Lev Akabas
@levakabas.bsky.social
NBA 🏀 & sports business 💵 data viz 📊 for Sportico
All opinions are my own
All opinions are my own
The NFL will play its first ever games in Paris and Melbourne next season, continuing to expand its international footprint
February 9, 2026 at 9:32 PM
The NFL will play its first ever games in Paris and Melbourne next season, continuing to expand its international footprint
Malcolm Butler's goal line interception to end Super Bowl XLIX between the Patriots and Seahawks is the most impactful Super Bowl play of this century
February 9, 2026 at 8:24 PM
Malcolm Butler's goal line interception to end Super Bowl XLIX between the Patriots and Seahawks is the most impactful Super Bowl play of this century
Super Bowl LX was the sixth least exciting Super Bowl of the 21st Century
February 9, 2026 at 5:37 PM
Super Bowl LX was the sixth least exciting Super Bowl of the 21st Century
Despite two Super Bowl blowouts in a row, we've generally had it really good in the past decade
There were only 10 4th quarter lead changes in the first 30 Super Bowls
There were 7 fourth quarter lead changes in Super Bowls 57 and 58 alone
There were only 10 4th quarter lead changes in the first 30 Super Bowls
There were 7 fourth quarter lead changes in Super Bowls 57 and 58 alone
February 9, 2026 at 4:16 PM
Despite two Super Bowl blowouts in a row, we've generally had it really good in the past decade
There were only 10 4th quarter lead changes in the first 30 Super Bowls
There were 7 fourth quarter lead changes in Super Bowls 57 and 58 alone
There were only 10 4th quarter lead changes in the first 30 Super Bowls
There were 7 fourth quarter lead changes in Super Bowls 57 and 58 alone
The 2025 Seattle Seahawks overcame 60-to-1 preseason odds to win the Super Bowl
They are one of the most unlikely championship teams in US pro team sports
They are one of the most unlikely championship teams in US pro team sports
February 9, 2026 at 4:08 AM
The 2025 Seattle Seahawks overcame 60-to-1 preseason odds to win the Super Bowl
They are one of the most unlikely championship teams in US pro team sports
They are one of the most unlikely championship teams in US pro team sports
What's your favorite Super Bowl of the 21st Century?
February 8, 2026 at 3:38 PM
What's your favorite Super Bowl of the 21st Century?
The Charlotte Hornets — yes, the Charlotte Hornets — have been the best team in the NBA over the past month
February 6, 2026 at 8:12 PM
The Charlotte Hornets — yes, the Charlotte Hornets — have been the best team in the NBA over the past month
Beer 🍺 ads during the Super Bowl have been on the decline since 2002 📉
Food & Beverage 🍔 and Tech 💻 are the biggest Super Bowl ad categories now 📈
Food & Beverage 🍔 and Tech 💻 are the biggest Super Bowl ad categories now 📈
February 5, 2026 at 1:16 PM
Beer 🍺 ads during the Super Bowl have been on the decline since 2002 📉
Food & Beverage 🍔 and Tech 💻 are the biggest Super Bowl ad categories now 📈
Food & Beverage 🍔 and Tech 💻 are the biggest Super Bowl ad categories now 📈
Michigan just reported a record $67.6 million in football ticket sales for 2024-25
The Buckeyes were the national leader in this category for five straight seasons before the Wolverines overtook them
Read more: wp.me/pc2RuA-1lzrxC
The Buckeyes were the national leader in this category for five straight seasons before the Wolverines overtook them
Read more: wp.me/pc2RuA-1lzrxC
February 2, 2026 at 11:12 PM
Michigan just reported a record $67.6 million in football ticket sales for 2024-25
The Buckeyes were the national leader in this category for five straight seasons before the Wolverines overtook them
Read more: wp.me/pc2RuA-1lzrxC
The Buckeyes were the national leader in this category for five straight seasons before the Wolverines overtook them
Read more: wp.me/pc2RuA-1lzrxC
Jamal Murray has made his first NBA All-Star Game
Nikola Jokic will finally play with an All-Star or All-NBA teammate for the first time in his career!
