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Good morning! Coming up today, to close out July:
Queries: Four questions for our experts
We’re back with another Pulse mailbag, where we find the right Athletic staffer to answer reader questions. I had fun sifting through hundreds of your submissions to find this Friday-friendly mix of practical and philosophical entries. Enjoy!
Will the Super Bowl and other championship games be pay-per-view? — David P., Norwalk, Calif.
💬 Answer, via Andrew Marchand: I don’t see it happening in the near future, meaning the next 10 to 15 years. The NFL makes too much money using the present model. There is already pressure from Washington over paid streaming services. Ever? Maybe at some point. Not soon.
My wife (and now I) REALLY want to know what is statistically more likely: another baseball hitting the top of another foul pole in regular gameplay, or another photo of a current sports legend and a future sports legend a) being taken when the future legend is a baby and b) the subjects of said photo meeting in a championship (a la Messi/Yamal)? — Matthew J., Fayetteville, N.C.
💬 Levi Weaver: Fortunately, Matthew, I think I have a definitive answer: It’s infinitely more likely that we’ll get another legend/baby legend photo, since any athlete can take pictures with babies, and they often do!
Specifically: their own babies. Here, I found this one of undefeated boxing champion Laila Ali and her dad, who I’m sure you recognize. Photos almost certainly exist of Bobby and baby Brett Hull, or Archie and baby Peyton/Eli Manning … you get the point. The championship aspect does complicate things. I suppose it’s possible (albeit not probable) that Bronny’s Lakers could meet up with LeBron’s Sixers in the next NBA Finals, but calling Bronny a legend is a stretch.
So, combine all the factors — legend + baby legend + championship matchup — and you or I may never see it again. But I still bet it happens before we see another batted ball hit the top of a foul pole in a game.
Which league would benefit more from a change in games per season? An increase in NFL, or a decrease in NBA? — Joseph Rowdis, Brooklyn, N.Y.
💬 Mike Vorkunov: This might be counterintuitive, but I don’t think the NFL would benefit from more games. I think it risks diluting its product and getting into game fatigue that other leagues suffer from. But I know I might be on an island for that.
Still, even as I argue that the NFL wouldn’t benefit from this proposed change, it’s hard to find many people who think the NBA wouldn’t benefit from fewer games.
It would give it some of the scarcity that is impossible to attain from an 82-game season. The change could also, potentially, help with the load management issue. If there are fewer games, there are fewer games to sit out. While it might not mean much from a net games-played standpoint, it could be beneficial reputationally to see star players more often. But it also means fewer games for fans to attend each season, including at home. So there are stark tradeoffs.
I’m new to following soccer, and throughout the World Cup, I’ve been wondering how the best national teams compare to the world’s best club teams. How competitive would Spain, Argentina, England and France be against PSG, Bayern, Barcelona, etc.?
💬 Felipe Cardenas: First of all, welcome to the greatest sport on Earth, David. To answer your question, there was a time many decades ago when club teams versus national teams was a common off-season exhibition match. It may not have been the sole objective, but it was a way to measure exactly what you’re asking about.
Today, the economic strength that the top European teams have to scout and acquire talent has led to the creation of super teams like PSG, Barcelona and Real Madrid, among others. Those teams also outfit the best national teams in the world, like Spain. But a national team has to rely on the talent they produce from youth levels to the senior level. So, while a modern-day club-versus-country game would certainly be competitive, it doesn’t prove much anymore.
Many thanks to our experts. We’ll do this again soon, so keep the questions coming.
News to Know
A FIFA boycott?
FIFA member confederations are, en masse, rebuking the global governing body’s proposal to sell off a stake in its biggest events to private investors. Yesterday, European nations agreed to boycott all FIFA events, including the upcoming Women’s World Cup, and Concacaf firmly said it rejects the proposal (plus, there’s chatter that FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s constituents have lost confidence in him to lead the organization). It’s hard to view this as anything other than a complete own goal by Infantino, following a highly successful and lucrative men’s World Cup.
It all escalated quickly. Chris Weatherspoon has both an in-depth explainer on FIFA’s plan and, if it’s more your thing, a quick video breakdown.
Are FIFA really trying to sell the World Cup? An expert explains
Chris Weatherspoon
More news
- The WNBA fined and suspended Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton after an interaction with two teenage fans supporting the Fever’s Sophie Cunningham. More details here.
- Also, the WNBA deleted a social media video it posted of Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers appearing to make a friendly $400 wager on a game. Oy.
- The Mets’ trade deadline sell-off began late last night as they dealt reliever A.J. Minter to the Twins in exchange for two prospects. Trade grades here.
- LeBron James and ESPN are closing in on an agreement for a documentary series similar to “The Last Dance” to chronicle his time with the 76ers, Andrew Marchand reports. Shocker.
- Chargers great Billy Ray Smith died at 64 of complications from dementia, which his family says was caused by CTE.
- Packers Hall of Fame running back Ahman Green, 49, has Parkinson’s disease, he said yesterday.
- The NWSL is expected to start its 2027 season in February, nearly a month earlier than previous years, to accommodate the World Cup. It’s a packed year.
- Wide receiver Deebo Samuel is returning to the 49ers on a one-year deal. Gang’s back together in SF.
Watch Guide
📺 WNBA: Wings at Mystics
7:30 p.m. ET on Ion
It’s a Friday Ion triple-header, including another good game at 10 between the Fever and Fire, but this is expected to be the closest. Washington has won three straight and wants to shore up its playoff position as the season gets toward crunch time.
📺 Two Netflix recs, via Hannah Vanbiber:
- “America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders” Season 3
- “Quarterback” Season 3
For anyone looking to emotionally transition from Fútbol Summer to Football Fall, either of these documentaries can take you confidently by the hand and guide you into your next fixation. No Season 3 slumps in sight!
Pulse Picks
Tarik Skubal might owe his success to one pitch: the changeup. Ahead of Monday’s MLB trade deadline, where Skubal is the main character, make time for Cody Stavenhagen’s deep dive into how the two-time Cy Young winner reached the sport’s greatest heights.
Henry Bushnell continues his work on the expensive-ticket beat post-World Cup, this time breaking down what it’ll cost to attend each sport at the 2028 Olympics.
Reports have suggested LeBron James will live in New York City and commute to Philly via helicopter. Fred Katz took a close look at the logistical challenges that would actually entail.
Really nice piece here from Tamerra Griffin on the NWSL stars playing at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and the responsibility they feel to help elevate their teammates.
New York Giants coach John Harbaugh is answering readers’ leadership questions all season. Here are his first seven responses.
Most-clicked in the newsletter yesterday: Pre-training camp NFL Power Rankings.
Most-read on the website yesterday: UEFA’s plan to boycott FIFA events.
📫 That’s all for now! Say hello at thepulse@theathletic.com, and check out our other newsletters.
