Mike Vorkunov
@mikevorkunov.bsky.social
National NBA + basketball reporter at The Athletic — a self-indulgent way to say I write about basketball, and its intersection with money.
Co-founder @30newsletter.bsky.social
SUBSCRIBE PLEASE: www.youtube.com/@MikeVorkunov22
[email protected]
Co-founder @30newsletter.bsky.social
SUBSCRIBE PLEASE: www.youtube.com/@MikeVorkunov22
[email protected]
Pinned
Business Decision with Mike Vorkunov
Welcome to Business Decision with Mike Vorkunov. Mike is a reporter who covers the NBA and the business of sports. Business Decision with Mike Vorkunov is a place to discuss the intersection of money ...
youtube.com
I recently launched my own podcast and YouTube show: Business Decision.
It's about sports! If you've liked my work at The Athletic, you'll like this. I'd love it if you SUBSCRIBED:
youtube.com/@MikeVorkunov22
Spotify: spotify.link/F0jjfmqPKXb
Apple podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...
It's about sports! If you've liked my work at The Athletic, you'll like this. I'd love it if you SUBSCRIBED:
youtube.com/@MikeVorkunov22
Spotify: spotify.link/F0jjfmqPKXb
Apple podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...
Well, I read the thing and now I can't unread the thing and also I can't wait for the next part of the series of this thing
November 18, 2025 at 1:39 AM
Well, I read the thing and now I can't unread the thing and also I can't wait for the next part of the series of this thing
I have been watching Long Story Short because of Alan's recommendation and it is delightful
I spoke with BoJack Horseman creator Raphael Bob-Waksberg about his wonderful new Netflix comedy Long Story Short, which tells the story of a Jewish-American family throughout different stages of their lives:
How the 'BoJack Horseman' creator got real with 'Long Story Short'
Raphael Bob-Waksberg breaks down his Netflix animated comedy about a Jewish-American family
www.whatsalanwatching.com
November 18, 2025 at 12:58 AM
I have been watching Long Story Short because of Alan's recommendation and it is delightful
Reposted by Mike Vorkunov
Did you know that Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle were once banned from Major League Baseball by the MLB commissioner because they worked for Atlantic City casinos?
November 17, 2025 at 1:43 AM
Did you know that Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle were once banned from Major League Baseball by the MLB commissioner because they worked for Atlantic City casinos?
Did you know that Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle were once banned from Major League Baseball by the MLB commissioner because they worked for Atlantic City casinos?
November 17, 2025 at 1:43 AM
Did you know that Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle were once banned from Major League Baseball by the MLB commissioner because they worked for Atlantic City casinos?
Reposted by Mike Vorkunov
The NBA has asked multiple teams, including the Lakers, to hand over documents and other property as part of its investigation into illegal sports gambling, sources said. Two LeBron associates have cooperated.
Story with @joevardon.bsky.social + @samamick.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
Story with @joevardon.bsky.social + @samamick.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
NBA seeks cell phones from multiple teams, including Lakers, in gambling investigation: Sources
The NBA is continuing its investigation into illegal sports betting after three current or former players were federally indicted.
www.nytimes.com
November 15, 2025 at 11:01 PM
The NBA has asked multiple teams, including the Lakers, to hand over documents and other property as part of its investigation into illegal sports gambling, sources said. Two LeBron associates have cooperated.
Story with @joevardon.bsky.social + @samamick.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
Story with @joevardon.bsky.social + @samamick.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
The NBA has asked multiple teams, including the Lakers, to hand over documents and other property as part of its investigation into illegal sports gambling, sources said. Two LeBron associates have cooperated.
Story with @joevardon.bsky.social + @samamick.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
Story with @joevardon.bsky.social + @samamick.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
NBA seeks cell phones from multiple teams, including Lakers, in gambling investigation: Sources
The NBA is continuing its investigation into illegal sports betting after three current or former players were federally indicted.
www.nytimes.com
November 15, 2025 at 11:01 PM
The NBA has asked multiple teams, including the Lakers, to hand over documents and other property as part of its investigation into illegal sports gambling, sources said. Two LeBron associates have cooperated.
Story with @joevardon.bsky.social + @samamick.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
Story with @joevardon.bsky.social + @samamick.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
Shamit has been doing good work/reporting on the Pels, so would recommend reading what he writes on all this
Big day in Pelicans land. I'll be attending practice later to see if we get Dumars or just Borrego. We'll do a live podcast around 3p in the afternoon.
Meanwhile check out these two pieces I wrote.
1) on Gayle Benson
intheno.substack.com/p/most-power...
Meanwhile check out these two pieces I wrote.
1) on Gayle Benson
intheno.substack.com/p/most-power...
Most Powerful Woman In Sports Doesn’t Know What Else She Can Do
"I can't do any more," says the owner, as her franchises do less with every season
intheno.substack.com
November 15, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Shamit has been doing good work/reporting on the Pels, so would recommend reading what he writes on all this
The New Orleans Pelicans have fired head coach Willie Green. James Borrego is the new interim coach.
