If you miss ‘Stick,’ these sports comedies will fill the gap
If you miss ‘Stick,’ these sports comedies will fill the gap
These shows aren’t just about winning games — they’re about finding yourself along the way.
“Stick” closed out its first season on Wednesday, July 23, and yeah… I’m already wishing for more time on those lush fairways and chaotic campgrounds. What makes the show work isn’t just how funny it is or how perfectly Owen Wilson plays a washed-up golf pro trying to coach a teenage phenom. It’s the heart underneath — a man still reeling from a personal tragedy, desperate to find something that gives his life meaning again. That’s what makes it stick (pun intended). And it’s the same thing that makes the best sports comedies so good: they’re about people first, sports second. So if you’ve finished “Stick” and need another binge with laughs, heart, and a little redemption mixed in, I’ve got you covered. Here’s what to watch after you finish “Stick” on Apple TV+.
Stick
Pryce Cahill was headed for golf greatness when an on-course meltdown derailed his career. Now struggling to stay afloat, he goes all in to mentor Santi—a teenage phenom with immense potential—and maybe save himself.
Loved ‘Stick’? Watch: ‘Ted Lasso’
“Ted Lasso” is basically the template for what makes “Stick” work so well… a funny sports comedy with real heart. Both shows center on two broken men trying to rebuild their lives, using sports as the thing that gives them purpose again. Jason Sudeikis plays Ted Lasso, an American football coach trying to get through his divorce as he throws himself into English soccer with zero experience but a ton of optimism.
Where the two shows differ is in tone. “Stick” has that laid-back, slightly melancholy vibe as Owen Wilson wrestles with grief, while “Ted Lasso” is pure feel-good energy. It’s hopeful, warm, and relentlessly positive, even when things get tough. It leans harder into comedy, with a bigger ensemble cast and plenty of hilarious locker-room moments. But at their core, both shows share the same idea: sports aren’t just about competition, they’re about finding your way back to yourself.
Ted Lasso
Ted Lasso, an American football coach, moves to England when he’s hired to manage a soccer team—despite having no experience. With cynical players and a doubtful town, will he get them to see the Ted Lasso Way?
Next up: “Running Point”
“Running Point” feels like the female take from inside the world of pro basketball. Created by Mindy Kaling, Kate Hudson plays Isla, a confident branding exec thrown into running her family’s NBA team after a scandal. She’s not really sure what she’s doing, but watching her stumble, learn, and connect with the people around her is similar to Pryce’s journey with Santi, Mitts, Elana, and Zero.
The twist here is how much of Isla’s fight is about proving herself as a woman in a male-dominated sport. She’s not just learning the ropes of running an NBA team — she’s battling to earn respect from players, execs, and even her own brothers, who clearly don’t think she belongs in charge. That uphill climb gives “Running Point” a sharper edge than “Stick,” with Isla having to constantly push back, outthink, and outwork everyone just to be taken seriously. It’s fast, funny, and a little ruthless, but watching her carve out her place makes the wins feel that much bigger.
Running Point
A reformed party girl must prove herself as a businesswoman when she’s unexpectedly put in charge of her family’s pro basketball team.
Try out “Ballers”
“Ballers” is like “Stick” turned up to eleven. Both shows follow guys trying to figure out who they are after their prime sports days are behind them. Dwayne Johnson’s Spencer Strasmore is a retired NFL star hustling to reinvent himself as a financial manager for pro athletes. Both shows are about second chances and trying to make things right, even if it means stepping way outside their comfort zone.
The difference is all in the vibe. “Stick” is mellow and heartfelt, with quiet moments of reflection, while “Ballers” is pure flash. You’ve got fast cars, big money, and huge egos everywhere you look. Spencer’s world is high-stakes and cutthroat, and the comedy leans into that, with quick banter and larger-than-life personalities instead of campfire-style heart-to-hearts. But underneath all the glitz, both shows are about flawed guys trying to do better, which makes “Ballers” a great next watch if you loved the redemption arc in “Stick.”
Ballers
Looking at the lives of former and current football players, the show follows former superstar Spencer Strasmore as he gets his life on track in retirement while mentoring other current and former players through the daily grind of the business of football.
Watch next: ‘Big Shot’
If you loved “Stick” for its mix of sports and second chances, “Big Shot” hits a lot of the same notes. Both shows follow guys who used to be on top of their game but are now trying to rebuild their lives by coaching the next generation. John Stamos’ character in “Big Shot” is a fiery former NCAA basketball coach trying to redeem himself after a career-ending meltdown. Neither man starts off great at connecting with his players, but both slowly figure out that winning isn’t the point — it’s about helping these kids (and themselves) grow.
Now, keep in mind that “Big Shot” is a Disney+ show (though it was removed from their library), which means it’s a lot more feel-good. It’s lighter, faster-paced, and full of team bonding moments. The humor leans more toward inspirational sports movie energy than laid-back campfire chats, and the focus is as much on the girls’ personal stories as it is on Stamos’ redemption. But if you loved watching “Stick” and found the heart in the middle of all the sports talk, “Big Shot” hits that same basket.
Big Shot
After getting ousted from his job in the NCAA for throwing a chair at a referee, a hothead men’s basketball coach Marvyn Korn must take a job at Westbrook School for Girls, a private all-girls high school, in an effort to redeem what’s left of his career and reputation.
More to watch after finishing ‘Stick’:
‘Blue Mountain State’ | Prime Video
Blue Mountain State
Three incoming freshman in a big-time, Midwestern college football program have to juggle football, girls, class and nonstop hazing.
‘Brockmire’ | AMC+
Brockmire
A famed major league baseball announcer who suffers an embarrassing and very public meltdown live on the air after discovering his beloved wife’s serial infidelity decides to reclaim his career and love life in a small town a decade later.
‘Eastbound & Down’ | HBO Max
Eastbound & Down
Years after he turned his back on his hometown, a burned-out major league ballplayer returns to teach phys ed at his old middle school.
‘Cobra Kai’ | Netflix
Cobra Kai
This Karate Kid sequel series picks up 30 years after the events of the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament and finds Johnny Lawrence on the hunt for redemption by reopening the infamous Cobra Kai karate dojo. This reignites his old rivalry with the successful Daniel LaRusso, who has been working to maintain the balance in his life without mentor Mr. Miyagi.