Joon Lee
@joon.bsky.social
Making sense of sports • Journalist • Formerly: ESPN, B/R, WaPo • Born in Seoul 🇰🇷 Bred in Boston • [email protected]
📍New York City
📍New York City
In the last month, the FBI has charged players from two different leagues for roles in sports-betting scandals.
Either legalized gambling is exposing corruption that’s always been there.
Or it’s creating it.
Either answer is terrible for sports.
Either legalized gambling is exposing corruption that’s always been there.
Or it’s creating it.
Either answer is terrible for sports.
November 10, 2025 at 4:22 PM
In the last month, the FBI has charged players from two different leagues for roles in sports-betting scandals.
Either legalized gambling is exposing corruption that’s always been there.
Or it’s creating it.
Either answer is terrible for sports.
Either legalized gambling is exposing corruption that’s always been there.
Or it’s creating it.
Either answer is terrible for sports.
Reposted by Joon Lee
“.. for generations, sports was one of the few places where Americans could still gather around something bigger than ourselves. Now, .. we tally payouts .. until a game becomes little more than a series of outcomes to be predicted and monetized.”
@joon.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/28/o...
@joon.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/28/o...
October 29, 2025 at 1:27 AM
“.. for generations, sports was one of the few places where Americans could still gather around something bigger than ourselves. Now, .. we tally payouts .. until a game becomes little more than a series of outcomes to be predicted and monetized.”
@joon.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/28/o...
@joon.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/28/o...
Sports weren’t corrupted by gamblers. It got sold out by the people who made gambling central to the business model.
New @nytopinion.nytimes.com column: how gambling became the engine driving American life — starting with sports www.nytimes.com/2025/10/28/o...
New @nytopinion.nytimes.com column: how gambling became the engine driving American life — starting with sports www.nytimes.com/2025/10/28/o...
Opinion | Gambling Is Killing Sports and Consuming America
www.nytimes.com
October 28, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Sports weren’t corrupted by gamblers. It got sold out by the people who made gambling central to the business model.
New @nytopinion.nytimes.com column: how gambling became the engine driving American life — starting with sports www.nytimes.com/2025/10/28/o...
New @nytopinion.nytimes.com column: how gambling became the engine driving American life — starting with sports www.nytimes.com/2025/10/28/o...
NEW VIDEO: More teams are slashing payroll—even championship contenders. I asked Mark Cuban why. His answer?
“Teams do many more money when they have a low payroll and lose.”
We live in an era where losing is more profitable than winning. youtu.be/sAJH7Bx-BV4?...
“Teams do many more money when they have a low payroll and lose.”
We live in an era where losing is more profitable than winning. youtu.be/sAJH7Bx-BV4?...
September 15, 2025 at 3:32 PM
NEW VIDEO: More teams are slashing payroll—even championship contenders. I asked Mark Cuban why. His answer?
“Teams do many more money when they have a low payroll and lose.”
We live in an era where losing is more profitable than winning. youtu.be/sAJH7Bx-BV4?...
“Teams do many more money when they have a low payroll and lose.”
We live in an era where losing is more profitable than winning. youtu.be/sAJH7Bx-BV4?...
The NFL will own 10% of ESPN, which licenses its name to a sportsbook.
The NFL will directly profit from sports gambling.
Goodell said in 2017, “We still strongly oppose legalized sports gambling. The integrity of our game is No. 1. We will not compromise on that.”
The NFL will directly profit from sports gambling.
Goodell said in 2017, “We still strongly oppose legalized sports gambling. The integrity of our game is No. 1. We will not compromise on that.”
NFL will own 10 percent of ESPN. Factor that into any and all reporting ESPN does on league matters.
August 6, 2025 at 1:15 AM
The NFL will own 10% of ESPN, which licenses its name to a sportsbook.
The NFL will directly profit from sports gambling.
Goodell said in 2017, “We still strongly oppose legalized sports gambling. The integrity of our game is No. 1. We will not compromise on that.”
The NFL will directly profit from sports gambling.
Goodell said in 2017, “We still strongly oppose legalized sports gambling. The integrity of our game is No. 1. We will not compromise on that.”
