New York Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm had plenty of distasteful words for Miguel Rojas that ignited a public feud when he appeared on a podcast earlier this season.
With one emoji after the Dodgers beat the Yankees in the World Series, Rojas quieted Chisholm in an Instagram story of his own.
More news: Dodgers Pitcher Slams Yankees: World Series ‘Was Just a Mismatch’
On Oct. 31, the Spanish-language baseball Twitter/X account @ElLineup posted a quote from a podcast interview Chisholm gave in March in which he criticized Rojas for his behavior during their time together on the Miami Marlins.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 30: Jazz Chisholm Jr. #13 of the New York Yankees is brushed back during the eighth inning of Game Five of the 2024 World Series against the Los Angeles… NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 30: Jazz Chisholm Jr. #13 of the New York Yankees is brushed back during the eighth inning of Game Five of the 2024 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Yankee Stadium on October 30, 2024 in the Bronx borough of New York City. More Al Bello/Getty Images
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MLB News: Dodgers’ Miguel Rojas Takes Parting Shot at Yankees’ Jazz Chisholm on Social Media
NFL middle class contenders vs. pretenders, featuring Packers, Seahawks, Falcons, and more
Midway through the NFL season, we’re starting to see the truly elite teams separate themselves at the top of the league. The Detroit Lions, Baltimore Ravens, and Kansas City Chiefs fall in this category as leading candidates to reach the Super Bowl. We’re also seeing some truly horrid teams separate themselves at the bottom of the league. The Patriots, Jaguars and Saints fall into this category, teams whose seasons are pretty much dead in the water at this point.
However, what do we make of the teams in between them? The middle class of the NFL has never felt larger, with most of the league still hovering around .500. There are some incredibly fun and good teams, but all with some big flaws as well. So how do we separate those teams that are true contenders from teams who have benefitted from some luck this season? That’s the goal today, to parse through the middle class of the NFL and see who can really make a deep run in the postseason, and who might not have the horses this year.
Using FTN Fantasy’s Team DVOA ratings, we’ll separate the top five in Team DVOA and the bottom 12 in the same metric, hopefully getting teams 6-19 to discuss. In the process, we’re flipping the Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers, because I think the Bills are among the NFL’s elite. So let’s hop in and see which teams are contenders and which are pretenders, starting with the Super Bowl runner ups from last season.
San Francisco 49ers: Contenders (hesitantly)
A part of me wants to believe that this 49ers’ season is done. Already with losses to the Rams, Cardinals and Vikings, they’ve put themselves behind the eight-ball when it comes to playoff contention, and still have games against Tampa Bay, Green Bay and Detroit coming up with the other division games. The 49er defense isn’t bad this year, but it’s just a bit off the standard we associate with this team. They’re 15th in Defensive EPA per play and 16th in Success Rate, making them almost perfectly average, a drop down from their elite ranks. Combine that with losing WR Brandon Aiyuk to a torn ACL and you get a team that’s been severely hit by the injury bug and the overall brain drain of being the best team in the conference for five or so years.
Yet, I find myself still believing in this team. RB Christian McCaffrey could be coming back after the bye week, as will WR Jauan Jennings. It remains to be seen how effective McCaffrey will be after missing a large portion of the season, but his ability to keep San Francisco out of man coverage situations and be the most explosive portion of the Niners’ offense is crucial with Aiyuk out for the season. I want to say this team won’t make it, but as long as Kyle Shanahan is coaching I think the Niners are contenders…maybe.
Houston Texans: Pretenders
The Texans are a weird team. A frustrating team, if you will.
Despite having all the makings of a team ready to jump into the waters of the elite this season, they just haven’t put together consistent stretches of play. A large part of this falls on the offense, who has a problem up front. They’re 20th in Adjusted Line Yards, dead last in the NFL in percentage of runs where the back is hit at or behind the line of scrimmage, and CJ Stroud has been sacked 21 times. All of these came to a head in a befuddling Thursday Night loss to the New York Jets where Stroud was sacked eight times and only completed 11 of his 30 passes. Defensively, I think they’re pretty good, but are susceptible to a lot of explosive plays downfield, having the third-highest DVOA allowed on deep passes in the entire league.
WR Nico Collins coming back should help the offense return to some form of good play, but I’m not sure if this team is ready yet to be a serious playoff contender.
Washington Commanders: Contenders
I still have my doubts about the sustainability of all of this, but make no mistake about it: the 7-2 Commanders are contenders in the NFC. Their offense, led by rookie sensation Jayden Daniels and star wideout Terry McLaurin, is putting up extremely efficient numbers, sitting pretty at first in offensive EPA per play and second in DVOA on that same side of the ball. They stay out of obvious passing situations, and even when they do, they get some hero plays from Daniels and McLaurin, who have displayed a mind-meld unlike anything I’ve seen from a rookie QB this early. Once they get RB Brian Robinson back, the run game becomes even more potent.
I have a lot of questions about the viability of a defense that is just okay, but if the offense can play like they have, they’ll get a shot in a weird NFC.
Green Bay Packers: Contenders
I still have faith in the Packers, despite a humbling 24-14 loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday. A lot of that faith is reliant on a healthy Jordan Love, however. It was clear on Sunday that Love wasn’t 100% due to a groin injury suffered against Jacksonville, and his movement was compromised, leading to some really boneheaded plays.
Another Jordan Love interception
Lions return it to the house.pic.twitter.com/CRWLZGnpk4 — The Irish NFL Show (@IreNFL) November 3, 2024
Holding the Lions to only 24 points is a testament to both the weather affecting the game and the Packers’ defense, but the offense has to get more from their youth in these types of games. Love had a bad game overall, the receivers combined for six drops and penalties hurt their team. But again, I think I’ve seen more sustainable offense from the Packers than not, so I’ll keep them in the contender category.
Philadelphia Eagles: Contender (hesitantly)
Just like the Texans above them, the Eagles are an incredibly frustrating team. Despite beating the Jaguars 28-23, the offense sputtered for most of the game and were actively hamstrung by their head coach and his rollercoaster decision making in critical moments. That’s the most bewildering part about this team. Nick Sirianni feels incapable of making a sound decision, and it trickles down through the rest of the staff. For example: a rollout pass on 4th and 1 despite having Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts on the team. Or maybe kicking a 58 yard field goal instead of trying to ice the game by just going for it. Or how about all the failed 4th down conversions? These things all add up and it puts the head coach directly in front of the talent trying to win the game. If the Eagles make the playoffs and sputter out again, it’ll be because of the head coach.
However, Philly is a contender because of said talent. They have too many stars on offense and it feels like the defense is coming together at the right point in the season. Adding CB Cooper DeJean to the starting lineup has helped blend what Vic Fangio wants to do in the secondary, and they’re getting quality play from LBs Zack Baun and Nakobe Dean. Their inconsistent pass rush might be what gets them on the defensive side of the ball, but they’ve played well.
The Eagles are contenders, but until Nick Sirianni shows he’s capable of not cutting out his own teams’ legs from under them, they’re nothing more than that.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Contender (hesitantly)
Another hesitant contender enters the chat! The Steelers are 6-2 and in the midst of getting some really good football from QB Russell Wilson, so why are they hesitant contenders? The main hesitancy is how sustainable this level of play from Wilson is. Since entering the starting lineup he’s shown the ability to generate explosives downfield with his arm while keeping Pittsburgh’s offense on track, but I don’t know how consistent both he and the running game will be. In Wilson’s two games, they’ve played two of the worst run defenses in the NFL in the Jets and Giants, and have games against both the Ravens and Browns as well as the Chiefs coming up. If they can’t consistently generate anything on the ground, it puts more on the shoulders of Wilson, who might not be able to carry that load like he used to. The defense is still good, but the Steelers have always fielded a good defense. If Pittsburgh wants to go further than the divisional round, it’ll need to keep this level of play from Wilson.
Los Angeles Chargers: Contender
The Chargers are a contender because in a weaker AFC, they have two things that separate teams come playoff time: a defense that is very good and a QB playing at a very high level. Justin Herbert has truly played some insane football over the last four games. While the stats might not show it (throwing to Will Dissly and Simi Fehoko will do that), he’s shown so much control over this offense and is even doing more creation out of structure as well. As long as Herbert is playing well, they’ll have a shot in every game. Then on the defensive side, DC Jesse Minter has the Chargers defense firing on all cylinders. They’ve been super impressive on the back end, playing on a string, while up front Khalil Mack and Poona Ford turn back the clock up front. The young linebackers are playing well in the middle, and it’s really brought the unit together as a whole. Not to mention, they already have wins over Denver and Cleveland this season.
I’m not saying we should be prepared for the Chargers making the playoffs in Year 1 under Jim Harbaugh, but I am saying that it wouldn’t surprise me.
Atlanta Falcons: Contender
The Atlanta Falcons are contenders because they boast one of the most versatile offenses in the entire league. Since the opening season loss to Pittsburgh, Atlanta has a top five offense in EPA per play and is sixth in offensive success rate as well. QB Kirk Cousins is playing at a high level, doing more true QB’ing from shotgun and in standard dropback situations than he did in Minnesota, and he’s developed a rapport with receivers Drake London and Darnell Mooney. Combine that with some of the coolest players in the league in RBs Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier and you get an offense that’s cooking up a storm. Plus, they’ve already beaten the Bucs twice and the Saints once, basically locking up the NFC South at this point.
My only point of concern is a defense that can’t rush the passer consistently, but because they have an offense that can put up points with anyone, I’m in on this team.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Pretender (hesitantly)
I had so much faith in the Buccaneers, but I’m just not sure this team can get to the playoffs in their current form. Mind you, this isn’t really about the offense. While they can still suffer from the Baker Mayfield bozo drive here and there, the Bucs offense still has found really nice pockets of play without WRs Chris Godwin and Mike Evans (Evans is expected back after Week 11). Their screen game with all three running backs is really good, and the offensive line is coming together well.
The Bucs problem is a defense that is showing more and more cracks by the day. Despite being fourth in the NFL in blitz rate, they’re only 16th in pressure rate per Pro Football Reference. They can’t really get home with their pressures, and because of the structure of their defense, that means a defensive lineman is out in coverage, leaving them open to getting carved up. Their back seven has been hit hard by injury, which doesn’t add to the situation any better either. If they can’t beat the Chiefs on Monday night, the season has a chance of getting worse before it gets any better.
Arizona Cardinals: Pretender (hesitantly)
The Cardinals are the only team in the NFC West above .500. If you had that on your NFL bingo card this season I want to shake your hand and give you an award. The Cardinals are a fascinating team because they’re built like they might be more prepared to contend in 2025, but because they’re leading the division right now, why not try and make a run? The offense is a bit more high-variance than I would like them to be, but at their best they cause so many problems because of their ability to play in heavier formations. TE Trey McBride is a budding superstar as well as WR Marvin Harrison Jr, and RB James Conner is a tackle breaking machine. While QB Kyler Murray has stretches of inconsistency, he is an electric playmaker who is capable of leading this offense.
They’re pretenders for now because I still have issues with this defense, and it’s simply because they’re too small up front. The Cardinals like to play with all three safeties on the field, but because of how little they are up front, those safeties end up getting crushed by teams with a capable run game, like a lot of teams the Cardinals would face in the playoffs. For now, I’m going to say they’re pretenders. But they’re playing with house money at this point, and with a lighter schedule they very well could win the division.
Denver Broncos: Pretender
I’m just not sure if the Broncos can seriously make a run to end the season. While I love their defense and how they play when everyone is healthy, the offense leaves a lot to be desired. Obviously, the quarterback spot is going to get a lot of scrutiny, and I think Nix has had a lot of stretches of poor play, but outside of Nix I just don’t really have a lot of faith in this supporting cast as a playoff team. Outside of WR Courtland Sutton, I think the receiver group needs a bit more maturation, and they’re trying to figure out their RB rotation as well. Maybe they can backdoor their way into the playoffs, but they have two games against the Chiefs left, as well as games against the Chargers and Bengals on the schedule. I’m hesitant to call them a contender, but next year could be a good one.
Cincinnati Bengals: Pretender
I’m not doing this with the Bengals again. I just can’t. Cincy is 4-5 after throttling the aimless Raiders on Sunday, but I just don’t think this is the year for the Bengals. While Joe Burrow has played fantastic football, the defense is still reliant on otherworldly Trey Hendrickson performances in order to win consistently on that side of the ball. They’re one of the worst run defenses in the entire league, which they also combine with some real confusing stretches of play in the secondary. The young DBs for Cincinnati still need more time to grow, but their schedule doesn’t really afford them much time to grow. Can the Bengals’ offense will them just outside of the playoff picture? Sure, but I don’t think they’ll have enough to do it this year.
Seattle Seahawks: Pretender
No Seahawks game is ever normal, which makes this season the most abnormal for Seattle in a while. It was always going to take time for the defense to really gel, but they allow far too many big plays to be serious on defense right now. However, my issue is with an offense that is always in its’ own way up front. Their inability to do anything up front is really hampering what they can run on offense. They’re 28th in Adjusted Line Yards, have given up 28 sacks and right now can’t even snap a ball correctly. This inability to run anything up front puts a lot of pressure on QB Geno Smith to be perfect on every pass, and not even he is immune to a multiple interception game like he had on Sunday. Even despite that, the Seahawks will still find themselves in the hunt because of Smith and the other talent on the offensive side of the ball, but I don’t know if the offensive line can do enough for them to make it.
Los Angeles Rams: Contender
The Rams did this last year, and that’s largely the reason why I think they can do it again. LA has a formula for how they win, which is a ferocious young pass rush and QB Matthew Stafford catching fire for multiple games. That’s how they beat Seattle on Sunday, and it’s a very effective strategy. As long as Stafford, WRs Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua and RB Kyren Williams play, the Rams’ offense is such an extremely difficult team to defend. Stafford might be putting together some of his best play in recent weeks, and as long as they can get that from him the Rams are going to challenge for the playoffs. If the pass rush, led by sensational rookie EDGE Jared Verse, can continue to be very good, this Rams team can make the playoffs.
“LeBron About To Trade Bronny”: Fans Turn Merciless As 47YO Manu Ginobili’s Iconic Dunk Puts Lakers Star Under Fire
We all know San Antonio Spurs legend Manu Ginobili has never really left the game he loves. Since retiring in 2018, he’s stayed with the Spurs as a special advisor, and if you follow him online, you’ll know he’s all about staying fit—his posts about workouts and bike rides make that clear. But if there’s one thing we don’t often get to see him do, it’s actually play basketball. However, at 47, Ginobili recently took to the court and pulled off something spectacular, leaving fans in absolute awe.
In a Legends Basketball game held in Argentina, Ginobili stunned everyone with a jaw-dropping dunk. He soared for a two-handed slam after an over-the-head pass that seemed like something straight out of his prime years. The game itself was a celebration of Argentina’s Golden Generation, marking 20 years since their unforgettable Olympic gold in Athens. Fans watched in disbelief as the Hall of Famer displayed hops that seemed impossible for a 47-year-old—proof that his athleticism hasn’t quite left him yet.
Ginobili’s NBA career is the stuff of legend. He joined the Spurs in 2002 and initially backed up veteran guard Steve Smith. Just a year later, he claimed his first NBA championship, a taste of things to come. During his 12 seasons with the Spurs, he won three more rings and became a two-time All-Star. After his retirement, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2022, and the Spurs retired his #20 jersey as a lasting tribute.
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Yet, for all his NBA success, Ginobili himself believes nothing compares to the Olympic gold. “It was epic,” he told beIN SPORTS, reflecting on that Athens run. “It’s the most important thing we achieved professionally. Nothing tops that.”
But as Ginobili relishes this iconic moment with Argentine fans, his recent dunk has sparked an unexpected reaction in the NBA world.
Fans turn merciless on LeBron James
As Manu Ginobili’s viral dunk sent shockwaves through social media, LeBron James, of all people, caught the heat. As the 47-year-old Spurs icon soared in a throwback moment, fans couldn’t resist drawing comparisons to the oldest active player in NBA. “Better than any age 39 LeBron dunk!” one fan quipped, while another went even further, suggesting, “LeBron’s legacy has been affected by this post.”
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Basketball Forever (@basketballforever)
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Manu’s best season saw him averaging 19.5 PPG in 2008—interestingly, in the same year LeBron also averaged career high with 30.0 PPG. And just last season, LeBron put up 25.7 PPG at age 36. Some fans came to his defense, with one boldly claiming, “If Manu doing this at 47, Bron going till 63!” while others joked, “Yeah, Bron’s playing another 5-10 years.”
But not everyone was so kind. Some fans took aim at LeBron’s son Bronny. Since his draft, the 19-year-old has faced his share of criticism, with some claiming his LA Lakers opportunity came through his dad. His 0.7 point average across 2.7 minutes, hasn’t helped his case either. So one ended up suggesting LeBron would “trade Bronny for Manu.”
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Yet, amid all the LeBron banter, Ginobili’s performance didn’t go unappreciated. One fan praised his enduring athleticism, calling him the “real 🐐, not MJ or LeBron.” And in Argentina, Ginobili definitely has a GOAT status. His epic performances for the national team earned him MVP honors and showcased his game-changing talent, with averages of 19.3 points, 4 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game.
In the end, fans may have taken a few digs at LeBron James, but Ginobili’s dunk reminded everyone why legends like him and LeBron capture our attention—even if the conversation gets a little heated.
How Jayson Tatum made Celtics history over first seven games
Making Celtics history is not easy. This historic franchise has been home to many Hall of Fame players and coaches since its first season in 1946-47.
Jayson Tatum managed to make team history Saturday night by joining a statistical group occupied only by Larry Bird. Tatum scored 29 points with seven rebounds and three assists as the Celtics swept their back-to-back with the Charlotte Hornets to improve to 6-1.
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Tatum has tallied 210-plus points, 50-plus rebounds and 30-plus assists through the first seven games of the season. Bird is the only other player in Celtics history to achieve that kind of stat line in the first seven games of a campaign.
Larry Bird, 1984-85 : 216 points, 67 rebounds, 40 assists
: 216 points, 67 rebounds, 40 assists Jayson Tatum, 2024-25: 212 points, 53 rebounds, 32 assists
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Bird’s 216 points in 1984-85 are the most ever by a Celtics player through the first seven games of a season. Tatum ranks second and third on that list with 212 points this season and 211 points in 2022-23.
Bird eventually finished the 1984-85 season averaging 28.7 points, 10.5 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game en route to his second of three straight league MVP awards. The Celtics reached the NBA Finals that season but lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in six games.
Tatum is still pursuing his first MVP award, and he’s off to a good start with averages of 30.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.9 steals per game, while shooting 48.2 percent from the floor.
Tatum and the Celtics are back in action Monday night against the Hawks in Atlanta.
Venus Williams on one of her most important money lessons
Tennis icon and entrepreneur Venus Williams has racked up more than a few wins in her life, both on and off the court.
Throughout her career, she’s learned plenty about making smart investments and starting her own ventures, like her interior design firm, V Starr. But overall, one of the most important money lessons she’s learned is
Carlos Alcaraz Snubbed for Jannik Sinner by Alexander Zverev Over Crucial Tennis Attribute in Bold Revelation
“To win the title here in Paris means the world,” is how Alexander Zverev embraced the 2024 Paris Masters title. After a few days of hustle against top-ranked players like Stefanos Tsitsipas and Holger Rune, the German ATP star finally managed to make it to the top. This victory not only just added another title to his commendable portfolio of 22 ATP Tour titles. However, despite the astonishing win, he couldn’t hold back the respect for his peer Jannik Sinner. While his statements generally include Carlos Alcaraz, the 27-year-old stepped into the snubbing zone this time by placing the Italian over Alcaraz.
Alexander Zverev made no secret of the fact that his competitors have been improving rapidly. The German star openly admitted during his press conference at the Rolex Paris Masters that Jannik Sinner, particularly, has made significant improvements throughout the ongoing season. “Jannik has improved a lot this year. There are some things Carlos has improved as well,” Zverev said, applauding the level of his younger rivals but keeping Sinner ahead in his verdict.
Despite his incredible form and commendable success at the Paris Masters, Zverev highlighted the need for continuous improvement. When asked whether he was concerned about pushing himself too hard with his intense practice schedule, Zverev was firm in his response. “No,” he said. “I think in tennis you always have to improve. If you’re standing still, you’re going to go backwards because the other players are also improving.”
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Along with the younger rivals, Zverev also highlighted Novak Djokovic’s career as a perfect example of constant progress. “I think Novak, over the past 15, 20 years, has improved every single year,” he explained. “If you ask him whether he’s a better tennis player last year, let’s say 2023 or 2022 even, or, you know, 10 years ago when he was younger, I think he would say that he’s a better tennis player now.”
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His victory at the 2024 Rolex Paris Masters, where he beat Ugo Humbert 6-2, 6-2, marked his second ATP title of the year and seventh ATP Masters 1000 crown. Especially behind his serve, Zverev’s dominant performance allowed him to become the second German to win in Paris after Boris Becker. This win also saw him surpass World No. 1 Jannik Sinner with 66 match wins this season. However, Zverev remained focused on the bigger picture. “I want to achieve my biggest goals still. For that, I know I have to get better, because for now, it has not been good enough,” he admitted.
Although Zverev’s Paris Masters win came as a major milestone, his sights are set higher, as he looks to close the gap with players like Sinner and Alcaraz. Amid all these conversations, the German ATP star also pointed to one of the hardest challenges he faced at the Paris Masters final.
Alexander Zverev uncovers a hard obstacle during his showdown against Ugo Humbert
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Alexander Zverev faced more than just Ugo Humbert’s tennis on Sunday, despite a comfortable-seeming scoreline. Zverev had to manage the atmosphere that heavily favored the Frenchman while competing in front of a passionate home crowd in Paris. The crowd was seen pushing Humbert to up his game, and this made each point crucial for Zverev. Reflecting on his performance after the match, Zverev acknowledged the challenge, saying, “I knew I had to play like this to win. Ugo is an incredible player. Plus him playing in Paris, I think he played even better than he usually does.”
Zverev also highlighted the importance of taking control early in the match to limit the crowd’s impact. “I knew that once the crowd gets involved, it would be very, very difficult. I had to take that away early. I did that, and I’m happy about it,” he explained. His strategy paid off and therefore allowed him to neutralize both Humbert and the home advantage. Unlike his semi-final opponent, Karen Khachanov, who criticized the French crowd for showing a lack of respect, Zverev managed the pressure with a balance in himself and ensured that Humbert had little to celebrate in front of his home fans.
‘Suspect’s Farts Could K-ll a Small Child’- Tennis’ Power Couple Taylor Fritz and Morgan Riddle Hilariously Roast Each Other in New TikTok Trend
Taylor Fritz is taking the tennis world by storm with his girlfriend, Morgan Riddle by his side! The 27-year-old tennis star won two titles this season and also reached the final of the 2024 US Open. Overall, it was an impressive season for the American. Next up for him is the ATP Finals! However, before jumping onto the business end, Fritz was spotted participating in a really funny TikTok video with Riddle. They were seen hilariously roasting each other while spitting facts about one another. What did they say?
Taylor Fritz and Morgan Riddle have been dating each other since 2020. Throughout these years, Riddle has often been seen documenting her experiences of traveling the world with her boyfriend during the Tour. Experiences have been a mix of good and bad, but her mission is to “make tennis cool again.” Talking about this cool couple, recently they were spotted taking up the ‘suspect‘ trend to reveal some embarrassing truths about themselves on TikTok. Riddle captioned that video with, “May or may not be true.”
It started with Morgan Riddle playfully mocking Taylor Fritz’s “b-tt chin“. Then Fritz was seen mocking back at his girlfriend saying, “Suspect’s farts could k-ll a small child.” After hearing this, Riddle burst out in laughter and then she added, “Suspect has such bad social anxiety that he can’t order his own drink at Starbucks.” To this, Fritz gave a gentle nod, claiming, “That’s true.” Riddle was also seen giving a gentle nod when Fritz claimed that the “suspect” is famous because of her boyfriend. She then came up with another embarrassing fact, “Suspect paid someone to finish high school for him.” Fritz then replied, “I have…my brother.” According to Morgan Riddle’s LinkedIn profile, she graduated from Wagner College in NYC in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in English language and literature.
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However, during this hilarious mocking session between this adorable couple, Taylor Fritz was heard saying, “Suspect brags way too much about her education for doing a job that requires no education.” For those who are unaware, Riddle has garnered a lot of followers on both TikTok and IG for her fashion, beauty, and travel content! Further moving forward in that hilarious video clip, Riddle was heard claiming that Taylor Fritz doesn’t know how to drive and relies on Tesla auto drive. Is it true? Well, Fritz agreed! Then the tennis star came up with another hilarious revelation, he said, “Suspect made tennis her whole personality, but can barely hold a racquet.” Riddle was yet again seen bursting out in laughter after hearing this hilarious roasting session while jogging on the streets with her partner.
Morgan Riddle may not know how to hold a racquet, but does it mean she doesn’t have any contributions to the tennis world? She’s the most popular woman in the men’s tennis! Talking about her involvement with tennis during an interview in 2022, Fritz said, “I think what [my girlfriend] did was awesome for our sport. It got a ton of people looking at it. Regardless of the reaction people have had from it, I think everyone in the tennis community can agree that it’s good for tennis to kind of almost sell it in a different kind of way, one that she would know — she knew her audience would kind of react to.”
Despite all these happy moments, the couple has also witnessed some scary or unwanted moments during their incredible journey. One among them is the recent incident where we saw them become victims of an attempted break-in at a London stay!
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Taylor Fritz’s girlfriend shares their scary experience from their stay at a London Airbnb
Morgan Riddle recently took to IG to share details about the chilling incident in London. She shared a few glimpses of their horrific experience and stated, “At 4 am this morning Taylor and I wake up to someone trying to enter the code and break into the front door of the Airbnb we’re staying at in London. I tell Taylor to run and lock the secondary lock as they’re standing outside trying to get in and ITS BEEN REMOVED???“
However, amid all these experiences the couple still manage to find a bit of fun! Riddle further stated on her IG story that, “Of all potential weapons in the house this man grabs a racket.” She revealed how after dialing up 999, Taylor Fritz got a bit distracted and used the racquet to “kill” a mosquito. She joked, “Dare the robbers to TRY and square up w him.“
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However, this isn’t the first time Mogan Riddle has been a victim of a similar incident at Airbnb. She spoke about an incident in 2017 when she woke up to a man standing beside her during her stay at Airbnb. Further, even in July this year, she and her friend walked into someone actively robbing their flat. Due to these types of experiences in the past, Taylor Fritz’s girlfriend has now advised caution to anyone opting for Airbnb. This incident reflects how this couple has traveled through thick and thin with a bit of fun! That’s why fans love watching them and following their daily lifestyles. Share your thoughts on this lovely couple in the comment box.
10 Most Famous Stadiums in Football History [Ranked]
![10 Most Famous Stadiums in Football History [Ranked]](https://sportsmedia.news/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/news_74586-768x384.png "10 Most Famous Stadiums in Football History [Ranked]")
Key Takeaways Football stadiums like Anfield and Camp Nou symbolise clubs’ legacies, hosting iconic matches and creating memorable atmospheres.
Noteworthy stadiums such as San Siro and Wembley have rich histories, housing historic matches and representing national pride.
Modern venues like the Allianz Arena remain epicentres of passion and success, showcasing impressive architecture and facilities. ✕ Remove Ads
Football is more than just the 22 players on the pitch. The sport is about the passion and the memories created for the fans. At the heart of this are some of the most iconic football stadiums in the world, which represent history and tradition for football clubs. Some of the most legendary stadiums, like Old Trafford, were built over 100 years ago, while stadiums such as the Allianz Arena were built in 2002 and have more modern infrastructure.
Some of these stadiums have seen plenty of success over the years, while others have hosted some of the biggest matches in the world. From the chaotic atmosphere of South American stadiums to the modern elegance of some of the newer stadiums, here are the 10 most famous stadiums in football history.
10 Most Famous Stadiums in Football History Rank Stadium Club Capacity 1. Wembley Stadium England 90,000 2. Santiago Bernabeu Real Madrid 81,000 3. Old Trafford Manchester United 74,310 4. Camp Nou Barcelona 99,354 5. San Siro AC Milan & Inter Milan 75,817 6. Anfield Liverpool 61,276 7. Estadio De Maracana River Plate & Argentina 78,838 8. La Bombonera Boca Juniors 54,000 9. Allianz Arena Bayern Munich 75,000 10. Signal Iduna Park Borussia Dortmund 81,365
10 Signal Iduna Park
Team: Borussia Dortmund
Signal Iduna Park, also known as the ‘Westfalenstadion’, is one of the most famous stadiums for European nights. The stadium has a reputation for its famous ‘Yellow Wall’, which is the largest terrace for standing spectators in the entirety of Europe. The iconic ground is covered in the black and yellow of Borussia Dortmund. The stadium has witnessed Bundesliga title victories and memorable Champions League nights.
Furthermore, it rivals the Allianz Arena as the best stadium in Germany, and it is equally as intimidating for visiting teams. It is the largest stadium in Germany and ranks seventh in size for the whole continent.
9 Allianz Arena
Team: Bayern Munich
The Allianz Arena is one of the more modern stadiums on the list, with amazing views and facilities. It is without a doubt the best stadium in Germany and, therefore, it is only right that they are the home of the biggest club in Germany, Bayern Munich. Built in 2005, this legendary stadium has a capacity of over 75,000 fans.
The shape and architecture of the stadium mean an incredible amount of noise can be generated by the fans of the German giants. The stadium is used frequently to host some of the biggest matches in European football. The Allianz Arena is very recognisable with its plastic panels that surround the outside as well as the full-colour changing exterior.
8 La Bombonera
Team: Boca Juniors
La Bombonera is regarded by many as one of the most iconic stadiums in football history. The club’s history and colours are embroidered into the architecture and design of the colossal home.
It now has a reputation for being one of the loudest stadiums not only in South America, but also in the world. On match days, the atmosphere is incredible inside the stadium and this makes it very intimidating for visiting teams.
The iconic stadium is home to one of Argentina’s biggest clubs, Boca Juniors. It has a maximum capacity of 54,000, and it has witnessed some of the best sporting moments in history. The likes of Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona have both stepped onto the turf at this magical stadium.
7 Estadio De Maracana
Team: Flamengo & Fluminense
This Brazilian stadium is incredibly historic, and it has witnessed some of the greatest moments in football. Based in the centre of Rio de Janeiro, the stadium was inaugurated ahead of the 1950 World Cup. Maracana, which has a capacity of over 78,000 spectators, was also where Pele scored his 1,000th goal. The historic stadium has a typical electrifying South American ambience that captivates fans.
Home to two of the biggest clubs in Brazil, the Maracana also hosted the 1950 World Cup final. The venue has seen some astonishing attendances, with 150,000 fans filling the stadium on more than 26 occasions. However, with terraces being replaced by seats, the maximum capacity has decreased.
6 Anfield
Team: Liverpool
Known for its atmosphere on European nights, Anfield is next on the list. The Kop end acts as a 12th player for Liverpool and has been known to make it a turbulent time for the opposition. The stadium is a symbol of the English club’s legacy, with the red and white seats steeped in history and tradition. Anfield continues to be a fortress under every manager and has played host to the biggest matches in the team’s history.
With a capacity of around 54,000, Anfield was built in 1884 and has hosted events such as a screening of the 2005 Champions League final. Although Anfield needs some minor renovations to keep up to date with the more modern stadiums, it is still considered one of the best stadiums in the Premier League.
Related The History of Liverpool’s Anfield Stadium (Complete Guide) Anfield has been the home of Liverpool FC since 1892. But what are the origins of the stadium?
5 San Siro
Team: AC Milan & Inter Milan
The San Siro has been around for decades, and it is the shared home of Italy’s two most historic clubs, AC Milan and Inter Milan. The capacity of the stadium almost reaches the 80,000 mark, and it has hosted some of the biggest matches and famous derbies in world football.
Significantly, the stadium has hosted the Champions League final, which demonstrates how the stadium has amazing architecture and facilities. The San Siro is therefore a symbol of footballing rivalry, but also passion. Since the ground is utilised by two teams regularly, it requires more frequent maintenance.
4 Camp Nou
Team: Barcelona
(Credit: FC Barcelona)
The largest football stadium in Europe is Barcelona’s home, Camp Nou. This fortress has a capacity of almost 100,000 and is the largest stadium in Europe, surpassing the capacity of rivals Real Madrid.
Since 1957, the stadium has hosted some of the most exciting El Clasico’s, and it was the stage where Lionel Messi would perform his magic consistently. Not only is it considered one of the sport’s greatest venues, but it is also considered one of the most beautiful stadiums in world football. Camp Nou is regularly updated and renovated to ensure it meets the same standards as some of the more modern stadiums on this list.
Related 10 Most ‘Beautiful’ Stadiums in Football History [Ranked] From the Camp Nou to the iconic Maracana in Brazil, the most beautiful stadiums in football history have been ranked.
3 Old Trafford
Team: Manchester United
One of the most iconic stadiums in world football and one of the best at club level in England. Old Trafford has a rich history dating back over a century and this historic stadium has seen both the highs and lows of the Manchester United story to date.
With a 75,000 capacity, the ‘Theatre of Dreams’ has an incredible atmosphere, and witnessed many last-minute goals in ‘Fergie time’. The ground was built in 1910 and has played host to some of the most exciting European matches and some of the most fierce derbies. There have been recent suggestions that Man United could move away from this iconic stadium. However, it is more than likely that they are looking to upgrade and modernise their current home.
2 Santiago Bernabeu
Team: Real Madrid
Considered a hub for Spanish football, the Santiago Bernabeu has seen plenty of success in recent years with it being the home of Spanish giants Real Madrid. The stadium has over 81,000 and is known to be electric, particularly when Madrid are announcing their latest ‘galactico’, whether that is Kylian Mbappe or even Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Bernabeu has hosted some of the most dramatic and controversial El Clasico matches in recent years. The atmosphere during Champions League clashes continues to impress and intimidate opposition fans and players. Significantly, Madrid asked to close the roof last year ahead of their match with Manchester City to make the atmosphere even more hostile.
1 Wembley Stadium
Team: England
Regarded by many as the most historic stadium in world football, it is Wembley Stadium. The stadium is the home of the England national team, also used at Euro 2020 for some of the biggest clashes in the tournament.
Under Wembley’s iconic arch, there have been many special moments. The London-based stadium hosts important matches such as the FA Cup semi-finals and final, the Carabao Cup final and the Community Shield final.
The stadium is a symbol of English football and when you take into consideration its 90,000 capacity, state-of-the-art facilities and history, it is without a doubt one of the most famous stadiums in football history.
All statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt. Correct as of 03/11/2024.
Alex Ovechkin goals tracker: Capitals star 36 away from tying Wayne Gretzky for all-time record in NHL
Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin is closing in on being one of the most accomplished players in NHL history. The legendary forward already has a ton of records on the NHL history books, but there’s one more still to go that could put him in the pantheon of all-time greats.
With the 2024-25 season now in progress, Ovechkin is on the verge of becoming the NHL’s all-time goals leader. Ovechkin can pass Wayne Gretzky’s mark (894) during the 2024-25 regular season. The Capitals standout currently has 858 career goals, so he would need to rack up just 36 more goals this season in order to top Gretzky’s league record.
The 2023-24 campaign proved to be a mortal one for Ovechkin, who scored 31 goals last season. Ovechkin’s 31 goals was his lowest goal-scoring total since he netted 32 goals in the 2012-13 season. Ovechkin did have just 24 goals in 2020-21, but that season was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ovechkin scored 42 goals during the 2022-23 season, and has tallied at least 41 goals in 13 of his 19 NHL seasons.
Alex Ovechkin WAS • LW • #8 Career goals 858 Last goal scored 10/31/24 View Profile
Ovechkin currently has tallied 1,560 points (858 goals, 702 assists) in his professional career. He did make even more history in 2023-24 when he registered an NHL record 18th 30-goal season as he passed Mike Gartner (17) for the honor.
Ovechkin scored his fifth goal of the season in a 6-3 win against the Montreal Canadiens on Oct. 31. That helped Ovechkin keep the pace he needs to catch Gretzky by the end of the regular season. Right now, Ovechkin is on pace for 46 goals, which would be enough to surpass
NHL Star Power Index: Kyle Connor leading surging Jets, Nico Hischier is scoring at will for Devils
Welcome to the NHL Star Power Index: A weekly gauge of the players who are controlling substantial buzz around the league. When a player is included on this list it may not be a good thing — it means that they are capturing a large amount of the hockey world’s attention.
These players are in no particular order when it comes to the amount of buzz that they’re creating. We’ll revisit the Star Power Index every week throughout the regular season.
Kyle Connor WPG • LW • #81 G 9 A 8 +/- +5 View Profile
The Winnipeg Jets have looked like an absolute juggernaut out of the gate this season, and star winger Kyle Connor has been at the forefront of that success.
Connor has begun the season on a 10-game point streak, and has scored a goal in seven of his last eight games. With a goal and two assists in Wednesday’s 6-2 win against the Detroit Red Wings, Connor became the fourth American-born player in NHL history to begin a season with a 10-game point streak as he joined Kevin Stevens (1992-93), Pat LaFontaine (1992-93), and Darren Turcotte (1990-91).
Connor also registered his 500th career point in Wednesday’s contest, and became just the third player in franchise history to reach that milestone.
Wednesday’s performance marked the fourth consecutive game in which Connor tallied multiple points. He also registered all three of his points in the opening period of that particular contest.
After recording an assist on Winnipeg’s opening two goals of the game, Connor started the rush in his own zone before dishing it off to teammate Gabriel Vilardi in the offensive zone. Vilardi connected with Connor around the net, and Connor tucked the puck into the net on an impressive backhanded tally.
Following Wednesday’s showing, Connor is currently tied for second in goals (9) in the NHL. Connor was even tied for the league lead before Nico Hischier scored in Wednesday’s game against the Vancouver Canucks.
While it’s still early, Connor is currently on pace to record 139 points on the year.
It’s hard to find anyone across the league that’s making plays at the absurd rate in which Connor is. After tallying a single point in each of the first six contests, now the Jets forward has racked up multiple points in four consecutive games to ramp up his offensive production.
Nico Hischier NJ • C • #13 G 10 A 5 +/- +7 View Profile
Nico Hischier is pacing a New Jersey Devils that could make a lot of noise in the Eastern Conference thus far. In fact, the Devils captain is tied for the league lead in goals (10) with Montreal Canadiens winger Cole Caufield through the opening month of the season.
In Wednesday’s dominant 6-0 win against the Canucks, Hischier tallied a goal and two assists, and the goal ended up being his 10th of the campaign to overtake the NHL lead in that department.
Hischier reached the 10-goal mark in just 13 games, which is a historic milestone in its own right. Only Paul Gardner (nine games in 1977-78) and Pat Verbeek (10 games in 1986-87) scored 10 goals in fewer games than it took Hischier to accomplish the feat.
Hischier didn’t waste any time getting into the scoring column as his goal came just 53 seconds into Wednesday’s game. Devils forward Dawson Mercer gained control of the puck in the neutral zone and began a two-on-one with Hischier heading into the offensive zone. Mercer remained patient as he entered the Canucks zone before dishing the puck over to Hischier, who lifted it over the blocker of Vancouver goaltender Arturs Silovs.
While it was quite impressive to score so quickly, Hischier’s night was far from over.
Just 1:35 into the second period, Hischier had an opportunity to return the favor to Mercer. Hischier was able to take the puck away from Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes in the defensive zone, and it was off to the races. The Devils star ripped off a shot that Silovs was able to stop, but Mercer was right in position to bang home the rebound.
Hischier also earned the primary assist on Timo Meier’s goal less than two minutes later.
The Devils captain may be putting the puck in the net at an extremely high rate, but Hischier is also just four points away from the league lead in points (19). After being hit with the injury bug quite frequently in his first few NHL seasons, Hischier has shed that label and developed into a tremendous two-way asset for the Devils.
Alex Pietrangelo LV • D • #7 G 1 A 11 +/- +7 View Profile
Alex Pietrangelo has been a huge part of the Vegas Golden Knights back end since he landed with the franchise back in 2020. Despite being in the later years of his career, Pietrangelo has continued to provide incredible stability on the Golden Knights blue line at the start of the season.
Pietrangelo has recorded a goal and 11 assists throughout the opening month of the campaign, and is tied for second in points (12) among defensemen in the entire NHL. Entering Friday, the veteran defenseman also is tied for third on the Golden Knights in points (12), while also ranking third on the team in assists (11).
Pietrangelo recently tallied his first goal of the new season in a 5-0 win against the Calgary Flames on Monday.
Just 6:39 into Monday’s contest, Golden Knights forward William Karlsson was able to dig the puck free from behind the net, and get it over to teammate Alexander Holtz, who was in the face-off circle with a defender draped all over him. Holtz immediately dished the puck to a wide-open Pietrangelo, and the Vegas defenseman uncorked a snap shot that went over the blocker of Flames goaltender Dan Vladar.
Pietrangelo has really displayed spectacular vision on the ice in recent weeks. He’s racked up a goal and eight assists over his last past games, including tallying multiple assists in three of those contests.
The Golden Knights are off to a strong start with the second-most points (15) in the Western Conference, and Pietrangelo play on the blue line has a lot to do with the team’s offensive acumen. If Pietrangelo can continue to provide his playmaking ability on the team’s top defensive pairing, Vegas could certainly be a Stanley Cup contender yet again.
One of the biggest storylines throughout the 2024 offseason was the Boston Bruins coming to terms with Jeremy Swayman on a lucrative contract extension. Swayman did sign an eight-year, $66 million ($8.25 million AAV) in early October right before the season got underway.
In the early going of the new season, Swayman hasn’t exactly lived up to the huge contract extension that he received.
Swayman has put together a 3-4-1 record, a 3.57 goals-against-average, and a .884 save percentage in eight games this season. The Bruins netminder has surrendered at least four goals in four of those starts.
Most recently, Swayman gave up six goals in an 8-2 loss against the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday, and didn’t even last two periods before being pulled in favor of Joonas Korpisalo. The Bruins goalie was only able to stop 16 of the 22 shots that he faced throughout his time in the crease in Thursday’s outing.
Swayman has let in 13 goals in his last three starts, which have resulted in the Bruins being outscored 16-8 during that stretch.
Obviously, Swayman wasn’t the team’s starting goaltender at the beginning of the season while he got ramped up into game shape. That certainly could explain the rough start. Still, the Bruins are definitely going to need Swayman to return to form if they want to have any hopes of challenging the Florida Panthers for the top spot in the Atlantic Division this season.
2024-25 NHL injury tracker: Mat Brazal among laundry list of Islanders out; Connor McDavid with ankle injury
The 2024-25 NHL season is officially underway with a few weeks in the books. While the season has barely begun, things have already gone from bad to worse for the New York Islanders with the team placing star forward Mat Barzal on long-term injured reserve.
On Saturday, the Islanders announced a lengthy injury list, and Barzal was the biggest name of the bunch. Barzal is expected to miss four-to-six weeks with an undisclosed upper-body injury. Defenseman Adam Pelech will also be hitting IR while dealing with an upper-body injury as well. He has the same four-to-six week timetable as Barzal.
Two more Islanders, defensemen Mike Reilly and Alex Romanov have been listed as day-to-day with minor injuries.
Barzal becomes the latest high-profile player to suffer an early-season injury as that list keeps growing.
Elsewhere, the Edmonton Oilers have announced that Connor McDavid will miss two-to-three weeks with an ankle injury. During an Oct. 28 game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, McDavid got tripped up, and his feet went into boards awkwardly. After further evaluation, it was determined that McDavid had suffered an ankle injury severe enough for him to miss several weeks.
The Oilers were already off to a shaky start, and now they’ll have to stay afloat without their best player and captain. If McDavid hits the two-week time frame, he’ll miss around five games. If it’s closer to three weeks, he could miss as many as many as six.
Meanwhile, San Jose Sharks No. 1 pick Macklin Celebrini is currently on the shelf on injured reserve after playing just one game to begin his NHL career. Celebrini is currently dealing with a lower-body injury and could return sometime in November. Prior to going down, Celebrini tallied a goal and an assist in his first NHL game.
Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko is also currently out of the lineup. Demko is currently dealing with a knee injury that has hampered him since the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. In Game 1 of Vancouver’s opening-round series against the Nashville Predators, Demko injured his knee and wasn’t able to return at any point in the postseason. It was recently revealed the Canucks netminder will miss three-to-four weeks, so he could return to the ice in early November.
Here is a list of many of the marquee players that are currently sidelined due to injury.
Type of Injury: Appendectomy surgery
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Early November 2024
Last Played: 4/12/24
Type of Injury: Lower-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Early November 2024
Last Played: 10/19/24
Colorado Avalanche
Gabriel Landeskog
Type of Injury: Knee
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 6/26/22
Type of Injury: Shoulder surgery
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 5/17/24
Ross Colton
Type of injury: Broken foot
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: 6-8 weeks
Last played: 10/28/24
Miles Wood
Type of injury: Upper-body
Injured Reserve: No
Approximate Return Date: 7-10 days
Last played: 10/28/24
Columbus Blue Jackets
Type of Injury: Upper-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 10/15/24
Type of Injury: Hip, hernia surgeries
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: February 2025
Last Played: 6/10/24
Connor McDavid (C)
Type of Injury: Ankle
Injured Reserve: No (currently listed as week-to-week)
Approximate Return Date: Nov. 6-Nov. 13
Last Played: 10/28/24
Type of Injury: Ankle surgery
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 9/25/24
Type of Injury: Lower-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: December 2024
Last Played: 10/19/24
Mat Barzal (C)
Type of injury: Upper-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: 4-6 weeks
Last Played: 10/30/24
Adam Pelech (D)
Type of injury: Upper-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: 4-6 weeks
Last Played: 11/1/24
Mike Reilly (D)
Type of injury: Upper-body
Injured Reserve: No
Approximate Return Date: Day-to-day
Last Played: 11/1/24
Alex Romanov (D)
Type of injury: Upper-body
Injured Reserve: No
Approximate Return Date: Day-to-day
Last Played: 11/1/24
Type of Injury: Ankle surgery
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: 2025-26 season
Last Played: 4/10/24
Type of Injury: Fractured ankle
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 10/22/24
San Jose Sharks
Macklin Celebrini (C)
Type of Injury: Lower body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: October 2024
Last Played: 10/10/24
Type of Injury: Mid-body injury
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Mid-November 2024
Last Played: 10/17/24
Type of Injury: Lower-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Late October 2024
Last Played: 9/22/24
Type of Injury: Upper-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 4/15/24
Vancouver Canucks
Thatcher Demko (G)
Type of Injury: Knee
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Late October 2024
Last Played: 4/21/24
Type of Injury: Recovery from testicular cancer
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Late October 2024
Last Played: 5/20/24
Stars stumble against Panthers, left with work to do after winless NHL Global Series trip
TAMPERE, Finland — The Stars had been looking forward to the NHL Global Series trip to Finland for months.
The week overseas brought team bonding and a chance for the Stars’ three Finnish players to play in front of their friends and families.
While the Stars were able to walk away with some meaningful memories, they returned home without a win.
The Stars (7-4) fell to the Florida Panthers (9-3-1) 4-2 Saturday less than 24 hours after their 6-4 loss Friday. While Dallas resolved some of its issues from the night before, the Panthers managed to find the differentiating goal early in the third period, and the Stars couldn’t respond.
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“We should be proud of the effort. The result sucks,” Stars forward Matt Duchene said. “Nice face off for them and a good shot, and that’s the difference.”
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Stars coach Pete DeBoer was disappointed with his team’s performance in the first period Friday where Florida managed to take 2-0 and 3-1 leads. On Saturday, the Stars looked to be the better team in the first 20 minutes, out-shooting Florida 9-7 and generating more quality chances.
But the Panthers entered intermission with a 1-0 lead on a goal by Evan Rodrigues.
Florida grew its lead to 2-0 midway through the second period, as an Esa Lindell penalty allowed Matthew Tkachuk to tip in a power-play goal.
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However, the Stars answered with two goals 34 seconds apart — the first from Evgenii Dadonov on a power play and the second from Duchene, his seventh of the young season. Dadonov’s goal was Dallas’ first on the man advantage since arriving in Finland, as the Stars started 0 for 5 and gave up a shorthanded goal Friday night.
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MATT DUCHENE!!!
Brand new game in Tampere, Finland. Stars have all the momentum right now after tying things up at 2-2. 🔥#TexasHockey
(via @DallasStars) pic.twitter.com/QkQfxmbgno — SportsDay Stars (@dmn_stars) November 2, 2024
Finnish defenseman Miro Heiskanen recorded the primary assist on Duchene’s goal, which he scored off a rebound. Two of the Stars’ three Finns recorded points in the Global Series after Lindell had two (one goal and one assist) in Friday’s game.
“I hope our Finns can still put in perspective how cool this was even though the result,” Duchene said.
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The two teams entered the third tied, but it took just 2:32 before AJ Greer scored off the face off. Dallas couldn’t find the equalizer over the last 17 minutes of the period. Florida added an empty-net goal by Sam Reinhart with under a minute to play.
Casey DeSmith got the start in goal for Dallas Saturday and made 20 saves.
The Stars were unable to secure a win over the defending champions but showed improvements between the two matchups. Nevertheless, they have work to do to beat the league’s best — and will have to get there back on North American ice.
“It’s a good lesson for us from this weekend, playing that team, to see what you have to do to win,” Stars head coach Pete DeBoer said. “It’s a great lesson for our group, and things we’ve got to work on.”
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Find more Stars coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
2024 NFL Week 9 winners and losers: Ravens, Eagles offenses shine; Cowboys limp into more trouble
Another Sunday, another full week of NFL action nearly in the books. And Week 9 had its fair share of drama, from the Dallas Cowboys dropping two games below .500 and the New Orleans Saints falling for the seventh consecutive matchup to the Detroit Lions retaining a firm grip on the NFC North.
Here are some of Sunday’s biggest winners and losers:
Winner: Derrick Henry’s MVP odds
Quarterbacks are always going to get more love for the NFL’s top honor, but the Baltimore Ravens running back remained a powerhouse in his club’s rout of the Denver Broncos, breaking 100 yards to eclipse 1,000 on the season. With eight games to go, a second career 2,000-yard campaign isn’t impossible.
Loser: The Cowboys’ season
Never say never, but failing to top Kirk Cousins and the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday dropped Dallas to 3-5 in an NFC East featuring two actual contenders in the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders. Worse yet, an increasingly dejected Dak Prescott is now banged up with a pulled hamstring.
The Carolina Panthers upset the New Orleans Saints behind the power of Hubbard’s legs, which produced two touchdowns. And the veteran running back has quietly been the steadiest playmaker for an otherwise dismal Panthers offense. Due for 2025 free agency, he’s on pace for career marks as their workhorse.
Loser: The Dolphins defense
Tua Tagovailoa’s first two games back from injury have been cool and efficient. Miami, however, is now 0-2 since he reclaimed quarterbacking duties, with new defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver’s unit failing to get adequate pressure, or tight coverage, against Kyler Murray and Josh Allen in successive defeats.
Winner: The Lions’ NFC North lead
Jordan Love suited up for the Packers, but it hardly mattered, as the gunslinger gifted Detroit a pick six. Meanwhile, Jared Goff remained ultra sharp as Ben Johnson’s point guard, hitting Amon-Ra St. Brown for a beautiful sideline score. It’s been apparent for weeks, but the Lions might be the class of the league.
A week after Jayden Daniels upstaged him with a walk-off Hail Mary that robbed the Chicago Bears of a last-minute victory, the No. 1 overall draft pick had lots of trouble finding a rhythm against a previously iffy Jonathan Gannon defense, then limped off the field as the Arizona Cardinals secured a big victory.
Winner: The Eagles’ offensive talent
Nick Sirianni had another bout of questionable decisions, but his star power showed up against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jalen Hurts once again had a crisp and agile performance, Saquon Barkley ran wild, and DeVonta Smith had one of the most athletic end-zone grabs of the year to lift the Birds to 6-2.
2024 NFL trade deadline: Latest rumblings from around the league as teams are more active than ever before
Let’s begin a trade notebook without the use of a hackneyed reference to the 4 p.m. ET NFL trade deadline being on the same day as the election. We’ve all heard the jokes, and they were never all that funny.
Let’s also begin with the blanket caveat that teams, especially those in contention, call other teams who aren’t in contention just to see if their star player could be dealt at some absurdly low price. Yes, teams have called the Cleveland Browns about Myles Garrett. No, the Browns have not been and are not interested in dealing the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
I thought Mickey Loomis said it well earlier this week on WWL Radio.
Chris Olave’s Brother Slams Saints Organization After Scary Injury
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave took a nasty hit in their Week 9 game against the Carolina Panthers and was carted off the field.
Quarterback Derek Carr threw a pass toward Olave that resulted in the receiver getting hit hard by two Carolina defenders.
This has resulted in multiple people calling out Carr and the Saints as a whole, including Olvae’s brother.
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 27: Chris Olave #12 of the New Orleans Saints catches a pass for a first down in front of Cam Hart #20 of the Los Angeles Chargers in the fourth quarter… INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 27: Chris Olave #12 of the New Orleans Saints catches a pass for a first down in front of Cam Hart #20 of the Los Angeles Chargers in the fourth quarter of a game at SoFi Stadium on October 27, 2024 in Inglewood, California. More Harry How/Getty Images
Josh Olave shared an update on X that Chris had called him and that he was
Tom Brady risks facing NFL backlash after Brian Branch ejection criticism
Tom Brady may have put himself in a tough position on Sunday after he made critical comments about a call in the Lions-Packers game.
Due to Brady’s status as a minority owner of the Raiders as well as an analyst on Fox for NFL broadcasts, the quarterback great has certain rules that he has to abide by in the booth.
3 Fox commentator Tom Brady may have opened himself to NFL backlash after he was critical of Brian Branch’s ejection on Sunday. Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
One of which is that Brady can’t criticize the refs during a broadcast and the seven-time Super Bowl champion may have crossed that line while on air on Sunday.
Lions defensive back Brian Branch was controversially ejected from the game after a hit on Packers’ wide receiver Bo Melton.
The decision came from the review center in New York and not from the officiating crew on the ground in Green Bay, which led Brady to agree with the penalty called on Branch, but question the decision to kick him from the game.
“I don’t love that call at all,” Brady said during the broadcast. “Obviously it’s a penalty, but to me, there has to be serious intent in a game like this.”
Brady quickly returned to analyzing the game and what the ejection of Branch meant for the Lions.
“He does so much for these guys and they’re going to have to adjust the rest of the game losing their best defensive player, who I know they were expecting to have a huge day today. Not an easy guy to replace and Green Bay has great field position now without having to do too much,” Brady said.
Brady has had to walk a fine line in his role this season while finally completing the process for his ownership stake in the Raiders.
3 Lions cornerback Amik Robertson (21) and safety Brian Branch (32) are called for unnecessary roughness after a tackle on Green Bay Packers wide receiver Bo Melton during the first half on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, AP
It remains unclear if Brady would be facing any issues from his comments about the call, but it will be the first real test of the restrictions on him in the booth.
Brady had caused a bit of a stir recently after he described Bills quarterback Josh Allen as a “spaz” while calling the Bills game against the Seahawks.
3 Lions safety Brian Branch (32) reacts after being disqualified by the referee during the first half against Green Bay Packers. Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The play itself on Sunday, saw Branch make contact with Melton’s helmet on an incomplete pass.
The officials called him for unnecessary roughness before the NFL office jumped in to have Branch ejected from the game, which infuriated the defensive star.
Senior VP of Officiating Perry Fewell said in a pool report after the game that the decision was made in consultation between the on-field officials and the officiating team in New York.
“We reviewed all the angles, and we clearly felt that he had time and space to make a different choice, as the act was a flagrant foul. And he clearly had the opportunity to avoid the head and neck area,” Fewell said.
Sorting the Sunday Pile, Week 9: Cowboys’ collapse falls on Jerry Jones, Saints may also need a reboot
To borrow a lyric from a popular boy band song morphed with the name of my good friend Abby Miller’s fantasy team: Dak Street is not back. In fact, the Cowboys aren’t just not back, they’ve morphed into a complete and total disaster. And Jerry Jones has no one — not his coaching staff, not his players, not local sports talk radio hosts — to blame but himself.
NFL owners don’t get fired because of the title. But Jerry’s title carries a little more weight as he’s also the general manager. Any other general manager who rolled out this roster, with these variant contract situations, well, they’d be fired. But Jerry won’t fire himself. He can’t fire Dak. He can’t fire CeeDee. So he’s eventually going to fire Mike McCarthy.
Maaaaaybe the Cowboys rip off some wins and make a playoff run. I feel pretty freaking stupid for suggesting they would win the NFC East. And at 3-5 now, there’s nothing encouraging about where they stand or where they might go. Prescott suffered multiple injuries on Sunday, including a hamstring problem and a nebulous issue with his throwing hand. Lamb left the game for a stretch as well and is scheduled for an MRI on his AC joint.
Things are falling apart. Or, if you prefer: the Cowboys are terrible. But don’t take my word for it, just
Video: Eagles’ Saquon Barkley Pulls Off Reverse Hurdle vs. Jaguars; Amazes NFL Fans
Elsa/Getty Images
For years, Saquon Barkley has shown how he is one of the most special players in the backfield, but the Philadelphia Eagles running back continues to do things we’ve never seen before.
His latest ridiculous highlight came in the Eagles matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday when Barkley broke a tackle and avoided another hit with a spin move before pulling off a reverse hurdle to pick up a few more yards.
It’s safe to say NFL fans were in awe as Barkley appeared to have eyes in the back of his head.
Barkley set the tone for the kind of season he was going to have in his first game with the Eagles when he rushed for 109 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Since then, he hasn’t looked back.
The seventh-year running back entered Sunday’s matchup with 766 rushing yards and five touchdowns, his rushing yards being the second-most in the league only behind Derrick Henry.
He’s on pace to have career-highs in both rushing yards and rushing touchdowns as he played behind perhaps the best offensive line he has experienced thus far in his career.
His outstanding play has propelled the Eagles to a 5-2 start as they look to get back to the Super Bowl after last year’s first-round playoff exit.
Week 9 overreactions of 2024 NFL season: Packers most overrated team? Cardinals best in NFC West?
Week 9 of the NFL certainly had its statement victories as the midway point has arrived. The Detroit Lions are the class of the NFC North and the Baltimore Ravens made sure last week’s loss didn’t repeat itself, as both teams had convincing victories.
The Washington Commanders continue to control the NFC East, while the Philadelphia Eagles are also keeping pace. The Dallas Cowboys are falling apart and the New Orleans Saints hit a new low in losing to the Carolina Panthers.
As the Sunday afternoon slate of games closed, which overreactions will stick or what is actually true? There are some revelations in the NFL starting to emerge.
The Lions are the best team in the NFL
Overreaction or reality: Reality
The Chiefs are the last unbeaten team, but the Lions may be the best team in the league. Their 24-14 victory over the Packers wasn’t as close as the score indicated, as Detroit proved it can win outdoors — convincingly in the rain no less. Detroit has won six straight games and are the only team since 1940 with more touchdowns (28) than incompletions (24) in a six-game span within a season.
Jared Goff is on an incredible run as he has completed 82.8% of his passes with 13 touchdowns to just one interception with a 140.1 passer rating (the highest passer rating in a six-game span in NFL history). No matter who the Lions play, they are beating down their opponent in all three phases of the game.
Sunday’s win over the Packers was a statement. The Lions can win anywhere — even outside a dome stadium — by a convincing margin.
The Packers are the most overrated team in the NFL
Overreaction or reality: Reality
There is so much hype surrounding Jordan Love and the Packers, yet they laid an egg in Lambeau Field with the weather in their favor. Love had his seventh straight game with an interception — the longest streak by a Packers quarterback since Brett Favre in 2006 — and was held without a touchdown for the second straight game.
Green Bay has good wins over Houston (6-3) and Arizona (5-4), but was beaten by Philadelphia (6-2), Minnesota (5-2), and Detroit (7-1). The Packers were outscored in those games 89-72 and allowed 29.7 points per game.
The Packers are a good team, but they need to beat the elite teams if they want to be considered as one. They haven’t done that let — and their quarterback keeps turning the ball over. A formula for not winning big games.
Dak Prescott’s injury will end the Cowboys season
Overreaction or reality: Overreaction
The Cowboys’ season might already be over at this rate, long before Dak Prescott’s hamstring injury knocked him out in the second half of Dallas’ loss in Atlanta. The Cowboys are on a three-game losing streak and have bene outscored 104-54 during the stretch, as the 104 points are the most points allowed in a three-game losing streak since 2010.
Dallas actually ran the ball well (137 yards on 6.1 yards per carry) and stopped the run (held Atlanta to 100 yards), but still couldn’t stop the Falcons from scoring four touchdowns on their first eight possessions. The Cowboys only scored twice on their first eight possessions, and one was a touchdown.
Doesn’t matter if Prescott is injured or not, the Cowboys are inconsistent offensively and defensively. If Prescott is unable to come back sooner than expected, it may not matter.
Broncos aren’t a playoff team in 2024
Overreaction or reality: Overreaction
The Broncos got blown out by the Ravens on Sunday, but is it fair to write Denver off after a 31-point loss to one of the AFC’s best teams? Denver is still 5-4 through nine games, even though the schedule is going to be significantly tougher in the second half of the year.
Two more games against Kansas City doesn’t help, neither does playing Atlanta after Kansas City next week. The Broncos can still control their narrative, as they play the Colts (home), Chargers (road) and Bengals (road) for three consecutive weeks in December — the three teams they are competing with for a playoff spot.
Denver was run out of the building in the second half Sunday, but the Broncos aren’t one of the AFC’s elite either. That three-game stretch in December will tell the story if Denver is a playoff team or not.
Lamar Jackson is the MVP of the first half of the season
Overreaction or reality: Reality
Lamar Jackson had another stunning performance in the 31-point win over Denver, completing 16 of 19 passes for 280 yards with three touchdowns for a perfect 158.3 passer rating. Keep in mind Jackson only had 4 yards rushing in this performance, making the feat even more impressive.
The best passer in the league through nine weeks is Jackson, who leads the league with a 120.7 passer rating. The only quarterbacks with a higher passer rating through nine games in NFL history areTom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, and Peyton Manning (minimum 200 attempts).
Jackson is the first quarterback in NFL history with 20+ passing touchdowns and 500+ rushing yards within the first 10 games of a season (Ravens have played nine games). He has 2,379 passing yards with 20 touchdowns to just two interceptions and could become the first player to pass for 4,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards in a season.
There are some worthy MVP candidates, but Jackson is No. 1 at the halfway point.
Saquon Barkley will lead the NFL in yards from scrimmage
Overreaction or reality: Reality
This one is going to come down to the wire between Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry, who were arguably the two best free agent signings this offseason. Barkley had 1999 scrimmage yards Sunday (159 rushing, 40 receiving) to give him 1,071 for the season.
Barkley is on pace for 1,965 rushing yards and 2,275 scrimmage yards — both of which would lead the NFL. Henry does currently lead the league in rushing yards (1,052) and yards from scrimmage (1,145), but he’s played nine games to Barkley’s eight (Eagles already had their bye week).
Defenses have keyed in on Barkley, but so much opens up with A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith as the wide receivers in the Eagles offense. Barkley is a little dinged up, but he’s physically trained for a 17-game run behind the Eagles offensive line.
There’s a good chance Barkley leads the NFL in rushing yards and yards from scrimmage in 2024. His production hasn’t tailed off either.
Cardinals are the best team in the NFC West
Overreaction or reality: Overreaction
The 49ers were on their bye week, so the Cardinals got the spotlight with a convincing win over the Bears. Are the NFC West leaders the best team in the division?
Arizona rushed for 213 yards in Sunday’s win over Chicago and had six sacks with 12 quarterbacks hits against a Bears offensive line that struggles to protect Caleb Williams. The Cardinals may have caught the Bears at the right time, but that shouldn’t dismiss them from their battle toward the division crown.
Arizona did beat San Francisco earlier this year, but the Cardinals will have to prove they have staying power. Two games against the Seahawks will be tough, especially when one doesn’t know which Seattle team will show up. Then there’s the Rams and 49ers to close the season.
The Cardinals should be in the thick of the race, but this comes down to what San Francisco does in the second half of the year. Arizona certainly is a threat for the division title.
Reminiscing Past, Jonathan Owens Comes Back to Stadium That Gave Him NFL Start: “It All Started”
Jonathan Owens has had a headline-worthy year, and it’s not just because he’s changed teams. The 29-year-old NFL safety made waves by swapping NFC North squads, jumping from the Green Bay Packers to the Chicago Bears. But that’s only half the story—before diving into a busy season, he jetted off to Paris to cheer on his superstar wife, Simone Biles, as she wowed the world (again). In just one season with Green Bay, the St. Louis native racked up some impressive stats—3 pass deflections, a defensive touchdown, 84 combined tackles, and 2 tackles for loss—leaving fans with something to remember him by. Back stateside, Owens now suits up with the Bears, who currently sit at #4 in the NFC North and are gearing up for a clash with one of his old teams. As Week 9 approaches, he’s taking a little stroll down memory lane, ready to bring his A-game against some familiar faces.
Jonathan Owens experienced a blast from the past
The 29-year-old signed with the Arizona Cardinals as an Undrafted Free Agent (UDFA) in 2018. Even though he spent most of his time at the State Farm Stadium, it was while he was in recovery due to a torn ACL. But regardless of what the circumstances were, it will always mean a lot to the safety. Leading up to the Chicago Bears and Arizona Cardinals game, Jonathan Owens posted an image of the field with a sweet note attached to his Instagram story. What did he say? “Back where it all started.”
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Why is he at State Farm though? With Week 9 of the 2024 NFL season in full swing, two postseason hopefuls will lock horns in one of the most anticipated games at the Stadium. In one corner, we have the Arizona Cardinals, who are fresh off their third win in four games now. They battled it out with the Miami Dolphins last week and emerged victorious with 28-27.
On the other corner, we have Jonathan and the Chicago Bears. They faced a tragic defeat against the Washington Commanders due to a Hail Mary on the final play. They lost 18-5 and are currently 4-3, sitting last in the NFC North. The Cardinals are 4-4, currently tied for first place in the NFC West. While the stakes are higher than ever, the 29-year-old couldn’t help but feel nostalgic. But how has his journey been in the NFL?
The Chicago Bears safety’s rise to the top hasn’t been smooth sailing
The 29-year-old has always been athletically gifted. However, his mother, Arthurine, always instilled a great desire to do well in academics. But having a career in sports. So, the NFL safety focused all his energy on school work. In fact, in college, he used to be heavily featured on the Dean’s List and Academic Honor Roll. This helped him receive a scholarship and a free ride through college. So when did he dip his toes into the football world?
Jonathan Owens moved to Phoenix after college and remained undrafted momentarily. Due to posting eye-popping Pro Day numbers in 2018, the Arizona Cardinals. Even though he suffered a torn ACL, he recovered well enough to maintain a roster spot into the 2019 season. However, shortly after, he received a call from the Houston Texans. “I just started crying,” the safety confessed after hearing the news.
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Jonathan Owens’ NFL journey with the Houston Texans was quite the adventure! He kicked things off on September 30, 2019, when he joined the practice squad. Just a couple of months later, on November 21, he got a taste of the active roster but was waived two days later, only to be re-signed to the practice squad again.
Owens signed a reserve/future contract on January 13, 2020, but his rollercoaster ride continued. He was waived on September 5, 2020, then signed back to the practice squad the next day. After some back-and-forth, he was elevated to the active roster for a couple of games in October before finally getting signed to the active roster on December 12.
In 2021, he bounced between the practice squad and the active roster, ultimately earning a two-year deal on December 9. Then made his mark with his first career interception and fumble recovery during a thrilling upset win over the Los Angeles Chargers on December 26. But bad luck hit again when he dislocated his wrist in Week 16, landing him on injured reserve on January 3, 2022.
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There was a moment when he considered hanging up the cleats, but destiny had other plans. In the 2023 season, Owens joined the Green Bay Packers, where he snagged an active roster spot and even scored his first NFL touchdown! And let’s not forget the massive shoutout he got from his wife, the legendary 11-time Olympic champion, Simone Biles.
When Cam Heyward asked her which football player impressed her the most, she couldn’t help but sing praises of Jonathan Owens. “Honestly, I mean, besides my husband, because he’s broken down stigmas that aren’t typical. Like he’s D2 undrafted, year seven in the league which is so good for kids to see, especially when he hosts his football camps,” she gushed. With the most anticipated match moments away, will the Bears emerge victorious?
2025 NFL Draft order: Several teams fighting for No. 1 pick after Panthers’ upset; Cowboys approaching top 10
We’re nearly halfway through the NFL season, and while plenty of teams have Super Bowl aspirations, others are vying for an unfortunate yet rewarding prize: the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
For weeks, it seemed as though the lowly Carolina Panthers would once again finish as the worst team in the league. But on Sunday, the Bryce Young-led Panthers upset the the New Orleans Saints for their second win of the season. There are now SEVEN teams with 2-7 records, while the Dolphins and Titans are right behind at 2-6. Who will land the No. 1 draft pick is anyone’s guess, and it’ll likely stay that way until the season’s final weeks.
CBSSports.com looks at where teams would be picking following the completion of all the Sunday Week 9 games. Also listed is each club’s pending free agents and potential needs based on those players who may be leaving.
The draft order, via Tankathon.com, is ordered by win-loss record and ties are broken by strength of schedule. Team needs are a combination of current needs and looking ahead to pending free agents. Notable pending free agents are listed rather than the full list.
Who is currently the betting favorite to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft? Head on over to FanDuel to find out.
Team needs: OT, IOL, WR, EDGE, CB
Projected 2025 free agents: CB Jonathan Jones, QB Jacoby Brissett, EDGE Josh Uche, OT Chukwuma Okorafor
Team needs: CB, OT, S, IOL, TE
Projected 2025 free agents: OT Cam Robinson, QB Mac Jones, S Tashaun Gipson, OT Walker Little, S Andre Cisco
Team needs: TE, EDGE, DL, CB, S, WR
Projected 2025 free agents: EDGE Chase Young, S Tyrann Mathieu, TE Juwan Johnson, LB Willie Gay Jr., OG Lucas Patrick, CB Paulson Adebo
Team needs: QB, WR, IOL, EDGE, DL, CB, S
Projected 2025 free agents: QB Andy Dalton, C Austin Corbett, LB Shaq Thompson, P Johnny Hekker
Team needs: QB, OT, WR, RB, DL
Projected 2025 free agents: OT Jedrick Wills, WR Elijah Moore, DT Maurice Hurst, RB Nick Chubb, QB Jameis Winston
Team needs: QB, CB, RB, EDGE, LB
Projected 2025 free agents: CB Nate Hobbs, EDGE Malcolm Koonce, OG Cody Whitehair, LB Robert Spillane, S Marcus Epps
Team needs: QB, IOL, OT, CB, WR, TE
Projected 2025 free agents: WR Darius Slayton, LB Isaiah Simmons, CB Adoree’ Jackson, S Jason Pinnock, QB Drew Lock
Team needs: IOL, S, DL, QB, LB
Projected 2025 free agents: WR Odell Beckham Jr., S Jevon Holland, OG Liam Eichenberg, S Jordan Poyer, DL Calais Campbell
Team needs: OT, IOL, EDGE, WR, LB
Projected 2025 free agents: S Quandre Diggs, WR Tyler Boyd, OG Dillon Radunz, LB Jerome Baker,
Team needs: OT, WR, EDGE, S, DL
Projected 2025 free agents: EDGE Haason Reddick, WR Mike Williams, OT Tyron Smith, OT Morgan Moses, DT Javon Kinlaw, S Chuck Clark
Team needs: RB, DL, LB, S, WR
Projected 2025 free agents: WR Brandin Cooks, OG Zack Martin, RB Ezekiel Elliott, EDGE DeMarcus Lawrence, QB Trey Lance
Team needs: CB, S, LB, DL, IOL
Projected 2025 free agents: C Ryan Kelly, S Julian Blackmon, DT Dayo Odeyingbo, LB E.J. Speed, QB Joe Flacco
Team needs: CB, DL, WR, EDGE, TE, RB
Projected 2025 free agents: WR Tee Higgins, TE Mike Gesicki, CB Mike Hilton, OT Trent Brown, DT B.J. Hill
Team needs: LB, IOL, S, EDGE, OT
Projected 2025 free agents: DT Jarran Reed, LB Tyrel Dodson, C Connor Williams, LB Ernest Jones
Team needs: OT, CB, LB, TE, WR
Projected 2025 free agents: OT Joe Noteboom, OT Alaric Jackson, CB Tre’Davious White, WR Demarcus Robinson, LB Troy Reeder
Team needs: CB, IOL, LB, EDGE, WR
Projected 2025 free agents: WR Chris Godwin, EDGE Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, LB Lavonte David, OG Sua Opeta
Team needs: OT, IOL, CB, S, DL
Projected 2025 free agents: CB Charvarius Ward, LB Dre Greenlaw, S Talanoa Hufanga, CB Deommodore Lenoir, RB Elijah Mitchell
Team needs: IOL, OT, RB, EDGE, DL
Projected 2025 free agents: WR Keenan Allen, OG Teven Jenkins, RB Khalil Herbert, EDGE Darrell Taylor
Team needs: OT, LB, WR, S, TE
Projected 2025 free agents: OT Garett Bolles, QB Zach Wilson, RB Javonte Williams, EDGE Jonathon Cooper, CB Levi Wallace
Team needs: EDGE, DL, WR, RB, OT
Projected 2025 free agents: S Budda Baker, RB James Conner, WR Greg Dortch, DT Roy Lopez, EDGE Dennis Gardeck
Team needs: WR, CB, TE, DL, EDGE
Projected 2025 free agents: EDGE Khalil Mack, CB Asante Samuel Jr., RB J.K. Dobbins, WR Josh Palmer, QB Taylor Heinicke
Team needs: CB, LB, EDGE, DL, WR
Projected 2025 free agents: EDGE Matt Judon, S Justin Simmons, CB Antonio Hamilton, WR Rondale Moore
Team needs: IOL, CB, LB, DL, OT
Projected 2025 free agents: RB AJ Dillon, C Josh Myers, OT Andre Dillard, LB Isaiah McDuffie, CB Eric Stokes
Team needs: OT, IOL, WR, LB, EDGE
Projected 2025 free agents: OT Ronnie Stanley, OT Patrick Mekari, WR Nelson Agholor, S Eddie Jackson, LB Malik Harrison, WR Diontae Johnson
Team needs: DL, IOL, WR, EDGE, CB
Projected 2025 free agents: WR Stefon Diggs, EDGE Derek Barnett, OG Kendrick Green, DT Foley Fatukasi, QB Case Keenum
Team needs: EDGE, IOL, LB, WR, TE
Projected 2025 free agents: EDGE Josh Sweat, EDGE Brandon Graham, LB Devin White, OG Mekhi Becton, CB Isaiah Rodgers
Team needs: QB, CB, WR, LB, S
Projected 2025 free agents: OG James Daniels, QB Russell Wilson, OT Dan Moore Jr., QB Justin Fields, RB Najee Harris, CB Donte Jackson
Team needs: CB, IOL, S, RB, DL
Projected 2025 free agents: QB Sam Darnold, RB Aaron Jones, OG Dalton Risner, CB Stephon Gilmore, CB Byron Murphy, OT Cam Robinson
Team needs: OT, IOL, LB, S, WR, EDGE, CB
Projected 2025 free agents: LB Bobby Wagner, LB Jamin Davis, S Jeremy Chinn, TE Zach Ertz, CB Benjamin St-Juste, P Tress Way
Team needs: CB, S, LB, DL, WR, IOL
Projected 2025 free agents: CB Rasul Douglas, WR Mack Hollins, S Damar Hamlin, DT Austin Johnson, S Mike Edwards, WR Amari Cooper
Team needs: EDGE, DL, CB, WR, IOL
Projected 2025 free agents: EDGE Marcus Davenport, OG Kevin Zeitler, DT Levi Onwuzurike, CB Emmanuel Moseley, CB Carlton Davis
Team needs: DL, CB, IOL, WR, LB
Projected 2025 free agents: S Justin Reid, WR Hollywood Brown, DT Tershawn Wharton, LB Nick Bolton, OG Trey Smith, DT Derrick Nnadi, EDGE Josh Uche, WR DeAndre Hopkins
Davante Adams Issues Warning to NFL With ‘Rome Wasn’t Built in a Day’ Jibe as Aaron Rodgers Ends Losing Streak
Davante Adams and Aaron Rodgers’s reunion is making headlines again! The NFL dynamic duo have showcased their dominance in week 9. The New York Jets defeated the Texans 21-13 during week 9, improving their record to 3-6. And, with this grand triumph, the Jets wide receiver shut many mouths by proving haters wrong.
