Marathoner Emma Bates went viral after sharing that her sponsor, UCan, dropped her once they learned she was pregnant. While UCan denied the allegation, it still reminded us of an unfortunate reality for women athletes – that the “pregnancy penalty” still exists. We break down what the penalty is, why some women athletes view pregnancy as a “death sentence” to their career, and how athletes like Allyson Felix have fought to stop it.

In this episode, we also cover:

Which teams made it to the Final Four, and how Blake and Caroline’s brackets are doing

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It finally happened – the WNBA voted to ratify its new collective bargaining agreement, months after the deadline passed. It’s a major win for professional women’s basketball players and the league, which will offer what it calls “the first comprehensive revenue-sharing model in women's professional sports history.” With just weeks until the season starts, the off-season – and free agency chaos – begins. 

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The internet was all in on Timothée Chalamet’s Oscars run last year for “Marty Supreme” (guilty as charged). The Academy? Not so much. The ping-pong flick struck out, Chalamet walked back his ballet take, and he left empty-handed. Meanwhile, ballerina Misty Copeland had a front-row seat, performing onstage during Sinners’ “I Lied to You.” She joins us on Well Played to talk about getting the call from Ryan Coogler, what society gets wrong about women’s strength, and her journey back after hip replacement surgery.

In this episode of Well Played, we also cover:

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Follow Misty Copeland: @mistyonpointe

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Mercury is in retrograde which can only mean one thing — breakups. From Dak Prescott and Sarah Jane Ramos calling off their wedding to Luka Dončić’s fiancée deleting all of her photos with the star hooper, this week gave us nothing but drama in the love department. Plus, Caroline recaps this week’s free agency frenzy and CBS’ betting analyst, Mackenzie Brooks, gives practical advice on how to actually win your March Madness pool.

In this episode of Well Played, we also cover:

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Follow Mackenzie Brooks: @kenzbrooksbets

Follow Well Played: @wellplayedbytheskimm

Follow Blake: @blaaakkkke

Follow Caroline: @cghendy

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Harry Styles ran two marathons and all he got was peeing advice that we may or may not adopt. Heavy on the “may not”. Trinity Rodman and Cameron Brink reminded us that Gen Z almost always finds love using the internet, and made us yearn for the Carolyn Bessette Kennedy and JFK Jr. days of romance (are you team red roses or white orchids?). And in actual sports news, Caroline tells us who to look out for post-NFL Combine.

In this episode of Well Played, we also cover:

Charles LeClerc’s first wedding – implying there is a second

How Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong led UCONN women’s basketball to dominance this season

Comparing the NBA and WNBA’s salary caps ahead of the women’s CBA deadline on March 10 

Dawn Staley’s advice for Bam Adebayo when it comes to A’ja Wilson 

A four-for-one Alysa Liu Send It, from her trip to “Watch What Happens Live” to meeting Daniel Radcliffe

Send Its:

Soccer player gives seagull CPR: https://www.instagram.com/reels/DVXHV-vkxgj/ 

UCONN vs. UMass breakaway lights out: https://www.ctinsider.com/sports/uconn/article/hockey-umass-mullins-center-lights-viral-score-ot-21949129.php 

Who’s Alysa Liu’s Olympic crush?: https://www.instagram.com/p/DVSW-YTFHTn/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=cd0deea4-8a44-408a-be19-2aafadcb19b8 

And who’s the mascot who dressed like her?: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/q_wuyZ33cJs 

Follow Dawn Staley on IG: @staley05

Follow Well Played on IG: @wellplayedbytheskimm 

Follow Blake on IG: @blaaakkkke 

Follow Caroline on IG: @cghendy 

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Women won big time at the Winter Olympics, taking home more than half of Team USA’s gold medals. But a story involving President Trump and the US men’s hockey team has clouded the moment, raising questions about support for the women. After the team declined a White House visit, Flavor Flav offered to host them instead. Yes, really. Meanwhile, Megan Thee Stallion linked up with Laila Edwards, and figure skater Amber Glenn pushed for more conversation about competing on your period.

