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Articles by Mark Selig
Alex Tuch has five goals, three toddlers and a whole lot of dishes
Alex Tuch has two new assignments this fall: scoring goals for the Capitals and raising three children under 3. He and his wife, Kylie, welcomed their daughter in August — two months after Tuch was traded to Washington. Their new parenting strategy? "Zone coverage, man," Tuch said. Why it matters: The Caps committed eight years and $84 million to Tuch, hoping the 6-foot-4 winger would bring size and scoring to their lineup.
He's scoring goals for the Caps and playing defense at home
Alex Tuch has been the Caps' most prolific scorer this year. Photo: Jess Rapfogel/NHLI via Getty Images Alex Tuch has two new assignments this fall: scoring goals for the Capitals and raising three children under 3. He and his wife, Kylie, welcomed their daughter in August — two months after Tuch was traded to Washington. Their new parenting strategy? "Zone coverage, man," Tuch said.
The Wizards are finally done tanking. Now comes the fun part.
This has been a Wizards-forward space lately. And I know what you're thinking: Again with the Wizards? Yes, again with the Wizards. Why it matters: After years of intentionally being one of the NBA's worst teams, the Wizards are entering a season in which they're actually trying to win. We're about to find out if all that manufactured misery was worth it. By the numbers: Winning 50 games in a season is a common benchmark for a strong NBA team. The Wizards haven't done that since 1978-79.
The Wizards spent years trying to lose. Now comes the hard part.
This has been a Wizards -forward space lately. And I know what you're thinking: Again with the Wizards Yes, again with the Wizards Why it matters: After years of intentionally being one of the NBA's worst teams, the Wizards are entering a season in which they're actually trying to win We're about to find out if all that manufactured misery was worth it. By the numbers: Winning 50 games in a season is a common benchmark for a strong NBA team. The Wizards haven't done that since 1978-79.
The Commanders can't get out of their own way. Neither can the NFC East.
Dan Quinn turned around his hat. He couldn't turn around the Commanders ' season. The big picture: After a week spent dissecting Washington's clock-management mess, Monday night's matchup with the undefeated 49ers offered a chance to change the story — and prove the Commanders still had some life. For 2½ quarters, they looked like the same flat, undisciplined team we've seen all season.
Dan Quinn can't get his Commanders to play clean football
Dan Quinn turned around his hat. He couldn't turn around the Commanders' season. The big picture: After a week spent dissecting Washington's clock-management mess, Monday night's matchup with the undefeated 49ers offered a chance to change the story — and prove the Commanders still had some life. For 2½ quarters, they looked like the same flat, undisciplined team we've seen all season.
Everything is content for AJ Dybantsa. But he's in control
Wizards rookie AJ Dybantsa is comfortable being in front of a camera. Photo: Mike Lawrence/NBAE via Getty Images AJ Dybantsa could become D.C.'s next great sports star. But unlike Ovechkin or Harper before him, fans can follow seemingly every step of his rise. Want to watch him shop for a house? In September, the Wizards rookie appeared in a video touring mansions equipped with elevators, up to nine bathrooms and one non-negotiable: heated toilet seats.
Wizards rookie AJ Dybantsa was a pro long before he turned pro
AJ Dybantsa had just finished his first press conference of his rookie season when he made eye contact with a Wizards executive who helps coordinate the team's messaging. "Growth!" he exclaimed. Dybantsa celebrated hitting that buzzword as if he'd sunk a half-court buzzer beater. Reality check: Really, it was a layup. The 19-year-old has plenty of practice being a pro.
AJ Dybantsa is an NBA rookie. He's been a pro for years.
AJ Dybantsa had just finished his first press conference of his rookie season when he made eye contact with a Wizards executive who helps coordinate the team's messaging. "Growth!" he exclaimed. Dybantsa celebrated hitting that buzzword as if he'd sunk a half-court buzzer-beater. Reality check: Really, it was a layup. The 19-year-old has plenty of practice being a pro.
How much are D.C.'s sports teams worth?
Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios Last week, Sportico released its valuations for every franchise in the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and MLS. Here's how D.C.'s teams stack up: Commanders: $9.64 billion — 14th across the five leagues and 11th in the NFL. That's $3.59 billion more than Josh Harris' group paid Daniel Snyder for the franchise in 2023. Wizards: $5.56 billion — 16th among 30 NBA teams. Capitals: $2.67 billion — 11th among 32 NHL teams. Nationals: $2.31 billion — 15th among 30 MLB teams.