Taking to his official Instagram handle, ex-Raiders WR, fired back at haters. In his post caption, he stated, “Shit, it took a second to get Rome put together too.” Rodgers threw a splendid 37-yard touchdown pass to Adams during the Thursday Night Football game. Thus securing the Jets’ win over the Texans.
In the Thursday match at MetLife Stadium, Rodgers recorded 22-of-32 passing for 211 yards along with 3 TDs. On the other hand, Davante also showcased his dedication by recording seven catches for 91 yards.
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via Imago Credits-Imago
Undoubtedly, Adam’s performance was truly impressive. He sat out the first quarter of the second half while doctors assessed him for head injuries. But, seemingly, it did not affect the game. Davante- A-Rod on-field chemistry once again turned many heads.
With this win, their unique reunion shut many mouths who were shitting on Adam’s trade. After the Jets’ 15-37 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on Sunday, NFL fans criticized their reunion, saying they both failed to spark the team.
But after the loss, Adams claimed that there was absolutely no rust between the NFL QB and him. Even, he blamed game conditions for the lackluster night. Besides this, he seemed enthusiastic about the offensive’s possibilities.
Adams then stated, “I’m fired up, man. I’m in a bad mood — we lost the game — … but I’m still fired up about what this football team can do. There’s a lot of talent. I mean, the offense that we have, the weapons that we have, when I’m in the huddle today multiple times I’m just looking around [at the talent] and it’s kind of crazy.”
However, it is clear that, with his hard work and optimism, he achieved the latest win against the Texans. And, now his latest warning to the NFL came when Rodgers disclosed his good physical condition as the QB snapped their 5 losing streak with a win against the Texans.
Rodgers’s secret behind his winning streak
During the Pat McAfee show, NFL MVP QB, Rodgers revealed the reason for his splendid performance. He revealed that his improved physical health was the reason for his better performance.
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via Imago October 31, 2024: East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA: New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers 8 reacts to wide receiver Garrett Wilson 5 one handed catch in the end zone for a touchdown against the Houston Texans in the second half during a NFL, American Football Herren, USA game at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. /CSM East Rutherford USA – ZUMAc04_ 20241031_zma_c04_044 Copyright: xDuncanxWilliamsx
“Body feels pretty good, yeah, I’m not going to do much. Probably just pound some drinks. A lot of drinks. Water and raw coconut water and still enjoy myself,” he remarked.
Besides that, the Super Bowl Champion also claimed that he had been healing since their loss to the Broncos in week 4 but he is now feeling better.
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He further claimed, “But I might venture out to the city one of these nights, but I’ll be relaxed, taking care of my body and getting ready to hopefully feel 100% for next week, because I haven’t really been 100% since Week 4, so be nice to a little bit better.” And, with this renewed vigor, he is indeed bringing his A-game to the field once again.
$$$ Best Bets: College Football Week 10: Games in November are the ones you remember! $$$
$$$ Best Bets: College Football Week 10: Games in November are the ones you remember! $$$
Hunter McCann has this weekend’s best bets for college football, the NFL, the NHL and the NBA! Friday College Football: Georgia State @ UConn: UConn -8.5 (L) Yale @ Columbia: u50.5 Total Points (W) South Florida @ Florida Atlantic: South Florida -2.5 (W) Trending News Next named system will enter the Gulf this week, Storm Station monitoring closely for Capital Area
Sunday PM Forecast: Staying warm, another shot at rain & tropical mischief in the Gulf San Diego State @ Boise State: San Diego State +23.5 (L) NHL: Senators @ Rangers: u6.5 Total Goals (W) Jets @ Blue Jackets: Jets ML (W) Islanders @ Sabres: Islanders ML (W) Lightning @ Wild: u6.5 Total Goals (L) Devils @ Flames: o6.5 Total Goals (L) NBA: Knicks @ Pistons: Knicks -6.5 (W) Magic @ Cavaliers: Magic +7.5 (L) Kings @ Hawks: Hawks +6.5 (L) Lakers @ Raptors: u232.5 Total Points (L) Bulls @ Nets: Nets -1.5 (W) Nuggets @ Timberwolves: Timberwolves -3.5 (L) Saturday College Football: Duke @ Miami: Duke +21.5 (L) Ohio State @ Penn State: Penn State +4.5 (L) Vanderbilt @ Auburn: Vanderbilt +7.5 (W) Florida @ Georgia: Georgia -13.5 (W) Texas A&M @ South Carolina: o43.5 Total Points (W) Wisconsin @ Iowa: Iowa -2.5 (W) NHL: Bruins @ Flyers: u6.5 Total Goals (W) Blackhawks @ Kings: o5.5 Total Goals (W) Blue Jackets @ Capitals: Capitals ML (W) Canadiens @ Penguins: Penguins ML (W) Maple Leaf @ Blues: Maple Leafs ML (L) Canucks @ Sharks: u6.5 Total Goals (W)
NBA: Celtics @ Hornets: Celtics -11.5 (L) Kings @ Raptors: Kings -4.5 (L) Cavaliers @ Bucks: Cavaliers +2.5 (W) Warriors @ Rockets: Warriors +6.5 (W) Timberwolves @ Spurs: Spurs +4.5 (W) Thunder @ Clippers: Thunder -5.5 (W) Sunday NFL: Dolphins @ Bills: Bills -5.5 (L) Commanders @ Giants: Commanders -3.5 (W) Broncos @ Ravens: Broncos +8.5 (L) Bears @ Cardinals: Cardinals -1.5 (W) Lions @ Packers: Lions -2.5 (W) Colts @ Vikings: Colts +5.5 (L) NHL: Islanders @ Rangers: Rangers ML (W) Lightning @ Jets: u6.5 Total Goals (L) Kraken @ Bruins: o5.5 Total Goals (L) Capitals @ Hurricanes: Hurricanes ML (W) Oilers @ Flames: Oilers ML (W) Blackhawks @ Ducks: u6.5 Total Goals (W) NBA: Pistons @ Nets: Nets -2.5 (L) Hawks @ Pelicans: Pelicans -3.5 (L) Magic @ Mavericks: Magic +6.5 (L)
New video leads NBA to reopen investigation into Lakers’ Jaxson Hayes
New video leads NBA to reopen investigation into Lakers’ Jaxson Hayes
LOS ANGELES — The NBA is reopening an investigation into a 2021 incident involving Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes after TMZ posted a video Saturday of the altercation between him and his then-girlfriend.
NBA investigating Joel Embiid incident: What to know about 76ers star’s locker room altercation with columnist
On Saturday, after the Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 124-107, star center Joel Embiid shoved Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Marcus Hayes after a locker room altercation. The two were quickly separated before Embiid left the building, but the incident is already under investigation by the NBA.
For now, there’s no easy way to predict what sort of discipline Embiid might face. There simply isn’t precedent to fall back on. Players and reporters certainly argue, but such disputes do not have a history of turning physical. So as the league sifts through the fallout of the confrontation between Embiid and Hayes, let’s go through what happened, what we know, and what we can expect from here.
What led to the confrontation between Embiid and Hayes?
Before the 2024-25 season began, Embiid told ESPN that he was likely done playing back-to-backs.
How to watch Brooklyn Nets vs. Detroit Pistons: Live stream, TV channel, start time for Sunday’s NBA game
1st Quarter Report
A win for the Nets would push their record over .500, and after one quarter of play they’ve put themselves in a good position to make it happen. They have jumped out to a quick 55-50 lead against the Pistons.
If the Nets keep playing like this, they’ll bump their record up to 4-3 in no time. On the other hand, the Pistons will have to make due with a 1-6 record unless they turn things around.
Who’s Playing
Detroit Pistons @ Brooklyn Nets
Current Records: Detroit 1-5, Brooklyn 3-3
How To Watch
When: Sunday, November 3, 2024 at 3:30 p.m. ET
Sunday, November 3, 2024 at 3:30 p.m. ET Where: Barclays Center — Brooklyn, New York
Barclays Center — Brooklyn, New York TV: FanDuel SN – Detroit
FanDuel SN – Detroit Follow: CBS Sports App
CBS Sports App Online streaming: fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.) Ticket Cost: $12.00
What to Know
The Pistons are 2-8 against the Nets since November of 2021 but they’ll have a chance to close the gap a little bit on Sunday. The Detroit Pistons will challenge the Brooklyn Nets at 3:30 p.m. ET at Barclays Center. The Pistons might want some stickum for this one as the team gave up 22 turnovers on Friday.
The Pistons will look to avoid a repeat of their last contest, where they got behind early and never recovered. They found themselves the reluctant recipients of a 128-98 punch to the gut against the Knicks. Detroit was in a tough position after the first half, with the score already sitting at 69-46.
Meanwhile, the Nets beat the Bulls 120-112 on Friday. The victory made it back-to-back wins for Brooklyn.
The Nets can attribute much of their success to Cameron Thomas, who earned 32 points. Thomas’ performance made up for a slower match against the Grizzlies on Wednesday.
The Nets were working as a unit and finished the game with 34 assists. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they’ve now posted at least 27 assists in three consecutive matchups.
Detroit’s loss dropped their record down to 1-5. As for Brooklyn, the victory got them back to even at 3-3.
The Pistons are hoping to beat the odds on Sunday, as the experts think they’re headed for a loss. This contest will be their seventh straight as the underdogs (so far over this stretch they are 2-4 against the spread).
The Pistons came up short against the Nets in their previous matchup back in April, falling 113-103. Can the Pistons avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We’ll find out soon enough.
Odds
Brooklyn is a 3-point favorite against Detroit, according to the latest NBA odds.
Bettors have moved against the Nets slightly, as the game opened with the Nets as a 4.5-point favorite.
The over/under is 219.5 points.
See NBA picks for every single game, including this one, from SportsLine’s advanced computer model. Get picks now.
Series History
Brooklyn has won 8 out of their last 10 games against Detroit.
$48M NBA Star Bobby Portis Offers Reward for Leads in Shocking Home Burglary
Nothing has gone in the Milwaukee Bucks‘ way in the last few weeks, as they continue to build on their losing streak. Last night, the team perished against the mighty Cavs despite a power-packed performance. While the team can overcome the loss in the coming weeks, the Bucks star had faced something insurmountable on the same night, off the court. The 29-year-old lost a lot of prized possessions in a home invasion, while he was at the game.
Hours after the frustrating 113-114 loss against the Cavaliers, Portis uploaded an Instagram video, requesting his fans to provide leads to find the criminals. The former NBA Champion spoke to the Wisconsin people from his heart, saying, “This is a place I consider home. So, why not make my home a better place?… While I was at my game yesterday, I had a home invasion, and they took most of my prized possessions. If you have any info regarding this, please send.”
The star also added a snippet of two burglars captured by the security camera, as they attempted to gain access to his property. Moreover, Portis stated that it was a targeted robbery, as per ESPN.
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View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bobby BP Portis (@bportistime)
It’s truly a helpless sight when an NBA star who cashes millions of dollars has to request his fans for help. Above all, as a motivating factor, the hooper also wrote, “Any information that directly leads to catching the criminals involved or return of my property will be rewarded.”
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In response, fans send in their solidarity and promise that Bobby Portis will recover his possessions. It’s not quite often that we witness NBA players requesting their fans to help find their missing objects. But it has happened in the near past as well!
Before Bobby Portis, a Celtics star requested fans’ help!
It was none other than Jaylen Brown, the reigning Final MVP! The Boston Celtics forward had an unfortunate situation during the 2024 championship parade. The star lost one of his rings and, most importantly; he didn’t hesitate to take the matters to his fans. Following the event, Brown shared a picture of the ring on his IG stories and wrote, “Reward for whoever finds this ring lost it at the parade.”
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Guess what? two fans did help Brown find his lost ring. The 28-year-old star visited the fans in person to collect his item. The star pulled up in an SUV, sporting a hoodie and sunglasses. He jumped out of the car to greet the fans and inspected the ring. The star handed them an autographed ball and insisted them to take the gift, which he handed to them. Happy with the ring in his hand, he said, “One act of kindness is what we need. So we appreciate you,” as he grabbed a picture with them.
Moreover, Brown shared the video of the event on his IG and wrote, “Got it back, thank you to Luke and Adi,” and promised them courtside seats for the Celtics’ ring ceremony. So, there’s still hope for Bobby Portis! Do you think fans will help Portis find the criminals? Let us know in the comments.
How to watch New Orleans Pelicans vs. Atlanta Hawks: TV channel, NBA live stream info, start time
3rd Quarter Report
Down one at the end of the second quarter, the Hawks now have the lead. They have jumped out to a 93-85 lead against the Pelicans.
The Hawks entered the game with four straight losses and they’re well on their way to making it five. Can they turn things around, or will the Pelicans hand them another defeat? Only time will tell.
Who’s Playing
Atlanta Hawks @ New Orleans Pelicans
Current Records: Atlanta 2-4, New Orleans 3-3
How To Watch
When: Sunday, November 3, 2024 at 7 p.m. ET
Sunday, November 3, 2024 at 7 p.m. ET Where: Smoothie King Center — New Orleans, Louisiana
Smoothie King Center — New Orleans, Louisiana TV: FanDuel SN – Southeast
FanDuel SN – Southeast Follow: CBS Sports App
CBS Sports App Online streaming: fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.) Ticket Cost: $1.15
What to Know
The Atlanta Hawks are taking a road trip to face off against the New Orleans Pelicans at 7:00 p.m. ET on Sunday at Smoothie King Center. The Hawks are no doubt hoping to put an end to a seven-game streak of away losses dating back to last season.
Last Friday, the Hawks couldn’t handle the Kings and fell 123-115.
Even though they lost, the Hawks were working as a unit and finished the game with 30 assists. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they’ve now posted at least 28 assists in three consecutive matches.
Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask the Pelicans). They came out on top against the Pacers by a score of 125-118 on Friday. The victory came about thanks to a strong surge starting at the 6:40 mark of the second quarter, when New Orleans was facing a 53-40 deficit.
Zion Williamson was a one-man wrecking crew for the Pelicans as he dropped a double-double on 34 points and ten assists. That’s the most assists Williamson has posted since back in March.
Atlanta’s defeat dropped their record down to 2-4. As for New Orleans, with the win, they broke their three-game losing streak and moved their record to 3-3.
The Hawks are hoping to beat the odds on Sunday, as the experts think they’re headed for a loss. This contest might not be the best time to bet them against the spread since they’ve let bettors down the last six times they’ve played.
The Hawks came up short against the Pelicans when the teams last played back in March, falling 116-103. Can the Hawks avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We’ll find out soon enough.
Odds
New Orleans is a 4.5-point favorite against Atlanta, according to the latest NBA odds.
The oddsmakers had a good feel for the line for this one, as the game opened with the Pelicans as a 5.5-point favorite.
The over/under is 230.5 points.
See NBA picks for every single game, including this one, from SportsLine’s advanced computer model. Get picks now.
Series History
Atlanta has won 7 out of their last 10 games against New Orleans.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Orlando Magic live stream info, start time, TV channel: How to watch NBA on TV, stream online
3rd Quarter Report
This match looks nothing like the tight 131-129 margin from the Mavericks’ win over the Magic in their previous head-to-head back in January. After three quarters the Mavericks’ offense has really been able to impose its will, dominating the Magic 88-61.
If the Mavericks keep playing like this, they’ll bump their record up to 4-2 in no time. On the other hand, the Magic will have to make due with a 3-4 record unless they turn things around (and fast).
Who’s Playing
Orlando Magic @ Dallas Mavericks
Current Records: Orlando 3-3, Dallas 3-2
How To Watch
When: Sunday, November 3, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. ET
Sunday, November 3, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. ET Where: American Airlines Center — Dallas, Texas
American Airlines Center — Dallas, Texas TV: FanDuel SN – Florida
FanDuel SN – Florida Follow: CBS Sports App
CBS Sports App Online streaming: fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.) Ticket Cost: $32.00
What to Know
The Magic are 2-8 against the Mavericks since November of 2019 but they’ll have a chance to close the gap a little bit on Sunday. The Orlando Magic will be staying on the road to face off against the Dallas Mavericks at 7:30 p.m. ET at American Airlines Center. Coming off a loss in a game the Magic were expected to win, they now face the more daunting task of proving themselves against unfavorable odds.
Last Friday, the Magic couldn’t handle the Cavaliers and fell 120-109.
Jalen Suggs put forth a good effort for the losing side as he posted 28 points in addition to eight rebounds and seven assists.
Meanwhile, the Mavericks entered their match against the Rockets on Thursday without any home losses, but there’s a first time for everything. The Mavericks took a 108-102 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Rockets.
The Mavericks’ loss shouldn’t obscure the performances of Kyrie Irving, who scored 28 points in addition to eight rebounds and seven assists, and Luka Doncic, who posted 29 points plus five rebounds. What’s more, Doncic also posted a 42.9% three-point shooting accuracy, which is the highesthe’s posted since back in April.
Orlando’s defeat dropped their record down to 3-3. As for Dallas, their loss dropped their record down to 3-2.
The Magic couldn’t quite finish off the Mavericks in their previous meeting back in January and fell 131-129. Can the Magic avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We’ll find out soon enough.
Odds
Dallas is a big 7.5-point favorite against Orlando, according to the latest NBA odds.
The oddsmakers were right in line with the betting community on this one, as the game opened as a 7.5-point spread, and stayed right there.
The over/under is 219 points.
See NBA picks for every single game, including this one, from SportsLine’s advanced computer model. Get picks now.
Series History
Dallas has won 8 out of their last 10 games against Orlando.
New York Marathon Road Closures Force NBA’s Detroit Pistons to Take an Unusual Ride to Barclays Center
The last month has been a total blast for long-distance runners, with all the buzz around both the Chicago Marathon and the New York Marathon! After all the hype, the New York Marathon finally went down on November 3, and it was a huge success! The runners kicked things off at Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island, starting with a big entrance on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge into Brooklyn. And this wasn’t just any route; it was like a tour through Brooklyn’s coolest neighborhoods!
They zipped through places like Bay Ridge, Park Slope, Bed-Stuy, Williamsburg, and Greenpoint, soaking in all the vibes. Then, they crossed over to Queens on the Pulaski Bridge, hitting the halfway mark at mile 13.1. After that, they tackled the Queensboro Bridge and made their way into Manhattan. Runners dashed from East 60th up to The Bronx and then circled back down for an epic finish. And to top it all off, they cruised through Central Park, wrapping things up at West 67th Street—what a way to end the race! But it wasn’t just the runners feeling the effects of the day; those road closures definitely shook things up for the city and someone else too!
New York Marathon shakes things up!
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On November 3, the official X account of the Detroit Pistons shared a fun video showing the team riding the subway, captioning it, “NYC Marathon took us on a detour…” It seems the Pistons had to roll with the punches to make their way to the Barclays Center for their matchup against the Brooklyn Nets, thanks to the marathon shutting down some roads.
They shared another video, along with a snapshot of the team hanging out at the platform, eagerly waiting for their train to arrive. In the meantime, the players couldn’t resist snapping some fun selfies, capturing the excitement of their subway adventure. With their game set for 3:30 p.m. ET, the team hopped on the No. 3 train, turning to the subway for a dependable ride across the bustling city. Players like Malik Beasley and Tim Hardaway Jr. found themselves hauling their game-day gear along for the subway adventure. But hey, that little detour turned out to be worth it!
The Pistons snagged a solid victory over the Nets, winning 106-92 for their second win of the season. Six players hit double figures, with Cade Cunningham leading the charge with a team-high 18 points. This game wrapped up their New York trip, following a face-off with the New York Knicks just a day earlier. What a whirlwind of a journey! So, how did the New York Marathon actually go down?
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New York Marathon brings history on the track!
On November 3, the streets of New York City were buzzing with excitement as the NYC Marathon kicked off, a cherished tradition that hit new heights this year. A standout moment of the marathon was when Abdi Nageeye and Sheila Chepkirui snagged gold medals, making it a day to remember. Nageeye made history as the first runner from the Netherlands to take the win in the men’s race, finishing strong with a time of 2 hours, 7 minutes, and 39 seconds. Evans Chebet, the 2022 champ, came in hot on his heels, just six seconds behind.
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Nageeye couldn’t believe he’d actually won, saying, “When I was finishing, the emotions weren’t there in the moment, but I just couldn’t believe that I was going to win it.” Having finished third in New York back in 2022, he knew the course well, adding, “I know the course. Today was two things: survive that race and my race is after 36 kilometers.” On the women’s side, Chepkirui, running her first New York Marathon, pulled ahead of defending champion Hellen Obiri in an epic final stretch, wrapping up the race in 2:24:35.
Chepkirui boldly said, “Let me push the last mile, let me give it my best.” Obiri, aiming to be the first woman to win back-to-back titles since 2014-16, finished second, while Vivian Cheruiyot of Kenya took third, marking a historic sweep for Kenyan runners on the women’s podium. As for the American finishers, Conner Mantz and Sara Vaughn both made their mark, with Mantz finishing sixth in the men’s race and Vaughn also landing in sixth for the women. Vaughn was in the lead group but had a tough time after Mile 20. What a day for New York and its marathon legacy!
Accused by Dwight Howard of Ditching Him, Ex-NBA Star Remained Unfazed as He Doubles Down on Orlando Stint
“It really hurt me” — Dwight Howard once had serious complaints with Tracy McGrady. These words from D12 came after T-Mac, as per Howard, had said he didn’t want to play with anyone from high school. For those unaware, Howard had declared for the 2004 NBA draft after his high school basketball stint. But it seems T-Mac has been unaffected by D12’s accusations against him. Having claimed that Howard is more deserving of being in the NBA’s 75 list over Anthony Davis back in 2021, T-Mac has once again extended his praise for the 3x DPOY.
Taking to his official IG account, T-Mac shared a video, giving Howard his flowers for his time in the Orlando Magic. “Maybe some of the younger guys or younger fans don’t really understand how dominant and how great this guy was… I think he played like 8 years for the Magic. For those 8 years… Dwight Howard was a problem. Seven foot, had all the athleticism. Defensively, wasn’t anybody better,” McGrady said.
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View this post on Instagram A post shared by T-Mac (@tmac213)
The 7x All Star further pointed out that D12 joking around might have portrayed him as a player who was not serious. But his numbers, as highlighted by T-Mac, with Magic tell a different story. Yes, Howard did not have as strong a start as a rookie in Orlando, averaging just 12 points per game. But as soon as he transitioned into a center from his role of power forward for the team, his stats witnessed a different level of growth. Just in his second season as the center for the team, he was averaging more than 20 points, 2.1 blocks, and 14.2 rebounds per game.
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During his 8 season with team, not only had he accumulated an impressive stat-line but also earned multiple accolades. This included 6 All-Star appearances, his 3 consecutive Defensive Player of the Year titles, 4x rebounding leader and 2x blocks leader. So there is not an ounce of doubt that Howard in Magic was a different beast.
Dwight Howard’s desire to end his NBA career with Orlando Magic
Howard is dreaming of coming full circle. In one of the episodes of The OGs podcast, he shared his sentimental desire to finish his NBA journey where it all began—with the Orlando Magic. “If I could go back with a team, I gotta go back with the Magic. It’s only right,” he said.
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For anyone who watched him in Orlando from 2004 to 2012, Howard wasn’t just an All-Star—he was a force of nature, as highlighted by Tracy McGrady. But his ending with the team wasn’t exactly picture-perfect. In 2012, tensions with coach Stan Van Gundy led to his trade to the LA Lakers, where things were rocky, especially with Kobe Bryant.
Seeking a fresh start, Howard tried his hand with the Houston Rockets, teaming up with James Harden. Yet the partnership didn’t quite click, and his reputation took a hit. So it makes sense why the 8x All-Star would want to head back to the team where he earned the max respect. If Tracy McGrady can ignore the aforementioned accusations, chances are so could the Magic. But the question comes down to how ready is Howard for a return to the big league.
NBA Rumor: Heat’s Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Hopes in Peril as Surprising West Rival Looms
“There’s a rising sense of confidence that if things go badly in Milwaukee that Giannis could be available for trade, would really force his way out of Milwaukee, in the next year.” CBS Sports’ Bill Reiter recently presented Bucks fans with a harsh reality, pouring more gasoline on the fire of a rumor that the franchise may not possess its lead scorer soon. The Bucks are not having a good track record, having won only 1 of their 6 regular season games. With their roster-building options having been exhausted, and with the franchise facing difficulties staying below the luxury tax and apron limits, trading the Greek Freak seems a viable option. The question that needs to be asked in this case is: Where will Giannis Antetokounmpo go?
CBS’ sources believe that a couple of “Teams are circling — and hopeful,” about the Greek Freak’s future. One of them seems fairly confident that the ongoing season will not be the one during which Bucks fans will have to bid adieu to their star. “Not till this summer at the earliest,” a source told NJ Advance media. Despite that, they weren’t looking to sideline potential suitors.
As per another source, “The only places I can see him going are Miami or [the] LA [Clippers].” Another source, who reportedly believes that a trade can occur as early as the deadline, wasn’t willing to rule out the LA franchise. However, ESPN’s Bobby Marks believes, “Brooklyn would have a stronger chance with draft picks.”
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According to other reports, however, Giannis has already “let some people know that places he’s eyeing are Miami and New York.” However, the last thing that the Bucks want to do is trade their star player to a conference contender!
Giannis’s $175 million extension is set to expire after the 2027-28 season. The next franchise that provides the ‘Greek Freak’ with a contract needs to have deep pockets. The Bucks currently possess a $207.7 million salary cap, placing them way above the luxury tax and apron limits stipulated under the updated CBA guidelines. However, the LA Clippers currently possess a $177.5 million salary cap, placing them in a better financial situation than their rival. Furthermore, any players that the Bucks trade in exchange for Giannis would only help in easing the max cap allotment, allowing Giannis to receive a possible huge extension deal.
Despite a good start to the regular season, the LA Clippers are now back to being in a precarious position. If Kawhi Leonard’s absence in light of his injury wasn’t a big enough problem, the franchise’s lack of future draft capital makes the overall situation worrisome.
In light of this, they need to secure their future, which Giannis Antetokounmpo can help them with. Unfortunately, things are easier said than done. In the end, the fact remains that the LA side might not be in a situation to acquire the ‘Greek Freak.’
What difficulties can the Clippers face when looking to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo?
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For one, Giannis has not expressed any desire that he would want to align with the LA franchise. He did send out praises for Patrick Beverley one time. The same came when referencing how things have changed between them from Beverley’s time with the Clippers and then with the Bucks. However, that’s been it. He’s expressed his desire to take up a trade sometime in the future. However, he also revealed that he would do so only “If there is a better situation for me to win the Larry O’Brien, I have to take that better situation.”
via Imago Oct 28, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) reacts during the second half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images
The fact that the Clippers haven’t won the championship title even once, and made the Conference Finals only a single time in their entire history, does not bode well for them. When discussing the possibility of a trade in a realistic manner, the Clippers simply don’t have anything tempting to offer the Bucks. After all, they exhausted most of their picks in the OKC trade for Paul George.
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The Clippers can’t include Kawhi Leonard in the trade offer, with him being one of their star players. They could instead offer a combination of James Harden, P.J. Tucker, and a smaller-salaried athlete, like Kobe Brown, but would they wish to part ways with the 35-year-old vet? On top of that, they reportedly won’t make an offer till December 15, leaving others to come up with a better deal.
Would you like to see Giannis Antetokounmpo don a LA Clippers jersey? Or try his luck out with another franchise? Let us know in the comments down below.
Donald Trump Election Spot Airs During NBC’s NASCAR Coverage
UPDATED: Republican candidate Donald Trump was seen in an election spot that aired at the end of NBC’s NASCAR Xfinity 500 race coverage Sunday, an equal time make-good after his Democratic challenger Kamala Harris made a surprise cameo the night before on “Saturday Night Live.”
NBC declined to comment on specifics. But NBC stations filed paperwork with the Federal Communications Commission on Sunday noting that Harris “appeared without charge on NBC’s Saturday Night Live (‘SNL’) for a total period of 1 minute and 30 seconds on November 2, 2024.”
The pre-recorded 60-second Trump spot aired around 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, toward the end of NBC Sports’ live coverage of the race held in Martinsville, Va. Depending on the audience turnout for “Saturday Night Live” and Sunday’s Xfinity 500 race, NBC may need to provide Trump with another spot or two during the next 24 hours to match the value of the “SNL” platform afforded to Harris.
The spot was billed as “A Special Message From President Donald J. Trump.” Standing in front of a bank of American flags, wearing his signature fire-engine red Make America Great Again baseball cap, Trump addresses “sports fans.” He urges viewers to get out the vote and he takes square aim at Harris: “We’ve got to save our country, and it needs saving. It’s in very bad shape,” Trump says. “Kamala and her friends broke it. I’ll fix it.”
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PREVIOUSLY: Kamala Harris’ surprise appearance on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” on Nov. 2 was “a clear and blatant effort to evade the FCC’s Equal Time rule,” Republican commissioner Brendan Carr claimed in a social media post.
Harris appeared in the “SNL” cold-open sketch as herself, interacting on stage with Maya Rudolph, who has portrayed the Democratic VP and presidential candidate on the show. In the skit, Harris poked fun at Donald Trump and said the election represents an opportunity to “end the drama-la.”
The FCC’s rules on political programming “seek to ensure that no legally qualified candidate for office is unfairly given less access to the airwaves — outside of bona fide news exemptions — than their opponent,” according to the agency. “Equal opportunities generally means providing comparable time and placement to opposing candidates” but “does not require a station to provide opposing candidates with programs identical to the initiating candidate.”
In a post on X on Saturday evening before Harris’ “SNL” appearance, Carr, who is a Trump appointee, wrote, “The purpose of the rule is to avoid exactly this type of biased and partisan conduct — a licensed broadcaster using the public airwaves to exert its influence for one candidate on the eve of an election. Unless the broadcaster offered Equal Time to other qualifying campaigns.”
Maya Rudolph and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris on ‘Saturday Night Live’ Courtesy of NBC
The FCC’s rule requires a broadcaster, in the event of an appearance by a “legally qualified candidate,” to “entertain requests for Equal Opportunities by opposing legally qualified candidates for the same office. However, the station is not required to seek out opposing legally qualified candidates and offer them Equal Opportunities.”
SEE ALSO: Kamala Harris Mocks Donald Trump on ‘SNL’ Appearance, Urges Americans to ‘Keep Kamala and Carry On-A-La’
According to a source, “Saturday Night Live” had not extended an offer to Trump’s campaign for him to appear on the show.
In a statement Sunday, an FCC spokesperson said, “The FCC has not made any determination regarding political programming rules, nor have we received a complaint from any interested parties.” Reps for NBC and the Trump campaign declined to comment. The Harris campaign did not respond to a request for comment Sunday.
Trump has not appeared on “Saturday Night Live” this season, which is celebrating its 50th season. He has hosted the show twice, once in 2004 and once when he was a presidential candidate in 2015.
In the setup for Harris’s “SNL” cameo, Rudolph said, “This is it: The last campaign stop in Pennsylvania. Gosh, I just wish I could talk to someone who’s been in my shoes, you know? A Black South Asian woman running for president… preferably from the Bay Area?” The audience then applauded and cheered as Harris was revealed on the other side of the mirror, telling Rudolph, “You and me both, sister.”
“Now Kamala: Take my palm-ala,” Rudolph said. “The American people want to stop the chaos.”
“And end the drama-la,” Harris responded. “With a cool new stepmom-ala. Kick back in our pajama-las, and watch a rom-com-ala,” Rudolph continued. “Like ‘Legally Blonde’-ala!” Harris said. “And start decorating for Christmas — fa-la-la-la-la,” Rudolph said.
At the end of the sketch, Rudolph said, “I’m gonna vote for us!” whereupon Harris queried: “Any chance you are registered in Pennsylvania?”
“SNL” also posted a behind-the-scenes clip featuring Harris and Rudolph:
Keselowski Calls Out NASCAR’s ‘Final Straw’ After Controversial Penalty Decision
Controversy erupted when William Byron advanced to the Championship 4 playoffs following a penalty given to Christopher Bell.
The race at Martinsville served as the final campaign of the Round of 8 for the 2024 playoffs. With Joey Logano and Tyler Reddick already securing the top two spots in the Championship 4, the competition for the remaining cars became stronger.
This should be the last straw on the camel’s back for the playoffs. https://t.co/j4Z5MSGkjo — Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) November 3, 2024
As the race progressed, an incident unfolded involving Christopher Bell, driving for Joe Gibbs Racing. He was penalized for a safety violation involving a wall ride on the final lap. This infraction shifted the points in Byron’s favor, allowing him to advance in the playoffs.
Prior to the penalty, Bell and Byron were tied in points, with Bell ready to secure advancement via a tiebreaker. However, the penalty swung the pendulum toward Byron, creating a point differential that pushed him to the Championship 4. William Byron, driving for Hendrick Motorsports, spoke to NBC about the ruling.
Brad Keselowski, driver of the #6 Consumer Cellular Ford, walks the grid during qualifying for the the NASCAR Cup Series Straight Talk Wireless 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on October 26, 2024 in Homestead, Florida. Keselowski… Brad Keselowski, driver of the #6 Consumer Cellular Ford, walks the grid during qualifying for the the NASCAR Cup Series Straight Talk Wireless 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on October 26, 2024 in Homestead, Florida. Keselowski criticizes NASCAR’s playoff system. More James Gilbert/Getty Images
“Pretty Straightforward” – NASCAR Unsympathetically Shuts Down All Hope for Christopher Bell After His ‘Hail Melon’ Do Over
“What you don’t want to happen is be on the losing side of it…and give up a bunch of points.” That is the mindset Christopher Bell espoused before running in Martinsville. He lived up to his professed goal and seemed to topple William Byron in a closely fought points battle. However, Bell mimicked Ross Chastain’s legendary ‘Hail Melon’ move that was outlawed in 2023. And that invited NASCAR’s judicial eyes of scrutiny.
For a driver who had posted top-ten finishes in all the playoff races except for Watkins Glen, this fate seemed like an absolute heartbreak. Christopher Bell was silently advancing throughout the season, paving the way toward a championship. Yet that final lap of Martinsville sealed his fate, and NASCAR explained why that happened.
NASCAR executive breaks down the rules
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Two years ago, Ross Chastain pulled off a move straight out of a racing fairytale. In the final lap of the 2022 Xfinity 500, Chastain had to overtake Denny Hamlin in 4th place for a championship berth. Chastain sat in the 10th position, entering the last lap, which made this a near-impossible task. So he drove his car into Turn 3, put his foot down, and took his hands off the steering wheel. Through the screeching of metal, Chastain toppled Hamlin just before crossing the checkered flag. Hamlin, who got eliminated, was left stunned after getting beat by a video-game move. Despite the wild publicity about this ‘Hail Melon’ move, NASCAR outlawed it. The safety concern arose from the fact that a crossover gate exists on Turn 4. So after Christopher Bell mocked Chastain, officials brought down their judicial axe on him.
During a post-race press conference in Martinsville, NASCAR’s Senior VP of Competition, Elton Sawyer, explained the ban on the move. “We obviously were really good on video. As I back up on that, you go back two years ago. We had a situation with Ross here. We went to Phoenix. There was a lot of dialogue with the drivers that that’s not a move that we want to have to make on the last lap. Though we were able to get through Phoenix and had a great Championship race that year…In the all-season meet with the industry, the meet with our drivers – and to a man, that was not a move that they wanna have to make.”
According to rule 10.5.2.6.A, safety violations are “treated with the highest degree of seriousness” and “will be handled on a case-by-case basis.” Despite the vague words in the rulebook, Sawyer claimed that Christopher Bell‘s case was black and white. “There was a language in the rulebook. And when you look at it today, he clearly got up against the fence in Turns 3 and 4 and rode the fence all the way off 4 there. And that’s strictly (prohibited) to protect our drivers as well as our fans. So yeah, it’s almost pretty straightforward.” It is also worth noting that there is no written rule against wall-riding in the NASCAR rule book; it just lists wall-riding as a safety violation. This left Joe Gibbs Racing in despair, as NASCAR had informed them that they could not appeal the decision either.
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Yet Christopher Bell has a horde of supporters by his side, including his topmost rival.
Byron sympathizes with Christopher Bell
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The ‘silent runner’ was forging a golden path to the championship this year. That is why NASCAR’s unexpected penalty attracted widespread criticism from fans. They even hounded Joe Gibbs for not joining the 23XI Racing-Front Row Motorsports fold against NASCAR in the lawsuit case. On top of that, Christopher Bell received words of sympathy from his rival. Officials announced the decision that William Byron would advance after 30 minutes’ review when the two drivers waited tensely. Then a visibly dejected Bell mustered the courage to offer a congratulatory hug to Byron. The latter also slipped a few words of regret for Bell’s predicament.
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“I hate it for everyone involved,” Byron quipped about Christopher Bell’s situation. “I’ve never been a part of anything like this, so I don’t really know how to feel. I’m happy for this No. 24 Liberty University Chevy team. I’m happy for us moving on, and we’ll go on and focus on Phoenix.” He added, “I’ll think about this one here at Martinsville (Speedway) with my team. We had a lot of adversity through the second half of the race there. Yeah, I mean we know what the rules are, right? So it is what it is. I wouldn’t say I’m happy, but I’m excited to race for a championship, that’s for sure.”
Byron will remember the tough fight Christopher Bell put up in Martinsville. With that in mind, he will face another Toyota speedster, Tyler Reddick, in the final race.
Martinsville Weekend Leaves Mark Martin in Disgust After Another Controversy Plagues NASCAR Playoffs
While three out of four racers had guaranteed places at Phoenix Raceway today, it took the sanctioning body 27 minutes to decide between William Byron and Christopher Bell for the final spot. Mark Martin echoed a sentiment many fans felt after the 2024 Xfinity 500 concluded. The NASCAR Hall of Famer was thoroughly unimpressed with an illegal move and potential race manipulation, causing a significant delay in determining which drivers made it to Championship 4.
Eventually, the verdict went in favor of the Hendrick Motorsports driver, who made it to the winner-takes-all race for the second year in a row. However, that didn’t stop Martin from sharing his views on social media to describe the penultimate race of the Cup Series season.
To say that the 2024 Xfinity 500 was marred by controversy would be an understatement, as there were plenty of talking points when the checkered flag was waved on the 0.526-mile. Even though wall rides have been deemed illegal since Ross Chastain’s famous ‘Hail Melon’ two years ago, Christopher Bell was found guilty of a safety violation after riding the Turn 4 wall to the start-finish line. This came after he overtook Bubba Wallace, who appeared to have slowed down to let his fellow Toyota driver make the pass.
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Eventually, NASCAR penalized Bell by relegating him to 22nd in the race, which meant William Byron progressed into Championship 4 after finishing four points ahead in the driver standings. The sanctioning body’s officials also told team owner Joe Gibbs that he was not permitted to protest the safety violation, which meant that the verdict was set in stone. Given the circumstances surrounding how the Xfinity 500 concluded, Mark Martin wrote on X, “We have a sh-t show here.”
The NASCAR legend has reason enough to think this way. Just like many fans, Mark Martin saw Bubba Wallace slow down while Christopher Bell attempted to overtake him to remain in contention for the championship. Justifying his actions, the 23XI Racing driver said, “I went loose or something broke. I was nursing it. Then, (Bell) tried to slide me and I’m like, ‘Brother, I’m trying to bide our time and not crash and bring out a caution, jumble up the whole field.’ That was it.” It’s no secret that drivers with the same manufacturer help each other out in NASCAR, and Bell wasn’t the only driver who had assistance.
With just 10 laps to go, William Byron was protected by fellow Chevy drivers Austin Dillon and Ross Chastain. Despite the No. 24 Camaro being noticeably slower, his allies refused to make the pass, as they might have been reminded of Byron’s playoff points position to help him remain in contention for the title.
Instances such as this make fans question the integrity of the sport, as drivers across teams were unwilling to climb up the grid under the influence of external factors. Unsurprisingly, Mark Martin wasn’t impressed by how the race played out, and even HMS executive Jeff Gordon called the outcome “bittersweet.”
Jeff Gordon further justifies Chevy drivers blocking for William Byron
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The vulnerabilities of the current playoff system were on full display at the 2024 Xfinity 500. Race manipulation is a big deal, but that didn’t stop Chevrolet drivers across teams from refusing to overtake William Byron during the closing laps of the race. Even though the elimination format has been modified several times in the last two decades, it seems to have made little strides in preventing drivers and teams from gaming the system.
Justifying the tactics used by William Byron’s No. 24 Chevy team, Hendrick Motorsports vice chairman Jeff Gordon said, “You never want to get in on a controversial voice call like this, so hard to get too excited, but we’re in and we’re going to go run for a championship. So that’s the best part. You work with your teammates and partners to try and give yourself the best chance to get in. It’s no different than when we go to Talladega and Daytona and how we work together to try to ensure success, but I couldn’t really tell you what was going on there.”
For purists such as Mark Martin, the sport is evolving in a direction that is quickly making it unrecognizable. The NASCAR legend previously criticized Christian Eckes for his win-at-all-costs attitude in the penultimate Truck Series race of the season, a factor that also played a big role in the Xfinity 500. The manufacturer’s title remains a big deal in the sport, and drivers are rewarded by the current monetary system for helping each other on the racetrack.
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What this means is that either fans accept the direction the sport is gearing towards or make their voices heard to drastically change the points system in the future.
NBC Airs Donald Trump Ad During NASCAR After FCC Equal Time Complaints
Following FCC concerns over Kamala Harris‘ last-minute Saturday Night Live appearance, NBC has given Donald Trump 90 seconds of free ad time.
On Sunday, the network reportedly aired a clip of Trump addressing voters during its coverage of the NASCAR Playoffs race, after Harris’ SNL cold open cameo may have violated the FCC’s Equal Time Rule ahead of Election Day on Tuesday.
Trump-appointed FCC commissioner Brendan Carr previously accused SNL of a “clear and blatant effort” to evade the Equal Time Rule, which requires broadcasters to provide rival candidates comparable time — news programming is exempt. The rule is often confused with the Fairness Doctrine, which was abandoned in the 1980s, requiring stations to present different points of view.
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Noting that Harris’ SNL cameo came just three days before the presidential election, Carr posted on X, “What comparable time and placement can they offer all other qualifying candidates?”
Reed Hundt, a former FCC chairman, wrote on X that Carr is “wrong” that SNL was engaged in an effort to evade the rule. “He’s clearly and blatantly trying to help the Trump campaign. That’s also wrong,” Hundt wrote.
Maya Rudolph and Kamala Harris on Saturday Night Live. SNL via YouTube
NBC affiliates including those in New York, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., have since filed notice that Harris “appeared without charge” on SNL for one minute, 30 seconds on Saturday. A network source said they would comply with all regulatory obligations.
The FCC rules do not require that a network seek out opposing campaigns to offer the time. The rival candidates have to request it.
Stations do not have to give opposing candidates identical time, just comparable time. After Trump hosted SNL in 2015, some of his GOP primary rivals were given airtime not on the show, but in a similar time period on stations with upcoming primaries.
It’s also not unprecedented for SNL to feature a presidential nominee so close to an election. John McCain made a cameo on the NBC sketch comedy show the weekend before the 2008 campaign.
Ross Chastain Involved in Another Martinsville Controversy Along With Bubba Wallace as NASCAR Takes One Step at a Time
If we were to remember Martinsville’s greatest controversies, Ross Chastain’s Hail Melon move from the 2022 race takes the top spot. The #1 car, desperate to progress to Phoenix, drove scraping the wall as it gave him the speed to go past everyone and take a spot in the Championship 4. And it was thrilling to watch the ‘video game’ move! NASCAR initially allowed it and Chastain ended the season with a P2. However, in 2023, the racing organization, upon taking a deeper look at it, decided to ban the move.
According to them, it compromised the safety of other drivers on the track. And in the 2024 Martinsville race, the same intensity of racing and the same desperation to compete for a championship led to a ‘Hail Melon 2.0’. However, this time by Christopher Bell. The controversial move made things even more dramatic in the high-octane race. Also, how could a controversy erupt at Martinsville and Ross Chastain stay out of it?
NASCAR’s stand on race manipulation at Martinsville
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Clearly, NASCAR had a lot on their plates at the eliminator as Christopher Bell and William Byron fought for the final spot in the championship 4. The two drivers were 3rd and 4th entering the race with Bell +29 points and Byron +7 points above the cutline. As we neared the end, Byron in P5 was leading by +2 points above the #20 in 19th place. However, Denny Hamlin, with 14 laps to go passed Byron for 5th, reducing the points gap to +1. This opened up an opportunity for Bell.
The #20 at the very last straightway passed Bubba Wallace and took the 18th position to tie the points. A tie meant that the Joe Gibbs driver would progress, as according to NASCAR, in a situation of a tie-breaker, the driver having a better finish in any race of round 3 would go to the next round. And Bell’s P2 finish in Las Vegas had him set for a third consecutive championship 4 appearance. However, while passing the #23, Bell got loose, hit the wall, and ran up against it, leading to him getting a penalty and William Byron progressing. However, according to some recent radio conversations, it has come to notice that other drivers aided Bell and Byron in their battle for the spot.
While nothing is official, there is a possibility that Ross Chastain and Austin Dillion deliberately blocked the cars behind them to help their Chevy teammate. Had Byron dropped another position, it would have led to the #24 getting eliminated. While the gap between Hamlin and Byron increased as they held P5 and P6, Chastain and Dillon comfortably raced side by side behind the #24, as though blocking Brad Keselowski from going past Byron. And also on the other front, Bubba Wallace’s car rapidly slowed down when Bell made the pass at the end to tie the points. Although Wallace reported issues with the tire, nothing is confirmed, if his car really had a problem or if it was a deliberate move.
However, NASCAR has made it clear that only at a later stage will they dwell on the possible case of race manipulation. NASCAR Vice President Elton Sawyer, post the race, said, “If you look at the other situations that will go on 23 and cars behind in the 24. Really no bearing at this time. We will look at those at a later time and really dissect exactly what happened with the situation of the 20 getting up against the fence and then riding the to fence which we have clearly stated in our statement after Ross (Chastain) did that, that would not be accepted.”
But shouldn’t this matter be looked at first? If this proves to be a case of race manipulation, it could significantly alter things. Especially after some radio conversations of the #1 and the #3 are making rounds pointing towards it. However, throughout Elton’s interview, he stayed put on his stance, not dwelling deeper on the matter.
NASCAR shying away from possible race manipulation in Martinsville
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The championship journey for Christopher Bell is over, as JGR cannot even protest NASCAR’s ruling since it’s a race violation and not appealable. However, if there was proof of manipulation in the race, would things change? Well, at the moment NASCAR is clearly trying to avoid the matter as it could lead to complexities. Elton Sawyer, further in the interview, refused to comment on hypothetical situations.
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He said, “The hypotheticals is really difficult. I don’t want to be making statements of things, ifs, ands and buts. I don’t want to do that. Like I said, the main focus for us in the tower, when the situation happened, was focusing on the 20 [Bell] car. Let’s figure out where are we at there. To me and our team, there was focus more on that than the other stuff.”
However, in the end, he did acknowledge manipulation being there when he said, “The other stuff was there, don’t get me wrong. The 20 rose to the level that. We got to figure this one out pretty quick.” But, even in the case of there being a race manipulation, it’s unlikely that things will change for Byron and Bell.
Precedence has shown that Chastian, Dillon, and Wallace might get penalized but the ones that benefited from it remain unharmed. How it happened in the case of Cole Custer and Chase Briscoe in the 2022 season. At the Charlotte race, Custer was found to have blocked drivers behind him for Briscoe to gain two spots and progress to round 3 of the playoffs. While Custer was fined $100,000 and stripped 50 points, Briscoe was let off the hook, as it was found that he was unaware of Custer’s intentions.
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The same might happen in this case, leaving the championship 4 intact, with Joey Logano, Tyler Reddick, Ryan Blaney (after winning Martinsville), and William Byron. Whatever the final verdict may be, it is clear that NASCAR’s race control has a huge stain to wipe off with the race manipulation allegations. What do you think about this matter? Share your comments with us in the comments down below.
Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park closing amid lawsuit over accident that killed 9-year-old girl
Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park closing amid lawsuit over accident that killed 9-year-old girl
The Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park announced it will be closing due a recent lawsuit over an accident that left a 9-year-old girl dead.
Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park closing after deadly accident The Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park announced it will be closing due a recent lawsuit over an accident that left a 9-year-old girl dead.
Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park closing after deadly accident The Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park announced it will be closing due a recent lawsuit over an accident that left a 9-year-old girl dead.
Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park closing after deadly accident The Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park announced it will be closing due a recent lawsuit over an accident that left a 9-year-old girl dead.
LAKE ELSINORE, Calif. (KABC) — The Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park announced it will be closing due a recent lawsuit over an accident that left a 9-year-old girl dead.
Brooke Carlton died in June following what was described as a
William Byron Processes His NASCAR-Induced “Drama” as He Gears Up to Save Rick Hendrick’s Face at Phoenix
Even though Ryan Blaney won the 2024 Xfinity 500, the chaos behind him took center stage when the checkered flag was waved at Martinsville Speedway. William Byron and Christopher Bell stood silently next to their cars, waiting for NASCAR’s verdict after a dramatic last lap saw both drivers tied for points in the playoff standings. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver was expected to go through until the sanctioning body charged him with a ‘safety violation’ for riding the wall, relegating him to 22nd place.
Despite three Hendrick Motorsports drivers being in contention during the Round of Eight, Byron was the only driver to make it to Championship 4. The outcome at Martinsville fell below NASCAR’s most successful team’s expectations, which might prove to be an additional source of motivation for the No. 24 Chevy driver at Phoenix Raceway.
William Byron expresses gratitude towards NASCAR
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Even though William Byron made it to Championship 4 for the second year in a row, the 26-year-old found it hard to celebrate the milestone after the penultimate race of the season. Christopher Bell has been one of the most consistent performers in the Cup Series this season and to see a playoff spot snatched from his grasp wasn’t a pretty sight, even though NASCAR’s rules made the outcome inevitable. Both the drivers were made to wait nearly half an hour for a verdict, with cameras focused on their reactions after the sanctioning body finally announced its ruling. Given the circumstances, the HMS driver chose to handle the situation sensitively.
Speaking to Frontstretch’s Michael Massie after the race, William Byron said, “I have a hard time feeling happy in this situation but we just raced as hard as we could, and you know, race within the rules and everything like that.”
When asked about being made to wait for the verdict, the North Carolina native went on to say, “I’ve never been through anything like that. Definitely some drama from that for sure because I usually get to go home by now. Just don’t really know what to think about all that but thankful that NASCAR looked at it, they have rules in place and that’s what it is.”
via Getty INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JULY 19: William Byron, driver of the #24 Valvoline Chevrolet, walks the garage area to practice for the NASCAR Cup Series Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 19, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
Going into Martinsville, Byron was just above the cutline, seven points separating him from teammate Kyle Larson in the driver standings. The No. 24 Chevy driver knew he would need to pull off a clutch performance, and that’s exactly what he did at the Xfinity 500. Not only did he run inside the top 10 throughout the race, he finished second at the end of Stage 1 and fifth when Stage 2 concluded, securing 15 points in the process.
Ahead of the playoffs, few would have predicted that William Byron would be the only Hendrick Motorsports driver to make it to Championship 4, especially in the presence of established veterans such as Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott. However, his chances of success at Martinsville Speedway were always high, having won on the short track earlier this year. Sharing his expectations from the winner-takes-all fixture at Phoenix Raceway, the driver said, “I know we’ll bring a bullet there.”
Christopher Bell congratulates Byron despite playoff heartbreak
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It wasn’t the result Christopher Bell wanted. With Joey Logano and Tyler Reddick already locked in the Championship 4, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver was the favorite to follow suit. Going into the 2024 Xfinity 500, the driver had a comfortable 29-point cushion and all he needed was a respectable finish to remain in title contention at Phoenix Raceway for the third time in three seasons. However, his race couldn’t have gone worse than it did.
Christopher Bell finished 16th in qualifying, thirteen spots behind William Byron, and struggled to make passes at Martinsville Speedway‘s iconic short track. As a result, he secured 5 stage points while his playoff rivals capitalized on their opportunities. With desperation creeping in, Bell rode the wall in the final lap, which forced him to go from 18th to 22nd on the grid because of NASCAR’s ruling, eliminating his championship hopes in one swift move.
Despite the disheartening outcome, the Oklahoman showed good sportsmanship towards William Byron by saying, “That’s not how I wanted it to go but congratulations. Go get them next week.” Having finished fourth at Pheonix Raceway last year, the Hendrick Motorsports driver will hope to do even better this time around, despite the playoffs being full of superstars such as Ryan Blaney, Joey Logano, and Tyler Reddick.
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As the only Chevy driver in the winner-takes-all race, will Byron rise to the occasion or wilt under pressure?
What’s next for Dodgers? What World Series champs need to address in offseason as they try to repeat
The Los Angeles Dodgers are the freshly minted world champions for the eighth time in franchise history. That’s another way of saying they were the only team in Major League Baseball this season to achieve their ultimate goal. The Dodgers on Wednesday mounted a furious comeback, one aided by a conga line of Yankee miscues, and took the Fall Classic in five games. As result, the Dodgers and their star-stuffed roster have the World Series for the first time in a full season since 1988.
Now the focus shifts to whether the Dodgers in 2025 can become the first team since the Yankees of 1999 and 2000 to repeat as World Series champions.
Dave Roberts’ club during the regular season won 98 games and prevailed in a tough National League West to claim their 12th straight postseason berth. That, though, was merely the first step. Anything short of hoisting the World Series trophy would be tantamount to failure.
That’s because of the Dodgers’ unprecedented offseason of 2023-24 that built upon a team that won 100 games in 2023. That offseason work involved committing $700 million (of heavily deferred money) to superduperstar Shohei Ohtani. That same month, they committed more than $300 million to Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the most coveted starting pitcher on the market, and dealt for another ace-caliber starter, Tyler Glasnow, then of the Rays. They also inked slugging outfielder Teoscar Hernández. Fast forward to the trade deadline, and the Dodgers in advance of it added Jack Flaherty (the most in-demand rotation arm who was traded), reliever Michael Kopech, and super-utility guy Tommy Edman. All those moves were of course in addition to incumbent stars like Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Will Smith, and others.
For a time it seemed that rotation injuries would waylay the Dodgers’ October hopes. Instead, Roberts navigated three series triumphs with three healthy starting pitchers and a heavily worked bullpen. Coming into the season, the Dodgers boasted starting-pitcher depth that on paper would be the envy of every other organization, but those Dodger starters couldn’t stay healthy.
Nothing makes the point more acutely than how many starters the Dodgers had on the injured list for these playoffs. That would be seven starting pitchers: Glasnow, Clayton Kershaw, Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May, Gavin Stone, Emmet Sheehan, and River Ryan. Straits were such that Roberts, in the face of all that on-paper rotation depth, was forced to conduct four bullpen games during the Dodgers’ run to the belt and title. Overcoming the loss of all those battered starting pitchers is the leading subplot of the Dodgers’ championship run, and it’s a reminder that October, in a sport like baseball, is built to defy expectations, even when the best team in baseball winds up winning it all.
And that brings us to 2025. You can squint and see the Dodgers’ window, at least the one held open by their current core, closing at some point in the near-ish future. Betts, Freeman, Ohtani, Glasnow, Max Muncy, and Will Smith will all be age 30 or older next season. That said, the Dodgers should again be among the best teams in MLB next season and should again have realistic designs on a World Series championship.
Most notably, Ohtani barring the unexpected will resume pitching after his recovery from elbow surgery and be a fixture in the rotation (in addition to, you know, being one of the most productive hitters in baseball). Other core contributors like Betts, Freeman, Yamamoto, Smith, Glasnow, Muncy, and Edman are under contract through at least next season. The Dodgers do have some notable pending free agents like Hernández, Flaherty, and Walker Buehler. Suffice it to say, the club has the resources and willingness to bring them back or find suitable proxies on the market.
The Dodgers are already
Why the Braves made the first trade of MLB’s offseason and how it could impact Atlanta’s winter
In case you missed it while celebrating Halloween, the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Angels made the first trade of the offseason on Thursday, roughly 14 hours after the completion of the World Series. The Braves sent veteran outfielder/designated hitter Jorge Soler out west in exchange for right-handed starter Griffin Canning.
On its face, this exchange makes for a lopsided challenge trade. Soler is coming off a significantly better season, one that saw him post a 121 OPS+ and launch 21 home runs despite spending half the year with the San Francisco Giants. Canning, for his part, performed at the replacement level, generating an 81 ERA+ in 171 innings.
Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos has earned a reputation for being baseball’s
MLB free agent rankings: Top 20 overall
The Boston Red Sox have a number of needs to address before the 2025 MLB season.
Pitching (starting and relief), right-handed hitting, and defensive upgrades top the list. The question is, is this the offseason the front office finally decides to spend?
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If so, they’ll have plenty of options for upgrades in free agency. This year’s class — headlined by superstar outfielder Juan Soto — features multiple aces, a stud reliever, and several right-handed sluggers.
More 2025 MLB free agent rankings
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Here’s a look at the top 20 players on the market:
1. Juan Soto, OF
Age: 26
2024 stats: .288/.419/.569, 41 HR, 109 RBI, 119 SO, 129 BB (157 games)
Getty Images Juan Soto played for the New York Yankees in 2024 and is the top free agent this winter.
Soto is the unquestioned No. 1 player on the market this winter. He just turned 26 last week and already has four All-Star nods, four Silver Sluggers, two top-five MVP finishes, a batting title, and a World Series championship under his belt. He’s arguably the best hitter in the game and only now entering his prime. We can expect him to earn a deal worth up to $650 million, and he’ll likely be worth every penny.
2. Corbin Burnes, RHP
Age: 30
2024 stats: 15-8, 2.95 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 172 SO, 47 BB, 189.1 IP (31 starts)
Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports Corbin Burnes played for the Baltimore Orioles in 2024 after being traded by the Milwaukee Brewers
Corbin Burnes lived up to expectations as a bonafide ace after being traded from the Milwaukee Brewers to the Baltimore Orioles. The 2021 National League Cy Young Award winner anchored the O’s staff and was selected to the All-Star Game for the fourth consecutive year, this time starting for the American League.
Burnes will cost a pretty penny as the most coveted pitcher on the market, but he’ll almost certainly be worth the hefty price tag. He’s proven to be one of the most durable starters in the game (three straight years with 30+ starts) and is a virtual lock to post an ERA around 3.00, roughly 200 innings, and 200 strikeouts in a season.
3. Alex Bregman, 3B
Age: 31
2024 stats: .260/.315/.453, 26 HR, 75 RBI, 86 SO, 44 BB (145 games)
Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports Alex Bregman has spent all nine of his MLB seasons with the Houston Astros.
Bregman, a two-time World Series champion, is going to demand a hefty contract this offseason. The two-time All-Star is expected to rake in roughly $200 million. That’s a steep price to pay for a 31-year-old infielder, but he’s one of the best all-around players available in this year’s free-agent class.
4. Gerrit Cole, RHP
Age: 34
2024 stats: 8-5, 3.41 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 99 SO, 29 BB, 95 IP (17 starts)
Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images Gerrit Cole played for the New York Yankees in 2024.
Note: Cole has a $36 million player option with the New York Yankees for the 2025 season.
Cole can opt out of his deal, but if he does, the Yankees can void his decision by adding another year at $36 million. With the Cy Young right-hander coming off an elbow injury and looking less consistent as he enters his mid-30s, it will be fascinating to see how this situation plays out.
5. Blake Snell, LHP
Age: 32
2024 stats: 5-3, 3.12 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 145 SO, 44 BB, 104 IP (20 starts)
Getty Images Blake Snell pitched for the San Francisco Giants in 2024 after signing with them last offseason.
Despite winning the 2023 NL Cy Young award, Snell didn’t sign his free-agent contract until March 27, the eve of Opening Day. It shouldn’t take so long for teams to throw money at him this time around.
Snell posted the best K/9 rate (12.5) and FIP (2.43) of his career to prove his second Cy Young season was no fluke. He’ll be among the most sought-after arms on the market.
6. Max Fried, LHP
Age: 31
2024 stats: 10-10, 3.42 ERA, 1.195 WHIP, 157 SO, 55 BB, 165.2 IP (28 starts)
David Banks-USA TODAY Sports Max Fried pitched for the Atlanta Braves in 2024.
Fried has been among the most consistent starters in the game since 2020. The veteran left-hander has posted an ERA of 3.25 or lower in each season since then, earning two All-Star nods, an NL Cy Young runner-up, and three Gold Gloves in the process. He was instrumental in the Braves’ 2021 World Series title.
As arguably the top left-hander available, Fried will be pricey. But after him, Burnes, and Snell, there aren’t many bonafide aces in this year’s free-agent class.
7. Willy Adames, SS
Age: 29
2024 stats: .251/.331/.462, 32 HR, 112 RBI, 21 SB, 173 SO, 74 BB (161 games)
Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images Willy Adames played for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2024
According to MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo, some within the Red Sox organization
MLB offseason key dates: Free agency begins, awards, Winter Meetings, Hall of Fame, spring training and more
The Los Angeles Dodgers are the 2024 World Series champions. They defeated the New York Yankees in five games to clinch the franchise’s eighth championship, and their seventh since leaving Brooklyn in 1958. The was the most anticipated World Series in recent memory and, by and large, it lived up to the hype despite the swift finish.
With the World Series now complete, the 2024-25 offseason has officially begun, and several significant events are right around the corner. Here are the important dates and deadlines for the coming weeks and months.
Oct. 31: Players become free agents, trading resumes
As of 9 a.m. ET on Thursday, eligible players (i.e. those with at least six years of service time) are free agents. It is important to note free agents can not sign with new teams just yet. They have to wait five days for that. The first five days of the offseason are an exclusive negotiating period during which free agents can only talk money with their most recent team. Very, very few players re-sign during the exclusive negotiating period. Edwin Díaz and the Mets two years ago is by far the most notable in recent memory. Once players get this close to free agency, they typically test the market. Trades involved 40-man roster players can resume on this day as well. Those get put on hold after the trade deadline each summer.
Nov. 3: Gold Glove winners announced
Gold Glove winners announced during an ESPN broadcast at 8:30 p.m. ET. Here are this year’s Gold Glove finalists. In addition to the nine individual positions, there is also a utility Gold Glove and a team Gold Glove.
Nov. 4: Contract option decisions
Most contract option decisions are due on this date. Some contracts specify a different date (the Yankees had to make a decision on Zack Britton’s 2022 club option in November 2020, for example), but the vast majority have to be made within five days of the end of the World Series. Club options are controlled by the team, player options and opt-outs are controlled by the player, and mutual options are kind of pointless. They are essentially a way to move money to next year’s payroll.
Some option decisions are no-brainers, like Sean Manaea opting out of his $13.5 million salary with the Mets or the Diamondbacks picking up their $7 million club option for Merrill Kelly. This offseason’s notable contract option decisions include Gerrit Cole (can opt out of remaining four years and $144 million) and Marcell Ozuna ($16 million club option).
Nov. 4: Deadline to make qualifying offer
Specifically, the deadline is 5 p.m. ET. The qualifying offer is a one-year contract worth the average of the top 125 salaries, or $21.05 million this offseason, according to ESPN. To be eligible for the qualifying offer, a free agent must have spent the entire 2024 season with one team and have never received the qualifying offer previously. For example, the Orioles can make Corbin Burnes the qualifying offer, but the Dodgers cannot do the same to Jack Flaherty because he was traded at midseason.
Nov. 4: Free agency begins
The five-day exclusive negotiating period ends at 5 p.m. ET and free agents are truly free. They can negotiate and sign with any team as of this date. That said, much like the regular season, MLB free agency is a marathon, not a sprint. We (probably) won’t see a rash of signings on Day 1 because MLB is not a salary-capped league, and free agents aren’t worried about getting left out in the cold when cap space runs out.
Nov. 4-7: GM Meetings in San Antonio
Generally speaking, the GM Meetings are used to handle off-the-field matters such as rule changes, among other things. But when you put all 30 GMs in one place, deals inevitably get discussed and sometimes completed. Two years ago, the Braves traded Jake Odorizzi to the Rangers for Kolby Allard at the GM Meetings, for example. Also, the groundwork is often laid for trades that are completed at a later date.
Nov. 11: Awards finalists announced
Finalists for 2024’s major awards will be announced during an MLB Network broadcast at 6 p.m. ET. Those awards are Manager of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Cy Young, and Most Valuable Player. Three finalists are announced for each award in each league. As a reminder, voting for these awards was completed before the postseason. These are regular-season awards.
Nov. 12: Silver Slugger winners announced
There will be an MLB Network broadcast at 6 p.m. ET. If Silver Sluggers are your thing, this is the date for you. Two years ago, a utility player Silver Slugger was added, then last year MLB and Louisville debuted a team Silver Slugger. The Silver Slugger finalists will be announced Nov. 4.
Nov. 18: 2025 Hall of Fame ballot released
Just the ballot will be announced, to be clear. The voting results and 2025 Hall of Fame class will be revealed at a later date. Here are the players eligible for this year’s ballot. Most notably, this is Billy Wagner’s tenth and final year of eligibility. This is also Year 4 on the ballot for Alex Rodriguez, Year 8 for Andruw Jones, and Year 3 for Carlos Beltrán. Ichiro Suzuki and CC Sabathia are among the first-timers set to join the Hall of Fame ballot this year.
Nov. 18-21: Awards week
That is Rookies of the Year on Monday, Managers of the Year on Tuesday, Cy Youngs on Wednesday, and MVPs on Thursday. The awards will be announced during an MLB Network broadcast at 6 p.m. ET each day. Here are our CBS Sports staff awards picks.
Nov. 19: Qualifying offer decisions
The deadline for free agents to accept or reject the qualifying offer is 4 p.m. ET on this date. Players who accept the qualifying offer sign that one-year, $21.05 million contract and remain with their team (players who accept the QO cannot be traded until next June 15 without their consent). Free agents who reject the qualifying offer are attached to draft-pick compensation. Their former team receives a draft pick if they sign elsewhere, and their new team has to forfeit a draft pick and international bonus money. Pete Alonso and Juan Soto are among the free agents who will surely reject the qualifying offer and instead sign lucrative multi-year contracts this offseason.
Nov. 19: Deadline to file reserve lists
That is a fancy way of saying 6 p.m. ET is the deadline for teams to add eligible minor leaguers to the 40-man roster to protect them from the Rule 5 Draft. Generally speaking, college players drafted no later than 2021 and high school players drafted no later than 2020 are Rule 5 Draft eligible this winter, as are players signed internationally no later than 2020. Among the notable Rule 5 Draft eligible prospects this offseason are Cubs outfielder Owen Caissie and Cardinals righty Tink Hence. Those two and many others will be added to the 40-man roster on this date.
It should be noted there are usually several minor trades on this date as teams get their 40-man roster in order. Two years ago, the Rays traded Xavier Edwards to the Marlins at the Rule 5 Draft protection deadline to clear 40-man space.
Nov. 19-21: Owners meetings in New York
The quarterly owners meetings cover big-picture business matters and are rarely a source of hot stove news or rumors. Last year’s November meetings were notable because the owners voted on the Athletics’ proposed relocation to Las Vegas, which was unanimously approved. There’s nothing as significant on the docket this time around.
Nov. 22: Non-tender deadline
This is the deadline for teams to offer their pre-arbitration and arbitration-eligible players a contract for 2025. Contracts do not have to be signed yet. An offer just has to be extended. Players who do not receive a contract offer by this date are considered
MLB contract option decisions: Sean Manaea opts out of Mets deal, Jordan Montgomery remains with D-backs
Monday, Nov. 4, is an important date on the offseason calendar. It is the day free agency truly begins and players are free to sign with new teams. It’s also the deadline for teams to tender the qualifying offer to eligible free agents, and the day contract option decisions are due. Club options are controlled by the team, player options and opt outs are controlled by the player, and both sides have a say in mutual options.
Several important contract option decisions have already been handed down. Gerrit Cole opted out his deal with the Yankees (though they can still retain him). Blake Snell opted out his contract with the Giants. Cody Bellinger exercised his player option to remain with the Cubs. Here now is a roundup of other notable option decisions around the league.
Option decision: Exercised $18 million player option (per MLB.com)
Hoskins had the worst season of his career in 2024, his first year back from a torn ACL. He slashed .214/.303/.419 with 26 home runs and needed a productive September (.779 OPS) to get there. Hoskins turns 33 in March and he’s a poor defender who registered as a sub-replacement level player in 2024 (minus-0.2 WAR). There was little chance he would get $18 million as a free agent this offseason. He’ll look to bounce back with Milwaukee in 2025, and give free agency another go next winter.
Option decision: $10.5 million club option picked up (per Tampa Bay Times)
That $10.5 million salary makes Lowe Tampa’s highest paid player in 2025, and thus makes him a trade candidate. The Rays have a history of trading their highest paid players every offseason (last year it was Tyler Glasnow and Manuel Margot), and Lowe could be next to go. He hit .244/.311/.473 with 21 home runs in 107 games around an oblique strain in 2024. His contract includes an $11.5 million club option for 2026, making him a potential two-year add for interested teams.
Option decision: Opted out of one year and $13.5 million (per MLB.com)
Manaea was having a strong season through mid July and was on track to opt out of his contract, then he lowered his arm slot to mimic Chris Sale, and pitched like an ace the rest of the way. He had a 3.47 ERA in 32 starts overall and a 3.09 ERA in 12 starts after lowering his arm slot. That late season success made it a slam dunk that Manaea would opt into free agency, so this decision is hardly a surprise. The Mets are likely to make Manaea the $21.05 million qualifying offer, which he’ll reject so he can seek a multi-year contract.
Option decision: Exercised $22.5 million player option (per MLB.com)
D-backs owner Ken Kendrick took the blame for what he called the
MLB Insider Connects Blue Jays, Dodgers, Giants To Star Free Agent Shortstop
Willy Adames is the top-rated shortstop in this free agency class and it’s not particularly close. He’s coming off a very solid year with the Milwaukee Brewers, but many experts project him to be headed elsewhere in free agency.
Adames, 29, slashed .251/.331/.462 with an OPS+ of 118 and 21 stolen bases. The shortstop looked more comfortable in the batter’s box than ever before and he’s set to get paid because of it.
Spotrac projects him to land a six-year, $152.2 million contract this offseason.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – SEPTEMBER 28: Willy Adames #27 of the Milwaukee Brewers reacts after hitting a run scoring single in the eighth inning against the New York Mets at American Family Field on September 28,… MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – SEPTEMBER 28: Willy Adames #27 of the Milwaukee Brewers reacts after hitting a run scoring single in the eighth inning against the New York Mets at American Family Field on September 28, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. More John Fisher/Getty Images
MLB insider Mark Feinsand sees him as the top middle infielder in free agency as well.
2024 MLB Gold Glove winners: Bobby Witt Jr., Chris Sale and Matt Chapman among defenders honored
The winners for the 2024 Rawlings Gold Glove were revealed Sunday night by Major League Baseball.
The Gold Glove award has been around since 1957, crowning the best defensive player at each position in each league. It was initially an MLB-wide honor, but in 1958 it was divided up into AL and NL. Also, there was a stretch where three outfielders per league won the honor instead of splitting up the three specific outfield positions, but now it’s back to left field, center field and right field, respectively, in each league.
Winners are determined by votes by managers and coaches (75%) and a SABR-provided statistical component (25%). Team employees are forbidden from voting for their own players,
While MLB released
Gilbert Arenas Helps Lakers Potentially Reach Trade Decision As Rumors Over D’Angelo Russell and More Remain
The LA Lakers’ 2024 free agency journey has been anything but smooth. With hopes of snagging a big-name, multiple stars have shut them out. Even DeMar DeRozan, once a prime target, opted for a 3-year, $73.7 million deal with Sacramento instead. Now, trade rumors involving D’Angelo Russell and Utah Jazz’s Walker Kessler are swirling, and Gilbert Arenas, the self-proclaimed “Bipolar Laker fan,” isn’t holding back. He’s chiming in on what the Lakers should prioritize and, according to him, it’s all about looking at their own legacy.
