Coco Gauff sported her natural hair in a recent ad for Miu Miu and the internet showed us why we can’t have nice things. The no. 3 ranked tennis player shut down criticism about her appearance and more importantly, to encourage young Black girls to embrace their natural hair. Meanwhile, the WNBA rolled out its orange carpet for the 2026 draft, and this year’s draftees showed up and showed out on one of the biggest nights of their lives. 

In this episode, we also cover:

Propaganda we’re falling for, AKA Hudson Williams’ Peloton ad

Well Played friends of the pod who showed up to Coachella

The Australian runner who beat Usain Bolt’s 20-year record in the 200m sprint

The shocking pay difference between the 2025 and 2026 WNBA draft class, thanks to the league’s new CBA 

A self-indulgent recap of the Alix Earle and Alex Cooper beef

Send It:

Meet Gout Gout: https://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/article/australian-sprinter-gout-gout-breaks-under-20-record-with-blazing-200m-time-surpassing-legendary-olympian-usain-bolt-184411317.html 

Pope Leo balls out with Harlem Globetrotters: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IYKsgfO0HQ 

Laufey, Hudson Williams, and the Council of Wasia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNa8jP4zoJo&list=RDyNa8jP4zoJo&start_radio=1 

This couple at the Pacers game is all of us: https://www.threads.com/@thedankbrew/post/DW__SuSEZJE?xmt=AQF0MSzRnAYJn5UQchQP8TGsWhUf5ilzN3tp0mLpbd49Ot5K5HfogDuEUdsLI0GQi_giHrRo&slof=1

Plus, when Shaq offered to buy their engagement ring: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVxAaY4ZBss 

Follow Well Played: @wellplayedbytheskimm

Follow Blake: @blaaakkkke

Follow Caroline: @cghendy

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This March Madness, the category was “upset.” At least on the women’s side. South Carolina upset UCONN — the overwhelming favorite on the women’s side – which failed on its mission to win the natty two years in a row. Then, UCONN coach Geno Auriemma literally upset South Carolina coach Dawn Staley in a post-game screaming match. We dive into his allegations, his half-assed apology, and why we’re tired of seeing women have to take the higher road. 

In this episode of Well Played, we also cover: 

Angel Reese kicks off WNBA free agency trade, going from the Chicago Sky to the Atlanta Dream 

Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom share the reality behind Odom’s addiction in a new episode of “Untold”

Josh Allen and Hailee Steinfeld’s first public engagement after having their baby girl 

Rapper J. Cole’s new sporty side quest that literally no one asked for 

Madison Keys recaps the Amanda Batula and West Wilson drama 

Send It:

Royal Baby of Buffalo enters the chat: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/p/DWpTKnYkk9G/⁠ 

Rory McIlroy’s Masters Menu: ⁠https://www.masters.com/en_US/news/articles/2026-03-18/for_mcilroy_a_masterful_menu_with_a_touch_of_home.html⁠ 

J. Cole off to China: ⁠https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/48374160/rapper-j-cole-signs-chinese-league-nanjing-monkey-kings⁠ 

Madison Keys on the Summer House drama for The Tennis Channel: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/p/DWsJINjDngv/⁠ 

Other links:

Lauren Betts’ The Player’s Tribune essay “I Want to Be Here’: ⁠https://www.theplayerstribune.com/lauren-betts-ncaa-basketball-ucla⁠ 

Kyle Cook’s messy rant: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/shorts/jIQsRMg6V8s⁠ 

Geno Auriemma, updated apology post recording: ⁠https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/geno-auriemma-sparks-backlash-incomplete-193229146.html⁠

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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:

Send Its:

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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. 

In this episode of Well Played, we also cover:

Send Its:

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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:

Send Its:

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: 

Who promptly shut down the Joe Burrow and Jessica Alba dating rumors

Why some are mad after Sydney Leroux’s annual International Women’s Day post 

How Tobin Heath’s jersey retirement came full circle, ft. Brandi Chastain 

Why no one — not even elite athletes like Aryna Sabalenka — is safe from their moms comments on their appearance

Send Its:

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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