Skip to Main Content
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 Sophia Di Iorio)

Monday Musings: On Colin Kaepernick, Harden’s Heroics and the Internet’s Favorite NBA Player

Our sports editor tackles what is happening — or rather, not happening — with Colin Kaepernick and the NFL, the conundrum that is James Harden and Alex Caruso, the Lakers’ cult hero.
Bela Kirpalani, Sports Editor December 2, 2019

Don’t Forget About Colin Kaepernick In case you missed it, ex-NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick had a 40-minute workout with eight NFL teams last month. Despite being out of...

(Illustration by Sophia Di Iorio)

Didn’t See That Coming! Three Shockers in the NBA

One month into the 2019-20 NBA season, our sports editor gives her opinions on the league’s biggest surprises so far.
Bela Kirpalani, Sports Editor November 24, 2019

1. Ja Morant Is the Real Deal The Memphis Grizzlies No. 2 pick is currently leading all rookies in points per game and assists per game with 19 and six, respectively.  On...

(Illustration by Sophia Di Iorio)

Monday Musings: On Melo’s Return, the Spurs’ Coaching Dilemma and Lamar Jackson

This week, our sports editor muses about Carmelo Anthony’s long-awaited return to the NBA, Gregg Popovich’s successor and Lamar Jackson’s case for MVP.
Bela Kirpalani, Sports Editor November 18, 2019

Carmelo Anthony Is Back, Baby After a year away, former New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony will be making his return to the NBA — this time with the Portland Trail Blazers. Sure,...

(Illustration by Sophia Di Iorio)

Monday Musings: On the Ducks, NBA Kicks and the Knicks’ French Connection

This week, our sports editor writes about the legendary Sabrina Ionescu, her favorite basketball kicks and the Knicks’ best option at point guard.
Bela Kirpalani, Sports Editor November 11, 2019

Sabrina Ionescu Is the G.O.A.T. On Saturday night, the University of Oregon women’s basketball team beat the U.S. women’s basketball team 93-86 in front of a crowd of 11,530....

(Illustration by Sophia Di Iorio)

Monday Musings: On Fantasy Football, Baseball and the Knicks

In the latest edition of The Sports Girl, our sports editor riffs on assorted topics.
Bela Kirpalani, Sports Editor October 27, 2019

Fantasy Football and Why It Stinks You are sitting at your laptop, eyes glazed over from countless hours — no, days — studying fantasy advice columns, watching highlight videos...

(Illustration by Sophia Di Iorio)

The Sports Curse: Fact or Fiction?

It’s spooky season, kiddos.
Bela Kirpalani, Sports Editor October 15, 2019

As Halloween approaches, I thought it’d be fun to take a look at some of sports’ biggest alleged curses and see just how ridiculous some of them are. From a video game cover...

(Illustration by Sophia Di Iorio)

This Is the WNBA’s Moment

As the 23rd WNBA season winds down, it’s the perfect time to examine how the league can build off its success and better itself for the future.
Bela Kirpalani, Sports Editor October 7, 2019

As we approach Game 4 of the WNBA Finals, I want to take a look back at this historic and exciting season. The whole season, it felt like the league was on the precipice of something...

Sports Editor Bela Kirpalani was blessed by the Bobcat in the spring. (via @belakirps12 on Instagram)

The Best Sports Mascots, Ranked

Hi @Gritty
Bela Kirpalani, Sports Editor September 30, 2019

To some, mascots may seem utterly useless or distracting from the actual game. To others like me, however, that is exactly what makes them so important to the American sporting...

(Illustration by Sophia Di Iorio)

The Field as a Happy Place

For many, sports are just about having fun. And that can be really important.
Bela Kirpalani, Sports Editor September 23, 2019

I overthink things. A lot. I worry about problems that don’t even exist yet. I replay old memories in my head and think about what I should’ve done differently. Often, I never...

(Illustration by Sophia Di Iorio)

Concussions Are Not Just a Football Problem

Too often, the conversations around head injuries and CTE are rooted in football, but the reality is that athletes in sports like soccer and surfing are just as susceptible — and more often overlooked.
Bela Kirpalani, Sports Editor September 16, 2019

When I say concussion, you say football. Concussion, football. Concussion, football. Cases like those of Aaron Hernandez and Junior Seau are still fresh in our minds. Hits like...

(Illustration by Sophia Di Iorio)

Male Athletes Are Still Stuck in the Closet

Male sports culture in the U.S. is problematic and doesn’t allow athletes to fully express themselves on and off the field.
Bela Kirpalani, Sports Editor September 3, 2019

NFL veteran Ryan Russell recently wrote a beautiful piece for ESPN in which he came out as bisexual and discussed how he was unable to live an “open life” for much of his early...

(Illustration by Sophia Di Iorio)

The Problem With Kobe Bryant’s Support of Women’s Sports

Why do female athletes and leagues like the WNBA continue to prop up men with questionable pasts?
Bela Kirpalani, Sports Editor August 24, 2019

It has been an objectively good summer for women’s sports. The United States women’s national soccer team won its fourth FIFA World Cup and continues to make national news...