In a recent clip shared on his X account, Arenas dove into the Lakers’ storied past, emphasizing how the franchise has historically built its success—not through draft picks, but by making bold trades. When co-host Joshua pressed Arenas on whether Kessler would fit the Lakers’ roster and if he’s worth giving up two first-round picks, Arenas answered, “I don’t know if the Lakers know their draft history. You don’t hold no value to your picks, anyway. You’re the Lakers, you have made your greatness through trade.”
To drive his point home, Arenas listed off stars like Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, and Pau Gasol as prime examples, emphasizing, “Your legacy is built on what you do in trading, not what you draft.”
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From Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 1974 to Anthony Davis in 2019, the Lakers have indeed made some smart choices in trade. Last year’s Russell Westbrook, 2 others, and a top-4 protected 2027 first-round pick for Russell alongside two others, wasn’t bad in itself either. Averaging 18.0 points, 6.3 assists, and 3.1 rebounds across 76 games, the guard delivered one of his best seasons. He would also set the single-season franchise record for three-point field goals, considering the season “high level.”
But his contract situation adds a layer of complexity. Russell exercised his $18.7 million option to remain with the Lakers for another year to grow under JJ Redick. “I love what JJ is about and I really see myself thriving under his guidance to help win at a high level,” Russell had told ESPN. But with his contract expiring, trade discussions have become louder.
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Now even if the Lakers were to push for Kessler, securing him won’t be easy. The Athletic’s Sam Amick and John Hollinger have reported that Utah is not interested in the deal involving D’Angelo Russell and multiple first-round picks. This puts the Lakers in a tricky spot if they’re serious about adding Kessler to the roster, as they’ll likely need to sweeten the deal considerably.
Gil isn’t happy with Laker’s free agency
In 2024 free agency, in a bid to upgrade their roster, the franchise reportedly looked into signing DeRozan, who could’ve been a game-changer at Crypto.com Arena. But the Lakers fell short on budget, with DeRozan eyeing around $75 million—$15 million more than the Lakers had to offer. Even LeBron James was reportedly on board with bringing in fresh talent, initially open to taking a pay cut before ultimately securing his max contract.
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Yet, Gilbert Arenas’ co-host Brandon Jennings questions whether DeRozan would’ve chosen L.A. regardless. “You think it would be good for him to go there on the tail end of his career… It’s a circus over here,” he joked. Indeed, the Lakers have had their share of drama lately, from coaching controversies to drafting LeBron’s son, Bronny. All this, while still searching for that elusive point guard upgrade.
So, should the Lakers have pushed harder for DeRozan? Gilbert Arenas thinks so. “We need the clutch guy at the end of the game. Last five minutes to hit those buckets. A mid-range guy,” he argued. Yet, his co-host pointed out that LeBron’s own clutch moves already cover that role. The debate only reinforces one thing: if the Lakers want to reclaim their throne, they might need to rethink their trade game.
Who Are Ka’imi Fairbairn’s Parents? Meet NFL Kicker’s Hawaiian Guardians Dad John and Mom Rochelle Fairbairn
Ka’imi Fairbairn is becoming a key player for the Houston Texans helping his team to win in every possible way. But apart from being a placekicker in the league and loving football, Ka’imi Fairbairn is also a family man who loves his family and ethnicity.
Born on January 29, 1994, in Kailua, Hawaii, U.S., Ka’imi Fairbairn is the oldest child of John and Rochelle Fairbairn. The couple share two more kids – a son Kona, and a daughter Kiara. Instead of following the bandwagon of keeping a similar name to that of father’s, John and Rochelle planned to name Ka’imi, sticking with their Hawaiian roots.
According to multiple websites, Ka’imi means – “seeker of wisdom.” Hence, speaking about the same, the athlete said, “Hawaiians have a long ancestry. It’s really meaningful for me to go by my Hawaiian name.” But that’s not the only story!
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Besides naming kids while keeping the Hawaiian roots, Ka’imi Fairbairn’s parents have also helped their children to grow and succeed in their respective careers. By profession, mom Rochelle is an “early childhood teacher and advocate,” as per the profile of her X account. However, John’s professional life isn’t mentioned anywhere in public, and hence, it’s clear that the couple prefers to keep a private life away from the media or cameras.
Nevertheless, it’s pretty sure that Ka’imi Fairbairn makes his parents and the Hawaiian community proud whenever he kicks off any field game in the league.
Ka’imi Fairbairn is a reliable star for the Texans!
Drafted in 2016 by the Houston Texans, Ka’imi Fairbairn keeps leading the team to wins in the NFL games. For instance, recently his kick “put his team ahead 22-21 with 1:48 remaining in regulation against the Green Bay Packers.”
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Although the Packers won the matchup with 2 points, the kicker’s attempt contributed to the team’s improvement in score. In addition to that, during the Colts game, “converted all three field-goal attempts and both extra-point kicks” leading his team to win. Till now, he has a career field goal percentage of 87.4%.
So, all in all, Ka’imi Fairbairn continues to make his team and the parents proud, making his presence worthy both off the field.
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Besides these, do watch our Think Thank episode with our host Trey Holder, where we interviewed Emily and Erin Griffin, the NFL’s global game changers!
Aaron Rodgers, Garrett Wilson Excite NFL Fans as Davante, Jets Beat Stroud, Texans
Luke Hales/Getty Images
The New York Jets are finally back in the win column.
After losing five consecutive games, the Jets beat the Houston Texans 21-13 on Thursday as New York overcame a slow start and scored all of its points in the second half.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers had one of the worst starts of the season, completing seven of his 14 passes for just 14 yards heading into halftime. He finally got things going in the second half, and his favorite target was Garrett Wilson.
Wilson had nine receptions for 90 yards and a pair of touchdowns, including one of the best catches you’ll see this season:
Rodgers also found a connection with Davante Adams after a bit of a slow start to his time as a Jet. Adams had seven receptions for 91 yards and a touchdown, sealing the game with a late score in the fourth quarter.
Rodgers finished with 211 passing yards and a season-high three touchdowns, shaking off the slow start to help New York snap a losing streak that was starting to get ugly.
After the win, fans praised Wilson, Rodgers and the Jets for picking up a win against one of the top teams in the AFC.
The Jets still have a long way to go before they’re considered to be playoff contenders, but a win on Thursday is a step in the right direction. Rodgers was finally clicking with his receivers and the defense came up big against CJ Stroud and the Texans.
NFL Week 9 Takeaways: Garrett Wilson TD Catch Steals Show as Jets End Losing Streak
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Luke Hales/Getty Images
If ever there was a game that was a tale of two halves, it was the Jets’ 21-13 win over Houston at Met Life Stadium.
Over the first 30 minutes, the Jets offense was, well, offensive. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers was 7-of-14 for 32 yards. The Jets had less than 70 yards of offense, less than 10 minutes of time of possession and five first downs. They fumbled a ball out of Houston’s end zone for a touchback on their best drive.
It’s the dumbest rule in the NFL. But that’s a conversation for another day.
Everything that has been wrong with New York during its 2-6 start was on full display. Jets gotta Jet. The team was fortunate to only be down 7-0.
Then, in the second half, a completely different team took the field—especially on offense.
Rodgers followed up that dismal first half with a precise second that included three touchdown passes—two to Garrett Wilson and one to Davante Adams. The team’s star wideouts combined for 16 catches, 181 yards and those three scores.
One of Wilson’s was the type you’ll be seeing a lot of in the days and weeks to come.
Running back Breece Hall topped 80 total yards. The defense stiffened, allowing just a pair of field goals after intermission.
It was a truly Halloween-ish display of Jekyll and Hyde football.
When the Jets play like they did after halftime, New York looks like the team the fans were excited about before the season. Yes, the Texans have been hit hard by injuries. But they were still a two-loss first-place team.
If the Jets could actually put together a couple 60-minute efforts like that second half, they might just be able to get a floundering 2024 campaign back on track.
NFL execs predict 2024 division winners, Super Bowl matchup
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A league that promotes parity is loving the 2024 season.
Each team has at least seven games in the books entering Week 9, and 19 teams have at least four wins. Six of those teams — the Denver Broncos (5-3), Los Angeles Chargers (4-3), Atlanta Falcons (5-3), Chicago Bears (4-3), Minnesota Vikings (5-2) and Washington Commanders (6-2) — missed the postseason a year ago.
Three out of eight division leaders hold just a half-game lead. At almost the halfway point of the season, 67 games have been decided by seven points or fewer, the most ever at this point in a season.
All right, enough with the numbers. There’s plenty of football to play, which means plenty of bad football, too. Several teams are putting out ugly product on Sundays.
Save a few clear-cut favorites, surprises are coming in several divisions. And yet, early candidates for Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on Feb. 9 are in.
ESPN marked the occasion by talking to a number of NFL executives, attempting to gauge where insiders believe the division races are headed, as well as the two teams that will still be playing football in February
Jump to a division race:
AFC East | AFC North | AFC South | AFC West
NFC East | NFC North | NFC South | NFC West | SBLIX
NFL playoff picture: Jets beat Texans to shake up AFC standings in Week 9
Despite a major Malachi Corley flubbed touchdown, the New York Jets (3-6) kept their playoff chances on life support with a victory on Thursday Night Football. A gorgeous Garrett Wilson touchdown was key in handing the Houston Texans (6-3) their first loss in the AFC this year. They fall to the bottom of the pack of the AFC division leaders, but it’s unlikely to impact their ability to make the playoffs.
Here is how the AFC Playoff Picture was changed by the Jets’ win over the Texans.
AFC East standings after the Jets win in Week 9
The Jets were in last place in the AFC East heading into this week, and the win vaults them into second place at least for the time being. Either the Miami Dolphins and/or New England Patriots would pass them if they win their Sunday games.
The Buffalo Bills still hold a commanding lead at 6-2 and could build on that with a win over Miami this weekend. New York is in the awkward position of probably rooting for the Dolphins just to give themselves a chance to eventually win the division, especially because both the Dolphins and Jets have losses to the Bills already.
Where are the Jets in the AFC Wild Card race in Week 9?
The Jets getting to three wins actually moves them up considerably. New York moves from 15th to 10th in the conference at 3-6, just behind the 3-5 Cincinnati Bengals. The Los Angeles Chargers hold the final playoff spot currently at 4-3.
The teams clumped at 2-6 right now are the Cleveland Browns, Las Vegas Raiders, Jacksonville Jaguars, and the Patriots. If any of these teams win this weekend, they would pass the Jets once again. If the Bengals lose to the Raiders, New York would move ahead of Cincinnati but the Raiders would pass them.
Where are the Texans in the Week 9 AFC South divisional standings?
Even after the loss, the Texans are in a commanding position in the AFC South. At 6-3, they are still two wins clear of the Indianapolis Colts and swept Indy this season. The 2-6 Jaguars and 1-6 Titans are distant thoughts at this point.
Where are the Texans in the AFC Playoff Picture?
Following the loss, Houston is now in last place among the division leaders. That slots the Texans fourth right now behind the two-loss Pittsburgh Steelers and Buffalo Bills and the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs.
Pittsburgh is on a bye, so Houston can’t re-pass them this weekend, but if the Bills lose to the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo will slide back to fourth and Houston will move up to third.
Related The NFC Playoff Picture heading into Week 9
Week 9 AFC standings following Thursday Night Football
Note: In the standings below, only the pertinent tiebreakers are listed.
1. Kansas City Chiefs (7-0)
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2, 4-1 AFC)
3. Buffalo Bills (6-2, 4-2 AFC)
4. Houston Texans (6-3)
5. Baltimore Ravens (5-3, 2-2 AFC)
6. Denver Broncos (5-3, 2-3 AFC)
7. Los Angeles Chargers (4-3)
8. Indianapolis Colts (4-4)
9. Cincinnati Bengals (3-5)
10. New York Jets (3-6)
11. Miami Dolphins (2-5)
12. Cleveland Browns (2-6, 2-2 AFC)
13. Las Vegas Raiders (2-6, 2-4 AFC, .438 strength of victory)
14. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-6, 2-4 AFC, .375 SOV, win over NEP)
15. New England Patriots (2-6, 2-4 AFC, .313 SOV, loss to JAX)
16. Tennessee Titans (1-6)
Your daily NFL trivia game, Friday edition
We’re back for another day of the SB Nation in-5 daily trivia game, and we’re returning to our system of a new article each day for the game.
We tried using a single article for the game, updated with the latest game each day, but it was creating a bit of an unwieldy experience in the comments. So, we’ll have the current day’s game plus the previous three days in each new article. That way, you can catch up if you miss a day.
Game instructions are at the bottom if you’re new to the game!
What we need from you
Play the game Share your result in the comments and on social media Provide feedback (Google Form or in comments below)
See SB Nation in-5 game instructions below the game.
Today’s SB Nation in-5 game
Thursday’s SB Nation in-5 game
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SB Nation in-5 instructions
The goal of the game is to guess the correct random NFL player with the help of up to five clues. We’ll mix in BOTH ACTIVE AND RETIRED PLAYERS this week. It won’t be easy to figure it out in one or two guesses, but some of you might be able to nail it. It will be a mix of well-known players and some “that guys” that we haven’t thought of in some time. The game will appear in slot #3 of the SB Nation layout each morning, with occasional movement later in the day.
After you correctly guess the player, you can click “Share Results” to share how you did down in the comments and on social media. We won’t go into other details about the game as we’d like your feedback on it. How it plays, what you think of it, the difficulty level, and anything else you can think of that will let us know what you think and how we can improve the game. You can provide feedback in the comments of this article, or you can fill out this Google Form.
Enjoy!
Azeez Ojulari’s surge could speed up the end of Giants tenure
Azeez Ojulari’s first regular-season game with the Giants served as a prelude to what would follow in 2021, when he escaped from Broncos right tackle Bobby Massie and dropped Teddy Bridgewater to the MetLife Stadium turf for his first career sack.
He added another one the following week. One the third game, too.
And by the time the dust settled at the end of his inaugural campaign, the second-round pick had collected eight to set a Giants rookie record.
4 Azeez Ojulari sacks Joe Burrow during the Giants’ loss to the Bengals earlier this season. Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
But when he lines up at that same outside linebacker spot Sunday, Ojulari, just 24 years old yet in his fourth NFL season, could be playing his final game for the Giants.
Ojulari said he won’t think about that, but instead be focused on the Commanders and whatever blocking packages they throw at Big Blue’s defense.
He’ll be focused on trying to help the Giants turn their season around, a 2-6 record at the crux of why his name has been linked to other teams to begin with.
Still, the NFL trade deadline looms Tuesday.
Ojulari, who dealt with injuries the past two seasons then lost his starting spot when the Giants acquired Brian Burns, has collected five sacks in three starts since Kayvon Thibodeaux landed on injured reserve, boosting his trade value for contending teams in need of edge-rushing help.
4 Giants’ Azeez Ojulari talks with reporters on Oct. 30, 2204. Bill Kostroun / New York Post
His first healthy season since a dominant rookie campaign has coincided with the final year of his rookie deal, and while his recent burst — paired with his past success — likely boosted the salary in Ojulari’s future, it also could impact his present.
“I’m not thinking about it at all, for real,” Ojulari told The Post. “I’m just all-in on this game right now, and whatever happens, happens. I’m not stressing it.”
For the first five weeks of the season, Ojulari was relegated to rotational snaps. Thirty percent in a game here. Forty percent there.
Burns, who the Giants traded for and then extended, snagged starting snaps after arriving, and that, given the context of the past two seasons derailed by hamstring and ankle injuries, forced Ojulari into an altered role.
He tried to soak in everything he could from Burns and Thibodeaux, using that information to spark improvements even if he didn’t necessarily receive the maximum number of game reps to test them.
Ojulari has the explosiveness, inside linebacker Bobby Okereke told The Post. He has a “very high motor.”
4 Giants linebacker Azeez Ojulari (51) celebrates after sacking Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. AP
“And he’s always working moves,” Okereke said.
The Giants needed to rely on that again when Thibodeaux sustained a wrist injury during their Week 5 win and landed on injured reserve, and Olujari delivered with a pair of sacks against the Bengals in his first start of 2024.
He tripped Joe Burrow behind the line of scrimmage while he started to scramble.
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Later in the same drive, he maneuvered around tackle Amarius Mims and dumped Burrow again.
Olujari added another sack the following week before adding two more during Monday’s loss to the Steelers.
Last year, Ojulari said, there were times when he’d be hesitant while playing.
Injuries morphed into mental hurdles. They prevented any degree of consistency from materializing.
4 Giants linebacker Azeez Ojulari (51) runs a drill during training camp. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
He wanted to log every snap after healing without worrying about the threat of another injury.
“When you’re out there, you gotta play 100 percent,” Ojulari said. “You can’t be thinking about it because that’s gonna mess up your game. So that was something you gotta get over, too, and I feel like I’ve been solid this year.”
It took time to find a rhythm again in 2024, but for a different reason.
Ojulari didn’t have a path toward consistent snaps. That could be the case again when Thibodeaux returns.
The trade deadline — and the need to carve out a new role on a new team — could disrupt the flow he has finally rediscovered, too.
“I’ve always thought competition breeds excellence, so I think the addition of Brian Burns, if anything, motivated him to show that he’s an elite pass-rusher himself,” Okereke said, “and that in a very talented outside backer room of him and Kayvon and Burns, that he can see a lot of success and compete at a high level. I think he accepted the challenge from the start.”
Garrett Wilson’s one-handed catch helps Jets beat Texans, snap losing streak
New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson scored twice in a win over the Houston Texans on Thursday in East Rutherford, N.J. File Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 1 (UPI) — Garrett Wilson stabbed his right arm into the air and snatched a jump ball while airborne, coming down with one of the best touchdown catches of the NFL year and leading the New York Jets over the Houston Texans. The sensational scoring snag came in the fourth quarter of the 21-13 victory Thursday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Advertisement
Travis Kelce’s Ex Kayla Nicole Becomes Popular NFL WAG on Halloween as Taylor Swift Silent on Spooky Holiday
It’s Halloween Day! October 31 was a fun night for many NFL stars and the people associated with the league. However, Travis Kelce’s ex Kayla Nicole’s Halloween dress was different from others, as she enacted a popular NFL WAG on the day.
Whom did she copy? Naah, it’s definitely not Taylor Swift. But it’s Russell Wilson’s wife, Ciara Wilson. How? Well, Kayla Nicole dropped some stunning pictures on her official Instagram account, where she could be seen donning a black cutout bikini swimsuit, paired with a brown furry coat.
In the caption, she wrote, “Ciara…..uh huuuhhhhh!” Now this wasn’t just a random post or caption. It was special because it was already done by Ciara earlier. Yes! Kayla Nicole copied Wilson’s wife by wearing similar outfits, as well as copying her dance moves on CiCi’s “Ride” song.
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View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kayla Nicole (@iamkaylanicole)
She perfectly embodied Ciara’s signature style, and this is also evident from her fans’ comments on her posts, as many followers could barely recognize her. One even said, “This is Ciara where is Kayla???” Ciara is definitely an inspiration for sure!
All these posts and happy vibes from Kayla Nicole came in after she complained about the online haters who continue to backlash the model. Nevertheless, Nicole is happy to live her single life, spending her holidays in unique ways. On the other hand, Taylor Swift remained silent on social media on a spooky holiday. But worry not! Her fans are there for the pop star and the Kansas City Chiefs tight end, Travis Kelce.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s US Open date copied!
Last year two cute children dressed up as Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce for Halloween. Now this time, they are copied by actress and talk show host, Kelly Ripa and her husband, Mark Consuelos. Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s relationship is loved by many, hence, on Halloween, Ripa and Consuelos paid a tribute to the two lovebirds.
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via Reuters Tennis – U.S. Open – Flushing Meadows, New York, United States – September 8, 2024 Singer Taylor Swift and Kansas City Chiefs’ Travis Kelce are seen during the final match between Italy’s Jannik Sinner and Taylor Fritz of the U.S. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz
On the Oct. 31 episode of Live with Kelly and Mark, the hosts dressed up as Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce. Their costumes this time were inspired by a recent NYC date look of Swift and Kelce—Ripa matched Swift’s gingham sundress, red lipstick, and sunglasses—while Consuelos channeled Kelce with a Gucci bucket hat, white shirt, cardigan, cream shorts, and even Kelce’s signature mustache.
They truly embraced the celebrity couple’s style, making for a fun and timely Halloween tribute to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s relationship.
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Till then, do watch our Think Thank episode with our host Trey Holder, where we interviewed Emily and Erin Griffin, the NFL’s global game changers!
5 NFL MVP candidates, ranked by who should win in 2024
We’re not quite at midseason yet, but there’s still been more than enough time to rank NFL MVP candidates so far. This season has been an interesting one, with the usual MVP candidates like QBs Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow having either a down season individually or the team not having much success as a total unit. Yet, in their place we have so many more candidates coming to the forefront, from some usual suspects to players who have surged to the top of the list. So let’s rank them at this point of the season, starting with the reigning MVP.
1 . Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens
Aaron Rodgers was the last player to win back to back MVPs in 2020 and 2021, but Jackson has the chance to change that this season. You can make the argument that Jackson is even better than his MVP-winning season last year, leading the NFL in Success Rate as a passer and has thrown 17 touchdowns compared to only two interceptions this season.
On the ground, he’s added 500 yards and two touchdowns. If he keeps up his pace of 56 rushing yards per game and over 200 passing yards per game, he could hit 4,000 yards passing AND 1,000 yards rushing in a single season, which would make him the only player to hit that mark. Add in the Ravens being one of the most feared offenses in the league, and you get a great case for a back-to-back MVP.
2. Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills
Despite a minor lull in production, Allen is still near the top of the MVP rankings. He’s thrown for 14 touchdowns and is only one of two QBs with at least 150 passing attempts and has only thrown one interception. As the Bills run away with the AFC East in their retool year, Allen has consistently been a force of nature, while still evolving his game in the short area and handling much more at the line of scrimmage and his play still hasn’t fallen off a cliff this season. The addition of WR Amari Cooper has really helped open up the offense much more, allowing for receivers like Keon Coleman and Khalil Shakir to thrive in adjusted roles. If the Bills keep up this success, Allen will definitely get MVP votes.
3. Derrick Henry, RB, Baltimore Ravens
Henry will definitely end up stealing votes from his QB if he continues this high level of play. Most would say running backs hit a wall at the age of 30, but Henry is both defying Father Time and powering a rushing offense that is once again historic. He leads the NFL in rushing yards, big plays (runs over 20 yards), rushing touchdowns and among all high volume carriers, first in the NFL in yards per carry.
Again, he’s doing this all at 30 years old.
His resurgence has helped drive one of the most feared run games in the entire league, and his ability to hit both the big play and keep the offense on schedule has been exactly what the Ravens needed. If not MVP, he’s definitely at the top of the list for Offensive Player of the Year.
4. Jared Goff, QB, Detroit Lions
Mr. Perfect has finally shown up.
People are going to knock his performances because of the surrounding talent the Detroit Lions have, but Goff’s growth within this offense has been super fun to watch. His confidence in himself and the structure of the offense has led to an offensive explosion, especially in recent weeks. We all remember his 18/18 performance against the Seahawks, but he’s played at that same level in recent weeks as well. Detroit is by far and away the best team in the NFC, with the QB playing at the highest level. If Detroit is able to make a run to the Super Bowl like we expect them to, Goff should receive some MVP votes.
5. Jayden Daniels, QB, Washington Commanders
The last rookie to win MVP was Jim Brown in 1957, but in a year where most of the superstar veterans are having down years, Daniels could seriously get some votes. He’s led the resurgent Washington Commanders to a hot start, while proving electric play with his arm and legs, like the leader on this list. Daniels has only thrown for seven touchdowns this year, but his underlying advanced stats are much more impressive. He’s sixth in Success Rate, and while EPA is a team stat, he’s second in adjusted EPA per play. His electrified the NFL with the Commanders being where they are to start this season, and if he keeps this up we’ll see his name on a few MVP ballots.
Honorable mention: Saquon Barkley, RB, Philadelphia Eagles, Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs, Penei Sewell, OT, Detroit Lions, Tristan Wirfs, OT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2024-25 NHL injury tracker: Oilers star Connor McDavid listed as week-to-week with ankle injury
The 2024-25 NHL season is officially underway with a few weeks in the books. While the season has barely begun, plenty of players have already hit the injured list, including reigning Conn Smythe Trophy winner Connor McDavid.
The Edmonton Oilers have announced that McDavid will miss two-to-three weeks with an ankle injury. During an Oct. 28 game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, McDavid got tripped up, and his feet went into boards awkwardly. After further evaluation, it was determined that McDavid had suffered an ankle injury severe enough for him to miss several weeks.
The Oilers were already off to a shaky start, and now they’ll have to stay afloat without their best player and captain. If McDavid hits the two-week time frame, he’ll miss around five games. If it’s closer to three weeks, he could miss as many as many as six.
Meanwhile, San Jose Sharks No. 1 pick Macklin Celebrini is currently on the shelf on injured reserve after playing just one game to begin his NHL career. Celebrini is currently dealing with a lower-body injury and could return sometime in November. Prior to going down, Celebrini tallied a goal and an assist in his first NHL game.
Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko is also currently out of the lineup. Demko is currently dealing with a knee injury that has hampered him since the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. In Game 1 of Vancouver’s opening-round series against the Nashville Predators, Demko injured his knee and wasn’t able to return at any point in the postseason. It was recently revealed the Canucks netminder will miss three-to-four weeks, so he could return to the ice in early November.
Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog also is continuing to work his way back from injury. It’s been a long road for Landeskog, who hasn’t played since the 2022 postseason. Landeskog underwent arthroscopic knee surgery after the Avalanche won the Stanley Cup in 2022. It was initially announced that Landeskog would miss the opening 12 weeks of the 2022-23 season, but he eventually ended up missing the entire campaign.
After revealing that the Colorado captain wouldn’t take part in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the team announced he needed cartilage transplant surgery and would miss the entire 2023-24 season. Landeskog continues to rehabilitate his knee, but it’s unclear when he could return to the ice.
Here is a list of many of the marquee players that are currently sidelined due to injury.
Type of Injury: Appendectomy surgery
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Early November 2024
Last Played: 4/12/24
Type of Injury: Lower-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Early November 2024
Last Played: 10/19/24
Colorado Avalanche
Gabriel Landeskog
Type of Injury: Knee
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 6/26/22
Type of Injury: Shoulder surgery
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 5/17/24
Columbus Blue Jackets
Type of Injury: Upper-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 10/15/24
Type of Injury: Hip, hernia surgeries
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: February 2025
Last Played: 6/10/24
Connor McDavid (C)
Type of Injury: Ankle
Injured Reserve: No (currently listed as week-to-week)
Approximate Return Date: Nov. 6-Nov. 13
Last Played: 10/28/24
Type of Injury: Ankle surgery
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 9/25/24
Type of Injury: Lower-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: December 2024
Last Played: 10/19/24
Type of Injury: Ankle surgery
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: 2025-26 season
Last Played: 4/10/24
Type of Injury: Fractured ankle
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 10/22/24
San Jose Sharks
Macklin Celebrini (C)
Type of Injury: Lower body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: October 2024
Last Played: 10/10/24
Type of Injury: Mid-body injury
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Mid-November 2024
Last Played: 10/17/24
Type of Injury: Lower-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Late October 2024
Last Played: 9/22/24
Type of Injury: Upper-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 4/15/24
Vancouver Canucks
Thatcher Demko (G)
Type of Injury: Knee
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Late October 2024
Last Played: 4/21/24
Type of Injury: Recovery from testicular cancer
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Late October 2024
Last Played: 5/20/24
3rd Kelowna Rocket alumni in 2 weeks to reach 1,000-game mark in NHL
Mikael Backlund joins Luke Schenn and Tyler Myers to reach the milestone this month
Luke Schenn, Tyler Myers, and now Mikael Backlund.
Within a span of two weeks, the three Kelowna Rockets alumni have each reached 1,000 games in the NHL.
Backlund is set to reach the milestone on Wednesday, Oct. 30 as he suits up for the Calgary Flames against the Utah Hockey Club.
Schenn played in his 1,000th game for Nashville on Thursday, Oct. 17 while Myers did for Vancouver on Oct. 19.
Now 35, Backlund has spent his entire NHL career with Calgary, totalling 536 points (202 goals, 334 assists).
The Vasteras, Sweden native played for the Rockets in the 2008-09 season with Myers, on their way to winning the WHL championship. He had 30 points in 28 games with the Rockets.
Alex Ovechkin all-time goals record tracker: Capitals star 37 away from tying Wayne Gretzky
Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin is closing in on being one of the most accomplished players in NHL history, and he took a notable step forward with two goals against the New York Rangers on Tuesday night.
With the 2024-25 season now in progress, Ovechkin is on the verge of becoming the NHL’s all-time goals leader. Ovechkin can pass Wayne Gretzky’s mark (894) during the 2024-25 regular season. The Capitals standout currently has 857 career goals, so he would need to rack up just 37 more goals this season in order to top Gretzky’s league record.
The 2023-24 campaign proved to be a mortal one for Ovechkin, who scored 31 goals last season. Ovechkin’s 31 goals was his lowest goal-scoring total since he netted 32 goals in the 2012-13 season. Ovechkin did have just 24 goals in 2020-21, but that season was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ovechkin scored 42 goals during the 2022-23 season, and has tallied at least 41 goals in 13 of his 19 NHL seasons.
Alex Ovechkin WAS • LW • #8 Career goals 857 Last goal scored 10/29/24 View Profile
Ovechkin currently has tallied 1,557 points (857 goals, 700 assists) in his professional career. He did make even more history in 2023-24 when he registered an NHL record 18th 30-goal season as he passed Mike Gartner (17) for the honor.
Ovechkin scored his third and fourth goals of the season in a 5-3 win against the Rangers on Oct. 29. That helped Ovechkin keep the pace he needs to catch Gretzky by the end of the regular season. Right now, Ovechkin is on pace for 41 goals, which is exactly what he needs to tie The Great One.
Ovechkin will likely continue to be an established force on the Capitals’ top power-play unit, so there will be plenty of goal-scoring opportunities. He will look to get off to a hotter start than he did in 2023-24 when he recorded just five goals over the first two months of the season.
CBS Sports will keep track of Ovechkin’s goals throughout the 2024-25 season and keep tabs on how close he is to eclipsing Gretzky’s all-time record.
When in Finland: Stars getting acquainted with local culture during NHL Global Series trip
HELSINKI, Finland — While the Stars’ Finnish players make a long-awaited trip home this week for the NHL Global Series in Finland, the rest of the roster has gotten to enjoy all the country has to offer.
The team arrived in Helsinki on Monday with four days to spare before playing the first of a back-to-back series against Florida in Tampere, another Finnish city about two hours north of the capital by car.
After the team’s flight from Dallas was delayed four hours Sunday night, their practice Monday was canceled, opening the evening for some team bonding around some Finnish cultural staples.
Players like Miro Heiskanen, Esa Lindell, Roope Hintz and the other Finns to come through the Stars’ locker room in recent years have constantly discussed saunas, reindeer and their other favorites from Finnish culture. Over the last three days, the non-Finns have finally had the chance to experience them.
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Monday evening, the team went for a cold plunge in the Baltic Sea, which is around 40 degrees Fahrenheit this week, before enjoying a traditional Finnish sauna. It is estimated that there are 3 million saunas in Finland for about 5.5 million people.
Off the plane and straight to the Sauna 🧖♂️🧖♂️🧖♂️#NHLGlobalSeries pic.twitter.com/AjLJumLH8q — Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) October 29, 2024
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While most of the Stars are used to cold plunges as a part of their recovery in the United States, some players said the water was even colder than they expected in the sea. Jake Oettinger said he and fellow goalie Magnus Hellberg, who was brought up from the Texas Stars for the trip, withstood the frigid waters the longest.
“It wasn’t awful. It was very refreshing,” Oettinger said. “I think we did pretty good.”
From there, the team tried Finnish delicacies like salmon soup and reindeer. The players all gave rave reviews.
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“It scared me to start,” forward Tyler Seguin said of the reindeer. “Tasted pretty good, though.”
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“I was just hoping it wasn’t Rudolph,” his linemate Matt Duchene added.
Through all the team bonding, the non-Finnish players said what they’ve enjoyed most is watching Heiskanen, Lindell and Hintz in their element.
The three Finns will play an NHL game in front of their home crowd for the first time Friday. The game is in Hintz’s hometown while Lindell and Heiskanen are from the Helsinki area and got to visit with family over the past few days.
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“It’s like Christmas day for them,” Oettinger said. “I know how special it is when I get to go play in Minnesota, so for these guys, it’s even more special because they’ve never done this before.”
The trip to Finland has been a new experience for most on the Stars’ roster. But they quickly learned how much in common they share with the Nordic nation.
“It’s a beautiful country that loves hockey, and obviously, they’ve made their mark on the NHL with how many great players they have,” Oettinger said.
On X/Twitter: @Lassimak
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More from the Stars in Finland
— Stars’ Esa Lindell working to restore hometown club after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
— Dallas Stars forward Matt Duchene named NHL’s third star of the week
— How the Dallas Stars developed NHL’s strongest talent pipeline from Finland
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— Catching up with Stars great Jere Lehtinen ahead of Global Series trip to Finland
Photos: Stars’ Esa Lindell, who is part of the club’s Finnish ownership group, enjoys Jokerit hockey game in his hometown 19 images View Gallery
Find more Stars coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
NHL Power Rankings: Capitals Break Into Top 5; Penguins in Free Fall
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Bleacher Report
They make up one of the NHL’s legendary player rivalries.
Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby.
They came into the league a year apart as No. 1 overall picks, are its active leaders in goals and points, respectively, and they’ve met in the playoffs four times–with each of those series won by the team that ultimately went on to hoist the Stanley Cup.
These days, though, they’re traveling in opposite directions.
Ovechkin and his Washington Capitals are off to a surprisingly strong start after the season’s first couple of weeks, and the 39-year-old is fewer than 40 flashing red lights away from becoming the league’s all-time leader in goals. Meanwhile, Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins won just three of their first 11 games and reached Halloween far closer to the league’s cob-webbed basement than to the elite air of its penthouse.
The B/R hockey staff took the pulse of the Caps, the Pens and all the rest while fulfilling its weekly Power Rankings duty, casting ballots that awarded 32 points for a first-place vote all the way down to a single point for a No. 32 position.
Ranking the 10 Scariest NHL Players from the 80s and 90s
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Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images Studios/Getty Images
Fear doesn’t always come with the threat of being punched in the face, sometimes fear comes from knowing there’s a presence on the ice that can deliver a hit so powerful it can change the course of a game or series. That’s what Scott Stevens did.
Stevens was one of the premier defensive defensemen throughout his 22-year career with the Washington Capitals, St. Louis Blues, and New Jersey Devils. Early on with the Caps and his one season with the Blues, Stevens was a ruthlessly physical blue liner and willing to fight to prove it. But when he landed in New Jersey, the fighting slowed down, but his physical play grew even stronger.
It’s often said that if Stevens played in the NHL today that he’d be reviled and suspended so often it would make Tom Wilson look like a dangler in comparison. Stevens delivered hits that unfortunately altered careers in the cases of Paul Kariya and Eric Lindros, but his reputation for patrolling open ice like a Great White Shark in the open waters was the thing of legend.
NHL Power Rankings: 1-32 poll, top November game for each team
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The second calendar month of the 2024-25 NHL season is here. But which games are the most tantalizing in the next 30 days?
For this edition of the Power Rankings, we’ve identified the game (or games) of the month for all 32 teams, whether it’s a rivalry matchup, a reunion with an old teammate or a key early season clash between top Stanley Cup contenders.
How we rank: A panel of ESPN hockey commentators, analysts, reporters and editors sends in a 1-32 poll based on the games through Wednesday, which generates our master list here.
Note: Previous ranking for each team refers to the previous edition, published Oct. 25. Points percentages are through Thursday’s games.
Previous ranking: 2
Points percentage: 90.00%
Nov. 7 vs. the Avalanche. The Jets’ promising 2024 playoff entry ended pretty quickly at the hands of the Avalanche this past spring. A single game in November will not be sufficient for vengeance, but as the Jets continue to prove themselves as a top contender, beating other top-tier teams is a requirement.
Next seven days: @ CBJ (Nov. 1), vs. TB (Nov. 3), vs. UTA (Nov. 5), vs. COL (Nov. 7)
Previous ranking: 3
Points percentage: 77.78%
Nov. 1, 2 vs. the Panthers. It’s another round of the NHL Global Series. Though the Devils-Sabres series in Prague proved one-sided, this pairing of Finn-loaded contenders will be a delight to the thousands in the building in Tampere.
Next seven days: vs. FLA (Nov. 1), vs. FLA (Nov. 2), vs. CHI (Nov. 7)
Previous ranking: 1
Points percentage: 72.22%
Nov. 23 at the Oilers. Not only is this the
Manchester City finalizing deal for NYCFC defender Christian McFarlane
Highlights Manchester City are finalizing a deal to sign defender Christian McFarlane from NYCFC.
McFarlane will join Man City’s youth setup in the winter after turning down other offers.
The deal showcases the relationship between NYCFC and Man City through CFG ownership.
Manchester City are finalizing a deal to sign England youth international defender Christian McFarlane from New York City FC , sources tell GIVEMESPORT.
The deal has been set for months, with sources having originally confirmed a framework was in place as early as March. Manchester City have been long-term admirers of McFarlane and the interest has been mutual. McFarlane had plenty of other suitors in England, including Brighton, Southampton and more, but the player wanted City.
McFarlane, who turns 18 in January 2025, will join Man City’s youth setup in the winter. The dynamic left back has been a regular for England’s youth national teams, including representing his country at the Under-17 European Championships. He is also still eligible to play for the United States, after moving stateside at the age of three.
The highly-rated defender made his first-team MLS debut in June, starting NYCFC’s last three league matches before the Leagues Cup break. McFarlane also started his side’s first Leagues Cup match on Sunday.
McFarlane went to Manchester City for a training stint last winter. He impressed the club and the club impressed him, setting the deal in motion. McFarlane’s athleticism is elite for his age, and it is the reason he lands on the radar of scouts at top clubs. His technical and 1-v-1 ability on both sides of the ball are other qualities scouts highlight.
It’s the second acquisition of a young MLS-based talent in a short span by Manchester City. They have already signed wonderkid Cavan Sullivan from the Philadelphia Union, a deal agreed for the 14-year-old that will go into effect when he turns 18. Sullivan set a new MLS record for youngest ever debutant, beating a mark long held by Freddy Adu.
What’s obviously different about the McFarlane deal is that it involves New York City FC , which is a club that is also owned by City Football Group (CFG). It’s not the first time these two clubs have done business.
Related Who is Record-Breaking Future Man City Star Cavan Sullivan Cavan Sullivan made history with the Philadelphia Union at 14 and has already agreed to join Manchester City.
Another deal between Man City and NYCFC
The history goes back to NYCFC’s inaugural season in 2015
Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
McFarlane isn’t the first player to trade his NYCFC blue for City blue, though he is the first for a few years.
Manchester City previously signed Jack Harrison from NYCFC in 2018, before sending him on a series of loans. Ditto for Mix Diskerud that same year. But the McFarlane deal is not of the same ilk as those previous two. He was signed with the chance to develop and eventually break into the Man City first team.
The most prominent name to move between the clubs is England legend Frank Lampard, who went from Manchester City to NYCFC, but his delayed arrival in the United States irked fans. He was due to join ahead of NYCFC’s inaugural 2015 season, but instead he extended his stay in England until the summer, while then-Man City manager Manuel Pellegrini suggested Lampard could even postpone his arrival for another season. He eventually joined NYCFC during the 2015 season, debuting on August 1 of that year.
NYCFC has also been the beneficiary of a pair of loans from Manchester to New York. Holding midfielder Yangel Herrera worked out for all parties, spending two years on loan at NYCFC before eventually signing with his current side, CFG club Girona in Spain. Angelino also spent time in the United States at NYCFC on loan from Man City, before leaving the CFG family. Today he plays for AS Roma.
Star forward Valentin Castellanos didn’t go from New York to England, but he did go on loan to fellow CFG club Girona for a season before a permanent transfer to Italian club Lazio.
Major League Soccer terminates Sporting KC midfielder’s contract
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — As of September 11, 2024, Sporting Kansas City midfielder Felipe Hernández’s contract has been terminated by Major League Soccer.
This comes after an investigation regarding Hernández’s alleged violation of MLS gambling policies for the second time. Hernández was also suspended in 2021 for violating these policies.
The midfielder was placed on administrative leave back in June of this year. Now, his contract has been terminated.
Now, Hernández won’t be eligible for reinstatement until January 1, 2026, on application to the Commisioner’s Office.
The MLS investigation found no evidence of inside information being shared, or that any match was tampered with or compromised.
Former MLS MVP Carlos Vela is finalizing a deal to return to the club, an AP source says
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles FC is finalizing a deal to re-sign former Major League Soccer MVP Carlos Vela for the playoff push, a person with knowledge of the decision tells The Associated Press.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity Friday night because the deal hasn’t been completed. The move is expected to be formally announced in the coming days as LAFC gears up to chase its second MLS title.
Vela was the first player in LAFC history when the Mexican star left Real Sociedad to sign with the expansion MLS club, which began play in 2018. Vela was a dominant MLS forward for a half-decade with LAFC, and he won the league’s MVP award in 2019 while also leading MLS in goals.
The 35-year-old Vela also was a key member of LAFC’s MLS Cup championship team in 2022, but he has been out of soccer since last winter, when his LAFC contract ended and wasn’t renewed.
Vela, who scored nine goals last season, was linked to moves back to Mexico or Europe, but he stayed on the market while LAFC fans regularly called for his return.
Vela should add even more offensive production to a roster headlined by former Golden Boot winner Denis Bouanga, Mateusz Bogusz and newcomer Olivier Giroud, who has played in two matches after joining the club from AC Milan this summer. Bouanga’s 16 goals this season are good for third in MLS.
Vela has 78 goals and 58 assists in 152 career regular season games for LAFC.
LAFC is second in the Western Conference standings, trailing the LA Galaxy by four points with two games in hand. LAFC and the Galaxy meet in Carson on Saturday night for the next edition of the El Trafico rivalry.
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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/soccer
MLS-OneFootball deal seeks to expand global audience
Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami controls the ball during the second half of the game against St. Louis City at Chase Stadium on June 01, 2024 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Major League Soccer is teaming up with German digital media platform OneFootball to provide highlights, stats and other content to a global audience. As part of the deal OneFootball will have access to highlights of hundreds of MLS matches each season.
MLS will also take a stake in OneFootball, joining a long list of financial investors and European soccer clubs that are shareholders, including Real Madrid, FC Barcelona and Manchester City, among others. Terms of the investment weren’t disclosed.
The deal comes as MLS continues to look for ways to expand its audience and capitalize on its recent surge in popularity since superstar Lionel Messi joined the American league a year ago.
Major League Soccer sets all-time attendance record in Lionel Messi’s first full season
CNN —
More than 11 million fans have attended Major League Soccer matches this year, breaking the regular season attendance record.
With 16 games still remaining before the start of the MLS Cup playoffs, the total has already surpassed the previous record of 10,900,804 set in 2023. The average attendance across the league is 23,240, and it is the third year in a row that MLS crowds have totaled more than 10 million during the regular season.
The arrival of soccer icon Lionel Messi in July 2023 has likely played a significant part in the increase in attendance.
At just over 17,000, the average crowd for Inter Miami games, home and away, was the second smallest in the league in 2022. That number increased to 24,407 in 2023 as Messi signed for Miami part of the way through the season, and to 29,778 in 2024 – the second highest in the league behind Atlanta United.
Two of the top three highest attendances this season have come at Inter Miami matches. The Herons’ 3-2 victory over Sporting Kansas City at Arrowhead Stadium in April was watched by 72,610, the fourth-largest crowd in MLS history.
More than 70,000 were in attendance at the Rose Bowl for July’s El Tráfico, the derby between LA Galaxy and LAFC, while Inter Miami’s 4-1 win at the New England Revolution rounded out the top three biggest crowds with 65,612 watching at the Gillette Stadium in April.
Olivier Giroud hoists the championship trophy after LAFC defeated Sporting Kansas City 3-1 in extra time in the US Open Cup. Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
Following Messi’s arrival last year, this season has seen a number of big names continue to enter the league. Borussia Dortmund legend Marco Reus joined LA Galaxy in August, while French World Cup-winning duo Hugo Lloris and Olivier Giroud are now with LAFC.
Luis Suárez, Messi’s former teammate at Barcelona, was reunited with the Argentine this year and helped Inter Miami to its first ever Supporters’ Shield in early October. The Herons are favorites to take the MLS Cup, with the playoffs beginning later this month.
San Diego FC will debut at LA Galaxy in late February. Home opener will be on March 1
SAN DIEGO (AP) — The expansion San Diego FC will make its debut against the LA Galaxy in Carson during Major League Soccer’s opening weekend Feb. 22-23, the league announced Monday.
The exact date, as well as the rest of the MLS schedule, will be announced in December.
San Diego, the league’s 30th team, also learned Monday that its first home match will be March 1 against St. Louis City SC at Snapdragon Stadium in Mission Valley.
The club recently hired coach Mikey Varas, who most recently was interim coach of the United States national team. San Diego then signed Mexican star Hirving “Chucky” Lozano in June.
Varas and sporting director Tyler Heaps will be able to select up to five current MLS players during the expansion draft on Dec. 11. The club also holds the first overall selection in the MLS SuperDraft on Dec. 20.
Besides Lozano, San Diego’s current roster includes forward Marcus Ingvartsen, midfielder Jeppe Tverskov, defender Paddy McNair, goalkeeper Duran Ferree and winger Alex Mighten.
San Diego is owned by Egyptian billionaire Mohamed Mansour and the Sycuan Tribe, the first Native American tribe to have an ownership stake in a professional soccer team. The ownership group also includes San Diego Padres star third baseman Manny Machado.
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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
MLS attendance and sponsorship revenue break records – and it’s not just because of Messi
Major League Soccer scored several regular season records, including for attendance and sponsorship, thanks in part to international superstar Lionel Messi — and corporate strategy.
The MLS has been nabbing well-known athletes like Messi and Luis Suárez and leaning on the sport’s growing popularity within the U.S. in a bid to solidify its fanbase after nearly three decades of league play. It’s even created a corporate team to help clubs implement new business strategies.
It appears to be paying off. Nearly 11.5 million people attended MLS matches during the regular season — which ended this past weekend — the most in its history, according to data from the league. That’s up 5% from last year, and 14% from 2022. Each match during the 2024 season averaged 23,234 attendees, the highest ever for the regular season.
Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi controls the ball during a match with the New England Revolution on Saturday. Chris Arjoon / AFP – Getty Images
While those stats pale compared to other U.S. professional sports leagues — the National Basketball Association had more than 22.5 million attendees during the 2023-2024 regular season, for example — the MLS seems to be building momentum.
Last year, the MLS’s Inter Miami signed Messi, which caused a surge in attendance, jersey and other product sales, and overall fanbase engagement. The halo effect from Messi, often referred to as the greatest of all time, seems to have held even with Messi playing fewer games this season due to an injury.
This past weekend Inter Miami ended the season with 74 points, breaking the MLS record for most scored in a season, and Messi notched a hat trick for the first time with the U.S. league. The MLS postseason begins this week.
But it wasn’t just on-the-field talent that made the difference.
This was the first full season that Chris McGowan served as executive vice president and chief club performance officer at the league since joining in June 2023. McGowan was hired to lead the new unit, which serves to advise and develop strategies to help clubs perform better, particularly on the business side.
While most of this season was focused on building out McGowan’s team, he said they also developed a strategic plan when it comes to identifying focus areas and creating relationships with clubs. McGowan’s role is akin to a consultant, making suggestions that the teams can choose to implement or not.
For example, McGowan and his unit helped the New York Red Bulls this season “with some decisions on premium seating that they’re going to launch in their stadium.”
“We foster continued growth by being a great resource for clubs in areas like quickly and efficiently sharing best practices,” said McGowan. “Being able to quickly get information for clubs to make business decisions… these are things that maybe weren’t happening as systematically and as efficiently as they are now.”
Kicking off new records
The bigger audience is drawing bigger sponsorship dollars.
The league signed 18 new sponsorship partners this season between the MLS and Soccer United Marketing (SUM), the commercial arm of the MLS. Sponsorship revenue for the league and SUM was up 13% year to date, and sponsorship revenue at the club level was also up 13% for the same period.
League- and club-level sponsorship revenue both reached records.
Messi’s Inter Miami jersey continued to be a fan favorite, ranking as the highest-selling jersey in the league. It was also No. 1 globally for Adidas in jersey sales of individual players, according to the MLS.
Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring Saturday. Chris Arjoon / AFP – Getty Images
Meanwhile, its social media following grew faster than any other major men’s North American sports league on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube, according to the league. On TikTok, followers were up 26% since the beginning of the year. On YouTube, followers were up 21%, and on Instagram, they were up 10%.
Inter Miami led the league as the most followed North American sports team on TikTok with 9.4 million followers, according to the MLS. It was the third most-followed North American sports team on Instagram with 17.2 million followers.
Like other sports leagues in the U.S., the MLS has been focusing on growing its audience and presence internationally. Earlier this month it inked an agreement with German digital media platform OneFootball to provide highlights, stats and other content to a global audience.
When it comes to TV viewership — a marquee stat for most other professional sports leagues in the U.S. — the MLS is in something of a league of its own. The league has an exclusive media rights deal with Apple, meaning most of its matches are only available through MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, a separate subscription alongside the Apple TV+ streaming service.
Viewership data isn’t available for MLS Season Pass, but Apple executives have said on public calls that the audience has risen since Messi joined the league.
Messi and Inter Miami will take on Atlanta United in an MLS Cup playoff opener
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi played in only one Major League Soccer loss in 2024. It was in May, at home, against Atlanta United.
Messi makes his MLS playoff debut Friday night — at home, against Atlanta United.
Inter Miami, which set the MLS records for most points and best winning percentage in the regular season, gets a big challenge right out of the gate in the playoffs by facing an Atlanta team in a best-of-three Eastern Conference first-round series. Messi is coming off a hat trick in the regular-season finale, a 6-2 romp past New England.
And even though he missed nearly half the MLS season because of injury and commitments to Argentina’s national team, Messi is still a serious contender for league MVP after 20 goals and 16 assists in 19 appearances.
“If I could vote for him, I would have voted for him,” Inter Miami defender Julian Gressel said. “Yes, because for me, the MVP stands for the best player in the league. And Leo, is that, by far. You know, there’s other people out there that have the definition of an MVP that maybe makes the team better or that a team can’t live without. In a sense, to me, Leo is that, too.”
MVP or not, Messi is obviously the key to Inter Miami’s MLS Cup hopes.
Friday night will be the first home playoff match in club history. If Inter Miami wins this series, it would stay home for the rest of the season — with home-field edge for the single-game conference semifinals, conference final and MLS Cup, provided it keeps winning.
“This was always about creating history for Miami,” said soccer icon David Beckham, part of Inter Miami’s ownership group — and the person who originally announced plans to bring an MLS team back to Miami more than a decade ago. “This was always about our family, La Familia, the people in this stadium, the people in this city.”
Messi’s arrival midway through 2023 was the big step toward Inter Miami getting to the global stage. The team won the Leagues Cup last year shortly after Messi arrived, won the Supporters Shield this year as the best MLS regular-season team and now goes after the MLS playoff title.
There are some ties that bind these franchises. Among them: Inter Miami coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino was with Atlanta in 2018 when that team won the MLS Cup, and Gressel played for that Atlanta team as well.
Atlanta got to this series by beating Montreal in a wild-card match Tuesday. Its reward: Messi, again.
“He’s arguably the best player that’s ever played,” Atlanta United interim coach Rob Valentino said. “We’ve faced him a few times and we know obviously his qualities, but also at the same time, they have other players that are good, too. There has to be a focus on him — and his teammates around him.”
The stadium almost certainly will be sold out on Friday night and Miami has known for weeks that it would be opening the playoff march on its home field. It might not be the biggest moment in team history — Messi’s debut would have to be that — but it’s the most significant match of this season, at least in the sense that a best-of-three series doesn’t leave much room for error.
“We’re kicking off our playoff run, so I think we’ll feel it,” Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender said. “I think everyone will feel it. And I think there’s a reason why we’ve come this far. We also didn’t come this far just to get this far. So, we’re going to really just compete and, yeah, Friday, 8:30, it’s go time for us.”
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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Inter Miami beats Atlanta United in Lionel Messi’s MLS playoff debut
CNN —
Inter Miami beat Atlanta United 2-1 on Friday in what was Lionel Messi’s Major League Soccer (MLS) playoff debut.
It was two of his former Barcelona teammates who got the goals, with Luis Suárez opening the scoring in the second minute and Jordi Alba’s long-range strike on the hour mark sealing the victory, with Messi himself providing the assist.
Saba Lobzhanidze had equalized for Atlanta in the 39th minute, but the stunning 25-yard effort from Inter Miami’s left back provided the decisive goal.
The win gives Miami a one-game lead in the best-of-three first round series of the MLS playoffs, with Game 2 being played on November 2 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
“It’s not easy to find fullbacks who are so decisive, who contribute so much to the offensive game of the team – Dani Alves, Cafu, Marcelo, Roberto Carlos, they’re all at that level,” Miami head coach Gerardo Martino said afterwards, per MLS, about Alba’s impact on the team.
“Technically, he has a quality that is very rare in a wide defender, and is better when he understands where Luis and Leo are and can find them, and how they can find him, if they can find Jordi. For sure, it is difficult to find a player who plays in his position and is as decisive.”
Suárez opens the scoring for Miami against Atlanta United. Rich Storry/Getty Images
Although Messi didn’t find the back of the net, the Argentine was prominently involved throughout the game at Chase Stadium, contributing the assist for Alba’s game-winning goal and troubling the Atlanta goal consistently.
The 37-year-old drew numerous saves from Atlanta’s goalkeeper Brad Guzan, as well as striking the post midway through the first half.
His assist for Alba’s second-half strike – Alba’s fifth goal of the season – was Messi’s 17th this year.
The victory was the perfect start to the postseason for Miami which enters with plenty of pressure riding on its shoulders. Not only does it have a star-studded squad laden with veteran talent, but it entered the playoffs as the No. 1 overall seed after a successful regular season where it lost just four times on the way to 74 points, the most in the league.
“It was a match where what I liked the most was the control we had on the field for almost the entire game,” Martino said afterwards, per Inter Miami. “We didn’t make many mistakes that would allow the opponent to break out into space.
“We had five clear chances in the first half, and one of them came very close to the post. We were patient. I believe that if it weren’t for Brad (Guzan)’s performance, the match should have ended with a clear difference.”
Atlanta had advanced to this stage of the MLS playoffs after beating Montreal on penalties in the wild card round.
Exclusive: Leeds among big hunting pack for revived Prem midfielder starring in MLS
Lewis O’Brien is of interest to a number of English clubs amid his career revival
Nottingham Forest loan star Lewis O’Brien is attracting interest from several clubs including Southampton, Leeds, West Brom, Sheffield United, Stoke and Hull following his impressive form for LAFC in Major League Soccer, TEAMtalk can reveal.
O’Brien has caught the eye in America with a number of man-of-the-match performances for LAFC during his 15 appearances to date, with one goal and one assist among his contributions.
The all-action midfielder helped LAFC finish top of the MLS Western Conference Table, qualifying for the MLS Cup play-offs
The 26-year-old joined LAFC on loan in July until December – when the MLS season finishes – with the California club having an option to make the move permanent.
O’Brien spent last season on loan at Championship club Middlesbrough after finding himself out of favour at Forest.
The former Huddersfield man is unlikely to figure in Forest’s plans going forward when his loan spell expires, sources have revealed.
A number of Premier League and Championship sides are keeping tabs on O’Brien’s situation as they look to bolster their squads when the transfer window reopens in January.
Premier League strugglers Southampton, along with Championship hopefuls Leeds, Sheffield United, West Brom, Hull and Stoke are all admirers of O’Brien and are monitoring him as they look to improve their midfield options for the second half of the season.
Leeds round-up: Whites thinking hard on midfield
Of the clubs interested in O’Brien, Leeds have particularly thought hard over signing midfield players in recent weeks.
They were in contention for the signings of Francis Coquelin and Cheikhou Kouyate of late.
They instead landed on Josuha Guilavogi – who left Mainz in the summer – on a free transfer.
Meanwhile, Kalvin Phillips’ head is said to be ‘still at Leeds’ amid reports he could have his loan from Manchester City to Ipswich cancelled.
That could potentially pave the way for him to return to Elland Road, though it’s not clear how genuine a chance there is of that happening.
O’Brien brings Prem experience
The signing of Guilavogi, by his own admission, brings aggression to the Leeds side.
What it does not bring is Premier League experience, something O’Brien does have.
Though he only played 13 games in the 2022/23 Premier League season after Forest were promoted from the second tier, the midfielder scored in his sixth game in the competition.
Many of the Championship sides after him will be hopeful of being in the top flight soon, and Southampton will be desirous of staying there, so O’Brien fits the bill.
Maximizing Sports Sponsorships: Tiger Pistol’s New Playbook for Beverage Marketers Puts Sports Fans in Focus for On-Premise Success
Discover the Winning Strategy for Driving Sales with Local Social Media Advertising
CLEVELAND, Oct. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — CGA by NIQ , the trusted on-premise measurement, insight, and research consultancy to food & drink businesses across the globe, recently published a series of reports that demonstrate that the future of pubs and bars is intrinsically linked to sports fans.
To aid beverage marketers seeking to effectively promote sports sponsorships, nurture trade relationships, and engage customers, Tiger Pistol , the most advanced collaborative advertising platform, released a new comprehensive playbook. “Converting Cheers to Sales: A Social Advertising Playbook for Beverage Marketers to Boost On-Premise Sales” explains how beverage marketers can leverage their sports sponsorships through local social media advertising that drives engagement at local retail and on-premise locations.
“While beverage brands often channel resources into sports sponsorships and product placements, CGA’s research begs an alignment of these strategies with local bar and restaurant watch parties,” said Sarah Cucchiara, VP of Business Development at Tiger Pistol. “Through local social advertising, beverage marketers can combine their recognizable brand creative might with their trade partners’ local clout to boost sales and become the go-to brand for local sports fans. Our new playbook reveals how this strategy drives foot traffic and revenue for trade partners, strengthens brand-trade relationships, and creates a direct link between the brand and its consumers.”
Cucchiara adds that beverage brands who collaborate with their trade partners on local social advertising for live watch experiences will yield more lucrative results and build on their sponsorship investments.
“The research shows when sports fans visit their local pub or bar to cheer on their favorite team, they stay longer, they spend more, and they come back often. It’s the perfect combination to drive sales,” said Cucchiara. “Brands that use local social advertising to tie their sponsorship to local venues tap into the incredible power of sports fandom and local community spirit to drive sales and extend their sponsorship investment.”
Don’t miss out on this game-changing resource that promises to redefine the way beverage marketers approach promoting sports sponsorships. Download “Converting Cheers to Sales: A Social Advertising Playbook for Beverage Marketers to Boost On-Premise Sales.” today from TigerPistol.com .
About Tiger Pistol
Tiger Pistol, the most advanced collaborative advertising platform, makes high-performance social advertising simple and scalable for businesses and their partners, removing the barriers to customer acquisition, sales growth, and partner loyalty. Tiger Pistol utilizes best-in-class technology and automation to unite enterprise brands, resellers, and agencies with their partners to acquire and engage new customers within their local communities.
As a Meta Business Partner for more than a decade, Tiger Pistol is the largest third-party publisher of collaborative social ads in the world, supporting clients in more than 25 global markets and accommodating more than 30 languages and currencies. Learn more by visiting TigerPistol.com , or following on Twitter , Facebook , or LinkedIn .
CONTACT: Christina Morello Director, Marketing and Communications christina.morello@tigerpistol.com (330) 354-0899
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Women’s sports are on an upward trajectory as fans, brands engage
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, #22, drives to the basket against Atlanta Dream guard Destanni Henderson, #33, during a WNBA preseason game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, on May 9, 2024.
The fervor and passion surrounding women’s sports aren’t going to go away, said Jessica Berman, commissioner of the National Women’s Soccer League. They’re only going to get bigger.
Fossil fuel ads are rampant in American sports. That’s not good
The Golden 1 Center, seen in March, is home to the Sacramento Kings.
Less than half a mile from the California Capitol, the Sacramento Kings play basketball in a solar-powered arena that the team’s owner says has helped make the Kings “the most sustainable franchise in all of sports.”
Venture inside the Golden 1 Center, though, and you might be served a helping of fossil fuel propaganda.
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The Kings are one of at least 59 U.S. sports franchises that accept sponsorship dollars from oil giants, or utility companies whose businesses are primarily fossil fueled, according to a survey released Thursday by UCLA Law’s Emmett Institute on Climate Change & the Environment. The list includes six California teams: the Kings, LAFC, the Oakland Athletics, San Francisco Giants, San Francisco 49ers and, as I’ve reported previously, the Dodgers.
If you’re wondering why this matters, I could tell you about research suggesting that fossil fuel companies, much like tobacco profiteers back in the day, pay off the owners of beloved institutions, including our favorite teams, to cleanse their dirty images — and lull us into forgetting that their noxious products are causing hotter heat waves, more intense wildfires and growing water scarcity (not to mention regular old deadly air pollution).
I could tell you about the research. Or I could ask you to imagine going to watch the Sacramento Kings — or the Giants, or the 49ers, or LAFC — and seeing a cigarette advertisement above the scoreboard. Or a gun ad.
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Unimaginable, right? So why is Big Oil propaganda considered acceptable?
The Emmett Institute’s communications director, Evan George, who conducted the survey with help from several undergrads, thinks it’s time to end these sponsorships — known as “sportswashing,” a play on greenwashing.
“Big Oil wants to look like community heroes, not a public nuisance,” he said.
George noted that California’s attorney general, Rob Bonta, is suing major oil companies for climate damages, with state officials accusing them of a “decades-long campaign of deception.” The defendants include Chevron, which sponsors the Kings, Athletics, Giants and LAFC, and Phillips 66, which sponsors the Dodgers.
“So many more Californians are going to go watch a ballgame on the weekend than are going to read a 100-page complaint by the state of California,” George said. “That’s what so pernicious about fossil fuel sponsorships.”
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Speaking of Bonta, the attorney general is an Athletics fan. When he and his son threw the ceremonial first pitch before an A’s game in Oakland in 2018, the cutesy-car Chevron ad on the outfield wall provided the highly visible backdrop — at least in the video Bonta, a state Assembly member at the time, later posted on Instagram.
A Chevron advertisement on the left-field wall at Oracle Park in San Francisco, seen in 2021. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
I’m not criticizing Bonta. I’ve been going to Dodgers games my whole life, and reporting on climate for 10 years, and only this summer did it finally dawn on me that every time I post a panoramic picture of Dodger Stadium on social media, I’m providing publicity for Phillips 66, whose 76 gas station ads loom above both scoreboards.
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Does Bonta think California teams should stop accepting fossil fuel sponsors? His spokesperson wouldn’t tell me.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, though, has called on all nations to ban fossil fuel ads.
In theory, the climate-conscious California Legislature would be a great place to start.
In practice, though, pushing aggressive anti-oil legislation through Sacramento can be difficult due to the many moderate Democrats who take campaign cash from oil companies. Which is why it would be extremely helpful if private-sector actors such as sports teams would take the lead, by helping make oil companies social outcasts.
I started this column with the Kings not only because they play a few blocks from the Capitol, but also because of the revealing contrast between the climate-friendly image presented by their owner, former tech executive Vivek Ranadivé, and the fossil fuel propaganda to which Ranadivé is happy to expose fans for the right price.
As noted in the UCLA survey, Chevron has bankrolled a video interview series with Kings players driving around the city called “The Winning Drive.” (A social media search also turns up Chevron-sponsored “Drive of the Game” highlight clips on the Kings’ X account.) The team also partners with Marathon Petroleum subsidiary Arco, which last season offered free food and drinks at the Golden 1 Center to fans who patronized its gas stations.
As Ranadivé wrote several years ago, after the Golden 1 Center opened: “We can only beat back climate change and improve our environment if everyone does their part. And it’s heartening to see that progress is happening.”
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The cognitive dissonance could be even worse. The Kings’ previous arena was literally named for Arco.
Arco Arena, the former home of the Sacramento Kings, is seen in 2011. The building was demolished in 2022. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)
A Kings spokesperson didn’t respond to my request for comment. Neither did representatives of the Athletics or the Giants. Same goes for LAFC, which, like the Dodgers Foundation, has teamed up with an oil giant, in this case Chevron, for the purpose of supporting kids and families — a noble cause that nonetheless serves to bolster the polluting company’s image among local communities. Which is most certainly Chevron’s ignoble goal.
By refusing to talk, those franchises followed the same playbook as the Dodgers, whose leaders have declined to say anything about my columns calling for the team and its official charity to stop taking fossil fuel money.
The Dodgers’ deafening silence hasn’t quieted a public outcry.
As of Wednesday evening, 11,700 people had signed a petition urging the team’s owner, Mark Walter, to drop Phillips 66 as a sponsor and take down the 76 ads. The Sierra Club Angeles Chapter, meanwhile, was planning a rally outside Dodger Stadium to make the case. It’s scheduled for this Sunday at noon, before a home game.
“I hate the fact that I can’t take a photo of my child without 76 in the thing,” George said.
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No one team can save the world on its own. But as I’ve written previously, what happens in L.A. doesn’t stay in L.A. Through its entertainment, its technology and its culture more broadly, this city is a global trendsetter.
And oil money in sports is a global problem. The New Weather Institute released a report this week estimating that fossil fuel companies are spending $5.6 billion on active sports sponsorship deals around the world.
It’s hard to know how much of that money is being spent in the United States. Even the Emmett Institute’s tally of 61 fossil fuel deals across six leagues — including two league-wide partnerships — is definitely an undercount.
Watching the Dodgers play the Braves at Atlanta’s Truist Park on TV over the weekend, for instance, I noticed a Marathon Petroleum ad on the outfield wall. That sponsorship wasn’t reflected in the data used by UCLA, which came from London-based firm SportsPro Media. The data also didn’t include ExxonMobil’s deal with the NBA as the league’s official gasoline — although it did reflect that Exxon is also the WNBA’s official fuel.
“I wouldn’t say this is comprehensive,” George acknowledged.
That’s an Arco ad in blue on the outfield wall at Petco Park in San Diego. But the Padres aren’t included in UCLA’s tally of fossil fuel sponsorships. (K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Of the 61 sponsorships reflected in UCLA’s count — full spreadsheet here — 26 are oil companies. The other 35 are either gas utilities or electric utilities that get the majority of their electricity from coal or fossil gas.
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I know some of you probably think sports aren’t the right venue to deal with climate change. Go after oil and gas executives, you may be thinking. Win elections. March in the streets, even. But quit whining about billboards.
I hear you — I do. The thing is, global warming is like any other historical injustice. Right down to harms that are felt first and worst by people of color, and political systems that badly need to be shaken from their stupor.
To avoid climate chaos, we need society’s most powerful people — in sports, entertainment and other industries with major cultural and economic clout — to stop sitting on the sidelines and start taking real responsibility.
Or we could look forward to a future of 110-degree summer afternoons at the ballpark.
CALIFORNIA BURNING
San Bernardino County firefighters work to save a home in Wrightwood as they battle the Bridge fire on Sept. 11. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
As of Wednesday afternoon, Southern California’s three major blazes — the Bridge, Line and Airport fires — had burned 117,000 acres. Fortunately, firefighters were gaining an edge over the infernos as temperatures dropped. The Bridge fire was 37% contained, the Line fire 50% contained, the Airport fire 35% contained.
As usual, there are stories of heartbreak and hope. Let’s go blaze by blaze, starting with the Bridge fire:
Some of the worst damage has been felt in the San Gabriel Mountains town of Wrightwood. Here’s what it’s been like as the flames encroach. (Story by Nathan Solis, Hayley Smith and Lila Seidman, L.A. Times)
SoCal ski resorts are hoping to survive — now and into a scary future. (Alex Wigglesworth, Summer Lin)
In Mount Baldy Village, residents banded together to save as many homes as they could. (Nathan Solis)
Moving to the San Bernardino Mountains, we’ve got the Line fire:
It’s just the latest climate-fueled extreme weather event to bring siege to small towns. (Jack Flemming)
Big Bear saw insane air pollution readings. Wildfire smoke is terrible. (Sandhya Kambhampati, Sean Greene)
“There were amputees and orphans. One was brittle-boned and mostly blind; another was missing a spleen.” An uplifting story about rehabilitated animals rescued from the mountain flames. (Alex Wigglesworth)
Last but not least, let’s journey to Orange County’s Trabuco Canyon, and the Airport fire:
When to flee, and when to stay put? Many residents faced this terrifying question. (Hannah Fry)
Here’s a surreal video of a firefighter rescuing a severely injured woman. (Noah Goldberg, Colleen Shalby)
Volunteers evacuated hundreds of horses — common practice in Orange County. (Gabriel San Román)
Some victims have been left wondering: Why were those homes saved, but not mine? (Colleen Shalby)
As usual, satellite imagery of the smoke is mind-boggling. And for on-the-ground photos, you can’t do better than these stunning images from my L.A. Times colleagues Wally Skalij , Gina Ferazzi and Allen J. Schaben.
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A few more stories on the consequences of the climate change-fueled conflagrations:
Having trouble parsing all the wildfire lingo? Here’s a guide to the key terms, from The Times’ Jon Healey and Joseph Serna. Also, here’s a guide to evacuation zones, shelter locations and support for fire victims.
ONE MORE THING
Former President Trump speaks at a news conference at his Trump National Golf Club in Rancho Palos Verdes on Sept. 13. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)
I am not the president of the United States. (Probably for the best.) But if I were, I would not threaten to withhold firefighting aid when the state is on fire, or at any other time, as former President Trump did last week.
Details here from The Times’ Seema Mehta, Hailey Branson-Potts and Faith E. Pinho. The California Professional Firefighters union was not pleased. The group’s president accused Trump of “threatening our public safety.”
This is the latest edition of Boiling Point, a newsletter about climate change and the environment in the American West. Sign up here to get in your inbox. Or open the newsletter in your web browser here.
For more climate and environment news, follow @Sammy_Roth on X.
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Heads up: Based on incorrect information from state officials, Tuesday’s Boiling Point listed the American Forest & Paper Assn. as opposed to Senate Bill 1053. The association is neutral on the bill.
St. Cloud Rox Foundation Raises $56K For Youth Programs
The St. Cloud Rox Community Foundation hosted its fourth annual Sporting Clays Shootout Fundraiser, presented by WELLS, at Rice Creek Hunting Club in Little Falls on September 19th.
The event was a huge success and raised over $56,000 for the Kimball High School Trap Team and other kids through the Rox Community Foundation.
Thirty teams participated in the event, which made it another sellout.
Rox Community Foundation Rox Community Foundation loading…
“The Rox wish to thank our corporate partners at Wells for their continued fantastic support of the Sporting Clays Shootout event and for the wonderful support received from many corporate partners, teams and volunteers that helped make the event such a tremendous success, a special thank you to Greg Roth from Wells and Rob Kuechle from A M Maus & Son for their commitment and support towards the event,” said Rachel Thiesse, St. Cloud Rox General Manager and Chief Administrator for the Rox Community Foundation.
The Rox Community Foundation, run by the St. Cloud Rox Baseball Club, is a certified 501(c)(3) charitable foundation. The foundation provides scholarships, donations and grants to various youth-related programs and activities.
The St. Cloud Rox will play their 14th season at Joe Faber Field in 2025. The 2024 team finished with a 43-26 record and another playoff berth, which ended in the Great Plains Championship game against LaCrosse.
Rox baseball can be heard on AM 1390 and FM 93.9 Granite City Sports.
See Minnesota’s State Bird like you’ve never seen it before — through the lens of Canadian photographer Chris Whitty
Michael Jordan’s “Sociopath” Thoughts on Opponents Disclosed on Gilbert Arenas Show, Big LeBron James Difference Highlighted
“Because he steals all of my moves.” Michael Jordan positioned Kobe Bryant as the only guy who could ever beat him 1v1. But the list of his favorites playing 1v1 in their prime also featured LeBron James. In 2015, once again MJ said, “No question” when he was once again asked about the matchup against the Lakers #23. And to dive deep, we recently had the Gilbert Arenas crew to help everybody find out the real winner.
Media veteran Bomani James said, “I feel like the difference between Mike and Kobe and LeBron. LeBron likes winning. Michael Jordan likes beating people. He (Michael Jordan) wants to beat people. He is a sociopath, He wants you to lose. I don’t think LeBron is built in that way.” The 44-year-old continued on ‘Gil’s Arena Season 2 Finale’, “Kobe is the same way. He wants you to lose and one-on-one is not so much about winning as much as I want to beat this person that is directly across me.”
The ex-ESPN employee’s suggestion of similarity between Kobe and Michael Jordan is nothing new. That’s why even MJ chose Kobe earlier, knowing about the similar playing style and drive. That’s why even Bryant claimed he could beat LeBron James in 2010.
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“I’d win, I’d win, I mean, that’s what I do,” the Lakers legend said without hesitation, just like Michael Jordan. Then, Kobe was on a tour to the London School of Basketball in 2010. Interestingly, visiting the same place a year later was LeBron James. So naturally the question came up, which the 40-year-old was tired of. “I’m a team basketball player; it’s not a 1 on 1 sport. But I’m not gonna not take myself against anybody, I always feel that no matter who I’m going against that I will come out victorious.”
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Prepare to enter another dimension, My’s.
Starting in January 2025, aespa is coming to North America for their ‘SYNK: PARALLEL LINE Tour.’
While stateside, Karina, Winter, Ningning and Giselle will headline at eight U.S. and Canada arenas including Newark’s Prudential Center on Tuesday, Feb. 11.
This brief run comes in support of the girl group’s recently-released “Armageddon — the 1st Album,” which hit shelves on May 27, 2024 and features aespa’s hit single “Supernova.”
“Their first full-length album explores parallel worlds, giving Karina, Giselle, Winter and Ningning infinite possibilities as both otherworldly idols and relatable young women navigating adulthood,” Billboard explains.
If you’re already counting down the days to catch the K-Pop quartet live, tickets are available as soon as today.
