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Sunday Sundown Rundown - 8/9/26

The Sunday Sundown Rundown (formerly in the format of "3 Up and 3 Down") is where I share thoughts on three topics that piqued my interest, along with my favorite photo from the week.


WNBA Madness

Welp, the WNBA has found itself in the middle of a culture war after the satirical (hopefully?) video of Enes Freedom (fka Kanter) declaring for the upcoming WNBA Draft. The WNBA continues to be a super fascinating entity. As likely this country's premier women's league, it has been the root of so many discussions - this one being the "protection of women in sports". 

Here are ten super quick ponderings on this: 

  1. The WNBA has made its identity over the years as being extremely vocal in the political space. Regardless of your opinion, that positioning puts them at risk for these kinds of stunts. 
  2. I've long thought the commissioner, league, someone - anyone? - should have had players, coaches, and all tone down the continued politics. Not to suppress freedom of speech, but to choose your moments and how it's done. 
  3. I found the Enes Freedom video to be lame. It felt like a total grift to me on a topic that has been settled by the President with policy. 
  4. The same goes for so many who have used the league for their own political grifts.
  5. DiJonai Carrington is a tough player. Her play on Sophie Cunningham was indeed a flagrant two-foul (by the rulebook). 
  6. No, it was not "White Privilege" as Carrington put on social media after being ejected. Carrington's action is another example of the league needing to tighten some of this stuff up regarding player conduct. 
  7. I feel for so many of the women who are just hooping, and this is the attention the league is known for. 
  8. Remember when we asked for no politics in our sports? I think about Colin Kaepernick in times like this. 
  9. Olivia Miles is amazing to watch hoop.
  10. Shoutout Kayle McBride, who set a WNBA record today with 10 3-pointers - most made in a WNBA game. I hope she gets the love she deserves; amazing game. 

The Now Last Big Thing

Brock Lesnar announced his retirement from, as he put it, everything. For this pro wrestling fan, Lesnar is one of a kind, and I absolutely appreciated the way he ended his career by creating another star in Oba Femi and passing the torch in 2026. His retirement was never about him, and in many ways, that's pretty cool. 

Thanks for the memories, Brock. Enjoy the farm life. 


Birthright Citizenship

President Trump signed new executive orders this week attempting to restrict birthright citizenship. The current administration is taking another swing at this after the Supreme Court put the kibosh on other efforts. I see this becoming the new Roe v. Wade for Republicans and the rhetoric ramping up on this topic. This likely will not be a topic of this administration, but one that will last in arguments for the many years to come. 


Cover Photo

A melted basketball backboard among the burned remains of Riverside Real Life church after it burned down during the Old Trails fire in Spokane. Firefighters in Washington state battled wildfires that forced 60,000 people to flee and destroyed hundreds of buildings as drought and extreme heat fuelled an ‘extraordinary’ fire season in the Pacific north-west.

Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images

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