Well, Super Bowl LIX is set, and we're in for a rematch of the 2023 showdown. While fans continue to debate conspiracies about the Eagles-Chiefs matchup, I'm going to focus my attention on my Super Bowl dessert menu. (And yes, we dive into Sunday's controversial fourth-down call in the newsletter and on this week's Well Played episode.) In the meantime, let's get to some other sports highlights…
— Maria Corpus / Editor / Madison, WI
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This Is One of The Biggest Trades in WNBA History
What's going on: Two of the biggest stars in the WNBA are on the move, shaking up the league and setting up a blockbuster 2025 season. All-Stars and Olympic gold medalists Jewell Loyd and Kelsey Plum will be sporting new jerseys after a three-team trade, according to USA Today. Here's how it went down: the Seattle Storm reached a deal to trade Loyd to the Las Vegas Aces, with the Aces' Plum going to the Los Angeles Sparks. In exchange, Li Yueru (former Sparks center) and the No. 2 pick in the 2025 WNBA draft will go to the Storm. Ahead of the season's tip-off in May, fans are asking: Who got the better end of the deal?
Our take: Some Sparks fans aren't too happy the team gave up Li for Plum. But as Well Played co-host Blake Lew-Merwin said on the show, Plum will be able to "carve out her own star power and also make the [Sparks] a little stronger." Loyd, who reportedly wanted out from the Storm after an investigation into player mistreatment (no violations were found), likely welcomes the chance to join the Aces, one of the league's dominant teams. But one thing is clear: This historic deal was a slam dunk for the WNBA. These trades are expected to generate even more excitement around the league, building on the momentum from the WNBA's record-setting season last year.
Early in the fourth quarter, the Buffalo Bills, who were up 22-21, tried to shove QB Josh Allen over the line (just one yard) to get the first down. To many, it looked like Allen got the ball over the line, but it was impossible to really tell because no one could see the ball. The refs ruled that the Bills didn't get the first down, even after analyzing the instant-replay angles. The Chiefs got the ball back and ended up scoring (and winning). Afterwards, many were wondering why football can't rely on better technology in these critical moments.
The NFL has a tracking chip in the football, but you can't use it to accurately track the ball, and you still need refs to decide things like possession and contact. Tennis and soccer use technology for out of bounds, offsides, and confirming goals, but those sports need unobstructed views of the ball and the lines are in the same spot every time. All in all, that's why the NFL depends on referees, particularly in those situations. It's not perfect, but there's not an easy fix.