Reposted by Joon Lee
In a city where politicians cycle out and owners stay hidden behind tinted glass, sports radio show host Mike Felger has been the loudest, clearest, and most consistent voice, @joon.bsky.social writes in #GlobeIdeas.
Not just in sports — in anything.
Not just in sports — in anything.
Is Mike Felger the most influential person in Boston? - The Boston Globe
The dominant figure in local sports talk radio manages to capture — and shape — the mood of this fast-changing city.
www.bostonglobe.com
July 30, 2025 at 3:00 PM
In a city where politicians cycle out and owners stay hidden behind tinted glass, sports radio show host Mike Felger has been the loudest, clearest, and most consistent voice, @joon.bsky.social writes in #GlobeIdeas.
Not just in sports — in anything.
Not just in sports — in anything.
For @bostonglobe.com: When Marty Walsh was Boston’s mayor, he turned to sports radio, not social media, to get a temperature check on the city.
For two decades, Mike Felger has set the agenda on sports radio.
Is Felger the most influential person in Boston?
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/07/30/o...
For two decades, Mike Felger has set the agenda on sports radio.
Is Felger the most influential person in Boston?
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/07/30/o...
Is Mike Felger the most influential person in Boston? - The Boston Globe
The dominant figure in local sports talk radio manages to capture — and shape — the mood of this fast-changing city.
www.bostonglobe.com
July 30, 2025 at 2:25 PM
For @bostonglobe.com: When Marty Walsh was Boston’s mayor, he turned to sports radio, not social media, to get a temperature check on the city.
For two decades, Mike Felger has set the agenda on sports radio.
Is Felger the most influential person in Boston?
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/07/30/o...
For two decades, Mike Felger has set the agenda on sports radio.
Is Felger the most influential person in Boston?
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/07/30/o...
NEW VIDEO: Jordan and Kobe were stoic icons.
Now stars like SGA, Tyrese Haliburton and Jayson Tatum are called corny.
How did this happen?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtHt...
Now stars like SGA, Tyrese Haliburton and Jayson Tatum are called corny.
How did this happen?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtHt...
Why NBA Superstars Are Corny Now
YouTube video by Joon Lee
www.youtube.com
July 29, 2025 at 6:49 PM
NEW VIDEO: Jordan and Kobe were stoic icons.
Now stars like SGA, Tyrese Haliburton and Jayson Tatum are called corny.
How did this happen?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtHt...
Now stars like SGA, Tyrese Haliburton and Jayson Tatum are called corny.
How did this happen?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtHt...
Gambling addiction is sweeping the country, and not enough people are talking about it.
When people fall into gambling, our culture and sports media often frames it as a failure of personal responsibility, when it should be treated like what it is: an addiction.
Thread 🧵⬇️
When people fall into gambling, our culture and sports media often frames it as a failure of personal responsibility, when it should be treated like what it is: an addiction.
Thread 🧵⬇️
From Jeff Passan: Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase has been placed on non-disciplinary paid leave as part of MLB's sports-betting investigation, sources tell ESPN.
Clase is the second Guardians pitcher on leave tied to the investigation, joining right-hander Luis Ortiz.
Clase is the second Guardians pitcher on leave tied to the investigation, joining right-hander Luis Ortiz.
July 28, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Gambling addiction is sweeping the country, and not enough people are talking about it.
When people fall into gambling, our culture and sports media often frames it as a failure of personal responsibility, when it should be treated like what it is: an addiction.
Thread 🧵⬇️
When people fall into gambling, our culture and sports media often frames it as a failure of personal responsibility, when it should be treated like what it is: an addiction.
Thread 🧵⬇️
NEW VIDEO - Seven NBA players tore their Achilles this season. That’s 5X the historical average.
So what’s going on here? I talked to an NBA trainer to find out. m.youtube.com/watch?si=984...
So what’s going on here? I talked to an NBA trainer to find out. m.youtube.com/watch?si=984...
Why NBA Players Keep Tearing Their Achilles, Explained
YouTube video by Joon Lee
m.youtube.com
July 9, 2025 at 2:19 PM
NEW VIDEO - Seven NBA players tore their Achilles this season. That’s 5X the historical average.
So what’s going on here? I talked to an NBA trainer to find out. m.youtube.com/watch?si=984...
So what’s going on here? I talked to an NBA trainer to find out. m.youtube.com/watch?si=984...
