Issue XI – Welcome!
HERE’S A FUN FACT…
54% of Gen Z sports fans say that a brand’s sponsorship of women athletes makes them more likely to buy from the brand. Another 77% say they trust that women athletes believe in the products they endorse.
Morale of the story?
If your brand wants to get in front of Gen Z consumers (who are 13-28 yrs old, in case you’re like me and have a hard time wrapping your head around this generations age) then it might be time to invest in women’s sports. 🏀
– jen
In today’s memo:
New NFL record holders
A women’s baseball league is coming soon
NBA Betting Scheme update
and more!
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NFL 🏈
A RECORD-SETTING SUNDAY
📸: Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (Getty via CBS Sports)
One of the things I love most about sports is that every event has a chance to make history. But it rarely happens more than once a day across the same league. Still, the men delivered on Sunday, breaking record after record, and you can bet the dudes in your office will be talking about these! So, here’s the gist…
Let’s go international, but make it historic.
The Dolphins beat the Commanders 16–13 in OVERTIME at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid, Spain, which marked the league’s first regular-season game in this location. It was also the seventh international this year.
Jacoby Brissett threw… A LOT.
The Arizona Cardinals QB set the single-game completions record at 47. To give you a frame of reference, professional quarterbacks typically complete 22-25 passes per game.
Travis Kelce, King of KC.
One 21-yard score and he’s now the Chiefs’ all-time touchdown leader with 84 career TDs. Unfortunately, the Chiefs lost to the Broncos, and their playoff chances aren’t looking so hot. 😔
Bryce Young had a “remember me” game.
After going down in the first quarter with an ankle injury, the Carolina Panthers’ quarterback came back out and set a franchise record of 448 passing yards and got an OT win vs. Atlanta.
Josh Allen stunned.
Hailee Steinfeld’s man was on fire on Sunday! 🔥 Three passing, three rushing, and now he’s tied Cam Newton for most rushing TDs by a QB with 75.
Week 11 Scores
THUR, Nov 13
New England Patriots (9-2) 27, New York Jets (2-8) 14
SUN, Nov 16
Miami Dolphins (4-7) 16, Washington Commanders (3-8) 13
North Carolina Panthers (6-5) 30, Atlanta Falcons (3-7) 27
Buffalo Bills (7-3) 44, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-4) 32
Houston Texans (5-5) 16, Tennessee Titans (1-9) 13
Chicago Bears (7-3) 19, Minnesota Vikings (4-6) 17
Green Bay Packers (6-3-1) 27, New York Giants (2-9) 20
Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4) 34, Cincinnati Bengals (3-7) 12
Jacksonville Jaguars (6-4) 35, L.A Chargers (7-4) 6
L.A. Rams (8-2) 21, Seattle Seahawks (7-3) 19
San Francisco 49ers (7-4) 41, Arizona Cardinals (3-7) 22
Baltimore Ravens (5-5) 23, Cleveland Browns (2-8) 16
Denver Broncos (9-2) 22, Kansas City Chiefs (5-5) 19
Philadelphia Eagles (7-2) 16, Detroit Lions (6-3) 9
MON, Nov 17
Dallas Cowboys (3-5-1) @ Las Vegas Raiders (2-7) — 8:15 PM EST, ABC/ESPN
Week 10 Byes: Colts & Saints
WPBL ⚾️
A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN
If you’re familiar with the movie “A League of Their Own," then you’re probably just as excited about this as I am. But even if you’ve never seen the movie, there’s plenty to get excited about when it comes to the upcoming Women’s Pro Baseball League.
Not only is this the first U.S. pro women’s baseball league since the AAGPBL (All American Girls Professional Baseball League) era, but the WPBL will also feature actual salaries, schedules, drafts, & rivalries. It’s the door so many girls were told didn’t exist because they “should switch to softball.” But now it does.
Here’s what’s in store:
The league is set to launch in 2026, complete with an upcoming draft, a post-season playoff, and top-tier talent.
The first four cities have been chosen:
Los Angeles — A city that thrives on performance and personality, expect flair, competition, and a roster built to entertain.
San Francisco — From the Golden Gate to the diamond, San Francisco’s team reflects the city’s creative spirit and resilience.
New York — With its fierce pride and legendary rivalries, NY sets the perfect stage for the WPBL to shine.
Boston — A city steeped in baseball history, Boston’s team will stand on the shoulders of generations of fans and players.
NBA 🏀
NBA BETTING SCHEME UPDATE
If you remember in Issue VIII, I introduced you to the most dramatic season-opening week in NBA history, giving you the gist of a betting scheme scandal and FBI arrests in two separate cases.
Well…I have updates, and here’s where things stand:
Since the arrests, the NBA has hired an independent law firm and is now requesting records from individuals and teams; multiple reports say investigators have also asked several clubs (including the Lakers) to turn over cell phones and devices. Translation: this investigation is wide, active, and not confined to one locker room.
There’s outside pressure, too: the Senate Commerce Committee asked the league for answers on scope, timelines, and how integrity safeguards are being enforced. Expect hearings or at least more paper-trail receipts after the New Year.
As things progress, here’s what I’m keeping my eyes 👀 on:
Who cooperates vs. who fights device/record requests.
Whether the NBA expands interviews to training/medical staff (injury intel = betting gold).
Any discipline timeline from the league—suspensions, bans, or policy changes.
The bottom line? This isn’t rumor-mill drama; it’s a federal case plus a league audit with Congress watching, and we still don’t know just how far-reaching or how deep this scheme goes. No name is off the table.
FANTASY
CAN YOU SAVE YOUR SEASON?
Worried your team might not have what it takes to secure you a playoff spot in your fantasy league? Don’t give up on things just yet! Here are some quick tips that just might be the boost you need to turn things around!
Aim for big weeks, not safe 7s.
Don’t keep starting the “always fine, never great” guy. Pick players who can pop for a big game—even if they’re a little unpredictable. One big Sunday can flip your whole matchup.
Do a 10-minute cleanup every week.
Open your app, find one player no one’s using (check the “free agent” list for these), and add someone with a clear role this week. Drop the name on your bench you never start. Also, peek at defenses and kickers, and choose ones playing weaker opponents each week. Trust me, these tiny tweaks add up.
Trade like a closet edit.
Have two decent players you never start? Trade them for one you’ll start every week. Send a simple note: “You need a receiver; I need a running back—want to swap?” Be clear, friendly, and keep it moving.
And last but not least, check that mindset and remember: those projected points are guesses. You’re not stuck with your draft roster. Now’s the time to experiment, especially with so many out due to injury! Guys you never thought would play are stepping up in big ways.
TERMINOLOGY
NEUTRAL ZONE INFRACTION
Neutral zone infraction is an American football penalty that occurs when a defender jumps across the line before the snap and makes an offensive player flinch, or when he has a free run at the QB. Whistles blow, penalty flags fly, the play stops, and the offense advances 5 yards. Think of the “neutral zone” as the skinny space the ball sits in; step into it early and you just gifted the offense yardage.
