Trophies #1: Ice Cube, mullets and UGGs
The first edition of Trophies!
Welcome to Trophies Unlimited, a semi-regular newsletter about youth, sport, and culture, through the lens of a wanna-be Gen Z. Let’s get into it.
TLDR: the top-line news, releases, and updates
People who run are old and rich – probably. Or at least older and richer than those who don’t run. It also appears that the hotter the economy, the faster and younger the runner. According to the Financial Times, “More generally, people with higher socio-economic status are likelier to see exercise as a way to challenge themselves. And the less affluent are more likely to be on their feet at work, sapping energy for other activities.”
What do Ice Cube and the NCAA have in common? A vested interest in Caitlin Clark — and at large, women’s basketball. Reported by the Financial Times, “Dan Gavitt, senior vice-president of basketball at the NCAA, said the value of women’s college basketball television broadcast rights has grown tenfold in just four years, from about $6mn in average annual value to $65mn this year.”
The Sports Bra, Portland’s trail-blazing (pun not intended) women’s sports bar — the first in the world of its kind!!! — is franchising. Serena Williams’ husband, Alexis Ohanian, is the money behind the big moves, bringing this to life through partnership with his 776 Foundation. Best part? All returns from the investment will be reinvested into girls’ and women’s sports. More millionaires like this please.
See Zendaya absolutely serving (pun intended) for each “Challengers” press tour look here. You’re welcome. This one is my favorite.
IRL: things I’m seeing, thinking about, and obsessing over in the real world
I got to go to a couple of the women’s games for NCAA March Madness, including the USC vs UConn and Stanford vs NC State matchups. Besides the great basketball being played, the girls came with some killer hairstyles. One new one? The double-braided ponytail. Wasn’t able to get any good photos (consequence of sitting in the rafters), but here’s a reference:
Business in the front, party in the back – mullets are back for high school bros. No good zoomed in photos have been obtained here yet, I’ll work on that.
Sports betting is having a moment. I’m curious to know what the percentage increase in sports betting marketing and advertising is from LY, and if that’s due to increase in sports betting companies, or a larger investment in it from existing betting companies. The accessibilty and ease at which bets can be placed is a little eerie and foreboding to me — it can’t be good that you can text a number to place a bet, no?
Prom trends: New Balance and UGGs. It’s possible that she was just wearing these before slipping on heels for the dance, but I personally am here for the potential of a a formal dress code that approves fuzzy slippers. #cozygang
UGGs are back, baby. See bullet above, and picture below — it’s 65 degrees out and the girlies are wearing platform UGG mini boots.
Til next time,
Trophy Wife