Lev Akabas
@levakabas.bsky.social
NBA 🏀 & sports business 💵 data viz 📊 for Sportico
All opinions are my own
All opinions are my own
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
The 100 highest-paid athletes in the world by age 👇
Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham ⚽️ and tennis star Carlos Alcaraz 🎾 are the youngest at 22 years old
Tiger Woods is the oldest at age 50 ⛳️
Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham ⚽️ and tennis star Carlos Alcaraz 🎾 are the youngest at 22 years old
Tiger Woods is the oldest at age 50 ⛳️
January 16, 2026 at 4:20 PM
The 100 highest-paid athletes in the world by age 👇
Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham ⚽️ and tennis star Carlos Alcaraz 🎾 are the youngest at 22 years old
Tiger Woods is the oldest at age 50 ⛳️
Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham ⚽️ and tennis star Carlos Alcaraz 🎾 are the youngest at 22 years old
Tiger Woods is the oldest at age 50 ⛳️
The Los Angeles Dodgers have $2.14 BILLION in guaranteed salary, per @spotrac.com
That's more than the bottom 13 MLB teams combined!
That's more than the bottom 13 MLB teams combined!
January 16, 2026 at 2:16 PM
The Los Angeles Dodgers have $2.14 BILLION in guaranteed salary, per @spotrac.com
That's more than the bottom 13 MLB teams combined!
That's more than the bottom 13 MLB teams combined!
Reminder that the Los Angeles Dodgers had a higher luxury tax bill last year ($169 million) than the entire payrolls of 13 MLB teams
January 16, 2026 at 4:51 AM
Reminder that the Los Angeles Dodgers had a higher luxury tax bill last year ($169 million) than the entire payrolls of 13 MLB teams
Relevant given today's news...
Americans gambled more than $140 billion on sports in 2025 and are gambling more and more on sports each year
Americans gambled more than $140 billion on sports in 2025 and are gambling more and more on sports each year
January 15, 2026 at 6:10 PM
Relevant given today's news...
Americans gambled more than $140 billion on sports in 2025 and are gambling more and more on sports each year
Americans gambled more than $140 billion on sports in 2025 and are gambling more and more on sports each year
Who made the most money in each sport last year?
January 15, 2026 at 2:25 PM
Who made the most money in each sport last year?