Sports Conversation Starters for Your Workweek
Mar 01, 2026
The NFL Combine - otherwise known as the Underwear Olympics - wrapped up Sunday. The public highlights include the 40-yard dash, the vertical jump and various drills. None of which translate 1-for-1 to what athletes will be doing in an actual NFL game. (No one runs 40 yards unimpeded in a straight line during an NFL game.) Those activities are like a final impression for teams who have been studying these athletes for years. The real information gathering happens during 1-on-1 interviews.
Which brings me to this question and reflection - are you measuring the right things for success? Are you chasing a highlight or a habit?
It's one of the ways you can think outside the box scores this week and use sports to jump into a bigger business conversation. Or you can stick to sports and use any of these topics below.
NFL
The NFL Combine wrapped up in Indianapolis. Mississippi State wide receiver Brenen Thompson ran the fastest 40-yard dash time, running in it just 4.26 seconds. It's the third fastest time by a wide receiver since 2003.
World Baseball Classic
The World Baseball Classic starts Thursday. The tournament features 20 teams competing at four different sites. The Championship game will be held March 17 in Miami. For the first time in tournament history they will use a pitch clock during games and follow MLB rules for timing. Team USA is heavily favored heading into the tournament and is looking for its first title since 2017.
NBA
The San Antonio Spurs winning streak ended at 11 games. The Spurs lost to the New York Knicks Sunday and lost for the first time since January 31. The Knicks also defeated the Spurs earlier this season to win the NBA Cup.
College Hoops
Conference tournaments for both the men and women start this week.
No. 1 Duke, No. 2 Arizona and No. 3 Michigan all won games over the weekend, but Michigan lost point guard LJ Cason for the rest of the season due to a knee injury.
UConn continues to dominate the women's rankings with a 30-0 record. They've trailed for less than 21 minutes total across 15 home games this season. It's the 22nd time in program history UConn has finished the regular season with a perfect home record.
NHL
The NHL trade deadline is Friday. There could be several moves around the league and teams prepare for the final stretch of games. The Colorado Avalanche and Tampa Bay Lightning are current Stanley Cup favorites.
