If you thought the sports world slows down in July, think again. Because between a record-breaking Seahawks sale, Aaron Donald potentially coming out of retirement, and UCLA making WNBA Draft history, there’s plenty to unpack before training camp opens. Here’s the full breakdown, with fantasy football implications built in.
Four Plays vs. 150. Shannon’s Not Budging.
The NFL vs. NBA athlete debate has been going on for decades. Shannon Sharpe finally put his foot down. On his Club Shay Shay podcast, the Hall of Fame tight end and Rams wide receiver Davante Adams declared NFL players the superior athletes. “Football players are the most athletic. They can jump the highest, they can run the fastest, they’re the strongest, they’re the toughest,” said Sharpe. Adams backed him up with the line of the summer: “Y’all got like four plays in basketball. We got 150, we have to remember.”
Furthermore, Adams pointed out that NBA prospects can enter the draft after one year of college. NFL players spend three to four years learning complex playbooks before going pro. “These boys don’t even be going to college for more than five minutes half the time in the NBA,” Adams said. The debate will never fully die. But Sharpe and Adams made it a lot harder to argue the other side.
Fantasy football implications: Davante Adams enters 2026 as one of the most experienced wide receivers in the NFL. He plays alongside Puka Nacua on a Rams offense that now features Myles Garrett anchoring the defense. As a result, the Rams are Super Bowl favorites and Adams is a legitimate WR1 target in fantasy drafts despite his age.
You Sure? Aaron Donald Says So.
The Rams are giving Shannon Sharpe another reason to argue. After trading for Myles Garrett, Aaron Donald has been working out on the Rams’ practice field. TMZ Sports obtained video of Donald spending about an hour doing ladder drills, medicine ball throws, and agility work at the team’s facility in Woodland Hills, California. He walked off the field visibly gassed. Head coach Sean McVay hasn’t thrown cold water on the situation. McVay confirmed he had “talked to Donald about the opportunity to bring him on board.” If Donald comes back, he joins Davante Adams and makes the whole “NFL guys are better athletes” debate even harder to dismiss. For now, Donald looked pretty tired walking off the field. That’s either a comeback clue or a reminder that even legends get winded before training camp starts.
Fantasy football implications: A Donald-Garrett pairing on the Rams defensive line would be the most dominant pass-rush duo in football. Moreover, if Donald returns, opposing quarterbacks facing the Rams become significant fantasy liabilities. Rams defensive players jump in IDP value immediately.
Other Things That Happened While The NFL Was On Vacation
Hey, it’s July. NFL news is slower than a Jets quarterback controversy. So let’s talk about something else — like my brother’s alma mater.
UCLA Makes History
The UCLA women’s basketball team won their first NCAA championship in the modern era. They routed South Carolina 79-51 in the title game to cap a remarkable 37-1 season. Six seniors headed to the 2026 WNBA Draft just eight days later. All six were selected — five in the first round — setting a WNBA Draft record for the most players from a single program in one night. Lauren Betts went fourth overall to the Washington Mystics. Gabriela Jaquez went fifth to the Chicago Sky. Kiki Rice went sixth to the expansion Toronto Tempo. Angela Dugalić went ninth to Washington. Gianna Kneepkens closed out the first round with Connecticut. Charlisse Leger-Walker went 18th to become the first New Zealander ever drafted to the WNBA. That’s less of a basketball team and more of a professional basketball assembly line.
Where Did Ookla Come From?
Do any of my fellow Gen-Xers remember Thundarr the Barbarian? That Saturday morning cartoon with Thundarr, Princess Ariel, and Ookla the Mok — the giant furry sidekick that looked like a Wookiee who skipped leg day. Well, Ookla’s name came from UCLA. One of the writers struggled to come up with a name for the network-mandated “Wookiee-like sidekick.” Another writer looked at the UCLA campus and jokingly said “Why not call him Oo-clah?” And just like that, television history was made. So congratulations to UCLA. Not only did they win their first national championship in the modern era. They’re also indirectly responsible for one of the greatest Saturday morning cartoon sidekicks of all time. Take that, South Carolina.
