EDITOR’S NOTE
To be honest, I’m not much of a baseball fan (though I’m very proud of the Milwaukee Brewers for this milestone). Still, there’s one moment from a recent MLB game that I can’t stop rewatching: New York Mets’ Francisco Lindor’s emotional reaction to his wife performing the national anthem — the sweetest thing you’ll see all day. Speaking of love being in the air, Travis Kelce spilled some details on how wedding planning is going, including the couple’s vision for the reception and the one thing that’s more challenging than preparing for the big day (glad to see his sense of humor is still intact). Meanwhile, Tom Brady announced a return to football (sort of), but it seems all anyone wants to talk about is his questionable sideline behavior. As I listen to Venus and Serena discuss the biggest misconceptions about them, here’s what else is making sports headlines…
— Maria Corpus / Editor / Madison, WI
Let's Discuss
What to look out for in our latest episode.
The Colts Owner Making the Sideline Her Office
What's going on: After the Indianapolis Colts’ season opener, it wasn’t the team’s 33-8 win that was making headlines — it was their new CEO: Carlie Irsay-Gordon. Months after the death of her father, Jim Irsay, Carlie made her debut as the Colts chief executive and one of its owners. The Colts are now in the hands of Carlie and her two younger sisters. In recent weeks, clips of her on the sidelines have lit up social media — earpiece in, play-call sheet in hand, and pen at the ready. If you didn’t know better, you might mistake her for a coach. But for Irsay-Gordon, it’s simple: anyone paying coaches and GMs “millions” should be just as involved to help “make a less expensive mistake potentially.”
Our take: A female owner calling the shots on the NFL sideline? Iconic. But Carlie isn’t the only one redefining what NFL ownership looks like. Around half a dozen other teams across the league have women with controlling shares or active ownership roles. While the NFL has long been a boys’ club, the playbook — and gender lines — have been changing (see: male cheerleaders and the Taylor Swift effect). The evolution hasn’t come without criticism — some say Carlie is micromanaging the team. Still, others view her presence as “powerful.” Even Colts players back her involvement, saying she makes the organization feel like a family, as much as a $5.9 billion franchise can, anyway.
Related: The Lions Gave Their 100-Year-Old Matriarch the Ultimate Birthday Gift (Well Played)
Pick Six
More sports talkers you don't want to miss.
🏈 It might’ve been date night for Gigi Hadid and Bradley Cooper, but he still found a way to keep up with the Eagles. (Well Played)
💪 Health experts called out these bad habits for your joints and muscles. Guess only professional athletes can risk No. 2. (Self)
👀 Why did Taylor Swift seemingly sneak into the Chiefs game? (Well Played)
🫶🏼 Cardi B and her Patriots boyfriend have big news off the field. Game day just got a little sweeter. (NBC News)
🎤 The perfect celebrity commentator for the 2026 Olympic Games in Italy does exist. (Well Played)
🏆 Paige Bueckers got her Rookie of the Year trophy in a surprise reveal that no one saw coming — not even her. We’d like performance reviews this way too. (Sports Illustrated)
Timeout...
Our Well Played co-hosts and friends of the show tackle listener Qs.
What's "turf toe"?
It’s a question many are asking, after the Bengals announced QB Joe Burrow is out — three to four months, according to some estimates — with a “turf toe” injury that’ll require surgery to repair torn ligaments and tendons in his big toe. “Turf toe” might sound minor, but it’s brutal. Think: a toothache in your foot. One wrong step, and the pain can shoot through your whole body. It’s called “turf toe” because it was first described in players whose cleats got stuck on artificial turf. The injury is fairly common, but Burrow’s case is especially severe.
FEATURED EXPERT:
Caroline Hendershot
Reporter for the New York Jets and co-host of Well Played.
The Press Box
Ali Krieger made her name winning World Cups with the USWNT and shutting down the game’s best strikers. She closed out her career with a championship win for Gotham FC, which will honor her during its last home match of the season on Sunday, October 19. We talked to her about legacy, motherhood, and close pal Megan Rapinoe.
Q: You’re about two years into retirement. Do you love it?
A: I’m having a great time doing all the things that I [couldn’t do] over the years because of a game or training. On the other hand, I miss the game so much. I miss the sh*t-talking, laughing, and being a part of a team. I miss winning.
Q: You’re also a mom of two kids and started your adoption journey while you were still playing. What’s something fans don’t realize about becoming a mom while being a professional athlete?
A: When you go home and you see your kids’ faces, it puts things in perspective. It actually doesn’t really matter that I made a mistake today or that we didn’t necessarily win. Because ultimately you come home to them and you’re trying to help them figure out what life is and who they are.
Q: If you owned a women’s team, what would be your first order of business?
A: I’d hire an all-female staff.
Q: You’re close friends with Megan Rapinoe, and she was a maid of honor at your wedding. What’s your favorite thing about her?
A: She’s never changed who she is at her core — even with the newfound fame, which we would always laugh about. She’s silly, funny, caring, kind, supportive, and loyal. It’s always the same.
To watch the full interview, check out this week’s episode.
This interview was edited for clarity.
TOGETHER WITH YES WAY ROSE
Sideline Sips
Which sporting event are you most locked into this fall?
Pro tip: A chilled glass of Yes Way Rosé goes well with all of the above. Talk about a winning duo.
Just Trust Us
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Psst…love our recs? Follow @skimmshopping on Instagram for more products, gifts, and services that are actually worth the hype (and the price tag).
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