Emily Giambalvo
@emilygiam.bsky.social
Washington Post sports + data reporter
The preseason college football rankings were really, really wrong
See how each team over or underperformed the average regular season winning percentage for teams that have earned the same preseason ranking.
story w/ @jessedougherty.bsky.social: wapo.st/3XCOM7U
See how each team over or underperformed the average regular season winning percentage for teams that have earned the same preseason ranking.
story w/ @jessedougherty.bsky.social: wapo.st/3XCOM7U
December 5, 2025 at 1:20 AM
The preseason college football rankings were really, really wrong
See how each team over or underperformed the average regular season winning percentage for teams that have earned the same preseason ranking.
story w/ @jessedougherty.bsky.social: wapo.st/3XCOM7U
See how each team over or underperformed the average regular season winning percentage for teams that have earned the same preseason ranking.
story w/ @jessedougherty.bsky.social: wapo.st/3XCOM7U
Reposted by Emily Giambalvo
The preseason AP poll was really, really wrong this year, which was even more notable because the preseason AP poll is often pretty predictive.
Story with @emilygiam.bsky.social, who dug up a lot of fun data on this: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
Story with @emilygiam.bsky.social, who dug up a lot of fun data on this: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
The preseason college football rankings were really, really wrong
Led by Penn State, teams in the preseason top 15 have the second-worst winning percentage for programs ranked that high in decades.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 4, 2025 at 2:44 PM
The preseason AP poll was really, really wrong this year, which was even more notable because the preseason AP poll is often pretty predictive.
Story with @emilygiam.bsky.social, who dug up a lot of fun data on this: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
Story with @emilygiam.bsky.social, who dug up a lot of fun data on this: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
As preseason No. 1 Texas underachieved, No. 2 Penn State flopped, and No. 9 LSU and No. 15 Florida fired their coaches ... I wondered: Has the preseason college football poll ever been *this* wrong?
We figured out the answer!
Gift link: wapo.st/3XCOM7U
We figured out the answer!
Gift link: wapo.st/3XCOM7U
The preseason college football rankings were really, really wrong
Led by Penn State, teams in the preseason top 15 have the second-worst winning percentage for programs ranked that high in decades.
wapo.st
December 4, 2025 at 2:58 PM
As preseason No. 1 Texas underachieved, No. 2 Penn State flopped, and No. 9 LSU and No. 15 Florida fired their coaches ... I wondered: Has the preseason college football poll ever been *this* wrong?
We figured out the answer!
Gift link: wapo.st/3XCOM7U
We figured out the answer!
Gift link: wapo.st/3XCOM7U
Reposted by Emily Giambalvo
November 20, 2025 at 11:36 PM
Reposted by Emily Giambalvo
Data journalist @jeremybmerrill.com analyzed 38,000 ChatGPT conversations and found AI has gotten less formal -- dropping some words and adding contractions -- while clinging to the EmDash and some cliched constructions. w/ @emmakumer.bsky.social & SzuYu Chen: www.washingtonpost.com/technology/i...
November 13, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Data journalist @jeremybmerrill.com analyzed 38,000 ChatGPT conversations and found AI has gotten less formal -- dropping some words and adding contractions -- while clinging to the EmDash and some cliched constructions. w/ @emmakumer.bsky.social & SzuYu Chen: www.washingtonpost.com/technology/i...
USA Gymnastics looks to soccer executive Kyle Albrecht as its next leader
He hasn't worked in gymnastics, but his background is in sports marketing and player development. In an interview with the Post, he said he wants to "elevate the profile of the sport."
Story: wapo.st/3LADIFy
He hasn't worked in gymnastics, but his background is in sports marketing and player development. In an interview with the Post, he said he wants to "elevate the profile of the sport."