For Maryland's Brenda Frese, 25 years and 25 changes
Brenda Frese is about to coach her 25th season with the Maryland women's basketball team. Photo: G Fiume/Getty Images Brenda Frese is entering her 25th season coaching Maryland women's basketball — but first, she'll enter the school's Athletics Hall of Fame on Friday. Why it matters: Frese runs one of the area's most consistent programs, reaching three Final Fours and winning a national title in 2006. Her tenure also offers a measuring stick for how much women's basketball has changed.
Savannah Bananas save their biggest show for DC
A Vienna native is preparing for the biggest game of his career Saturday at Nationals Park. That means lots of work on his dance moves. The big picture: Pitcher Danny Hosley and his Savannah Bananas teammates are wrapping up their season in D.C. with the first Banana Bowl — a championship game the novelty baseball league is billing as its grandest spectacle yet.
Capital One Arena welcomes fans back to its ongoing renovation
"Pardon our dust." That's the message from Capital One Arena as Capitals and Wizards fans return to a still-under-construction venue this season. Why it matters: After closing for construction over the summer, the Chinatown arena is back in regular use. But much of its $1 billion-plus transformation is still a year away.
No prank: Anthony Davis seems happy with the Wizards
Last week I asked readers which D.C. athlete, past or present, would make the best "Saturday Night Live" host. Alex Ovechkin, Gilbert Arenas and John Riggins were popular choices. Trinity Rodman won overall. My pick? Anthony Davis. Seriously. Why it matters: Davis is the Wizards' biggest star and biggest unknown. But we're finally getting to know the guy. Case in point: At Wizards media day last week, I was interviewing point guard Trae Young when the 6-foot-10 Davis suddenly cut in.
Meet Commanders QB Athan Kaliakmanis. No, there won't be a spelling test.
If you slept in Sunday and forgot the Commanders were playing on British Summer Time, you might have turned on your TV to see … who playing quarterback? That would be Athan Kaliakmanis , Washington's seventh-round rookie and third-string QB. Why it matters: The season is less than a month old. The Commanders are 1-3. And three quarterbacks have already played the bulk of a game.
Alex Ovechkin's farewell tour begins
Alexander Ovechkin is calling it a career when this — his 22nd NHL season — is done. Why it matters: The NHL's all-time leading goal-scorer has been the face of the Washington Capitals for more than two decades, transforming them from an afterthought into one of D.C.'s most consistently relevant teams. He delivered the franchise its first Stanley Cup in 2018, rewrote the NHL record book and became one of the most recognizable athletes in Washington sports history.
Your (tough) grades for the Nationals' season
We asked you to grade the Nats'2026 season. Why it matters: With a 77-85 record and missing the playoffs for the seventh year in a row, Washington was average … at best. Which is where the majority of our readers put them. Here are the results, along with some explanations (edited for length and clarity): A (2%): "They made as much progress as we could reasonably expect, and the kids are fun to watch hit." — Reid D.
Ovi and the Capitals are back. Here are the dates to circle.
The Washington Capitals begin their season Friday (Oct. 2) — Alex Ovechkin's 22nd with the team. Why it matters: After Ovechkin appeared in a pro-Putin video last month, his reception in visiting arenas, if not at home, will be a storyline. Then there's the hockey. The big picture: The Capitals narrowly missed the playoffs last spring, then attacked the offseason, adding Alex Tuch, Jordan Kyrou and Boone Jenner. The Hockey News ranked Washington as having the best offseason of any NHL team.
Commanders fans keep calm and carry on to London
Jayden Daniels made it to London after all. The Commanders quarterback practiced Wednesday with a brace on his left arm, and coach Dan Quinn said the team will decide Friday whether he can play Sunday against the Colts. Why it matters: That's welcome news for a group of Commanders fans whose feelings about crossing the Atlantic have taken quite the journey. How we got here: Ever make plans with friends, then get less and less excited as the day approaches?
Mystics set to host a big game in a small arena
After dropping their playoff opener Sunday in Atlanta, the Mystics must win Wednesday to keep their season alive. Expect a loud — but small — crowd behind them. Why it matters: The Mystics have shifted some marquee games to Capital One Arena, which has nearly five times the capacity. But a Jonas Brothers concert there means Wednesday's playoff game will stay at CareFirst. By the numbers: The Mystics drew nearly 9,800 fans there for last week's regular-season finale against the Chicago Sky.