Fans can purchase tickets for all U.S. ‘SYNK: PARALLEL LINE Tour’ shows on sites like Vivid Seats; the official on-sale is Friday, Oct. 4.
Vivid Seats is a secondary market ticketing platform, and prices may be higher or lower than face value, depending on demand.
They have a 100% buyer guarantee that states your transaction will be safe and secure and will be delivered before the event.
Aespa tour schedule 2025
A complete calendar including all tour dates, venues and links to buy tickets can be found below.
Aespa set list
Most recently, aespa performed at China’s Studio City Event Center on Sept. 22.
Here’s what the group took to the stage that evening, according to Set List FM.
Prologue: MY World
01.) “Drama”
02.) “Black Mamba”
03.) “Salty & Sweet”
Chapter 1: Who’s That Girls?
04.) “Supernova”
05.) “Mine”
06.) “Thirsty”
07.) “Prologue”
08.) “Long Chat (#♥)”
Chapter 2: The Unknown
09.) “Dopamine” (Giselle solo)
10.) “Up” (Karina solo)
11.) “Bored!” (Ningning solo)
12.) “Spark” (Winter solo)
Chapter 3
13.) “Spicy”
14.) “Licorice”
15.) “Hold on Tight” (Remix version)
16.) “Regret of the Times” (Seo Taiji and Boys cover)
17.) “Live My Life”
18.) “We Go”
Finale: Hello Real World
19.) “Trick or Trick”
20.) “Set the Tone”
21.) “Next Level” (A$ton Wyld cover)
22.) “Armageddon” (Rock version)
Encore
23.) “BAHAMA”
24.) “Melody”
Aespa new music
As noted above, Aespa dropped “Armageddon — the 1st Album” on May 27.
Comprised of ten tracks, the foursome delivers pure pop over the record’s scant 31-minute runtime.
Highlights include the pulsating, slinky “Supernova,” the R&B-esque “Armageddon” and playful “Licorice.”
Make sure to check out the blissed out “BAHAMA,” too. It’s like taking a three-minute beach vacation for free.
Don’t sleep on the endlessly catchy “Prologue” either.
Want to hear for yourself? You can find “Armageddon — the 1st Album” in its entirety here.
Their fifth EP “Whiplash” is due out Oct. 21.
K-Pop stars on tour in 2024-25
Many major stars that have blown up all over Asia are swinging into the U.S. this year.
Here are just five of our favorites you won’t want to miss live.
• Seventeen
• Dreamcatcher
• Xtraordinary Girls
• Everglow
• DPR Live
Who else is on tour? Check out our list of the 50 biggest concert tours in 2024 here to find out.
This article was written by Matt Levy, New York Post live events reporter. Levy stays up-to-date on all the latest tour announcements from your favorite musical artists and comedians, as well as Broadway openings, sporting events and more live shows – and finds great ticket prices online. Since he started his tenure at the Post in 2022, Levy has reviewed a Bruce Springsteen concert and interviewed Melissa Villaseñor of SNL fame, to name a few. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.
Caitlin Clark, Napheesa Collier, Aliyah Boston talk WNBA season
In June of 1984, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson met in the NBA Finals for the first time; the following week, Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon and Charles Barkley were drafted; and the league would never be the same…Forty years later, the WNBA arrives at a similar hingepoint. A rookie class, as good as advertised, has made a seamless transition from college to the pros, blending with established stars. Sports have a knack for bending stats to fit desired narratives, but the W’s growth figures astound. TV ratings have spiked 153% from last season—and that’s before the playoffs, which began last week… Gradually, then suddenly, this 27-year-old league has become a prominent player in the modern sportscape.
Never mind her slick drives in traffic, the deadeye passes…
…the three-pointers like this.
Caitlin Clark: Hello.
Jon Wertheim: Hey. How are you? Jon.
Caitlin Clark: Caitlin. Nice to meet you.
Jon Wertheim: Good to see you…
A few weeks ago in Indianapolis, we asked Caitlin Clark…
Caitlin Clark: Ask me the hard hitting questions…
…to pinpoint the signature moment of this signature season…and, well we didn’t see this coming… but neither did she.
Caitlin Clark: I remember we were in New York and Jonquel Jones set– a good screen on me, and my– I actually popped my eardrum, ruptured my eardrum just on a screen.
Jon Wertheim: Your eardrum?
Caitlin Clark: Yeah, it was actually, it was a really good screen by– by JJ. She’s a tremendous player, but I think that just kinda speaks to the physicality of the league. It’s just she kinda got me in the right spot.
Caitlin Clark 60 Minutes
Jon Wertheim: You smiled when you told that story. Good clean basketball play.
Caitlin Clark: It’s a good story. I think it’s something that I’ll always remember, like, coming into this league.
Jon Wertheim: Triple doubles, tho– those are all well and good, but it’s the eardrum rupture that–
Caitlin Clark: That’s probably more memorable, honestly.
Then again, maybe it’s fitting…as this is the season the WNBA lowered its shoulder, made its presence felt, and expanded its reach.
These fans came to central Indiana from…Newfoundland, Canada.
Jon Wertheim: And you’re here why?
Fan: Just to see the Fever game.
Fan: Caitlin Clark.
Clark—22, in number and in age—just led the Fever to the playoffs…She’s unquestionably the league’s main attraction …but not the only one. Another rookie, Angel Reese, made her mark too.
But the real breakthrough star of this WNBA season is…the W itself.
Building off a college season in which—unimaginable just a few years ago—the women’s championship game outdrew the men’s, W games can draw more eyeballs than NBA games do….League wide, attendance is up 48%.
In Minnesota, Napheesa Collier is this season’s Defensive Player of the Year…
She just dropped 80 points in the first two playoff games. Collier was drafted in 2019 and bridges two eras of the WNBA….we asked her about the difference this year.
Jon Wertheim: Home and away, you look into the crowds. What are you seeing?
Napheesa Collier: People, which is what we want. (laugh) It makes the game so, so fun. It’s like you’re sixth-man when you’re at home. And then when you’re away, you just can’t wait to silence the crowd. And that’s, like, the best feeling ever.
Jon Wertheim: You figured out a way to benefit from a full crowd even when it’s rooting against you.
Napheesa Collier and Jon Wertheim 60 Minutes
Napheesa Collier: Yeah. It’s almost more fun (laugh) when you’re, like, in a packed arena with the other team. And you hit, like, a big three or a big block or something. And you hear them all go,
Stephen A. Smith Schools Ex-Warrior Star for Undermining Shams Charania & Adrian Wojnarowski’s Decorated Career
Stephen A. Smith’s confidential source didn’t know what he was getting into when he informed him that Jaylen Brown wasn’t a marketable person. Things got to a level where the Boston Celtics star had to sit face-to-face with the ESPN analyst to address the rumors going on around him. Brown called out Smith and asked him to reveal his sources, to which the ESPN analyst declined.
Stephen A. Smith’s reason to do so was that he wanted to maintain a “journalistic integrity.” But that doesn’t sit well with ex-Golden State Warriors star, Gilbert Arenas. The former NBA player took to his podcast, Gil’s Arena and took shots at Stephen A. Smith, Adrian Wojnarowski, and Shams Charania and called them “preachers, not Gods.”
The usage of the term “preachers” stems from the fact that the ESPNs crew reportedly provides second hand information that in some cases doesn’t stand true. He took shots at Woj for saying that if he relies on other sources to get information, that means he’s not “important anymore.” Stephen A. Smith couldn’t stand the slander and replied to Gilbert Arenas on his self-titled podcast.
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USA Today via Reuters Stephen A. Smith in 2021. (Image Courtesy: Tori Lynn Schneider / USA TODAY NETWORK, Imagn)
“You can’t get information if you can’t use sourced material,” Stephen A. said referring to Gilbert Arenas after saying that he didn’t find his comments to be offensive. “You do not acquire information if everybody that you get the information from has to come on the camera, on the microphone, on audio, and reveal who they are and give their opinions.”
Smith further tried to prove his point by asking Arenas if he’s never spoken to people off the record. But let’s come back to the source of all the controversy; Jaylen Brown. We still don’t know who the unnamed source is that Stephen A. Smith was talking about. However, in 3x All-Star’s eyes, the confidential source is a “coward.” So in light of that, what did Gilbert Arena’s say about Stephen A. and the ESPN crew?
Gilbert Arenas makes waves taking about Stephen A. Smith and ESPNs NBA Insiders
This isn’t the first time Arenas took a shot at the NBA Insiders. But let’s first address what he said about Stephen A. and his company that brings interesting takes on what’s going on in sports. Pertaining to the matter of Jaylen Brown, Arenas said on his podcast, “When you break down their job, the Woj’s and all of them, what do they rely on? All their information about the sport has to come from somebody else because they’ve never done it.”
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via Getty MIAMI, FL – JUNE 7: Stephen A. Smith during Game Three of the 2023 NBA Finals between the Denver Nuggets and the Miami Heat on June 7, 2023 at Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Eric Espada/NBAE via Getty Images)
He further pointed out that if Woj reveals his sources, people would not be looking forward to seeing him and berated him for not being able to get the information first hand. “If someone like Woj tells you who’s giving him the information, that means he’s not f—ing important anymore. You are not important, you are a vessel for information. You are a preacher, not god.”
As mentioned, this is not the first time he’s taking shots at Adrian Wojnarowski. Back in July, news broke out from Woj that UConn coach Dan Hurley will sign a 6-year $70 million deal with the Lakers to be their HC. The Los Angeles team later hired JJ Reddick as their new coach and Gilbert Arenas was fuming at this. Later, Anthony Irwin of LakersDaily.com reported that the Lakers will sign Klay Thompson to a 4-year $80 million deal, which also didn’t turn out to be true. He ended up going to Dallas. Arenas was fuming at all the rumors floating around.
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As a Lakers fan, Arenas didn’t mince his words when he said, “We [Lakers] didn’t offer no $80 million, dawg,” and “Stop listening to Woj and them. We didn’t offer him [Klay] $80 [million], we didn’t offer that coach no $70 million. Y’all crazy, it’s crazy talk. We the Lakers, you use our name to get famous … to boost their financial status with other teams. We did not offer these people that kind of money.”
Stephen A. is right to protect his source and by doing what he does, he’s not only protecting the identity of his sources, but is also taking the blame and backlash from the people. Perhaps that a downside of using second hand information that Gilbert Arenas has to come to grips with.
Oldest to newest NBA arenas: Madison Square Garden to Intuit
Oldest to newest NBA arenas: Madison Square Garden to Intuit
There’s no place like home. Where do the NBA’s 30 franchises call home? Here’s a look at all 30 arenas – from the oldest to the newest:
Madison Square Garden (New York) – New York Knicks
First season: 1967-68
Capacity: 19,500
Target Center (Minneapolis) – Minnesota Timberwolves
First season: 1990-91
Capacity: 20,000
Delta Center (Salt Lake City) – Utah Jazz
First season: 1991-92
Capacity: 20,000
Footprint Center (Phoenix) – Phoenix Suns
First season: 1992-93
Capacity: 18,422
United Center (Chicago) – Chicago Bulls
First season: 1994-95
Capacity: 23,500
Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse (Cleveland) – Cleveland Cavaliers
First season: 1994-95
Capacity: 19,432
TD Garden (Boston) – Boston Celtics
First season: 1995-96
Capacity: 19,580
Moda Center (Portland, Oregon) – Portland Trail Blazers
First season: 1995-96
Capacity: 20,500
Wells Fargo Center (Philadelphia) – Philadelphia 76ers
First season: 1996-97
Capacity: 21,000
Capital One Arena (Washington) – Washington Wizards
First season: 1997-98
Capacity: 20,356
Scotiabank Arena (Toronto) – Toronto Raptors
First season: 1998-99
Capacity: 19,800
State Farm Arena (Atlanta) – Atlanta Hawks
First season: 1999-2000
Capacity: 16,800
Ball Arena (Denver) – Denver Nuggets
First season: 1999-2000
Capacity: 21,000
Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Indianapolis) – Indiana Pacers
First season: 1999-2000
Capacity: 18,000
Crypto.com Arena (Los Angeles) – Los Angeles Lakers
First season: 1999-2000
Capacity: 19,067
Kaseya Center (Miami) – Miami Heat
First season: 2000-01
Capacity: 19,600
American Airlines Center (Dallas) – Dallas Mavericks
First season: 2001-02
Capacity: 20,000
Smoothie King Center (New Orleans) – New Orleans Pelicans
First season: 2002-03
Capacity: 18,000
Frost Bank Center (San Antonio) – San Antonio Spurs
First season: 2002-03
Capacity: 18,418
Toyota Center (Houston) – Houston Rockets
First season: 2003-04
Capacity: 18,500
FedExForum (Memphis, Tennessee) – Memphis Grizzlies
First season: 2004-05
Capacity: 18,400
Spectrum Center (Charlotte, North Carolina) – Charlotte Hornets
First season: 2005-06
Capacity: 18,500
Paycom Center (Oklahoma City) – Oklahoma City Thunder
First season: 2005-06
Capacity: 18,203
Kia Center (Orlando, Florida) – Orlando Magic
First season: 2010-11
Capacity: 18,500
Barclays Center (Brooklyn, New York) – Brooklyn Nets
First season: 2012-13
Capacity: 17,732
Golden 1 Center (Sacramento, California) – Sacramento Kings
First season: 2016-17
Capacity: 17,608
Little Caesars Arena (Detroit) – Detroit Pistons
First season: 2017-18
Capacity: 20,000
Fiserv Forum (Milwaukee) – Milwaukee Bucks
First season: 2018-19
Capacity: 17,341
Chase Center (San Francisco) – Golden State Warriors
First season: 2019-20
Capacity: 18,064
Intuit Dome (Inglewood, California) – Los Angeles Clippers
First season: 2024-25
Capacity: 18,000
Check out the ESPN NBA hub page for the latest news, features, stats, schedules and more.
Amid Cleveland Homecoming, Bronny James’ Availability on Lakers Roster Depends on One Factor, Says Ex-Warrior
There’s no negative to this question. People are indeed way too invested in LeBron James‘ son, Bronny James. The Lakers star’s son has been in the spotlight ever since he stepped onto the basketball scene. Apart from his performance, his recent absence has also been noted by fans. There’s talk among fans that Bronny might be sent back to the G League while the team gears up to battle against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Amidst all the rumors, former NBA player Gilbert Arenas shared his opinion on the matter.
Are the Lakers sending Bronny to the G League? The answer depends on one thing. As per Arenas, it is how the Lakers perform. “They really take the Bronny playing or not playing very seriously and it’s like ‘yo, relax man’ right, he’s the 55th pick,” Arenas said on his podcast.
He further added, “I mean if it like please I don’t care what TV’s on, whatever’s happening now with his father. No games, right? He ain’t played in three games, right yeah? He not going to play unless blowout. He ain’t going to play unless there’s a blowout either way, man. So I’m pretty sure the first quarter he’s sitting.”
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He further noted that fans are paying too much attention to the 55th draft pick. Well, that comes with being a celebrity kid. There has been too much controversy surrounding Bronny being drafted into the league, even after his underwhelming performance in his freshman campaign at USC.
via Imago Oct 22, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) checks into the game with his son, guard Bronny James (9) during the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena. This marked the first time in NBA history that a father and son played together. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images
That kept escalating. The Lakers and fans witnessed history in their season-opening 110-103 win against the Minnesota Timberwolves. LeBron and Bronny became the first father-son duo to perform in the league.
LeBron James and Bronny to team up in-game against Cleveland Cavaliers
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It was a heartwarming moment for King James, who had long wished to play alongside his son. Currently, the team is focused on player development, and Bronny might be sent to the G League. However, that won’t happen before the Lakers’ game against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
“That moment, us being at the scorer’s table together and checking in together, something I will never forget,” the Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron said in a postgame conference.
Bronny returning to Cleveland for an NBA game will be a thrilling moment, as this is where he was born. He has always followed his father and is very familiar with the league. It’s an iconic moment for Bronny to step onto the court in Cleveland. From the courtside to the halls, Bronny is well aware of this place.
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Another important aspect for the Lakers might be allowing Bronny to experience his first NBA road trip alongside his father. “I think that’s a valuable experience for Bronny just to observe up-close like, ‘This is what an NBA road trip’s like, this is what it’s like to kind of be in the bunker with my teammates.’ And then he afterward will most likely be going directly to the G League and playing in that opener on November 9th,” The Athletic’s Jovan Buha said.
After that, as mentioned, Bronny may have to head back to the G League.
Sustainability leaders key to more sustainable transportation
In the quest for sustainability, the transportation sector stands as one of the most significant arenas for change. With greenhouse gas emissions soaring, the need for sustainable transportation solutions has never been greater. Enter sustainability leaders — pivotal figures steering the industry toward a future where battery-electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles become the norm, not the exception.
Understanding the transportation emissions conundrum
The commercial transportation sector is a heavyweight in the race against climate change. Class 8 heavy-duty trucks contribute significantly to carbon emissions, underscoring the urgency of transitioning to cleaner alternatives. Companies such as Nikola are at the forefront, offering battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks as viable replacements for traditional diesel powertrains. The move is essential, considering that diesel trucks directly contribute to environmental degradation, air pollution and public health issues.
Sustainability leaders play a critical role here. They have the responsibility of navigating the complexities of vehicle replacement, choosing between various technologies and leveraging federal and state incentives to offset costs — which allows electric alternatives to not be just an environmental choice, but an economically sound decision as well.
The role of sustainability leaders in the transition to zero emissions
Transitioning to sustainable transportation isn’t just about swapping out diesel engines for electric ones. It requires a holistic approach spearheaded by sustainability leaders. These individuals are more than advocates; they’re strategists who can align their companies’ sustainability goals with economic imperatives, ensuring a shift that is both viable and impactful.
Sustainability leaders must juggle multiple roles. They are visionaries setting long-term goals, change agents advocating for greener policies and innovators pushing for technology integration. This multifaceted approach can ensure not only a reduced carbon footprint but also a stronger business case for sustainability.
According to Alexia Bednarz, Nikola’s head of sustainability, “Sustainability leaders face a monumental task in decarbonizing transportation. They must change the direction of a century-old industry to see real progress on emission reduction in transportation. At Nikola, we are here to support them on their fleet evolution journey as they consider the importance of decarbonizing their Class 8 trucks.”
Strategic vision and planning
Creating a sustainable fleet involves strategic planning that aligns with both environmental objectives and operational demands. Sustainability leaders are tasked with mapping out this transition — evaluating the feasibility of zero-emission trucks, considering factors like total cost, range and infrastructure. This strategic foresight is critical for phasing out diesel engines in favor of cleaner alternatives.
Getting top executive buy-in is crucial. Sustainability leaders must present a clear business case, emphasizing benefits that include reduced operating costs, regulatory compliance and enhanced brand reputation. By setting realistic milestones and leveraging available technologies, these leaders steer their organizations toward a more sustainable future.
Technology integration and innovation
The integration of new technologies is at the core of sustainable transportation. Sustainability leaders must ensure that battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks fit seamlessly into existing operations. This includes collaborating with logistics teams to address practical needs such as payload capacity and charging logistics, and potentially adopting new fleet management systems.
“A connected ecosystem is essential for companies not just to transition their fleets to battery-electric or hydrogen-electric, but also to help maximize uptime, strengthen driver retention and elevate safety,” said Ryan May, Nikola’s head of software. “Real-time data from individual trucks presents opportunities to enhance the overall ownership experience. Nikola’s ecosystem offers multiple ways to track the health and safety of trucks and drivers.”
Innovation is another critical component. By partnering with existing manufacturers as well as startups, sustainability leaders can pilot new vehicle models and explore emerging technologies. This proactive approach not only enables legacy companies to operate at the cutting edge but also turns early adoption into a competitive advantage.
Supply chain and infrastructure development
Sustainability is not just about vehicles; it extends to the entire supply chain. Leaders must ensure that the materials used in battery-electric trucks and hydrogen fuel cells are sourced responsibly, which includes promoting recycled materials, supporting sustainable mining practices and ensuring ethical labor standards.
Nikola is a company currently “walking the talk,” having recently released its first sustainability report, achieving a 45% diversion rate of manufacturing waste and reaching a milestone in 2023 by recycling or reusing 100% of scrapped lithium-ion batteries.
Infrastructure development is equally vital. Building the necessary charging and refueling stations is a prerequisite for widespread adoption of battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles. Sustainability leaders must work with partners to develop infrastructure that supports their fleets, ensuring a smooth transition to cleaner energy.
Building a culture of sustainability
Creating a sustainable transportation system goes beyond technology and regulations; it’s about fostering a culture of sustainability within the organization. Leaders must inspire employees at all levels to adopt sustainable practices, whether through training programs, incentives or corporate social responsibility initiatives.
By embedding sustainability into the corporate culture, leaders ensure that their companies remain committed to greener practices in the long term.
The path to a sustainable future
The transition to sustainable transportation is both a challenge and an opportunity. With their strategic vision and leadership, sustainability leaders are driving change that benefits not only their organizations but the planet as well. From electrifying fleets to advocating for greener policies, these leaders are the architects of a cleaner, more sustainable future.
The road to sustainability is paved with innovation and collaboration. While the shift from diesel to battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks will not happen overnight, momentum is building. With leaders like Nikola setting the standard for zero tailpipe-emissions Class 8 transportation, the path forward is clear.
Years After Split, Gilbert Arenas Accused of Plotting With Shaq’s Ex Shaunie to Remove Laura Govan From Reality Show
Gilbert Arenas once famously described regretting giving Laura Govan an expensive diamond ring. The former Golden State Warriors star claimed that he reunited with Govan, whom he had been in a 12-year relationship with, to get the $395,000 ring back. But the TV personality recently accused him of a bigger betrayal, plotted with Shaunie Henderson.
“This is another rumor that I hear, so allegedly she’s talking to Gilbert,” the 45-year-old started on Reality With the King. Then host Carlos King asked who “she” was. “Shaunie all the time allegedly. I’m going say allegedly just to say it, but they’re talking and what was said was that, he, Gilbert and his fiance are going to be on the show only if I’m to be put off.” As per Govan, Shaunie Henderson was plotting to axe her out of the Basketball Wives for Gilbert Arenas and his fiance.
Agent Zero announced his relationship status with Melli Moncao in July. As he wrote, “The Eiffel Tower is Where it happened, She said nothing… I guess i was so nervous, i asked and answered… yes… for her… so im technically engaged to myself at the moment… @mellimonaco still waiting…” Monaco would later surprise him during a night out with a “Men Wear Engagement Rings Too” sign.
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That was the first relationship he confirmed after things ended with Govan about a decade ago.
via Getty PHOENIX – DECEMBER 19: Gilbert Arenas #0 of the Washington Wizards sits on the bench during the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on December 19, 2009 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Wizards 121-95. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Back in 2002, Govan was working for the GSW franchise. That’s how she connected with Gilbert Arenas. During their 12-year relationship, the couple welcomed four children named Alijah, Aloni, Izela, and Hamiley. While the two stayed together for a long time, Arenas and Govan didn’t get married. The reason for the 3x All-Star not wanting her ex on the show is not clear. But according to Govan, that’s not the only time Shaunie Henderson betrayed her.
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Gilbert Arenas’s Ex goes off on Shaunie Henderson
During the same interview with Carlos King, Govan explained that her appearance on this season’s Basketball Wives happened because Shaquille O’Neal’s ex reached out. “Shaunie actually DM’ed me and said that she wanted to clear up a rumor that she was the reason why I wasn’t on Basketball Wives.”
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When King probed if she met the Author of Undefeated, Govan’s answer shocked her. “No Show.” She later explained how she felt during a confrontation on the show. As Evelyn Lozada, one of the main stars of the Basketball Wives questioned Govan about her alleged relationship with Shaquille O’Neal.
On the same podcast, she said, “I won’t comment on this until I speak with Shaunie, the person who started these rumors. When she’s ready for a real, woman-to-woman conversation, I’ll set the record straight.” Although the reason for Gilbert Arenas avoiding her ex could be simple, he wants to move on peacefully. But is it all to the story? As of now, Arenas or Shaunie haven’t commented about the situation.
Draya Michele Reacts To Laura Govan Alleging She Beat Her Up Over Gilbert Arenas
Draya Michele has fired back.
During her recent interview with Carlos King, Laura Govan had a lot to say about her ex Gilbert Arenas’ relationship with Draya Michele. According to Govan, Arenas allegedly told her he received oral sex from a Philly woman in a car following a brief split. Later, when Draya first appeared on Basketball Wives, Govan claims she befriended her. Ultimately, however, Govan learned that Draya was allegedly the woman Arenas hooked up with.
“When I found out, it was because I was going through some papers at the house, and I saw that he had given her $25,000 and brought her to LA,” Govan explained. “I remember finding the paper, I remember calling my friend and telling her to pick up the kids for me… And I remember going to where she was filming in Hollywood… I remember showing up and I was not supposed to be filming, and I walked past everybody, and I beat the f**k out of her.”
Draya Michele Clears Things Up
Now, Draya has taken to her Instagram Story to defend herself. In a series of posts, she insists that Govan’s timeline isn’t accurate. “I didn’t mess with anyone’s husband,
Honoring Dennis Rodman, Ex-Warrior Star Revives Iconic Oscar-Winning Movie Costume for Halloween
It’s Halloween, and once again, fans are eager to see what outrageous costume Dennis Rodman will surprise with. Known as the “Rebound King,” Rodman’s impact on the court with his defensive prowess is legendary. But let’s be honest—he’s just as famous for his wild fashion and unpredictable flair off the court. Recently, he organized a Halloween bash, turning heads with a unique costume. But here’s the twist: Gilbert Arenas, host of Gil’s Arena, just honored Rodman by stepping into the exact same Halloween look Rodman wore last year.
Gil’s Arena podcast’s official Instagram account recently dropped photos of the hosts dressed up for Halloween, with Arenas front and center as Beetlejuice—yes, the iconic character from Tim Burton’s 1988 cult-classic film Beetlejuice. Fun fact? This horror-comedy movie bagged an Academy Award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling, which makes it an even cooler choice. Interestingly, it’s the same character Rodman pulled off last Halloween, proving that he’s not just setting trends on the court but also leading the way in spooky style.
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Meanwhile, Rodman recently hosted his own Halloween extravaganza, “Vampires & Vixens Halloween Masquerade,” at the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino. For $75, attendees enjoyed a night packed with frights, flavors, and “outlandish sights.” It was a 21-and-over affair, and fans were encouraged to go all out with costumes ranging from vampires and vixens to whatever fueled their imaginations.
This wasn’t just any Halloween party—the event included a costume contest, custom-crafted cocktails, and dance beats from two live DJs. Adding to the thrill were “mystical party entertainers” and a spooky movie reel that played in the background, creating an atmosphere that was truly of “eerie elegance.” For an extra treat, guests could redeem their tickets at the Social Club for $10 of free slot play.
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Do you know that just years ago, Rodman joined a Halloween party alongside Hollywood stars?
Dennis Rodman has his Halloween bash with Hollywood
Back in 2022, Hollywood had its own Halloween town moment, and NBA icon Dennis Rodman was right at the heart of it. Attending film producer Dwayne J. Clark’s Halloween bash, the “Rebound King” found himself partying alongside A-listers like Kathy Hilton and singer La Toya Jackson. Jackson even shared a clip on Twitter, capturing the night’s highlights and showing the crowd just how star-studded the event was.
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But here’s an interesting twist: Rodman didn’t show up in costume that night. Was he out of Halloween spirit, or maybe he couldn’t find the right outfit in time? It’s hard to say, but one thing was clear—Rodman still came ready to celebrate, proving he doesn’t always need a costume to turn heads.
However, when it comes to unique fashion, Dennis Rodman doesn’t wait for Halloween. Throughout his 90s heyday, Rodman rocked some truly outrageous looks, becoming just as known for his bold style as for his skills on the court. His past Halloween costumes, from Beetlejuice to Gene Simmons, are still memorable.
NASCAR Las Vegas Entry List Excludes Key Team In Shock Move
MBM Motorsports will not compete in the upcoming NASCAR Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. This development comes at a time when MBM Motorsports is struggling with inconsistency in their race entries throughout the 2024 season.
Previously intending to field their No. 66 Ford, the team, led by co-founder Carl Long, is notably absent from the entry list for the Las Vegas event.
Founded in 2014 and based in Statesville, North Carolina, MBM Motorsports has seen its share of ups and downs. Carl Long, with a history of 174 starts across NASCAR’s national series, including 26 in the Cup Series, hoped to steer the team to a more consistent participation throughout the 2024 season.
Unfortunately, the team’s return to competition after missing the entire 2023 season has been erratic. Though they managed to enter ten points races with aspirational plans, MBM Motorsports’s continued struggle with stability in race attendance and driver lineup has become a recurring theme.
Kyle Larson, driver of the #5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, crosses the finish line to win the NASCAR Cup Series Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 03, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. MBM Motorsports… Kyle Larson, driver of the #5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, crosses the finish line to win the NASCAR Cup Series Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 03, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. MBM Motorsports will not take part in the Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. More Chris Graythen/Getty Images
This season, the No. 66 Ford has seen a rotation of six different drivers. Josh Bilicki made three starts, while Timmy Hill and B.J. McLeod made two each. Chad Finchum, David Starr, and Parker Retzlaff contributed with one start per driver. The inconsistency extended to sponsorships as well. Brands such as Green Light Performance Products, Aires Tech, and AES Restaurant Group (an Arby’s Franchisee) have backed the team, enabling partial participation. Yet, the sporadic support may have influenced their irregular presence on the track.
Despite their absence in Las Vegas, MBM Motorsports has plans to return to the track at Homestead-Miami Speedway the following weekend, with Chad Finchum driving under Aires Tech sponsorship. Finchum, stepping back into a competitive role at Nashville Superspeedway in June 2024, is poised to carry forward the team’s commitment to the sport despite past setbacks.
The upcoming South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, part of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, will broadcast live on NBC on October 20th at 2:30 p.m. ET.
NASCAR Cup Series: Current Standings
NASCAR: Niece Motorsports Confirms Racing Return for 18-Year-Old Driver
18-year-old driver Matt Gould will be making his return to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series with Niece Motorsports in Martinsville.
Racing runs in the family; Phil Gould, Matt’s father, is not only a former racer but also serves as the esteemed crew chief for the No. 45 team at Niece Motorsports. This familial legacy has undoubtedly influenced Matt’s journey into professional racing, establishing a foundation upon which he can build his driving career.
Gould’s early ventures in racing began with competitions in Outlaw Karts on dirt tracks, where he amassed over 80 feature race victories at Millbridge Speedway. He then transitioned onto asphalt, displaying his performance by bagging his first Late Model Stock Car win at Orange County Speedway in 2021, followed by additional victories at Florence Motor Speedway and Hickory Motor Speedway.
In 2022, Gould made a significant mark by debuting in the ARCA Menards Series at just 16 years old. His performance at the Milwaukee Mile and later at Toledo Speedway made heads turn, as he achieved top-10 finishes in both races. Despite facing challenges such as technical issues at Bristol Motor Speedway, Matt continued to demonstrate his potential.
Christian Eckes, driver of the #19 NAPA Auto Care Chevrolet, and Daniel Dye, driver of the #43 NAPA Nightvision Chevrolet, race during the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Love’s RV Stop 225 at Talladega Superspeedway on… Christian Eckes, driver of the #19 NAPA Auto Care Chevrolet, and Daniel Dye, driver of the #43 NAPA Nightvision Chevrolet, race during the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Love’s RV Stop 225 at Talladega Superspeedway on October 04, 2024 in Talladega, Alabama. Matt Gould is set to return to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in Martinsville. More Sean Gardner/Getty Images
Gould’s history with Niece Motorsports is deeper than simply being a driver. During his high school years, he honed his technical skills as a mechanic at the team’s shop. After graduating high school, he joined Niece Motorsports full-time, contributing significantly to the road crew and working in various mechanical roles.
Confirming that Gould would be making a return to the No. 44 Niece Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado at Martinsville, the team posted to social media:
Niece Motorsports Releases Matt Mills Health Update After Driver Is Hospitalized
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series team Niece Motorsports have provided an update on their driver, Matt Mills, following a large crash at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
The crash involved Mills’s vehicle and fellow driver Conner Jones and left the former’s car engulfed in flames. Thankfully, Mills managed to exit his vehicle independently after the collision. He was subsequently taken to a local hospital for medical evaluation.
Niece Motorsports has since released a further update which confirms the driver will remain in the hospital overnight. The team stated:
NASCAR Lawsuit: Michael Jordan & Co Question NASCAR’s Ultimatum Threatening 23XI & FRM’s Legal Leverage
23XI Racing, co-owned by basketball legend Michael Jordan and NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin, along with Front Row Motorsports, kicked off a massive confrontation with NASCAR, claiming anti-competitive practices. They argue that NASCAR has monopolized control over the sport, which not only restricts competition but also harms the teams involved. It’s a bold move that aims to challenge the status quo in a sport where competition should thrive.
The lawsuit levels some serious allegations against NASCAR. For starters, they claim NASCAR bought up a majority of the premier racetracks, making them exclusive to their events. It also contends that NASCAR restricts teams from racing in other stock car events and retains ownership over the Next-Gen parts and cars, further tightening their grip on the sport. And recently, there has been a big update on the situation.
23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports fighting to get the upper hand
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In a recent update from Bob Pockrass, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports (FRM) have taken a significant step in their ongoing legal battle with NASCAR. They filed a reply to NASCAR’s response regarding their motion for an injunction. According to Pockrass, the 23XI Racing/FRM team pointed out that the open team agreement specifically requires them to waive the right to pursue lawsuits like the one they’re currently involved in. Without it, they risk being sidelined from the race, which is a huge deal, especially when every point counts in the competitive world of NASCAR.
The argument from the teams is clear: they believe that granting the injunction wouldn’t cause any harm to NASCAR. Instead, it would simply maintain the current status quo of the 36 charter teams. Although the two teams have filed lawsuits against the governing bodies, they still want to continue racing in NASCAR. Both 23XI and FRM have hundreds of people working within the teams to ensure things run smoothly.
Michael Jordan’s efforts from the start were to get a chance to negotiate the terms of the charter agreement. The two teams filed a preliminary injunction that aims to keep them racing as chartered teams in 2025 while they hash out their ongoing antitrust case against NASCAR. This is a big deal for them because racing without charters could mean significant financial setbacks. 23XI/FRM filed a reply to NASCAR’s response to the injunction motion. For both teams, there are millions of dollars on the line since sponsors already signed deals beyond 2024.
-23XI/FRM state open team agreement also requires them to waive right to pursue this type of lawsuit so injunction needed to race.
-Teams argue injunction wouldn’t harm NASCAR, just keep status quo of 36 charter teams.
NASCAR filed a formal response opposing the preliminary injunction, arguing that the extraordinary circumstances needed for such an injunction simply aren’t present. NASCAR insists this whole issue is more about contract terms than it is about antitrust laws. In their view, it’s a straightforward contract dispute rather than a legal battle that could shake the foundation of how things are run.
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Michael Jordan is not one to sit on his hands
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The legal drama between Michael Jordan and NASCAR is heating up, and it’s not a typical game of basketball. Jordan, along with attorney Jeffrey Kessler, claims that NASCAR and CEO Jim France are behaving like “monopolistic bullies” in their attempts to silence dissenters. In their latest court filing, they argue NASCAR pushes back against anyone who dares to challenge their authority.
On the flip side, NASCAR isn’t backing down, branding Jordan and Kessler’s request for a preliminary injunction as a “masterclass in contradiction.” They believe it’s just a tactic to secure more cash and better contract terms that they couldn’t nail down in negotiations. In this back-and-forth, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports are seeking a court order that would allow them to compete as chartered teams for the 2025 season, even though they haven’t signed NASCAR’s charter agreement.
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NASCAR, however, is pushing back hard, arguing that the two teams are trying to use the antitrust process as a weapon to hurt the organization while avoiding the responsibilities of the charters they didn’t sign. Their legal filing states that the request for documents predating the four-year statute of limitations for antitrust claims is also off-base.
Kessler has countered these arguments, maintaining that the request for expedited discovery is completely reasonable and necessary to prove their case.
Savannah Bananas to visit 3 football, 18 MLB stadiums in ’25
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The Savannah Bananas, the unconventional independent baseball team that has become a nationwide phenomenon, will take its unique brand of
Savannah Bananas expanding 2025 tour to football, MLB stadiums
The Savannah Bananas are taking their baseball hijinks to the gridiron in 2025.
Team owner Jesse Cole said his barnstorming squad, which has packed stadiums around the country with its rollicking, freewheeling version of the national pastime known as Banana Ball, will play at Clemson’s 81,000-seat Memorial Stadium on April 26.
The Bananas also will host a pair of games at NFL facilities, Cole said. They will play at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, the 69,000-seat home of the Tennessee Titans, on May 10, followed by 75,000-seat Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., home of the Carolina Panthers, on June 7.
“These will be some of the biggest crowds in baseball history to see Banana Ball,” Cole told the Associated Press.
Since a full-sized baseball field does not fit in the tighter confines of a football stadium, especially at the home of the Clemson Tigers, the Bananas plan to install netting at least 50 feet high to make it a bit tougher to hit one out in the shortest portion of the outfield.
Cole — ever the promoter — noted the barrier in all three football stadiums will be significantly taller than Fenway Park’s 37-foot-high Green Monster. And, of course, the Bananas plan to use the unusual dimensions to full comedic advantage.
“In Banana Ball, we like to make things a little different,” said Cole, who is known for the yellow tuxedos he wears to games. “We’re going to have fun with it.”
The Bananas, who started as summer-league team for college players, have become a touring sensation with their carnival-style version of the game, which includes choreographed dance routines, players on stilts and unusual rules such as outs counting when a fan catches a foul ball in the stands.
They even have an exhibit at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.
Cole said the Bananas and their affiliated teams, the Party Animals and Firefighters, have drawn more than 1 million fans this year. The goal for next year is 2 million.
“We’re not just building a team, we’re building a sport,” Cole said, “It’s all about creating the fastest, most entertaining sport for the fans.”
He takes umbrage with those who call the Bananas nothing more than the Harlem Globetrotters with bats and gloves, pointing out that the winner is never predetermined.
“We have people say, ‘Hey, these guys can really play,’” he said. “The Bananas actually lost their tour in 2023. They lost more games than they won against the Party Animals. That’s not going to happen to the Globetrotters.”
Cole said Clemson plans to install a baseball diamond, complete with a dirt infield, on the grass field at Death Valley. The stadiums in Nashville and Charlotte, which have artificial turf surfaces, will paint in the basepaths and other features to make them look more like ballparks.
The Bananas also will headline 18 weekends at major-league stadiums in 2025, including the Chicago White Sox’s Guaranteed Rate Field on Aug. 15-16 and stops at Yankee Stadium in New York, Camden Yards in Baltimore and Truist Park in Atlanta. They will play two games each at those parks.
During their 2024 campaign, the Bananas played before sellout crowds at big-league ballparks in Houston, Washington, Philadelphia, Boston and Cleveland, with another packed house expected next week for a game at the Miami Marlins stadium.
The Bananas also will hold 30 games in their home base of Savannah, the quirky city on Georgia’s coast where they were founded in 2016. They play at 5,000-seat Grayson Stadium, which opened in 1926.
“It’s our home,” Cole said. “We have 200-plus people who travel around the country with us, but we always come back to Savannah. It’s the smallest stadium we play at by far, but it’s where it all started for us.”
The Bananas will have a new opponent next season, as a team known as the Texas Tailgaters will join the Party Animals and Firefighters. Cole is now planning to start his own circuit, the Banana Ball Championship League, with two more squads coming aboard in 2026.
One can only imagine what the prize will be for the title-winning team.
A trophy shaped like a banana, perhaps?
“In between the football stadiums and MLB stadiums and 2 million fans, we’re dreaming as big as we can,” Cole said. “We might as well start a league while we’re at it.”
Stunning New Images of Barcelona’s £1.25bn Redesigned Camp Nou Emerge
Catalan giants Barcelona have unveiled stunning new images of their revamped Camp Nou stadium, as well as revealing ambitious plans to return before the end of the season. Following their triumphant La Liga victory in June 2023, the Catalan club kicked off a massive £1.25 billion renovation project aimed at transforming the iconic arena.
Initially, the plans were met with skepticism, with fans around the world concerned that one of football’s most beloved stadiums might lose its universal gleam. However, those doubts have quickly been allayed, as the redevelopment promises to be well worth the effort. The renovation will not only elevate the stadium’s visual appeal but also increase its capacity to a remarkable 105,000, further cementing the Camp Nou’s reputation as one of the most iconic sporting venues.
Back in August, Barcelona declared on their official website that the renovated Camp Nou would be a
AI Shows How Iconic Stadiums Would Look if They Hadn’t Been Demolished
While the same names remain at the top of their respective leagues, they are always evolving with the ever-growing pressures of looking pristine and, thus, achieving the most. Evident, and rather expensive, changes to a club’s persona can often consist of shutting up shop and moving to another stadium.
Of all 20 current Premier League sides, a grand total of eight of them have changed stomping grounds since the turn of the millennium, perhaps suggesting the need to provide a state-of-the-art experience for match-going fans continues to intensify.
Related Presenter Ranks Top 10 Stadiums in English Football After Visiting All 92 Adrian Durham’s own ranking demands curiosity, as only four Premier League grounds made the cut.
The likes of Highbury and White Hart Lane have both been replaced and demolished in recent years – but what would they look like nowadays? Using AI, with the help of the folks over at BonusCodeBets, let’s take a look at what some of the most iconic stadiums in the UK would look like nowadays – if they were still around, of course.
Highbury, Arsenal
Demolished in May 2006
Before the 60,000-seater Emirates Stadium, which is now used by both the men’s and women’s teams, Arsenal fans made the trip to the iconic Highbury. Staying at the latter was not on the agenda, however, as the East Stand is a Grade II-listed building and houses would’ve needed to be knocked down in order to redevelop it.
Between 1913 and 2006, Highbury was the true statement of Arsenal incremental changes over the years epitomising the club’s ever-changing style. Now converted into north London flats, AI’s version of the iconic ground is smart and clean, but it also has a traditional feel to it – much like Arsenal football club as a whole.
Highbury – Fact File Opened 1913 Closed 2016 Final capacity 38,500 Highest attendance 73,295, a 0-0 draw with Sunderland in 1935
White Hart Lane, Tottenham Hotspur
Demolished between June and August 2017
Forget the state-of-the-art Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for a second, a large part of the club’s fanbase will remember tipping up to White Hart Lane for sections of their lives. The north Londoners enjoyed the old-school nature of the 36,240-seater for 118 years, but it was demolished in 2017 in order to make way for a trailblazing stadium.
Having outgrown the old stadium down the road, they moved to – after a two-year stay at Wembley – moved to a newer, fresh-looking stomping ground. AI has predicted that White Hart Lane would have lost its classic touch, feeding into the modern era of football stadia anyway.
White Hart Lane – Fact File Opened 1899 Closed 2017 Final capacity 36,240 Highest attendance 75,038, a 1-1 draw with Sunderland in 1935
Maine Road, Manchester City
Demolished between 2003 and 2004
Pre-Premier League dominance, Manchester City plied their trade at Maine Road. But, once relegated in 1996, they moved to the City of Manchester Stadium, which was later renamed to the Eithad Stadium. The club were reluctant to move, but any plans for redevelopment were abandoned after falling down the English football pyramid.
GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Upon opening in 1923, Maine Road was the second-largest stadium (85,000) in England – behind Wembley.
It took just a year for Maine Road to be demolished and subsequently made into a housing estate and school – but many were under the belief that staying put made more sense. If they had, the computer-generated image shows they could have remained within the realms of a box-like stadium, increasing the height of their three stands to match that of the main Kippax terrace.
Maine Road – Fact File Opened 1923 Closed 2003 Final capacity 35,150 Highest attendance 84,569, a 1-0 win over Stoke City in 1934
Boleyn Ground, West Ham United
Demolished in March 2017
One of the Premier League’s most storied and fondly remembered football grounds, West Ham United’s departure from the Boleyn Ground was one filled with sorrow and potential regret. Moving to a modern-looking London Stadium – one that helped to host the Olympics in 2012 – many fans of the east London-based club complained that it wasn’t “fit for football”.
Doubling their capacity in the process, AI believes that West Ham’s old stomping ground would’ve remained pretty much the same – in its shape and its culture. The raucous ‘Chicken Run Stand’, located on the east side of the 35,016-seater ground, would have kept its originality – an aspect that fans now dream of.
Boleyn Ground – Fact File Opened 1904 Closed 2016 Final capacity 35,016 Highest attendance 42,322, a 2-2 draw with Tottenham in 1970
Related Every Premier League Stadium Ranked From Best to Worst Every Premier League stadium for the 2024-25 season has been ranked – including Portman Road, King Power Stadium and St Mary’s.
Griffin Park, Brentford
Demolished between 2021 and 2023
Before capital club Brentford could class themselves a regular Premier League outfit, Griffin Park was their stomping ground. Albeit a rather modest affair, it was called home by the west Londoners between 1904 and 2020, before they moved to the less-homely Gtech Community Stadium, which can hold a maximum of 17,250 match-goers, just four years ago.
As a result, their final home game – a Championship play-off semi-final, was played behind closed doors due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Interestingly, the AI-generated image of Griffin Park dwarfs that of their current home, with it seeing vast improvements from its days in the English second division.
Griffin Park – Fact File Opened 1904 Closed 2020 Final capacity 12,763 Highest attendance 38,678, a 2-0 loss to Leicester in 1949
Wembley, England
Demolished between 2002 and 2003
Home of the much-maligned England national team, The Old Wembley was as traditional as stadiums came. The well-documented twin towers were swapped for the arch of The New Wembley in 2000 and the former was demolished just three years later after it shut its turnstiles for the very last time.
A sad day for football fans as it represented a changing of the guard, AI has predicted that its iconic appearance – which included the aforementioned twin towers – would have been long gone anyway. Now playing their games at The New Wembley – widely considered to be one of the best stadiums in world football – the stadium in London remains the Home of Football.
Wembley – Fact File Opened 1923 Closed 2003 Final capacity 76,000 Highest attendance 126,047, Bolton beat West Ham 2-0 in the 1923 FA Cup final
Ninian Park, Cardiff City
Demolished in October 2009
Demolished in 2009 to make way for a housing development, Cardiff City’s former ground, Roker Park, was a cornerstone of Welsh football. With the solitary wooden stand to show for, it was opened in September 1910 and homed the Swans for almost a century after it closed its door for the very last time in 2009.
Its tiring stands and perceived lack of stability, according to AI-generated images, would’ve been completely transformed into a modern-looking arena – one fit for a team the size of Cardiff. Instead, they now ply their trade at the Cardiff City Stadium – located in the epicentre of the nation’s capital.
Ninian Park – Fact File Opened 1910 Closed 2009 Final capacity 21,508 Highest attendance 62,634, a 1-1 draw between Wales and England in 1959
Roker Park, Sunderland
Demolished between 1997 and 1998
The successor of a site on Newcastle Road that Sunderland used in the late 19th century, Roker Park became the loving home of the Wearside-based outfit in 1898 and served them until three years shy of the turn of the millennium, overseeing all manner of fixtures in that period.
Construction of the Stadium of Light, just a few hundred yards from Roker Park, started in 1996 and the latter was then demolished and replaced by housing estates as the Black Cats settled in at the former. Had they opted against the move, the 22,500-seater stadium’s unfit-for-purpose nature would have been eradicated. According to AI, it would’ve grown in size and maturity.
Roker Park – Fact File Opened 1898 Closed 1997 Final capacity 22,500 Highest attendance 75,118, a 1-0 win over Derby County in 1993
All stadium information per The Stadium Guide – correct as of 13/10/24
20 Best Football Stadiums in Britain [Ranked]
![20 Best Football Stadiums in Britain [Ranked]](https://sportsmedia.news/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/news_74268-768x402.png "20 Best Football Stadiums in Britain [Ranked]")
Key Takeaways Anfield The top 20 stadiums in Britain have been ranked based on a variety of different factors.
Manchester United’s Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge of Chelsea miss out on the top 10.
Anfield and Ibrox are among the highest-ranked arenas in the UK, partly thanks to their incredible atmospheres.
Where a team plays football can make a major difference to how they perform on the pitch. Some atmospheres may intimidate the opposition into defeat and submission, while others may be so vast that, even with vocal supporters behind them, players may be swallowed up by the pressure to come out on top.
There are several incredible arenas across the UK, from modern greats to historical landmarks that have been etched in football history. Below, we have decided to name the top 20 stadiums in the British Isles, using several key factors to rank them as accurately as possible.
Ranking Factors
History
Longevity
Atmosphere
Capacity
Design
Construction
Location
20 Best Football Stadiums in Britain [Ranked] Rank Stadium Home Team 1. Celtic Park Celtic 2. Tottenham Hotspur Stadium Tottenham 3. Anfield Liverpool 4. Ibrox Rangers 5. Millennium Stadium Wales National Team 6. London Stadium West Ham 7. St James’ Park Newcastle 8. Emirates Stadium Arsenal 9. Goodison Park Everton 10. Elland Road Leeds United 11. Old Trafford Manchester United 12. Hillsborough Sheffield Wednesday 13. Hampden Park Scottish National Team 14. Wembley Stadium England National Team 15. Villa Park Aston Villa 16. Etihad Stadium Manchester City 17. Craven Cottage Fulham 18. Stamford Bridge Chelsea 19. King Power Stadium Leicester City 20. Murrayfield N/A
Related 10 Best Stadium Atmospheres in British Football [Ranked] Some grounds in Britain are known for their sizzling atmospheres, here’s a list of the very best.
20-16
Murrayfield, King Power Stadium, Stamford Bridge, Craven Cottage, Etihad Stadium
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While technically more commonly used as a Rugby Union arena, it felt unfair not to include Scotland’s biggest stadium in the list at all, which is why Murrayfield takes its place at the bottom. If not for the fact that the most recent game of football played there was Leny Yoro’s Manchester United debut, there’s every chance the 67,000-seater would have climbed above the King Power Stadium and Stamford Bridge, homes to Leicester City and Chelsea respectively.
Fulham’s Craven Cottage is one of the more unique stadiums in English football. Located on the banks of the River Thames, it is also home to the most expensive season tickets available in the Premier League. They follow Manchester City and the Etihad Stadium, which, despite jokes about the Premier League champions’ struggle to fill the stands, is an arena worthy of one of the top teams in the country, given its remarkable upkeep and its role as a centre point for the area.
15-11
Villa Park, Wembley Stadium, Hampden Park, Hillsborough, Old Trafford
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Villa Park has witnessed some glorious nights throughout the years, with a recent victory over Bayern Munich in the Champions League being among the best in recent times. Aston Villa’s home has become iconic in name and still retains a touch of the old-school charm, helping it maintain a sense of mystique in modern times. Meanwhile, the home of English football, Wembley, seems to have lost some of its revered stature since the opening of the new stadium in 2007. Frequent complaints about the pitch surface and a lacklustre atmosphere in the singing section have certainly tarnished its reputation.
Hampden Park, on the other hand, offers one of the more unforgettable matchday experiences in the region. Whether it’s a Scottish Cup final or Steve Clarke leading out the Tartan Army, a trip to the Glasgow-based ground is bound to be memorable.
The bottom half of the list is rounded off by two of the most historically significant stadiums, both tied to football tragedies. While Hillsborough may no longer be on par with state-of-the-art arenas, the events of 1989 and their impact on English football and politics in the aftermath of the disaster mean it deserves recognition. The same goes for Old Trafford, which remains one of the most iconic arenas in the world, despite years of neglect and decay under the mismanagement of the Glazer family. The Theatre of Dreams was once a place of hope for Manchester United following the Munich Air Disaster but has now turned into football’s no man’s land.
GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Old Trafford is home to the largest capacity in the Premier League (74,310).
Related Man Utd Prepared to Demolish Old Trafford if They Build New Stadium Manchester United’s hierarchy are prepared to make a huge decision on the future of Old Trafford if they press on with plans for a new stadium.
10-6
Elland Road, Goodison Park, Emirates Stadium, St James’ Park, London Stadium
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There are very few places in England that can replicate the cauldron that is Elland Road. Leeds United’s brief Premier League return at the start of the 2020s gave one of the most passionate and visceral fan bases in the game a chance to be heard at the top level once again, exactly where they belong. However, they have been edged out by Goodison Park, which will soon be vacated as Everton move to their new stadium during the 2025/2026 season.
Much fuss was made about Arsenal’s move from Highbury to the Emirates in 2006, with claims that the money poured into the new stadium hindered Arsene Wenger’s ability to compete in the transfer market, affecting results on the pitch.
Newcastle’s love for football and all things black and white ensures that St James’ Park, the northernmost stadium in English football, ranks seventh. Through thick and thin, the Magpies have always been able to rely on their supporters to visit St James’ Park a daunting prospect for any opposition. Similarly, West Ham’s London Stadium blends modern design with a nostalgic nod to Upton Park, where the spirit of the old ground can still be felt among the fans.
5-1
Millennium Stadium, Ibrox, Anfield, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Celtic Park
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The top five on this list could easily be placed in any order without much argument. The Millennium Stadium in Wales famously took on the role of hosting the English Cup finals during the rebuild of Wembley and remains one of the most impressive arenas to this day.
Stadiums like Ibrox and Anfield will always be steeped in history due to what has happened on the pitch. But in the stands, few singing sections can send shivers down the spine like these two. In terms of pure atmosphere, they surpass the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. However, the sheer quality of Daniel Levy’s creation has become the standard-bearer for modern stadiums and has hosted a range of other sporting events.
That leaves the top spot, with the crown going to Celtic Park. When combining all the ranking factors, Celtic Park excels in every category. History, longevity, atmosphere, you name it. It stands as the pinnacle of football stadiums in the British Isles.
NFL stadiums could experience $11 billion in climate-related losses by 2050, a new report finds
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Hurricane Milton’s damage to Tropicana Field in Tampa, Florida, was so devastating it likely means the Tampa Bay Rays will be looking for another place to play ball for opening day next spring.
Like many baseball stadiums around the country, Tropicana Field’s geographic location makes it vulnerable to hurricane winds or tornado-force winds, hail, storm surge and flooding.
The Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, Miami Marlins, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres and others play on or near the water and could see insurance premiums rise and repair costs soar as weather-related losses hit.
But it’s not just baseball stadiums at risk. NFL stadiums could experience $11 billion in climate-related losses by 2050, according to a new report released by the climate risk analysis company, Climate X.
As football stadiums are increasingly being used for concert venues, storm shelters and community events, the impact could be severe for the economy.
Climate X said it’s a wake-up call for state and local governments.
“The problem with climate change is non-linear and non-stationary. If you had a problem there yesterday, that doesn’t mean that it’s going to be there tomorrow,” said Kamil Kluza, co-founder of Climate X. “Places that have been unimpacted will become impacted, because the climate will change and move around.”
The risks from changing weather patterns go far beyond hurricane winds and flooding.
Dangerous heat is a problem for the Arizona Diamondbacks playing in Phoenix. The team has a lease until 2027 at Chase Field and is responsible for upkeep and repairs. But the facility is struggling to keep fans cool, much less players, in a city where the temperatures this summer broke even Phoenix’s own scorching records.
Up north, a massive snowstorm in 2010 collapsed the roof of the Minnesota Vikings’ Metrodome.
Some of the most harrowing images of stadium damage are still from 2005, of a SuperDome surrounded by floodwaters in New Orleans, housing Katrina victims trying to take cover from the storm.
The Climate X report ranks the vulnerability of the 30 NFL stadiums when it comes to climate hazards such as flooding, wildfires and storm surge. It’s calculated by comparing the projected damage costs to the stadium’s current replacement value.
MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, home of the New York Giants and the New York Jets, is projected to incur the biggest losses. Climate X projects a total percentage loss of 184%, with cumulative damages exceeding $5.6 billion by 2050 due to the stadium’s low elevation in the marshy Meadowlands and exposure to flooding and storm surge.
The new state-of-the-art $5 billion Sofi Stadium, home to the Los Angeles Chargers and Los Angeles Rams, and State Farm Stadium in Arizona, where the Arizona Cardinals play, are the next-most vulnerable stadiums to climate risk.
Climate X said Lumen Field in Seattle, home to the Seattle Seahawks, and Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, home to the Green Bay Packers, are projected to have a much lower relative loss rates. Their non-coastal locations and limited exposure to extreme heat events could benefit them.
Some teams are trying to tackle the climate change problem head on. For example, Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas ran the Super Bowl completely off renewable energy.
Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, home to the Atlanta Falcons, said its energy-efficient design reduces electricity usage by 29%.
“The bottom line is that climate change is happening, whether we like it or not, and I think the instead of fighting climate change with just sustainability and reducing CO2, we need to start acting to put adaptation measures in place,” Kluza said.
As for Tropicana Field, there are questions about whether it should be repaired at all, as it’s slated for demolition anyway to make way for a new $1.3 billion ballpark for the Rays to play in time for the 2028 season.
Shakira cancels Chicago show, moves tour to stadiums in 2025
Pop singer Shakira has cancelled her Chicago tour stop originally scheduled for Dec. 14. Fans who purchased tickets can return them for a full refund. Omar Vega/Getty Images
Pop singer Shakira has canceled her tour stop in Chicago that was scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 14.
The “Hips Don’t Lie” singer released a statement that cites an evaluation of her tour that had been slated for several arenas, including Chicago’s United Center, which was now being shifted to ballparks and stadiums.
“The production of my show is also now so much larger and unlike anything I’ve done before,” Shakira’s statement posted on the United Center’s website reads. “As a result, we’re elevating my North America run from arenas to stadiums and the dates will be shifted to May 2025, right after my Latin American tour. Get ready-cities and dates will be announced on Monday (Oct. 21).”
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The new dates were posted on Shakira’s Instagram page, but the Chicago show is not one of the rescheduled dates.
Fans who purchased tickets can return them for a full refund.
10 Ugliest Stadiums in British Football History [Ranked]
![10 Ugliest Stadiums in British Football History [Ranked]](https://sportsmedia.news/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/news_74262-768x384.png "10 Ugliest Stadiums in British Football History [Ranked]")
A team’s stadium is much like a church for their supporters, who visit every week to worship their team. Some venues are grand, with history and character, without a bad view in the house, whereas others are quite the opposite. The fans may still love the stadium they watch their beloved club at, but aesthetically, many of them are an eyesore to everybody else.
With that in mind, some of the ugliest stadiums in British football have been ranked, taking into account a vast array of factors. West Ham’s London Stadium and Oxford’s Kassam Stadium both feature, as do many other eyesores.
Ranking Factors
Condition
Character
Overall Aesthetics
Related Every Premier League Stadium Ranked by Presenter Who’s Visited Them All A presenter who has visited all 20 Premier League stadiums has ranked them in order.
10 Madejski Stadium (Select Car Leasing Stadium)
Club: Reading
This position on the list could have gone to any number of clubs. A lot of modern stadiums, including Cardiff’s, Southampton’s and Leicester’s have a distinct lack of character, and all appear to be the exact same. Although the stadiums are technically better quality than the older grounds, they are without soul and the same energy.
Madejski Stadium (currently named Select Car Leasing Stadium for sponsorship reasons), which opened in 1998, is just like the others. However, due to its dismal attendances, and the fact it is in the middle of nowhere, it makes the list. Filling just over 50% of the stadium during the 2024/25 season, the Madejski Stadium is far from the ideal place for fans to go to, and it is very uninspiring to look at.
Madejski Stadium Statistics Capacity 24,161 2024/25 Average Attendance 12,270
9 Gtech Community Stadium
Club: Brentford
A stadium which you have to walk under a motorway to get to, the Gtech Community Stadium, is far from nice to look at.
The main stand out is the stadiums’ lack of character. It features multi-coloured seats, which have nothing to do with Brentford, which was done in order for the ground to ‘appear full’ when on TV, which is not a great sign. Overall, the stadium, which was opened in 2020, is incredibly underwhelming, and lacks soul, but maybe that will come with time, although that appears unlikely.
Gtech Community Stadium Statistics Capacity 17,250 2024/25 Average Attendance 17,001
Related 20 Best Football Stadiums in Britain [Ranked] From Anfield and Old Trafford, the 20 best stadiums in Great Britain have been named.
8 The John Smith’s Stadium
Club: Huddersfield
The John Smith’s Stadium in Huddersfield is certainly unique. With four arched stands and empty corners, the ground looks rather unusual. Opened in 1994, the ground was ahead of its time, but it now appears dated and rather ugly. Often, taking a risk and opting to go against the grain can be a good thing when it comes to designing a new stadium, but in this case, the John Smith’s Stadium is simply unusual. If the corners were to be filled in, it may appear better, but with the club currently in League One, it is unlikely the stadium will be expanded any time soon.
The John Smith’s Stadium Statistics Capacity 24,500 2024/25 Average Attendance 18,320
7 Stadium MK
Club: MK Dons
One of the most controversial and unpopular clubs in the English football pyramid, MK Dons stadium is much like the things they are accused of being.
Soulless, and in the wrong place, Stadium MK would be the 15th biggest stadium in the 2024/25 Premier League, yet they barely fill 20% of it on a match day. A club which has caused a lot of unrest in English football for their treatment of Wimbledon, Stadium MK is equally unpopular due to its basic nature, and it arguably shouldn’t really exist.
Opened in 2007, the modern stadium is accused of lacking atmosphere and being everything wrong with modern football.
Stadium MK Statistics Capacity 30,500 2024/25 Average Attendance 6,136
6 Peninsula Stadium
Club: Salford
A very small stadium which had to develop quickly as the club rose through the leagues, Salford’s Peninsula Stadium is not the prettiest to look at.
With renovations completed in just 10 months, the stadium is unrecognisable from what it was before, for the worse. Although the floodlights in the shape of the club crest are a nice touch, the stadium itself is very basic, and lacks any sort of personality. Owned by the ‘Class of 92’, including Gary Neville and Paul Scholes, Salford had to make quick adjustments to their stadium as they rose through the divisions into League Two, and this has left them with a still very small, but now dull and basic stadium.
Peninsula Stadium Statistics Capacity 5,108 2024/25 Average Attendance 2,831
Related Which Premier League stadium has the most intimidating atmosphere? Premier League football is back over the weekend, so it seems a good time to ask a question to traveling fans. Which stadium has the most intimidating atmosphere? Let us know your thought below.
5 Kenilworth Road
Club: Luton
Although it was a revelation when Luton arrived in the Premier League in 2023, due to the unique nature of their stadium, objectively, it is an ugly ground.
Situated among houses, which away fans have to walk through to enter the stadium, Kenilworth Road is not attractive to look at. It appears old and squished into a bit of land that isn’t really there, so it is no surprise that they have imminent plans to build a new stadium. The ground certainly doesn’t lack character, but it is absolutely not the best to look at, whether that be in the stadium or on TV. Unlike some of the other teams on the list, Luton can’t be accused of not filling their stadium, but they can be accused of having a stadium that is not fit for the modern game.
Kenilworth Road Statistics Capacity 12,000 2024/25 Average Attendance 11,707
4 Priestfields Stadium
Club: Gillingham
As a stadium, Gillingham’s home, Priestfields, is distinctly average. It has four stands, one with two tiers, and is just a rather basic lower-league stadium. However, the away end doesn’t have a roof.
Although the attempt to irritate visiting supporters is commendable, the open nature of the stand does result in the stadium appearing a lot more unattractive and unusual. If all four stands were to be open, like they are in some stadiums across Europe and South America, the ground would, although impractical in the British weather, appear a lot better.
The stand itself is temporary, although it has been there since 2003, so maybe they one day will add a roof to it, but for now, Priestfields Stadium looks worse for it.
Priestfields Stadium Statistics Capacity 11,582 2024/25 Average Attendance 6,682
Related Troy Deeney Names 5 Most Intimidating English Stadiums to Play Football Deeney played in all four of England’s major divisions and has named the most intimidating stadiums he played at.
3 Kassam Stadium
Club: Oxford
The Kassam Stadium is a nice stadium, which features three stands and a car park. The ground has a North Stand, an East Stand, a South Stand, yet no West Stand. Behind the goal is simply just a car park. For a club who are now in the Championship, it would be expected that they would at least have four stands, not just for the visual improvement, but also to accommodate more supporters.
Balls regularly fly over the bar into the car park behind the goal, and the lack of a stand makes for very unappealing viewing. Other clubs, who have had three stands, have made an attempt to have a larger wall with great designs on it, namely Rayo Vallecano, but not Oxford.
If they were to put a new, small stand behind the goal, the Kassam Stadium may not have made this list at all, let alone be in third place.
Kassam Stadium Statistics Capacity 12,500 2024/25 Average Attendance 11,453
2 London Stadium
Club: West Ham
There have been few bigger downgrades when moving stadiums than West Ham’s move from Upton Park to the London Stadium.
Upton Park was famed for its incredible atmosphere, great character, and being very close to the pitch, yet the London Stadium, which the Premier League club moved to in 2016, is none of those things – essentially the anthesis to the most atmospheric grounds in world football. Due to the stadium formerly being used for the London 2012 Olympics, there is a large running track around the pitch, which means supporters are sat a long way away from the action, making it difficult to see what is going on, particularly for those sitting higher up.
These sentiments are felt equally on TV, as the lack of atmosphere in the ground makes it a bad stadium to view games in, and the fact it is not a football stadium at heart leads to it being a very ugly ground to look at.
London Stadium Statistics Capacity 65,513 2024/25 Average Attendance 62,468
Related AI Shows How Iconic Stadiums Would Look if They Hadn’t Been Demolished The likes of Highbury and White Hart Lane have been demolished in the last couple of decades – and AI has predicted what they’d look like now.
1 Blundell Park
Club: Grimsby
The crown for the ugliest stadium in Britain goes to Grimsby’s Blundell Park.
With stands of completely different sizes and lengths on the side, Blundell Park looks very skewed, and not well thought through. In desperate need of refurbishment, with parts of the stadium appearing to be falling apart, Blundell Park is very unattractive.
Considering it was opened in 1899, it is quite remarkable that it is still standing. Although the ground is absolutely full of history and character, it is not suitable to host modern football as it stands, and changes must be made in order to improve its condition. Therefore, Blundell Park is the ugliest stadium in Britain.
10 Most ‘Beautiful’ Stadiums in Football History [Ranked]
![10 Most ‘Beautiful’ Stadiums in Football History [Ranked]](https://sportsmedia.news/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/news_74260-768x384.png "10 Most ‘Beautiful’ Stadiums in Football History [Ranked]")
In football, it is often the players, managers and even fans who are discussed the most, and the football stadiums are forgotten. These magnificent arenas, where supporters go to worship their team every week, are pivotal to the sport. Sometimes these stadiums are old, ugly, and falling apart, but certain venues are works of art.
With this in mind, here are the most beautiful football stadiums in history, ranked from ten to one.
Ranking Factors
Design
History
Overall Aesthetics
10 Santiago Bernabeu Stadium
Team: Real Madrid
Opened in 1947, the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium is one of the most iconic stadiums in the world.
Home to one of the most successful teams of all time, Real Madrid, the Santiago Bernabeu has seen some incredible moments, and legendary players. The stadium itself is ever getting more remarkable, with a five-year renovation between 2019 and 2024 improving the stadium further. Adding more seats, redesigning the exterior, and inputting a state-of-the-art retractable pitch and roof, there are few stadiums like the Santiago Bernabeu.
An arena every football fan would love to visit, the home of Real Madrid is an unbelievable venue.
Santiago Bernabeu Stadium Statistics Year Opened 1947 Capacity 85,000
9 Allianz Arena
Team: Real Madrid
An incredible stadium, home to Bayern Munich, the Allianz Arena is a beautiful stadium.
Inside, the picturesque pitch and seat designs leave fans in awe, with a large Bayern badge printed on the seats, which stands out from a mile away. Yet perhaps the most amazing part of the Allianz Arena is the exterior. Designed by the architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron, the stadium features 2,800 air cushions, which have LED lights underneath and can display 16 million different colours. On a match day, the stadium lights up red, which is a sight to behold.
A beautiful stadium, home to one of the world’s best teams, the Allianz Arena is a unique and mesmerising arena.
Allianz Arena Statistics Year Opened 2005 Capacity 75,024
8 Wembley Stadium
Team: England
After deciding to leave the old Wembley, England had to create a venue fit for an ever-improving nation, which would also be hosting international tournaments and domestic cup finals.
A huge stadium, the largest in the United Kingdom, Wembley Stadium stands out from miles away, and the iconic arch which goes over the stadium adds to the spectacle. The beauty of the stadium is hard to incredible, but the size and magic really add to the beauty.
With a perfect playing surface, which requires constant care and attention, Wembley Stadium always looks pristine and is already a legendary arena.
Wembley Stadium Statistics Year Opened 2007 Capacity 90,000
Related Every England Defeat at The New Wembley Wembley Stadium re-opened in March 2007 and is England’s home venue. We list every time the Three Lions have lost in competitive games since then.
7 Birds Nest Stadium
Team: China
Perhaps less iconic than some of the other stadiums, the Birds Nest Stadium in Beijing is truly beautiful.
Opened for the 2008 Olympics, but now being home to the Chinese football team, the Birds Nest Stadium features a unique design, which makes it stand out among the rest.
Clear eyes, blocked views, bad seats: Meet the fan who exposes stadium view obstructions
Former Florida QB Jesse Palmer recalls how the hostile environment of Death Valley at LSU contributed to his No. 1 Florida Gators losing on the road. (1:03)
Open Extended Reactions
Michael Barker remembers the most iconic play that he missed because of an obstructed view.
When Barker was looking for a ticket to watch the Gardner Minshew-led Washington State Cougars take on the Oregon Ducks in 2018, the average price was over $700. He ended up finding one for $250, but it came with an unexpected problem.
Once he arrived at his seat, he was surprised to find a giant light pole blocking his view of the game — an obstruction that wasn’t marked on the ticket. It ended up causing him to miss a 6-yard touchdown pass in the far-right corner of the Washington State end zone.
The only thing Barker could see were his fellow fans throwing their hands up in excitement after the play.
Carlos Alcaraz’s Blunt Saudi Admission Impresses Tennis Insider Over Jannik Sinner’s Polished Take Despite Bagging $6 Million
Money matters. That is as realistic as one can get; even Carlos Alcaraz did. The Spaniard is minting some crazy numbers with his stellar tour results; lately, that number has only increased. The same goes for Italian star Jannik Sinner. However, a difference in the duo’s opinion over monetary gain has elicited a response from a renowned journalist—he doesn’t particularly agree with Sinner.
The Six Kings Slam exhibition in Riyadh was a massive change in pace. Six elite players, including Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Daniil Medvedev, Holger Rune, Alcaraz, and Sinner, contested the lucrative event. Overpowering formidable challenges, the Italian sensation came out on top after downing rival Alcaraz in the summit clash.
To the victor belongs the spoils, so naturally, the organizers were ready to oblige. Sinner was awarded a jaw-dropping $6M in prize money – notably the highest in the history of tennis. Subsequently, the World No. 1 was asked how he felt about cashing in on a lucrative amount as such.
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“I don’t play for money. It’s very simple. It’s a nice prize and everything but for me, I went there because there were possibly the six best players in the world. You can measure yourself with them”. Later, when his Spanish rival posed a similar query after pocketing $1.5M over just four days in Riyadh, he lent his ‘realistic’ opinion. The young talent expressed that money motivated him to jet to Saudi Arabia. “You have to think that you want to earn money and that’s it. In Arabia is the highest prize money ever in history, so that was a good motivation, at least for me”. This, in turn, gained a thumbs-up from Eurosport commentator Guido Monaco.
In a recent episode with ‘Tennis Mania‘, Manaco ‘preferred Alcaraz’s statement’, finding it more “genuine and realistic”. Furthermore, he noted that finances control what a player hires in their team and determine their touring bandwidth. “It’s true that money allows you to build a competitive and cutting-edge team around yourself. It’s not the same thing that the 30th, 40th, 50th in the world can afford. Money counts, even to stay at that level”.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Carlos Alcaraz Garfia (@carlitosalcarazz)
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With a heavy paycheque in hand and upcoming participation at the Paris Masters in sight, fans were excited to see Sinner’s athleticism in action again, but, Sinner’s 2024 season might be over.
Jannik Sinner withdraws from Paris Masters amid medical struggles
Italian superstar Jannik Sinner has been consistent all year; almost. Apart from troubles stemming from his doping saga, the ATP’s world ranking leader has given no excuse for disappointments. However, he has stumbled upon a problematic medical issue, an intestinal virus, that forced him out of the season’s final 1000 Masters event, the Paris Masters.
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Confirming the update, Sinner revealed that: “I’m very disappointed to tell you that I am not able to play here in this tournament. I came very early here to prepare and then felt sick, having a virus at the moment which is going to pass in the next two to three days so body-wise I’m not ready to compete. I’m very sorry for that but see you guys next year and hopefully, it’s going to be a great year.”
With no timeline for his recovery, there’s no certainty that he will return to action at the remaining events on his calendar. Though he qualified for the race to Turin, he might have to skip all commitments and come back in 2025, if his health doesn’t allow it.
Emotions Take Over Coco Gauff After Her Grandmother’s Soul-Stirring Message Fuels Her Indomitable Spirit
According to a famous saying, “A grandmother is both a sword and a shield!” This means a grandmother can be a source of protection and support and also provide the strength and tools to stand up for oneself. When it comes to standing up for oneself and also the community as a whole, we’ve seen how Coco Gauff raises her voice to defend what’s right. She’s just 20, but her ability and courage to take on challenges are really quite admirable. However, according to Gauff, these challenges are nothing if it’s compared with the challenges her grandmother had to go through at this age. Recently, we saw Gauff getting a bit emotional over her grandmother’s heartwarming words for her.
Coco Gauff created history by winning the US Open title in 2023, and her grandmother Yvonne Lee Odom, was the first black student at Delray Beach’s Seacrest High School, So, Gauff’s grandmother made history in her own rights in the 1960s. Odom has battled even greater odds than those that tennis can bring. For example, in 1961, during a time of segregation and prejudice, Odom was banned from a bus carrying white pupils, and teachers even asked her not to use the same loos. Not only that, despite being a sprinter and captain of her old school’s basketball team, Yvonne Lee Odom was cruelly denied the chance to play at Seacrest simply because she was black.