November 15, 2025 at 2:46 PM
The New Orleans Pelicans have fired head coach Willie Green. James Borrego is the new interim coach.
ESPN and other Disney-owned channels are back on YouTube TV
November 15, 2025 at 1:33 AM
ESPN and other Disney-owned channels are back on YouTube TV
Props to the New York Jets. They are just the 2nd NFL team since 1940 to have 0 interceptions on defense in their first 10 games of the season. They haven't intercepted a single pass.
NFL didn't start tracking interceptions until 1940. (only the 2017 Raiders did that too over the last 85 years)
NFL didn't start tracking interceptions until 1940. (only the 2017 Raiders did that too over the last 85 years)
November 14, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Props to the New York Jets. They are just the 2nd NFL team since 1940 to have 0 interceptions on defense in their first 10 games of the season. They haven't intercepted a single pass.
NFL didn't start tracking interceptions until 1940. (only the 2017 Raiders did that too over the last 85 years)
NFL didn't start tracking interceptions until 1940. (only the 2017 Raiders did that too over the last 85 years)
UA will still release the Curry 13 in February. Statements from Curry and UA CEO Kevin Plank in a company release
November 13, 2025 at 10:56 PM
UA will still release the Curry 13 in February. Statements from Curry and UA CEO Kevin Plank in a company release
Steph Curry and Under Armour are splitting. The Curry Brand is separating from the shoe and apparel company and will go independent.
November 13, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Steph Curry and Under Armour are splitting. The Curry Brand is separating from the shoe and apparel company and will go independent.
Hannah Hidalgo had 16 steals last night, so she set a NCAA college basketball record. It's insane. But also I kinda wanna see if she can do it again like Mookie.
There's something crazy about the NCAA men's basketball single-game steals record. It's not that Mookie Blaylock has it with 13 steals in one game, it's that he did it twice!
Troy's Nelson Phillips tied the record in Nov. 2022.
Troy's Nelson Phillips tied the record in Nov. 2022.
November 13, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Hannah Hidalgo had 16 steals last night, so she set a NCAA college basketball record. It's insane. But also I kinda wanna see if she can do it again like Mookie.
Reposted by Mike Vorkunov
There's something crazy about the NCAA men's basketball single-game steals record. It's not that Mookie Blaylock has it with 13 steals in one game, it's that he did it twice!
Troy's Nelson Phillips tied the record in Nov. 2022.
Troy's Nelson Phillips tied the record in Nov. 2022.
November 13, 2025 at 4:06 AM
There's something crazy about the NCAA men's basketball single-game steals record. It's not that Mookie Blaylock has it with 13 steals in one game, it's that he did it twice!
Troy's Nelson Phillips tied the record in Nov. 2022.
Troy's Nelson Phillips tied the record in Nov. 2022.
The Thunder have been up by 20 or more points for 14.7% of the possessions they've played in the regular season since the start of the 2024-25 seasons, according to PBP Stats. And that was before waxing the Lakers tonight. A juggernaut.
November 13, 2025 at 4:38 AM
The Thunder have been up by 20 or more points for 14.7% of the possessions they've played in the regular season since the start of the 2024-25 seasons, according to PBP Stats. And that was before waxing the Lakers tonight. A juggernaut.
There's something crazy about the NCAA men's basketball single-game steals record. It's not that Mookie Blaylock has it with 13 steals in one game, it's that he did it twice!
Troy's Nelson Phillips tied the record in Nov. 2022.
Troy's Nelson Phillips tied the record in Nov. 2022.
November 13, 2025 at 4:06 AM
There's something crazy about the NCAA men's basketball single-game steals record. It's not that Mookie Blaylock has it with 13 steals in one game, it's that he did it twice!
Troy's Nelson Phillips tied the record in Nov. 2022.
Troy's Nelson Phillips tied the record in Nov. 2022.
Reposted by Mike Vorkunov
Why did an investment bank buy a big player representation agency?
On a new episode of Business Decision, @jacobfeldman.bsky.social and I talk about the Goldman Sachs purchase of Excel Sports.
Subscribe + watch on YouTube, or sub + listen where you get your podcasts.
youtu.be/SGRtY3-40bs?...
On a new episode of Business Decision, @jacobfeldman.bsky.social and I talk about the Goldman Sachs purchase of Excel Sports.
Subscribe + watch on YouTube, or sub + listen where you get your podcasts.
youtu.be/SGRtY3-40bs?...
Why A Big Bank Bought A Big Sports Agency 🤔
YouTube video by Business Decision with Mike Vorkunov
youtu.be
November 12, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Why did an investment bank buy a big player representation agency?
On a new episode of Business Decision, @jacobfeldman.bsky.social and I talk about the Goldman Sachs purchase of Excel Sports.
Subscribe + watch on YouTube, or sub + listen where you get your podcasts.
youtu.be/SGRtY3-40bs?...
On a new episode of Business Decision, @jacobfeldman.bsky.social and I talk about the Goldman Sachs purchase of Excel Sports.
Subscribe + watch on YouTube, or sub + listen where you get your podcasts.
youtu.be/SGRtY3-40bs?...