Fantasy football implications: UCLA’s dynasty-level talent pipeline means college skill players in the Pac-12 are worth watching in dynasty leagues. Because programs like UCLA are producing pro-ready athletes at a record pace, rookie draft research starts earlier than ever.
What Does $9.6 Billion Get You in Seattle?
Apparently, one football team. Amazon has been trimming its Seattle office space. Starbucks has been cutting jobs at its headquarters. Meanwhile, somebody wrote a $9.6 billion check for the Seahawks. Because the best real estate in Seattle isn’t office space — it’s a football team.
The Khosla Family Takes Over
The Seattle Seahawks have been sold to the Khosla family for a record $9.612 billion — the highest price ever paid for an NFL franchise. Vinod Khosla is leading the group. His wife Neeru Khosla will serve as the controlling owner. Their son Neal will also have a significant leadership role. The Khosla family buys the team from the estate of the late Paul Allen, who purchased the Seahawks for $194 million back in 1997. The sale still needs approval from at least 24 of the NFL’s 32 owners, with a vote expected in late August. Furthermore, Vinod Khosla must sell his minority stake in the San Francisco 49ers before the deal is finalized.
Nine-point-six billion dollars. Meanwhile I’m over here deciding if I really need the extra bacon on my cheeseburger. Congratulations to the Khosla family. Now go win another Super Bowl — because when you spend $9.6 billion, a 9-8 season suddenly feels a whole lot more expensive.
Fantasy football implications: New ownership doesn’t affect the 2026 Seahawks roster. The team stays at Lumen Field through at least 2032. Sam Darnold, Devon Witherspoon, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba remain the core fantasy assets in Seattle regardless of who signs the checks.
Your Draft Board Deserves Better Than a Whiteboard
As a result of all this offseason action, one thing is clear — fantasy football draft season is here and you need to be organized. Commish Kit has been making professional-grade fantasy football draft boards since 2002, and we have the setup your league deserves. Whether you need a wall-hanging paper board, a free-standing corrugated board, or the Digital Draft Board Big Screen Edition, we have you covered. Find the right board for your league size →
How long has Commish Kit been making fantasy football draft boards?
Since 2002 — Commish Kit started in Daly City, California, and moved to Austin, Texas in 2012, making 2026 its 24th season in business. As a result, the brand has become the go-to draft board for fantasy leagues across the country, as featured on Thrillist.
FAQ
Who said NFL players are better athletes than NBA players?
Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe and Rams wide receiver Davante Adams made the case on the Club Shay Shay podcast. Sharpe argued football players are the most athletic across every measurable category. Adams added that NFL players memorize up to 150 plays versus basketball’s comparatively simpler playbook.
Is Aaron Donald coming out of retirement?
Donald was spotted working out at the Rams’ practice facility on July 10. He spent about an hour doing conditioning drills before walking off visibly gassed. Head coach Sean McVay confirmed he has spoken with Donald about a potential return. Nothing is official, but the Myles Garrett trade appears to have sparked serious interest in a comeback.
Did UCLA win the national championship?
Yes — UCLA won their first NCAA women’s basketball championship in the modern era, beating South Carolina 79-51 in the title game to finish 37-1. Six seniors were drafted at the 2026 WNBA Draft, setting a record with five first-round picks from one program in a single night.
Who bought the Seattle Seahawks?
The Khosla family — led by venture capitalist Vinod Khosla, with his wife Neeru serving as the controlling owner and son Neal in a leadership role — agreed to purchase the Seahawks from the Paul Allen estate for a record $9.612 billion. The sale is pending NFL owner approval, expected in late August.
What does the Seahawks sale mean for fantasy football?
Nothing changes for the 2026 season. The team stays at Lumen Field, the coaching staff is intact, and Sam Darnold, Devon Witherspoon, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba remain the core fantasy assets in Seattle.
Where did the name Ookla come from?
The giant furry sidekick from the 1980s Saturday morning cartoon Thundarr the Barbarian got his name from UCLA. A writer jokingly suggested “Oo-clah” while looking at the UCLA campus, and the name stuck.
How long has Commish Kit been making fantasy football draft boards?
Since 2002 — Commish Kit started in Daly City, California, and moved to Austin, Texas in 2012, making 2026 its 24th season in business.