Commanders fans ride emotional journey to London
Jayden Danielsmade it to London after all. The Commanders quarterback practiced Wednesday with a brace on his left arm, and coach Dan Quinn said the team will decide Friday whether he can play Sunday against the Colts. Why it matters: That's welcome news for a group of Commanders fans whose feelings about crossing the Atlantic have taken quite the journey. How we got here: Ever make plans with friends, then get less and less excited as the day approaches? You wonder whether it'll really be that fun.
Washington Nationals 2026 season showed growth
The Washington Nationals finished their season Sunday with a 77-85 record. Why it matters: Since winning the World Series in 2019, the Nats have missed the playoffs seven straight years. But this season felt different. The big picture: By hiring 35-year-old Paul Toboni to run the front office and 33-year-old Blake Butera to manage the team last fall, the Nationals made clear they were moving on from the glory days.
The Nationals hit a growth spurt in 2026
Dylan Crews and CJ Abrams. Photo: Duane Burleson/Getty Images The Washington Nationals finished their season Sunday with a 77-85 record. Why it matters: Since winning the World Series in 2019, the Nats have missed the playoffs seven straight years. But this season felt different. The big picture: By hiring 35-year-old Paul Toboni to run the front office and 33-year-old Blake Butera to manage the team last fall, the Nationals made clear they were moving on from the glory days.
Mystics to meet Angel Reese and the Dream in playoffs
Get ready for Kiki Iriafen vs. Angel Reese. Photo: Scott Taetsch/Getty Images The Mystics finished the regular season Thursday night with their 28th win — the most in franchise history. Why it matters: After three straight losing seasons, the Mystics enter the playoffs as one of the WNBA's hottest teams, with an elite defense and a young squad that's building confidence. Now what: Washington earned the fifth seed and will face the fourth-seeded Atlanta Dream.
D.C.'s bid to be the capital of women's sports
This father of an almost-2-year-old girl wonders if it's time to change our TV from Ms. Rachel to Ms. Kiki and Ms. Trin. Why it matters: The Mystics and Spirit might be Washington's only major pro teams to make the playoffs this year. The big picture: The Capitals and Wizards missed. The Nats are rounding third on a seventh straight losing season. The Commanders are 0-2 with their quarterback on the shelf. D.C. United is on the outside looking in.
Jayden Daniels is hurt again, and optimism is in short supply
Acceptable reactions to Jayden Daniels dislocating his left elbow during the Washington Commanders' loss Sunday to the Dallas Cowboys: Not again. "Oh s***." — Tom Brady, live on Fox. At least the Mystics are in the playoffs … Why it matters: The Commanders are 0-2 and have the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks on deck. But right now, the standings feel secondary. The big picture: Daniels' injuries are piling up.
The 13-year-old girl traversing the globe for a pickleball paycheck
Elsie Hendershot, now a member of the Chicago Slice of the PPA Tour, is on track to be one of the tour's most popular and marketable players. (Kim Raff/For The Washington Post) BY THE TIME SHE LANDED in Vietnam, Elsie Hendershot figured the hard part was over. She and her dad had driven from Utah to Las Vegas, flown to San Francisco, stayed overnight because they missed a connection, hauled 11 hours across the Pacific to Japan and then flew another five to Hanoi.
The 13-year-old girl traversing the globe for a pickleball paycheck
The 13-year-old girl traversing the globe for a pickleball paycheck (washingtonpost.com) The 13-year-old girl traversing the globe for a pickleball paycheck By Mark Selig 2026092009011800 BY THE TIME SHE LANDED in Vietnam, Elsie Hendershot figured the hard part was over. She and her dad had driven from Utah to Las Vegas, flown to San Francisco, stayed overnight because they missed a connection, hauled 11 hours across the Pacific to Japan and then flew another five to Hanoi.
The 13-year-old girl traversing the globe for a pickleball paycheck
I Asked Podiatrists When to Wear Hoka and When to Wear Brooks—They All Said the Same Thing Plus, the models they recommend most often. If you come here often—or read my stories specifically—you know that I cover shoes quite a bit. Which …
Betting on LeBron James’ next team used to be a novelty – now it’s a nine-figure market Original
For as long as LeBron James has been making decisions about where he’ll play professional basketball, there have been ways to wager on said decisions. Those opportunities have evolved dramatically in the 16 years since James was first a free agent. What was once limited to offshore sportsbooks is now a nine-figure market on Kalshi, where $200 million has already been traded — more than on who would win Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals.