Story: wapo.st/3LADIFy
USA Gymnastics looks to soccer executive as its next leader
Kyle Albrecht, MLS Next general manager, takes over organization with 2028 Los Angeles Olympics on the horizon.
wapo.st
November 11, 2025 at 5:02 PM
USA Gymnastics looks to soccer executive Kyle Albrecht as its next leader
He hasn't worked in gymnastics, but his background is in sports marketing and player development. In an interview with the Post, he said he wants to "elevate the profile of the sport."
Story: wapo.st/3LADIFy
He hasn't worked in gymnastics, but his background is in sports marketing and player development. In an interview with the Post, he said he wants to "elevate the profile of the sport."
Story: wapo.st/3LADIFy
Reposted by Emily Giambalvo
Yesterday we counted +900 flight cancellations across the US: tinyurl.com/3sddyscd –One of the most affected was Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) with 17% of its flights cancelled ✈️
November 8, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Yesterday we counted +900 flight cancellations across the US: tinyurl.com/3sddyscd –One of the most affected was Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) with 17% of its flights cancelled ✈️
Uhh not great!
With its pending loss to Indiana, Maryland is ...
* 0-13 coming out of an open date since 2017.
* 0-37 against ranked Big Ten opponents since joining the league in 2014.
* 2-25 in November/December home games since 2011.
* 0-13 coming out of an open date since 2017.
* 0-37 against ranked Big Ten opponents since joining the league in 2014.
* 2-25 in November/December home games since 2011.
November 1, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Uhh not great!
Reposted by Emily Giambalvo
When you think of college football, you think of Saturday, right?
Then there are teams like ECU, which played four of its first seven games on Thursday night.
"You don’t need a map and a compass to find our games on TV."
(w/ @emilygiam.bsky.social)
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
Then there are teams like ECU, which played four of its first seven games on Thursday night.
"You don’t need a map and a compass to find our games on TV."
(w/ @emilygiam.bsky.social)
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
The college football team that’s barely played on Saturday
East Carolina went five consecutive weeks without playing on the sport’s traditional day, part of a growing strategy to increase television exposure.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 31, 2025 at 12:52 PM
When you think of college football, you think of Saturday, right?
Then there are teams like ECU, which played four of its first seven games on Thursday night.
"You don’t need a map and a compass to find our games on TV."
(w/ @emilygiam.bsky.social)
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
Then there are teams like ECU, which played four of its first seven games on Thursday night.
"You don’t need a map and a compass to find our games on TV."
(w/ @emilygiam.bsky.social)
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
College football is a Saturday sport. But then there are those Thursday and Friday and sometimes Tuesday games you turn on because why not?
A fun story with @jessedougherty.bsky.social on how teams from smaller conferences try to grab TV eyeballs on weekdays.
wapo.st/47W6Q1J
A fun story with @jessedougherty.bsky.social on how teams from smaller conferences try to grab TV eyeballs on weekdays.
wapo.st/47W6Q1J
The college football team that’s barely played on Saturday
East Carolina went five consecutive weeks without playing on the sport’s traditional day, part of a growing strategy to increase television exposure.
wapo.st
October 31, 2025 at 1:26 PM
College football is a Saturday sport. But then there are those Thursday and Friday and sometimes Tuesday games you turn on because why not?
A fun story with @jessedougherty.bsky.social on how teams from smaller conferences try to grab TV eyeballs on weekdays.
wapo.st/47W6Q1J
A fun story with @jessedougherty.bsky.social on how teams from smaller conferences try to grab TV eyeballs on weekdays.
wapo.st/47W6Q1J
Reposted by Emily Giambalvo
The great @dtkeating.bsky.social is retiring after 25+ years as a data reporter at the Post. He published his last story today, and true to form, it was a banger. With reporting from @arianaec.bsky.social, @lmelgar.bsky.social & Jahi Chikwendiu:
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
The mysterious rise of cancer among young adults in the Corn Belt
Communities across the Corn Belt are confronting a rise in cancers among young adults — and few clear explanations.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 27, 2025 at 11:38 PM
The great @dtkeating.bsky.social is retiring after 25+ years as a data reporter at the Post. He published his last story today, and true to form, it was a banger. With reporting from @arianaec.bsky.social, @lmelgar.bsky.social & Jahi Chikwendiu:
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
The U.S. women's gymnastics program won just two medals at world championships this week — their fewest since 2001. What happened?