It had literally shattered her dream of a college sports scholarship. However, Odom now has perhaps achieved her unfulfilled wishes through the eyes of her super-talented granddaughter. While speaking about Coco Gauff in a recent video clip, we heard her say, “Coco to me was destined for greatness! Coz as a little girl she displayed that in many ways. I love you. I always say I love you but do your best. You know I’ve always said that because when you do your best, win or lose…you already made me proud. Always do your best and you know that your granddad said, ‘Never Say Die, (laughs).‘” Coco Gauff commented on that post put up by Fast Living Productions LLC’s IG page with three ‘heart’ emojis. Later on, she even shared that on her IG story with a caption saying, “Love my grandma 🥲.”
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Coco Gauff has now become a hero to all the kids back in Delray Beach, where Odom lives with her husband Eddie. The grandparents live just streets away from their grandchildren. Speaking about her super-talented granddaughter, during the 2018 French Open girls’ singles, Odom said, “Proud is not a word that does enough to say what I feel. I am so happy she has played her own game. I have watched her for years and I have seen her practice, practice, and practice. Her competitiveness is enormous. I knew it was going to show itself at this championship. I have seen that fire and I know how good she is.“
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Fast Living Productions LLC (@fastliving_shoota)
So, this wasn’t the first time that we saw her grandmother heaping praise on her incredible talent right from a young age. Yvonne Lee Odom once spoke about how people initially used to call Coco Gauff as, Odom’s granddaughter, but now things have reversed. People now refer to her as “Coco’s grandmother.” How did Odom inspire Gauff to create her own voice and be an identity that would represent the community on the global map?
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Coco Gauff reveals how her grandmother has inspired her in her journey to achieving greatness on and off the court
We’ve often seen Gauff speaking against anti-LGBTQ laws in her home state of Florida. We’ve also seen her demanding racial justice at a BLM rally and there have been many such instances in which we saw her taking a few bold steps and raising her voice on what she feels is right. Speaking about her real inspiration to speak her mind on and off the court, Coco Gauff once revealed, “She’s (grandmother) the sole, or one of the main, reasons why I use my platform the way that I do and why I feel so comfortable speaking out.“
She explained all the hardships that her grandmother had to go through during her childhood days to fight against injustice. So, according to Gauff, “For her to go through what she did during that time [makes me think that] putting out a tweet or saying a speech is so easy compared to that. That’s why I have no problem doing the things that I do. She always reminds me that I’m a person first instead of an athlete.” Coco Gauff revealed how her grandmother has taught her to approach every situation with kindness and understanding.
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Even during the 2023 BJK Cup when Yvonne Lee Odom was there to show her support for her granddaughter, we saw Gauff sharing a few heartwarming words for her ‘true inspiration.’ In front of a jam-packed stadium, Coco Gauff said, “Yeah, my grandmother. Grandparents in general just mean a lot to me. I know a lot of you probably know what my grandmother or grandfather has done for this community regarding racial justice, equality, and equality in general.” She said that she’s grateful to be a part of a family that has often been involved in several noble endeavors for the community. Share your thoughts on the journey of Coco Gauff and her grandmother in the comment box.
‘Don’t Need to Play Tennis’- Serena Williams’ Ex-Coach Dishes Out True Reality of Top Players as She Opens Up on Brutal Scheduling
The grueling tennis schedule has fans thrilled with nonstop action almost year-round but for the players? It’s an exhausting ride. With 9-10 months of intense tournaments, the toll on athletes is undeniable, and criticism of the relentless WTA calendar has been simmering for a while. Enter Rennae Stubbs, former coach of Serena Williams and a voice unafraid to speak her mind.
The Australian coach and former player engaged in an interaction on the October 30th episode of The Rennae Stubbs Podcast. She deliberated on a wide range of factors including the recently concluded and ongoing tournaments and also spoke about the schedule of the year that has continued to be in the limelight. Answering a question from a fan who asked for Stubbs’ perspective on the mandatory tournaments, the 53-year-old explained that while these are necessary, the frequency and the duration of the tournaments must be looked into.
Stubbs highlighted that it becomes difficult for players to participate and fare well in back-to-back mandatory tournaments and pointed out scheduling challenges. Speaking on the podcast, Stubbs rhetorically questioned, “How many times have we seen a player win in Canada and they come and win in Cincinnati?” Answering it, she shared, “It’s a rarity. It’s really hard to do so and you know those tournaments suggest tough and you want to win a lot of money, there’s a lot of money.”
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Continuing further, she shared that money no matter tends to influence the top players and hence, the schedule has to be carved out wisely, signaling that despite the huge money that might be at stake, players can choose to stay from the tournament. “You have to remember, these players, the top players are making millions and millions and millions off the court. They don’t need to go play tennis to make money. Not anymore. So you have to be better strategically weave the calendar.” she shared. For those unaware, the top players are mandated to compete in 21 tournaments which include 4 Grand Slams, 10 WTA 1000 tournaments, 6 WTA 500 events, and the WTA finals. However, the spontaneous organization of these tournaments sometimes takes a toll on the players who are forced to withdraw from such tournaments.
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Point to note, this is not the first time when Stubbs has pointed out the scheduling challenges. In a recent episode of the same podcast, Stubbs said, “Scheduling is killing everybody. You know, I do remember having to go to Europe after the US Open, Asia is like another it’s just, it’s just an added right? It’s more hours.” And it’s not just Stubbs who points out the challenges. Another vocal name who has been criticizing the WTA schedule is the former World No. 1 Iga Swiatek.
“Makes tennis less fun for us,” Iga Swiatek feared burnout due to scheduling
Iga Swiatek has expressed her concerns about scheduling time and again. She has continued to highlight how back-to-back tournaments take a toll on the players physically as well as mentally, thereby making the sport less fun for them.
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After winning her quarterfinal match at the Cincinnati Masters said, “I think we have too many tournaments in the season. It’s not going to end well. It makes tennis less fun for us.” She reiterated her stance ahead of the US Open as well during an interview with Eurosports. “I do not expect that I will ever rest 100 percent at this point in the season, or that I will feel fresh. With our calendar, it is simply impossible. There are many tournaments, they are extended and there is not much time for regeneration, “ the Polish star had said.
As the current season draws to a close soon, it would be interesting to see if the organizers would take a lesson from these remarks and make the schedule more player-friendly the next season.
Taylor Townsend Leads Tons of Wishes for Belinda Bencic as She Takes ‘Baby Steps Forward’ Ahead of Her Highly-Anticipated Tennis Comeback
Belinda Bencic is back to playing competitive tennis following a long break to embrace motherhood. The former World No.4 has been working hard to make sure she’s in the best possible form ahead of next month’s Billie Jean King Cup. She’s leaving no stone unturned in doing so. Amidst her preparations, she’s received a huge support from another tennis mom who’s got nothing but praise for the Swiss player’s commitment to the game.
Belinda’s last major appearance was in 2023’s US Open where she showed a phenomenal display of her skills. For the first time in her career, she reached the fourth round of a Grand Slam event. However, the player had to take a break to welcome her first child and focus on her family. Earlier this year, she then expressed a strong desire to come back. Now that she’s back in action, Belinda Bencic is wasting no time in preparing for the Billie Jean King Cup where she will make her grand return. To stay at the top of her game, she’s currently participating in the ITF75 event in Hamburg. What’s really heartwarming is that her little one is also by her side. Belinda recently shared a post on Instagram, giving a glimpse into her sessions from the tournament. One of the pictures also featured her daughter, Bella.
Giving a sweet caption, Belinda wrote, “And we are back! With one more member to our team🥰 thank you to @hamburger_tennisverband for the WC, and round 2️⃣ we go tomorrow! „Baby“ steps forward”
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View this post on Instagram A post shared by Belinda Bencic (@belindabencic)
Not long after this post, American Tennis star Taylor Townsend, who’s a mother herself, came forward to extend her wishes. In the comments section, Taylor pumped up Belinda with a positive, confidence-inducing reaction. Lifting up the Swiss player’s spirits, she wrote, “Well damn!! That was fast!! Congrats my girl!! ❤️❤️❤️”
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Townsend appreciated Belinda’s will to come back strongly and quickly despite turning a mother just almost a year ago. It’s simply because she didn’t let motherhood to hinder her professional goals at any point whatsoever.
Motherhood isn’t an obstacle for Belinda Bencic
After giving birth to Bella, Belinda has learned to maintain a balance between her work and private life. In her own words, “I can now separate my private life and my career better, my priority is Bella and tennis is almost secondary. In the past, I often fought against myself on the court. It may be that this will relieve me of some of the pressure.”
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So far in her inspiring career, Belinda hasn’t won any Grand Slam trophy. This is something she really wants to achieve going forward. “I still believe that I can win a Grand Slam tournament,” she said during an interview with SRF, dated September 16, 2024. Her avid fans will also want their favorite star to not only win a Majors title but also jump back into the top 5 in women’s singles ranking.
It will be intriguing to see how Belinda Bencic will perform at the Billie Jean King Cup. Do you think she will lead her country to an astounding victory in the event? Let us know in the comments below.
Aryna Sabalenka’s Beauty Leaves Beau Georgios Frangulis Stunned as He Drops a Heartfelt Reaction to Her Scintillating Looks
Sometimes a little bit of effort can mean so much in our lives, isn’t it? To have a healthy relationship, it’s very important to appreciate each other in whatever ways we can. Aryna Sabalenka and her boyfriend, Georgios Frangulis show us time and again, how it’s done! Just a few days ago Aryna Sabalenka shared a few glimpses from their dinner date with her boyfriend in Dubai. Before that, we saw her share an IG story captioning, “@georgiosfrangulis Evening shopping with meu amor.” Now, yet again these two love birds were found expressing their love and affection for each other on social media through a few heartfelt reactions.
Both Aryna Sabalenka and Georgios Frangulis have frequently expressed their admiration for each other since coming into a relationship in April this year. Sabalenka recently a few more sets of pictures from their Dubai trip on IG with the caption, “Dubai dump.” It took just a few minutes for Frangulis to drop a heartfelt reaction to her post. He expressed his admiration for her beauty by dropping a, ” 😍🤩” reaction in the comment section. Then Sabalenka replied, “❤️❤️❤️,” to his comment.
How amazing it is to see these little moments of appreciation can do wonders to building a strong relationship! Both Sabalenka and Fragulis love traveling around the world with each other. After winning the US Open, we saw them enjoying a trip to Switzerland. Aryna Sabalenka shared a few moments from their memorable trip with her fans on her social media account. She uploaded a video featuring the beautiful streets of Switzerland and captioned that post with, “September…❄️😂.”
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View this post on Instagram A post shared by Aryna Sabalenka (@arynasabalenka)
Then later on they were also seen spending time together during their vacation in Greece. In one of those pictures featuring their trip to Greece, they were seen enjoying their date near a seashore. Aryna Sabalenka captioned that post, “🥰.” Then in another picture, she was seen hugging her boyfriend while giving a pose for the camera. She showered her love for that picture by dropping three ‘heart’ emojis. Throughout their relationship, Georgios Frangulis has been a big supporter of Aryna Sabalenka. He’s often seen with the Belarusian tennis star at her matches, cheering her during crucial moments. What does Sabalenka think of getting so much love and support from her boyfriend?
Aryna Sabalenka’s heartfelt revelation about her boyfriend’s constant support
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Be it on the court or off it, the road was never a bed full of roses for the ‘Tigress’! She has had multiple ups and downs throughout this year, however, she still somehow managed to pull things back on track at the right time. And, according to Aryna Sabalenka, her boyfriend has been one of the strongest pillars of support through thick and thin!
During an exclusive interview with PEOPLE in September, Aryna Sabalenka extended her gratitude towards her boyfriend saying, “There was a really tough period where I was really happy to have him by my side. Always cheering me up, always making sure that we are doing some fun stuff.” She further added, “But I make sure I kind of forget about tennis and focus on the good things and enjoy my life. Even when things are going wrong in my career. So yeah, he was my biggest support, and yeah, really happy to have him by my side.”
Do you know Aryna Sabalenka also gave her boyfriend a new tag on their Dubai trip? Earlier when Aryna Sabalenka shared a few pictures from their Greece trip, she had put up a cheeky caption in one of her posts. She wrote, “training @georgiosfrangulis to be an IG boyfriend 😎📸.” After that, we saw Frangulis coming up with a reply stating, “😂❤️I’m a natural, αγάπη μου (my love).” Then Sabalenka replied to his comment saying, “meu amor 😂🐒❤️❤️❤️ (my love).” However, as things stand as of now, it seems Sabalenka has finally managed to teach Frangulis how to become an “IG boyfriend.”
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Recently, the Belarusian superstar posted a few photos of their vacation in Dubai and this time she put up a caption saying, “@georgiosfrangulis is becoming a content king.” The Georgios Frangulis came up with a reply under this post stating, “Learning from the best meu amor.” So, it’s all about enjoying and appreciating these tiny moments in life, and these two show us how exactly it’s done! Share your thoughts on this beautiful couple.
Iga Swiatek’s Hopes for Top-Spot Vanish in Thin Air as Aryna Sabalenka Emerges as the Hot-Favorite for Tennis Insider
The WTA fans are currently preparing themselves for another round of intense action. After a long time of missing the “queen of clay” Iga Swiatek, it is time that the dominant force finds her way back to the courts. While updates have already started to emerge from Riyadh where the Pole is currently training, anticipation levels are touching the skies. However, despite the new coach, doubts are still lingering around the world no.2. Amid discussions of her current form, a renowned journalist made some bold predictions.
Aryna Sabalenka is in prime spot. Esteemed journalist Marek Furjan recently shared his thoughts on the heated battle between Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek ahead of the WTA Finals in Riyadh. The Pole gave a clear assessment of the situation, saying, “Sabalenka has a better chance of being number one at the end of the season.”
Continuing his verdict in support of the Belarusian, he added, “Iga has the responsibility of winning the entire tournament, and she is also dependent on Sabalenka’s result. She has a difficult task ahead of her,” in an interview with WP SportoweFakty. He also pointed out Sabalenka’s strong form, noting her recent victories at the US Open and Wuhan, which make her the favorite to grab the title in Riyadh this time. Furjan added that Swiatek’s performance in Riyadh “will be a mystery,” suggesting that uncertainty surrounds the defending champion’s form.
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Currently ranked No.2, Swiatek is preparing for her first competition since her US Open quarterfinal loss to Jessica Pegula on September 4. A lot has changed since including her coach. A couple of weeks back, she announced the hiring of coach Wim Fissette on October 14. Fissette, who has previously coached top players like Victoria Azarenka and Naomi Osaka, joined Swiatek for her first training session in Riyadh, alongside her trusted team members, sports psychologist Daria Abramowicz and hitting partner Tomek Moczek.
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Swiatek has been working hard and she has also updated fans about her rigorous training. She shared a hopeful message to her physiotherapist Maciej Ryszczuk, saying, “We’re waiting for you,” as her team continues to prepare for the tough challenge ahead. But will Aryna Sabalenka prove to be too much for the former world no. 1.
Tensions arise for Iga Swiatek as Sabalenka drops a confident verdict
Aryna Sabalenka has been in excellent form lately amid her rise to the top of the WTA rankings. The Belarusian has a strong chance of finishing the year as the top-ranked player. Sabalenka, however, is not letting the pressure of rankings distract her from her game. She remains focused on her performance and her goals.
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“Of course, this is something I really want to do, it is one of my goals,” Sabalenka shared. “But I learned in the past that if you focus on the rankings and defending points and all that kind of pressure, things can easily go wrong.”
Instead of letting the pressure consume her, Sabalenka has shifted her mindset to focusing on what she can control—her effort on the court. “I prefer to focus on myself, and when I’m on court I just try to bring my best tennis and fight for every point,” she added. This grounded approach will be crucial as she prepares to face stiff competition in the WTA Finals. With Elena Rybakina, Jasmine Paolini, and Zheng Qinwen in her group, Sabalenka will need to stay sharp to secure the title in Riyadh and cement her year-end no.1 ranking. The stage is set for the Tiger as she looks to finish the season on a high note.
WTA Finals: Besides Dominating Tennis, What Did Iga Swiatek Recently Confess as Her Biggest Weakness?
Iga Swiatek and weakness are two opposite ends of a coin. Rarely has she shown any weakness, when it comes to her game. The Pole has gone on to dominate the WTA circuit and won numerous big titles, including 5 Grand Slams. However, the case is not the same when it comes to her personal life. The Polish star once candidly confessed her biggest weakness in her personal life.
Owing to the hectic schedule, Swiatek has had hardly any time to spend at home. As a result, cooking is something that is alien to her. Despite trying her hands at it, the Polish star hasn’t been very successful in this regard and she recently made an honest confession during an interview, as she said, “For cooking. I can’t even follow a recipe and that’s it, I guess. I know that when a stage in my life comes when I care about it, I will learn it, but now I don’t even have time for it.”
via Getty LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 06: Iga Swiatek of Poland looks dejected as she plays against Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan in her Ladies’ Singles third round match during day six of The Championships Wimbledon 2024 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 06, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
While she serves bagels and breadsticks on the court, Swiatek has found it difficult to follow recipes whenever she has tried her hands at it. Even a few years back, during a conversation with Tennis Klub, Swiatek was asked if she could cook and the Polish star firmly responded in negative, saying, “Oh no, I can’t cook. I’d really like to and I’d probably even find the time for it, but I’m completely untalented in the kitchen. I hope that won’t stop me from finding a husband (laughter).”
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Further, Swiatek has been in much news of late in regard to the changes in her coaching team. Earlier this week, her psychologist broke her silence on the matter.
Daria Abramowicz admits to Iga Swiatek being a good boss
After the US Open setback, where she lost in the quarterfinals, Swiatek abruptly ended her partnership with Tomasz Wiktorowski and replaced him with Wim Fissette, who is Naomi Osaka’s ex-coach. However, there was widespread speculation that Swiatek’s partnership with her ex-coach did not end on good terms. Amid this, Swiatek’s psychologist, Daria Abramowicz was asked if the Polish star was a good boss.
Abramowicz said, “It’s hard for me to answer this question, also because I’m bound by professional secrecy – she began. – However, she is the kind of person who certainly finds her way around all challenges. I think that a good boss. And this is a feature that Iga has – a good boss, a good leader in a sense, is also the kind of person who understands the value of a team, who is able to surround themselves with competent and valuable people, and this is also a great value.”
Swiatek will feature in the WTA Finals next month, where she will open her campaign against Barbora Krejcikova. The other two players in Swiatek’s group are Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula. It’ll be interesting to see how Swiatek performs in the year-ending championship. What do you think?
LeBron James’ Breaking Silence on Trump & Kamala Harris Sparks Presidential Buzz, Excites John Legend & Ex-Tennis Star
LeBron James seems to have made up his mind about who he wants, to lead his country. Known for being vocal about politics, the NBA superstar had remained silent on the upcoming election—until now. Taking to Instagram, the 22-season veteran officially and ‘clearly’ endorsed Presidential candidate Kamala Harris.
Captioning, “What are we even talking about here?? When I think about my kids and my family and how they will grow up, the choice is clear to me. VOTE KAMALA HARRIS!!!” the 4x champion posted a video highlighting controversial remarks from Trump and his supporters, addressing issues of racism and violence. It also included historical images and clips of protesters fighting for the right to vote.
Clearly, the father of three believes Vice President Harris is the future of America. LeBron James has long supported Democratic candidates. He backed Joe Biden in the last election, writing, “We need EVERYTHING to change,” and was vocal for Hillary Clinton’s campaign back in 2016. The veteran hooper went as far as hosting a free concert, where Jay-Z performed to raise money and awareness for the campaign.
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Going even further back, he supported Barack Obama by hosting a concert in 2008 to encourage voter turnout. As for Kamala Harris, Bron met with her when she visited the Las Vegas training center, as Team USA was preparing for the Paris Olympics.
LeBron James’ political involvement really shows how committed the hooper is to backing leaders who focus on social issues and community development. Plus, the 20x All-Star’s public endorsements have garnered much support from popular figures.
LeBron James endorses Kamala Harris, earns support of popular names!
Now, this support comes from not just ‘King James’ fans, but also from quite a few notable figures across various industries. One of the leading figures in contemporary music and the first African-American musician to achieve the EGOT status (win the four major North American entertainment awards), John Legend, kept it simple with four crown emojis, clearly reflecting his respect and admiration. It also likely conveys his support for the endorsement, as well.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by 👑 (@kingjames)
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He wasn’t the only one, though. Retired Australian tennis star Rennae Stubbs was grateful for LeBron James’ support, commenting, “Thank you,” under his post. The 6x Grand Slam winner has publicly endorsed Kamala Harris and even called for a female president. Much like James, she’s been vocal about her political views and advocating for women in leadership roles.
Another prominent name expressing support for Bron’s endorsement was Nathan Hale Williams, the producer of award-winning films like Dirty Laundry and All Boys Aren’t Blue. “Let’s GO King James!! Thank you for using your voice to be on the right side of history. “What are we even talking about” when THIS is the message from them. #harriswalz” he commented, followed by a pair of blue hearts and the American flag emojis. We don’t have to tell you that he is clearly an avid supporter of Harris for President.
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Moving on, Django Unchained actor and comedian Jamie Foxx also commented 3 flexing arm emojis, showing his support. And finally, Real Housewives Beverley Hills star, Garcelle Beauvais, also went the emoji route, commenting 3 folded hands emoji.
This strong display of support from prominent figures underscores the significance of LeBron James’ endorsement as a rallying point for those advocating for Kamala Harris and women’s leadership in politics. Thoughts?
Venus Williams’ Rumored Actor Beau Charms His Way to Her Heart With a Swoon-Worthy 2-Word Message to Her Tennis Milestone
Looking back and embracing the incredible journey! Tennis star, Venus Williams turned professional on October 31, 1994, at the age of just 14. On Thursday, Williams shared a few pictures from her incredible journey on her social media accounts to celebrate the 30th anniversary of her professional tennis debut. Several fans and familiar faces across the tennis world congratulated her on her remarkable journey, but the comment that stole the limelight was from an actor-producer! Who was it? Venus Williams’ rumored boyfriend, Andrea Preti.
Venus Williams started her professional tennis career at the Silicon Valley Classic in Oakland, She defeated former NCAA singles champion Shaun Stafford by two sets in the first round. Her recent pictures on social media gave us a glimpse of that iconic moment. She was seen signing autographs after the match in that picture. Starting from the alleys of Compton, then moving to West Palm Beach, Florida before landing herself on the summit of the tennis world on February 25, 2002. What a journey this has been for Venus Williams! Recalling those fond memories in a single glance, she captioned her IG post saying, “30 years ago today, I stepped on the court for my pro debut! 🙏🎾✨.” Andrea Preti was among the first to share a heartfelt reaction to this post.
He wrote, “Hunny Bonny ❤️” in the comment section, and then Williams thanked him in the Italian language, “@andreapreti88 grazie! ✨👵🏾😅.” After that, Preti came back with a reply in the same thread writing, “@venuswilliams prego🖖🏻🖖🏽,” which means “you’re welcome!” For those who have been following these two closely, there have been several such moments in the last few months where we’ve seen them engaging in some heartwarming scenes.
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View this post on Instagram A post shared by Venus Williams (@venuswilliams)
Take for example, in July this year both Venus Williams and Andrea Preti were seen spending vacation together in Nerano, Italy along the Amalfi Coast. Are they dating each other? Well, previously we heard Williams say, “I’ve had a single life for a long time and I think it’s really easy to get stuck in a single life and sometimes – at least for me – harder to get out.” However, in Italy, we saw her enjoying the company of Andrea Preti with a broad smile. Neither of these two has yet confirmed anything about their relationship, however, their chemistry was palpable through multiple scenes from that trip. There was an instance when we saw Preti wrap his arm around Venus Williams and even offer her a shoulder massage.
Then after this, a week later, Venus Williams was yet again spotted with this 36-year-old Danish actor on the streets of NY. They were seen holding hands with each other as they took a stroll along the streets of this beautiful city. Andrea Preti wore a black T-shirt and grey sweatpants while Venus Williams was spotted donning a white tank top and green shorts, carrying a jacket of the same color. Fans have now started to love watching them together! However, Preti wasn’t the only one who showered love and praise on this post portraying Venus Williams’ incredible milestone. Who else commented on Venus Williams’ post, though?
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Venus Williams’ close friend portrays his admiration for the tennis star
Apart from that post, Venus Williams also shared a couple of pictures on her IG stories. In the first story, she captioned, “When you come to play, come to change the game.” In the next one she penned down a long note saying, “This day 30 years ago I brought braids, beads the beginning of a game never seen before in tennis, it was the vision of my day. This day changed my life and I had no idea at 14 years old it would change so many others. So proud of those who came next. Never compromise, be unapologetically and authentically you, and be proud of you, you are and where you come from You never know, you just might change the game.”
We also saw American men’s tennis player and Venus Williams’ close friend, Reilly Opelka comment, “greatness” to her recent IG post. Although Venus Williams has vehemently denied dating rumors with Opelka multiple times in the past, their social media interactions always kept their fans hooked. For example, during the Met Gala 2024, we saw Opelka literally running out of words as he swooned over Venus Williams’ classy look in shining attire. Both of them often show their support for each other in person and on social media. In 2021, Williams was also spotted showing up in several tennis matches featuring Reilly Opelka.
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We also saw renowned tennis coaches, Rick Macci and Rennae Stubbs commenting on Venus Williams’ recent post celebrating her historic feat. Macci wrote, “On fire!! ❤️🔥” in the comment section. Rick Macci has played a pivotal role in shaping the career of the Williams sisters. After watching Venus Williams play for the first time, Macci told her father Richard that she would be the Michael Jordan of tennis. Truly she has now become a legend of the sport. Even Rennae Stubbs has seen the Williams sisters very closely. She commented, “Omg and i was there !“. Share your thoughts on Venus Williams’ incredible journey.
‘Iga and Aryna (Sabalenka) Respect Each Other’- Tennis Journalist Bursts the Bubble After WTA Finals Brings Out Fresh Equation Between Top-2 Stars
How is the relationship between Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka? Well, these two have now become two of the most talked about players in women’s tennis. Recently, both these tennis stars were spotted training together in Riyadh. Although it was all smiles most of the time during the practice season ahead of the WTA Finals, there were some nervy moments too during the match. For example, they were seen teaming up for a playful TikTok video during the practice session. Then there was a moment in the match when we heard Swiatek raise a question mark over a call by asking, “Was it definitely an out?!” After seeing all these fans have started asking are rivals turning into friends?
Well, there was another hilarious moment in this epic practice match, where Swiatek was spotted apologizing to Sabalenka for accidentally breaking her phone during the match. Overall, it was quite exciting for the fans to witness them share the stage before the mega battle. Speaking about this practice session we heard, Aryna Sabalenka’s coach, Anton Dubrov say, “When two girls like that train, there will always be tension. Because each wants to show that they are well prepared for the tournament.”
Now talking, about tensions between these two, we’ve seen quite a few controversial moments in this season. Remember Swiatek’s indirect jibe at Sabalenka after the 2024 Madrid Open final surrounding the Belarusian’s claim of preferring to watch men’s tennis over the “boring” women’s tennis matches? Then a few eyebrows were raised when recently, Sabalenka took over the top spot from Iga Swiatek with the help of a controversial rule. Have these things impacted their relationship? How is the bonding between the two? Well, according to the latest Canal+ report, a tennis insider, Joanna Sakowicz-Kostecka claimed, “I understand that there is some made-up, media conflict between them. And the truth is that even if there is no great friendship, Iga and Aryna respect each other a lot.“
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She further added, “Despite everything, many people were shocked when we heard that Iga had arranged to train first with Zheng, and then with Sabalenka.” Now, we have previously seen both these tennis stars portraying their mutual respect for each other through multiple statements. Take for example, earlier this year we heard Iga Swiatek say, “For sure when we play against each other, I feel like it’s a challenge. I think it’s also pushing me to become a better and better player, so I think we both kind of need each other to grow.”
Even Sabalenka spoke in a similar line during one of her interviews. The Belarusian said, “I think that’s amazing the rivalry we are having with Iga. She definitely motivates me a lot to get better, and I think I improve so many things just because of her.” Last year, even Swiatek’s father, Tomasz Swiatek was asked to reflect a bit on her daughter’s relationship with Sabalenka. In reply, he said, “We never talked about it, but I’m sure they respect each other as players. It’s also not like all these girls are sitting together in the locker room and socializing there.” With the WTA Finals knocking at the doors, it’s perhaps time for us to shift our focus back to this epic rivalry in women’s tennis.
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Iga Swiatek vs Aryna Sabalenka: Chances in the WTA Finals
Well, both these tennis stars have met each other twelve times in their careers. Currently, Iga Swiatek leads the H2H scoreline against Aryna Sabalenka by an 8-4 margin. If everything goes right, we may see the thirteenth encounter in the SF of the 2024 Finals. Aryna Sabalenka will enter this tournament as a heavy favorite. Especially considering the form she has been in the last few months, she will be a strong candidate to retain the crown at the end of the season.
With a lead of 1106 points over her nearest rival, the Belarusian is in a much more comfortable position than she was in last year with just a 630-point lead. If Aryna Sabalenka wins all three group-stage matches, then she retain her top spot in the singles ranking. Doing so, Aryna Sabalenka will reach 9616 points while Iga Swiatek may end the season with a maximum of 9470 points. Will this make the SF clash less interesting? Perhaps a bit, but nevertheless, fans love watching their rivalry no matter what.
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Does Iga Swiatek have any chance of finishing the year on the highest note? Well, for that, equations are pretty simple, she needs to win the title! Even renowned journalist, Marek Furjan made an honest confession saying, “The Polish woman is not the main favorite to win the WTA Finals, Aryna Sabalenka will play this role in Riyadh,” during a recent interview with Sport.pl. Do you agree with his statement?
Shaquille O’Neal’s “Soft” Jibe at Joel Embiid Gets Destroyed by Ex NBA Star on Live TV With “Silly” Retort
NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal is no stranger to controversy. From questioning Dwight Howard’s dedication to challenging LeBron James’ “killer instinct,” Shaq has frequently put current stars under the microscope. Now, as he had just started to settle on his recent feud with Rudy Gobert, it seems like the seven-footer has got himself into another one. In a recent episode of the Run it Back podcast, former NBA forward Chandler Parsons quickly jumped to Joel Embid’s defense after O’Neal had commented on the latest development of the 76ers star’s injury issue.
“He’s [Joel Embiid] put in hours and hours of work and still hasn’t been able to be available which I get is frustrating, and sometimes it comes off, maybe soft or doesn’t want to play or you see a guy at a dinner and he didn’t play that night and the fans react. I hate it so much because they don’t see the 10 hours of rehab that he was just doing before that, so I disagree with this… These comments were a little premature but the fact, the idea that he doesn’t want to be the man to me is silly,” said Parsons during the show.
The 76ers have decided to hold Embiid out till now for what they have termed left knee management. Last season, he played in just 39 games due to knee injuries but returned in time for the playoffs and for a short stint with Team USA’s gold medal run at the Paris Olympics this summer. While the status of Embiid’s injury has not been revealed by the Philadelphia 76ers as of late, Embiid was quick to weigh in.
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“If I had to guess, I would probably never play back-to-backs the rest of my career,” said Embiid ahead of the season opener last week. This particular comment by Embiid forced Shaq to deliver a bold criticism of him. “I actually want him to take it personal. Like you can’t come out before the season and say and I’m not playing back to back… Say it again spell it S-O-F-Capital T,” the 4x NBA champ said on The Big Podcast with Shaq.
Certainly, the numbers back up Parsons’ argument in support of Embiid. Last season, the Philadelphia 76ers center averaged 34.7 points, 11 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game. In the 2022-23 season, he became the first center to be named the MVP since Shaquille O’Neal himself in 2000.
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NBA observers aren’t missing what’s ironic in Shaq’s criticism – O’Neal was the epitome of playing himself into shape during the regular season and saving what he had for the playoffs. Maybe what’s happening today is that today’s stars, such as Embiid, are just taking as much control as possible about their health so that they’re in the best position to deliver when it truly matters. However, this wasn’t the only criticism given by Shaq.
Shaquille O’Neal questioned Joel Embiid’s determination to win the championship
The phrase “History is the Witness that testifies to the passing of time” worked quite well in the case of the seven-footer. Why? In the past, we have seen that whenever the Los Angeles Lakers legend had gone into a feud with someone, it has taken days to settle. The same is the case now.
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After Joel Embiid got temporarily out of the game due to his knee injury, criticism has constantly pored in. During the same episode of his podcast, Shaq questioned Embiid’s motive for the championship and even gave a hint that the 30-year-old is not serious about it. “He’s picking and popping and shooting jumpers. I don’t understand. To me, it just shows that he doesn’t want to win the championship,” said Shaq during his podcast.
Not only this but O’Neal even tried to state that Embiid’s behavior is not his injury history, but rather money. “When you’re making that much money, are you really that motivated?” added Shaq. Embiid is making $51.4 million this season and is set to earn almost $70 million in the last year of his new contract. The NBA community is, however, divided on this issue, with opinions varying widely. While some support Embiid’s decision to prioritize his health, others share Shaq’s concerns about his commitment to winning a championship.
Shaquille O’Neal Grants G-14 Classification to Matt Barnes Only Due to One Personal Reason
It’s no surprise Shaquille O’Neal has an impressive list of career achievements, but for NBA insiders, there’s something that stirs just as much talk as his rings: Shaq’s so-called “G-14 classification.” This fictional badge of honor, coined by O’Neal himself, isn’t for just anyone. According to Shaq, it’s reserved for athletes who have demonstrated their abilities and success at every level of their career. Even Charles Barkley, his longtime colleague on Inside the NBA, hasn’t made the cut. But recently, Shaq surprised everyone by adding a new name to his exclusive club: Matt Barnes. And the reason?
Shaq’s The Big Podcast clip, shared by All the Smoke, sheds light on why Barnes made the list. O’Neal admits, “I played with Matt… I like guys that play hard. I like guys that don’t take no s**t.” And true to form, Barnes has always been known for his fierce on-court presence and undeniable drive. Shaq’s fondness grew when Barnes joined his team, often sinking the clutch shots and always “making the right play.”
Off the court, the Lakers legend also appreciates his easygoing nature, saying simply, “He’s cool off the court.” It’s clear: in Shaq’s eyes, Barnes has grit and that ever-elusive “G-14 quality.” Beyond basketball, O’Neal sees a shared journey in Barnes’ story. “(I) Know his family. Know the things he’s been through. He knows the things I’ve been through.” It’s clear their bond goes beyond basketball, rooted in mutual respect and shared experiences.
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Interestingly, even Stephen Jackson got the G-14 classification due to similar reasons. But not everyone gets this stamp of approval. When Shannon Sharpe criticized Shaq’s antics during the MVP ceremony for Nikola Jokic, Shaq fired back, saying Sharpe had “Not enough G-14 classification to speak to me.” O’Neal’s G-14 label isn’t just a joke; it’s a marker for those who meet his standards.
In the end, Shaquille O’Neal’s G-14 classification isn’t official, but in his world, it’s as real as any honor. And for those in the club, like Barnes, it’s a rare badge of respect from a legend.
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The origins of Shaquille O’Neal’s “G-14 classification”
It all goes back to the 1998 classic Rush Hour. The movie’s Agent Carter, played by Chris Tucker, is assigned a case with an absurd clearance level, the infamous “G-14 classification,” just to keep him out of trouble. Though it started as a joke, Shaq took that concept and made it his own.
Now, the term “G-14” has become part of Shaq’s unique vocabulary. Sure, it’s comedic at its core, but O’Neal’s serious tone when using it adds a layer of mystique. His “G-14” criteria seem to be reserved for a select few players who, in his eyes, have earned the right to comment on his level.
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While many assume Shaquille O’Neal only recently adopted the phrase, he’s been using it for years. Back in 2017, Shaq shut down Kevin Durant for criticizing his treatment of JaVale McGee, saying, “KD doesn’t have G-14 classification…He’s a great player, but you ain’t in the club yet.” The message was clear – only championship-level icons get to sit at Shaq’s table.
Ultimately, Shaq’s “G-14 classification” seems to be his way of keeping a bit of distance from those he considers less accomplished. His mastery of the sport is undeniable, but his use of this insider tag sometimes comes across as Shaq flexing his superiority. Just a touch.
Adam Silver’s $18 Million Segue Stuns Ayesha Curry as Steph Curry Breaks the Internet With NBA Stars
The NBA likes to do all things with glam. From the championship rings to the Larry O’Brian trophy. Trying to attract more fans. Adam Silver introduced the NBA Cup, or In-Season Tournament, to boost viewership and revenue during the league’s typically quieter period. A maneuver that is going to cost them $18 million. From November through early December, select regular-season games on two specific days each week carry extra significance. A motivating prize is designed to encourage players to approach these matchups with heightened intensity.
The winner of the first NBA Cup was the Los Angeles Lakers, with LeBron James as the MVP. Just another day at the office for the King. The genius plan to innovate with an in-season cup worked. The TV rating increased when it was telecasted last season and the NBA hopes to bring entertainment to viewers this year as well.
USA Today via Reuters Jul 20, 2022; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors player Stephen Curry and wife Ayesha Curry arrive at the Red Carpet for the 2022 ESPY at Dolby Theater. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
To add to the excitement, the NBA has released a promotional film “The Heist II” for the upcoming 2024 NBA Emirates Cup. The film, crafted by independent creative agency Translation, produced by PRETTYBIRD, and directed by Paul Hunter, unites some of the league’s biggest stars in a thrilling, crime drama-inspired adventure. Serving as a sequel to 2023’s “The Heist,” the film sees “The Sopranos” actor Michael Imperioli return as the mastermind behind it all, while “Ahsoka” star Rosario Dawson joins the cast as a clever thief. And it broke the internet!
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Amidst all the promotions, Ayesha Curry shared the on-set pictures for the film on her Instagram story. She captioned the story “This is so cool”. Naturally, this big-budget NBA ad wouldn’t feel complete without a star-studded lineup of elite athletes, featuring her husband and Anthony Davis, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Tyrese Haliburton, Jrue Holiday, and Jamal Murray.
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As I said, it’s a costly maneuver. So let’s take a look at the breakdown.
What is the prize money on offer?
Following the group stage, where each team competes in four games, cash rewards become locked in. Quarterfinalists see each player pocket $50,000, while those who fall in the semifinals double that to $100,000. The pattern continues for the runners-up, as each player takes home $200,000. And for the champions? Every player collects a half-million dollar prize. Adding to the excitement for the final four teams is a trip to “Sin City” itself—the semifinals and finals take place at Las Vegas’s T-Mobile Arena.
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TNT and ESPN are set to broadcast 14 games, with NBA TV airing three more during the initial phase of the Emirates NBA Cup. These channels are your go-to for catching the live action, bringing all the excitement of the games right to you. Meanwhile, the LA Lakers will no doubt put forth their best effort to defend their title. As the reigning champions of the In-Season Tournament, LeBron James and his team are eager to stay at the top, but rival teams are ready to challenge the gold and purple squad for the championship.
Adam Silver’s ambitious vision takes another step forward this year, promising a thrilling ride. Get ready for endless drama and action, with your favorite players bringing their A-game. Just make sure to tune in at the scheduled times to soak in the NBA’s mini-tournament magic. The anticipation only grows as the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup is about to unfold.
James Harden becomes 20th player with 26,000 career points
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — The points continue to come for James Harden, who became the 20th player in NBA history to reach 26,000 points in his career in the Los Angeles Clippers’ 125-119 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night.
Harden was more worried about the points the Clippers have been giving up, having squandered double-digit leads in both games of a back-to-back. Los Angeles led by as many as 21 on Thursday, following a wasted 10-point advantage in a 106-105 defeat to Portland the night before.
“It’s definitely frustrating, just ’cause we was up double digits in both games,” Harden said. “Last night, we didn’t (play well) and we still had a double-digit lead. Tonight, we played well, especially in that first half and up 20-something. Like, it’s there. We just got to find ways to not lose it and continue to play our brand of basketball.”
Harden joined the elusive group when he made his second free throw with 1:25 remaining in the fourth quarter. It came in his first triple double of the season and 78th of his career, tying Wilt Chamberlain for seventh in NBA history, as Harden finished with 25 points, 10 rebounds and 13 assists.
Harden also had six turnovers, including fumbling the ball away when the score was tied at 105 with 5:20 remaining. Phoenix ended up turning that mistake into a 3-pointer from Devin Booker and a lead it would not relinquish.
“You’ve seen the usage rate I got, it’s going to happen,” Harden said. “Like, turnovers is gonna happen. … But the ones that is unforced, I gotta control those a lot better. But I don’t think it’s necessarily turnovers that lost the game. That third quarter, defensively, they just didn’t feel us, defensively, our presence.”
The Clippers’ three losses this season have been by a combined 10 points. Harden views those narrow defeats as something that could end up benefitting them later on, especially taking into account the ongoing absence of Kawhi Leonard because of a knee injury.
“We just got to find ways to execute and win ’em,” he said. “The last two was tough, but we’ll get there sooner than later.”
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
Robert Horry Sparks Curiosity with Revelation About Lincoln Lawyer Absence Amid Cameo Weight Controversy
Are we getting another Robert Horry cameo in The Lincoln Lawyer? NBA players stepping into acting gear to showcase their flair isn’t uncommon. Some of the best and least expected names are also on the list. For starters, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar became the first player to go Hollywood, as well as former Lakers star Horry. After an interesting cameo in Season 2 of the hit Netflix show, the 7x NBA champion looks forward to something more interesting.
Horry previously made a cameo in the show The Lincoln Lawyer. He appeared in episode 4 of season 2, titled, “Discovery” and gave his best, which impressed the fans too. It was a brief appearance, and he hasn’t returned since. However, it seems he wants to play a recurring role in the show. Unfortunately, no official confirmations came about.
As Brandon Harper shared a Netflix post promoting season 3 of the show, he asked Horry why he didn’t make another appearance. “Love the series. Aye @roberhorry7x why no cameo in season 3??” with a fire emoji.
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But has he worked on the matter that previously disturbed him? While appearing in front of the cameras for season 2, Horry expressed fear of looking too heavy. In response to his concern, his friend and podcast co-host reassured him, claiming he looked healthy and well-fed.
“I had texted him out he was I was like bro I saw you did well he was like yeah I hope I didn’t look too fat I said I wouldn’t call you fat I just said you just look like you were healthy like you were missing no meals,” Harper said.
via Getty (Photo by Tom Hauck/Getty Images)
While that was just his friends poking fun at the former NBA star, Horry indeed looked fantastic. Like Horry, many athletes were exceptional on the court and in front of the camera.
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NBA stars who went to Hollywood before Robert Horry
Did you know Lakers star LeBron James appeared in the movie Trainwreck? He also owns a movie production company. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar showcased his talent in the film Airplane! Shaquille O’Neal is often seen playing fun characters, such as in Kazaam, Uncle Drew, and more. Michael Jordan is a man who doesn’t need an introduction to the movie field.
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Vince Carter also appeared in the film Like Mike, where he played a villain role. Nevertheless, it was an interesting cameo. Do you remember Charles Barkley in Modern Family? He also appeared in Suits and more.
So, can we hope to see a recurring role for the former Los Angeles Lakers player Robert Horry? The Lincoln Lawyer is a hit show that even ranked in the top 10 of trending shows on Netflix with season 3 released on October 17. But the twist is we are yet to get the official confirmation of Season 4. As much as we want to, fans will want the official confirmation of the show’s release.
Despite Constant Denials, Carmelo Anthony’s Son Kiyan Makes an Emotional Plea to Channel Dad’s Olympic Spirit
Did you catch that iconic moment during the Paris Olympics? No, it wasn’t just another gold medal victory. It was Carmelo Anthony stepping into the role of “Coach Melo” alongside Steve Kerr, getting involved like never before. Yet, after the games, Melo brushed off any talk about coaching in the NBA. However, his son, Kiyan, recently shared a heartfelt desire to see his dad as “Coach Melo” one day. His dream? To have his dad in his corner when he steps into the league.
Kiyan recently appeared on WNBA star Angel Reese’s podcast Unapologetically Angel, where he opened up about everything from college plans to growing up under the shadow of his famous dad. When Reese asked if Melo had ever coached him, Kiyan laughed, revealing he had tried to get Melo to coach him during his last year of college, but his dad wasn’t keen on the idea. “He was like, he gonna be there, he gonna be on the sidelines, but he don’t want to coach. I don’t know why,” Kiyan admitted. But Kiyan’s not giving up. When he gets to the NBA, he plans to ask again, though he knows his dad just prefers “watching, observing, and telling” him what he sees.
Interestingly, Carmelo Anthony recently opened up on the 7 PM in Brooklyn podcast about that moment in Paris and the Olympic spirit that took over him. Despite his coaching reluctance, he admitted, “In this, it was no holds barred. This is real. It was us against the world.” That passion, that drive to contribute—even from the sidelines—came alive. “I have to do everything I have to do to give back to this game to help you win this game,” he said, echoing the intensity that only Olympic competition could ignite.
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He even shared a pep talk he gave to LeBron and others during the games, reliving his strategic mindset. “Bron, we gotta dig deep… KD [Kevin Durant], go get the ball, Joel [Embiid], go get the screen… This is what we want.”
For Melo, his just “being competitive from sideline”. so why doesn’t he start coaching?
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Melo doesn’t want to make a career out of it
It’s not rare for former NBA stars to turn to coaching after their playing days. The experience they bring from the court can be a tremendous asset on the sidelines. But Melo? He doesn’t see himself following that path. Sure, he’s got a wealth of knowledge, but not every great player makes a brilliant coach. And as Melo pointed out, that’s especially true for him.
Before the Paris Olympics, Carmelo Anthony had made it clear—NBA coaching wasn’t in the cards. He’s active with youth leagues and backs his own Team Melo in the Nike EYBL, even helping out with his son’s squad. Still, the NBA sidelines don’t appeal to him. He’s open to coaching at the high school level, where he’d have more control. “I don’t want to be just another failed NBA coach,” he’s said plainly.
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Melo drove the point home on the 7PM in Brooklyn podcast. “That is exactly why I can’t be a coach,” he shared. High school? Maybe. But in the NBA? “No big-time player has gotten back on the sideline and was successful… we operating at a different level,” he added, pointing to legends like Magic Johnson, who struggled in coaching roles.
And he’s got a point. “If you a big-time player, you got ego, you got pride, right?” Melo explained.
Who is Nick Nurse’s Wife? Meet Roberta, Volleyball Coach and Mother to 76ers HC’s Two Adorable Kids
Nick Nurse rose to NBA fame after he helped the Toronto Raptors win their maiden championship in 2019. It wasn’t just that. He was influential in stopping the Golden State Warriors‘ dynasty run, as they were chasing a three-peat. Moreover, he took over the Philadelphia 76ers‘ leadership and has a lot to expectations set around him. Despite the chaos involved in his stress involved in his stressful job, Nurse seems to handle it effortlessly. Well, all we can say is thanks to his family.
No, we’re not going to bore you by saying that he had a supportive family, and they always had his back. Technically, the Nurse’s family provided him with all of this, but there’s something special about his family that has influenced his career on the court. In his book, “Rapture” by Nick Nurse with Michael Sokolove, Nurse has written about his father, Richard, a 6-foot tall, well-built man during his athletic prime. Sports ran in his alongside his 8 siblings. Yes, you read it right. Nurse was the youngest of them all.
Moreover, the sport in the line didn’t end with his blood relations. It carried with his life partner as well. Nick Nurse met Roberta, a former star college volleyball player in 2012, and married her in 2015. Since then, the couple has been together and also gave birth to two sons, Leo and Rocky Levi, born in 2017 and 2019, respectively. Let’s find out more about Roberta Nurse, a journey from a volleyball star to an entrepreneur.
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Who is Nick Nurse’s wife? What are her volleyball exploits?
Roberta Santos was born in Recife, Brazil, in 1985, but she spent most of her youth on American soil. She completed all her higher education in the US and this is when she began her journey as an amateur volleyball player. She picked up the sport at the Hutchinson Community College. And immediately got the hang of it, securing herself a spot in Second Team All-American honor, First Team All-Region, and First Team All-Conference. Above all, she also led the team for school records for most assists, recording 1608 assists.
Following that, she pursued her bachelor’s degree at Florida Gulf Coast University, studying resort and hospitality management. The volleyball dream didn’t stop here, as she donned the Eagles’ thread. Moreover, Roberta continued to collect accolades. In her junior year, she topped the season, recording 253 kills, 75 blocks, 46 aces, and 626 assists. This herculean effort fetched her First Team All-Atlantic Sun honors, and 3x MVPs in various tournaments.
Roberta’s volleyball hunger didn’t subside easily, as she continued to excel in his senior year as well, once again fetching accolades. She collected First Team All-Atlantic Sun selection and A-Sun All-Academic honors. After her undergraduate, the volleyball sensation pursued a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Texas at Brownsville.
Despite her commitment to education, Roberta managed to satisfy her passion for sports. She served as the assistant coach for the university’s Ocelots volleyball team until 2014. She took care of the team’s travel planning and recruitment. Moreover, five seasons after completing her master’s degree in 2010, Winthrop University’s women’s volleyball squad hired her assistant coach. Nevertheless, Roberta’s coaching career lasted only till 2016, as per her LinkedIn.
What did Roberta Nurse do after her coaching career?
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She gave birth to her son Leo in 2017 and then Levi in 2019. So, it’s quite understandable that Mrs. Nurse may have shifted her focus toward her small family. However, that isn’t the only case. The star volleyball player’s LinkedIn also says that Roberta has taken her career in the direction of entrepreneurship in Des Moines, Iowa.
Nevertheless, she also got the opportunity to spend a lot of time with her family during the pandemic. Speaking of the time spent together, Nick Nurse said, “With the pandemic, we stayed in Toronto the whole time. Roberta sneaks down here a little more than I do, maybe when I take a West Coast road trip. She’ll come down for 10-12 days or something like that. Most of her friends that she played volleyball with at Florida Gulf Coast are also living in the area, so it’s a nice situation for us.”
USA Today via Reuters Mar 14, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse reacts after a play against the Denver Nuggets during the second half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Notably, Roberta was in attendance during Nick Nurse’s emotional moment when he won the 2019 NBA Champion. It was the same season when he lost his mother, Marcella Nurse. With a wife, who herself has coaching experience, Nurse couldn’t have asked for a better life partner, who can understand the difficulties in the business. Importantly, on the personal side, Roberta has kept a low profile as she had put her IG profile in private. We can share what her IG reads, and it’s very wholesome – Philadelphia, PA. Former Volleyball Athlete and Coach, Boy mom, Wife, Fitness Enthusiast, Sports Fan, Travel Lover.
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Can Roberta and Nick have yet another special year, as the Sixers have increased their odds of winning the championship again? Let us know in the comments below.
Nuggets vs. Timberwolves odds, line, score prediction, time: 2024 NBA picks, Nov. 1 best bets by proven model
The Denver Nuggets will battle the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night in a rematch of last year’s Western Conference semifinals matchup. Denver is coming off a 144-139 overtime win at Brooklyn on Tuesday, while Minnesota dropped a 120-114 decision to Dallas that same night. The Nuggets (2-2), the 2022-23 NBA champions, were the second seed in the West last season at 57-25. The Timberwolves (2-2), who were the third seed in the West at 56-26 last year, have reached the postseason in each of the last three seasons.
Tip-off from Target Center in Minneapolis is set for 9:30 p.m. ET. The Nuggets lead the all-time regular-season series 89-56, but the teams have split the last two season series. The Timberwolves are 4-point favorites in the latest Nuggets vs. Timberwolves odds from SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 219.5. Before making any Timberwolves vs. Nuggets picks, you’ll want to see the NBA predictions from the proven computer model at SportsLine.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in betting profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past six-plus seasons. The model enters Week 2 of the 2024-25 NBA season on a sizzling 98-63 roll on all top-rated NBA picks dating back to last season, returning more than $2,900. Anyone following at sportsbooks and on betting apps has seen huge returns.
The model has set its sights on Nuggets vs. Timberwolves and just locked in its picks and NBA predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see its picks. Here are several NBA betting lines for Timberwolves vs. Nuggets:
Nuggets vs. Timberwolves spread: Minnesota -4
Nuggets vs. Timberwolves over/under: 219.5 points
Nuggets vs. Timberwolves money line: Minnesota -184, Denver +153
DEN: The Nuggets have hit the Under in 45 of their last 77 games (+10.95 units)
MIN: The Timberwolves have hit the fourth-quarter Over in 55 of their last 96 games (+11.70 units)
Nuggets vs. Timberwolves picks: See picks at SportsLine
Nuggets vs. Timberwolves streaming: FuboTV (Try for free)
Why the Timberwolves can cover
Shooting guard Anthony Edwards has been red hot to start the season. In four games, he is averaging 30 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 39.3 minutes. He is hitting 45.6% of his field goals, including 41.5% of his 3-pointers. He is coming off a 37-point, six-rebound and three-assist effort in the loss to Dallas. He had 32 points, seven rebounds and four assists in a 117-115 win at Sacramento on Oct. 24.
Power forward Julius Randle is one of three Minnesota players averaging in double-figure scoring. In four starts, he is averaging 23.3 points, 7.5 rebounds and five assists in 35 minutes. He scored a season-high 33 points, grabbed five rebounds and dished out four assists against Sacramento. Randle is coming off a 20-point, seven-rebound and seven-assist performance against Dallas. See which team to pick here.
Why the Nuggets can cover
Veteran center Nikola Jokic continues to power the Denver offense. He has two triple-doubles and one double-double on the year. In four starts, he is averaging 31.5 points, 12.3 rebounds, 9.3 assists, 1.3 blocks and 1.3 steals in 39 minutes of action. He is connecting on 57.3% of his field goals, including a blistering 55% from 3-point range, and 77.8% from the free throw line. He has scored 40 or more points twice, including 41 points in a 109-104 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday.
Point guard Jamal Murray is one of five Denver players averaging double-figure scoring. In four starts, he is averaging 18.8 points, five rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.3 steals in 38 minutes of play. He is connecting on 35% of his 3-pointers and 90% of his free throws. In the win over the Nets, he poured in 24 points, while grabbing three rebounds and adding three assists. See which team to pick here.
How to make Nuggets vs. Timberwolves picks
The model has simulated Nuggets vs. Timberwolves 10,000 times and the results are in. The model is leaning Under on the total, projecting 217 combined points. It also says one side of the spread hits in well over 50% of simulations. You can only see the pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Nuggets vs. Timberwolves, and which side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Nuggets vs. Timberwolves spread you need to jump on, all from the model that is on a 98-63 roll on top-rated NBA picks, and find out.
What is Kevin Durant’s Ethnicity? Everything About 2x NBA Champ’s Family Roots and Religious Beliefs
“If I wasn’t a basketball player, what kind of man would they look at me as?” Kevin Durant was left wondering during an interview in 2017 as he talked about his experiences as a Black athlete. Obviously, everyone knows him as the most accomplished Team USA hooper, especially after he recently won his fourth Olympic gold in Paris. And he is a proud American through and through. However, his ethnic background opens him up to a whole different world.
Yes, born to parents Wanda Durant and Wayne Pratt, KD is of African-American descent. And he realized at a very early age that this comes with a lot of struggles, “Just kind of seeing how rough it is for an average black man, you know what I’m saying? And on top of that, a black man makes one mistake… I see how far we get pushed down.”
Kevin Durant’s Parents and their impact in his life
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When Kevin was young, his father stranded his family and later divorced his mother. And born and raised in Washington DC amid a lot of hardships, The Slim Reaper could have easily gone on a wrong path and ruined his life. Fortunately, his passion for basketball kept him inside the gym and out of trouble. “Nobody really tried to get me to be in the street life because I was either always walking to the gym or I was always in the gym.” He remarked. And KD rose above it all and became one of the greatest hoopers in the world.
However, not all the people he knew were this lucky, “I had friends that got into bad s—, as far as drugs, as far as hanging around the wrong crowds, as far as just trying to make money some way, because we’re stuck.” And Durant claimed that more than a lifestyle choice, it’s the lack of resources and opportunity that leads people on this path. “My mom grew up on that, my brother grew up on that.” He added.
As KD stepped into his teenage years, his dad surprisingly re-entered his life and made an effort to connect with him. Despite separating with his mother, Wayne travelled with Kevin to his basketball tournaments and became an active part of his hoop journey. But it was his mother who was there every step of the way, doing her best to make Kevin and his siblings’ dreams come true. And he is eternally grateful for it and even addressed it during his MVP acceptance speech, “We wasn’t supposed to be here. You made us believe. You kept us off the street. You put clothes on our backs, food on the table. When you didn’t eat, you made sure we ate. You went to sleep hungry. You sacrificed for us. You the Real MVP.” And with her support, KD has achieved legendary status in American sports history.
Kevin Durant Nationality and Religious Beliefs
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Well, KD is an American national and has spent his entire life here. And he is very religious as he grew up in a Christian household with his mother and grandmother, even going to church every weekend. Sure enough, he talks about his faith with immense pride, “I read my Bible now all the time.” Although he claims that he is not perfect and has a long way to go in his spiritual journey, he is determined to stay on that path, “I just want to grow spiritually with the Lord and get to know Him as well as I can.”
USA Today via Reuters Aug 10, 2024; Paris, France; United States guard Kevin Durant (7) celebrates with his mother Wanda Durant after defeating France in the men’s basketball gold medal game during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Accor Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports
Moreover, he believes that his faith in God helps him get through all hardships in life, “I believe God’s love for me, the sacrificial death of Jesus for my sins, and His grace, not my good works, are what saves me. That humbles me and makes me worship Him.” And Durantula also has several tattoos representing his religious beliefs including a Cross on his ribs and a Jesus portrait on his back along with multiple Bible scriptures.
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Maybe, its his faith combined with his talent and family’s support that has helped him become the most accomplished hooper to ever wear a Team USA uniform. Yes, he headed to Paris with three gold medals, tied only with Carmelo Anthony. However, he raised the bar in this year’s tournament by becoming the only NBA player with four gold medals. Adding to the accolades, he also broke Lisa Leslie’s scoring record, accumulating 518 points in four Olympic appearances. And he did not even make a big fuss about it, “Records are meant to be broken. Somebody will come along to do the same.”
Sure enough, he earned the respect of his teammates as LeBron James said, “KD is one of the all-time greats.” Meanwhile, Bam Adebayo deemed him the “Greatest Olympian.” Obviously, it has been an incredible journey from a young African-American kid in DC to one of the most popular athletes. And the surprising things is, Kevin Durant continues to add to his legacy even at age 36. More power to him.
NBA Power Rankings: Milwaukee Bucks Slide, Los Angeles Lakers Rise
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Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images
Previous Rank: 8
Net Rating: -8.2
The Milwaukee Bucks aren’t just losing games. They’re getting embarrassed.
That net rating is 28th in the league right now. Only the Pelicans and Jazz are worse in that category. This week alone, they lost by double digits to the Nets and got blown out by a short-handed Memphis Grizzlies team that was missing Desmond Bane and Marcus Smart.
And when your numbers are this bad, the problems typically aren’t confined to one end of the floor. Teams are scoring at will on the Bucks, who simply look old on defense.
And on the other end, Giannis Antetokounmpo is the only reliable source of offense. Damian Lillard is averaging 23.2 points, but he’s shooting 41.3 percent from the field and 26.7 percent from deep.
It’s fair to point out that Khris Middleton is missing, but it’s also hard to imagine a 33-year-old wing coming off surgery on both ankles being an instant fix.
Last season, Milwaukee thought a midseason coaching change would provide the jolt of life it desperately needed. At this point, it’s fair to say that jolt never came. And now Bucks fans have to be wondering what’s next.
Jay Monahan’s PGA Tour Becomes a Laughing Stock in Golf World After It’s ‘Ridiculous’ Proposal Hits Internet
The PGA Tour has seen many drastic changes since its inception in 1968. One of the most recent changes that shook the pro golfing world was the PGA Tour’s announcement in 2022. The league proposed a shift from a multi-year season format to a calendar-year season format. The rescheduled format came into effect in 2024 as the new season began in January of this year.
Nearly 11 months after the near schedule began, the PGA Tour has proposed another major change to stay in competition with LIV Golf. Let’s take a closer look at the proposal.
New PGA Tour proposal
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The PGA Tour has experienced some serious loss of play due to bad lighting issues. This especially occurred in tournaments that were played after daylight savings time. This often leads to many top pros missing the cut. This also removes them from contention for a part of the purse in that specific championship.
But all this may change soon as per the newly proposed field size for the PGA Tour. Golf journalist of Sports Business Journal, Josh Carpenter, shared the breaking news about the proposed changes on his X account. He posted screenshots of the proposal in his tweet that provided all the details of the changes. It showed a cutdown in the field size to improve the quality of the events. Limiting the number of players in a tournament ensures that fewer players are involved in every round and there are better chances of completing the round on the same day. Regarding the tournaments played after daylight savings time, the clauses state that the field size should not accommodate more than 120 players. For the remaining year, the list can go up to a maximum of 144 players.
via Getty PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLORIDA – MARCH 07: Jay Monahan the Commissioner of The PGA Tour speaks to the media as a preview for THE PLAYERS Championship on THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass on March 07, 2023 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)
The post also included a reordered priority ranking list for every event. The changed proposal also showed the revamped Pace Of Play Policy where the rules of out-of-position play were drastically modified. They also suggested lower slow-play fines, with bad times fines reduced from $50,000 to $10,000. The excessive shot fines were also lowered from $10,000 to $5,000 with subsequent offenses fined $10,000. The only fine that has been proposed to increase is for the Average Stroke Time Policy. It has gone up from $20,000 to a lump sum of $50,000. If approved, the new field size will be applicable from 2026.
Infuriated by the drastic changes proposed to the PGA, the fans had quite a lot to say.
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What do the fans think of the new proposal?
Fans were frustrated about the fact that players are not held liable for slow plays and instead the lowest-ranked players in the entry list are made to suffer. @ATLcpa1 said, “Rather than enforcing employee pace of play rules, this tour will effectively fire 10% of their employees. Great place to work“. Speaking about the reduced opportunities for pros from lower leagues, @Ku_Bball_Fan said, “It’s hard enough for KFT/DPWT/Q-School grads to get spots in these early season tournaments. Is cutting 12 spots in a field really going to improve pace of play, be better for the broadcast and fans, etc.??? You’re just taking away chances for your members.”
One particular fan had an issue with a specific tournament. @MotownMike4 said, “The zozo proposal seems ridiculous. Others from a fan perspective are probably better for fall/winter/spring tourneys where today’s rounds don’t complete because of daylight, but also a cheap way to avoid the pace of play issue,” as Zozo Championship field size has been reduced from 78 to 72. Another fan @GolfTilDeath gave a short overview of the plan from the fan’s perspective. He said, “when the employee becomes the client… the customer loses. so now I get to see less interesting stories and watch the same guys continue to play slow, with lots of commercials. they’re mimicking their “success” on the “champions” tour and turning pro golf into a pension fund“.
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@BrooceKoopka has predicted what would happen if this goes through. He said, “There is no other way to interpret this as Players in control now insuring they have smallest chance possible to lose their Cards. if I’m a KFT guy I’m pissed. If I’m in the 30-50 range I’m taking calls from LIV.” He also added another sarcastic response saying, “lol and we try to say LIV is the closed-off tour with less opportunity and field turnover“. @cicioCASTRO summarized the proposal well by saying, “So that tracks to what? Top 110 keep their card? And 10 less spots for Qschool/KFT? Take it down 25 total?”
What are your views about this entire episode? Do you think it’s fair for Jay Monahan and co. to reduce opportunities in the Tour just to compete with LIV Golf? Let us know in the comments section.
PGA Tour Players Propose Adjusted Field Sizes, More Rule Changes for 2026 Season
Christian Petersen/Getty Images
The PGA Tour’s advisory council has proposed several changes that if approved by the PGA Tour policy board would take effect starting with the 2026 season.
Per ESPN’s Mark Schlabach and Paolo Uggetti, the proposed changes include reducing the maximum number of players in a starting field for tournaments from 156 to 144; reducing the number of players who maintain their Tour card and full status from the top 125 finishers in the FedEx Cup to the top 100; reduce the number of Tour cards awarded annually to players on the Korn Ferry Tour from 30 to 20, and capping the Q-school cards at five.
There is also the possibility for reduced fields in certain circumstances when a tournament could be impacted by certain natural forces.
The example cited by the advisory committee in the executive summary noted that 28 percent of tournaments during the 2024 season had at least one round that wasn’t completed on the scheduled day due to darkness.
In those particular instances, tournament fields would be reduced from 132 players to 120. One tournament that would be impacted by that proposed change is the Players Championship, which currently features a 144-player field and would be reduced to 120.
Another proposed change would be to eliminate the open qualifying positions during the week of a tournament to fill any open spots in the field because 65 to 75 percent of those qualifiers don’t make the cut in the actual event.
Schlabach and Uggetti noted PGA Tour player advisory council chairman Camilo Villegas recently sent a letter to members in which he mentioned an
Calls Mount for Jay Monahan To Be Fired Hours After Greg Norman’s Allegations Against PGA Tour Chief
The American Tour is changing. For worse or better, we will find out. The PGA Tour has proposed several changes that will be enforced from the 2026 season. The proposal sent to players Tuesday and obtained by The Associated Press was developed by the 16-member Player Advisory Council. It has been crafting the changes since May. The driving force was to make a full PGA Tour card have real value.
Among the new changes that have been sent out, the full status on the PGA Tour given to 125 players will be reduced to 100, and most of the events will have a field of 144 players instead of 156, except for the signature events, which will have the same format. Some of them might have a total field of as few as 120 members, which includes the PLAYERS Championship. Dan Rappaport took to his official X account, sharing the news concluded with the major changes, “Korn Ferry cards down from 30 to 20. Monday Q’s gone for any event with 120 players or less, down from 4 to 2 in events with 132”.
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The PIF-PGA Tour merger was signed almost fifteen months ago. The missed deadline for the framework agreement to come into motion is nearing almost a year. With no concrete updates so far, fans and golfers are frustrated. It turns out Greg Norman too had his set of accusations for Jay Monahan for the same. In an exclusive interview with Sports Illustrated, he spoke about the ongoings of the golf world.
Talking about the merger between the two leagues, he stated, “I can only speak on LIV’s behalf, and we’re moving forward irrespective (of a deal). Would it make things easier? Yes, it would.” However, just like the rest of the golf community, he is also unaware of the timeline. But what confuses him is how long the simple process is taking and he holds Monahan accountable for making it so complex.
The PGA Tour members had earlier shown their dislike for at least the reduction of the Monday qualifiers. This new proposal for 2026 seems to have struck a chord in the golf community.
The golf community advises firing Jay Monahan
According to the Sports Business Journal Reports, this season has witnessed a 2.2 million drop in the viewership rate, excluding the majors. It is around 20% down (2.7 m) from its previous year. While this might be because of star players moving to LIV Golf, a part of it is also because of the channels cutting down their resources and investing money in the players. NBC has been fixating on commercializing the game. The golf has become a center of entertainment lately with matches like The Showdown, and Creators Classic taking place. It would be wrong to assume that fans care as much about these events as they do about other historic events.
Taking to this, one of them wrote, “Professional golf as we “knew” it will continue to shrink….wouldn’t surprise me if we end up at 10-15 events that people care about across the world, plus majors, and the rest is entertainment… indoor, team, exhibition, YouTube, etc.”
The PGA Tour will continue to prioritize the stars of the game and reduce opportunities for growing players if proposed changes are passed. While the PAC members believe it is in the best interest of the Tour to bring about more merit. However, the reduction in the number of players retaining their cards is certainly controversial. Since 1983, the top 125 players have enjoyed full playing membership, but these changes will restrict entry while allowing for smaller fields. Taking to this, one of them wrote, “As they cut the number of players due to not getting all the players in on Thursday and Friday.. all due to horrific slow play.. now their answer is the slow them down more. Typical incompetence on Jay Monahan.. and the boys’ club players advisory council.. time for LIV”
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The PGA Tour commissioner has faced constant criticism over how he has been handling the peace of the league with his board members with the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) bankrolling LIV Golf. Many people have straight away asked him to resign, and well, this includes the PGA Tour pros too. This is because of the lack of transparency in the negotiations with PIF and LIV.
On June 6th, players were so confused about the direction of the PGA Tour that at least one reportedly called for commissioner Jay Monahan’s resignation. Well, the calls have not been stopped yet, given that with every decision taken by him, he seems to only have left the golf fans with disappointment. Taking to this, one of them once again reiterated, “Fire Jay Monahan.” Another commented, “PGA pros can make a good living giving lessons, etc.; they are the only ones allowed to do it for money. Jay Monahan is horrible, though. Make a deal with Liv. Consolidate the tours. Get rid of the old money and make it accessible to the average person.”.
The Shriners Children’s Hospital was the longest sponsor name for the tour being associated since 2007. However, after 18 years, they have decided not to renew the contract, without stating any official reason, after the 2024 edition. Taking to this, one of them commented, “Jay Monahan is single-handedly destroying the @PGATOUR. gee, I wonder why they just lost another big sponsor on the fall tour (18 years for Shriners)???”
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What are your thoughts on the matter? Let us know in the comments section below!
‘Stop Saying You’re Having a Productive Meeting’: Tiger Woods & Co Accused of Lying by PGA Tour Star in Latest Rant
The PGA Tour and PIF have been locked in talks since June 2023. Actually, it started even before that. The top brass of both sides were negotiating for a few months before the June 6 announcement. The initial ‘peace treaty’ was scrapped in favor of a more dynamic and all-encompassing deal that’s currently being chalked out.
The snail-like progress has frustrated players to no end. Jay Monahan, the PGA Tour Commissioner, has been asked to resign more than once. And, by more than one player. But none quite expressed the frustration as Harry Higgs did in a recent appearance on the No Laying Up podcast.
Higgs was seemingly frustrated with a bombardment of emails in his inbox about hints of an impending deal and upcoming changes. The 32-year-old let go of his frustration: “If I get one more damn email about the progress that’s being made without any details, I mean unsubscribe. Just send me an email when you know the details. On maybe the field size and eligibility and whatever the hell else they are trying to change, and the update on the PIF and LIV – merger wouldn’t be the right word – the (sic!) deal.”
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The Tour is mulling over a cluster of changes to become effective in 2026. The initial letter to the players suggests the PAC has already approved them. Among them, the field size will be reduced to 120-144 for full-field events. The number of cards on offer to the Korn Ferry Tour graduates will be reduced to 20 from 30. There is a new proposal to improve the pace of play as well.
A letter from Camilo Villegas reached players’ inboxes that hinted to them about an upcoming change. More details followed. As for the merger, the PGA Tour generally releases a memo to the players about the meeting.
Tiger Woods is part of the six-member policy board that is actively involved in talks with PIF officials. The 15-time major champion is also a member of the Transaction Committee with Rory McIlroy and Adam Scott. However, as Jay Monahan said in a press conference, it’s not feasible to hash out a colossal agreement in full public view. So, both have been tight-lipped about the progress.
via Reuters Golf – The Masters – Augusta National Golf Club – Augusta, Georgia, U.S. – April 7, 2022 Harry Higgs of the U.S. on the 2nd green during the first round REUTERS/Mike Blake
Higgs understands. But then why send vague emails, asks the Dallas resident. “I don’t care. Stop saying you are having a productive meeting. Clearly, you’re not. You’re having productive meetings for the better part of the two years.”
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Higgs’s frustration is not against any particular person, however. Regardless, the PGA Tour pro sounds ‘baffled’ that there has been no clear update on the future direction the PGA Tour will take.
Harry Higgs hopes the PGA Tour top brass cares a little more
The updates on the merger have been sporadic. And there are only signs from both sides. Yasir Al-Rumayyan teed off with Jay Monahan in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. Greg Norman is likely to move into an advisory role after next year. Reading the tea leaves is the best that most could do.
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Keeping in mind the entire development, Harry Higgs said in the No Laying Up podcast, “I care about pro Golf. And all these people that (sic!) are in these meetings and trying to make these decisions do care about pro golf too. But for some reason, they don’t care enough to just get it done and move it forward. It’s baffling.”
Higgs, however, jokes that LIV Golf has managed to survive so long that very few actually care about punishing the defectors. The only hope for him – even Rory McIlroy would agree – is to bring back players. Higgs doesn’t want their money or anything. Just end this fiasco; that’s his only plea.
Months After Grayson Murray’s Death, One Tragic Detail About PGA Tour Still Torments Mourning Golfer: ‘Need To Do Better’
PGA Tour Pro withdrew from the Charles Schwab Challenge Challenge on May 24, citing uneasiness. Hours after that, on Saturday he passed away. His parents Eric and Terry Murray confirmed that he died by suicide. “Life wasn’t always easy for Grayson, and although he took his own life, we know he rests peacefully now,” they said. A lot of the players paid their tributes to him. PGA Tour golfers even wore red and black ribbons at the 2024 Charles Schwab Challenge to honor the 30-year-old golfer.
A few weeks later, Harry Higgs won at the Visit Knoxville Open, but instead of giving a winning speech, he paid his regards to Murray and stated the importance of being there for one another. “One thing that I thought of last night, especially laying in bed, is I would challenge everybody here—and I’m going to do this myself as well—each day to say something nice to someone you love. And also, make it a point to say something nice to somebody you do not even know,” he concluded his speech.
Five months have passed, however, Higgs believes that the Tour players are still reluctant to check on each other. He appeared in the latest episode of the No Laying Up Podcast. During the conversation, he brought up the loss of Murray, and being disappointed, stated, “We need to do a much better job of taking care of ourselves and taking care of our one another.” The game of golf is so competitive, that one often gets very lonely. Additionally, the trauma of not being able to make certain putts and shots can also have a deep impact on the players.
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View this post on Instagram A post shared by PGA TOUR (@pgatour)
“If you throw in results and money and statues and all this other stuff that we in theory play for, that can become burdensome,” he added to the context. According to him, Grayson Murray has battled mental illness for decades and still managed to bag two victories on the PGA Tour, which is remarkable for him.
After the 2024 US Open, when Rory McIlroy missed the final 3-foot putt, he was devastated. He took a small break from the Tour, missing the next couple of events including the Travelers Championship because he needed to recuperate from what had happened. He remarked the final round was the “toughest” he has “had in nearly 17 years as a professional golfer.” Golf is a physical sport, we all know it. This goes to prove that it is equally a mental sport as well.