LeBron James to sign with 76ers in NBA free agency: Live updates, reaction and analysis
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LeBron James to sign with 76ers in NBA free agency: Live updates, reaction and analysis Follow our live coverage of James' decision to sign with Philadelphia for this season. July 24, 2026 at 12:04 PM EDT LeBron James announced today he is signing with Philadelphia. Getty Images LeBron James headed to 76ers — Latest LeBron James has announced he will sign with the Philadelphia 76ers for this season.
By Mike Prada, Mark Puleo Verified, Austin Green Verified, Tony Jones Verified, Mark Selig, Daniel Shirley Verified, Joe Vardon Verified, Hunter Patterson, Michael Charles Verified
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The New York Times
Verified
An inside look at the impossible task of setting Shohei Ohtani NL MVP odds
In recent weeks, Shohei Ohtani has begun to look so human – batting .263 in July, allowing multiple runs in his past four pitching starts and skipping the All-Star Game for knee maintenance – that his National League MVP odds have been cut in half. Yup, what was once an outlandish -4000 bet on Fanatics Sportsbook is now … a still-absurd -1800. In simple terms, Ohtani’s implied odds of winning the NL MVP currently sit at around 95 percent.
An inside look at the impossible task of setting Shohei Ohtani NL MVP odds
In recent weeks, Shohei Ohtani has begun to look so human - batting .263 in July, allowing multiple runs in his past four pitching starts and skipping the All-Star Game for knee maintenance - that his National League MVP odds have been cut in half. Yup, what was once an outlandish -4000 bet on Fanatics Sportsbook is now … a still-absurd -1800. In simple terms, Ohtani's implied odds of winning the NL MVP currently sit at around 95 percent.
Olivia Miles’ hot start has shifted WNBA Rookie of the Year, MVP and Lynx title odds Original
Over the course of her first 19 pro games, Olivia Miles has effectively ended a high-profile Rookie of the Year race, become a legitimate MVP dark horse and pushed the Minnesota Lynx to the WNBA title favorites. Miles has a killer first step, razzle-dazzle passes and a cool nickname: the Spectacle, a nod to her goggles and entertaining play style. We’re not yet halfway through the schedule, but Miles has been the story of the season (you know, aside from the daily discourse about Caitlin Clark).
NBA Rookie of the Year odds: Cameron Boozer opens as favorite over A.J. Dybantsa
Cameron Boozer doesn’t understand why he was an afterthought in the discussion of who would be the first pick in the NBA draft. “I think many years down the line, people are going to look back and say I should have been,” Boozer, who went No. 3 to the Memphis Grizzlies, told ESPN on Tuesday night’s telecast. At least for his debut season, the oddsmakers are on his side.
NBA Rookie of the Year odds: Cameron Boozer opens as favorite over A.J. Dybantsa
Cameron Boozer doesn't understand why he was an afterthought in the discussion of who would be the first pick in the NBA draft. "I think many years down the line, people are going to look back and say I should have been," Boozer, who went No. 3 to the Memphis Grizzlies, told ESPN on Tuesday night's telecast. At least for his debut season, the oddsmakers are on his side.
NBA Draft No. 1 pick odds: A.J. Dybantsa now huge favorite to be first pick Original
Ask a handful of experts who they think should go No. 1 in the NBA Draft, and you might hear three different answers. Ask them who will go No. 1, and you’ll likely get only one name: A.J. Dybantsa. The athletic wing from BYU is widely considered the player the Washington Wizards will choose on Tuesday night, when the event begins in Brooklyn. The sportsbooks also seem to agree emphatically.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s next team: Celtics jump Heat as new betting favorites to land star Original
The defining storyline of this NBA offseason is where Giannis Antetokounmpo will play next. With the Milwaukee Bucks’ self-imposed deadline of the NBA Draft around the corner, basically everyone is on Giannis watch right now. With every big character arc in the NBA, rumors follow. And, as with any speculation, sportsbooks and prediction markets have a say. Let’s use the betting odds to provide a lens for peering into the Greek Freak’s potential future.
We keep seeing draws in this year’s World Cup. Is this an anomaly or the new norm?
The biggest loss of the World Cup so far was a draw. Not necessarily for Spain, the tournament favorite that began its pursuit Monday by going nil-nil for 90 minutes with little Cape Verde. But certainly for the Polymarket user who wagered $1 million — with a potential upside of less than $86,000 — on La Roja to win. The shocking result in Atlanta somehow seemed routine by the end of the day, when all four matches had ended in a draw.
We keep seeing draws in this year's World Cup. Is this an anomaly or the new norm?