Analysis of the state of the U.S. program: wapo.st/3JuJl7s
Analysis of the state of the U.S. program: wapo.st/3JuJl7s
October 25, 2025 at 3:12 PM
The U.S. women's gymnastics program won just two medals at world championships this week — their fewest since 2001. What happened?
Analysis of the state of the U.S. program: wapo.st/3JuJl7s
Analysis of the state of the U.S. program: wapo.st/3JuJl7s
The Russians are back. And Angelina Melnikova is the world all-around champion.
Winning gymnastics medals just became more difficult for everybody else — including the United States.
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olymp...
Winning gymnastics medals just became more difficult for everybody else — including the United States.
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olymp...
Russian gymnasts are back in full force, led by a former political candidate
Angelina Melnikova won the women’s all-around as “individual neutral athlete” months after winning a primary for United Russia, the country’s ruling party.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 23, 2025 at 3:51 PM
The Russians are back. And Angelina Melnikova is the world all-around champion.
Winning gymnastics medals just became more difficult for everybody else — including the United States.
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olymp...
Winning gymnastics medals just became more difficult for everybody else — including the United States.
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olymp...
Angelina Melnikova, the Russian back at worlds for the first time since 2021, wins the all-around gold.
She was just one-tenth ahead of American Leanne Wong, who had an excellent performance after qualifying in ninth.
She was just one-tenth ahead of American Leanne Wong, who had an excellent performance after qualifying in ninth.
October 23, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Angelina Melnikova, the Russian back at worlds for the first time since 2021, wins the all-around gold.
She was just one-tenth ahead of American Leanne Wong, who had an excellent performance after qualifying in ninth.
She was just one-tenth ahead of American Leanne Wong, who had an excellent performance after qualifying in ninth.
Time for the women's all-around final at worlds!
Angelina Melnikova, an Olympian and world champion, qualified with the top score. (This is her first major competition since 2021 because Russians were banned.)
More on Melnikova here:
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olymp...
Angelina Melnikova, an Olympian and world champion, qualified with the top score. (This is her first major competition since 2021 because Russians were banned.)
More on Melnikova here:
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olymp...
The Russian gymnasts are back, led by a former political candidate
Angelina Melnikova leads Russia’s return to gymnastics’ global stage months after winning a primary in elections for United Russia, the country’s ruling party.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 23, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Time for the women's all-around final at worlds!
Angelina Melnikova, an Olympian and world champion, qualified with the top score. (This is her first major competition since 2021 because Russians were banned.)
More on Melnikova here:
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olymp...
Angelina Melnikova, an Olympian and world champion, qualified with the top score. (This is her first major competition since 2021 because Russians were banned.)
More on Melnikova here:
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olymp...
She's an Olympic gold medalist & world all-around champion.
Earlier this year, she won a primary held by United Russia, the party that supports Putin (then withdrew from the race).
Now she's a "neutral" athlete & could win the world all-around gold tomorrow.
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olymp...
Earlier this year, she won a primary held by United Russia, the party that supports Putin (then withdrew from the race).
Now she's a "neutral" athlete & could win the world all-around gold tomorrow.
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olymp...
The Russian gymnasts are back, led by a former political candidate
Angelina Melnikova leads Russia’s return to gymnastics’ global stage months after winning a primary in elections for United Russia, the country’s ruling party.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 22, 2025 at 2:06 PM
She's an Olympic gold medalist & world all-around champion.
Earlier this year, she won a primary held by United Russia, the party that supports Putin (then withdrew from the race).