Nikola Jokic will finally play with an All-Star or All-NBA teammate for the first time in his career!
February 2, 2026 at 1:06 AM
Jamal Murray has made his first NBA All-Star Game
Nikola Jokic will finally play with an All-Star or All-NBA teammate for the first time in his career!
Nikola Jokic will finally play with an All-Star or All-NBA teammate for the first time in his career!
Carlos Alcaraz is very close to passing Andy Murray for 5th all-time in tennis prize money
He is 22 years old
He is 22 years old
February 1, 2026 at 10:15 PM
Carlos Alcaraz is very close to passing Andy Murray for 5th all-time in tennis prize money
He is 22 years old
He is 22 years old
Carlos Alcaraz has the career Grand Slam at age 22!
That's 9 straight majors for Sincaraz
That's 9 straight majors for Sincaraz
February 1, 2026 at 11:54 AM
Carlos Alcaraz has the career Grand Slam at age 22!
That's 9 straight majors for Sincaraz
That's 9 straight majors for Sincaraz
Record in matches longer than 3 hr 50 min:
Carlos Alcaraz: 12-1
Jannik Sinner: 0-8
Carlos Alcaraz: 12-1
Jannik Sinner: 0-8
January 31, 2026 at 12:36 PM
Record in matches longer than 3 hr 50 min:
Carlos Alcaraz: 12-1
Jannik Sinner: 0-8
Carlos Alcaraz: 12-1
Jannik Sinner: 0-8
One of the most amazing sports statistics: Aryna Sabalenka has won at least one set in 110 straight Grand Slam matches
The next-longest active streak by a woman is 12
Federer, Nadal, nor Djokovic ever had a streak this long
You literally can't blow her out. What a player
The next-longest active streak by a woman is 12
Federer, Nadal, nor Djokovic ever had a streak this long
You literally can't blow her out. What a player
January 31, 2026 at 10:16 AM
One of the most amazing sports statistics: Aryna Sabalenka has won at least one set in 110 straight Grand Slam matches
The next-longest active streak by a woman is 12
Federer, Nadal, nor Djokovic ever had a streak this long
You literally can't blow her out. What a player
The next-longest active streak by a woman is 12
Federer, Nadal, nor Djokovic ever had a streak this long
You literally can't blow her out. What a player
Novak Djokovic...
• Hit fewer winners
• Hit fewer aces
• Made a lower % of his serves
• Had fewer break points chances
• Won 12 fewer points overall
... and won the match
• Hit fewer winners
• Hit fewer aces
• Made a lower % of his serves
• Had fewer break points chances
• Won 12 fewer points overall
... and won the match
January 30, 2026 at 3:09 PM
Novak Djokovic...
• Hit fewer winners
• Hit fewer aces
• Made a lower % of his serves
• Had fewer break points chances
• Won 12 fewer points overall
... and won the match
• Hit fewer winners
• Hit fewer aces
• Made a lower % of his serves
• Had fewer break points chances
• Won 12 fewer points overall
... and won the match
Age when having reached all four major finals:
Alcaraz - 22
Sinner - 23
Federer - 24
Nadal - 24
Djokovic - 25
Alcaraz - 22
Sinner - 23
Federer - 24
Nadal - 24
Djokovic - 25
January 30, 2026 at 10:15 AM
Age when having reached all four major finals:
Alcaraz - 22
Sinner - 23
Federer - 24
Nadal - 24
Djokovic - 25
Alcaraz - 22
Sinner - 23
Federer - 24
Nadal - 24
Djokovic - 25
The 2026 Australian Open has had the most chalk of any tennis Grand Slam this century
7 of the top 8 men and 6 of the top 8 women made the quarterfinals
7 of the top 8 men and 6 of the top 8 women made the quarterfinals
January 29, 2026 at 1:26 AM
The 2026 Australian Open has had the most chalk of any tennis Grand Slam this century
7 of the top 8 men and 6 of the top 8 women made the quarterfinals
7 of the top 8 men and 6 of the top 8 women made the quarterfinals
Iowa women's basketball ticket sales declined 27% post-Caitlin Clark
But $2.37 million is still one of the top women's basketball ticketing revenue totals in the country
But $2.37 million is still one of the top women's basketball ticketing revenue totals in the country
January 27, 2026 at 10:02 PM
Iowa women's basketball ticket sales declined 27% post-Caitlin Clark
