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:

• Naomi Osaka retirement rumors swirling after her comments around motherhood and her tennis career
• Shaq addressing the AI-generated texts between him and Sabrina Carpenter
• NWSL smashing record attendance (again) – and the Denver Summit player who proved representation does matter
• Which teams made it to the Final Four, and how Blake and Caroline’s brackets are doing

Send Its:

• Carson Pickett’s heartwarming moment with young fan: https://www.instagram.com/reels/DWcSRqXEjN_/
• Shaq’s AI-generated texts: https://youtu.be/rOxlgU75f7w?si=D7XQPSA24hqA5wqz&t=18
• The Stewart-Brunson fracture: https://people.com/martha-stewart-said-nba-player-broke-her-toe-courtside-11871039
• Miss Thailand contestant breaks it down: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWeaQ_PDRRM/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

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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:

• What the Fanatics Flag Football classic has to do with the LA28 Olympics
• The details of the WNBA CBA agreement – and why 2026 rookies should be happy
• Why a Brazilian soccer star called out Chappell Roan for shading…Jude Law’s daughter?
• Whether Alvaro Folgueiras actually threw a punch, and why he’s the Fernando Mendoza of college hoops

Send Its:

• Women’s hockey beer league: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWCNF-GjoE0/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
• Sabrina Ionescu drains buckets and beers: https://www.reddit.com/r/wnba/comments/1s16hia/sabrina_ionescu_shotgunning_a_beer_wluke_combs/
• Alysa Liu and Fernando Mendoza team up to play…Fortnite?: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWMMcq1Eb2X/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
• Miami player’s first stop post-Purdue loss isn’t what you think: https://www.instagram.com/p/DWNevHRjL0l/
• Dr. Lemon, this TCU player needs an extension: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWO3GlekY3u/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

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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:

• Chloe Kim and Myles Garett’s unlikely matchmaker
• Boston Legacy’s record-breaking home opener – and why the record won’t last long
• Misty Copeland on how she gained a newfound strength post-retirement
• How Oksana Masters went from orphan in Ukraine to most decorated Paralympian
• Where to find our March Madness brackets

Send Its:

• Dua Lipa, Callum Turner, and Jannik Sinner give us a lesson in body language: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DV4oi-7D4DV/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
• Indian Wells’ Whitney Houston challenge: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DV1Xi3GigJ7/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
• Learn about Chandler Bing: https://vucommodores.com/roster/chandler-bing/
• Christian McCaffrey goes to (fashion) jail: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DV0Apt5jR1j/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
• Bonus: Oksana Masters article from “The Player’s Tribune” https://projects.theplayerstribune.com/oksana-masters-the-hard-part-out-loud/p/1

Follow Misty Copeland: @mistyonpointe Learn about Aveeno x Togethxr's "The Strength Issue":  @aveeno   @Togethxr  Follow Well Played: @wellplayedbytheskimm Follow Blake: @blaaakkkke Follow Caroline: @cghendy

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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:

• Italians at the World Baseball Classic: https://www.instagram.com/p/DVmhwuWDezX/?hl=en 
• Sydney Leroux’s iconic International Women’s Day post: https://www.instagram.com/p/DVpJv2Bj8Fs/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&img_index=6 
• Steven’s Institute lax bros support at spelling bee: https://www.instagram.com/p/DVoQ_QMDij2/ 
• Practicing sports is embarrassing: https://www.instagram.com/p/DVoQ_QMDij2/ 

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:

• A special giveaway for one new follower of @wellplayedbytheskimm on IG
• How Lindsay Vonn shut down armchair experts around her recent leg fracture
• Who Surya Bonaly is, and why she’s getting her flowers in the wake of Ilia Malinin’s backflip
• The extremely practical backstory of Bad Bunny’s bush people 
• The Dyson Air Wrap’s missed opportunity at the Winter Olympics

Going for the Golds: 

• Maddie Schiza’s professor is the MVP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PhOOl7PCvw 
• The Winn Brothers winning our hearts: https://www.instagram.com/reels/DUeuk7cjPth/ 
• The unsung hero of the ski jump: https://www.instagram.com/reels/DUcy2jeAq8w/ 
• NJ Devils are salty over these Team USA brothers: https://x.com/wyshynski/status/2020968647259304015?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2020968647259304015%7Ctwgr%5Ede395a3c80c9caf589ba60125b8775e96a2c3718%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fgonepuckwild.com%2Fdevils-quinn-hughes-photoshop-jack-hughes-wild-trade 

Follow Well Played on IG: @wellplayedbytheskimm 

Blake on IG: @blaaakkkke

Caroline on IG: @cghendy

theSkimm on IG: @theskimm

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Team Well Played went West to cover this year's Super Bowl LX. Featuring special guest and Gatorade athlete and Olympian Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Blake and Caroline are breaking down the weekend's celeb sightings (hi Mr. Eli), game day predictions, and the some mind blowing stats around women's health research.

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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:

• What our Bravo taglines would be as podcasters 

• 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.

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