Send Its:

Irvine PD curling PSA: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DU_3DPSElHu/ 

Bratz Doll x Alysa Liu: https://www.instagram.com/p/DVFCiaFEp-x/?img_index=1 

Myles Garrett’s poetry: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/oJqb-h06gG0 

Lindsay Vonn’s almost-amputation: https://www.instagram.com/p/DVGlrZuDYhq/ 

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(Almost) the entire pod is about the Olympics this week. Sorry, not sorry. Caroline and Blake beg the question: why are winter Olympic athletes so much more unhinged than the summer ones? From a Norwegian biathlete’s very public cheating confession to a gold medalist’s credit card fraud conviction, we dive deep into the most wild stories from the week.

In this episode, we also cover:

Why the NFLPA can no longer publish its report cards publicly – and why that’s a loss for the league

What Joe Judge gets wrong about fatherhood in Trinidad Chambliss’ eligibility testimony

What Breanna Stewart’s off-season move to play in Turkey could mean for the WNBA season

A Canadian curling scandal ft. the Swedish…surveillance state? 

Going for the Golds: 

Milan-Cortina c*ndoms restocked at the village: https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2026/02/17/winter-olympics-condom-supply-shortage/88715151007/

Taylor Swift presents…the “Blade Angels”: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DU1aS--Aan4/?igsh=ZGg3Mm15aTc2NWJl

Benoit Richaud’s changes outfits more than his skaters: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DU3CTbdjY95/ 

Follow Well Played on IG: @wellplayedbytheskimm 

Blake on IG: @blaaakkkke

Caroline on IG: @cghendy

theSkimm on IG: @theskimm

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After spending eight straight days together, Blake and Caroline are back in NYC with another episode of “Well Played.” We recap our Super Bowl experience with some exclusive intel on the Cardi B and Stefon Diggs break up, say goodnight to the NFL season, and send it to the Winter Olympics which is our collective fixation. 

In this episode, we also cover:

Going for the Golds: 

Follow Well Played on IG: @wellplayedbytheskimm 

Blake on IG: @blaaakkkke

Caroline on IG: @cghendy

theSkimm on IG: @theskimm

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Tom Brady showed us just how much of a teen girl at heart he is with a recent series of Instagram stories. Did Gisele have anything to do with it? Caroline has thoughts. We also answer listener questions around the Super Bowl, like what “game odds” even mean and a vibe-check of the Seahawks and Patriots O & D-lines. 

In this episode, we also cover:

Carlos Alcaraz proving “if he wanted to, he would” after his Australian Open win 

A convo with Nordic combined skier, Annika Malacinski, on why her brother can compete at the Olympics but she can’t 

Whether Lewis Hamilton is next on the “Kardashian kurse” list 

How to tune into the Winter Olympics opening ceremony this Friday 

Fun Stuff that aren’t Send Its: 

Bravo taglines: https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/team-usa-athletes-real-housewives-taglines-2026-winter-olympics-video 

Sam Darnold’s bird-app: https://www.tiktok.com/@vikingzfanpage/video/7463889814689975582 

Crotch-enlargement scandal: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/m-UFFj3SNW8 

Annika Malacinski: @annika.malacinski

Blake on IG: @blaaakkkke

Caroline on IG: @cghendy

theSkimm on IG: @theskimm

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Sorry boys, but Kendall Jenner’s getting the last laugh around the “Kardashian Kurse". Well, at least she did in her Super Bowl ad with Fanatics Sportsbook. WNBA star Cameron Brink joins Well Played to talk about why she wants Alex Consani on her pod, the most “big brother” thing about Steph Curry, and the biggest difference in her routine since her ACL injury. Finally — we have big news surrounding Well Played and Super Bowl LX. If you see us in the Bay, say hey.

In this episode of Well Played, we also cover:

Cameron Brink: @cameronbrink22

Blake on IG: @blaaakkkke

Caroline on IG: @cghendy

theSkimm on IG: @theskimm

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