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Nonetheless, the way Murray’s story ended was rather sad; instead, if he had had the support, maybe today things would have been different. Higgs’s remarks go to show that everyone, even the pros needs to do better at taking care of each other since they all truly go through the same thing every week.
Did Grayson Murray ever seek help?
Grayson Murray had always been pretty transparent about his mental health struggles and alcoholism and said he wasn’t ashamed of his depression and anxiety. He even stated that during the tournament, things got very lonely, and he would sit in his hotel room, and drink alcohol all by himself. That was what turned him into an alcoholic. In 2021, he took to his social media and stated that the PGA Tour life was nothing but a scapegoat.
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However, things changed in 2022 when he got into a motorcycle crash during the Bermuda Championship. He had to undergo fifty stitches, most of which were on his face. “I should have died. If I didn’t have my helmet on, I probably would have died. It should have been my rock bottom, but I had to keep going,” he confessed. He then got into rehab for a month, to turn his life around for good. He wanted to inspire others with his story, and in a way he did.
Mental health is important. Don’t forget to check on everyone around you. What are your thoughts on Harry Higgs’s remarks?
Amid Tiger Woods & Co’s Loud Silence, Jay Monahan Finally Rescued by PGA Tour Veteran: ‘Don’t Know the Value..’
Jay Monahan is trying his best to bring new changes to the PGA Tour. But they seem to be controversial. Getting heat is something Monahan is not new to. According to a report by No Laying Up, he was asked to resign back in December 2023. That was when the PIF merger deadline was scheduled, and there were no final calls to it. Well, it is almost a year and the status remains the same.
Among several other proposed changes, some of them are reduced field size, fewer golfers with full status on the PGA Tour, and reduction of the Monday qualifiers. This is what has gotten him into hot waters. While other members of the PAC like Tiger Woods, Jordan Spieth, and Patrick Cantlay are yet to react to it, it turns out Peter Malnati comes to Monahan’s rescue. Although the chances are that these changes are discussed with them, but golf world has yet to hear about it from them.
Peter Malnati appeared as a guest on the Sirius XM PGA Tour, snippets of which were posted on their official Instagram account. When asked about the newly introduced policies, he said, “I just think the direction that they’re going is toward magnifying the value of having a PGA Tour card.” He added that the transition might turn out to be hard in the initial days; however, with time, the Tour will only turn out to be a better product. Earlier, 125 players got a full exemption on the Tour, and now it will be only 100, which, according to him, will increase the value that the Tour card holds. Mathematically, it makes sense.
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“The membership of the tour is too big. Our events are too big. And there are people at the bottom who are supposed to be fully exempt players on tour who don’t know the value of the card,” he added. He believes that the decisions are rightly made, and they are indeed headed in the ‘right direction.’ This is not just for the PGA Tour pros but for the golf fans too since they deserve the best version of the America Tour after all the tricky times that have been going on. All that is needed now is patience to see the results.
View this post on Instagram. A post shared by SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio (@siriusxmpgatour)
The proposed changes have indeed managed to bring about a storm in the golf world. While Michael Kim is one of the players who is not happy with the decision but thinks it is in the best interest, PGA Tour Pro Billy Horschel goes south on the decision.
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Billy Horschel raises his concerns about the new rule
Billy Horschel appeared on the Any Given Monday podcast and shared his views on the Tour getting smaller. He also addressed the easy concerns of removing Q-school and said, “When I came through it in 2009 to get my card for the first time. Now there’s only Q school gone away, which I thought was the dumbest thing the tour could have done.” He added how it would deeply affect the Tour, killing opportunities for young players coming out of college who are good enough to get through the Q-School and directly be a part of the league.
He stated that the PGA Tour acknowledged its mistake early on, which prompted the creation of the PGA Tour University for top collegiate golfers. The highest-ranked players will receive a PGA Tour card, similar to Ludvig Aberg in 2023, while the other nine in the Top 10 will either earn Korn Ferry Tour cards or conditional status.
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What are your thoughts on the changes that the Tour will have in effect from 2026? Let us know in the comments section below!
Jay Monahan Turns Blind Eye to ‘Lay-Off’ Calls as $930 Billion Giant PIF Seeks Out PGA Tour Boss Yet Again
The rival bosses will meet again at the Aramco Ladies Team Series Event sanctioned by the Ladies European Tour in Riyadh. Every time Jay Monahan and Yasir Al-Rumayyan share the stage, the golf world is always shaken. First, it was on June 6th for the PGA Tour and PIF merger and then they played the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship Pro-Am.
Now the Monahan and Al-Rumayyan duo will be playing the Pro-Am at the Riyadh Golf Club at the women’s event, the Bunkered reported. And fret not, both will be registered under their names, unlike when Al-Rumayyan used a different name for one of his Pro-Am appearances. This news hits the golf world at a time when the $3 billion merger between the PGA Tour and PIF is practically at a halt.
Yes, there have been meeting after meeting, but the result has been nothing but that it is complicated and the merger will soon be finalized. Amidst this drama, golf enthusiasts have also asked Monahan to give up his CEO seat from the PGA Tour as many new changes in the Tour have been proposed for the 2026 season.
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via Getty NORTH BERWICK, SCOTLAND – JULY 10: PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan looks on during Day Four of the Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club on July 10, 2022 in North Berwick, Scotland. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The PGA Tour will start the 2026 season in January with The Sentry as usual. Before that happens many big changes will be seen in the Tour. As Billy Horschel confirmed, all of it will be foreseen by the “pack” aka the player directors and the Player Advisory Committee before the approval. But what are the changes the PGA Tour introduced for the 2025 season?
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Jay Monahan & Co. to change the PGA Tour for 2026
Forget whatever you knew about the PGA Tour’s field because soon, it will all change. A day before, the golf world was shaken as the PGA Tour sent a memo to the PAC, asking them to vote in favor or against all the changes that will be implemented in 2026 on November 18th. One of the biggest changes in the PGA Tour events will be that the PGA Tour will allow only the top 100 on the FedExCup Standings the full status for the upcoming season instead of the top 125.
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The full field event will be shortened to 144 instead of 156 and the full field of The PLAYERS Championship will go down from 144 to only 120. On the qualifying level, the cards given to the Korn Ferry Tour pro will be decreased from 30 to 20 and the Monday Qualifiers will be ripped off altogether. There will also be a change in the FedEx Cup points for second-position golfer and below.
Overall, the players who do not finish on the top of the leaderboard will be affected and the competition will turn up a notch. Notably, these changes will only be implemented if PAC guys vote for them. However, even the proposal forced the fans to ask for Jay Monahan’s resignation letter. As Monahan meets with the PIF chief again, hopefully, and finally, the merger may take shape and the fans get happy news amidst all the action.
Jeffrey Guan: Australian golfer vows to ‘be back’ after freak accident leaves him blind in one eye
CNN —
Australian golfer Jeffrey Guan’s dreams came true in September, as he made his PGA Tour debut. A week later, the 20-year-old was left blinded in one eye after being struck in the face by a golf ball.
The freak accident occurred during a pro-am tournament at Catalina Golf Club in New South Wales, Australia. Detailing the incident on social media, Guan said he had just taken a shot and turned towards his golf cart to put his club away. As he did so, he was struck by a ball.
“The instant ringing and pain rushed to my head, and I dropped to the ground. Voices sounded pretty muffled, and the next thing I knew, I was in an ambulance being transported to a hospital,” he said in a statement on Instagram Thursday.
Guan was later airlifted to Canberra, where he underwent surgery on his eye.
“I was in unbearable pain, and anxiety about my future was swirling in my mind,” he added.
He then had another surgery in Sydney, before spending two weeks in intensive care, to ensure his eyeball was stable.
Doctors told Guan that he had suffered multiple fractures to his eye-socket and “had lost vision completely in my left eye.”
PGA of Australia has said the loss of vision is permanent.
“During my nights in hospital, I almost drowned in thoughts about the injury and my future in the sport,” he added.
“Not only was I utterly distraught by the news I had received, but the whole situation made me very depressed and somewhat angry.”
‘Ready to conquer any obstacle’
In his statement, Guan went on to thank everyone for their support and insisted he “will be back” in order to “achieve my dream.”
“These four weeks have been the toughest of my life, but I am stronger mentally and will be ready to conquer any obstacle in the future,” he said.
An online fundraiser has been set up to support Guan financially through his recovery, as well as giving him “peace of mind” to help him “on his journey back to playing golf at the elite level.”
The fundraiser has raised just over 9,000 Australian dollars (around $5,900). The goal is to raise 500,000 Australian dollars (around $328,000).
Guan is a two-time junior national champion in Australia and was primed to start his breakthrough in the professional game.
He competed in the PGA Tour’s Procore Championship in September, but failed to make the cut.
Min Woo Lee, Joel Dahmen among players to watch over stretch run of 2024 FedEx Cup Fall schedule
A rare week off for the PGA Tour will serve as the last chance for players to catch a breath ahead of the final three-tournament stretch of the FedEx Cup Fall. With playing privileges, status in signature events and jobs on the line, a wide array of players ranging from budding stars to former major champions will need to muster together their very best.
Expectations are relatively set at this stage of the season. Players such as Netflix star Joel Dahmen are hoping to keep full-time status on the PGA Tour. After enjoying a strong campaign in 2022, during which cameras were following his every move, the PGA Tour winner has since struggled with not only his newfound stardom but also his game. He finds himself firmly on the bubble heading into the last three weeks of the season at No. 124 in the FedEx Cup standings with only the top 125 maintaining a full-time PGA Tour card.
Moving up the rankings, there are plenty of PGA Tour winners from this past season such as Davis Riley, Peter Malnati, Harry Hall, Jhonattan Vegas, Patton Kizzire and Nico Echavarria who are secured for the next two seasons but not secured in the upcoming signature events. Nick Taylor also finds his name among this group of players but on the inside lane as he checks in at No. 57 in the FedEx Cup standings — just inside the top 60 which gains entry into the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and Genesis Invitational.
Despite the constant movement in the standings and the number of various cut-off points, most players are more or less set in their position. For example, Rickie Fowler at No. 92 is firmly inside the top 125, which will grant him entry into the Players Championship next March. But he’s also far enough outside the top 60 where, without a win or a future sponsor’s exemption, he will likely be an omission from the first two signature events.
Below we’ll take a look at five players in precarious positions with three tournaments remaining in the 2024 PGA Tour season.
Five players to watch in FedEx Cup Fall
The Match to feature celebrities, not PGA Tour, LIV Golf stars
A new format of ‘The Match’ is coming to prime-time television in mid-November.
Instead of PGA Tour or LIV Golf stars, eight celebrities will tee it up in the latest iteration of The Match—a two-night event on Thursday, Nov. 21, and Friday, Nov. 22, on TNT and HBO MAX. The competition will tee off with two matches of 2-v-2 scramble match play for the quarterfinals, with the following teams squaring off:
Bill Murray and Wayne Gretzky versus Charles Barkley and Ken Griffey Jr.
Mark Wahlberg and Michael Phelps versus Nate Bargatze and Blake Griffin.
The two winning teams will then advance to the semifinal round but with a twist.
In the semifinal round, teammates will split up and face off against each other. For instance, if Billy Murray and Wayne Gretzky win their quarterfinal matchup, they will face off in the semifinal round. Whoever wins that match will advance to the finals, which will also be a 1-on-1 matchup.
Whoever wins will take home $1 million in prize money.
The Match began in 2018, and the first iteration featured Tiger Woods taking on Phil Mickelson in Las Vegas.
Eight matches have followed in the six years since, and they have included numerous pro golfers and top athletes such as Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, and Patrick Mahomes. But during this same period, professional golf has changed substantially, with Mickelson helping create LIV Golf and Woods becoming a permanent fixture on the PGA Tour Policy Board.
Golf at the top of the sport remains divided, which explains why many are intrigued about next month’s ‘Showdown,’ which defers from ‘The Match’ series. Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler will take on Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau in a PGA Tour versus LIV Golf heavyweight bout. Like the original Match, the Showdown will take place in Las Vegas, too.
Jack Milko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. Be sure to check out @_PlayingThrough for more golf coverage. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko as well.
NASCAR’s Successful Plans With Goodyear Opens Doors With Massive Outcome Soon to Change the Sport
NASCAR for long has remained hesitant towards racing on wet tracks, for the obvious risks involved. The racing organization was comfortable using wet tires on road courses for the slower speeds and high braking. However, it wasn’t until 2023 that they first featured on ovals, which form a majority of NASCAR’s track lineup. NASCAR used it at the North Wilkesboro All-Star race last year in a non-points event.
Owing to its success, they were also brought out when Richmond’s spring race saw some showers. This was the first point-playing event when the wet tires were in action. This was also followed by their use at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway in June. However, NASCAR has limited the use of wet tires to short tracks, shying away from intermediate tracks, which form a larger part of NASCAR’s track compared to short tracks. But, recently, Goodyear did a wet tire test at Homestead, and the results point towards a big change coming in the future of intermediates.
NASCAR takes a crucial first step in wet-tire racing at intermediates
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The reason for staying away from intermediates is possibly the higher speeds than short tracks, making it more dangerous. However, after the recent Homestead Miami playoff races, NASCAR created artificial damp conditions on the 1.56-mile track to test Goodyear’s new tire compound. Three drivers from three manufacturers were picked – Alex Bowman (Chevrolet), John Hunter Nemechek (Toyota), and Ryan Preece (Ford). They were given five sets of tires, with four of them being different wet weather options, and the results have been promising.
Recently, NASCAR Cup Series managing director Brad Moran was on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Where he spoke about how the test went down. He said, “They were running up against the wall and kind of all over the racetrack in the wet. There was some spray, which we anticipated. The speeds are obviously much higher when we go to mile-and-a-halfs, so we’ve probably got a little work to do there. But overall, it was a really good test. All three drivers agreed on the tire they all liked; they were all in agreement that it was the best tire. We gained a lot.”
This is significant since NASCAR can reduce rain delays or postponement of races on intermediate tracks. There is a long list of rain-delayed races with intermediates. In 2023, the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway was postponed a day, and Ryan Blaney won after it resumed. Or how the Kansas spring race faced a 3-hour delay this year because of the rain. The Las Vegas race has also seen some delays. Even the Texas Motor Speedway in 2020 saw postponement due to rain delay.
Recently NASCAR analyst Eric Estepp revealed the significance behind Goodyear’s recent development. Estepp said, “This is wild it took years for NASCAR to run wet weather tires at road courses. Recently, we’ve seen them used at short tracks, but a mile and a half? Science said it couldn’t be done credit to NASCAR credit to Goodyear for giving us another tool that could potentially be used to fight back against mother nature.”
However, the tires are still a work in progress and would probably take a long time before they make it to points races. “Obviously, we won’t see these tires used this season, probably not next season, but it’s cool that this is a real work in progress,” Estepp added. However, the progress in bettering wet racing is promising!
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Bran Moran opens up on the progress of wet tires in NASCAR
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Wet tires were the first feature in NASCAR in the late 1990s. The first time they were seen was in the 1997 qualifying event for the NASCAR Cup Series exhibition event in Suzuka, Japan. But Road courses are only a fraction of the NASCAR tracks. However, NASCAR’s efforts to make oval races more rain-resistant are crucial. Moran said, “From my reports – and we’ll go through this thoroughly later today in our competition meeting – the tires held up really well. They did a great job.” The reports would enable NASCAR to incorporate the changes and get them ready.
Even Fox News’ Bob Pockrass agreed it is too early to conclude anything. He took to X to write, “More of an exploratory test. Nothing planned for use in the short term (like at least early next year) but mainly to develop a plan, if there can be one, of what they need to research/develop for intermediates.”
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However, according to Moran, the efforts to improve wet racing have been going on for many years. “This is a directive from Jim France a couple of years back; we’ve been working hard at it. We started doing some testing a few years ago. Obviously, we got to see more of it this year, and it worked out very well in New Hampshire as well as North Wilkesboro. It certainly helped us get back to racing and helped the fans have the opportunity to enjoy the race when they come.”
Although NASCAR is still cautious of racing in the rain as the tires are only used when the rain has stopped. Maybe in the near future, with Goodyear’s constant efforts, we could also see racing happening in a downpour. Won’t that be interesting to watch? What are your thoughts on how NASCAR racing has evolved over the years when it comes to tackling the rain? Share your thoughts with us in the comments down below.
Prize Money Reaches Over $10 Million at Martinsville With Truck Series Taking Home 6% of the Purse
Do you know the most exciting part of being a NASCAR driver? Surely, it is the fact that you get to live every kid’s dream by driving around super-fast cars for a living. Well, once you get over the thrill of driving, it’s the money that matters most. NASCAR teams often pay drivers a salary, but what becomes more lucrative is the purse money. The purse money gets decided depending on the standing of each driver.
This directly rewards drivers for their performance on that track, and some tracks can be worth more than others. This year Martinsville seems to have garnered an increase in overall purse for their Cup and Xfinity series. As if there was not enough on the line already, with this being the final playoff race, the purse increase has made things more spicy.
Purse money increases and crosses the $10 million mark
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Joey Logano and Tyler Reddick move into Martinsville with secured seats to the Championship at Phoenix. Next in line, we have Christopher Bell, who is at a very comfortable spot and currently sitting 29 points above the cutline, along with William Byron, who is +7 above the cutline. However, just below the cutline, we have drivers like Kyle Larson, who is 7 points down, along with Hamlin, who is 18 points down. While all these drivers will be setting their eyes on victory to secure a direct seat to the Top 4, purse money is a major motivator for their non-playoff competitors.
The Martinsville Speedway will be nail-biting and all for the right reasons. Although the stress might seem to be too much for the drivers, it is the prize money that might seem to offer some kind of solace, especially when it has just crossed the $10 million mark!
Recently, Bob Pockrass revealed the purse money for the various NASCAR series and it does look attractive. He posted on X saying, “Purses for Martinsville weekend, includes all payouts, all positions, contributions to year-end points fund, contingency awards, etc., and for Cup, charter team payouts for racing and historical performance: Cup: $8,991,338, Xfinity: $1,441,088 and Truck: $672,417”. The prize money for Martinsville has increased if you compare the same to Cook Out 400 in spring this year. While for the latter, it was around $7,669,028, the current purse shows a significant growth of $1,667,135.
The Xfinity Series purse, since the last year, has seen a slight increase of $37,465. However, things are not looking very good for the Truck Series. Instead of an increase, there has been a slight decrease in the purse by $21,425 from its original $693,842 last year. While the purse money for Cup Series looks promising crossing the $10 million mark, the Truck Series is yet to make that impact. Currently, it stands at about 6% of the Cup Series purse. Why this difference? Usually, it is the sponsorship, revenue, and similar factors that decide the purse money. Given the popularity of the Cup series, it is this series that takes the most onus.
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Who is going to take the bulk of the Martinsville purse?
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While the $10 million purse does seem to be inviting, some drivers are slightly more motivated with playoff berths yet to be decided. Going into Martinsville, Christopher Bell sits at the top and won this race in 2022 en route to his first Championship 4 appearance. A win at Martinsville on Sunday would secure his three-peat of championship 4 appearances. Since the Next Gen Cars made its debut, Bell has marked his presence at each final 4. However, he has come up short on each occasion, finishing 3 in 2022 and 4th in 2023.
Following him in the standings is William Byron, who has been incredibly consistent these playoffs as he comes into this race with top-6 finishes in each of his last four races. The Hendrick Motorsports #24 is also the defending Martinsville champ, winning on the track in April this year. Bell and Byron seem to be the favorites for this race but let’s not rule out Kyle Larson. Despite his dip in form over the last few races with consecutive finishes outside the top-10, Larson has an impeccable record recently at Martinsville. He finished in the top 3 in three of his last four races, and in the race where he wasn’t top, he still finished P6. His last win at the track came in April 2023 where he led 30 laps after starting 19th on the grid and got the win.
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With the Martinsville Speedway nearing and NASCAR increasing in purse money, who do you think will take the checkered flag?
NASCAR is venturing into uncharted territory. The sanctioning body recently conducted a wet-weather tire test at Homestead Miami, and early reports indicate a positive outcome. It was the first time testing was held in damp conditions on a 1.5-mile speedway, as the wet weather package has been restricted to road courses and short tracks in the past. However, this could be the start of a new beginning for the sport. But how?
Stewart-Haas Racing’s Ryan Preece was one of three drivers who participated in the tire test. The 34-year-old shared his views about the experience and complimented the tire manufacturer for how well the car responded under damp conditions.
Ryan Preece reflects on the pros and cons of tire testing.
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Ryan Preece was not alone at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Three drivers representing three manufacturers were present on the racetrack, including Alex Bowman of Chevrolet and John Hunter Nemechek of Toyota. A total of five different sets of tires were used during testing, which included four wet-weather compounds, and they were tested on an artificially damp surface to recreate the optimal conditions to test their performance. In many ways, the test was a significant one as it could change the way racing is conducted on ovals larger than one mile without the need for long disruptions.
Sharing his views about the wet-weather package at Homestead-Miami, Ryan Preece told Sirius XM NASCAR Radio, “It was honestly incredible how well they handled, to be honest with you. It gets really really difficult to be able to do that with really any cars around you. It’s the spray. The spray that was coming out behind the cars, it just made it difficult to either see the car in front of you, if you were within, I would say half a straightaway in front of everybody, their car would completely disappear. I would say the visibility side is probably the biggest challenge of it all.”
NASCAR has always had a bit of a cautious approach when racing in wet weather. While road courses have been immune to the condition of the track, with necessary tires and windshield wipers being used, the same can’t be said about oval tracks.
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Only in the last two years has the sanctioning body normalized using wet weather tires in the Cup Series, with tracks such as North Wilkesboro, Richmond, and New Hampshire using them to great effect. However, Homestead-Miami represents a turning point, as the track is over a mile long and expects drivers to race at faster speeds and show more skill in challenging conditions.
It seems like Ryan Preece wasn’t the only one who complimented how well the tires performed at the intermediate speedway. Cup Series managing director Brad Moran praised the tire manufacturer by saying, “Goodyear has done a fabulous job with the tires.”
With NASCAR looking to use its wet weather package more frequently during the 2025 season, will we see it implemented on longer ovals in the foreseeable future? Time will tell, but given the reports from the test at Homestead-Miami, one can’t help but feel that it’s only a matter of time.
NASCAR executive happy with tire test outcome
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Even though FOX Sports journalist Bob Pockrass has previously said that the Homestead-Miami tire test was “exploratory,” the results gained from it could bring intermediate racing under damp conditions one step closer. While there remains plenty of work to do to improve its wet-weather package, Jim France’s goal of shortening the amount of time it takes to resume racing after a passing storm is getting closer. While plenty of work still needs to be done to improve the wet weather package, it’s not beyond the realm of possibility that significant strides will be made next season.
Sharing his takeaways from the test, managing director Brad Moran told Sirius XM NASCAR Radio, “From my reports—and we’ll go through this thoroughly later today in our competition meeting—the tires held up really well. They did a great job.” He went on to say, “The speeds are obviously much higher when we go to mile-and-a-halfs, so we’ve probably got a little work to do there. But overall, it was a really good test. All three drivers agreed on the tire they all liked; they were all in agreement that it was the best tire. We gained a lot.”
Moran also accidentally let slip Ryan Preece’s next Cup Series destination while sharing his views about the test. The executive said, “Preece was in the 60 car, which is his drive for next year,” revealing that the Connecticut native will be driving for RFK Racing next year.
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Whether Brad Keselowski’s team will buy a third charter or lease from Rick Ware Racing remains to be seen, but the development may have something to do with the team’s deal with new sponsor Kroger during the 2025 season.
Jeff Gordon Confesses Being Reminded of Championship Regrets Leaving Him Short of Jimmie Johnson’s Elite Club
Only three drivers so far in NASCAR have entered the 7 championship club. “The King” Richard Petty started this club when he bagged his seventh Cup Series championship in 1979. Post this started the era of “the Intimidator,” the legendary Dale Earnhardt Sr. Earnhardt’s first championship came in 1980 and the 7th came in 1994. The latest to join the club was Jimmie Johnson, winning his 7th one in 2016. Since then, no driver has achieved this feat.
Jeff Gordon came closest, winning four championships (1995, 1997, 1998, and 2001). Notably, no one else has entered the 4-championship club. Despite this impressive achievement, Gordon has expressed disappointment about not winning more, given his exceptional skill and numerous near-misses. Recently, he reflected on how he’s sometimes reminded of the opportunities that slipped away.
Jeff Gordon opens up on feeling dissatisfied at times
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Gordon, feeling unsatisfied, is something that seems unbelievable. Because, if anything, he had one of the most decorated NASCAR careers in the history of the sport. In a career that stretched for more than two decades, Gordon made 805 race starts in the Cup Series and on 93 occasions the California native visited the victory lane. Making him the third-winningest driver ever, even Jimmie Johnson is 10 short of matching this record. Not just that, his consistency was impeccable, with 325 top 5s, 477 top 10s, and a finishing average of 12.5 over his career.
Recently, Fox Sports had an interview where Jeff Gordon reminisced about some of his past regrets. Gordon said, “I relish the wins, I relish the championships, a lot of great moments and memories that will live with me forever. But it’s also hard not to sometimes be reminded because of FOX or NBC or NASCAR or somebody putting these videos out there to remind me of things that happened at Texas, to remind me of things that happened at different tracks and races along the way that were not so good. You’re always going to wish that you had a few more wins and a few more championships if the opportunities were there. And they were.”
If we look back at Jeff Gordon‘s career, there were definitely some seasons that could have given him more championships leading him to join the prestigious club. Gordon was the most dominant driver in the late 1990s. And what makes it even more impressive is that he was up against Dale Earnhardt Sr. The 1996 Cup Series, (then called the Winston Cup) could have been Gordon’s, he dominated the entire season winning 10 races, however, had to be satisfied with 2nd place to his teammate Terry Labonte. Even in 1999, despite winning 7 times, he could only get a 6th place season finish. He crashed in the Texas race and missed a weekend after that, followed by four more 30th-place or worse finishes in the season, which led to the upset.
Gordon also came really close to bagging a championship in 2004 and finished 3rd after 5 wins. He could have also bagged a championship in 2007 when he finished 7th after bagging 6 wins in the season and finishing in 2nd place. Even in 2009 and 2015, Gordon ended the season in 3rd place. If we count all these near misses, he could have just as easily crossed the 7 Cup championship mark. However, post-2004, Gordon’s performance kept deteriorating, some attribute it to the changing formats, as this is when the playoff system was first introduced. Gordon only managed four top-season finishes.
via Imago Jeff Gordon
Some also credit the downfall to Ray Evernham’s exit as Gordon’s crew chief in 1999. The pair were the most dominant in their tenure (’92-’99) together, winning three championships. More than half (49) of Gordon’s Cup career wins came with Evernham. Well, whatever the reason may be, no one can deny that Jeff Gordon is one of the greatest drivers ever. In the interview, Gordon also dwelled on how the championships changed his life forever and his time with Dale Earnhardt Sr.
Jeff Gordon dwells on his championship years
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Gordon further said, “I know they changed my life forever — big events like the Daytona 500, the Brickyard, 400 and championships, that kind of molds your career and your future and where you’re at with your team. Winning that first championship in 1995 was just huge because not only were we going up against the greats at that time, but Dale Earnhardt, Sr, one of the best of all time.”
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The Gordon-Earnhardt rivalry is one of the greatest in NASCAR. ’94 was the year Earnhardt won his 7th championship, the same year young Gordon got his first Cup victory and a Cup title in the very next. No one had imagined that the 23-year-old would win a championship in just his third full Cup season, that too against Dale Sr. That year, Sr won 5 races and fell short of Gordon’s 7. The two then went on to race against each other for 8 seasons before Earnhardt died in a crash in the 2001 Daytona 500 race.
via Imago Dale Earnhardt Sr
Remembering the old days Gordon said, “And to be able to go toe to toe with him (Dale Sr) and Richard Childress Racing and actually pull that championship (1995) off, from that point on, it just felt like, All right, we have a car and a team that can do this every year. Even though that wasn’t necessarily the case, it certainly was a string there for about four or five years that we were one of the top teams and went into every race feeling like we could win it, and every season that we could win the championship because of what we accomplished in ’95.”
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What are some of your favorite Jeff Gordon moments? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
Stewart-Haas Racing Releases Heartfelt Tribute As NASCAR Exit Looms
Stewart-Haas Racing has announced the upcoming closure of its NASCAR operations at the end of the 2024 season, marking the end of an era for the storied team. To commemorate their successful journey in the sport, the team released a heartfelt tribute video featuring testimonials from team members sharing their fondest memories.
SHR was founded in 2002 by Gene Haas and later rebranded in 2009 when NASCAR legend Tony Stewart became a co-owner. Since then, SHR has made a lasting imprint on NASCAR, securing more than 100 victories and winning multiple championships.
The video tribute shared on social media features various team members recounting their cherished moments. Chase Briscoe, driver of the No. 14 car, reminisced about his triumphant 2024 win at Darlington. He reflected:
“You Physically Can’t See Anything”- Tony Stewart Uncovers Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s Dark Side That Left Him Spooked
Sports are about winning and losing, but auto racing pushes the boundaries further, becoming a sport of life and death. Indianapolis Motor Speedway has a history of deaths that precedes the first Indy 500 race. Since 2015, there has been no death recorded at the iconic racing venue, but the historical deaths have led many to believe the place is haunted.
Like most of the racing enthusiasts, Tony Stewart wasn’t sold on the stories about the track being haunted. But all of that changed in 1999 when he stayed at the racetrack overnight to complete his double.
Tony Stewart recalls his sinister experience staying overnight at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
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After bidding farewell to his open-wheel racing career, Stewart entered Cup racing with Joe Gibbs Racing in 1999. But he wanted to follow in the footsteps of John Andretti and be able to pull off “The Double.” Running the 600 miles at the Coca-Cola 600 Cup race followed by the Indy 500. At the time nobody was allowed to stay inside the racetrack, but Stewart had special access, and this is when he experienced a super-natural phenomenon.
Recalling this incident, Tony Stewart said, “I got back about 1:00 in the morning from running in at Charlotte, and I’m not joking, it was alive; the whole place was alive. I’ve told this story to people, and they look at you like, Come on, man, and the amount of noise that was inside that place and the activity you could hear was like a movie filled with dreams.”
Stewart needed to rest well before the big race, but the creepy noise and sound just didn’t help. “I’m telling you that night there was so much stuff going on and I was going looking around like you’re gonna see somebody at some point or groups of people; it was that loud. And it was like there’s nothing moving; you physically cannot see anything, but you close your eyes and you can hear everything,” he added.
Not sure if it was a curse or something else, but Tony Stewart wasn’t able to complete 200. Driving the #22 Tri-Star Motorsports car, he only managed to run 196 laps and came just shy of 4 laps to complete the historic double. However, he would return back in 2001, settling his unfinished business. However, he didn’t have such a storied end to his stint as a NASCAR team owner as he decided to call quits on Stewart Haas Racing at the end of 2024.
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SHR’s exit from NASCAR was bitter for Stewart
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NASCAR racing isn’t the same as it was in the early 2000s. There’s no technology, new players, and more competition. Unfortunately, the Stewart Haas Racing team wasn’t able to transition into the new era. They were a dominant force in the last decade, from 2011 to 2020. But a lack of results and performance on the track and burdening finance forced the owner’s hands into making a tough call.
The NASCAR fans were very critical of Stewart in how his decision affected the livelihood of people working at SHR. But he’s now cleared the air about announcing the closure of the team so that people would be able to find new opportunities. “We did what we did to take care of our people, and we created great severance packages for them to take care of their families. The announcement was to give all these guys an opportunity throughout the season to secure new jobs for next year, and it was really successful, I would say. 80% of the employees that are at SHR have found homes for next year, and that was the goal.” He said this in an interview with Bob Pockrass.
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Although his ownership stint came to a stop at the NASCAR level, he is focused on carrying on the winning mentality driving in his rookie season in the NHRA Top Fuel division.
NASCAR Fans Melt Over As Rick Hendrick & Co. Drop Adorable Halloween Surprise
The spookiest holiday of the year, Halloween brings out the creativity among the NASCAR stars and their families. For years, NASCAR drivers have been sharing their Halloween costumes on social media, and this year has been different. While creativity is subjective, some costumes are instant hits, and some not so much.
This year, Hendrick Motorsports decided to do something different. They did their research on all four drivers and shared their costume designs from their childhood days. Fans are often treated to throwback schemes on the racecars, but a throwback on Halloween costumes was indeed a fresh idea. “Check out these Halloween throwbacks!” Rick Hendrick’s team shared this on Instagram along with adorable pictures of the drivers.
Alex Bowman was dressed as a tiger and even had his face painted in black whiskers. He had the cutout mask mounted on his head; he sure bags the award for the most innocent tiger ever. Chase Elliott opted to dress like his favorite superhero, Batman. He had it all, right from the face mask to the black drape.
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William Byron dressed up a Ricky Bobby from the Talladega night. It looked like he had a custom-made fire suit that looked identical to that of the one Ricky wore in the movie. The best part about his costume was the curly hair wig. Last but not least, Kyle Larson was dressed up as a clown. He had an inflated clown costume, and it looked like he was about to jump in a midget car with the scenery in his background.
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This Halloween throwback photo dump was a sneaky surprise by Rick Hendrick and the HMS team. Needless to say, the fans loved this post and couldn’t help but share what they felt about the creative costume designs.
Fans react to HMS driver’s Halloween costume throwback
Kyle Larson couldn’t help but click his Halloween costume photo near a racetrack. There was a winged sprint car in the frame of his photo. And it looked like he was preparing for a race event with multiple trailers parked behind him. Highlight the same a fan replied, “Of course Kyle is still at a track 😂💙”
Batman is arguably the greatest superhero ever. While the modern era has seen the likes of Iron Man and Captain America take over popular culture, Batman is just evergreen. Chase Elliott had an eye for excellence and supremacy, and it looks like he’s implemented a few traits from his Halloween character to his racing. “Now I FINALLY understand why Chase is always voted the favorite driver…he’s Batman 🦇 !!! 😂”
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Given how Larson has always been passionate about racing since his childhood days, a few fans expected to dress him like a race car driver. Jeff Gordon from Hendrick Motorsports or Dale Jr., something along those lines, but a clown wasn’t something this fan expected from the HMS driver. “I was expecting Larson in a Gordon suit never a clown suit 😆”
If Hendrick Motorsports didn’t tag the respective drivers, it would’ve been a pretty engagement exercise to identify who was who. While Larson and Byron’s picks were easy, the same cannot be said for Elliott and Bowman. This race fan had a hard time believing that Alex Bowman was the one dressed like a tiger. “Alex Bowman cracked me up. I was like, who is this NASCAR driver I was like oh it’s Alex Bowman.”
It is indeed wholesome to see the younger version of the drivers who have now grown up to be fierce competitors. This sentiment was shared by this user on Instagram who wrote, “They were all cuties when they were little especially chase and alex.”
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Dale Jr. did hint that he was pretty excited about his Halloween costume for this year. So keep an eye out on the social media feed; you would not want to miss out on what drivers are up to this Halloween.
Tyler Reddick Lets Slip Son Beau’s Biggest Denny Hamlin Pet Peeve Amid Growing Fascination for Truck Series Star
Tyler Reddick’s son Beau was elated at the race’s outcome when the checkered flag was waved at Homestead-Miami. During the now-customary photo op with the playoff grid, the boy was seen taking the sticker with his father’s name on it and carefully applying it to the board with pride. It’s fair to say that the 23XI Racing driver’s son is also his biggest fan, but Beau Reddick also has other drivers he is fond of across NASCAR’s three national series.
When asked about Beau Reddick’s favorite drivers, the regular season Cup Series champion revealed a surprising name from the Truck Series while explaining his son’s mixed emotions regarding Joe Gibbs Racing veteran Denny Hamlin.
Tyler Reddick reveals his son’s favorite drivers
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Tyler Reddick is on a high. The No. 45 Toyota driver recently secured his third win of the season in the penultimate Round of Eight playoff race at Homestead-Miami. By securing a clutch result, he has earned a place in the Championship 4 alongside Joey Logano and will compete for the title at Phoenix Raceway in the coming weeks. Cheering for the 28-year-old in the stands will be his wife Alexa Reddick, and their four-year-old son Beau, who will be eager to see his father win the title despite his other favorite drivers also being on track.
When asked if Beau is still a Chase Elliott fan, Tyler Reddick revealed, “Yeah, you know, on the Cup side he does like Kyle a lot and he enjoys interacting with him. I know he still likes Chase, Chase has always been really good to him. He does like Denny, there’s been a couple times where I’ve lost to Denny where he, you know, immediately after the race, like ‘I don’t like Denny right now’. When he sees the #45, he’s always like, there’s the number, there it is. So I feel like, when we watch Truck races, he sees the 45 number and he’s always pulling for Kaden Honeycutt.”
Beau Reddick’s mixed feelings towards Denny Hamlin are understandable. The four-year-old will want his father to win under any circumstances, even if it comes at the expense of the 23XI Racing co-owner. Recognizing that the No. 45 car is where his loyalties must lie, the youngster has also begun rooting for Niece Motorsports driver Kaden Honeycutt, who drives the #45 Chevrolet Silverado in the Truck Series. Even though the 21-year-old may have gained a young fan by default, Honeycutt is more than happy to accept Tyler Reddick’s son in his fandom.
Responding to the tweet, Honeycutt graciously said, “@TylerReddick Tell your son Beau I am honored for him as a fan of the 45🫶😁”. The part-time driver has made 12 Truck Series appearances so far, with both of his highest finishes (4th) coming at Kansas Speedway this year. The Texas native will compete at Martinsville Speedway as well and will hope to finish the penultimate race of the season on a positive note. At least he will be assured that a young fan will be cheering him on from the sidelines, which would give Honeycutt plenty of encouragement on the short track.
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Will Beau Reddick follow in his father’s footsteps?
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The NASCAR world has seen plenty of father-son duos in the past. Dale Jr. followed in his legendary father’s footsteps, and Keelan Harvick seems to be following suit. So it should come as no surprise that despite being just four years old, speculation is rife about the possibility of Beau Reddick pursuing a career in NASCAR. While some might say that he’s too young, Tyler Reddick began his motorsport journey at the tender age of four and a half. However, the 23XI Racing driver is being patient when it comes to his son, despite keeping the option open.
Speaking to Alex Weaver about his son’s future, Reddick said, “It’s really interesting. It’s pretty obvious that he only really talks to Alexa about it, he doesn’t like mentioning it to me. I want to see how well he would commit himself to something. Baseball is a lot cheaper than racing so he has been playing T-ball. I just want to see how much he’s willing to commit to something, on the good days, bad days, not-so-fun days, practice, games that don’t go good. How much you’re willing to commit yourself to it. I think in racing that’s important.”
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With one race to go before the championship fixture at Phoenix Raceway, the stage is set for Tyler Reddick to go wheel-to-wheel for the ultimate prize. As the outcome of the race at Martinsville Speedway is irrelevant, the 28-year-old will use the coming weeks to prepare himself for the biggest event of his career so far. Adding fuel to the fire, 23XI Racing is currently involved in a legal battle with NASCAR by suing the sanctioning body for ‘monopolistic practices’. Won’t it be quite a statement if a driver lifts the Bill France Cup in front of the sport’s hierarchy?
NASCAR Martinsville Schedule: Line-Up, Practice, Qualifying, Tickets, Where and How to Watch
The NASCAR 2024 season is nearing its end and the tension is rising. Martinsville will play the penultimate race before we get the champions of all three NASCAR series. After Grant Enfinger won both the races of the round of 8 in the Truck Series, three spots remain in Phoenix. Would it be Corey Heim, Christian Eckes, or Ty Majeski? or will any driver from the bubble rise to the occasion? As opposed to the Truck Series, only two spots are remaining in Xfinity. Justin Allgaier and Cole Custer are the favorites to fill them. But don’t underestimate the drivers below the cutline, as all have shown consistent performances at Martinsville in the past.
Even in the Cup Series, it’s a battle to fill the final two spots after Joey Logano won Las Vegas and regular season champion Tyler Reddick won Homestead. Christopher Bell is the top-seeded driver in points, but William Byron is the most recent winner of the track. Also, Kyle Larson might find himself in the elimination zone, but we all know his short-track dominance this year. Martinsville’s winningest active driver is Denny Hamlin, having won 5 times, starting -18 below the cutline. And while Ryan Blaney probably cannot point his way in, he’s the most consistent driver amongst all at Martinsville, his average finish is 8.8 here. Overall, it’s going to be a tight battle and only time will tell who succeeds!
Are you ready for the action-packed races? when and where to watch
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In addition to the already present uncertainties, NASCAR is bringing a new tire compound for its shortest, short track. The left tire on the Cup cars is going to be the softest compound the drivers have ever driven with. The softer the tire, the faster the car and the higher the wear. It’s going to be challenging for the teams and will surely make the race interesting. The right tires would be the same one we saw in Richmond. Also a soft compound, adding to the challenge of teams to balance between the two. A lot of racing awaits as the NASCAR Series reaches Martinsville.
The NASCAR weekend will kick off with the Truck Series practice from 1:30 -2 p.m. ET, followed by the Truck Series qualifying at 2:05 ET, both events will be broadcast on FOX Sports 2. After we find out the pole sitter for the Truck elimination race, the Xfinity Series practice will commence at 3:30 p.m. ET, followed by the Xfinity qualifying at 4:05 p.m. ET; Xfinity fans can catch the events on NBC Sports App. The sundowner for Friday is the Truck Series race scheduled to begin at 6:18 p.m. ET. All the action will be broadcast on FS1, MRN, and Sirius XM NASCAR Radio.
The intensity will keep increasing with each passing day of the race weekend. On Saturday, the Cup Series garage will open at 8 a.m. ET, starting the day with the Cup practice at 1:00 p.m. ET and then the qualifying at 2:05 p.m. ET. The Cup action can be watched on the NBC Sports App. Soon after, we’ll get the final two drivers to join AJ Allmendinger and Austin Hill at Pheonix after the Xfinity Series race kicks off at 4:17 p.m. ET, the race will be broadcast on CW Network, MRN, and Sirius XM NASCAR Radio. And finally, Sunday will feature the race we all have been waiting for, the race that will determine the final 4 in the Cup series finale. The race will take the white flag at 2:03 p.m. ET for the 500-lap race. Would Ryan Blaney reach the final four to defend his title? Well, things are about to get intense!
Tickets for the events have mostly sold out but for those still looking to attend the race, they can be booked on Richmond Raceway’s official website, https://www.martinsvillespeedway.com. The Cup Series tickets might already have been sold out, but there is a good chance of availing the Xfinity Series and the Truck Series race tickets.
Weather forecasts, qualification lineup
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According to the Weather Underground report, the Truck Series race will be partly cloudy with there being a 5% chance of rain. The highest temperature of the day would reach up to 71 degrees. The same kind of weather will continue into Saturday, with it being mostly cloudy during the Cup qualifying as well as the Xfinity Series race. The forecast shows that there is no chance of rain for both events, the highest temperature would be 66 degrees on the day. Lastly, for the Cup Series eliminator, the highest temperature would be 64 degrees, with the sky being mostly cloudy. According to the forecast, Mother Nature will remain kind, with no chance of rain.
The qualification lineup for the Cup Series, Xfinity Series, and Truck Series is as follows:
Cup Series:
(Group A)
#51 Corey LaJoie #7 Justin Haley #42 John Hunter Nemechek #71 Zane Smith #3 Austin Dillon #1 Ross Chastain #47 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #21 Harrison Burton #2 Austin Cindric #6 Brad Keselowski #17 Chris Buescher #41 Ryan Preece #99 Daniel Suarez #14 Chase Briscoe #22 Joey Logano (P) #9 Chase Elliott (P) #12 Ryan Blaney (P) #Christopher Bell (P)
(Group B)
#66 Josh Bilicki #15 Kaz Grala #31 Daniel Hemric #16 Shane van Gisbergen #8 Kyle Busch #43 Erik Jones #54 Ty Gibbs #10 Noah Gragson #38 Todd Gilliland #19 Martin Truex Jr. #34 Michael McDowell #23 Bubba Wallace #4 Josh Berry #77 Carson Hocevar #48 Alex Bowman #5 Kyle Larson (P) #24 William Byron (P) #11 Denny Hamlin (P) #45 Tyler Reddick (P)
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Xfinity Series:
#50 Preston Pardus #174 TBA #153Mason Maggio #35 Carson Ware #145 Garrett Smithley #92 Dawson Cram #107 Patrick Emerling #114 Greg Van Alst #29 Blaine Perkins #38 Matt DiBenedetto #15 Dylan Lupton #91 Myatt Snider #42 Leland Honeyman #26 Bubba Pollard #43 Ryan Ellis #31 Parker Retzlaff #11 Josh Williams #27Jeb Burton #39 Kyle Sieg #51 Jeremy Clements #19 William Sawalich #44 Brennan Poole #5 Anthony Alfredo #9 Brandon Jones #97 Shane Van Gisbergen #28 Ryan Sieg #48 Parker Kligerman #98 Riley Herbst #18 Sheldon Creed #8 Sammy Smith (P) #81 Chandler Smith (P) #1 Sam Mayer (P) #16 AJ Allmendinger (P) #7 Justin Allgaier (P) #2 Jesse Love # (P) #21 Austin Hill (P) #20Aric Almirola (P) #00 Cole Custer (P)
Truck Series:
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#6 Norm Benning #16 TBA #81 Corey Day #19 Justin Carroll #22 Clayton Green #44 Matthew Gould #4 Brett Moffitt #02 Dylan Lupton #66 Johnny Sauter #42 Matt Mills #76 Spencer Boyd #41 Bayley Currey #91 Jack Wood #56 Timmy Hill #33 Lawless Alan #13 Jake Garcia #77 Chase Purdy #7 Connor Zilisch #25 Dawson Sutton #1 William Sawalich #38 Layne Riggs #5 Dean Thompson #15 Tanner Gray #99 Ben Rhodes #88 Matt Crafton #45 Kaden Honeycutt #43 Daniel Dye #52 Stewart Friesen #2 Nick Sanchez (P) #71 Rajah Caruth (P) #18 Tyler Ankrum (P) #17 Taylor Gray (P) #19 Christian Eckes (P) #98 Ty Majeski (P) #11 Corey Heim (P) #9 Grant Enfinger (P)
Who do you think will be the final four in all three series? Let us know your picks in the comments down below.
HMS Legend Downplays Goodyear’s Martinsville Genius With Bold Cup Teams Verdict
NASCAR has taken steps to improve its short-track package. There were high hopes of entering the recent Bristol race to see some entertaining racing. But it proved to be a Kyle Larson show after he led, 462 out of the 500 laps. Only eight times was the lead changed. Now NASCAR is heading to its shortest short track at Martinsville Speedway. And with so much at stake, they have yet again attempted to up the short-track package.
The cars at the Martinsville race will run on a new tire compound for the left tire. Goodyear is claiming it to be the softest one yet. The right tire would, however, be the same one we saw in the North Wilkesboro Speedway all-star race and then at Richmond. While NASCAR is claiming it to make things challenging for the teams, NASCAR veteran, Steve Letarte, thinks otherwise. Letarte has asked fans not to get their hopes too high!
Ex-HMS crew chief isn’t too excited about the new tire compound
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Introducing a new tire compound is NASCAR’s attempt to enable more passing on the track. Softer tires equal higher speed but it also increases the tire wear. With a good amount of falloff, we are expected to get to see more passes being made. And the track position won’t become as crucial. Like how it worked out at Richmond, with teams having to choose between speed and durability producing some good racing. On the new tire, Greg Stucker, Goodyear’s director of racing, said, “We come to Martinsville with that same right-side tread compound as part of the setup teams will run, along with a left-side tire that utilizes the ‘softest’ tread compound in our tire lineup…We had a good test there in August and came out of it with this setup, which is another step forward on our short-track package.”
While NASCAR is hoping for the new tire compound to up the game, they aren’t a hundred percent sure that it will work. “We sure hope it creates some interesting racing, and how it’s all going to work out, it’s one of those deals where we’re really not going to know until we get them all out there on Sunday,” This is what NASCAR Cup Series managing director, Brad Moran said on the new tires. However, while NASCAR probably expects to produce some never seen before racing action, Ex-crew chief of HMS, Steve Letarte, doesn’t think it will happen.
According to Letarte, every time NASCAR has thrown a tire challenge at the teams this year, they have managed to overcome it. Letarte in the Dirty Mo Media podcast episode said, “We had tires at the all-star race that weren’t going to run 25 laps, they could have run them 200. Then we had tires at Watkins Glen, I mean they were going to slow down five seconds. You weren’t going to be able to race that whole nine yards. Like the garage area adapts, I’m not saying Goodyear’s wrong, I’m not saying their approach is wrong. I’m saying let’s give credit to the 36 teams, the engineers, the drivers. They are not out there driving with a freaking sledgehammer like they know what they are doing, they can feel the tire.” So according to Letarte, it’s going to be a good old-fashioned short track race. Perhaps our regular short-track masters, like Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin, would dominate.
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Heading into Martinsville, we have many championship favorites in the elimination zone, including Denny Hamlin. Martinsville had been the #11’s stronghold. The Joe Gibbs driver also happens to be the winning among the active drivers. Hamlin has won the Martinsville race on 5 occasions. Letarte thinks Hamlin is going to be dominant on the track as he understands tire management better than most.
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Denny Hamlin’s chances at Martinsville?
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Letarte further in the conversation said, “Someone like Denny, I actually think this suits Denny very very well. I think he knows how to use the tire on the restart, then settle in and save a ton of tire. So it may look a little different. But if someone is thinking it’s going to look like nothing we have seen the last four years then they are going to be disappointed it’s not going to completely change what it looks like.”
However, Denny Hamlin isn’t so sure himself. Ahead of the race, the veteran is hoping for the fall to be as much as NASCAR is claiming. Hamlin on the Actions Detrimental podcast said, “I wish I knew, because I would try to prepare for it. But we’ve got a new tire there that’s going to be the softest left-side tire that I think NASCAR has ever made, or Goodyear has ever made. The right-side is the, I think, like the prime tire softness. Hopefully, we get some tire wear. I mean that’s what we hope is that we have tires that wear out and then you start to see some comers and goers and lots of passing. That’s what we hope.”
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Even though Hamlin has the maximum amount of wins, he’s not won a single race at the track in the next-gen car. His last win at Martinsville came in 2015. And in the spring race at the track this year, the JGR driver finished 11th. However, other than Martinsville, Hamlin has made good runs on short tracks this year. Winning both Richmond and Bristol in the spring. Currently, he is -18 points below the cut line; the deficit is not great, but the competition is tight. While the aim would be a win for the #11 faction, a top 3 finish could also be enough, depending on how the other drivers finish on the track.
Overall, it’s going to be a neck-to-neck battle to the finish. Which two drivers do you think will make it to the championship 4? Share your thoughts with us in the comments down below.
Jorge Soler trade: Braves send veteran slugger to Angels for pitcher on first day of MLB offseason
The Los Angeles Angels have acquired veteran outfielder and DH Jorge Soler in a trade with the Atlanta Braves, who in return are receiving right-hander Griffin Canning. The Braves announced the deal on Thursday, roughly 14 hours after the Dodgers defeated the Yankees to win the 2024 World Series.
Soler, 32, is coming off a 2024 season in which he slashed .241/.338/.442 (121 OPS+) with 21 home runs and 34 doubles in a combined 142 games for the Giants and Braves. For his career, Soler has an OPS+ of 113 across parts of 11 major-league seasons. Over that span, he has 191 home runs and 197 doubles. Soler put up a 48-homer season for the Royals in 2019, and he made his first and only All-Star appearance with the Marlins in 2023. In 2021, Soler earned World Series MVP honors as a member of the Braves, who reacquired him ahead of the 2024 trade deadline.
Jorge Soler ATL • RF • #2 BA 0.241 R 84 HR 21 RBI 64 SB 1 View Profile
Soler is under contract through the 2026 season and owed a total of $32 million over those next two seasons.
On the Braves’ side of things, the 28-year-old Canning this past season registered an ERA of 5.19 in 31 starts and one relief appearance for the Angels. In his career, he has an ERA+ of 92 over parts of five MLB seasons, all with the Angels. Of Canning’s 99 career games pitched, 94 have been starts. He’s arbitration-eligible for 2025, which will be his walk year.
Griffin Canning LAA • SP • #47 ERA 5.19 WHIP 1.4 IP 171.2 BB 66 K 130 View Profile
In addition to adding some pitching depth, this trade allows the Braves to shed salary in the form of Soler’s contract. Whether it’s a straight dump on Atlanta’s part or a precursor to an active offseason of spending remains to be seen.
Can big-market Rangers even compete with Dodgers, Yankees’ advantages in MLB’s newest era?
If my hand-wringing today in the wake of a Yankees-Dodgers World Series seems a bit outdated, it’s only because it is. Rivals have been whining about the Dodgers since Brooklyn had 27 farm teams in 1949, and crying foul against the Yankees goes back a century to the Babe Ruth trade with Boston.
More recently (am I the only one who considers the ‘50s more recently?), the Yankees built much of their foundation for World Series titles in the ‘60s (Roger Maris, Clete Boyer, Ralph Terry and more) on very shady deals with a Kansas City A’s owner who formerly owned Yankee Stadium. The Dodgers moved west and all of a sudden had all of Southern California coming to their games, an attendance advantage on the league that kept Dodger Blue in the black for years.
But there’s something different at play now, and I say this recognizing that this was the first Yankees-Dodgers World Series since 1981. The Rangers had been to three World Series since the Yankees’ last visit (that still boggles the mind), and this was LA’s first Series triumph played in home stadiums in front of full houses since 1988. The game of baseball itself tends to save MLB from its worst excesses and mistakes, and an expanded playoff also creates a more level platform in which, say, a 90-win wild card team (Texas) can beat an 84-win wild card team (Arizona) while three 100-win teams (Baltimore, Atlanta, LA) watch from the sidelines.
As MLB heads toward its offseason and the usual free agent frenzy, the Rangers are one of a number of teams still trying to solve the local TV revenue puzzle that the Diamond Sports Group (formerly Bally Sports) going into Chapter 11 in 2023 produced. It’s happening across the board in sports, as you’ve noticed with the Mavericks and Stars, teams having to find new ways to generate the millions in local revenues they previously took for granted.
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Leagues share the greater pie that comes from national broadcasts, but local TV money is to each its own.
Meanwhile, the Yankees are the principal owners of the YES Sports Network and can count on something close to $200 million while the Dodgers have a 25-year deal worth more than $8 billion (roughly $330 million per season). That gives LA an incredible running start when it comes to pursuing players such as Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, two players they landed by spending $1.025 billion last winter — blowing away the half billion Texas pledged to Corey Seager and Marcus Semien three years ago.
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This isn’t to suggest the shedding of tears for any MLB owners, in particular Texas’ Ray Davis. But in the only uncapped league in major American team sports, every hundred million counts, you know?
“The beauty of baseball is that star power does not guarantee championships,” Rangers GM Chris Young said Thursday. “But it does enhance your chances. And certain teams have the ability to make mistakes and move on.”
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Even the Rangers could do that, in a sense, when they signed Jacob deGrom and got six starts out of him en route to the 2023 title. That was back in the golden era of guaranteed local TV revenues (or at least Texas and other teams thought they had guarantees prior to the network’s bankruptcy filing). The game has changed.
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The built-in advantage that the Dodgers and Yankees possess now is a greater weapon than any they have ever wielded. As those teams begin their offseason plans following the end of the World Series, they have certain known quantities in their oversized budgets that other teams lack. Even the Rangers, with the D-FW area representing the No. 5 market in the country, lack the certainty of resources for making plans beyond the immediate future. So imagine what that means for Cincinnati, Pittsburgh or Kansas City. Imagine being Tampa Bay (without a roof) or the Athletics moving for an unknown period of time to Sacramento.
What kind of fairness exists in a sport where the disparity of revenues and the ability to spend is as great as this one?
It’s only creative management, good luck with pitching and the awkward bounces of the game that occasionally allow the Rays or Guardians or Royals to ever really compete with the big boys. I’ve never understood why MLB players fight so hard against a cap when a cap also means a spending floor for small market teams that automatically increases spending at the below-superstar levels.
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The Rangers had their moment in the sun in 2023, and it could surely happen again. But a team that’s working to create its own sports network is not playing on the same field as those with the high-octane revenues that fuel the Dodgers and Yankees.
When free agency first came to baseball in the late ‘70s, the Yankees and Dodgers reaped the benefits and met three times in a span of five World Series. We thought they might always dominate because of their market size advantages. It didn’t happen then.
If it doesn’t happen now, it’s mostly because expanded postseasons create short playoff series in which being the hot team trumps being the best team. But when even a club with the market size of the Rangers is short-handed to compete with New York and LA, you have to ask if the modern advantages the Yanks and Dodgers possess make a mockery of the notion that competitive balance is even a goal?
LA already knows it’s adding Ohtani to the rotation in 2025. What if the Dodgers pencil in free agent Juan Soto in the outfield? Second-best team on paper might never have looked so far away.
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Find more Rangers coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
MLB free agency tracker: Latest 2024-25 offseason trades, moves
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Just like that, the 2024-25 MLB hot stove has kicked off! We have a trade just one day after the Los Angeles Dodgers hoisted the World Series championship trophy.
All eyes this winter will be on the top free agent, young slugger Juan Soto. But he’s not the only one who could make a splash in the market.
Which teams will go all-in to contend for a 2025 World Series title? Where will other top free agents such as Corbin Burnes, Pete Alonso and Alex Bregman and? And who will make the trades and deals that have everyone buzzing?
Below is a running list of notable transactions and updates from throughout the MLB offseason.
Free agency and trade grades
Notable MLB offseason transactions
Oct. 31
Braves make first splash of offseason
The Atlanta Braves are trading outfielder Jorge Soler to the Los Angeles Angels and will receive right-hander Griffin Canning, sources tell ESPN. Story » | Grade »
Key MLB offseason dates
Dec. 9-12: Winter meetings in Dallas, Texas
Dec. 11: Rule 5 draft
Jan. 9: Deadline for teams and arbitration-eligible players to submit salary figures
End of January: Arbitration hearings begin
Feb. 22: Spring training games begin
2024-25 MLB free agency, trade grades: Offseason analysis
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The 2024-25 MLB offseason has arrived, and we have you covered with grades and analysis for every major signing and trade this winter.
Whether it’s a nine-figure free agent deal that changes the course of your team’s future or a blockbuster trade that rocks baseball, we’ll weigh in with what it all means, for next season and beyond.
Follow along as our experts evaluate each move. This story will continue to be updated, so check back in for the freshest analysis from the beginning of the hot stove season through the start of spring training.
Corbin Burnes among 8 Orioles entering MLB free agency pool
Corbin Burnes slides to field the ball and throws out the runner at first for the Orioles. (0:28)
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NEW YORK — Outfielder Juan Soto, pitchers Corbin Burnes, Walker Buehler and Max Fried and first baseman Pete Alonso were among 136 players who became free agents Thursday morning.
Third baseman Alex Bregman, outfielder Anthony Santander and shortstop Willy Adames also went free.
There were 64 more players with pending option decisions who could become free agents by Monday, the fifth day after the World Series.
Teams and players can start discussing contract terms at 5:01 p.m. EST on Monday, after the deadline for teams to make $21.05 million qualifying offers to eligible free agents.
Pitcher Justin Verlander became a free agent after he failed to pitch 140 innings this year, the amount that would have triggered his ability to exercise a $35 million conditional player option. If he had exercised the option, the New York Mets would have been obligated to give an additional $17.5 million to Houston as part of last year’s trade that sent the three-time Cy Young Award winner back to the Astros.
Among those with pending club options are Atlanta designated hitter Marcell Ozuna ($16 million), and New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo ($17 million) and reliever Luke Weaver ($2.5 million).
Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole can opt out of his contract but the team can void the opt out by adding a $36 million salary for 2029.
Those with player options include pitchers Blake Snell of San Francisco ($30 million, of which $15 million would be deferred), Nick Martinez of Cincinnati ($12 million), Sean Manaea of the Mets ($13.5 million), Nathan Eovaldi of Texas ($20 million) and Michael Wacha of Kansas City ($16 million), along with Chicago Cubs first baseman/outfielder Cody Bellinger ($27.5 million).
Jordan Montgomery of Arizona exercised his $22.5 million player option for 2025.
Snell and Flaherty are ineligible for the qualifying offers. A free agent can be made a qualifying offer only if he has been with the same team continuously since opening day and has never received a qualifying offer before.
Qualifying offers began after the 2012 season, and only 13 of 131 offers have been accepted.
ORIOLES: Burnes, the Cy Young Award winner, and Santander were among the eight players from the Baltimore Orioles to enter free agency on Thursday.
The right-handed Burnes, 30, was 15-9 with a 2.92 ERA in 32 games in his first season with the Orioles after being traded by the Milwaukee Brewers, with whom he won the National League Cy Young Award in 2021.
Santander, also 30, hit .235 in 2024 but had 44 home runs and drove in 102 runs.
Also taking the step were right-hander Brooks Kriske, left-handed pitcher John Means, catcher James McCann and outfielder Austin Slater. Outfielder Daniel Johnson and right-handed pitcher Burch Smith chose free agency instead of accepting an outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk.
RED SOX: Right-handed pitcher Lucas Giolito exercised his $19 million player option for the 2025 season, the Boston Red Sox announced.
The move was expected after Giolito, 30, had surgery in March on his pitching elbow. The internal brace repair to his ulnar collateral ligament kept him from playing in his first season with the Red Sox after signing a two-year, $38.5 million offseason contract with Boston that included a player option for 2025.
An All-Star in 2019 for the Chicago White Sox, when he also finished sixth in American League Cy Young Award voting, Giolito has struggled in recent seasons, delivering a 4.90 ERA in 2022 and a 4.88 mark last season when he went 8-15 while pitching for the White Sox, Los Angeles Angels and Cleveland Guardians.
In eight major league seasons, Giolito is 61-62 in 180 appearances (178 starts) and has a 4.43 ERA with 1,077 strikeouts in 1,013⅔ innings.
WHITE SOX: The White Sox declined to exercise their 2025 option on infielder Yoan Moncada, who will receive a $5 million buyout and become a free agent. He signed a five-year, $70 million contract extension after the 2019 season.
The White Sox acquired Moncada, now 29, in December 2016 as part of the trade that sent left-hander Chris Sale to the Boston Red Sox. Injuries limited him to 92 games in 2023 and 12 games in 2024.
With the White Sox, he appeared in 739 games with a .254 batting average, 93 homers and 338 RBIs.
CARDINALS: The St. Louis Cardinals declined the options on right-handed pitchers Kyle Gibson, Lance Lynn and Keynan Middleton.
Gibson, 37, was 8-8 with a 4.24 ERA after signing with the Cardinals last November. He earned $12 million last season and had an option for the same amount in 2025. He will receive a $1 million buyout.
Lynn, 37, signed a one-year, $10 million contract for 2024 with an $11 million option for 2025. He was 7-4 with a 3.84 ERA.
Middleton, 31, underwent season-ending flexor repair surgery on his right forearm in June and didn’t pitch all season.
He last pitched in 2023 with the White Sox and New York Yankees, finishing 2-2 with a 3.38 ERA and two saves in 51 relief appearances.
BREWERS: Pitcher Wade Miley’s $12 million mutual option for 2025 with the Brewers has been declined, making the veteran left-hander a free agent. He still gets a $1.5 million buyout.
Miley, who turns 38 on Nov. 13, made just two starts this season before undergoing Tommy John surgery. He posted an 0-1 record and a 6.43 ERA. That followed an impressive 2023 season in which he went 9-4 with a 3.14 ERA in 23 starts.
Miley owns a 108-99 career record with a 4.07 ERA and 1,361 strikeouts with eight teams since 2011.
The Associated Press and Field Level Media contributed to this report.
Bob Costas retires: Broadcaster stepping away from MLB play-by-play announcing after 44 years, per report
Legendary baseball broadcaster Bob Costas is retiring from play-by-play announcing, Andrew Marchand of The Athletic reports. Marchand writes that Costas has confirmed the news but said he would make his own announcement in the future.
Costas, 72, has been broadcasting Major League Baseball games since 1980 and, over the decades, has become one of the sport’s most immediately recognizable voices. More recently, Costas has served as MLB Network’s lead game broadcaster for its entire existence, and he’s also called playoff games for TNT. If Costas is indeed done with play-by-play duties, then his call of ALDS Game 4 between the New York Yankees and the Kansas City Royals would be his last. Costas will continue with limited MLB Network duties, according to Marchand, but those duties won’t include play-by-play broadcasting.
Prior to next season, TNT will find a new lead game broadcaster for the regular-season and playoff games to which it has rights.
In 2018, Costas was chosen to receive the Ford C. Frick Award for broadcast excellence from the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Bob Costas retiring from baseball play-by-play after 42 years
NEW YORK (AP) — After 42 seasons, Bob Costas is retiring from baseball play-by-play.
Costas had done games the past couple seasons for MLB Network and TBS Sports. His final games were the American League Division Series between the New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals.
Costas’ contract with TBS expired at the end of the season, but his plans to retire from baseball play-by-play had been in the works for over a year.
The Athletic was the first to report on Costas’ baseball play-by-play retirement. Costas plans to address his decision at a future date.
Baseball has always been Costas’ favorite sport. He called games on NBC from 1982-89 and again from 1994-2000. He was one of the announcers for the 1995 World Series and then the main play-by-play voice for the Fall Classic in 1997 and ’99.
He joined TBS in 2021 to serve as studio host for its coverage of the National League Championship Series and then called games the past three seasons. TBS has had a package of Tuesday night regular-season games to go with its postseason coverage since 2022.
Costas had also done games on MLB Network since its start in 2009. He will continue to do some work for the network on key events, including the Baseball Hall of Fame announcement.
In 2018, he received the Ford C. Frick Award for broadcast excellence from the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Costas is also known for being the prime-time host of NBC’s Olympics coverage from 1992 to 2016. He also has made appearances as a commentator on sports issues on CNN.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
A’s Owner John Fisher Invests $1B to Construction of Las Vegas MLB Stadium
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As the Oakland Athletics prepare to move to Las Vegas, team owner John Fisher will make a hefty investment into the construction of a new stadium.
Club executive Sandy Dean announced on Thursday that Fisher and his family will invest $1 billion into the construction of a stadium in Las Vegas while U.S. Bank and Goldman Sachs will offer a $300 million loan, according to ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez and the Associated Press.
Dean revealed that final approvals will likely be made at a Dec. 5 authority meeting to allow construction of the $1.5 billion ballpark that’s expected to contain 33,000 seats as well as a dome.
The A’s previously released renderings of what the stadium could look like on Oct. 17.
Construction is on track to begin in the spring with a targeted opening prior to the team’s 2028 season, per Gonzalez and the Associated Press. As much as $380 million in public funding will also go into building the ballpark.
The A’s finished with a record of 69-93 in 2024, their final season in Oakland after 57 years.
In the meantime, the Athletics will call Sutter Health Park in Sacramento their home. The stadium is typically used by the Sacramento River Cats, the Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants.
MLB All-October team: Stars who ruled 2024 playoffs
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The 2024 World Series ended with the Los Angeles Dodgers winning the championship in a stunning comeback in Game 5, with Walker Buehler the unlikely pitcher to close out the 7-6 win over the New York Yankees. First baseman Freddie Freeman was handed the World Series MVP award for his record-tying 12-RBI performance.
But that doesn’t tell the full story of everyone who played a starring role this October — a postseason that featured a record six grand slams, among other wildness. So, to honor the best of the entire postseason, we’ve created our first MLB All-October Team.
From wild-card-round sensations to World Series heroes, here are the players our ESPN MLB expert panel voted as the best of the best at every position along with some award hardware for the brightest stars of October.
2024 All-October Team
Catcher: Kyle Higashioka, San Diego Padres
Why he’s here: To be honest, it wasn’t a great playoffs for catchers — they hit just .184/.254/.310. Higashioka is the one catcher who did hit, belting three home runs and driving in five runs in the seven games the Padres played.
Honorable mention: Will Smith, Los Angeles Dodgers
1B: Freddie Freeman, Los Angeles Dodgers
Why he’s here: Freeman didn’t have an extra-base hit and drove in just one run in the first two rounds of the playoffs as he tried to play through the severely sprained ankle he suffered at the end of the regular season. He didn’t even play in two games of the NLCS and required hours of physical therapy before each game just to get on the field. But the five days off before the World Series clearly helped, and he homered in the first four games, including his dramatic walk-off grand slam in Game 1 that will go down as not only the signature World Series moment of 2024 — but a World Series moment for the ages.
Honorable mention: Pete Alonso, New York Mets
2B: Gleyber Torres, New York Yankees
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$600 million … or more!? Yankees or Mets? Predictions, potential suitors as Juan Soto’s free agency begins Kiley McDaniel and Jesse Rogers
L.A. in five! The Dodgers — from the stars to the supporting cast — are World Series champs Bradford Doolittle 2 Related
Why he’s here: Torres had a solid October as he heads into free agency, although he had little competition here. Indeed, second basemen collectively hit just .219 with three home runs the entire playoffs — two of those from Torres — and drove in 24 runs, with Torres driving in eight himself. He had three multihit games and scored five runs in five games in the ALCS, while also taking walks to help set the table for Juan Soto.
Honorable mention: Brice Turang, Milwaukee Brewers
3B: Mark Vientos, New York Mets
Why he’s here: Max Muncy set a record when he reached base 17 times in the NLCS, including a single-postseason-record 12 times in a row, but he went hitless in the World Series. Vientos, meanwhile, had a stellar first trip to the postseason, hitting .327/.362/.636 with five home runs and 14 RBIs in 13 games. That followed a breakout regular season in which he posted an .837 OPS with 27 home runs in just 111 games. He looks like he’ll be a fixture in the middle of the Mets’ lineup for years to come.
Honorable mention: Muncy, Los Angeles Dodgers
SS: Tommy Edman, Los Angeles Dodgers
Why he’s here: Edman was an under-the-radar pickup at the trade deadline, in part because he was still injured and hadn’t yet played for the St. Louis Cardinals. Most of Edman’s starts came at shortstop, especially after Miguel Rojas was injured in the NLDS, but his bat got him here. Edman was the NLCS MVP after hitting .407 with a record-tying 11 RBIs in the series. He had started at cleanup just twice in his career but was slotted there twice against the Mets, driving in seven runs in those two games. Then he went 2-for-4 in each of the first two games of the World Series, including a home run in Game 2, and finished the Fall Classic hitting .294/.400/.588 with six runs.
Honorable mention: Francisco Lindor, New York Mets
OF: Mookie Betts, Los Angeles Dodgers
OF: Juan Soto, New York Yankees
OF: Enrique Hernandez, Los Angeles Dodgers
Why they’re here: Betts entered this postseason in a 3-for-38 postseason slump going back to the end of the 2021 NLCS — and it initially looked like it would be more of the same when he went 0-for-6 the first two games of the NLDS, including a robbed home run courtesy of Jurickson Profar. Everything turned in Game 3 when Profar almost robbed him of another home run — but didn’t. After that, Betts was in the middle of most of the Dodgers’ big rallies, hitting .321/.394/.625 with four home runs and 16 RBIs over the Dodgers’ final 14 playoff games.
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Soto’s at-bats spoke for themselves: He never seemed to have a bad one. His big at-bat was the three-run home run in the 10th inning of Game 5 of the ALCS to send the Yankees to the World Series. Getting intentionally walked twice while batting in front of Aaron Judge speaks to Judge’s struggles, yes — but also to how locked in Soto was all postseason. He finished the postseason slashing .327/.469/.633 with 4 home runs, 9 RBIs and 14 walks in 14 games.
Hernandez actually began October on the bench, but we’ve seen him perform big in the postseason before, and he stepped up when Miguel Rojas was injured in the NLDS. Hernandez homered in the Dodgers’ 2-0 victory to close out the Padres in the NLDS, had a big two-run home run against the Mets in Game 3 of the NLCS and got the series-turning five-run rally against the Yankees in Game 5 started with a leadoff single in the fifth as well as the series-winning rally in the eighth with another leadoff base hit. Overall, he hit .294/.357/.451 with 11 runs and six RBIs.
Honorable mentions: Steven Kwan, Cleveland Guardians; Teoscar Hernandez, Los Angeles Dodgers; Fernando Tatis Jr., San Diego Padres
DH: Giancarlo Stanton, New York Yankees
Why he’s here: The Yankees were often a two-man show in the postseason, just like they were in the regular season — except it was Soto and Stanton, not Soto and Judge. Stanton blasted seven home runs throughout the playoffs, including in the final three games of the ALCS (earning MVP honors) and in Games 1 and 5 of the World Series. He finished the playoffs hitting .273/.339/.709, and those seven homers are the most in a single postseason in Yankees history.
Honorable mention: Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers; David Fry, Cleveland Guardians
SP: Gerrit Cole, New York Yankees
SP: Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers
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Why they’re here: Certainly, it seems as if the status of the starting pitcher in the postseason continues to decline — although, that doesn’t mean they’re not important. There were certainly some stellar individual outings along the way: Corbin Burnes allowed one run in eight innings (but lost 1-0) for the Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies ace Zack Wheeler allowed one hit in seven scoreless innings (but that would be his only start) and the Padres’ Michael King fanned 12 to beat the Atlanta Braves in the NLDS. Skubal had two scoreless starts against the Houston Astros in the wild-card series and Cleveland Guardians in the ALDS, confirming his status as one of the best in the game — or maybe the best, as his soon-to-be AL Cy Young Award will attest.
Cole was really the one consistent starter throughout the postseason, making five starts with a 2.17 ERA. Unfortunately, that ERA doesn’t register the five unearned runs from the final game of the World Series when the Yankees’ defense turned into a comedy of errors — including Cole himself opening up the floodgates by failing to cover first base to get what would have been the inning-ending out.
Honorable mention: Walker Buehler, Los Angeles Dodgers; Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Los Angeles Dodgers; Sean Manaea, New York Mets; Seth Lugo, Kansas City Royals
RP: Luke Weaver, New York Yankees
RP: Blake Treinen, Los Angeles Dodgers
Why they’re here: It also wasn’t the best of postseasons for closers — not even great ones. The Guardians’ Emmanuel Clase allowed five earned runs all regular season — and then eight in the playoffs. Milwaukee Brewers closer Devin Williams blew that wild-card game against the Mets. All-Star Jeff Hoffman lost two games for the Phillies. Weaver, however, was the one consistent late-game performer and was great while often pitching more than one inning. He posted a 1.76 ERA across 15⅓ innings. Who knows how the World Series ends if Yankees manager Aaron Boone keeps Weaver in the game in the 10th inning of Game 1. (Weaver had thrown just 19 pitches.)