Went on CNN with @smerconish.bsky.social to discuss how the increasing cost of paywalls in sports is hurting community in America
July 6, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Went on CNN with @smerconish.bsky.social to discuss how the increasing cost of paywalls in sports is hurting community in America
The Red Sox trade of Rafael Devers wasn't just about beef with chief baseball officer Craig Breslow.
It was a rupture of an organization that has quietly been unraveling from the inside since the trade of Mookie Betts.
For @yahoosports.bsky.social: sports.yahoo.com/mlb/article/...
It was a rupture of an organization that has quietly been unraveling from the inside since the trade of Mookie Betts.
For @yahoosports.bsky.social: sports.yahoo.com/mlb/article/...
Inside the 'absolute s*** show' that led to the Boston Red Sox's trade of Rafael Devers
The blockbuster deal was the culmination of eroded trust, fraying relationships and a deeper breakdown inside one of MLB's most visible franchises.
sports.yahoo.com
June 16, 2025 at 10:21 PM
The Red Sox trade of Rafael Devers wasn't just about beef with chief baseball officer Craig Breslow.
It was a rupture of an organization that has quietly been unraveling from the inside since the trade of Mookie Betts.
For @yahoosports.bsky.social: sports.yahoo.com/mlb/article/...
It was a rupture of an organization that has quietly been unraveling from the inside since the trade of Mookie Betts.
For @yahoosports.bsky.social: sports.yahoo.com/mlb/article/...
Reposted by Joon Lee
Definitely a men's sports centric read but many of the same fundamental issues are at play in women's sports, including the split of media rights and especially private equity investment (I'd argue more concerning on the women's side bc it's far earlier in a league's lifespan).
Sports was one of America's most accessible forms of entertainment. Now it's paywalled, splintered and sold to the highest bidder.
Fandom isn't being nurtured. It's being mined.
For @nytopinion.nytimes.com on on the state of sports, and what it says about America: www.nytimes.com/2025/06/16/o...
Fandom isn't being nurtured. It's being mined.
For @nytopinion.nytimes.com on on the state of sports, and what it says about America: www.nytimes.com/2025/06/16/o...
Opinion | $4,785. That’s How Much It Costs to Be a Sports Fan Now.
www.nytimes.com
June 16, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Definitely a men's sports centric read but many of the same fundamental issues are at play in women's sports, including the split of media rights and especially private equity investment (I'd argue more concerning on the women's side bc it's far earlier in a league's lifespan).
Sports was one of America's most accessible forms of entertainment. Now it's paywalled, splintered and sold to the highest bidder.
Fandom isn't being nurtured. It's being mined.
For @nytopinion.nytimes.com on on the state of sports, and what it says about America: www.nytimes.com/2025/06/16/o...
Fandom isn't being nurtured. It's being mined.
For @nytopinion.nytimes.com on on the state of sports, and what it says about America: www.nytimes.com/2025/06/16/o...
Opinion | $4,785. That’s How Much It Costs to Be a Sports Fan Now.
www.nytimes.com
June 16, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Sports was one of America's most accessible forms of entertainment. Now it's paywalled, splintered and sold to the highest bidder.
Fandom isn't being nurtured. It's being mined.
For @nytopinion.nytimes.com on on the state of sports, and what it says about America: www.nytimes.com/2025/06/16/o...
Fandom isn't being nurtured. It's being mined.
For @nytopinion.nytimes.com on on the state of sports, and what it says about America: www.nytimes.com/2025/06/16/o...
It’s insane that the Red Sox gave a long term deal to Rafael Devers in part because of the enormous backlash to the Mookie Betts trade, and this where the situation ends, with a shocking trade to the Giants.
This is an organizational failure on so many fronts that Devers is gone
This is an organizational failure on so many fronts that Devers is gone
June 16, 2025 at 12:15 AM
It’s insane that the Red Sox gave a long term deal to Rafael Devers in part because of the enormous backlash to the Mookie Betts trade, and this where the situation ends, with a shocking trade to the Giants.
This is an organizational failure on so many fronts that Devers is gone
This is an organizational failure on so many fronts that Devers is gone
One of my favorite things about Boston is that when the Red Sox call up their top prospect, it legitimately feels like a national holiday. The city’s vibe changes.
The weather for the game sucks, but Fenway is mostly packed. Everyone stood up for Roman Anthony’s first AB.
The weather for the game sucks, but Fenway is mostly packed. Everyone stood up for Roman Anthony’s first AB.
June 9, 2025 at 11:53 PM
One of my favorite things about Boston is that when the Red Sox call up their top prospect, it legitimately feels like a national holiday. The city’s vibe changes.
The weather for the game sucks, but Fenway is mostly packed. Everyone stood up for Roman Anthony’s first AB.
The weather for the game sucks, but Fenway is mostly packed. Everyone stood up for Roman Anthony’s first AB.
This Red Sox team is aneurysm inducing.
Feels like the team is trying to juggle too many things at once and have it all. Developing multiple young prospects at the same time while trying to compete. Spend money but don't go all the way in on top-level veteran players.
Feels like the team is trying to juggle too many things at once and have it all. Developing multiple young prospects at the same time while trying to compete. Spend money but don't go all the way in on top-level veteran players.
June 4, 2025 at 3:00 AM
This Red Sox team is aneurysm inducing.
Feels like the team is trying to juggle too many things at once and have it all. Developing multiple young prospects at the same time while trying to compete. Spend money but don't go all the way in on top-level veteran players.
Feels like the team is trying to juggle too many things at once and have it all. Developing multiple young prospects at the same time while trying to compete. Spend money but don't go all the way in on top-level veteran players.
NEW VIDEO, Kylian Mbappé finally got his Real Madrid dream. But instead of being crowned the next global icon, he’s fighting to stay relevant.
This is the story of a dream clashing with reality— and why it’s not working out.
youtu.be/SKxpArcyJMY?...
This is the story of a dream clashing with reality— and why it’s not working out.
youtu.be/SKxpArcyJMY?...
Kylian Mbappé Got His Real Madrid Dream. It's Not Working.
YouTube video by Joon Lee
youtu.be
June 3, 2025 at 2:06 PM
NEW VIDEO, Kylian Mbappé finally got his Real Madrid dream. But instead of being crowned the next global icon, he’s fighting to stay relevant.
This is the story of a dream clashing with reality— and why it’s not working out.
youtu.be/SKxpArcyJMY?...
This is the story of a dream clashing with reality— and why it’s not working out.
youtu.be/SKxpArcyJMY?...
My lovely fiancee wanted to get me a LeBron Barbie for my birthday, but got scammed on eBay.
Haven’t been able to stop laughing about the differences between the two dolls.
Haven’t been able to stop laughing about the differences between the two dolls.
May 30, 2025 at 4:34 PM
My lovely fiancee wanted to get me a LeBron Barbie for my birthday, but got scammed on eBay.
Haven’t been able to stop laughing about the differences between the two dolls.
Haven’t been able to stop laughing about the differences between the two dolls.
Knockoff jerseys are getting better.
Real jerseys from Fanatics are getting worse.
I bought a $30 TikTok bootleg, a $130 eBay fake, and a $190 Fanatics jersey to figure out how this happened — and what it says about being a sports fan today
youtu.be/R50ghOfQPXY?...
Real jerseys from Fanatics are getting worse.
I bought a $30 TikTok bootleg, a $130 eBay fake, and a $190 Fanatics jersey to figure out how this happened — and what it says about being a sports fan today
youtu.be/R50ghOfQPXY?...
May 13, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Knockoff jerseys are getting better.
Real jerseys from Fanatics are getting worse.
I bought a $30 TikTok bootleg, a $130 eBay fake, and a $190 Fanatics jersey to figure out how this happened — and what it says about being a sports fan today
youtu.be/R50ghOfQPXY?...
Real jerseys from Fanatics are getting worse.
I bought a $30 TikTok bootleg, a $130 eBay fake, and a $190 Fanatics jersey to figure out how this happened — and what it says about being a sports fan today
youtu.be/R50ghOfQPXY?...
NEW VIDEO: The slide of Sheduer Sanders set off a circus
People blamed Deion. Scouts cited tape. An NFL exec told me Shedeur didn’t want to talk to teams outside the Top 5.
But the fall was more than football. It was about what the NFL expects a QB to be
youtu.be/LFI_c2Ifveo
People blamed Deion. Scouts cited tape. An NFL exec told me Shedeur didn’t want to talk to teams outside the Top 5.