And hey, you can fill out your own top 25 ballot and vote too!
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
November 12, 2025 at 10:04 PM
And hey, you can fill out your own top 25 ballot and vote too!
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
We @theathletic.com picked the best 25 NBA players of this century. (Yes, I had a ballot). Feel free to disagree
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
Top 25 NBA players of the 21st century: Where do LeBron, Kobe and Steph rank?
Which NBA players have been the best of the best since the 2000-01 season? The Athletic NBA staff makes its picks.
www.nytimes.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:58 PM
We @theathletic.com picked the best 25 NBA players of this century. (Yes, I had a ballot). Feel free to disagree
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
Penny waned
After 232 years, the U.S. Mint has produced its last-ever penny
U.S. Mint In Philadelphia Presses Final Pennies As The 1-Cent Coin Gets Canceled
The Treasury Department expects to save $56 million per year on materials by ceasing to make them.
www.huffpost.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Penny waned
I knew about Michael Ray Richardson's "Ship be sinking" quote but didn't realize it became a weeklong bit between him and Knicks coach Red Holzman
November 12, 2025 at 6:12 PM
I knew about Michael Ray Richardson's "Ship be sinking" quote but didn't realize it became a weeklong bit between him and Knicks coach Red Holzman
Reposted by Mike Vorkunov
Posted 50+ #journalismjobs, like:
• Global sports editor
• Senior culture writer
• Missouri politics insider
• NFL editor
• Motorsports reporter
Jobs at Pitchfork, CNN, Denver Post, Fortune, NYT, Bloomberg, CNBC, New Yorker, Front Office Sports, USA Today and more: www.patreon.com/30newsletter
• Global sports editor
• Senior culture writer
• Missouri politics insider
• NFL editor
• Motorsports reporter
Jobs at Pitchfork, CNN, Denver Post, Fortune, NYT, Bloomberg, CNBC, New Yorker, Front Office Sports, USA Today and more: www.patreon.com/30newsletter
Get more from The -30- on Patreon
creating a weekly newsletter
www.patreon.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Posted 50+ #journalismjobs, like:
• Global sports editor
• Senior culture writer
• Missouri politics insider
• NFL editor
• Motorsports reporter
Jobs at Pitchfork, CNN, Denver Post, Fortune, NYT, Bloomberg, CNBC, New Yorker, Front Office Sports, USA Today and more: www.patreon.com/30newsletter
• Global sports editor
• Senior culture writer
• Missouri politics insider
• NFL editor
• Motorsports reporter
Jobs at Pitchfork, CNN, Denver Post, Fortune, NYT, Bloomberg, CNBC, New Yorker, Front Office Sports, USA Today and more: www.patreon.com/30newsletter
Why did an investment bank buy a big player representation agency?
On a new episode of Business Decision, @jacobfeldman.bsky.social and I talk about the Goldman Sachs purchase of Excel Sports.
Subscribe + watch on YouTube, or sub + listen where you get your podcasts.
youtu.be/SGRtY3-40bs?...
On a new episode of Business Decision, @jacobfeldman.bsky.social and I talk about the Goldman Sachs purchase of Excel Sports.
Subscribe + watch on YouTube, or sub + listen where you get your podcasts.
youtu.be/SGRtY3-40bs?...
Why A Big Bank Bought A Big Sports Agency 🤔
YouTube video by Business Decision with Mike Vorkunov
youtu.be
November 12, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Why did an investment bank buy a big player representation agency?
On a new episode of Business Decision, @jacobfeldman.bsky.social and I talk about the Goldman Sachs purchase of Excel Sports.
Subscribe + watch on YouTube, or sub + listen where you get your podcasts.
youtu.be/SGRtY3-40bs?...
On a new episode of Business Decision, @jacobfeldman.bsky.social and I talk about the Goldman Sachs purchase of Excel Sports.
Subscribe + watch on YouTube, or sub + listen where you get your podcasts.
youtu.be/SGRtY3-40bs?...
So to sum up the All-Star Game selection process this season:
24 All-Stars
12 from each conference
Positions don't matter
16 US players
8 World players
2 US teams
1 World team
8 players per team
If there are not enough US or World players then Adam Silver will select more to fill out the teams.
24 All-Stars
12 from each conference
Positions don't matter
16 US players
8 World players
2 US teams
1 World team
8 players per team
If there are not enough US or World players then Adam Silver will select more to fill out the teams.
Looks like NBA just revealed the All-Star Game format this season. Two teams of American players and one World team. Same selection process for the All-Stars but they will not be picked based on position. So positionless All-Stars selections.
November 12, 2025 at 2:49 AM
So to sum up the All-Star Game selection process this season:
24 All-Stars
12 from each conference
Positions don't matter
16 US players
8 World players
2 US teams
1 World team
8 players per team
If there are not enough US or World players then Adam Silver will select more to fill out the teams.
24 All-Stars
12 from each conference
Positions don't matter
16 US players
8 World players
2 US teams
1 World team
8 players per team
If there are not enough US or World players then Adam Silver will select more to fill out the teams.