Now she's a "neutral" athlete & could win the world all-around gold tomorrow.
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olymp...
Earlier this year, she won a primary held by United Russia, the party that supports Putin (then withdrew from the race).
Now she's a "neutral" athlete & could win the world all-around gold tomorrow.
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olymp...
U.S. gymnasts advance to each individual final at world championships, but medals are far from guaranteed.
All-around: Dulcy Caylor (5th best qualifying score), Leanne Wong (9th)
Vault: Joscelyn Roberson (8th)
Bars: Skye Blakely (7th)
Beam: Caylor (6th)
Floor: Caylor (8th)
All-around: Dulcy Caylor (5th best qualifying score), Leanne Wong (9th)
Vault: Joscelyn Roberson (8th)
Bars: Skye Blakely (7th)
Beam: Caylor (6th)
Floor: Caylor (8th)
October 21, 2025 at 2:32 PM
U.S. gymnasts advance to each individual final at world championships, but medals are far from guaranteed.
All-around: Dulcy Caylor (5th best qualifying score), Leanne Wong (9th)
Vault: Joscelyn Roberson (8th)
Bars: Skye Blakely (7th)
Beam: Caylor (6th)
Floor: Caylor (8th)
All-around: Dulcy Caylor (5th best qualifying score), Leanne Wong (9th)
Vault: Joscelyn Roberson (8th)
Bars: Skye Blakely (7th)
Beam: Caylor (6th)
Floor: Caylor (8th)
Reposted by Emily Giambalvo
Climate change is coming for D.C.’s trees, and the city won’t look the same wapo.st/43ijIxq
Climate change is coming for D.C.’s trees, and the city won’t look the same
The Post examined data that shows how the decisions being made now about what trees to plant in place of dying ones will change the city’s treescape.
wapo.st
October 20, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Climate change is coming for D.C.’s trees, and the city won’t look the same wapo.st/43ijIxq
October is the most popular month for weddings. And it's the heart of college football season.
Last year, we analyzed wedding data to see if it actually made a difference: It kind of does! In major CFB markets, especially the SEC, bye weeks were more popular wedding dates than game-day Saturdays.
Last year, we analyzed wedding data to see if it actually made a difference: It kind of does! In major CFB markets, especially the SEC, bye weeks were more popular wedding dates than game-day Saturdays.
October 15, 2025 at 2:53 PM
October is the most popular month for weddings. And it's the heart of college football season.
Last year, we analyzed wedding data to see if it actually made a difference: It kind of does! In major CFB markets, especially the SEC, bye weeks were more popular wedding dates than game-day Saturdays.
Last year, we analyzed wedding data to see if it actually made a difference: It kind of does! In major CFB markets, especially the SEC, bye weeks were more popular wedding dates than game-day Saturdays.
Reposted by Emily Giambalvo
How America’s favorite sports bet is fueling sportsbook profits
Parlays are becoming more popular, accounting for an increasing share of the money wagered on sports, according to a Post analysis of betting data. Bettors lose billions a year on these bets.
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/inter...
Parlays are becoming more popular, accounting for an increasing share of the money wagered on sports, according to a Post analysis of betting data. Bettors lose billions a year on these bets.
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/inter...
Americans can’t stop betting parlays. Sportbooks are cashing in.
As betting booms, parlays are accounting for an increasing share of the money wagered on sports, according to a Washington Post analysis of state data.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 9, 2025 at 2:51 PM
How America’s favorite sports bet is fueling sportsbook profits
Parlays are becoming more popular, accounting for an increasing share of the money wagered on sports, according to a Post analysis of betting data. Bettors lose billions a year on these bets.
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/inter...
Parlays are becoming more popular, accounting for an increasing share of the money wagered on sports, according to a Post analysis of betting data. Bettors lose billions a year on these bets.
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/inter...
