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Good morning! Be like (NASCAR) Mike today.
While You Were Sleeping: Kyle Pitts, Kirk Cousins and a Tampa spoiler
Mike Ehrmann / Getty Images
I have to begin today by giving props to our Scoop City writer Jacob Robinson, whose newsletter yesterday focused on how last night’s game between Atlanta (5-9) and Tampa Bay (7-7) could actually be a thriller, despite the opposite optics.
A thriller we saw, with a beleaguered Atlanta looking like the team Falcons executives envisioned when they signed quarterback Kirk Cousins to a $180 million free-agent contract two offseasons ago. Cousins threw three touchdowns to the uber-talented yet underachieving Kyle Pitts and led a scintillating comeback drive to set up a game-winning field goal. Falcons 29, Buccaneers 28.
Don’t worry about anything that’s happened since Cousins signed. Falcons fans should take solace in possibly torpedoing a division rival’s postseason chances.
After last night’s loss, Tampa Bay — who began this season 6-2 — fell to second place in the NFC South with just a 52 percent chance to make the postseason, per our simulator.
Woof. Let’s go to the track:
Crossroads: NASCAR survives after settlement
For months, the lawsuit against NASCAR brought by two of its biggest racing organizations, Front Row Motorsports and 23XI Racing (owned by Michael Jordan), threatened to end the league as we knew it. Before we get to yesterday’s news, let’s quickly recap a complex situation:
At the heart of this dispute is NASCAR’s charter system, which was implemented in 2016. These charters are given to the major racing organizations, and they guarantee race spots to those outfits — while also assuring charter teams more money via revenue sharing.
Front Row and 23XI refused to sign an extension of the charter agreement with NASCAR back in October 2024, which was a breaking point, as NASCAR threatened to revoke the charter system entirely if all teams didn’t accept. After refusing, the two outliers sued.
The trial started Dec. 1 and, by most accounts, was a disaster for NASCAR. The stakes were incredibly high: If NASCAR won, two of its biggest teams would likely fold. If NASCAR lost, the organization itself might’ve folded. So it was stunning when the parties settled yesterday after eight tense days in court.
The Athletic’s Jeff Gluck and Jordan Bianchi have been covering this tirelessly for us. I snagged Jeff on a busy day for some quick insights into this sport-changing moment:
You’ve covered this sport for a long time. How will you remember this? A blip? A crossroads?
“This is legitimately one of the biggest moments in NASCAR history. I don’t think that’s overselling it at all. It was surreal to see the curtain pulled back and the sport’s closely held financial secrets revealed, all because Michael Jordan decided he wasn’t going to be pushed around. It’s actually still stunning to think all of this really happened, and it’s hard to fully grasp the implications for NASCAR’s future.”
I know the sides settled … but who won, really?
“There’s no question here: It’s an unequivocal win for the teams. NASCAR essentially gave the teams everything they asked for and then some, with the most important being permanent ‘charters.’ To put it simply: Race teams previously had these charters (worth a minimum of $45 million), but they would expire (!!) if teams did not agree to financial terms. Now the charters will become permanent, like a franchise. Imagine how much their value will grow.”
Many thanks to Jeff, who wrote a great column on this entire saga last night. Jordan also wrote a detailed explainer on what each party is getting in this settlement, which is worth a read.
Let’s keep moving:
News to Know
Gregory Shamus / Getty Images
Moore investigation will continue
Michigan president Domenico Grasso said yesterday in a message to students that the university’s inquiry into former football coach Sherrone Moore is ongoing, and even encouraged anyone with more information to come forward. It came one day after Michigan fired Moore for having an inappropriate relationship with a staffer. Hours after his termination, Moore was detained by police after they were called to a female staffer’s home, and Moore remained in custody yesterday, according to our updated report.
Bruce Feldman also compiled a list of candidates to replace Moore yesterday, led by Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer.
More news
A pair of Michael Jordan’s shoes sold for nearly $700,000 at auction. See them here.
Former NBA player Jason Collins, the first openly gay player in the league, announced yesterday he has Stage 4 brain cancer.
The SEC revealed its 2026 football schedule. Lane Kiffin heads back to Ole Miss early in the season.
A traffic incident in Pittsburgh was bad enough to force the Penguins to delay last night’s game against the Canadiens. Read more here.
Olympic ski champion Michelle Gisin needs neck surgery after a scary downhill accident. More details in our full story.
The Good Bets: We’re back, but at what cost?
We had a solid week in our last round of picks, netting $190 of fake Pulse currency in a lost season. We’re back to dig our way out, with odds via BetMGM:
1. Colts and Seahawks UNDER 43
I apologize for discounting a great comeback story, but I don’t think 44-year-old Philip Rivers is going to be ready to put up an offensive show for the Colts less than a week after signing, if he even plays — especially against a great Seattle defense.
2. Army and Navy UNDER 38.5
Dan Santaromita picked the patriot bet where you readers did not. He also pointed out that while last year’s game went over this number, the previous 10 did not. Hm.
3. Bengals (+118) vs. Ravens
Hannah Vanbiber thinks Cincinnati comes away with a win outright here — and just wants Joe Burrow to have fun again.
4. Chiefs (-5.5) vs. Chargers
Vik Chokshi is betting against a Chargers team coming off a short week with a “hampered” Justin Herbert.
5. Reader bet: Bengals and Ravens OVER 51.5
This was an easy winner, and we’re double-dipping on this game. Honestly, it makes me nervous.
Pulse parlay to win all five bets (+2625):
Wager: $10
To win: $262.55
Pulse tally so far: -$1,310. Progress?
What to Watch
📺 NCAAM: Texas at No. 5 UConn
8 p.m. ET on Fox
As far as widely available sports games go, tonight is pretty light. The Huskies are a real-deal contender, with just a loss to No. 4 Arizona on the resume thus far. UConn coach Dan Hurley is always a wild card for entertainment value, too.
Get tickets to games like these here.
Pulse Picks
Yes, Lindsey Vonn is back for the Winter Olympics after un-retiring. Why? Her motivation is more than just another gold medal.
Golf star Charley Hull has a persona on social media: brash, talented, outspoken. Gabby Herzig visited her home in England and found a different Hull. Worth your time today.
Why do so many American and British soccer fans follow “unfashionable” Bundesliga clubs? The answer is … historical.
The MLB Winter Meetings are over. Jim Bowden has 11 takeaways.
Most-clicked in the newsletter yesterday: The Sherrone Moore news story.
Most-read on the website yesterday: ☝️
📫 That’s all for now! Say hello at thepulse@theathletic.com, and check out our other newsletters.