The Ball Talk Manifesto

What is this? Read! Why should I read? Because you care about me. Thanks.

Welcome! This is new for me, so please indulge me for a quick manifesto so I can explain what the “point” of this is (as much as there is a point at all) and how we ended up here.

On December 30th, 2024, my brother asked a large group of people, “what is something that you feel you get to enjoy or get more out of than the average person?” That is at least how I interpreted the question. My mind immediately went to sports. When saying it in that moment, and even when typing it now, it sounded quite childish. But the answer is more nuanced than when a 4th grader says he wants to play for the Lakers one day, as much as it might feel that way.

Yes, the personal benefits are awesome and boundless. A night in alone with a game is never boring. A storyline that breaks on Twitter can transform an otherwise meaningless work from home Tuesday. I get real, deep enjoyment out of these things.

But the most fun, and I truly believe any sports fan will tell you this, is sharing your passion with others.

Best friends, strangers who have on your teams’ gear, rivals or new friends that you’re trying to find something to bond over - anyone can fit the bill and enhance the experience.

I guarantee that even those of you that don’t care much for sports have memories of where you were during a sporting event. I’ll bet most, if not all, are with others. Hopefully this gives you a moment to think about it and maybe lights up a smile. A few of mine:

• Watching my friend Marc celebrate Messi’s goal against Mexico in the 2022 World Cup

• Hosting a tortured Cleveland fan, who I had never met before, for Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals

• Going to Baton Rouge with my dad to watch our LSU Tigers get throttled 29-0. Yes, just about half of your sports memories are probably negative.

All of these moments are now etched in my brain because of where I was and who I was with.

Back to December 30th. At that table, I tried to explain how I nerd out about analytics and how sport is an endless source of joy and a global language of entertainment. That is all good and well, but primarily unmoving (I doubt anyone at that table remembers this). So, indirectly, we find ourselves here. In a new medium for me where I can stop telling you about how great sports are and instead try and bring you along for the ride in a way that starts your own little journey. In a short, digestible, non-intimidating fashion, of course.

The hope is simple. In 10 minutes, provide something that is light, fun and arms you with enough to fake it at a dinner table about the recent goings-on of the sporting universe. There will ALWAYS be too much to fit in here (one of the beauties of the sports news cycle), so I will try to shine light on some items that you are not hearing on every national sports podcast. I do the “work” of keeping my finger on the pulse of many sports so you don't have to. So yes, expect the NBA and the NFL, but also expect tennis, volleyball or the occasional darts.

If you read this and have even one conversation, be it with me or anyone else, because of something you read here, then this has served its purpose.

So here I am, sharing my passion with you, whoever you are. Because sports are a dish best served with community.

---

Before this manifesto ends and you (hopefully) work your way to the first legitimate installment of this otherwise illegitimate publication, I would like to shout out a few people that consistently share their love of sports with me.

Prepare for a list of niche group chat names: the TFV fellas, the Students, the Eckeler pairing, the Jogger Boys when they choose to dabble, all the Fantasy guys and Greg (not a group chat, just a good dude). Also, my family because I became a “sports guy” when I was 7, how could they not be a huge piece of the puzzle.

So pull up a seat, we’re talking ball.