But $2.37 million is still one of the top women's basketball ticketing revenue totals in the country
But $2.37 million is still one of the top women's basketball ticketing revenue totals in the country
The highest-paid male vs. female athletes last year:
• The women are MUCH younger
• 10 of the top 15 women play tennis 🎾
• 12 of the top 15 men play team sports 🏀⚾️⚽️🏎️
• The women are MUCH younger
• 10 of the top 15 women play tennis 🎾
• 12 of the top 15 men play team sports 🏀⚾️⚽️🏎️
January 27, 2026 at 12:47 PM
The highest-paid male vs. female athletes last year:
• The women are MUCH younger
• 10 of the top 15 women play tennis 🎾
• 12 of the top 15 men play team sports 🏀⚾️⚽️🏎️
• The women are MUCH younger
• 10 of the top 15 women play tennis 🎾
• 12 of the top 15 men play team sports 🏀⚾️⚽️🏎️
Learner Tien is 5-4 vs. Top 10 opponents in his career
The only three other active players over 50% are Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner
Win or lose tonight, Learner is legit
The only three other active players over 50% are Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner
Win or lose tonight, Learner is legit
January 27, 2026 at 5:10 AM
Learner Tien is 5-4 vs. Top 10 opponents in his career
The only three other active players over 50% are Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner
Win or lose tonight, Learner is legit
The only three other active players over 50% are Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner
Win or lose tonight, Learner is legit
With grounds passes costing about $35 USD, the 2026 Australian Open drew more than 100,000 fans in four of its first five days
For comparison, the US Open's single day attendance record is ~75,000
The crowds are INSANE down under 🦘🐨
For comparison, the US Open's single day attendance record is ~75,000
The crowds are INSANE down under 🦘🐨
January 27, 2026 at 2:58 AM
With grounds passes costing about $35 USD, the 2026 Australian Open drew more than 100,000 fans in four of its first five days
For comparison, the US Open's single day attendance record is ~75,000
The crowds are INSANE down under 🦘🐨
For comparison, the US Open's single day attendance record is ~75,000
The crowds are INSANE down under 🦘🐨
Indiana football is one of the most unlikely champions in recent US team sports history
January 20, 2026 at 12:58 PM
Indiana football is one of the most unlikely champions in recent US team sports history
The Australian Open begins tonight!
Will it be a 9th straight grand slam title for Alcaraz or Sinner?
Will it be a 9th straight grand slam title for Alcaraz or Sinner?
January 18, 2026 at 1:02 AM
The Australian Open begins tonight!
Will it be a 9th straight grand slam title for Alcaraz or Sinner?
Will it be a 9th straight grand slam title for Alcaraz or Sinner?
Josh Allen makes the most of the 8 quarterbacks remaining in the NFL playoffs with an average annual salary of $55 million
Bo Nix makes the least at $4.6 million
Bo Nix makes the least at $4.6 million
January 17, 2026 at 9:28 PM
Josh Allen makes the most of the 8 quarterbacks remaining in the NFL playoffs with an average annual salary of $55 million
Bo Nix makes the least at $4.6 million
Bo Nix makes the least at $4.6 million
NBA landscape over the past month 👇
* Boston has been the No. 1 team behind the No. 1 offense
* OKC is still very good, but their offense has slipped
* Knicks, Lakers, and Nuggets can't guard anyone
* Boston has been the No. 1 team behind the No. 1 offense
* OKC is still very good, but their offense has slipped
* Knicks, Lakers, and Nuggets can't guard anyone
January 16, 2026 at 6:29 PM
NBA landscape over the past month 👇
* Boston has been the No. 1 team behind the No. 1 offense
* OKC is still very good, but their offense has slipped
* Knicks, Lakers, and Nuggets can't guard anyone
* Boston has been the No. 1 team behind the No. 1 offense
* OKC is still very good, but their offense has slipped
* Knicks, Lakers, and Nuggets can't guard anyone