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New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

Commentary

(Illustration by Susan Behrends Valenzuela)

Love-love: Saying goodbye to Serena Williams and Roger Federer

After Roger Federer’s final professional tennis match on Friday, Sept. 23, the tennis world has now lost two of its greatest competitors.
Nicole Ranile, Staff Writer September 26, 2022

From Billie Jean King to John McEnroe, Serena Williams and Roger Federer have officially joined the list of greatest tennis players of all time. The world of tennis is quickly...

The 2021-22 season has not only been full of drama, but it also brought a rule change on fouls. The new rule makes it harder for an offensive player to deliberately draw a foul. (Staff Illustration by Ryan Kawahara, Images via Wikimedia Commons)

New season, new rules, new era for the NBA?

The NBA’s latest rule change for the 2021-22 season will have a significant impact on the league’s brightest stars.
Daniel Haas, Contributing Writer November 22, 2021

Before the start of the 2021-22 NBA season, the league announced a significant rule change amending the officiating guidelines on “ … overt, abrupt or abnormal non-basketball...

The 2021-2022 NBA season commenced on Oct. 19. With the start of the new season comes a lot of drama. (Staff Illustration by Ryan Kawahara, Images via Wikimedia Commons)

Keeping up with the NBA: the 75th anniversary

Recapping the best of the league’s drama and storylines as the 2021-22 NBA season continues.
Mitesh Shrestha, Sports Editor November 11, 2021

Phoenix Suns: Drama in the desert: Sarver’s last stand with the NBA The Phoenix Suns’ sudden accession last season caught the entire league by surprise. They ended a decade-long...

The New York Knicks surprised fans last season with their early success. Still, there are a number of steps that they could take in order to improve further this season. (Staff Illustration by Manasa Gudavalli)

How the Knicks can follow up on last season’s unexpected success

After overachieving last season, the Knicks are looking to further improve and make a deep playoff run this season. Here are some key points the team should focus on to reach that goal.
Ethan Hourizadeh, Staff Writer October 25, 2021

The early success of the Knicks last season came as a surprise. Led by breakout star Julius Randle, an improving RJ Barrett, a rejuvenated Derrick Rose and one of the deepest benches...

Many New York Giants fans have been disappointed in the team’s performance during the first six weeks of the NFL season. But fans should not lose hope — there is still a chance for a comeback. (Staff Illustration by Manasa Gudavalli)

Searching for silver linings in the Giants’ bleak season start

Despite a 1-5 start to the 2021-22 NFL season, New York Giants fans can still feel optimistic about the future.
Daniel Haas, Contributing Writer October 25, 2021

For fans of the New York Giants, the first six weeks of the NFL season have been a major disappointment. The Giants (1-5) have lost to such struggling squads as the Atlanta Falcons...

Expectations are high for the New York Giants, who have not made an appearance in the playoffs in four years. Managing players and strategy will be crucial for the team to find success this season. (Staff Illustration by Manasa Gudavalli)

Five priorities for the Giants this season

Having not made the playoffs since 2016, pressure is building on the New York Giants to step it up this year. These are the Giants’ top five priorities for success this upcoming season.
Ethan Hourizadeh, Staff Writer August 30, 2021

Keeping Saquon Barkley healthy Star running back Saquon Barkley tore his ACL in a game against the Chicago Bears early last season, sidelining him for the remainder of the year....

The Knicks are a staple of sports and entertainment in New York City. Recent wins for the team have created excitement for the residents of the city. (Illustration by Renee Shohet)

When the Knicks win, New York wins

While the recent success of the Knicks is great for the team's fans, the excitement surrounding the team this year has given hope to all New Yorkers.
Ethan Hourizadeh, Contributing Writer May 6, 2021

For decades, the New York Knicks have been a joke across not just the NBA, but the country. Given their inability to win games in recent years, the team has been mocked about by...

Heung-min Son is South Korea’s pride in the game of soccer, being the star forward of Tottenham Hotspurs. With the skills and traits of a top player, he challenges the Asian stereotype in the sport and so inspired numerous aspiring young talents. (Staff Illustration by Chelsea Li)

Why Heung-min Son Is My Favorite Player

I have watched Heung-min Son play for Tottenham Hotspurs for four years now. He has since become my favorite player.
Kevin Ryu, Sports Editor September 27, 2020

My fandom for soccer began when I was five. It was the 2002 World Cup, and like everyone else in South Korea that summer, my friends and I had been swept by the fervor...

A sport where people have seemingly forsaken creative play for optimal play is chess, after Deep Blue chess engine first defeated the chess world champion Grandmaster Garry Kasparov in 1996. Similarly, NBA audiences have raised concerns that sports are becoming increasingly homogenized as teams across sports push for an optimal style of play. (Staff Illustration by Deborah Alalade)

Is Creativity Dying in Sports?

As teams across sports push for an optimal style of play, people have raised concerns that sports are becoming increasingly homogenized. However, that does not mean there is no longer room for human ingenuity in sports.
Kevin Ryu, Sports Editor September 13, 2020

Geographically, the NBA of today is completely different from what it was 20 years ago. Compare the graphics of top shot locations from the 2001-2002 season to the current...

Lionel Messi celebrating a goal against Granada CF for Barcelona back in October of 2014. Now, Messi and the club's current relationship remains uncertain after the player's request to leave was denied. (Image via Wikimedia, from L.F.Salas)

Can Messi and Barcelona Achieve Their Perfect Goodbye?

By declining Lionel Messi’s request to leave, Barcelona has gambled both on Messi’s brilliance being enough to propel a comeback season and on having a chance at an amicable split with the soccer player.
Kevin Ryu, Sports Editor September 7, 2020

When Sir Alex Ferguson retired from managing soccer club Manchester United in 2013, 13-year-old me could not believe it. He had just led the team to another Premier League...

NBA players strike to hold their organization and owners accountable for not taking a stand for social justice. The NBA’s lack of real action shows their progressive image is an empty promise. (Staff Illustration by Chelsea Li)

The Reactive and Equivocal Politics of the NBA

The NBA promised to be at the forefront of movements for social justice. The NBA players’ strike is the latest reminder that their promise has not been backed with action.
Kevin Ryu, Sports Editor August 30, 2020

It was the second time in league’s history — and the first time since 1964 — that NBA players had organized a strike. Back then, the players striked for a pension and...

(Illustration by Sophia Di Iorio)

How Can Athletes Trust USA Gymnastics?

Following multiple abuse scandals and a lack of transparency, the sport’s national authority has failed to prove that it will protect its gymnasts.
Bela Kirpalani, Editor-at-Large May 3, 2020

Last week, elite gymnastics coach Maggie Haney was served with an eight-year suspension by U.S.A Gymnastics following accusations that she had verbally and emotionally abused athletes....