Reposted by Emily Giambalvo
The @wpdatateam.bsky.social used hundreds of real people's TikTok data to show how the app sucks people in and keeps them there. In 5 months, the lightest users doubled their time on TikTok (to over an hour a day!), swiped faster and opened the app more: www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/int...
October 10, 2025 at 4:51 PM
The @wpdatateam.bsky.social used hundreds of real people's TikTok data to show how the app sucks people in and keeps them there. In 5 months, the lightest users doubled their time on TikTok (to over an hour a day!), swiped faster and opened the app more: www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/int...
Sportsbooks generate far more revenue per dollar wagered on parlays than straight bets.
And yet the popularity of parlays is soaring.
Sportsbooks heavily promote these bets — and many people probably never bother to do the math to understand why they're such a bad deal.
Story: bit.ly/47hUFwJ
And yet the popularity of parlays is soaring.
Sportsbooks heavily promote these bets — and many people probably never bother to do the math to understand why they're such a bad deal.
Story: bit.ly/47hUFwJ
October 10, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Sportsbooks generate far more revenue per dollar wagered on parlays than straight bets.
And yet the popularity of parlays is soaring.
Sportsbooks heavily promote these bets — and many people probably never bother to do the math to understand why they're such a bad deal.
Story: bit.ly/47hUFwJ
And yet the popularity of parlays is soaring.
Sportsbooks heavily promote these bets — and many people probably never bother to do the math to understand why they're such a bad deal.
Story: bit.ly/47hUFwJ
Reposted by Emily Giambalvo
Terrific work here on parlays, replete with data on just how lucrative they are for sportsbooks.
Craziest stat to me: In Maryland, parlays have made up 36% of sports bet spend this year -- and 67% of sportsbooks' revenue.
Craziest stat to me: In Maryland, parlays have made up 36% of sports bet spend this year -- and 67% of sportsbooks' revenue.
How America’s favorite sports bet is fueling sportsbook profits
Parlays are becoming more popular, accounting for an increasing share of the money wagered on sports, according to a Post analysis of betting data. Bettors lose billions a year on these bets.
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/inter...
Parlays are becoming more popular, accounting for an increasing share of the money wagered on sports, according to a Post analysis of betting data. Bettors lose billions a year on these bets.
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/inter...
Americans can’t stop betting parlays. Sportbooks are cashing in.
As betting booms, parlays are accounting for an increasing share of the money wagered on sports, according to a Washington Post analysis of state data.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 9, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Terrific work here on parlays, replete with data on just how lucrative they are for sportsbooks.
Craziest stat to me: In Maryland, parlays have made up 36% of sports bet spend this year -- and 67% of sportsbooks' revenue.
Craziest stat to me: In Maryland, parlays have made up 36% of sports bet spend this year -- and 67% of sportsbooks' revenue.
Reposted by Emily Giambalvo
This story was the brainchild of sports data reporter @emilygiam.bsky.social, who collaborated with @katiperry.bsky.social and @asteckelberg.bsky.social to allow you to try parlay betting yourself. It's often not pretty
October 9, 2025 at 4:53 PM
This story was the brainchild of sports data reporter @emilygiam.bsky.social, who collaborated with @katiperry.bsky.social and @asteckelberg.bsky.social to allow you to try parlay betting yourself. It's often not pretty
Reposted by Emily Giambalvo
Parlays have become incredibly popular, with many betting apps encouraging these high-stakes multi-leg bets. But as legs are added, the chance of winning drops faster than the growth of the potential payout - which means sportsbooks have the advantage. Explore the math and and try your own bets:
Americans can’t stop betting parlays. Sportbooks are cashing in.
As betting booms, parlays are accounting for an increasing share of the money wagered on sports, according to a Washington Post analysis of state data.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 9, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Parlays have become incredibly popular, with many betting apps encouraging these high-stakes multi-leg bets. But as legs are added, the chance of winning drops faster than the growth of the potential payout - which means sportsbooks have the advantage. Explore the math and and try your own bets: