Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

LightNews

Sam Fortier

@sam4tr.bsky.social

6.7K followers 190 following 68 posts

National sports feature writer @washingtonpost.com.

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

Sam Fortier @sam4tr.bsky.social · Sep 14

When the WNBA playoffs tip off today, the future of women’s hoops will shine bright.

But off the court, tension between the players and team owners threatens to derail their progress.

I dug into the league’s labor negotiations w/ @kareemcopeland.bsky.social:
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

How much are WNBA players worth? The league’s future lies in the answer.

Players want half of league revenue. The WNBA is preaching “sustainability.” With the current deal set to expire next month, who will blink?

www.washingtonpost.com

Sam Fortier @sam4tr.bsky.social · 14d

I’m not even sure that’s Scott’s most famous moment! ISIS, anyone?

Sam Fortier @sam4tr.bsky.social · 14d

I ranked famous sports press conference moments with my boy (and former TA) @dereklikessports.bsky.social.

🥉 I’m just here so I won’t get fined
🥈 They are who we thought they were!
🥇??

Listen here: open.spotify.com/episode/16G1...

Spotify – Web Player

open.spotify.com

Reposted by Sam Fortier

Tom Schad @tomschad.bsky.social · 18d

And lastly: If you missed it last winter, be sure to check out this @sam4tr.bsky.social story on today's starter Marcus Mariota.

The QB went deep on injury anxiety, perfectionism and his time here in ATL: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2024/...

Marcus Mariota confronted his anxiety, then found peace in Washington

No longer a perfectionist, the Commanders’ veteran quarterback is offering true life experience as Jayden Daniels’s backup.

www.washingtonpost.com

Sam Fortier @sam4tr.bsky.social · Sep 14

When the WNBA playoffs tip off today, the future of women’s hoops will shine bright.

But off the court, tension between the players and team owners threatens to derail their progress.

I dug into the league’s labor negotiations w/ @kareemcopeland.bsky.social:
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

How much are WNBA players worth? The league’s future lies in the answer.

Players want half of league revenue. The WNBA is preaching “sustainability.” With the current deal set to expire next month, who will blink?

www.washingtonpost.com

Sam Fortier @sam4tr.bsky.social · Sep 8

The Washington Commanders started sloppily. For the first time in years, ‘that’s exciting.’

A dispatch from the locker room.
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

‘There’s plenty to clean up’ for a Commanders team with big expectations

What worked in Sunday’s season-opening win against the Giants won’t necessarily work again Thursday night against the Green Bay Packers.

www.washingtonpost.com

Sam Fortier @sam4tr.bsky.social · Sep 8

Everything went well for Commanders newcomers in Week 1 — including @tomschad.bsky.social:

Sam Fortier @sam4tr.bsky.social · Aug 28

Will Hobson, @samaha.bsky.social and I spent three months on this story.

We interviewed dozens of people and obtained docs few people have ever seen.

Lots of unanswered Qs about Irsay’s condition at the end and how the authorities investigated his death.
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

Sam Fortier @sam4tr.bsky.social · Aug 28

In his final months, Irsay got ketamine injections as often as 10-14x per day.

Experts consider that a very high number.

The actor Matthew Perry was at the time of his death receiving 6-8x per day.

More context on Irsay’s doctor:
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

Sam Fortier @sam4tr.bsky.social · Aug 28

Breaking: NFL owner Jim Irsay secretly relapsed, got ketamine from 'luxury' doctor before death.

➡️ Irsay and Colts execs misled the public
➡️ Irsay overdosed three times between 2020 and May death
➡️ Serious concerns raised about his doctor’s care
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

NFL owner secretly relapsed, got ketamine from private doctor before death

As a recovery doctor provided ketamine and opioids, Colts owner Jim Irsay spent his final years suffering through a relapse that he and executives hid from the public.

www.washingtonpost.com

Sam Fortier @sam4tr.bsky.social · Jul 30

Thank you, Julie! I had a lot of fun with this one.

Reposted by Sam Fortier

Jesse Dougherty @jessedougherty.bsky.social · Jul 30

This is a fascinating read from @sam4tr.bsky.social: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

D.C. wants 200 events a year at its new stadium. Should bar mitzvahs count?

From bar mitzvahs and weddings to board meetings and conferences, private events increasingly shape the debate over NFL stadiums.

www.washingtonpost.com

Sam Fortier @sam4tr.bsky.social · Jul 30

I dug into the world of modern NFL stadium event planning to parse a heated debate:

How much are NFL stadiums used?

I found the gap between numbers used by critics (eight) and boosters (200) comes down to mostly private events — like an epic bar mitzvah.
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

D.C. wants 200 events a year at its new stadium. Should bar mitzvahs count?

From bar mitzvahs and weddings to board meetings and conferences, private events increasingly shape the debate over NFL stadiums.

www.washingtonpost.com

Reposted by Sam Fortier

Post Sports @postsports.bsky.social · Apr 29

What are the next steps toward a new stadium? What would it be called? How much would the city of D.C. pay toward stadium costs?

Here’s what you need to know about the deal between D.C. and the Commanders. (via @nickijhabvala.bsky.social and @sam4tr.bsky.social)

What to know about the Commanders’ stadium deal with D.C.

There is a long way to go before fans are streaming down East Capitol Street on game day.

washingtonpost.com

Sam Fortier @sam4tr.bsky.social · Apr 28

D.C., Commanders plan to announce deal for new stadium at RFK.

Reporting w/ Meagan Flynn and @nickijhabvala.bsky.social:
www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...

D.C., Commanders plan to announce deal for new stadium at RFK

Details of the deal — which must be approved by the D.C. Council — are expected to be announced by Commanders principal owner Josh Harris and Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) at a news conference Monday mor...

www.washingtonpost.com

Reposted by Sam Fortier

Post Sports @postsports.bsky.social · Apr 27

✅ OL Josh Conerly Jr.
✅ CB Trey Amos
✅ WR Jaylin Lane
✅ LB Kain Medrano
✅ RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt

The Commanders made five picks in this year’s NFL draft. Here’s how they’ll fit. (via @sam4tr.bsky.social)

Analysis | Commanders 2025 draft tracker: How every Washington pick fits

Washington picked Oregon T Josh Conerly Jr., Mississippi CB Trey Amos, Virginia Tech WR Jaylin Lane, UCLA LB Kain Medrano and Arizona RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt.

www.washingtonpost.com

Sam Fortier @sam4tr.bsky.social · Apr 27

I analyzed how all five of the Washington Commanders draft picks fit in …

… and explained the complicated eligibility issue that cost 7th-rd RB Jacory Crowley-Merritt nearly all of last season:
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

Analysis | Commanders 2025 draft tracker: How every Washington pick fits

Washington picked Oregon T Josh Conerly Jr., Mississippi CB Trey Amos, Virginia Tech WR Jaylin Lane, UCLA LB Kain Medrano and Arizona RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt.

www.washingtonpost.com

Sam Fortier @sam4tr.bsky.social · Apr 26

I’m tracking and analyzing all the Washington Commanders 2025 draft picks right here.

Tap in to learn about how Josh Conerly Jr. and Trey Amos fit in:
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

Analysis | Commanders 2025 draft picks: What each player brings to the roster

The Washington Commanders had just five draft picks. They started by taking Oregon tackle Josh Conerly, Jr. and Ole Miss corner Trey Amos.

www.washingtonpost.com

Reposted by Sam Fortier

Post Sports @postsports.bsky.social · Apr 26

Analysis by @sam4tr.bsky.social of every Commanders draft pick:

Analysis | Commanders 2025 draft picks: What each player brings to the roster

The Washington Commanders had just five draft picks. They started by taking Oregon tackle Josh Conerly, Jr. and Ole Miss corner Trey Amos.

www.washingtonpost.com

Sam Fortier @sam4tr.bsky.social · Apr 24

My first round pick: Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka.

Check out the other 11 (!!) picks from @nickijhabvala.bsky.social and me:
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

Analysis | Commanders mock draft: How Washington might use its picks

Which players will the Commanders target in the 2025 draft? Beat writers Nicki Jhabvala and Sam Fortier offer their best predictions.

www.washingtonpost.com

Reposted by Sam Fortier

Post Sports @postsports.bsky.social · Apr 23

Which players will the Commanders target in this year's NFL draft? Beat writers @nickijhabvala.bsky.social and @sam4tr.bsky.social offer their best predictions.

Analysis | Commanders mock draft: Post beat writers make Washington’s picks

Which players will the Commanders target in the 2025 draft? Beat writers Nicki Jhabvala and Sam Fortier offer their best predictions.

www.washingtonpost.com

Sam Fortier @sam4tr.bsky.social · Apr 23

Appreciate you big dog

Reposted by Sam Fortier

Jesse Dougherty @jessedougherty.bsky.social · Apr 23

Loved this story from @sam4tr.bsky.social: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

How hope and obsession drive America’s mock draft mania

From the basement to the big board, the NFL’s mock draft culture has captivated both football analysts and ordinary fans.

www.washingtonpost.com

Sam Fortier @sam4tr.bsky.social · Apr 23

Thank you for sharing, my guy

Reposted by Sam Fortier

Craig Hoffman @craighoffman.bsky.social · Apr 23

This story on mock drafts from @sam4tr.bsky.social is phenomenally fun. wapo.st/3YbDAQu

How hope and obsession drive America’s mock draft mania

From the basement to the big board, the NFL’s mock draft culture has captivated both football analysts and ordinary fans.

Sam Fortier @sam4tr.bsky.social · Apr 23

I wrote about why we’re obsessed with NFL mock drafts.

It’s a story about hope and identity, and it’s told through the eyes of three people — the forgotten godfather, the modern analyst and the little-known king of the hill.
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

How hope and obsession drive America’s mock draft mania

From the basement to the big board, the NFL’s mock draft culture has captivated both football analysts and ordinary fans.

www.washingtonpost.com