here to discuss the cnn sports analyst, christine brennan. she's literally writing the book on caitlin clark. it's called on her game, and it's out next summer. christine, good to see you. should other players have been included in this honor? should she have had the cover solo again? it's not like it was voted on by all the fans or analysts. it's time's decision. >> you know, laura, i am a big fan of sheila johnson. i know sheila very well. she is a great role model, leader, owner, a terrific, successful, wonderful person. i have no idea why she said what she said. it is the of course, the player, the athlete of the year and it's not the league of the year or the team of the year. caitlin clark deserves that. there is no doubt that caitlin clark, the impact that she had on the league was extraordinary. the tv ratings, the attendance, the sellouts, even sheila johnson's own team, the washington mystics, moved there to indiana fever games from the 4200 seat arena to the 20 000 seat arena, and in september had the biggest crowd in wnba history

joining us now to discuss more about that, cnn sports analyst and usa today sports columnist christine brennanchristine, great to see you. thanks so much for being here. i want to talk about the games, but i also want to talk about the fact that we pretty much had an almost super bowl halftime show there. what did you think of how they put this whole package together? >> jessica, you nailed it. that's it. this was super bowl esque about, what, two months before the super bowl, a month and a half before the super bowl. brilliant move by the nfl, which continues to dominate the sports landscape. they get it. they've understood marketing for years. this is our national pastime. the nfl obviously football americans love it. they can't get enough of it. and and you know we've thought about super bowl sunday of course which is like a national holiday. we certainly know that the nfl has a game of the week right. they have they have a day of the week basically sunday that is theirs. they moved into saturday the thursday night. but now this just a super smart move by the national football league. every

let's bring in cnn sports analyst christine brennan. christine, what are you hearing from insiders about the suspension of al-shaer the nfl feels very good about what it did. >> obviously, the concern of course, is a hit to the head. >> this is the second concussion or the second time that trevor lawrence has been in concussion protocol in within a year basically happened a year ago. and now again for this four year quarterback now second time. >> and of course now we'll see if he plays again at all this year they're taking the hit to the head. and concussions very seriously as they should be jake. it's a topic you and i have discussed in the past. and you know, it's all the way back. nine years ago was the concussion movie. and i think that woke a lot of people up around the country. not even necessarily football fans about the dangers of concussion. the nfl has had players who have killed themselves shooting themselves in the heart so that their brains could be studied. this is a serious issue. it has been, even if maybe the public att

. >> christine brennan, thanks so much, as always appreciate it. before we go, a puzzling one in our world lead a group of grinches pillaged a pie van in northern england. not just any pastries. these 2500 pies were baked by michelin star chef tommy banks, and apparently worth more than $31,000. police say they've now found the found the van, but the pies remain missing. taking to instagram, chef banks addressed the thieves pleading for them to donate the pies, saying quote, i know you're a criminal, but maybe just do something nice because it's christmas. the news continues on cnn with wolf blitzer in the situation room. i'll see you tomorrow happening now. >> breaking news. an ominous sign for donald trump's pick for defense secretary pete hegseth, a key trump supporter, republican senator lindsey graham just now calling the allegations against hegseth disturbing and telling reporters his confirmation fight will be difficult. also breaking major political turmoil shaking a key u.s. ally as south korea's president declares and then rescinds martia

joining me right now is cnn sports analyst and usa today sports columnist christine brennan, who i wouldve to spend christmas with no one other than you. i am so thankful that to see you, it's really good to see you. okay, let's start with the nba. we've got a few things i want to run through. christine, big five, big games on tap today. what are you watching for? what are the story lines? >> there are so many great all stars and players in this. i mean the the nba has figured this out and they pack these games. you can watch them wall to wall for literally like 12, ten, 12 hours. and not that everyone will. but you can dive in and then and then jump out, get some food and come back. and really you mentioned the lakers and golden state and and i've got to tell you this, lebron james, my colleague jeff zillgitt at usa today had a great line. he said that lebron james is as ubiquitous as santa claus. lebron has played in 19 christmas games in his career. so in many ways he is santa. and i think watching him against steph curry, you've got some of the young stars. it is again just the nba u