Treinen, meanwhile, capped his comeback season — he had missed almost all of 2022 and then all of 2023 — with a 2.19 ERA across 12⅓ innings, winning two games and saving three others. In the World Series clincher, he recorded seven outs and got out of a two-on, no-out jam in the eighth inning to preserve the Dodgers’ 7-6 lead before handing the ball to Buehler to close out the ninth.
Honorable mention: Cade Smith, Cleveland Guardians; Michael Kopech, Los Angeles Dodgers; Beau Brieske, Detroit Tigers
All-October Award Winners
October MVP: Freddie Freeman
Pitchers of the month: Gerrit Cole, Walker Buehler (tie)
Best October introduction: Mark Vientos
Clutch performer: Freeman
The Restrictions Surrounding Flying Over Or Near Major Sporting Events
Before we look at why you cannot fly planes, helicopters, and drones over or near major sporting events, let’s first define prohibitive airspace. Prohibitive airspace is an area within which aircraft cannot fly. Generally speaking, prohibitive airspace is any area associated with the military, government, and places considered essential for national welfare.
While some areas have permanently restricted airspace, others do not like sports stadiums and presidential retreats like Camp David in Maryland. Aircraft can fly over Camp David if the president is not there. Likewise, you can fly over stadiums if a sporting event is not happening.
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Black Sunday
You may remember the 1977 action film Black Sunday in which a group of terrorists wanted to hijack the Goodyear blimp. As the blimp was always a feature at significant sporting events, the plan was to seize it and fill it with explosives. Once this was achieved, they would fly it over the Miami Orange Bowl during Super Bowl X. When hovering over the field at a low height, they would detonate the explosives killing thousands of people. If you want to know what happened, you must see the movie or read the Thomas Harris novel.
Want answers to more key questions in aviation? Check out the rest of our guides here.
Drones have become a big problem
Forgetting about areas of strategic importance or planes where the president might be, flights are not permitted over stadiums to stop people illegally filming. High ticket prices and the fact that many big games sell out have, in recent years, made people come up with intuitive ways to watch sports without having to pay. The popularity of drones in recent years has even forced aviation bodies like the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to implement rules for drone use which include:
Flying a drone no higher than 400 feet above the ground.
Never fly a drone within 160 feet of another person unless they are with you.
Never fly over crowds of people.
Stay 400 feet from residential, recreational, or industrial sites.
Never fly a drone within a five-mile radius of an airfield or airport.
Always keep the drone in your direct line of sight.
Drones and aerial banners have been used to deliver political messages and fans’ displeasure about a club’s owners. In October 2014, during a Euro 2016 qualifier between Serbia and Albania at Partizan Stadium in Belgrade, Serbia, an Albania supporter flew a drone over the pitch carrying a Greater Albanian flag.
Ethnic Albanians now live in Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia, and Greece. The flag symbolizes Albania taking back the land it lost. If you look at the problems in Kosovo, you will realize how this could inflame tensions. One of the Serbian players grabbed the flag from the drone, and a fight broke out, leading to the match being abandoned.
The FAA issues TFRs for sporting events
In the USA, flying banner planes near significant sporting events was commonplace and still takes place under specific guidelines. The Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) issues Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) for important sporting events. These are communicated to pilots via NOTAMs. TFRs are enforced one hour before the sporting event’s start, and executed for an hour after the event is over.
Regarding drones, they cannot be flown within three miles of a stadium with a seating capacity of more than 30,000 when an event occurs.
Hideki Matsui on the 2003 doubleheader at Yankee Stadium, Shea
It’s been 20 years since Hideki Matsui made his Yankees debut, and before his clutch hitting over six postseasons vaulted him to a place among the greats in the organization, there was a time as a rookie when Matsui was a slumping slugger, struggling to live up to wild expectations.
Through June 4 of his first season after coming over from Japan, Matsui had played 58 games and hit just three homers — one of them a memorable grand slam in his Yankee Stadium debut — with a .250 average and an anemic OPS of .656.
Then came June 5 in Cincinnati, where Matsui picked up his first four-hit game in the majors with three doubles and a homer.
And a few weeks later, Matsui further cemented himself as a force in the middle of the Yankees lineup with a volcanic showing while playing in both ends of a historic day-night Subway Series doubleheader split between Yankee and Shea Stadiums, following the first such twinbill in 2000.
Hideki Matsui’s memorable day against the Mets in 2003 helped establish the then-MLB-rookie as a Yankees fan favorite. Getty Images
“I remember it really well,’’ Matsui said by phone through an interpreter of that June 28, 2003 afternoon and evening. “I watched the 2000 Subway World Series in Japan and that was really memorable to me, so to experience something like that myself a few years later was very exciting.”
The day began at Yankee Stadium, where Matsui went 2-for-3 with five RBIs and a grand slam for the game’s first runs in a 7-1 Yankees victory behind eight innings from Roger Clemens.
In the nightcap, a 9-8 win in which the Yankees chased Tom Glavine and took a 9-0 lead before withstanding a furious Mets rally, Matsui went 4-for-4 with a walk and an RBI.
Derek Jeter tags out the Mets’ Raul Gonzalez to help stifle a rally in the Yankees’ 9-8 win in Game 2 of the doubleheader. AP
Between the two games, Matsui recalls the trip from The Bronx to Queens as something he never had experienced at home, where he played for the Yomiuri Giants.
“I knew it was going to be a long day and a very rare experience,’’ Matsui said. “To play in two different stadiums in New York City, I didn’t know what to expect. I just wanted to enjoy the day.”
Following the Game 1 win at Yankee Stadium, the Yankees received a police escort to Shea Stadium.
“That’s when I realized how big this was,’’ Matsui said. “That kind of spotlight, with the police escort from one stadium to the other, you could never imagine happening in Tokyo just for a baseball game. It’s something I won’t forget.”
Matsui gained an appreciation for how important the Subway Series was to the teams and the city when he and his teammates received a police escort to Shea Stadium for the second game of their doubleheader in June 2003. AP
Jason Giambi waves to fans as he boards the bus bound for Shea Stadium on the afternoon of June 28, 2003. AP
He followed through with another stellar game in the nightcap as the World Series-bound Yankees dominated the sub-.500 Mets.
“I think he’s going to be a great player here,” Joe Torre said that day. “Whether he is recognized as a great player league-wide, I don’t know. I don’t know if you would want anyone hitting with runners on base more than him. That makes him a great teammate and a great producer.”
Matsui proved to be an excellent player, and the doubleheader was a springboard that got Matsui going at the plate after he signed a three-year, $21 million deal to join the Yankees the previous offseason.
“It was definitely an adjustment period for me against major league pitchers, and that’s something I expected,’’ said Matsui, who turned 49 on Monday. “It took a little longer than I expected, but in my mind, at that time, I wasn’t really thinking about any pressure. But I was hitting fifth or sixth in the lineup, so I may have put some pressure on myself unconsciously.”
Jeremy Griffiths got the start for the Mets in Game 1 in The Bronx. It didn’t go well. AP
He still credits his Hall of Fame manager with helping him get going at the plate.
Earlier that June, Matsui said, Torre gave him two impactful pieces of advice.
“The first one was mental,’’ Matsui said. “He told me, ‘I know you’re not hitting right now, but I’m not taking you out of the lineup.’”
At the time, Matsui was playing center field because Bernie Williams was out with an injury.
Matsui credits Joe Torre for helping him find the space in his head and at the plate to catch a rhythm in his first season with the Yankees. AP
The next bit of advice Torre gave, according to Matsui, was technical.
“He talked about where I was in the batter’s box,’’ Matsui said. “He suggested standing a little closer to home plate. I did what he told me, and started to hit.”
Matsui’s career in pinstripes really took off that month, culminating in his heroics in the Subway Series. In the 23 games starting on June 5, Matsui went 39-for-85 (.459) with six homers, 28 RBIs and an OPS of 1.326.
He went on to become a force for most of his six years in The Bronx, finishing with 140 homers as well as a .933 OPS in 235 playoff plate appearances.
European Football Clubs & Middle East Airlines – What’s The Fascination?
Across Europe, airline sponsorships are common throughout the world of professional sports, with football emerging as the most prominent place for these partnerships to thrive.
Those who watched last Saturday’s UEFA Champions League final were bombarded with advertisements for Turkish Airlines, the event’s main sponsor. Furthermore, one could not ignore the Etihad Airways sponsorship across the jerseys of Manchester City players or the special Boeing 787 that the carrier used to transport the squad.
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Photo: Turkish Airlines
But what purpose does this strong partnership serve for the airlines? Etihad isn’t transporting Manchester City’s fans to their matches in London or Spain, and Emirates isn’t flying Real Madrid fans to Barcelona.
Clearly, there are more complex factors behind the relationship between airlines and European football that need to be explored more deeply.
The cases of the Middle East three
When most think of airline sponsorship of European football, they picture Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad’s names and logos written across players’ jerseys. Perhaps some might remember that Manchester City’s stadium is named after Etihad or that Arsenal’s bears the Emirates name.
These three airlines have been and remain some of the strongest promoters of European football. From Spain to France and most notably in England, the big three Middle Eastern carriers’ names accompany the sport.
But one might ask why airlines would choose to spend so much time advertising to football fans. Very little football is played in the Middle East (except for the Qatar World Cup, but airline sponsorship far predated that event).
Why would these carriers not advertise more directly to those demographics that would have a higher interest in traveling to the Middle East or to the destinations served by Emirates in Asia or Africa?
One false hypothesis that many suggest comes from ownership. Many Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds (state-run investment funds mostly to manage oil revenues) maintain large, if not complete, ownership shares over European soccer teams. Thus, with the large carriers in the region also state-owned, choosing to advertise via football teams would seem natural.
Photo: Qatar Airways
This notion is incorrect. The advertising revenue from jersey sponsorships and stadium naming rights is extremely lucrative. Take Manchester City, for example, the current UEFA Champions League winners, a club owned entirely by a member of the Emirati Royal Family.
If the Emiratis did not believe that Etihad’s sponsorship would serve a purpose, the club’s lucrative jersey sponsorship and stadium naming rights would have been sold off to the highest bidder.
So this begs the question: what purpose do football sponsorships serve for the Middle Eastern big three? The answer is, in fact, not quite what you’d expect.
Photo: Emirates
Winning football championships is accompanied by a sense of prestige, power, and luxury. Take Emirates’ sponsorship of Real Madrid, a carrier quite literally with “royal” in its name.
By partnering with a club whose name alone evokes prestige, Emirates can promote its image as an airline focused on luxury travel—a carrier that an elite soccer team’s fans would want to fly on.
Notably, all the clubs sponsored by the Middle Eastern big three carriers are legacy organizations, teams with a history of championship performance and dedicated fan bases.
Photo: Emirates
This marketing tactic is vital to these carriers’ business, as European travelers choosing to connect through Doha, Abu Dhabi or Dubai are a critical demographic for these airlines’ profitability.
Check out all the latest European aviation news here
For European travelers, the only reason to stop in the Middle East on the way to Asia, Africa, or Australia instead of taking a nonstop itinerary is clear: the elevated quality of service on these carriers. Thus, it is critical that these airlines be perceived throughout Europe with a sense of prestige.
The Turkish Airlines case
For the flag carrier of Turkey, sponsorship in European football goes far beyond the normal reasons for which an airline may choose to engage in sports advertising. While one may argue that such marketing promotes tourist visits to Istanbul—and it quite certainly does—Turkish Airlines gains much more from its football sponsorships.
The carrier does sponsor two major local football teams in Turkey, Başakşehir, and Galatasaray, both partnerships that are not surprising at all. Airlines will often sponsor hometown teams in order to demonstrate support for the community and connection to a local fan base.
Photo: Galatasaray S.K.
This kind of advertising is very common in the United States, with large carriers like United and American both maintaining naming right sponsorships at their hubs. For the former, this is the home of the Chicago Bulls, the United Center, and for the latter, the home of the Dallas Mavericks and Dallas Stars, the American Airlines Center.
However, this kind of direct promotion isn’t as common in Europe. For example, British Airways does not sponsor a major London football club. The airline doesn’t hesitate to advertise in sports, but the carrier will always partner with individuals (such as tennis superstar Emma Raducanu) or national teams (such as the UK’s Paralympic team).
In addition to sponsorships of Turkish teams, the flag carrier also serves as the primary sponsor of the UEFA Champions League, a piece of advertising which strongly promotes the airline’s image and long-term initiatives.
Turkish Airlines stands out as an airline focused on connecting people from across the world. Serving the most destinations of any carrier globally, the airline perfectly represents its namesake nation which bridges two different continents.
Beyond a symbolic perspective, the importance of connecting traffic to the airline’s profitability cannot be understated. Without connecting passengers through a prosperous and modern Istanbul hub, the airline simply could not exist today as it does.
Thus, what better organization to sponsor than the UEFA Champions League, which connects not just teams from across Europe, but also fans from across the world?
A look towards the future
Having discussed the current landscape of partnerships between airlines and football organizations, what are we likely to see going forward? Should we expect more sponsorships from carriers in the coming years? Will legacy carriers within Europe get in on the action?
Middle Eastern carriers not yet discussed could reap strong benefits from partnering with football clubs. One key player to watch might be Riyadh Air, a startup carrier owned by the Saudi Government that will likely utilize a business model similar to that of the established airlines in the region.
Photo: Riyadh Air
It is unlikely that legacy carriers in Europe will engage in sponsorships of teams due to the loyal nature of soccer fans. For example, if Air France were to sponsor Paris Saint-Germain, supporters of the team’s rival clubs would likely have a more negative view of the carrier. The same holds true for almost all major European airlines.
Overall, European airlines would not benefit from sponsoring individual football clubs, and this is not likely to change in the near future. However, such partnerships do align with the interests of Middle Eastern carriers and thus should continue and expand in the coming years.
Congo rushes to finish infrastructure ahead of Francophone Games
KINSHASA, June 20 (Reuters) – Authorities in Congo are scrambling to finish tracks, sports stadiums and accommodation for athletes taking part in the International Francophone Games, which kick off in the capital Kinshasa at the end of next month.
Organisers of the 10-day Jeux de la Francophonie have grown increasingly concerned about the state of preparations as the July 28 start date nears.
The Games, which are held every four years with the aim of promoting the French language, were already pushed back two years from 2021 to bring infrastructure up to international standards.
“The athletics tracks and judo area are not yet ready,” Daniel Zielinski, head of the Games’ French delegation said this week. “There is still a lot of work to be done,” he added.
The national committee organising the Games unveiled a 20-kilometre cycling route on Sunday.
“At the beginning of July, we’re going to clear up the potholes along the way,” said president Isidore Kwandja.
“All that remains is finishing work on the administrative offices,” he assured.
But workers at the Tata Raphael football stadium, which will be hosting the men’s tournament, doubted renovations would be completed on time.
“They asked us to finish the work on June 20 but that is impossible, there is still a lot of work to be done,” said one of the workers, who did not wish to be named.
A diplomatic source in Kinshasa warned there were also concerns about security provisions for the event.
Kwandja said a private company had been hired to secure the events inside while 4,500 police would be deployed outside.
The Games will include athletics, basketball, football, wrestling and cycling among other sports. Around 3,000 athletes from more than 40 countries will be taking part.
The last edition took place in Ivory Coast in 2017.
Reporting by Ange Kasongo Editing by Sofia Christensen and Christian Radnedge
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
Allen ISD approves $75,000 sponsorship deal with H-E-B for Eagle Stadium
One of Texas’ largest and most notable high school football stadiums will be donned with a new, big-name sponsor this coming season.
At Monday night’s Allen ISD Board of Trustees meeting, the district unanimously approved a three-year, $75,000 deal, making Texas grocery chain H-E-B a new sponsor for its high school football stadium.
Allen ISD has 10 spots designated for “founding sponsors” — a $25,000 annual deal that can vary in length. H-E-B joins Stephen F. Austin University, Credit Union of Texas and various other organizations that hold the stadium’s highest sponsorship level.
With the sponsorship agreement, H-E-B will receive a static sign on the main scoreboard, 30-second commercial advertising before and during games, signage on the stadium concourse, signage on the sidelines and advertisements in the district magazine.
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H-E-B also announced earlier this month that construction had begun on a store in Allen. The store is set to open across the street from Eagle Stadium later this summer.
“H-E-B Grocery Company has been a longtime supporter of public education throughout the state of Texas, so we’re just thrilled to be able to have that location opening in Allen,” Allen ISD Chief Communications Officer David Hicks told The Dallas Morning News. “I think it’ll be great for the community and great for our public school system.”
The $60 million, 18,000-seat Eagle Stadium opened in 2012. The News reported upon its opening that the stadium had the potential to generate sponsorship deals worth more than $400,000 annually.
Allen ISD also added Children’s Health Andrews Institute as a sponsor at a late May board meeting. However, the Children’s Health agreement is not a monetary exchange, but rather the medical center will provide three full-time athletic trainers to assist during Allen ISD athletic events.
Children’s Health has the naming rights for Prosper ISD’s football stadium.
On Twitter: @Lassimak
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Hours Ahead of Roger Federer Day in Halle, German Tennis Star Alexander Zverev Professes His Admiration for the Swiss Tennis Legend – ‘The Stadiums Were Always..’
CHICAGO, IL – SEPTEMBER 23: Team Europe Roger Federer of Switzerland and Team Europe Alexander Zverev of Germany speak to the media after their Men’s Singles match on day three of the 2018 Laver Cup at the United Center on September 23, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for The Laver Cup)
Roger Federer is about to step back onto the tennis court. But this time around, as a tennis legend, not a player. The 41-year-old Swiss maestro is back in Halle, where he won ten championship titles and established himself on the German grass classic court. The Terra Wortmann Open is celebrating the tennis achievements of the 20-time Grand Slam winner as an honor.
And while everyone is delighted about the Swiss ace being honored. Hours before the honor, Alexander Zverev, a 26-year-old tennis player who previously faced the former world number one on the same court, recently expressed his enthusiasm at the idea of seeing Federer on a German court, once again.
Alexander Zverev is excited to see Roger Federer back at Halle
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The German tennis player is a part of the tournament’s 30-year history. Moreover, he was a regular guest before turning professional nearly 10 years ago. And whenever he looks back to the tournament, he has many great memories, including his first victory against the 41-year-old tennis player in 2016. Lastly, he faced Federer in the 2017 Championship round of the tournament.
via Getty Alexander Zverev of Germany congratulates Roger Federer of Switzerland on victory follwing their singles match on day three of the Nitto ATP World Tour Finals at O2 Arena in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Currently, the 22nd-ranked tennis player is actively participating in the historic Grass court tournament. He has reached the 16th round of the match and will play against Denis Shapovalov to move further. Moreover, in a recent interview with Westfalen Blatt, Zverev talked about his excitement to see Fed again on the court. And Along with that recalled a fond memory of him.
He said, “It was always special to play against him. The stadiums were always full, there was always a special atmosphere. And apart from the square, he was and is simply a nice person. I am happy that he is here again in Halle.”
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Nevertheless, not only that a few days before the tournament director also recalled, the Swiss maestro’s bold move for the tournament, back when he was an active tennis player.
Halle Open director on Federer’s shocking move
In an interview with Tennis magazine, Ralf Weber, the tournament director, talked about Federer’s idea of extending his contract until he is an active tennis player. Weber focused on the fact that it was his idea to be a part of the tournament until the time he retires from this sport.
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WATCH THIS STORY – Serena Williams pays tribute to Roger Federer
On the contrary, in 2010, he made a quick tennis move that shocked everyone. Additionally, the 20-time Grand Slam victor’s unexpected choice gave the competition a lot of good fortune. Consequently, he is the only tennis player to have claimed 10 victories on the illustrious court. And as the tournament approaches its 30th anniversary, the Swiss ace will be recognized for his contributions to the event.
San Jose Sharks will begin to accept cryptocurrency
Sharks Sports & Entertainment is set to become the first parent company of an NHL team to begin to accept cryptocurrency for large and recurring payments.
Starting June 15, the Sharks will accept cryptocurrency for season ticket purchases, luxury box leases, and sponsorship deals, an SSE spokesman confirmed. The Sports Business Journal first reported details of the initiative.
Team president Jonathan Becher said using cryptocurrency for smaller purchases such as single game tickets, food and beverage, and merchandise will be reviewed in the future.
In March, the Oakland A’s announced they were selling six-person private suites at the Coliseum for the 2021 season for one Bitcoin, which, at the time, was worth around $60,000. As of Monday, one Bitcoin was worth just over $35,000.
“The price of a season suite may fluctuate depending on when it’s purchased, which adds to the excitement,” said A’s President Dave Kaval in a statement. Like our Sharks Facebook page for more San Jose Sharks news, commentary and conversation.
Other professional sports teams to accept Bitcoin include the Dallas Mavericks and Sacramento Kings of the NBA and Southampton F.C. of the Premier League in England.
The Sharks will be working with Atlanta-based payment processor BitPay, which also has an office in San Francisco. The Sharks are already accepting PayPal, which started to accept cryptocurrency last year.
“We’re accepting PayPal, so then by definition, we’re accepting cryptocurrency,” Becher said. “Why not embrace it and make it more visible as opposed to just doing it through a third party?”
BitPay accepts Bitcoin, Dogecoin, and Ethereum among its payment options. For complete Sharks coverage
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Per a Sharks spokesman, event prices for suites at SAP Center, depending on the size of the luxury box and the type of event, range from $6,500 in the penthouse to $7,500 on the concourse. The cost of leasing a suite for one year ranges from $195,000 to $375,000. Related Articles Kurtis Gabriel’s LGBTQ activism makes him first Sharks player named finalist for humanitarian award
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SSE, which leases SAP Center from the city of San Jose, has started to schedule concerts at the downtown arena, including Harry Styles and Guns ‘N Roses in August. The NHL is targeting Oct. 12 for the start of the 2021-2022 season.
In ‘Arms Race’ For Mass Adoption, Crypto Companies Ink Sports Sponsorships Worth Hundreds Of Millions
The Philadelphia 76ers and a growing number of other sports teams and leagues have landed new … [+] sponsorship deals with cryptocurrency companies this year. ASSOCIATED PRESS
As cryptocurrency companies seek to reach mainstream audiences, some platforms are spending hundreds of millions of dollars to sponsor sports teams, stadiums and even leagues in a bid to woo new fans.
On Sept. 22, Crypto.com struck an eight-figure deal with the Philadelphia 76ers to sponsor the jersey patch and have visibility in the arena. The crypto trading app will also work with team management to develop non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and create a way for fans to use cryptocurrency to pay for tickets and other products. The Hong Kong-based company will also show up elsewhere alongside the NBA franchise—including on TV broadcasts and various other digital platforms.
Crypto.com Chief Marketing Officer Steven Kalifowitz recognizes that in order to build the brand, he has to also educate consumers about this new asset class.
“Crypto is not just another shoe,” he says. “It’s not a commodity thing or a suitcase or something. Getting into crypto is very much a cultural thing.”
Flush with money from eager investors, a growing number of crypto brands are spending big to reach a mass audience through sports sponsorships and mainstream events. Other deals this month include the cryptofinance company XBTO sponsoring the Major League Soccer team Inter Miami, the cryptocurrency exchange FTX sponsoring Mercedes-AMG’s Formula 1 team and the nonprofit Learncrypto.com sponsoring the English Premier League team, Southampton F.C.
Perhaps sports arenas are not a bad way to go when it comes to finding new fans for a new—and still largely unregulated—asset class that some critics dismiss as gambling and proponents say is the future of the internet as well as the economy. And in a fast-growing and cluttered market, the fight is to get not just recognition but market share.
“To me it looks like an arms race for user acquisition,” says Keith Soljacich, VP/GD of Experiential Tech at Digitas, a leading digital advertising agency. “It’s kind of like if you have a crypto wallet on a platform, it’s a lot like holding a Visa card, too.”
The 76ers deal is just one of many that Crypto.com has landed in the past year while it’s on an aggressive sponsorship spree totaling more than $400 million in deals. Earlier this month, the company became the first official crypto platform partner for the famous French soccer team Paris Saint-Germain. Crypto.com is also a sponsor of a wide range of teams including the NHL’s Montreal Canadians, Fox Sports’ college football midday coverage, UFC, and Aston Martin’s Formula One team—just to name a few. Each of these also includes various other integrations far beyond a logo.
Chris Heck, president of business operations for the 76ers, says the team had been looking for a new jersey patch partner for a couple of years and spoken with hundreds of companies. And because the jersey patch is the most important partnership a team has, it requires brands and teams to be “completely aligned.”
“As the world woke up to the crypto space a little over a year ago, we got a chance to venture down that road,” Heck says. “Think about it this way: Sports are entering into the crypto era world, and we get to the at the front of the line with Crypto.com. These are folks that are partnering with gold-standard brands like UFC, F1, PSG, and we get to be their brand and their of choice in the United States with major sports teams and that’s pretty cool.”
All this to go beyond the current crypto user base to reach the masses: A study Crypto.com conducted in July found that total global crypto users have doubled year-over-year from 106 million to 221 million. However, just a fraction of those are currently the company’s customers.
Earlier in September, FTX—a two-year-old startup also based in Hong Kong—announced a $20 million ad campaign starring football legend Tom Brady and his wife, the model and businesswoman Gisele Bündchen. And like Crypto.com, FTX is sponsoring a wide range of teams and leagues in rapid succession including a five-year deal with the Major League Baseball announced this summer.
“If we just stop at one deal and we’ll wait and see how it does and wait to see how that does before doing another one, the best opportunities might be gone,” says FTX.US President Brett Harrison.
According to Harrison, FTX founder and CEO Sam Bankman-Fried asked for ideas of how do something “that’s big.” Someone then came up with the idea to buy the naming rights for a stadium, and a few months later they won the rights to rename the Miami Heat’s arena FTX Arena in a $135 million deal approved in March.
“There is a group of tech companies that know it in their bones that if they don’t become brands quickly, there is a time in the future where there will be just a few left,” says Jamie Shuttlesworth, chief strategy officer of Dentsu Americas, which became FTX’s agency of record in June.
Traditional advertising methods are important for building trust in crypto brands, according to Harrison—especially since it deals with something like taking care of people’s money.
“When’s the last time you saw an ad for maybe a bank pop up on the top of your Google search and said, ‘Time to move all my money from my Chase account or Citi account?’”
Major stadium and team sponsorships are often held by brands that are already well known, but the crypto sector’s aggressive land-grab feels in some ways like strategies in games like “Risk” or “Monopoly”—where people can either wait for the right properties or buy everything they can as fast as possible.
When asked about the Monopoly metaphor, Harrison joked that “we’re trying plant our pieces on as many Park Places as possible.”
There’s plenty incentive for sports organizations to team up with crypto companies. Mike Proulx, a Forester analyst and marketing expert, said many sports leagues want—and need—to attract the next generation of fans.
“These kinds of deals look to tap into crypto companies’ young skewing userbase with NFTs that are, in a way, a modern/virtual take on old school baseball cards,” he says. “And the benefit to crypto companies is, of course, getting to leverage the league IP that legitimizes their platform with trusted brands while also growing their users.”
The crypto industry has exhausted its original market, says to R.A. Farrokhnia, a professor at Columbia Business School professor and Executive Director of the Columbia Fintech Initiative. However, blockchain technology isn’t something that’s easily explained to the average person—it involves cryptography, complex networks, and other concepts—and also still aren’t to a point where users can easily navigate.
According to Farrokhnia, there are still questions about whether the foundations and interfaces are advanced enough to warrant the aggressive push toward mass adoption. Or, he asks, “are we putting the proverbial cart before the horse?”
“These are all the moving parts in this ecosystem and it seems the pace for innovation has accelerated,” he said. “But are we doing things in the right sequence?”
Farrokhnia also points out the irony that despite all of cryptocurrency’s new innovations, the companies are still using classic marketing models. However, he adds that little for athletes to market unregulated digital economies than to pitch things like CPG products or other brand categories.
“What kind of reputation risk could this have for teams or sports figures or influencers or actors who are engaging in this kind of marketing campaign or activity? Most likely they have good lawyers that would protect them against such things, but you never know.”
Brooklyn Nets land $30 million per year jersey deal with Webull
Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets shoots the ball against the Washington Wizards during a preseason game on December 13, 2020 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
The Brooklyn Nets on Monday landed one of the National Basketball Association’s top jersey patch sponsorships with New York-based brokerage platform Webull, the parties told CNBC.
Terms of the agreement for the jersey patch weren’t announced, but people familiar with the agreement told CNBC it’s a multiyear pact that pays the Nets roughly $30 million per year. Since the NBA started its jersey patch asset in the 2017-18 season, the Golden State Warriors had the most expensive deal at $20 million per season with Japan-based e-commerce company Rakuten.
Webull is an online trading platform headquartered in New York and owned by Chinese holding company Fumi Technology. It competes with online brokers like Robinhood with its commission-free offerings and is valued at $1 billion, according to PitchBook.
With the agreement Nets owner BSE Global, Webull obtains the Nets jersey patch, and local and international rights to leverage the Nets’ intellectual property outside of North America. Webull also will have a jersey presence on other BSE properties, including the WNBA’s New York Liberty, the NBA G League’s Long Island Nets, and NBA 2K esports team.
Webull replaces Motorola, which took a one-year jersey patch deal with the Nets for the 2020-21 season. The team used that deal to make up for money lost due to the pandemic, which cost teams 40% of revenue due to fan restrictions. BSE CEO John Abbamondi called the agreement “transformative,” adding the two companies have matching consumer bases.
“When you look at what Webull is doing with democratizing access to the financial markets to a younger generation of investors that lines up well with our younger fan base,” Abbamondi said. “We have very similar DNAs in terms of our customers and cultures of our companies.”
Tech, gambling, alcohol helped NFL earn almost $2 billion in sponsorships
The National Football League is nearing $2 billion in partnership fees, the most in professional sports. Agreements from betting firms and technology companies helped the NFL lure a record $1.8 billion in sponsorship revenue, sports partnerships consultancy firm IEG told CNBC. The NFL’s figure is a 12% increase year-over-year from $1.62 billion it made in the 2020 season. It pulled $1.47 billion from sponsorships in the 2019 season. Sports gambling companies, casinos, and lotteries saw the most significant spike in NFL sponsorship agreements. DraftKings, FanDuel, and Caesars became sportsbook partners in 2021 after the companies struck five-year pacts worth just under $1 billion combined. The NFL also landed secondary deals with BetMGM, WynnBet, FoxBet, and PointsBet. Partnership deals with the NFL usually run from three to seven years and cost a minimum of $10 million per year for smaller companies. More prominent firms could pay more than $200 million per year.
FanDuel app Andrew Harrer | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Verizon has one of the more prominent NFL deals and paid the league over $300 million annually. Last September, the communications company agreed to a new 10-year deal with the NFL and added 5G rights. But the new deal doesn’t include live streams of games, making it less valuable. That also means the NFL’s mobile rights are also up for grabs. IEG’s estimates come days after the NFL produced one of its most memorable playoff weekends that included the thrilling overtime game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills. That game attracted over 42 million viewers, the highest divisional postseason game since 2017. “It’s not coming from traditional places,” said Peter Laatz, IEG’s global managing director. “It’s coming from emerging categories. Not only are we seeing emerging talent on the field; we’re seeing emerging categories.” Although gambling sponsorships saw the biggest increase in the NFL’s 2021 season, tech deals ranked first in absolute dollar figures for 2021, led by Microsoft. The tech giant has an on-the-field deal with the league, which uses Microsoft’s Surface tablet. That agreement is worth roughly $100 million per year, according to IEG data. Gambling deals ranked second, and alcoholic beverage deals ranked third. Last December, the NFL renewed its deal with Anheuser-Busch, which pays the NFL more than $250 million per year for beer and hard seltzer rights. The company lost control of hard alcohol rights, which Diageo took over for a reported $30 million per year. The NFL put its wine and champagne rights up for auction but has yet to strike a partnership for that category. “They’ve cut those categories (tech and alcohol) pretty fine,” said Laatz, calling the NFL’s sponsorship money a “runway revenue train.” He then projected the NFL would endure a “finer cutting of categories” in the future to grow deals in the U.S.
NFL targets global revenue next
Although the NFL’s total sponsorship revenue increased significantly, the bulk of that growth went to league-wide sponsorships, which grew 23%. NFL clubs only took in 4% additional revenue in rights fees year-over-year. To grow revenue streams for clubs, the NFL is taking a page from the National Basketball Association’s playbook and allowing teams to leverage international markets. Last month, the NFL permitted 18 teams to market their intellectual property in 26 territories, including Canada, Germany, Mexico and the United Kingdom. But it could be a while before teams see real traction in that department. There’s no doubt the NFL is dominant domestically, but American football isn’t a big draw overseas like the NBA. In addition, Canada and Australia already have established football leagues, so the NFL has serious competition. Laatz said he’s “skeptical” of the NFL’s overseas plan, which the league labeled the “International Home Marketing Areas.” The NFL has tried to grow its product in London with its annual games, and Germany has shown interest in the NFL. But those sporadic overseas games may not be enough to vault the NFL into international prominence loik the NBA. “There’s a big difference between playing games internationally, which the NFL has clearly done, and having a prominent NFL footprint to grow the sport overseas,” Laatz said. Still, to get a sense of the value a U.S.-based sports club can earn from international deals: The Golden State Warriors – one of the most popular NBA teams abroad – agreed to a multi-year global rights sponsorship with crypto platform FTX for roughly $10 million total. Laetz believes NFL teams’ deals could be even more lucrative.
A Bitcoin symbol on an advertisement at Mass Transit Railway station in Hong Kong, China, on Oct. 27, 2021. Tyrone Siu | Reuters
Still waiting on crypto deals
EXCLUSIVE Washington man arrested for impersonating agent left trail of defaults and debt
Arian Taherzadeh is seen in an Arlington County, Virginia police mugshot taken in July 2013 after he was arrested for assault and battery on a family member, a charge that he was subsequently convicted of after pleading guilty. Taherzadeh has now been charged by U.S. federal prosecutors with impersonating a federal law enforcement agent and additional weapons charges in April, 2022. Arlington County Police/Handout via REUTERS.
WASHINGTON, April 22 (Reuters) – Before Arian Taherzadeh was arrested for impersonating a U.S. law enforcement agent, he portrayed himself as a wealthy playboy who wore flashy watches, drove luxury cars and could afford sponsorships and VIP seats at Washington professional sports games.
There was only one problem with his cover story: He never paid any of his bills.
Taherzadeh and Haider Ali’s April 6 arrest by the FBI led the Secret Service to place four agents on leave for allegedly accepting gifts from them, news that stunned Washington and briefly raised worries of possible national security threats. read more
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In the years leading up to his arrest, Taherzadeh and his now-defunct companies left behind over $1 million in debt owed to car dealership financing arms, sports companies, financial institutions, former employees, county governments, apartment and office complexes, and a D.J. company, a review of court records and other documents show.
In at least 12 cases, Taherzadeh did not show up to court, leading judges to issue default judgments against him.
In a brief interview on Thursday at the front door of his father’s house in Sterling, Virginia, where Taherzadeh is on house arrest awaiting trial, he did not dispute the trail of defaults shown in the court records.
“I think a lot of it is being taken out of context,” Taherzadeh said. “I can’t say anything else, I’m sorry.”
He added that people can say whatever they want to say about him. “Everybody’s an opportunist right now,” he said.
Ali, who is also accused of impersonating a federal agent, tried unsuccessfully to sue Taherzadeh in 2017 for $150,000 in unpaid wages and for failing to repay a $1 million loan, court records show.
None of the money Taherzadeh owes has been recovered, court records show.
Taherzadeh’s public defender Michelle Peterson declined to comment. Taherzadeh and Ali have not yet entered formal pleas to the criminal charges.
Prosecutors say Taherzadeh and Ali lavished gifts on Secret Service agents, including one assigned to protect First Lady Jill Biden, such as rent-free apartments in a Washington luxury complex, drones, iPhones and firearms.
When the FBI raided properties associated with the men, it recovered so many weapons, surveillance equipment, hard drives and other evidence that it needed a moving truck to haul it all away.
A judge determined the two were not a danger or a flight risk and released them to house arrest.
Gregory Smith, Ali’s attorney, said in court that his client was duped by Taherzadeh. He told Reuters that prosecutors presented an inaccurate account of his client: “The facts have not matched the rhetoric.”
Court records and other documents reviewed by Reuters illustrate the debts and defaults Taherzadeh left behind before he began allegedly posing as a federal law enforcement agent.
“Ari went from being a entrepreneur playboy for like five years … to being reformed and police-like and a military wannabe,” said one former business associate who said Taherzadeh had taken money from his personal account.
The associate, who asked for anonymity out of concern for possible retaliation, showed Reuters communications with his financial institution complaining about the stolen funds. In one email, he attached a document which showed that one business where some funds were spent had agreed to credit him back for a portion of the alleged stolen funds.
In 2014, online domain and Washington, D.C., corporate records show Taherzadeh launched a company called AET Holdings, a technology consulting firm that also offered web hosting services.
Around the same time, he was an employee of the United Negro College Fund, which offers scholarships for students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
People who knew Taherzadeh told Reuters they were wowed by his tech skills. An AET income statement dated December 2015 seen by Reuters said the company had about $15.8 million in revenue and recorded profit of more than $4 million that year.
“I was impressed,” said Moses Kamai, who was hired by AET in December 2015 as a program management director and offered a $190,000 salary, a few days after he attended a presentation Taherzadeh gave to United Negro College Fund and the NAACP. “His pitch was solid.”
The fund’s general counsel confirmed Taherzadeh worked there until 2014, and that he made a business pitch, but said the fund never took him up on his proposal.
Kamai said he tried to bring in business, and that he flew to Hawaii to set up a deal with state officials for AET to open an office there.
When it came time to reimburse Kamai for his expenses and sign the paperwork with Hawaii, however, Taherzadeh refused.
Then, Kamai’s paychecks never showed.
At the same time, Taherzadeh was posting photos on his private Instagram account of luxury Mercedes and a Centurion Black American Express card reserved for the wealthiest clients, according to copies seen by Reuters.
Taherzadeh also pursued sponsorship deals and VIP box seats with Monumental Sports & Entertainment, which owns the Washington Capitals NHL team and the Washington Wizards NBA team, and the owners of what is now known as Capital One Arena, according to court records, photographs and two people familiar the matter.
In February 2016, Taherzadeh purchased a two-year license for a six-seat luxury suite worth more than $400,000, court records show.
In September 2015, he entered a sponsorship deal with Monumental Sports, agreeing to pay more than $300,000 for his AET company name and logo to be displayed on the scoreboard and elsewhere during games, according to a court record.
Taherzadeh agreed to donate 50 game tickets to members of the U.S. military, in exchange for AET being recognized as an official sponsor on Military Night, the court records show.
Images posted on Taherzadeh’s AET Instagram account on Feb. 6, 2016, show him attending Military Night and standing next to high-ranking military officials, including Mark Milley, now Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
A spokesperson for Milley said he does not recall meeting Taherzadeh at the event.
A Monumental Sports spokesperson declined to comment.
Taherzadeh never paid the sponsorship bill, and the checks he wrote bounced, court records show.
A judge awarded the arena and Monumental Sports combined more than $376,000 in 2017, and Mercedes-Benz Financial won a 2019 default judgment for nearly $20,000 on unpaid leases.
Kamai won a default judgment for more than $292,000 for lost wages and unpaid expenses. But every time his attorney has tried to garnish potential bank accounts for Taherzadeh, he has hit a dead end, Kamai’s attorney said.
Court records from Kamai’s legal case show bank accounts Taherzadeh held with HSBC were closed in late April and early May 2016, a few months after a check he wrote for $65,000 to Monumental Sports bounced.
The closures did not stop him from pursuing other opportunities.
Taherzadeh started looking at homes around the Washington area and in June 2016 he placed an offer for a $5 million home in McLean, Virginia, according to a copy of the offer seen by Reuters and three people involved in the sale.
“He said he was worth millions,” recalled John Lueders, the former homeowner.
Taherzadeh presented a redacted HSBC checking account statement that showed he had about $1 million in the bank, a copy of which was reviewed by Reuters.
The statement was dated for the period ending June 11, 2016 – about a month after his accounts at HSBC had been shuttered.
An HSBC spokesperson declined immediate comment.
Taherzadeh never came up with the funds, and the home was sold to another buyer.
At the same time, Taherzadeh also attempted to purchase a McLaren 650S Spider sports car for more than $356,000, according to a buyer’s order seen by Reuters, and two people familiar with the matter.
The sale never materialized, one of the people said.
By 2018, Taherzadeh was purchasing firearms, according to federal prosecutors, as he allegedly began to present himself as a Department of Homeland Security agent.
Meanwhile, those who are owed money say they were never able to get it back.
The ex-business associate who said he was scammed for thousands of dollars shared what he said was a text message exchange he had with Taherzadeh.
“You know everything,” Taherzadeh wrote. “Essentially I’m admitting I’m committing fraud to you… Delete this text please.”
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Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch; Additional reporting by Christopher Bing; Editing by Scott Malone and Daniel Wallis
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
FTX, other crypto firms ditch sports deals as market collapses
Cryptocurrency companies poured billions of dollars into sports sponsorships in 2021 — but this year’s downturn has made the flood of cash dry up, The Post has learned.
As a so-called “crypto winter” takes hold and companies look to trim costs, firms that splurged heavily on sports deals last year are now looking to cut costs.
Crypto exchange FTX — which shelled out $135 million to rename the home of the Miami Heat in March 2021 — pulled out of talks to provide a jersey patch to the MLB’s Los Angeles Angels in recent weeks as the crypto market tanked, sources with direct knowledge told The Post.
Another patch deal between the NBA’s Washington Wizards and a crypto company also recently fell through, the sources said.
Both deals were nixed as the market crumbled, the sources said. The Washington Wizards patch had been seen as particularly desirable for crypto companies since the politicians and regulators who oversee the space attend their games.
The Angels declined to comment. FTX and the Washington Wizards did not respond to requests for comment.
The Washington Wizards also saw a crypto sponsorship deal fall through. NBAE via Getty Images
Columbia University sports management professor Joe Favorito told The Post he would be “shocked” if any major new crypto sponsorships are inked during the current downturn.
“What money hasn’t been spent already you’re going to see curtailed — just like we saw during the dot-com bubble,” he said.
The spending slump comes after large crypto exchanges binged on sponsorship deals in 2021 in an effort to woo sports fans, many of whom were flush with cash in a tight labor market, fresh on the heels of generous government stimulus from the pandemic.
In addition to renaming Miami’s arena, FTX paid an undisclosed amount to become the MLB’s “official crypto exchange,” spent $20 million for an October ad campaign starring Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady and his supermodel wife Gisele Bündchen, and paid a reported $6.5 million for a Super Bowl Commercial featuring Larry David, among many other sponsorships.
Cryptocurrency exchange FTX paid $135 million to rename the home of the Miami Heat last year. Shutterstock / Johnny Michael
While FTX has not made any layoffs during the current crash, its founder Sam Bankman-Fried appears to have felt the pain of the current downturn as his net worth reportedly plunged by billions.
FTX is far from the only crypto firm that spent big on sports deals.
In October, the giant crypto exchange Coinbase paid an undisclosed sum to become the NBA’s “exclusive cryptocurrency platform partner.” In February, the company ponied up an estimated $14 million for a one-minute Super Bowl ad.
Last week, the morning after airing a TV ad during the NBA finals, Coinbase laid off 1,100 employees — about 18% of its workforce. Coinbase shares are down around 75% this year.
Coinbase did not respond to a request for comment.
Similarly, Singapore-based exchange Crypto.com shelled out a reported $700 million in November to rename Los Angeles’ Staples Center, where the Lakers and Clippers play. The company also splurged on a Super Bowl ad starring LeBron James, as well as another TV spot featuring Matt Damon.
Then on June 10, privately-held Crypto.com laid off 260 employees, roughly 5% of its workforce.
Both Coinbase and Crypto.com attributed the cost-cutting moves to the current bear market, which saw bitcoin plummet below $20,000 over the weekend after flirting with $70,000 last November. Ethereum has plunged 70% from its highs, trading at around $1,100 on Monday.
Crypto.com shelled out $700 million to rename Los Angeles’ Staples Center last November. Getty Images
The Post reported in November that crypto companies were being forced to shell out more money for sports sponsorships than firms in more established industries because arena owners and teams had bad memories of the dot-com bubble.
Two major stadiums — Baltimore’s PSINet Stadium and Boston’s CMGI field — had to be re-christened after their namesakes imploded in 2001.
Despite the current turmoil, there’s no indication Crypto.com or FTX are currently looking to back out of their stadium naming rights deals, according to Chris Lencheski, an ex-Comcast executive and adjunct professor at Columbia University’s School of Professional Studies who has worked on arena naming deals.
FTX is led by Sam Bankman-Fried, who’s also a major Democratic donor. CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Imag
But if either of the companies were looking to back out, they would likely be forced to pay heavily, Lencheski told The Post. While the professor said he’s not privy to details of the Crypto.com or FTX arena deals, he said he has worked on contracts in the past where a company would have to pay out 55% of the remaining pact to exit a deal.
If Crypto.com were to withdraw from its 20-year, $700 million contract under such terms, the company would be on the hook for a whopping $385 million.
“There is always a negotiated ability to exit,” Lencheski said. “But it’s got to hurt. The reason that it’s got to hurt is because there’s some damage to the building regardless.”
Both Lencheski and Favorito noted that removing a dead or damaged company’s name from a stadium can hurt a franchise’s brand and can reduce the facility’s appeal to future sponsors.
A Crypto.com spokesperson said in a statement to The Post: “We remain focused on investing resources into product and engineering capabilities to develop world-class products, as well as our strategic sports partnerships and believe they will continue to play a crucial role in our mission to accelerate the world’s transition to cryptocurrency.”
Changpeng Zhao, the CEO of Binance — the world’s biggest crypto exchange — appeared to poke fun at his rivals for spending big on sports deals in a tweet last Wednesday that came shortly after Coinbase and Crypto.com announced layoffs.
“It was not easy saying no to Super bowl ads, stadium naming rights, large sponsor deals a few months ago, but we did,” the CEO wrote. “Today, we are hiring for more than 2,000 open positions.”
What Will Happen to FTX’s Sports Sponsorships Amid Its Implosion?
Sam Bankman-Fried’s FTX poured millions of dollars into naming rights, partnerships, and sponsorships in the sports world.
With FTX’s survival in question, massive deals with the likes of Tom Brady, the Miami Heat, and MLB are in jeopardy.
Experts say Miami’s FTX Arena may see a name change soon, but some celebrities may have trouble getting paid.
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Sam Bankman-Fried’s crypto-exchange platform FTX is facing an uncertain future.
Rival platform Binance had initially agreed to bail out FTX as the company faces a severe liquidity crisis after getting hit with $6 billion in withdrawals in just 72 hours, but Binance announced Wednesday that the deal fell through.
FTX was once worth $32 billion, as cryptocurrency prices surged in 2020 and 2021. During that time, Bankman-Fried poured millions of dollars into many high-profile sponsorships in the world of sports, including partnerships in baseball, basketball, football – and even Formula One.
Now that it is looking increasingly likely that the company may not survive its current predicament, questions loom about the future of these deals.
Here are some of FTX’s most high-profile sports deals and what experts say may become of them:
Amid Recent FTX Hit, Mercedes F1 Could Take Another Financial Blow as $2 Billion Worth Sponsor Pushed to End Partnership
Published 11/18/2022, 6:55 AM EST
Mercedes F1 team may lose one of its sponsors in the upcoming months. As an investment fund, Petrus Advisers is pressurizing German tech company Team Viewer AG to end the deal. Team Viewer currently sponsors the Mercedes-AMG F1 team and Premier League’s Manchester United. The fund has termed the sponsorships as a sign of ‘appalling judgment’ on Team Viewer’s part.
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Petrus Advisers owns less than 3% of the stake in Team Viewer. Although it has been taking the stand for several months, it won’t tolerate spending almost $73m on sports sponsorships. They wrote a letter to the company’s CEO Oliver Steil and Finance Chief Michael Wilkins.
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In the letter, they stated, “You are not SAP, Oracle, or Mercedes. Yet you do not seem to get it.”
They highlighted the ‘appalling judgment’ from the company to spend so much money on these deals. This letter was written by Klaus Umek and Till Hufnagel, managing partners at Petrus.
SPIELBERG, AUSTRIA – JULY 11: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain driving the (44) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Mercedes W11 on track during qualifying for the Formula One Grand Prix of Styria at Red Bull Ring on July 11, 2020 in Spielberg, Austria. (Photo by Dan Istitene – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)
Team Viewer is a remote working software that gained a lot of growth during the COVID-19 pandemic. They are reportedly paying $57 million to Manchester United annually for being a shirt sponsor. In March 2021, they struck the deal with Mercedes-AMG to sponsor both its Formula 1 and Formula E teams for a five-year term.
The German tech company’s valuation has come down significantly since the pandemic boom that it witnessed. The current valuation for Team Viewer stands at $2.07 billion. Mercedes F1 recently also has been sweating over its sponsorship with FTX, amidst the recent FTX slump.
DIVE DEEPER
Mercedes F1 Takes Major Hit In Crypto-Crash As $32 Billion Sponsor Faces Bankruptcy
With pressure from the investors, it will be worth watching if Team Viewer takes any actions to prematurely end its deal with Mercedes.
Who are Mercedes-AMG F1 Sponsors and Partners?
Irrespective of the on-track performance being good or bad, the Mercedes F1 team benefits largely from all of its partners. Besides Team Viewer, the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team has a number of sponsors and partners. Here is a list of some of the team’s major sponsors:
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Petronas: A leading energy solutions company, Petronas has the been Title and Technical partner since 2010.
A leading energy solutions company, Petronas has the been Title and Technical partner since 2010. UBS: The Swiss investment bank is one of the major partners for the last 10 years.
The Swiss investment bank is one of the major partners for the last 10 years. Hewlett Packard Enterprise: HPE is a cloud platform service delivering solutions for improving business operations.
HPE is a cloud platform service delivering solutions for improving business operations. AMD: AMD is a global leader in high-performance computer graphics and computing.
Monster Energy: A famous energy drink brand, Monster sponsors several motorsports and adventure sports teams, including F1.
A famous energy drink brand, Monster sponsors several motorsports and adventure sports teams, including F1. The Ritz-Carlton: Part of Marriott-International, The Ritz-Carlton is the official hotel partner for the Mercedes F1 team.
Part of Marriott-International, The Ritz-Carlton is the official hotel partner for the Mercedes F1 team. Tommy Hilfiger: A premium lifestyle brand, the Tommy Hilfiger brand heavily features on all team clothing outfits.
A premium lifestyle brand, the Tommy Hilfiger brand heavily features on all team clothing outfits. IWC Schaffhausen: A Swiss luxury watch manufacturer, IWC has been the Official Engineering partner since 2013.
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Watch This Story: Mercedes F1 end their Black Livery run for Lewis Hamilton
Every F1 team on the grid has its own set of partners and sponsors that contribute and ease their operations besides racing on the track. Which is your favorite brand you wish to see on your F1 team’s car?
‘Crypto is done’: FTX collapse sends ripple through $78 billion sports sponsorship market
Imploded crypto company FTX’s hundreds of millions in sport sponsorships are being called into question and could cause other teams to review their crypto partners.
FTX — which had Tom Brady as its ambassador and became the world’s second-largest crypto exchange — signed a 19-year deal with the Miami Heat to take over naming rights of the former American Airlines Arena before filing for bankruptcy protection this month.
Now the team has terminated the $135 million FTX Arena deal and is left without a sponsor, according to a joint statement from Miami-Dade County and the Heat.
This may serve as a cautionary tale in the $78 billion global sport sponsorship market.
“Crypto is done” being a sports partner, said Jonathan Jensen, a former sports marketing executive at Omnicom and Publicis Groupe.
Other sports teams are creating distance from FTX, said Emily Sparvero, a sports management professor at the University of Texas in Austin. And after the crash in crypto prices last November, some crypto companies have already started to scale back on their sport sponsorship commitments, she said.
“I expect sport properties to honor existing partnerships with crypto companies, but they will be a lot more cautious going forward,” Sparvero said.
The issue is particularly relevant in Texas, a state known for its avid support of both sports and crypto. The Lone Star State tied with New Jersey as the fourth-best state for crypto enthusiasts, according to a study from SmartAsset.
A number of Texas teams have paired up with crypto companies in recent years.
The Dallas Mavericks announced a five-year partnership with Voyager Digital in 2021 that has also soured. Dallas Mavericks fans were upset when Voyager filed for bankruptcy earlier this year and said they had trusted that Mavericks owner Mark Cuban wouldn’t endorse a financially unsound company.
In April, the Dallas Cowboys announced that the crypto platform Blockchain.com would be its exclusive digital asset partner, making it the first NFL team to enter the crypto space. Also this spring, The Texas Rangers linked up with Jupiter, Fla.-based Trade The Chain, which paid for the deal entirely in crypto. And in August, BitWallet became the official digital currency of the Houston Texans.
Crypto companies poured money into the sport sponsorship market while crypto prices were high, with FTX worth $32 billion at one point. But with the crypto crash last year that sent Bitcoin’s price down over 70% in the last 12 months, crypto players are having to pull back some from sports deals.
“As the crypto market is crashing, the brands in that space won’t have the money to invest in sport sponsorships, so it could be a problem that takes care of itself from a sport perspective,” Sparvero said.
Seeking legitimacy
When Texas executives were asked recently what the most overhyped tech trend is, nearly half of them said crypto, according to digital consulting firm West Monroe.
Players in the still newish industry saw an opportunity in sports marketing to help legitimize their businesses and quickly build recognizable brands, said Jensen, now a professor of sports administration at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
“A large-scale sponsorship, like a naming rights sponsorship or a jersey sponsorship, can basically short-circuit the brand-building process that normally takes a long time,” he said. “It can basically take that from zero to 60 in one announcement.”
The instant brand awareness with the public and potential investors is why emerging industries often partner with sports teams, which, in turn, is also why it may seem like lots of sport sponsorship deals fall through, said Jensen.
Similar trends with emerging industries have happened before.
During the 2007 to 2009 recession, sub-prime mortgage lender AmeriQuest lost its naming rights to the Texas Rangers stadium, now called Globe Life Field.
The tech company CMGI had naming rights for the home of the New England Patriots until the dot-com bubble burst and it became Gillette Stadium. Similarly, the Baltimore Ravens’ stadium, called M&T Bank Stadium now, was once PSINet Stadium until 2002 when the early internet service provider filed for bankruptcy.
“An emerging tech firm would slap their name on a stadium because it gives them not only instant brand awareness but it also gives them instant credibility,” Jensen said.
Befriending crypto
Crypto still has its doubters, and not without reason. Since the start of 2021, more than 46,000 people have reported losing over $1 billion in crypto to scams, with a median loss of $2,600, according to the Federal Trade Commission.
But sports teams are not investors and don’t evaluate potential sponsors too deeply, Jensen said. The sports teams may have their eyes on the money and put blinders on, he said.
“The vetting process is, ‘Who’s going to pay the most?’” Jensen said. “Most do not undergo a great deal of scrutiny.”
Teams that signed deals with crypto companies knew that, if the industry went south, they could change sponsors. It’s not uncommon and isn’t too expensive, Jensen said.
“What’s expensive is not having a sponsor,” he said.
Sports teams also gained monetary value as crypto sponsorships emerged because it was a new category outside the more common ones like an official beer, said Sparvero. And coming out of the pandemic, sports teams were under pressure to maximize revenue, she said.
Lasting impacts
The uncertainty in the economy means teams associated with FTX may have a harder time finding new partners, Sparvero said. At the same time, crypto is still a relatively minor part of the sport sponsorship market, she said. It’s still dominated by traditional categories, like beer, soft drinks, cars, and banks and financial service companies, she said.
“These types of brands make sense for sport properties,” she said. “People consume beer and Cokes while watching a game, or there’s overlap between the fans of sports and the consumers of cars. There hasn’t been the same type of fit between sports and crypto.”
While sports teams will likely move away from the crypto industry moving forward, there will always be new emerging industries to take its place, Jensen said. At this point, people have gotten used to arenas and stadiums changing names, he said, noting that the Houston Astros dropped Enron as a stadium naming rights sponsor after it was caught in an accounting scandal.
“The real question is, will other new emerging tech firms have a hard time getting teams, leagues, arenas and stadiums to partner with them?” Jensen said. “And I have to be honest, I think the answer is no. It’s happened before, it’ll happen again.”
2022 SPORTS SPONSORSHIPS SPENDING UP 12%, SOCIAL MEDIA ADJUSTED AD VALUE TOPS $12B
2022 SPORTS SPONSORSHIPS SPENDING UP 12%, SOCIAL MEDIA ADJUSTED AD VALUE TOPS $12B
KORE Releases State of the Industry Report
Financial, Food & Beverage, and Technology Sectors Top Sponsorship Spend
Nike, Adidas, and Emirates Top Brands for Social Media Sponsorship Value, Cristiano Ronaldo and Eileen Gu Lead Athletes Social Media Value
NEW YORK, April 18, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — KORE has released its 2022/23 State of the Industry Report, featuring an annual review of sports marketing, sponsorship, and social media trends. In 2022, sports-related sponsorship spending increased +12% for the year. However, overall sponsorship deals were down slightly, as brands became more selective about who they choose to work with and spent more time quantifying the impact of those sponsorships.
In 2022, social media sponsorships saw overall engagement increase, with more effort on quality posts focused on subject matter and type driving engagement, while focusing less on overall quantity of posts. Branded social media posts and views were up for brands year-over-year, demonstrating the importance of understanding what content drives successful partnerships.
“The work we do with hundreds of rights holders and brands across the globe allows us to surface really valuable insights throughout the industry, that impacts the market and helps give our clients a competitive edge,” said KORE CEO Jason Fletcher. “Where it really gets exciting is when we see how our clients begin to innovate with this type of intelligence.”
Looking at the global state of sponsorship spend, KORE determined that the average annual deal size in 2022 was $326k versus $273k in 2019 (+23%) and $317k in 2021 (+12%). The average deal length increased to 3.3 years, indicating that brands and rights holders have shifted focus to more long-term objective setting and planning.
The big five North American leagues experienced similar trends in terms of increased sponsorship income through fewer deals. According to KORE data, spending is up +6%, while deals are down -4% year-over-year. Compared to 2019, spending is up +14% despite the number of deals being down by -5%.
KORE’s State of the Industry Report also tracked the top sponsorship categories, which sectors were spending more and less over the last year, as well as sponsorship asset trends and more. In 2022, the Financial sector led sponsorship spending for the fourth consecutive year. The other top sectors include Food & Beverage, Communications & Media, Retail, and Technology.
Social media drives significant exposure and value for brands, creating more than $12B in total adjusted ad value (AAV) across social platforms. In 2022, KORE tracked an -8% dip in brand value from 2021 and fewer partnership deals created, but a +39% increase over pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
Branded posts, engagement, and views were all up for brands year-over-year and versus 2019, which demonstrates understanding what types of content such as video, images, text mentions, hashtags, keywords, and various topic analysis are key insights for successful partnerships.
Among all sports, global football had 54% of all social media followers, 53% of social engagement, and 42% of social brand value.
Instagram videos were the most engaging form of content in 2022, rising above the other platforms including TikTok, YouTube, Instagram (IG), Facebook, and Twitter. Instagram continued to be the most engaging platform for four years straight.
The brands that benefitted most from partnerships in social media in 2022 included Nike, Adidas, Emirates, Puma, and Red Bull. The report also named the top 30 best promoted brands as well as top male and female athletes on social media. On the male side, global football stars Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Neymar da Silva lead the list, while skier Eileen Gu, global footballer Alisha Lehmann, and tennis great Serena Williams top the women’s list.
KORE’s data footprint is the largest in the industry. The company’s sponsorship management data perspective covers more than 70% of major North American sport and entertainment properties and globally more than $52 billion in sponsorship spend. KORE actively tracks more than 500,000 entities across sport and entertainment on social media platforms, as well as more than 32-billion fan connections.
The complete KORE 2022 State of the Industry Report is available here.
KORE, now including Hookit, is the only single-source solution to offer a full suite of management, measurement, and optimization solutions for buyers and sellers of sponsorship, marketers, and organizations looking to better engage with their audiences.
Annually, KORE releases several sport-, league-, and team-specific Intel reports, case studies, and white papers. KORE’s next comprehensive report will be released at the end of the year, focused on brands, teams, leagues and athletes on the rise. Shorter industry sector reports will be released throughout 2023.
ABOUT KORE:
KORE is the global leader in engagement marketing solutions. More than 900 brands, venues, and sports organizations trust KORE’s tools and platform as a source of truth to manage assets and measure partnership impact, with real-time insights, across all channels.
Through Sponsorship Management and Evaluation, Ticketing and Fan Engagement, and Data Management and Analytics, KORE’s two-sided network unites corporate sponsors, sponsorship properties, and their fans with solutions that help enhance the fan experience, drive smarter decisions, and enable marketing and operations teams to spend time where it matters. Learn more at KORESoftware.com or follow us LinkedIn or Twitter.
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SOURCE KORE
2023 Travelers Championship: Predictions, expert picks, odds, field rankings, best bets at TPC River Highlands
Eight of the top 10 players in the world make their way east after an emotional U.S. Open crowned a first-time major champion. Headlining the flights out of Los Angeles to Cromwell, Connecticut, for the 2023 Travelers Championship are the three men atop the Official World Golf Rankings.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler continues a torrid year during which he’s finished no worse than T12. The Texan is inching closer and closer to the winner’s circle for the third time this season as he arrives with four straight top-five finishes including podium results at the PGA Championship and the U.S. Open.
Jon Rahm, world No. 2, still holds the title of most victories this season (4), but the Spaniard has been shutout in the trophy department since his triumph at Augusta National at the Masters in April. Like Scheffler, Rahm persists despite some perceived troubles on and around the green.
Then we have Rory McIlroy. The world No. 3 lays claim to one win this season but also a number of close calls, the latest coming at Los Angeles Country Club with his runner-up finish to Wyndham Clark. It was McIlroy’s 18th top-10 finish on the big stage since his last major championship victory in 2014.
Patrick Cantlay and defending champion Xander Schauffele look to break through for their first victories of the season while Matt Fitzpatrick, Tony Finau, Max Homa, Viktor Hovland and Clark all hope to add to their totals.
2023 Travelers Championship schedule
Dates: June 22-25 | Location: TPC River Highlands — Cromwell, Connecticut
Par: 70 | Yardage: 6,852 | Purse: $20 million
2023 Travelers Championship field, odds
Odds via Caesars Sportsbook
Scottie Scheffler (13/2)
Patrick Cantlay (10-1)
Rory McIlroy (11-1): How do I put this eloquently? McIlroy drove the crap out of the golf ball at LACC. Gaining +2.25 strokes off the tee per round, McIlroy’s tee-to-green game shined only to be let down by his putter. He will need to put those woes aside as he travels to TPC River Highlands for the fifth time in his career. In four prior trips, he cashed in on top-20 finishes but failed to contend on Sunday. He’s been in the mix on three straight Sundays on the PGA Tour, so maybe this year will be different.
How do I put this eloquently? McIlroy drove the crap out of the golf ball at LACC. Gaining +2.25 strokes off the tee per round, McIlroy’s tee-to-green game shined only to be let down by his putter. He will need to put those woes aside as he travels to TPC River Highlands for the fifth time in his career. In four prior trips, he cashed in on top-20 finishes but failed to contend on Sunday. He’s been in the mix on three straight Sundays on the PGA Tour, so maybe this year will be different. Jon Rahm (11-1)
Xander Schauffele (14-1): Schauffele carded the lowest round in U.S. Open history and entered the weekend at 132 (the third-lowest total in championship history). That is as good as the week would get for the world No. 6 as he dropped five shots to par across the last 36 holes to finish T10. He continues to play incredibly consistent and returns to the site of the tournament that kicked off a sizzling summer a season ago.
Schauffele carded the lowest round in U.S. Open history and entered the weekend at 132 (the third-lowest total in championship history). That is as good as the week would get for the world No. 6 as he dropped five shots to par across the last 36 holes to finish T10. He continues to play incredibly consistent and returns to the site of the tournament that kicked off a sizzling summer a season ago. Viktor Hovland (20-1)
Collin Morikawa (25-1)
Tommy Fleetwood (25-1): The Englishman remains without a PGA Tour victory, but he’s close. Fleetwood booted away a golden opportunity at the Canadian Open when he failed to birdie the accessible par-5 finisher and later fell to Nick Taylor in a playoff. He bounced back with the second final-round 63 in his U.S. Open career to finish T5 at LACC. Fleetwood just needs a break here or there to entering the winner’s circle, and it may very well happen this week.
The Englishman remains without a PGA Tour victory, but he’s close. Fleetwood booted away a golden opportunity at the Canadian Open when he failed to birdie the accessible par-5 finisher and later fell to Nick Taylor in a playoff. He bounced back with the second final-round 63 in his U.S. Open career to finish T5 at LACC. Fleetwood just needs a break here or there to entering the winner’s circle, and it may very well happen this week. Tony Finau (28-1)
Tom Kim (33-1)
Russell Henley (33-1)
Matt Fitzpatrick (40-1): Fitzpatrick won the RBC Heritage the last time the PGA Tour traveled to a Pete Dye design the week following a major championship. He has found some consistency since then as the early-season neck injury is officially a thing of the past. He rides three straight top-20 finishes into Connecticut for what will only be his second appearance in the Travelers Championship.
Fitzpatrick won the RBC Heritage the last time the PGA Tour traveled to a Pete Dye design the week following a major championship. He has found some consistency since then as the early-season neck injury is officially a thing of the past. He rides three straight top-20 finishes into Connecticut for what will only be his second appearance in the Travelers Championship. Rickie Fowler (40-1): Fowler’s return to the spotlight is now on everyone’s radar. His final-round 75 at the U.S. Open may have disappointed fans, but he remains in good spirits and very much on an upward trajectory. Fowler has connected on 13 top-20 finishes in just 18 starts this season. If the season ended today, it would represent the best of his career in terms of approach play. The 34-year-old is as well-rounded as ever, and recent title runs at the U.S. Open and the Memorial should only serve him well moving forward.
Travelers Championship expert picks
Odds via Caesars Sportsbook
Scottie Scheffler Winner (13/2): It’s time. It is time to put his putting issues aside and take a tournament by the reigns. The tee-to-green metrics suggest a massive run coming, and the slight uptick on the greens at LACC — thanks to a new wand in the bag — may be the catalyst. Over the last six months, he ranks first in total strokes gained, first in strokes gained tee to green, first in strokes gained off the tee, first in strokes gained approach and a measly fifth in strokes gained around the green. His last win came on another Pete Dye design at TPC Sawgrass.
Russell Henley Contender (33-1): Put some respect on his name. Henley comes off a nice weekend at the U.S. Open that saw him finish inside the top 15 and continued a stretch of play that is not being appreciated. Over the last three months, Henley ranks sixth in driving accuracy, seventh in total strokes gained and fourth in strokes gained approach. He has notched top-20 finishes in seven of his last eight tournaments, and the iron play that has served him well throughout his career is beginning to peak in a major way. He has three top-20 efforts here in five trips including a T6 in 2018.
Andrew Putnam Sleeper (225-1): He continues to hover on these big-time leaderboards. Putnam ranks 13th in driving accuracy, 21st in strokes gained approach and 24th in strokes gained putting over the last three months. He’s already collected a pair of top-10 finishes in designated events with a T9 result at the WGC-Match Play and, more recently, a top-five finish at the Memorial Tournament. The yardage buckets where competitors will be hitting their approach shots from play to his favorite clubs.
Who will win the Travelers Championship, and which longshots will stun the golfing world? Visit SportsLine now to see the projected leaderboard and best bets, all from the model that’s nailed nine golf majors and is up over $10,000 since June 2020.
PGA DFS, 2023 Travelers Championship: DraftKings, FanDuel daily fantasy golf picks, lineups, strategy, advice
Building the perfect PGA DFS strategy for the 2023 Travelers Championship will certainly be a difficult task. With golfers like Scottie Scheffler, Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele in the PGA DFS player pool, it’s hard to determine who to include in your 2023 Travelers Championship PGA DFS lineups. Rahm has been on absolute tear this season, securing four wins and nine top-10 finishes. However, the Spaniard struggled in his last start at TPC River Highlands, finishing T-37 at the Travelers Championship in 2020.
Should Rahm be part of your PGA DFS lineups for the Travelers Championship 2023? Or should you roster a player like Schauffele, who’s the defending champion of this event? Before you lock in your PGA DFS picks for the 2023 Travelers Championship, you’ll want to see the latest daily Fantasy golf picks, advice and player pool from SportsLine’s Mike McClure.
McClure is a DFS pro with over $2 million in career winnings, and he’s been red-hot on his PGA Tour picks this season. McClure is also a predictive data engineer at SportsLine who uses a powerful prediction model that simulates every tournament 10,000 times, taking factors like statistical trends, past results and current form into account. This allows him to find the best PGA DFS values and create optimal lineups that he shares only over at SportsLine. They’re a must-see for any PGA DFS player.
Last week at the U.S. Open, McClure listed Rickie Fowler among his top PGA DFS picks. The result: Fowler set a U.S. Open record with 23 birdies over his four rounds at Los Angeles Country Club, securing a T-5 finish in the process. Anybody that included him in their lineups was well on the way to a profitable weekend.
In addition, McClure’s model is up over $10,000 on its best bets since June 2020, nailing tournament after tournament. This same model has also nailed a whopping nine majors entering the weekend. Anyone who has followed it has seen massive returns.
Now, McClure has set his sights on the 2023 Travelers Championship and revealed his optimal PGA DFS advice, strategy and player pool. Head to SportsLine now to see his top golf DFS picks for the Travelers Championship 2023.
Top 2023 Travelers Championship PGA DFS picks
One of McClure’s top PGA DFS picks for the 2023 Travelers Championship is Russell Henley at $7,800 on DraftKings and $9,500 on FanDuel. Henley enters this week’s event as one of the most accurate players on tour, which will make him an extremely valuable PGA DFS asset at TPC River Highlands.
Henley currently ranks first in driving accuracy (72.68%), which has helped him finish T-19 or better in seven of his last eight starts. Henley is also accurate with his approach shots, ranking 39th in strokes gained: approach to green (0.391). He’s a complete steal at this price point, so confidently lock him in your PGA DFS lineups.
McClure’s optimal PGA DFS strategy also includes rostering Viktor Hovland at $9,900 on DraftKings and $11,400 on FanDuel. Hovland certainly has the game to return value at TPC River Highlands this week. The 25-year-old is full of confidence after securing his fourth PGA Tour title at the Memorial Tournament earlier this month. He’s also racked up seven top-10 finishes this season, making him a solid building block for your PGA DFS lineups.
Hovland is currently ranked sixth in strokes gained: off the tee (0.718), 12th in strokes gained: total (1.469) and 17th in strokes gained: approach to green (0.597). His ability to consistently put himself in advantageous positions has allowed Hovland to average 4.19 birdies per round, the 10th-best mark on the PGA Tour. See who else to back right here.
How to set 2023 Travelers Championship DFS lineups
McClure is also targeting an undervalued player who’s primed to play well, giving you a huge return on sites like DraftKings and FanDuel. Picks like these could be the difference between winning your PGA DFS contests or going home with nothing. You can only see who it is here.
So what are the top PGA DFS picks for the 2023 Travelers Championship, and which undervalued golfer is a must-roster? Visit SportsLine now to see the complete Travelers Championship DFS player pool for FanDuel and DraftKings, all from the expert who’s made over $2 million in daily Fantasy sports, and find out.
2023 Travelers Championship and done picks, rankings, purse: Expert PGA Tour predictions, top betting advice
The PGA Tour heads to the northeast for another elevated event with the 2023 Travelers Championship set to tee off on Thursday at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut. Scottie Scheffler, Jon Rahm, and Rory McIlroy headline an elite Travelers Championship field, with Scheffler coming in as the 6-1 betting favorite. Other top contenders in the 2023 Travelers Championship odds include Patrick Cantlay (9-1), McIlroy (10-1), Rahm (10-1), Xander Schauffele (12-1), and Viktor Hovland (20-1). The total 2023 Travelers Championship purse is $20 million, with the winner taking home $3.6 million.
Should you target one of the favorites like Scheffler, Rahm, or McIlroy when making your 2023 Travelers Championship one and done picks? Or would it make more sense to use a sleeper like Tommy Fleetwood, Tony Finau, or Collin Morikawa? Before locking in your 2023 Travelers Championship one and done picks, you need to see what SportsLine DFS pro and PGA expert Mike McClure has to say.
The One and Done format is growing in popularity. It has several noticeable similarities to NFL survivor pools, with the main difference being entries are not eliminated with a bad week. Players pick one golfer per week and earn points based on their selected golfer’s prize money for that tournament. Golfers can only be used once per season, and the point format makes nailing majors and elevated events critical.
McClure is a DFS legend with over $2 million in career winnings, and he’s been red-hot on his PGA picks dating back to the PGA Tour restart in June of 2020. McClure uses his proprietary simulation model to analyze the field and crush his golf picks.
McClure has nailed plenty of One and Done picks, including Luke List at the Sentry Tournament of Champions. At the Farmers Insurance Open, McClure’s top One and Done pick, Max Homa, outlasted the entire field to take home his sixth career PGA Tour victory and $1.566 million. At the WM Phoenix Open, McClure nailed Scheffler winning the tournament, taking home $3.6million. At the Genesis Invitational, he was all over Max Homa, who finished in second place and took home $2.18 million. At the Valspar Championship, McClure’s top OAD pick, Tommy Fleetwood, finished in third place.
Then, at the RBC Canadian Open McClure listed Nick Taylor and Tyrrell Hatton as two of his top one and done picks. Taylor would go on to win the tournament, while Hatton finished in third place. And last week at the U.S. Open, McClure’s top OAD pick, Scottie Scheffler, finished in third place.
Now, McClure has dialed in on the 2023 Travelers Championship golf tournament and just locked in his one and done picks and PGA predictions. You can only see McClure’s Travelers Championship one and done picks at SportsLine.