The biggest loss of the World Cup so far was a draw. Not necessarily for Spain, the tournament favorite that began its pursuit Monday by going nil-nil for 90 minutes with little Cape Verde. But certainly for the Polymarket user who wagered $1 million -- with a potential upside of less than $86,000 -- on La Roja to win. The shocking result in Atlanta somehow seemed routine by the end of the day, when all four matches had ended in a draw.
OG Anunoby’s NBA Finals MVP odds are skyrocketing after huge Game 4 Original
When OG Anunoby soared into the lane and tipped in a prayer, he also might have tipped the NBA Finals MVP race. Anunoby, a 500-to-1 bet before the playoffs, is now a 2-to-1 (+200) contender on BetMGM after his Game 4 tip-in put the Knicks one win away from a title. His odds were as long as 150-1 just a week ago, when the Knicks held a 2-0 series lead, and their understated forward was merely an important contributor.
The New York Knicks’ epic comeback helped bettors cash in big
If early in the third quarter on Wednesday night — when Madison Square Garden was most miserable — you put $100 on the Knicks to come back and win Game 4 of the NBA Finals … You still wouldn’t be rich enough to sit courtside with Spike, Timmy, Jerry and Taylor, but you could probably book a flight to San Antonio and land Game 5 tickets in the upper bowl. That’s because the Knicks’ live odds to win got up as high as 22-1 on DraftKings Sportsbook early in that third quarter window.
The New York Knicks' epic comeback helped bettors cash in big
If early in the third quarter on Wednesday night -- when Madison Square Garden was most miserable -- you put $100 on the Knicks to come back and win Game 4 of the NBA Finals … You still wouldn't be rich enough to sit courtside with Spike, Timmy, Jerry and Taylor, but you could probably book a flight to San Antonio and land Game 5 tickets in the upper bowl. That's because the Knicks' live odds to win got up as high as 22-1 on DraftKings Sportsbook early in that third quarter window.
When did you hop on the bandwagon?
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Commanders quiz: When did you hop on the bandwagon?
By the end of the run, the entire region seemed to be rocking with the newly exciting Washington Commanders. But how close were you paying attention from the start? With no game this weekend, play one instead. Relive key moments in this quiz to see where you fall on the bandwagon index. Question 1 of 10 What movie did Dan Quinn reference while evaluating Jayden Daniels in August? Question 2 of 10 Who was the placekicker in the season opener against the Buccaneers?
For pickleball’s first superstar, strategy outweighs athleticism Original
The best pickleball player in the world considers himself equal parts jock and nerd. His favorite hobby is “Magic: The Gathering,” a fantasy role-playing game with sorcery and strategy. Discussing the subtleties of pickleball, he will casually reference how a paddle’s “coefficient of friction” yields spin on a ball.
A 16 seed got its 15 minutes. Here's how the next decade played out.
That's life, a decade later. Every March, 1,000-plus players reach the men's basketball tournament. It's easy to remember the buzzer-beaters, big-name performances and post-victory glee. It's easier to lose track of rosters such as JMU's in 2013, when the Dukes qualified as a No. 16 seed. Moore's early ambitions were common: Make the NBA and buy his parents a house. His reality is more conventional for a mid-major standout.
A 16 seed got its 15 minutes. Here's how the next decade played out.
Devon Moore captained his school to a once-in-a-generation NCAA tournament appearance 10 years ago, and these days, when asked what he's up to, Moore answers without hesitation: "Being a dad." The former James Madison point guard's basketball career is on pause, and being a dad means providing for his son. So Moore wakes up by 3:30 a.m., eats egg whites, hops in his Chevy Malibu and drives roughly 17 miles from his home to work, where he fills trucks at an Amazon warehouse.
How an aspiring math teacher created go-to advice for prop betting
With a new approach, he found a way to make it valuable. Smaluck and his buddies long enjoyed prop betting - placing wagers on specific outcomes within a sporting event, such as how many rebounds a power forward will grab or which player will score a game's first points. And the software he created, a few tweaks later, provided helpful data in researching which player props might be worthwhile. So helpful, in fact, his friends suggested he offer the resource online.
How an aspiring math teacher created go-to advice for prop betting
In 2020, Pete Smaluck built software that could teach middle-schoolers math through NBA stats. Students could pick their favorite player or team, and the software would generate a worksheet with relevant questions. An example: James Harden shot 36 free throws. Of those he's made 88.9 percent. How many free throws has he made? Smaluck tested it with 50 teachers in Ontario, Canada, where he lives, and though he said the feedback was positive, he could not convince school boards to pay for the software.
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