But the fall was more than football. It was about what the NFL expects a QB to be
youtu.be/LFI_c2Ifveo
April 30, 2025 at 6:30 PM
NEW VIDEO: The slide of Sheduer Sanders set off a circus
People blamed Deion. Scouts cited tape. An NFL exec told me Shedeur didn’t want to talk to teams outside the Top 5.
But the fall was more than football. It was about what the NFL expects a QB to be
youtu.be/LFI_c2Ifveo
People blamed Deion. Scouts cited tape. An NFL exec told me Shedeur didn’t want to talk to teams outside the Top 5.
But the fall was more than football. It was about what the NFL expects a QB to be
youtu.be/LFI_c2Ifveo
NEW VIDEO: LeBron is a billionaire, but even he’s out here watching sports on StreamEast.
Watching sports was simple. But blackouts (inc. playoffs!), too many apps and rising prices are the tip of the iceberg.
New video on why it’s so hard to watch sports: youtu.be/9fgkmIanDkk?...
Watching sports was simple. But blackouts (inc. playoffs!), too many apps and rising prices are the tip of the iceberg.
New video on why it’s so hard to watch sports: youtu.be/9fgkmIanDkk?...
April 24, 2025 at 2:14 PM
NEW VIDEO: LeBron is a billionaire, but even he’s out here watching sports on StreamEast.
Watching sports was simple. But blackouts (inc. playoffs!), too many apps and rising prices are the tip of the iceberg.
New video on why it’s so hard to watch sports: youtu.be/9fgkmIanDkk?...
Watching sports was simple. But blackouts (inc. playoffs!), too many apps and rising prices are the tip of the iceberg.
New video on why it’s so hard to watch sports: youtu.be/9fgkmIanDkk?...
Reposted by Joon Lee
Working on a video about how frustrating it is to watch sports now — cable, blackouts, streaming services
If you’ve got a rant, a funny moment, or anything in between — I want to hear it.
Reply with a post or send a video (email open). The best responses will be featured!
If you’ve got a rant, a funny moment, or anything in between — I want to hear it.
Reply with a post or send a video (email open). The best responses will be featured!
April 17, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Working on a video about how frustrating it is to watch sports now — cable, blackouts, streaming services
If you’ve got a rant, a funny moment, or anything in between — I want to hear it.
Reply with a post or send a video (email open). The best responses will be featured!
If you’ve got a rant, a funny moment, or anything in between — I want to hear it.
Reply with a post or send a video (email open). The best responses will be featured!
Working on a video about how frustrating it is to watch sports now — cable, blackouts, streaming services
If you’ve got a rant, a funny moment, or anything in between — I want to hear it.
Reply with a post or send a video (email open). The best responses will be featured!
If you’ve got a rant, a funny moment, or anything in between — I want to hear it.
Reply with a post or send a video (email open). The best responses will be featured!
April 17, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Working on a video about how frustrating it is to watch sports now — cable, blackouts, streaming services
If you’ve got a rant, a funny moment, or anything in between — I want to hear it.
Reply with a post or send a video (email open). The best responses will be featured!
If you’ve got a rant, a funny moment, or anything in between — I want to hear it.
Reply with a post or send a video (email open). The best responses will be featured!
When Lionel Messi joined MLS, he launched an energy drink, signed a revenue-share streaming deal and did publicity stunts.
The playbook was familiar — Jake and Logan Paul wrote it.
New video on how creators are rewriting the rules of sports stardom: youtu.be/d92b5qzjrQU?...
The playbook was familiar — Jake and Logan Paul wrote it.
New video on how creators are rewriting the rules of sports stardom: youtu.be/d92b5qzjrQU?...
April 16, 2025 at 2:15 PM
When Lionel Messi joined MLS, he launched an energy drink, signed a revenue-share streaming deal and did publicity stunts.
The playbook was familiar — Jake and Logan Paul wrote it.
New video on how creators are rewriting the rules of sports stardom: youtu.be/d92b5qzjrQU?...
The playbook was familiar — Jake and Logan Paul wrote it.
New video on how creators are rewriting the rules of sports stardom: youtu.be/d92b5qzjrQU?...