Selection Sunday is just a few days away, so it's all bracket business here at MyHOFS.  Our very own Cait Rohan just couldn't wait to start picking winners, here's her Sports Couples bracket.  

ROUND ONE

1) Beyoncé - Jay-Z





Although Bey and HOVA aren’t your typical sports couple—neither one of them actually plays on a professional athletic team—they still have quite a stronghold on the sports world. As part owner of the Brooklyn Nets, Jay has helped give the BK a professional sports team, and an innovative sports venue to boot. Meanwhile, Queen B can hold it down at a game, as a recent show-stopping Super Bowl halftime performance—and referee-themed promo pictures beforehand—proved. And, although these two might not be the most traditional athletes, they can still bust out some pretty athletic dance feats.

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8) Alex Morgan - Servando Carrasco



The couple that…kicks…together sticks together? Sure seems that way for soccer sweethearts Alex Morgan and Servando Carrasco, who have reportedly been going strong since their collegiate days. Morgan and Carrasco are both professionals in the Northwest,  Morgan with the Portland Thorns FC and Carrasco with the Seattle Sounders.  But Morgan earned a place in the national spotlight at the summer Olympics as part of the gold medal-winning US Women’s National Team. If the Olympic gold medal wasn’t enough, Morgan’s appearance in the 2012 Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition in body paint might have really outdone Carrasco.


WHO WINS: Although having common interests with your significant other is great, too much rivalry is cause for concern. With an unbalanced amount of success on the Morgan/Carrasco team, I’m going to have to award the “Crazy in Love” Beyoncé and Jay-Z the win.



2) Tom Brady – Giselle Bundchen



This couple seems to have unfairly used up the universe’s quota of godlike gorgeousness and talent. Gisele is unarguably one of the world’s most beautiful and recognized supermodels, but her only sports-related accolades come from cheering on Brady at Patriots games, modeling in Sports Illustrated spreads, and walking runways in sky-high heels. Brady, on the other hand, does have real athletic talent: in his 10 seasons as a Patriots starter, the team has gone to the Super Bowl five times…but beware if Brady and Bundchen aren’t on the winning side of things. They’re both sort of sore losers.

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7) Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade



Before you immediately dismiss Union as merely Wade’s basketball boo, may I remind you about a little team called the Compton Clovers? Ms. Union’s most known role involved acting as head cheerleader Isis in the early 00’s classic Bring It On—a role that required her to attend a month-long cheerleading camp. And Union, who played hoops in high school, was also reportedly so vocal at Wade’s games that she is no longer allowed to sit courtside. D-Wade, on the other hand, has some serious stats to hang his snapback on. The Miami Heat player has earned accolades like nine-time NBA all-star, two-time NBA champion, Sports Illustrated’s Sportsman of the Year, and much more.


WHO WINS: So, I’m convinced that the Brady/Bundchen matchup is some kind of pre-arranged Darwinism, survival-of-the-hottest, and not a real couple anyways. Plus, they’re both sort of cry babies if they lose. Union and Wade FTW!



3) Victoria and David Beckham



The Beckhams are one of sports’ best-looking power couples. Former Spice Girl Victoria looks even better than she did in the days when Easy V didn’t come for free. Today, though, V’s M.O. has little to do with the slam-your-body-down-and-wind-it-all-around dancing she did back in the ‘90s; her hobbies tend more toward fashion. David, on the other hand, is still living it up as a footballer—currently for Paris Saint-Germain. But as he hovers near 40 the question remains—how much longer can he bend it?

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6) Christian Ponder - Samantha Steele



Ah, young love. Despite a short courtship, Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder recently tied the knot with ESPN reporter Samantha Steele. Time will tell, but can this seemingly all-American couple (think: blue-eyed, blonde-haired Barbie meets tall, dark, handsome—and athletically inclined Ken) cut it long-term? We think the balance—sports reporter vs. athlete—might be the perfect complement. They’re in the same industry so they have a ton in common, but they don’t exactly play the same sport so there’s no rivalry.



WHO WINS: I’m going to get some hate mail for saying this, but…NOT the Becks. Victoria was POSH spice, not Sporty. I’m way more intrigued by the youngsters in this case.



4) Nomar Garciaparra - Mia Hamm




What child of the ‘90s could forget Hamm’s contribution to sports? She was a major player in the much-watched 1996 Olympics—spurring the US team to win a goal medal in the first women’s soccer game at the Olympics. She also starred in the 1999 FILA Women’s World Cup, and helped team USA garner another gold medal at the 2004 Olympics, but has been retired from the sport since her ’04 Olympic turn. Speaking of retired, hubby Nomar Garciaparra also called it quits on his sport—major league baseball—but still keeps his connection to sports alive as an ESPN analyst. Before his retirement in 2010, Garciaparra played for iconic franchises like the Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs. He is also one of only 13 players in MLB history to hit two grand slams in one game. But in an industry that favors youth, is this couple too old to still score serious points?

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5) Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom



Lamar Odom may be a household name partially because of the Kardashians, but he is a basketball star in his own right. The two-time NBA champion, NBA Sixth Man of the Year, and NBA All-Rookie First Teamer, Odom has played for major teams like the LA Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, and Miami Heat. Currently playing for the LA Clippers—often overshadowed by the more successful and popular LA Lakers—is Odom still at the top of his game? Khloe, on the other hand, seems to have no athletic prowess whatsoever, aside from going to the gym, and walking in high-heels. Actually, is fighting with Kris Jenner a sport?


WHO WINS: With a reality show and constant speculation from the media to deal with, I don’t think the Odoms can make the cut. Hamm and Garciaparra, while older, carry a bit more power since they were both big names in their respective sports and Garciaparra is still involved with the athletic world.




FINAL FOUR


1) Beyoncé - Jay-Z
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7) Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade

This is a tough match-up. Two really huge sports power couples with a presence in pop culture and athletic statistics to back them up. And, while Bey and Jay-Z are my hands-down pick for any music power couple match, I just can’t ignore the fact that Beyoncé doesn’t REALLY play a sport and neither does J. Dwyane’s athletic success coupled with Gabrielle’s support and experience in sports herself, makes them the clear winner here.

6) Christian Ponder - Samantha Steele
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4) Nomar Garciaparra - Mia Hamm

Old versus new! Although traditionalists will disagree, I’ve got to kick Garciaparra and Hamm out. They don’t technically play their respective sports anymore…and they’re old. Speaking of youth, I find the Ponder/Steele team very promising—they may be young but their professional lives cross in ways that complement one another.


FINALS

7) Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade
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6) Christian Ponder - Samantha Steele

Since Gabrielle isn’t technically involved in sports, professionally, I’m going to strike out couple #7. The power couple winners are Ponder/Steele for youth, complementary careers, and for the promise that lies ahead of them—in both the professional and relationship worlds. Plus, isn’t it smart to look for talent in the rookies?