butterfingers at the worst possible moment. Still, the 36-year-old often ranks among the top five tight ends in NFL history — and he could be on track to even beat one Hall of Famer if all goes well this year. His star power also extends beyond the field, putting an even brighter spotlight on the league. Win or lose next season, we’re just hoping for more Taylor Swift game-day ’fits.