Top 2023 Travelers Championship One and Done picks
One of McClure’s top one and done picks this week for the Travelers Championship is world No. 5 Viktor Hovland. In a loaded field, McClure believes Hovland has huge upside, but may fly under the radar in One and Done pools due to the other big names available. Hovland has four consecutive top-20 finishes, including a win at the Memorial and a second place finish at the PGA Championship.
Scheffler enters the week ranked sixth on the PGA Tour in strokes gained off the tee (0.718), 11th in strokes gained tee-to-green (1.328), 12th in total strokes gained (1.469), and 17th in strokes gained on approach (0.597). With his track record against top flight competition, McClure sees huge value in backing Hovland this week at TPC River Highlands. You can see who else to back at SportsLine.
How to make Travelers Championship 2023 One and Done picks
McClure is also targeting another golfer for his 2023 Travelers Championship one and done picks that excels in big events against top flight competition. This player has been red-hot all year, but consistently flies under the radar and has the ability to win any tournament he enters. You can find out who it is, and check out all of McClure’s Travelers Championship one and done picks at SportsLine.
Who wins the 2023 Travelers Championship, and which golfers should you target for your PGA one and done picks this week? Visit SportsLine now to get Mike McClure’s Travelers Championship 2023 one and done picks, all from the DFS pro with over $2 million in career winnings, and find out.
PGA Tour to assure players league has leadership safeguards in PIF deal as Davis Love III calls for patience
The landmark agreement between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund will contain safeguards to ensure the PGA Tour will maintain leadership of both the resulting for-profit entity and its existing circuit. This claim by PGA Tour officials will be shared with members during a players-only meeting set to be held Tuesday night in Connecticut ahead of the 2023 Travelers Championship, according to Golf Channel. The hope is to restore trust among membership and dispel concerns of a takeover of professional golf.
Though the PIF will make a “minority” investment as the lone investor in the new for-profit company, the PGA Tour will also reportedly have the right to decline subsequent investments as part of the agreement.
On Tuesday, 21-time PGA Tour winner Davis Love III addressed an open letter to commissioner Jay Monahan in which Love, a five-time member of the PGA Tour’s policy board, preached patience to players in the aftermath of the agreement. The letter, obtained and published by Golf Channel, comes the same day as the players meeting at TPC River Highlands.
“I am confident and trust that any decisions — in the future as in the past — will have the same due process and player input, “Love wrote. “Jay, as you have said, Rules made by the Players, for the Players. If we are patient and work together we will achieve the best result for our Tour, and our partners and fans. As always, you, the players and the Policy Board have my full support.”
Much of the golf community — PGA Tour members included — have been left asking questions about leadership as a potential ramification of the deal. Monahan faced backlash from players in what was reportedly aheated meeting the day the agreement was announced June 6. Monahan remains away as he recovers from an undisclosed medical condition.
The agreement came after the PGA Tour and the PIF, the latter of which funds LIV Golf, were embattled in a professional golf power-struggle that saw many notable players — major champions Phil Mickelson, Brooks Kopeka and Dustin Johnson among them — forced to resign from the PGA Tour in order to play in the new circuit as they chose to take millions of guaranteed dollars. Monahan preached loyalty to remaining PGA Tour members before the sides ultimately reached the agreement, one he said was influenced by the PGA Tour’s inability to compete financially with the PIF.
The new entity’s board of directors will reportedly feature an executive committee that includes both Monahan and PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan. Also set to be included are PGA Tour policy board members Jimmy Dunne and Ed Herlihy, both of whom had considerable roles in forming the framework of the new agreement.
After Watching Rose Zhang Take the LPGA Tour by Storm, Nelly Korda Sparks a Rivalry With a ‘Completely Honest’ Revelation
Nelly Korda, the star golfer, would be returning to the greens this week after her over-a-month break. Since the time Korda withdrew from a couple of LPGA Tour events, a lot has happened in the golf world. One such highlight has been the rise of prodigy, Rose Zhang.
Especially given the display of her exceptional skills since she turned pro; she has amazed the entire LPGA Tour community through her talent and smart driving techniques. Thus, it was not all that surprising to hear some of the questions revolving around this new talent when the former World No. 1 sat down for the press meet. Though, what was surprising was her response to one of the questions.
Nelly Korda gets candid when asked about what makes Rose Zhang special
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The LPGA Tour icon hasn’t had an ideal year so far. Despite finishing in the top 10 for seven of her nine event starts this season, Korda is yet to find a win since November 2022. Hence, the KPMG PGA Championship provides a great opportunity for the golfer to break the jinx.
Despite Her Record-Breaking Prowess, Young Gun Rose Zhang Faces a Massive LPGA Setback
During the pre-tournament press conference, Korda appeared to be confident about her health and game. However, her preparations before the golf major weren’t the only thing the reporters were curious about.
One of the interviewers asked the experienced 24-year-old to provide an insight into what really sticks out for her about the young Rose.
The World No. 2 did not hesitate one bit and said, “Honestly, if I’m being completely honest, I haven’t seen her play at all”.
She explained that she hasn’t had the opportunity to see the 20-year-old take on the greens.
However, this might change soon. Considering that the 2020 Summer Olympics gold medalist might soon get to face Zhang as a rival if they get paired together in the New Jersey event starting from June 22.
Despite not having witnessed Rose Zhang deliver her shots, Korda acknowledged that all parts of Zhang’s “game are really good“. This statement was based on the amazing amateur career the Stanford graduate has had so far. Nelly Korda also put forth her opinion regarding the buzz and storm this rare talent has been creating in the golfing arena.
Korda shares her perspective on the anticipation Zhang is bringing to golf
Prior to one of the reporters asking Nelly Korda to share her insight on Zhang, another media person was curious to know that from a player’s perspective how Korda views the buzz the new prodigy is bringing to the game.
The 2021 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship winner appreciated this young talent unequivocally.
She said it was great that Zhang had won her first professional tournament. Not only was this great for the golfer but for the game as a whole.
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She specially mentioned the importance it holds for women’s golf. This is true, given how time and again Zhang has shaken the golf ecosystem and proved that she is a reservoir of skills and techniques.
via Imago PGA, Golf Herren PNC Championship – First Round Dec 17, 2022 Orlando, Florida, USA Nelly Korda hits a drive on the 13th hole during the first round of the PNC Championship golf tournament at Ritz Carlton Golf Club Grande Lakes Orlando Course. Orlando Ritz Carlton Golf Club Grande Lakes Orlando Course Florida USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xReinholdxMatayx 20221217_szo_mb4_0185
Though, in between all this, the World No. 2 also shed light on how she was looking forward to meeting Zhang on the greens in the coming years. This she believed will hopefully provide “some great battles“.
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Watch This Story: LPGA Star Slams the Door Shut in Unexpected Fashion to Possibly Her Biggest Fan
What do you think of Nelly’s opinion of the rookie star Rose Zhang? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
From the Awaited Return of Nelly Korda to LPGA’s Debutant Prodigy Rose Zhang, Here Are 5 Must-Watch KPMG Women’s PGA Championship Stars
The KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, the year’s second major tournament, is all set to take place this time at the Baltusrol Golf Club in New Jersey. The 69th KPMG Women’s PGA Championship will feature 19 of the top 20 in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings.
Young golfers as well as those who haven’t played in a while will be seen competing in this tournament. The winner will receive $1.5 million of the $9 million prize pool for the game, that will take place from June 22 to June 25, 2023.
Which top players are playing in the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship?
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One of the most prestigious events on the LPGA Tour is going to feature some of the biggest names in women’s golf. To confirm the same, on July 21, 2023, Golfweek shared the news on their Twitter handle:
Although, the tournament will be featuring the best LPGA tour pros vying for the title, the five LPGA stars to watch out for include:
Rose Zhang
Rose Zhang is a young amateur golfer who has made waves in the golf industry recently. The 20-year-old made history by winning her debut LPGA Tour tournament, The Mizuho Americas Open, as a pro, by garnering amazing stroke numbers. She has thus become the top contender to win after her debut win.
via Imago JERSEY CITY, NJ – MAY 30: Rose Zhang of the United States is interviewed prior to her professional debut at the LPGA, Golf Damen Mizuho America s Open at Liberty National Golf Course on May 30, 2023 in Jersey City, New Jersey. Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire GOLF: MAY 30 LPGA Mizuho America s Open EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon23053016386
Linn Grant
Linn Grant is a talented Swedish golfer who has been making a name for herself in the world of golf. The 2018 European Ladies Amateur Championship winner was away from sports due to her vaccination status until last month. Grant is now back to show her exceptional talent in the 69th KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.
Leona Maguire
Young and brilliant Leona Maguire, recently won her second LPGA Tour championship at the 2023 Meijer LPGA Classic. The 28-year-old skilled player is ready to give her best attempt for the upcoming major in hopes to get a career defining win.
Jinn Young Ko
Ko, who is regarded as one of the top women golfers in the world, has won many championships. Her ability to strike the ball consistently and sink putts under pressure has led to her success on the golf course. Additionally, Ko is in the third position now for the greens in regulations.
Nelly Korda
The 2021 Australian Open champion and world number two, is now gearing up for a major return. Yes, Nelly Korda is going to compete again at the Women’s PGA Championship following a brief break after her back injury. Korda is a force to be reckoned with on any golf course. She is popular for her tremendous ball-striking and aggressive style of play.
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via Getty KAWAGOE, JAPAN – AUGUST 04: Nelly Korda of Team United States looks on from the 13th hole during the first round of the Women’s Individual Stroke Play on day twelve of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Kasumigaseki Country Club on August 04, 2021 in Kawagoe, Japan. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
But why was Nelly Korda away from Golf?
Nelly Korda was not playing the succeeding events due to her back injury right before Mizuho Americas Open. Due to the injury, she had to withdraw her name from that event to gain a speedy recovery. However, now that she is doing fine after four weeks, she is all set to rule the golf course.
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Who is your pick to win the major this year? Let us know your thoughts in the comments down below.
Watch this story: Amidst the Anger and Confusion of the 3 Billion Deal It Is the LPGA Tour That Is the Latest Victim of Unfulfilled Promises
Hours Before the $20,000,000 PGA Tour Event, Scottie Scheffler and a Fellow Pro Set Aside Their On-Course Rivalry to Embrace a Special Day
Golf – The Masters – Augusta National Golf Club – Augusta, Georgia, U.S. – April 9, 2022 Scottie Scheffler of the U.S. reacts after chipping onto the 2nd green during the third round REUTERS/Brian Snyder
After the 2023 US Open, the next stop of the PGA Tour members is the $20,000,000 Traveler’s Championship. The players seem all geared up to take on the TPC River Highlands course in Connecticut.
One of the big names on the list of participants is Scottie Scheffler. Though, before his fourth appearance in the Championship, the golfer indulged in an equally important non-golf moment with another pro.
The on-course rivals Tom Kim and Scottie Scheffler met to celebrate the biggest day of their lives. The combined celebration of the occasion made it all the more special.
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Tom Kim and Scottie Scheffler get together for celebrations
Tom Kim and Scottie Scheffler seem to share more than just their extraordinary golfing skills. It is their common birthday that looks to have created an off-field bond between the two players.
With the Traveler’s Championship starting from Thursday, both the golfers joined hands and celebrated their birthday together on Wednesday.
Moments After a Big Loss at the LACC, World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler Becomes Down to Earth (Literally)
Kim took to Instagram to share a picture with Scottie with the caption: “21st birthday and sharing it on the same day with one of my closest friends, big bro, advice giver.”
He added how he has so much admiration for the one-time major winner, even though more often than not the American gives him a hard time on the field.
21-year-old South Korean Kim himself has impressed the golf world through his exceptional skills. The age difference between the two is just four years, and both appear to have a respectful and close connection.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tom Kim 김주형 (@joohyungkim0621)
Scheffler, meanwhile, uploaded multiple stories on his Instagram handle. The snippets from a typical American setting reflected how both professionals kept their special day simple — by sharing a pizza in a cozy setting.
Fans loved to see Tom Kim and Scottie Scheffler’s combined celebration
The linksmen went all out to appreciate the presence of each other in their lives. While witnessing the mutual relationship between the two, fans could hardly hold back from cherishing the precious moments.
One fan commented, “The bromance I didn’t know I needed. This one is up there with the Spieth x JT x Rickie bromance.”
Another one, joining in excitedly, said, “Unbelievable. My 2 favorite golfers of all time.”
American model and golf channel reporter Kira K. Dixon also chimed in: “The wholesome golf content we need. happy birthday!”
Some fans chose to bring humor to the table.
USA Today via Reuters Mar 27, 2021; Austin, Texas, USA; Scottie Sheffler tees off on #10 during the fourth day of the WGC Dell Technologies Match Play golf tournament at Austin Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports
One said, “Get this man a soju.”
The most hilarious eye-catching comment though was from a fan who wrote down the whole title song of the famous kids’ television show ‘Thomas and His Friends.’
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The fans along with the official golf pages continued commenting in the same vein.
“Happy birthday boys!”
“Happy birthday!!!!! legends”
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One fan got so excited because he shares his birthday with these golf stars that he wrote: “That’s so dope – i have the same birthday.”
Watch the story: Against all the odds LIV Golf attains yet another achievement shortly after their massive $3,000,000,000 triumph
Travelers Championship 2023 prop bets, odds, field, sleepers: PGA expert shares head-to-head matchup picks
The final elevated event of the PGA Tour season is on tap this week with the 2023 Travelers Championship set to tee off at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is the 6-1 betting favorite in an elite Travelers Championship field. Other top contenders in the latest Travelers Championship odds from Caesars Sportsbook include Patrick Cantlay (9-1), Rory McIlroy (10-1), Jon Rahm (10-1), Xander Schauffele (12-1), and Viktor Hovland (20-1).
Which 2023 Travelers Championship head-to-head matchup picks should you target, and what 2023 Travelers Championship prop bets could set you up for a strong payday? Before locking in any Travelers Championship 2023 picks of your own, be sure to check out the PGA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine golf expert Mike McClure.
We simulated the 2023 Travelers Championship 10,000 times, and there are some major surprises.
Our proprietary model, built by DFS pro Mike McClure, has been red-hot since the PGA Tour resumed in June of 2020. In fact, the model is up over $10,000 on its best bets since the restart, nailing tournament after tournament.
McClure’s model predicted Jon Rahm would finish on top of the leaderboard at the 2023 Sentry Tournament of Champions and The American Express. And at the 2023 Masters, the model was all over Rahm’s second career major victory heading into the weekend. Rahm was two strokes off the lead heading into the third round, but the model still projected him as the winner. It was the second straight Masters win for the model, which also nailed Scottie Scheffler winning in 2022.
In addition, the model included Nick Taylor in its best bets to win the 2023 RBC Canadian Open. That bet hit at +7000, and for the entire tournament, McClure’s best bets returned nearly $1,900. McClure’s best bets also included Jason Day (17-1) winning outright at the 2023 AT&T Byron Nelson, even though he hadn’t won a PGA Tour event since 2018.
This same model has also nailed a whopping nine majors entering the weekend! Anyone who has followed it has seen massive returns.
Now, McClure has set his sights on the 2023 Travelers Championship field and just revealed his top PGA prop bets. You can head to SportsLine now to see all of McClure’s 2023 Travelers Championship prop picks, sleepers, head-to-head matchups and best bets.
Top 2023 Travelers Championship prop picks
One of McClure’s favorite prop bet picks this week at the PGA Championship 2023 is Justin Thomas finishing in the top 20 of the final leaderboard at +250 odds (risk $100 to win $250). Thomas has battled inconsistencies all year, but is a proven winner on the PGA Tour. The 30-year-old has 15 career PGA victories, with his most recent coming at the 2022 PGA Championship at Southern Hills.
Thomas has dipped to No. 18 in the Official World Golf Ranking, but still ranks well in multiple statistical categories. The former Alabama standout ranks seventh on the PGA Tour in strokes gained around the green (0.461) and 24th in strokes gained tee-to-green (0.949). While he hasn’t been playing his best golf as of late, McClure still sees plenty of value in taking Thomas to finish in the top-20 at the Travelers for a plus-money payout. You can see the rest of McClure’s 2023 Travelers Championship prop bet picks at SportsLine.
Find more 2023 Travelers Championship head-to-head picks, sleepers, props
McClure has also locked in plenty of other prop bets for the the Travelers Championship 2023, including a longshot listed at 55-1 to win it all. Anyone who backs one of his 2023 Travelers Championship sleepers could hit it big. You can only see his 2023 Travelers Championship best bets at SportsLine.
So what 2023 Travelers Championship prop picks should you target this week, and which massive longshot has a chance to stun the golfing world? Visit SportsLine to see McClure’s 2023 Travelers Championship best bets, all from the expert who’s up over $10,200 since the PGA Tour restart, and find out.
2023 Travelers Championship odds, field, top contenders
See the full Travelers Championship 2023 picks, best bets, and predictions here.
Scottie Scheffler +600
Patrick Cantlay +900
Rory McIlroy +1000
Jon Rahm +1000
Xander Schauffele +1200
Viktor Hovland +2000
Tommy Fleetwood +2200
Tony Finau +2500
Collin Morikawa +2800
Tom Kim +3300
Russell Henley +3300
Wyndham Clark +4000
Max Homa +4000
Matt Fitzpatrick +4000
Rickie Fowler +4000
Cameron Young +5000
Harris English +5000
Justin Thomas +5000
Brian Harman +5000
Jason Day +5500
Sahith Theegala +5500
Denny McCarthy +6000
Sungjae Im +6000
Hideki Matsuyama +6500
Corey Conners +6500
Si Woo Kim +6500
Austin Eckroat +7000
Adam Scott +8000
Shane Lowry +8000
C.T. Pan +9000
Min Woo Lee +9000
Keegan Bradley +9000
Ludvig Aberg +9000
Cam Davis +10000
Gary Woodland +12500
Aaron Rai +12500
Eric Cole +15000
Sam Bennett +15000
Taylor Moore +15000
Seamus Power +17500
Matt Kuchar +17500
Justin Suh +17500
Lucas Herbert +17500
Byeong Hun An +17500
K.H. Lee +20000
Brendon Todd +20000
Will Gordon +22500
Emiliano Grillo +22500
Tom Hoge +22500
Thomas Detry +22500
Mackenzie Hughes +22500
Mark Hubbard +22500
Adam Schenk +22500
Chez Reavie +22500
Kevin Yu +25000
Andrew Putnam +25000
Nick Hardy +25000
Davis Riley +25000
J.T. Poston +25000
Stephan Jaeger +25000
Sam Stevens +25000
Sepp Straka +25000
Adam Svensson +25000
PGA DFS, 2023 Travelers Championship: FanDuel, DraftKings daily fantasy golf picks, lineups, strategy, advice
Jon Rahm will likely be among the top PGA DFS picks this week for the 2023 Travelers Championship. Rahm won the Masters in April, and he’s secured four victories and nine top-10 finishes this season. However, daily Fantasy golf players will have to decide if he can be trusted when setting their PGA DFS strategy for the 2023 Travelers Championship, which gets underway from TPC River Highlands on Thursday, June 22. With a PGA DFS player pool featuring fellow major champions like Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Collin Morikawa and Justin Thomas, PGA DFS players will have to decide which golfers are worth investing in.
Can any of those household names be relied on as PGA DFS picks this week? Or is it time to fade them in favor of players with a significantly lower price tag? Before you lock in your PGA DFS picks for the 2023 Travelers Championship, you’ll want to see the latest daily Fantasy golf picks, advice and player pool from SportsLine’s Mike McClure.
McClure is a DFS pro with over $2 million in career winnings, and he’s been red-hot on his PGA Tour picks this season. McClure is also a predictive data engineer at SportsLine who uses a powerful prediction model that simulates every tournament 10,000 times, taking factors like statistical trends, past results and current form into account. This allows him to find the best PGA DFS values and create optimal lineups that he shares only over at SportsLine. They’re a must-see for any PGA DFS player.
Last week at the U.S. Open, McClure listed Rickie Fowler among his top PGA DFS picks. The result: Fowler set a U.S. Open record with 23 birdies over his four rounds at Los Angeles Country Club, securing a T-5 finish in the process. Anybody that included him in their lineups was well on the way to a profitable weekend.
In addition, McClure’s model is up over $10,000 on its best bets since June 2020, nailing tournament after tournament. This same model has also nailed a whopping nine majors entering the weekend. Anyone who has followed it has seen massive returns.
Now, McClure has set his sights on the 2023 Travelers Championship and revealed his optimal PGA DFS advice, strategy and player pool. Head to SportsLine now to see his top golf DFS picks for the Travelers Championship 2023.
Top 2023 Travelers Championship PGA DFS picks
One of McClure’s top PGA DFS picks for the 2023 Travelers Championship is Russell Henley at $7,800 on DraftKings and $9,500 on FanDuel.
In order to score well at TPC River Highlands, players will need to be extremely accurate off the tee and few do it better than Henley. In fact, the 34-year-old enters the Travelers Championship ranked first in driving accuracy (72.68%). He’s also finished T-19 or better in five of his last six starts on the PGA Tour. Those impressive results make Henley a complete steal at this price point, so confidently lock him in your PGA DFS lineups.
McClure’s optimal PGA DFS strategy also includes rostering Viktor Hovland at $9,900 on DraftKings and $11,400 on FanDuel. Hovland certainly has the game to return value at TPC River Highlands this week. The 25-year-old is full of confidence after securing his fourth PGA Tour title at the Memorial Tournament earlier this month. He’s also racked up seven top-10 finishes this season, making him a solid building block for your PGA DFS lineups.
Hovland is currently ranked sixth in strokes gained: off the tee (0.718), 12th in strokes gained: total (1.469) and 17th in strokes gained: approach to green (0.597). His ability to consistently put himself in advantageous positions has allowed Hovland to average 4.19 birdies per round, the 10th-best mark on the PGA Tour. See who else to back right here.
How to set 2023 Travelers Championship DFS lineups
McClure is also targeting an undervalued player who’s primed to play well, giving you a huge return on sites like DraftKings and FanDuel. Picks like these could be the difference between winning your PGA DFS contests or going home with nothing. You can only see who it is here.
So what are the top PGA DFS picks for the 2023 Travelers Championship, and which undervalued golfer is a must-roster? Visit SportsLine now to see the complete Travelers Championship DFS player pool for FanDuel and DraftKings, all from the expert who’s made over $2 million in daily Fantasy sports, and find out.
US Senate panel invites PGA Tour commissioner, LIV CEO to testify on merger
[1/2] Players move to the next hole during the Canadian Open’s Championship Pro-Am after news was released of a new partnership between the PGA Tour and Saudi-backed LIV Golf circuit, at Oakdale Golf and Country Club in Toronto, Ontario, Canada June 7, 2023. REUTERS/Nick Lachance/File Photo
WASHINGTON, June 21 (Reuters) – A U.S. Senate panel on Wednesday invited PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund Governor Yasir al-Rumayyan and LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman to testify at a July 11 hearing.
U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, who chairs the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, and the panel’s top Republican Ron Johnson invited them to appear.
“Our goal is to uncover the facts about what went into the PGA Tour’s deal with the Saudi Public Investment Fund and what the Saudi takeover means for the future of this cherished American institution and our national interest,” said Blumenthal. “Americans deserve to know what the structure and governance of this new entity will be.”
Blumenthal earlier this month asked the PGA Tour and LIV Golf for communications and records on their planned merger as part of an investigation, citing concerns about the Saudi government’s role in the deal and risks posed by a foreign government entity assuming control over the sport.
Last week, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ron Wyden asked the Justice Department to open an antitrust investigation into the planned deal between the PGA Tour and Saudi-backed LIV Golf, saying they believe it would result in a monopoly over professional golf operations.
The Justice department has been investigating the PGA Tour for trying to keep its players from defecting to LIV.
The PGA Tour, DP World Tour and rival Saudi-backed LIV circuit, which had been involved in a bitter fight that split the sport, announced an agreement to merge and form one unified commercial entity.
The LIV Golf series is bankrolled by the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIV). Critics have accused it of being a vehicle for the country to improve its reputation as it faces criticism of its human rights record.
The PGA Tour and LIV did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Wednesday.
Much of the backlash against PIV and LIV Golf centers around the alleged involvement of the Saudi Arabian government in human rights violations, including the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018.
Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Mark Porter and Bill Berkrot
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
Vegas Golden Knights and fans enjoy parade and rally celebrating 1st NHL championship
NHL Vegas Golden Knights and fans enjoy parade and rally celebrating 1st NHL championship The Golden Knights held their championship parade in Las Vegas on Saturday night. FILE – Vegas Golden Knights fans cheer after a Golden Knights goal against the Florida Panthers during the third period of Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. The Golden Knights plan to parade this weekend with the NHL Stanley Cup beneath the glittery marquees of the Las Vegas Strip and rally with fans in front of their home arena to mark the team’s league championship victory. (AP Photo/John Locher) AP
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Thousands of Vegas Golden Knights fans lined the Las Vegas Strip on Saturday for a Stanley Cup victory parade and a rally in front of the team’s home arena to mark the city’s first NHL championship.
For the team that played its first game as an expansion franchise in October 2017 and for tourists in hotel rooms with windows overlooking the parade route in 2023, the event bore echoes of the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history five years ago. Guests in high-rises with views of the strip were awakened by security guards asking to check around windows for guns or other weapons.
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The motorcade route proceeded from an area near Flamingo Road about 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) to Tropicana Avenue before a fan rally at Toshiba Plaza and the Park District in front of T-Mobile Arena.
Las Vegas police said they prepared for upwards of 100,000 people to cram street-level viewing areas along Las Vegas Boulevard for the celebration that planners compared with annual New Year’s Eve fireworks shows that in past years drew estimates of 400,000 people.
It’s going to be a Golden Knight in Vegas 😆 pic.twitter.com/2GbuaX4IMW — SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 18, 2023
At one point people separated barricades and climbed fences but the crowd otherwise remained orderly.
Above the arena stage where the hockey players gathered with the trophy, a banner displayed the names of victims of the October 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas that killed 58 people and injured more than 850.
A lone gunman rained bullets from 32nd floor windows of the Mandalay Bay hotel into a crowd of 20,000 people at an outdoor country music festival across the street. Fifty-eight people died that night and two died later of their injuries. Authorities said more than 850 people were injured. The gunman killed himself before police reached him. His motive for the attack was never firmly established.
Jack Eichel is a vibe at the Vegas Golden Knights parade 😂 🎥 @GoldenKnights | #VegasBornpic.twitter.com/ksWHyAd97C — The Athletic NHL (@TheAthleticNHL) June 18, 2023
People in the crowd Saturday recalled the shooting and the role the Golden Knights played in helping to rebuild the spirit of the community.
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Players who dubbed themselves the Golden Misfits after being drafted from other NHL teams embraced survivors, first responders and volunteers and the team has over the years become a key part of “Vegas Strong” events aimed at healing community trauma.
That first year, team owner Bill Foley famously predicted the Golden Knights would make the playoffs in three years and win the Stanley Cup in six years. The franchise surprised many by making the playoffs the first year and advancing to the championship before losing to the Washington Capitals in five games.
This year, the Golden Knights cruised through the playoffs, never facing an elimination game, and routed the Florida Panthers 9-3 in Game 5 on Tuesday. Team captain Mark Stone scored a three-goal “hat trick.” Jonathan Marchessault received the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.
Marchessault is one of the six original members of the Golden Knights expansion team. He and the others — Reilly Smith, William Karlsson, Shea Theodore, Brayden McNabb and William Carrier — were among the first to hold the Stanley Cup during post-game celebrations.
William Karlsson’s moment on the mic at the Golden Knights parade 😂 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/SBiqi5ktlW — Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 18, 2023
All week, players have been spotted celebrating at some of the same glittery resorts the procession passed. The casinos have familiar names: Caesars Palace, Flamingo, Bellagio, Horseshoe, Paris Las Vegas, Cosmopolitan, Planet Hollywood, New York-New York, Aria, MGM Grand.
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The parade route, arena and plaza also hosted a championship victory celebration last September, after the Las Vegas Aces defeated the Connecticut Sun to win the WNBA Championship. The women’s basketball team also plays at T-Mobile Arena.
Why Marty Walsh left the Biden administration to run the NHL players’ union
Local News Why Marty Walsh left the Biden administration to run the NHL players’ union “This job is more like being the mayor.” Labor Secretary Marty Walsh speaks during a briefing at the White House in Washington, May 16, 2022. Susan Walsh/AP
Marty Walsh wasn’t a man in a hurry to leave the Biden administration.
Less than halfway through the president’s term, Walsh was in a comfortable spot in the Cabinet as labor secretary. Then he got a call about an interesting opportunity: running the NHL Players’ Association.
The former mayor of Boston and longtime Bruins fan was intrigued and earlier this year accepted the role as executive director. Now three months in, Walsh is trying to get to know players and what they care about most, learning about everything from the Arizona Coyotes’ arena situation to the salary cap and future international competition.
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“This job is more like being the mayor,” Walsh said in a wide-ranging interview with The Associated Press during the Stanley Cup Final in Las Vegas. “You wake up in the morning, you’re planning on a smooth day and there’s an issue that pops, and that’s the issue of the moment. And then when that issue’s over, there’s another issue that comes right behind it. And if there’s a celebration on anything, that celebration’s short-lived because you’re on to the next issue.”
With the current collective bargaining agreement in place through the 2025-26 season, the most pressing issue concerns the Coyotes, set to go into a second season in a 5,000-seat rink on Arizona State’s campus after a referendum for a new arena in Tempe failed.
Walsh has met more with Arizona’s players than anyone else among the nearly 200 members he has spoken to so far.
“These are National Hockey League players playing in a college arena,” Walsh said. “Players that are heading into the prime of their career now playing in this arena for a couple seasons — it’s just not right. It’s not good for the game.”
When Walsh speaks to players, he finds out what they think is good or not so good for the game. Many, like Connor McDavid, prioritize returning to the Olympics after a lengthy absence and getting a World Cup of Hockey on the schedule, while others are more concerned with the cap going up and keeping escrow payments down.
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Several months after helping the U.S. avert a nationwide rail strike, this job hearkens back to the days when Walsh was president of the Laborers’ Union Local 223 in Massachusetts. With players aged 18-38 in various stages of their careers, he said the NHLPA membership is diverse in what it cares about, just like any other workplace.
“One thing I’ve learned quickly is that this truly is a union because every player has a different concern,” Walsh said. “And I think it’s important for me to get to know the membership so I can represent them the best I can, understanding the challenges they have.”
Walsh, 56, also has gotten to know Commissioner Gary Bettman since taking over in March. They attended an event together at the Canadian Embassy in Washington in April and have met several times to discuss the cap, the Coyotes and more.
“To me, the vital signs seem good,” Bettman told the AP recently. “We’re getting better acquainted. I like him. I respect him. I think he’s smart. I think he’s going to be good for the players, and I look forward to working with him.”
Walsh called it a “very cordial working relationship,” while acknowledging there will be disagreements ahead “that put us on two different sides of a fence — and we will have to deal with that when the time comes.” Collective bargaining talks in the coming years almost certainly will bring that conflict.
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Kevin Shattenkirk, a veteran defenseman who was on the search committee, said Walsh was engaging and commanding right away and gave out his cellphone number to players to call any time after his first interview.
“Part of his pitch was that he was going to be readily available to players at any moment — any time that we needed him,” Shattenkirk said Sunday. “With his experience in working in labor unions, I think he knows how important that is. It’s important for the head of it to be accessible and also at the same time to be strong and powerful and know which way he’s leading his organization.”
For now, Walsh is trying to lead the way in preparing players for life after hockey and growing the game beyond the nearly $6 billion in revenue. He watches football, basketball and baseball differently since shifting from politics to sports, thinking about what other leagues have done and how it might apply to the NHL.
Walsh is a fan of increasing interest in Sweden and other places in Europe with games there and wonders about opportunities for hockey in Latin American countries and among underserved populations in North America.
“We have teams like the Dallas Stars and the Coyotes and even the (Florida) Panthers to some degree: large Latino populations,” Walsh said. “You think of Boston — are we tapping into Latino population in Boston, New York, Chicago, places like that?”
Just getting a chance to tackle tasks like that excites Walsh, who said he still has a very strong, close friendship with Joe Biden. The president, when Walsh left in February, called him “one tough union chief” and a model for future labor secretaries.
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This is just a different challenge, one that Walsh feels his entire career has prepared him for.
“There’s not many opportunities that probably could have come on my plate that I would’ve been like, ’Oh, this is perfect,’” he said. “This is kind of my whole life coming full circle: labor movement, running a union, opportunities to grow the game, to be progressive in thinking as to how do we grow the game, how do we strengthen the union.”
Way-too-early 2023-24 NHL Power Rankings: Golden Knights will be challenged by contenders in West
1 Golden Knights The Golden Knights are the team to beat in 2023-24. How could they not be? They still have Mark Stone and Jack Eichel under contract for the next few years. That will be Vegas’ Stanley Cup window. I’m excited to see how aggressive the team can be in its pursuit of another championship. 7 51-22-9
2 Oilers The battle between the Oilers and Golden Knights will be fun to watch next season. Edmonton looked poised to make a Stanley Cup run of its own this past spring, but Vegas put an end to that in the second round. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl should be on a mission in 2023-24. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Oilers and Golden Knights meet in the playoffs again next year — 50-23-9
3 Avalanche The Avs will be without captain Gabriel Landeskog for the entire 2023-24 campaign, and they have eight pending unrestricted free agents. While some may see that as a problem, I see a lot of cap room and flexibility for GM Joe Sakic to reload. The team’s core is already locked in for the long haul, so it now becomes about strengthening the supporting cast. — 51-24-7
4 Devils New Jersey took a huge step forward this past season, and the team will have a boatload of cap space to work with this summer. A good chunk of that will have to go toward re-signing Timo Meier (they’ve already locked up Jesper Bratt), but there should still be some money left over to upgrade a very talented and very young roster. The Devils’ ascent will continue into 2023-24. — 52-22-8
5 Hurricanes The Hurricanes have been one of the Eastern Conference’s best teams for several years now, and their core is still somehow relatively young. Sebastian Aho is 26, Martin Necas is 24, Jesperi Kotkaniemi is 22 and Seth Jarvis is 21. If Carolina can use some of its roughly $24 million in cap space to upgrade its scoring touch — and perhaps tweak its offensive system — watch out. 1 52-21-9
6 Stars Somehow, the Stars have Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz and Joe Pavelski under contract for the 2023-24 season for a combined cap hit of less than $20 million. That will allow them to tinker around the edges of a roster that went to the Western Conference Final this past season. Dallas should be considered a legit Cup contender next season. 1 47-21-14
7 Panthers Perhaps this is too low for the Eastern Conference champions, but we saw a wide range of outcomes from the Panthers in 2022-23. For most of the season, we saw the worst-case scenario, when they were out of a playoff spot. Then, we saw their peak, as they made mincemeat of their conference opponents in the postseason. The real Panthers are probably somewhere in between, so we’ll split the difference here. 6 42-32-8
8 Bruins Speaking of teams that might be too low, the Bruins just set the NHL record for most wins and points in a single season, and they barely sneak into the top 10. The issues in Boston are that the roster isn’t getting any younger, the team has eight pending UFAs and very little cap space with which to work. GM Don Sweeney has his work cut out for him. 7 65-12-5
9 Kings For each of the past two seasons, the Kings have run into the Oilers in the first round of the playoffs, and they have been eliminated both times. Los Angeles has potential to take a huge step forward in 2023-24. The question is whether their young prospects can start taking over. Much of the team’s success this past season was driven by older veterans. That can’t continue forever. 3 47-25-10
10 Rangers There needs to be a sense of urgency in New York, and there was at this past trade deadline, but it just didn’t work out. That happens sometimes. The Rangers need to keep that same approach in 2023-24, because core forwards like Mika Zibaneja, Atremi Panarin and Chris Kreider are on the wrong side of 30. Vincent Trocheck will be there too in July. 3 47-22-13
11 Maple Leafs Now we’re in the middle of a run on Eastern Conference teams I’m not quite sure about heading into next season. This past spring, Toronto got over that first-round hump only to hit a second-round hump against the Panthers. New GM Brad Treliving seems open to trading one of the Core 4: Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander and John Tavares. That said, I’m not sure those players have been the problem for the Leafs recently. 2 50-21-11
12 Lightning The Lightning have done an excellent job of keeping their championship window open for a long time now, but that will prove to be even more difficult this summer. As usual, Tampa Bay is scraping up against the salary cap, and it needs to make decisions on a handful of players. 3 46-30-6
13 Sabres I bought stock in the Sabres throughout the 2022-23 season, and I’m not about to jump off the bandwagon as it gets ready to explode. Buffalo has a strong young core in place with Tage Thompson, Rasmus Dahlin, and Owen Power leading the way. The team now has some flexibility to improve its depth and shore up its goaltending situation. 3 42-33-7
14 Flames I was high on the Flames going into last season, and I got burnt. Looking ahead to the 2023-24 season, I’m cautiously optimistic, at least for now. I still really like Calgary’s roster, and the coaching change should help, even if it just means getting a new voice in the locker room. Assuming Jacob Markstrom doesn’t play like one of the worst goalies in the NHL next year, the Flames will be back in the playoffs. 6 38-27-17
15 Kraken The Kraken went from finishing last in the Pacific Division in 2021-22 to coming within one win of the 2023 Western Conference Final. It was a magical season in Seattle, and it culminated with the team taking down the Colorado Avalanche in the first round of the playoffs. I still have questions about the sustainability of the Kraken’s success, but they have the room to make some upgrades this summer. 4 46-28-8
16 Wild Starting in 2023-24, Minnesota will battle some salary cap issues because the team is paying Ryan Suter and Zach Parise over $7.3 million to play for other teams in each of the next two years. The Wild need to upgrade their forward group, but the lack of cap space could hamper them in that endeavor. 6 46-25-11
17 Senators The Senators have a lot of great young players on their roster, but there are still some holes in the lineup. Ottawa must improve its middle-six forward group and its depth, but the pieces are in place for the franchise to contend for a playoff spot next season. The biggest problem is that Alex DeBrincat may be on his way out, but perhaps the Sens could get some NHL-ready players in a trade. 4 39-35-8
18 Red Wings The Red Wings took a slight step forward last season, but it probably wasn’t as big as GM Steve Yzerman had hoped. The good news is that Yzerman has some freedom to be aggressive on the trade market and in free agency. He will have to keep in mind that Moritz Seider has just one year left on his ELC. 6 35-37-10
19 Islanders The Islanders barely snuck into the postseason last year, and they lost to the Hurricanes in the first round. The Isles will probably be stuck in that position again in 2023-24. GM Lou Lamoriello doesn’t have much flexibility with his roster in the offseason, and a number of key players are approaching or over 30. Can Ilya Sorokin keep this team near the top of the Metro Division standings on his own? 2 42-31-9
20 Penguins Kyle Dubas has some work to do in his first season as the Penguins’ President of Hockey Operations. Pittsburgh missed the playoffs for the first time since 2006 after losing to the Blackhawks in its home finale. The Penguins have 15 players under contract right now, and 10 of them are at least 30-years-old. The Pens have to inject some fresh blood into their lineup this summer. 2 40-31-11
21 Jets After stumbling to the finish line in the regular season, the Jets were unceremoniously ousted from the playoffs in five games by the Golden Knights. Head coach Rick Bowness seemed fed up with some of the veteran leaders after the season. Connor Hellebuyck might be on the trade block. Changes could be on the way in Winnipeg. 7 46-33-3
22 Blues The Blues are an interesting team here. They have a ton of draft capital and a little salary cap space now that their best young forwards have been signed long-term. The problem St. Louis will have this summer is finding a way to unload at least one of its big-ticket defensemen. If they can do that, the Blues could improve their roster rather quickly. 1 37-38-7
23 Capitals Much like the Penguins, the Capitals have an aging core and will struggle to get drastically better in one offseason. Washington was below .500 in 2022-23, and while the team did deal with a slew of injuries, it wasn’t in the same zip code as the best teams in the conference. It might be time for the Capitals to look to the future. 2 35-37-10
24 Predators After their fire sale at the trade deadline, the Predators went on a run and nearly got into the playoffs, but a lot of that had to do with the brilliant play of Juuse Saros. Nashville has a few elite players, but the roster is full of holes, and the young prospects need a couple more years to develop. A step back may not be the worst thing in the world for a Preds team that has a wealth of draft picks in 2023 and 2024. 5 42-32-8
25 Canucks Once Rick Tocchet took over as the head coach midway through the 2022-23 season, the Canucks showed some improvement, but this franchise is still in a tough spot. Vancouver has no salary cap room, and it doesn’t have a roster capable of being a serious contender. The Canucks are floating in no man’s land, and that will probably continue for at least one more year. 3 38-37-7
26 Canadiens Montreal is on the right track, but it may be a couple of years before the franchise gets back to being a playoff threat. If the Canadiens can get Pierre-Luc Dubois from the Jets, he would help expedite that process, but the Habs would still fall short when compared to other Eastern Conference contenders. At least one more year of selecting at the top of the draft would benefit this franchise. — 31-45-6
27 Blue Jackets There is some reason to believe that the Jackets will be better next season. The team recently traded for Damon Severson and Ivan Provorov in hopes of bolstering the blue line, but the latter is coming off a bad season in Philadelphia, and the organization made the interesting choice to hire Mike Babcock as its next head coach. Maybe that works, but it also has the potential to go south quickly. 1 25-48-9
28 Flyers Expect the rebuild to continue for the Flyers in the 2023-24 season. Philadelphia has plenty of draft picks this year, and they will be able to keep stocking their draft pool. That should be exciting for fans in Philly, but it won’t help the on-ice product next year. The return of Sean Couturier will, but even with him at full health, the Flyers will likely be wallowing near the bottom of the conference. 1 31-38-13
29 Ducks The 2022-23 season was a rough one in Anaheim. The Ducks got roasted on a nightly basis, finished with a -129 goal differential, and didn’t even get Connor Bedard out of the deal. Adam Fantilli is a nice consolation prize, and there are some fun young forwards on the team, just not quite enough. This past year underscored how just big the problems are on the pond. 3 23-47-12
30 Blackhawks Connor Bedard is going to sell a lot of tickets in 2023-24, and there is no way the Blackhawks can be as bad as they were this past season… but they will still be nowhere near good. At least not yet. The losses will probably hurt a lot less in Chicago knowing that the team’s future is set. 1 26-49-7
31 Sharks The Sharks made some progress in their rebuilding effort last year, but there is still a long road ahead. Finding a way to trade Erik Karlsson this offseason would be a big win, but getting rid of a 100-point player is not going to make them better in the short-term. In fact, it might make San Jose one of the worst teams in the league. 4 22-44-16
2023 NHL draft order: Full list of all 224 picks
The 2023 NHL draft will be held on June 28-29 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, home of the Predators.
Round 1 will be broadcast on ESPN, beginning at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, June 28, while Rounds 2-7 will be broadcast on NHL Network, beginning at 11 a.m. ET on Thursday, June 29.
Here is a list of all 224 picks in this year’s draft, starting with the Chicago Blackhawks at No. 1 and wrapping up with the Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights at No. 224.
More: Prospect rankings
Connor Bedard’s rise
Round 1
1. Chicago Blackhawks
2. Anaheim Ducks
3. Columbus Blue Jackets
4. San Jose Sharks
5. Montreal Canadiens
6. Arizona Coyotes
7. Philadelphia Flyers
8. Washington Capitals
9. Detroit Red Wings
10. St. Louis Blues
11. Vancouver Canucks
12. Arizona Coyotes (from OTT)
13. Buffalo Sabres
14. Pittsburgh Penguins
15. Nashville Predators
16. Calgary Flames
17. Detroit Red Wings (from NYI via VAN)
18. Winnipeg Jets
19. Chicago Blackhawks (from TB)
20. Seattle Kraken
21. Minnesota Wild
22. Philadelphia Flyers (from LA via CBJ)
23. New York Rangers
24. Nashville Predators (from EDM)
25. St. Louis Blues (from TOR)
26. San Jose Sharks (from NJ)
27. Colorado Avalanche
28. Toronto Maple Leafs (from BOS via WSH)
29. St. Louis Blues (from DAL via NYR)
30. Carolina Hurricanes
31. Montreal Canadiens (from FLA)
32. Vegas Golden Knights
Round 2
33. Anaheim Ducks
34. Columbus Blue Jackets
35. Chicago Blackhawks
36. San Jose Sharks
37. Montreal Canadiens
38. Arizona Coyotes
39. Buffalo Sabres (from PHI)
40. Washington Capitals
41. Detroit Red Wings
42. Detroit Red Wings (from STL)
43. Detroit Red Wings (from VAN)
44. Chicago Blackhawks (from OTT)
45. Buffalo Sabres
46. Nashville Predators (from PIT)
47. Nashville Predators
48. Calgary Flames
49. New York Islanders
50. Seattle Kraken (from WPG via WSH)
51. Chicago Blackhawks (from TB)
52. Seattle Kraken
53. Minnesota Wild
54. Los Angeles Kings
55. Chicago Blackhawks (from NYR)
56. Edmonton Oilers
57. Seattle Kraken (from TOR)
58. New Jersey Devils
59. Anaheim Ducks (from COL)
60. Anaheim Ducks (from BOS)
61. Dallas Stars
62. Carolina Hurricanes
63. Florida Panthers
64. Minnesota Wild (from VGK via BUF)
Round 3
65. Anaheim Ducks
66. Columbus Blue Jackets
67. Chicago Blackhawks
68. Nashville Predators (from SJ)
69. Montreal Canadiens
70. Arizona Coyotes
71. Carolina Hurricanes (from PHI)
72. Arizona Coyotes (from WSH)
73. Detroit Red Wings
74. St. Louis Blues
75. Vancouver Canucks
76. St. Louis Blues (from OTT via TOR)
77. Vegas Golden Knights (from BUF)
78. Los Angeles Kings (from PIT)
79. Nashville Predators
80. New Jersey Devils (from CGY via SEA, CBJ)
81. Arizona Coyotes (from NYI)
82. Winnipeg Jets
83. Nashville Predators (from TB)
84. Seattle Kraken
85. Anaheim Ducks (from MIN)
86. Buffalo Sabres (from LA)
87. Philadelphia Flyers (from NYR)
88. Arizona Coyotes (from EDM)
89. Vancouver Canucks (from TOR)
90. Pittsburgh Penguins (from NJ)
91. New York Rangers (from COL)
92. Boston Bruins
93. Chicago Blackhawks (from DAL via ARI)
94. San Jose Sharks (from CAR)
95. Philadelphia Flyers (from FLA)
96. Vegas Golden Knights
Round 4
97. Anaheim Ducks
98. Columbus Blue Jackets
99. Chicago Blackhawks
100. San Jose Sharks
101. Montreal Canadiens
102. Arizona Coyotes
103. Philadelphia Flyers
104. Washington Capitals
105. Vancouver Canucks (from DET)
106. St. Louis Blues
107. Vancouver Canucks
108. Ottawa Senators
109. Buffalo Sabres
110. Montreal Canadiens (from PIT)
111. Nashville Predators
112. Calgary Flames
113. New York Islanders
114. Columbus Blue Jackets (from WPG via SEA)
115. Nashville Predators (from TB)
116. Seattle Kraken
117. Detroit Red Wings (from MIN)
118. Los Angeles Kings
119. Vancouver Canucks (from NYR)
120. Philadelphia Flyers (from EDM)
121. Nashville Predators (from TOR)
122. New Jersey Devils
123. San Jose Sharks (from COL via SEA)
124. Boston Bruins
125. Dallas Stars
126. Carolina Hurricanes
127. Florida Panthers
128. Montreal Canadiens (from VGK)
Round 5
129. Anaheim Ducks
130. San Jose Sharks (from CBJ)
131. Chicago Blackhawks
132. San Jose Sharks
133. Montreal Canadiens
134. Arizona Coyotes
135. Philadelphia Flyers
136. Washington Capitals
137. Detroit Red Wings
138. St. Louis Blues
139. Carolina Hurricanes (from VAN)
140. Ottawa Senators
141. Buffalo Sabres
142. Pittsburgh Penguins
143. Nashville Predators
144. Montreal Canadiens (from CGY)
145. New York Islanders
146. Winnipeg Jets
147. Nashville Predators (from TB)
148. Seattle Kraken
149. Minnesota Wild
150. Los Angeles Kings
151. Winnipeg Jets (from NYR)
152. New York Rangers (from EDM)
153. Toronto Maple Leafs
154. New Jersey Devils
155. Colorado Avalanche
156. Columbus Blue Jackets (from BOS via MIN)
157. Dallas Stars
158. Carolina Hurricanes
159. Florida Panthers
160. Arizona Coyotes (from VGK)
Round 6
161. Anaheim Ducks
162. Arizona Coyotes (from CBJ)
163. Carolina Hurricanes (from CHI)
164. San Jose Sharks
165. Montreal Canadiens
166. Arizona Coyotes
167. Philadelphia Flyers
168. Seattle Kraken (from WSH)
169. Detroit Red Wings
170. St. Louis Blues
171. Vancouver Canucks
172. Philadelphia Flyers (from OTT)
173. Buffalo Sabres
174. Pittsburgh Penguins
175. Nashville Predators
176. Calgary Flames
177. New York Islanders
178. New York Rangers (from WPG)
179. Tampa Bay Lightning
180. Seattle Kraken
181. Minnesota Wild
182. Los Angeles Kings
183. New York Rangers
184. Edmonton Oilers
185. Toronto Maple Leafs
186. New Jersey Devils
187. Colorado Avalanche
188. Boston Bruins
189. Dallas Stars
190. Carolina Hurricanes
191. Florida Panthers
192. Vegas Golden Knights
Round 7
193. Tampa Bay Lightning (from ANA)
194. Columbus Blue Jackets
195. Chicago Blackhawks
196. San Jose Sharks
197. Montreal Canadiens
198. Florida Panthers (from ARI)
199. Philadelphia Flyers
200. Washington Capitals
201. Detroit Red Wings
202. St. Louis Blues
203. San Jose Sharks (from VAN via ARI)
204. Ottawa Senators
205. Buffalo Sabres
206. San Jose Sharks (from PIT)
207. Ottawa Senators (from NSH)
208. Calgary Flames
209. New York Islanders
210. Winnipeg Jets
211. Tampa Bay Lightning
212. Seattle Kraken
213. Minnesota Wild
214. Boston Bruins (from LA)
215. Ottawa Senators (from NYR)
216. Edmonton Oilers
217. Pittsburgh Penguins (from TOR)
218. New Jersey Devils
219. Colorado Avalanche
220. Boston Bruins
221. Dallas Stars
222. Carolina Hurricanes
223. Pittsburgh Penguins (from FLA)
224. Vegas Golden Knights
2023 NHL Draft: Pronman and Wheeler debate Danielson, Moore, Swedish ‘D’ head-to-head
Last week, Scott Wheeler and Corey Pronman debated their rankings of some of the most interesting players in the 2023 NHL Draft.
Today, they’re back for more — only this time, they’ll be debating two players of the same position head-to-head, stating their case for why a team should pick one over the other.
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Here’s part two of Pronman vs. Wheeler.
Read more: NHL Staff Mock Draft 2.0: Bedard is No. 1, but where do Fantilli, Carlsson, Michkov land?
Max Bultman: Let’s start with two of the top centers in this class, Oliver Moore and Nate Danielson. Scott, you have Moore in your top 10 and Danielson at 20, and Corey, you basically the opposite.
We’ll give Scott the opening statement here: Why would you take Moore ahead of Danielson?
Scott Wheeler: Ultimately, I think Moore will just be capable of impacting the game in more ways at the next level. They’re both workers and drivers. They’re both very competitive. They’re both strong athletes who play hard. Both showed they could carry a line this year. But outside of Danielson being a couple of inches taller, I think there are some important separators that favor Moore.
NHL Draft mailbag as we’re under two weeks to go https://t.co/uHwxoipsEf — Corey Pronman (@coreypronman) June 16, 2023
The speed is obviously the big one. Danielson is a good skater. Even a plus-level one. Moore is a world-class one — best-in-class — and will be able to transport pucks in transition and put defenders on their heels in ways that few can.
But I’d also argue Moore has the edge as a handler and shooter, too, with an ability to create more looks for himself inside the offensive zone, beat the first layer of pressure, and finish with a wrister that comes off a little harder.
There’s just more dimension in a couple of small ways (Danielson can finish around the slot, too, no question) and certainly one major one.
Bultman: Corey, why should Danielson go first?
Corey Pronman: I agree with a lot of the things Scott said above. The one major disagreement I have is the skill and creating. I think Danielson has excellent skill. He’s a play driver with high-end hands who can create at high tempos. He is more skilled than Moore. He is only a couple months older but his junior production is better, both in his draft season and as an underage in a better junior league. He is a better shooter, as I thought Danielson was a more consistent threat shooting from mid-range/faceoff dot this season and a multi-dimensional guy on the power play.
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Some may argue that Moore didn’t get PP1 time/premium offensive opportunities, but Danielson had very iffy linemates around him all season while being the guy teams always matched up so I think those issues balance out.
Moore gets a significant edge in the skating department, there’s no question about it. But otherwise Danielson is 2.5 inches taller, with better skill, finishing ability, and overall track record of scoring. That’s plenty of major differences for me to close the skating gap and make me think he will be the superior pro.
Bultman: It sounds like you’re split on the evaluation of these two centers, not just the value of their profiles. But I’m curious how you each would factor in the respective quality of the two teams they played on into that conversation — Moore on the loaded NTDP, where he has more talent around him but a lesser role, and Danielson as the focal point of a less talented team overall.
Wheeler: Anecdotally, I think that prompts the question of would the two players have accomplished the same if their roles were reversed? I’d be willing to bet that Moore would have been just as productive as Danielson, if not more, had he been Brandon’s first-line centre this year, even considering the lack of talent on that team.
I would also argue with Corey’s point about Danielson’s production being better to this point on that basis. If you’re just looking at their USHL-to-WHL splits, sure, Moore registered 25 in 23 in the USHL (1.09 points per game) and Danielson scored 78 in 68 in the WHL (1.15 points per game). But if you’re looking at the entire body of work and include Moore’s larger full-season sample featuring NCAA and international competition, he was actually 75 in 60 (1.25 points per game) and also more productive on a goals per game basis (0.52 to 0.49) while playing within lesser offensive usage. That included, and this might be the most compelling piece, 11 goals and 28 points in 20 games against NCAA opponents.
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Read more: NHL Draft confidential: What scouts and executives think of Bedard, Michkov and more
Pronman: We obviously have differences of opinion on the trait grades and would think one player would have had more success than the other in a given role.
Bultman: Let’s move on to our next topic, on a pair of right-shot defenders teams will certainly be deciding between in the coming days: Tom Willander and Axel Sandin Pellikka. Corey, we’ll start with you here, as Willander shot up your final ranks into the top 15, ahead of Sandin Pellikka. Why do you prefer him now?
Pronman: I think Sandin Pellikka is more of a natural offensive guy. Anyone who has seen him run a power play, or just compared the two players’ offensive totals will see there’s a difference there. I think Willander has a more translatable game to the pro level though. He is one of the very best skaters in the draft. Sandin Pellikka is a good skater, and while some scouts feel he’s high-end in that area, I see good, not great mobility. Willander is also 2.5 inches taller, while being a better skater, and he projects to be a much better defender in the NHL. We saw at the U18s how good of a shutdown player he could be against the top NHL talents on Canada and USA.
The question then becomes how big is the offense difference between the two relative to the defensive differences. I think the offense difference will be minor even though I think Sandin Pellikka is smarter with a better shot. I think Willander can move the puck. I think he showed that as the season progressed between his play in the second half at the Swedish J20 level including the playoffs, the U18 5 nations in February and the 18 worlds in April. The sample size isn’t overly inspiring but I saw the progression in his game to where at times the Swedish U18 coach was defaulting to Willander as the main power-play guy at times over ASP. With that in mind combined with his premium athletic toolkit, I think Willander will be the better NHL defenseman.
Bultman: Scott, you have Sandin Pellikka ahead still by a solid margin. Why should teams prefer him to Willander?
Wheeler: I think it’s close enough that either could have the better NHL career. We certainly both agree that Willander’s the better skater and that, with his length, probably gives him a higher ceiling defending. I like Sandin Pellikka to become a solid defender in his own right, though, too. He’s competitive. He’s physical. He plays tight gaps really effectively through neutral ice. He reads the game well. He held his own in the SHL this season. So it’s not as though we’re comparing an excellent two-way defenseman to an all-offense guy. I think I’d contend that ASP’s mobility is closer to great, too. Certainly he has great edges/backward skating, but I like his ability to pull away going forward as well.
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And then there’s a pretty wide gap between their sense/shooting/offensive instincts. Willander plays a comfortable game moving the puck, but his play off of the offensive zone blue line was vanilla all year, both in terms of playmaking skill and in terms of his ability to even see the ambitious offensive play to begin with (he almost always makes the simple one). The Swedes also ran two pretty equal power play units in terms of usage, and spread out the talent at forward and on defense.
If Willander can add a little more dimension to his game in time, I could see my position changing, but I just haven’t seen enough from him there at this stage.
Bultman: Corey, considering how Willander rose on your list after the U18 Worlds, is there any concern about putting too much emphasis on what he showed at that event?
Pronman: It is, but with him, I think it’s less an outlier performance and more of a trend. He wasn’t a top player for Sweden at the Hlinka. Then he got better at the November five nations. Then he was very good at the World Junior A Challenge. Then he was good at the February 5 nations. Then he helped lead Rogle to a J20 title. And finally, he had that monster April tournament at the worlds. So it wasn’t about one good week but a player who continuously got better as the season progressed.
Bultman: And Scott, there aren’t a ton of top-four defensemen who are under 6 feet in the NHL (although, it’s worth noting, some of the exceptions are some of the sport’s best players). The question might be, does Sandin Pellikka have the dynamic qualities to be the next one, or is there any concern he could trend more like Adam Boqvist or Nils Lundkvist?
Wheeler: There were 92 defensemen 6 feet or under (28 percent of the league’s D, almost exactly two out of every team’s seven defensemen), and 47 defensemen 5-foot-11 and under (14 percent, or one-in-seven), who played in the NHL last year. I don’t think it’s as rare as it’s perceived to be that way.
ASP is closer to Lundkvist than Boqvist stylistically, and Lundkvist showed promise in Dallas that he could become a second-pairing guy. I think he’s a better prospect than Rasmus Sandin and Sean Durzi were at the same age, too, and both have become good NHL defensemen who’ve beaten out good, bigger NHL defensemen for their jobs. If those guys are his floor (and I think ASP is a considerably better prospect right now than Lundqvist, or Sandin, or Durzi were), and a Josh Morrissey or a Vince Dunn-type is the ceiling, that’s worthy of a high-pick play. I see more than enough quality in the way he handles the puck, attacks, shoots, and sees the ice to believe there’s a medium chance he can get there offensively.
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Bultman: Eduard Sale entered the season as one of the premium names in this class, as a 6-2 forward who’s shown lots of offense. But, Corey, he’s fallen out of your top 20 now, while Samuel Honzek has risen all the way to 13. What did Honzek do to elevate himself that way, and why did Sale fall for you?
Pronman: Honzek was interesting towards the end of last season as a big forward who could skate, PK and showed some offense. I liked him against men and with Slovakia’s U18 team, but I wasn’t as sold on the skill and playmaking until I saw him in the WHL. He showed one-on-one skill, ability to find seams, to create off the rush and get to the net. The whole package made for a versatile and highly appealing pro prospect without a clear flaw. One question I’ve asked people this year is exactly how much worse is he than Juraj Slafkovsky? He has less skill and goal-scoring touch, and everyone agrees Slafkovsky is better, but most scouts don’t push back and say there’s a wide difference between the two players.
Eduard Sale looked like a premium talent when I saw him last spring at the U18s. Then I thought he was average at the Hlinka in the summer. His season in Czechia was up and down. His world juniors were solid and some of his best hockey this season. I was in on him up until January as a super skilled albeit not super competitive wing with speed and size. Then he laid two eggs in a row at the U18 5 nations in February and the U18 Worlds in April, combined with so-so play with his club down the stretch. The consistency in his game is a major flag, and makes it hard to go to bat for him as a premium talent when his best hockey versus his age group was a year ago.
Bultman: Scott, you’ve dropped Sale as well, but he’s still a top-15 player for you in this class, compared to Honzek at No. 25. Is that a sheer upside play, or is there something else keeping Sale ahead (and in a tier above) for you?
New @TheAthletic: 2023 NHL Draft class superlatives:
– Best skaters
– Best shot
– Best passers
– Best hands
– Most competitive
– Smartest
– Top two-way forwards
– Highest floor
– Highest ceiling More: https://t.co/APx8wYdwQ6 pic.twitter.com/oJLflbmHc9 — Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) June 15, 2023
Wheeler: I think part of it is that I certainly wouldn’t qualify his U18 Worlds as having laid an egg. That Czech team was as talentless up front as any I can recall at that level, they were in a really tough group, and he still registered 20 of their 98 shots (nearly twice as many as his nearest teammate and four per game, including eight against Canada and an assist on their only goal against the USA), was in on six of their 13 goals (two more than his nearest teammate), and flashed legit skill.
Honzek is certainly the more complete of the two players, and Sale can come and go in games for sure, so I can understand an argument that favors him on that basis. Sale gets higher grades as a skater, handler, shooter, and passer though and I think ultimately has a higher ceiling — certainly if he can add a little more fire to his game, but maybe even if he doesn’t and there’s enough of a gap between them offensively. Honzek is a projectable middle-six forward. I haven’t seen the top-six, PP1 tools in his game that I’ve seen in Sale’s.
Bultman: Corey, I know you have Honzek rated above Sale in your upside rankings. Do you want to make a case for Honzek’s ceiling? (is this redundant to the first question?)
Pronman: Using EliteProspects’ filters based on 6-3 players or bigger by points/game in their WHL draft season over the last 20 years here are the top six:
Cody Glass 1.36
Samuel Honzek 1.30
Dylan Cozens 1.24
Kirby Dach 1.18
Conor Geekie 1.11
Michael Rasmussen 1.11
He’s absolutely in top-pick offensive production territory and has legit skill. I think he’s a better skater than Glass and Rasmussen as well even though Ras moves well for his size. He’s a lot of player and that he competes well too makes him a highly appealing prospect.
Bultman: Last word to Scott: First, any response to Corey’s point? And second, given the consistency bit, how confident are you that Sale can approach the ceiling that his raw ability creates?
Wheeler: To your first question: I would just add that all of those players, outside of Cozens, look like they were drafted too high. Whether or not they were picked high is I think less relevant to whether they were good picks. With his November birthday, Honzek’s also the oldest player in that group at the time of the draft.
To your second: It’s a fair question. Once you’re into the teens, though, there are questions about every player. Colby Barlow’s pace, Sale’s consistency, etc. I do think you’re better off betting on the ability than making a difficult judgment about a player’s competitiveness/willingness to learn and/or adjust their habits.
(Illustration: Eamonn Dalton / The Athletic; photos of Eduard Sale and Nate Danielson: Minas Panagiotakis, Jonathan Kozub / Getty Images)
Pronman: Why NHL Draft prospect Matvei Michkov is worth the risk
Matvei Michkov is the most fascinating prospect in the 2023 NHL Draft. He is a No. 1 pick type of talent under normal circumstances. The things he’s done in junior hockey for his age are incredible, and as one NHL executive put it, “his junior performance is so far to the right of the bell curve he falls off the curve.” He gets the highest grades on his pure skill level and hockey sense. He’s not the biggest or fastest winger, but his offensive touch is special, and nobody in the NHL is disputing that.
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While not every NHL scout agrees, most scouts I’ve talked to think Michkov is at worst the fifth-best prospect in the 2023 draft class, and many think he’s as good or better than Adam Fantilli and Leo Carlsson. In conversations with a large number of NHL scouts, several expressed that they would be comfortable taking Michkov at No. 4, 3 and some even at No. 2 over Fantilli because of his star potential.
However, Michkov is signed with SKA St. Petersburg through the end of the 2025-26 KHL season. With that fact comes obvious complications for a team with a high draft pick, between the wait, the need to get him signed and the obvious issues surrounding the war in Ukraine. All those factors have resulted in NHL teams currently feeling hesitant about selecting Michkov, and Russians in general, with a high pick.
Opining about politics and Russia is not in my wheelhouse. I can’t give any informed opinions about those areas. All I can do is discuss hockey players, and try to relate this situation to the closest analogous situation I’ve seen in the past.
This is not the first time the fear of taking Russians high in the draft has been widespread. The KHL was founded in 2008, and shortly after, the Russian Factor became very real in the NHL Draft as the KHL attempted to compete with the NHL for talent. Vladimir Tarasenko, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Andrei Vasilevskiy and Nikita Kucherov became examples of top Russian talents who slid in part due to that variable. Tarasenko and Kuznetsov, who were both considered top prospects going into the 2010 NHL Draft, are now top-five scorers on a per-game basis and have two Stanley Cup rings. Tarasenko went 16th and Kuznetsov 26th. Vasilevskiy was considered a top prospect as well going into his draft; he has two rings now and is probably the No. 1 overall pick in a 2012 redraft after going 19th.
There are elements about some lesser-known names in the 2023 NHL Draft that give them “sleeper” potential.@coreypronman on the players he thinks could elevate their prospect stock significantly with good development.https://t.co/qkrknBZmTa — The Athletic (@TheAthletic) June 15, 2023
Some skeptics point to SKA’s relationship to the Russian government and the team’s vast resources, and worry that Michkov could stay beyond the current three-year deal. Michkov is saying the right things about how he wants to play in the NHL. He can’t guarantee when that is going to be.
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“The situation is volatile there, who knows what could happen next?” said one NHL scout, who, along with the other scouts and executives I interviewed for this article, was granted anonymity in order to speak freely about Michkov. “You saw with the Flyers last summer. They couldn’t get that goalie [Ivan Fedotov] over because he was arrested and enlisted. Maybe your guy gets arrested. Maybe he is forced to enlist. There’s all kinds of uncertainties.”
While the Flyers ran into major issues with Fedotov, plenty of Russian players have come to the NHL in the last 12 months, such as top free agent Andrei Kuzmenko and first-round picks Fedor Svechkov, Yarolsav Askarov and Ivan Miroshnichenko, although there have at times been obstacles in getting players back, like with Kirill Kaprizov last summer.
“At some point, the talent is so massive relative to the alternative that you take the gamble, but in the top five, top 10 even, you’re still getting an excellent player, and the difference between that guy and no player is rather huge to your organization” said an executive who was also skeptical of taking Michkov high.
That talent delta between Michkov and what will be the next best alternative is an important variable to consider. It’s close between him and Adam Fantilli in the eyes of most scouts, and it’s why most scouts will not fault a team for taking Fantilli. Enough believe Carlsson and Will Smith are close or close enough in ability to not question that either.
But when it starts becoming Michkov versus David Reinbacher, Zachary Benson, Dalibor Dvorsky, Nate Danielson, Gabe Perreault, Ryan Leonard or Colby Barlow, most scouts agree there is a massive gap in ability, and you are leaving a lot of talent on the board by picking someone other than Michkov. There are no guarantees as well on any of those players hitting to their potential.
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In my opinion, there is a significant drop in ability from Michkov to Carlsson. The drop in talent is equivalent of that from Carlsson to the 18th-ranked player on my draft board. I have Will Smith from the U.S. NTDP closely behind Carlsson, but in terms of Michkov to the next best non-Carlsson/Smith player, that drop is cataclysmic. It’s the equivalent of the difference between Carlsson and players rated as late-round picks in terms of hockey ability. If Carlsson, Smith and Fantilli are gone and you take someone other than Michkov, in my opinion, you are picking a dramatically worse player.
The opportunity cost is also massive if you say no to Michkov. This is a rare draft where a talent of his caliber could be available beyond the first few picks due to the unique strength at the top of the draft. If you decline to pick Michkov, a player with truly elite skill and hockey sense, as a management group, you may not get a second chance to pick a player again of that caliber of skill. They don’t come along every draft; they didn’t in 2022 or 2021. Lafrenière and Jack Hughes were elite skill No. 1 picks, although Michkov is notably more skilled than both at the same age, albeit nowhere close to as good a skater as Hughes and smaller than Lafrenière. As well, with the way the lottery format is currently set up in the NHL, even if that player is available, you likely won’t be able to select him even if your team is terrible.
There is an asset management argument to this decision too. Even if you aren’t enamored with the player due to something in his skill set, or the geopolitical situation, if he becomes a KHL star over the next few years there will be serious trade demand for that player once his deal is up.
“It always comes back to evaluation, right? If he’s a star, you take him. If he’s not, then you start evaluating trade-offs,” said one former NHL GM. “There are so few star players in a draft realistically — if you have a shot to take one, you take it.”
The risks posed by the three-year contract can arguably be overrated too, if you think about what the typical timeline is for a non-elite NHL prospect to both: 1) Make their NHL team, and 2) Make a difference on that team. For all the players I listed above, it is highly unlikely that within the next three seasons they are helping an NHL team in a meaningful way. Maybe one or two do, and I can’t confidently tell you which ones those are.
“If any of the teams in a position to take him believe they are going to make a quick turnaround they’re fooling themselves,” said the ex-GM. “Realistically all young players are going to take years to develop before you’re ready to win with them anyways. The timeline concern is not valid in my opinion.”
Whether you agree or disagree, a team’s specific situation is often referenced by NHL sources in making both the Michkov determination and picking Russians such as Daniil But and Dmitri Simashev high; teams generally rate them highly as NHL prospects. Does that club have multiple first-round picks? Is the GM new or on a short leash? Is ownership a willing participant? Does the club have a rich prospect pool or is it bare bones? Is ownership willing to give hockey operations enough time to let Michkov arrive before making a change? These are variables raised by a number of executives in discussing the decision making process. Kirill Kaprizov, who mind you was a fifth-round pick, not a top five pick, and was not considered a premium prospect at the time of his draft, was drafted by one GM and ended up playing for the Wild two manager changes later.
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“The opinions of hockey ops are not going to be that relevant,” said one scouting director. “Most evaluators agree he’s a top talent. This pick will come down to management and especially ownership. Can they stomach the risks?”
New post @TheAthleticNHL: 2023 NHL Draft confidential: what scouts think of the top prospects https://t.co/WpMdTW48Bk — Corey Pronman (@coreypronman) June 13, 2023
A very reasonable counter-argument posed to me from several executives for picking Michkov, is, frankly, that it’s not my job on the line if things go badly — if he signs another extension, if the geopolitical situation gets worse and getting players out of Russia becomes much more difficult or if the player simply doesn’t perform.
I get that argument. It’s much easier for me to say that teams should pick him from my keyboard. If things turn south with Michkov, The Athletic is not firing me (I hope!). Fans may not like it — they tend to want to win at all costs —but self preservation is a part of the human psyche and is absolutely a variable with teams. Management groups typically have five years to show meaningful progress, so it’s tough to go to bat for a guy who may join your team in four seasons. There are people in the league who have little appetite to risk their jobs on this pick. But there are also others who see the player as an avenue to turning their club around. If the pick doesn’t work out, is that a fireable offense? If you pass on him and it works out is it a fireable offense? That’s a question on the minds of many NHL personnel, I’m sure.
I personally have skepticisms that Michkov will sign an extension. Based on how he performed in the KHL this season, chances are that three years from now he will be a star KHL player looking for a new challenge. There is no guarantee that will be the case, though. Maybe on a top team like SKA he struggles to push his way to the top of a lineup consistently with his size and skating. But odds are he will be a top player by the end of his current deal. SKA’s public messaging has always been encouraging players to go to the NHL when “they’re ready,” although they may not always agree on when that is.
In terms of whether the geopolitical situation worsens, that is an unpredictable matter. The facts of the Ukraine war haven’t changed substantially since this time last year, where several Russian players went in the first and second round and none were close to the player Michkov is.
Among some evaluators I’ve spoken with, there is a personality question with Michkov too. It’s not a universal opinion in the industry, though. Based on the little in-person interaction I’ve had with Michkov, he was not exactly the most charming individual in the world and was a bit standoffish. I think he rubs people the wrong way, is a little arrogant, and may not be the most likeable personality in the world, but I also think that’s sometimes part of the process of being told you’re the next big thing since you were 12 years old. Jack Hughes rubbed people the wrong way too at times as a draft-eligible and safe to say he’s turned out OK. With personality issues, I look for the smoking gun. Is there a major incident I need to be aware of? Does it manifest itself constantly on-ice? I don’t think it rises to that level with Michkov. None of the team personnel I know who have interviewed Michkov via Zoom have come away saying there’s a major problem either.
Finally, some are just not full believers in the player. They see a small, average-skating one-way winger who has a ton of skill but they’re skeptical that it will translate into an impact NHL player. Some scouts reject the “best Russian prospect since Ovechkin” talk that has followed Michkov for years and say he’s closer to Tarasenko at the same age.
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If Michkov became an NHL star he would be a unique one. I can’t ever recall someone who was an elite player in the NHL with his frame and skating and without excellent compete. It’s not too dissimilar from what we saw in the NFL Draft a few months ago, where Bryce Young, a barely 5-foot-11 quarterback with average mobility went No. 1 overall despite almost no comparables in recent memory to his frame and play style at that point of the draft. But he had special football IQ and the track record to justify teams thinking he can be the exception to the rules. Will Michkov be the exception to the rule?
Michkov is one of the most interesting prospect cases in my time covering the draft. He has special qualities. He has major flaws as a player for a potential No. 1 overall pick type of talent in normal circumstances. Players of his caliber are typically in the NHL right after the NHL Draft, not four seasons later. The context and unpredictability of the Russia-Ukraine war hangs over Michkov’s selection as well.
New post @TheAthleticNHL: @scottcwheeler and I debate top prospects in the 2023 NHL Draft https://t.co/xFJATir2lh — Corey Pronman (@coreypronman) June 12, 2023
I’ve heard the arguments against taking him. The long KHL contract. The war. His skating. He’s probably not actually 5-foot-10, but closer to 5-9. He’s not the most likeable kid. He couldn’t make SKA’s KHL team this season.
They’re all reasonable arguments, and in the context of 99% of quality prospects many of those arguments would be highly concerning and some would be fatal flaws.
But Michkov is in the other 1%. Inside the offensive zone, I can’t remember a better first-year draft eligible I’ve seen in my time covering the NHL Draft in terms of his combination of offensive skill, hockey sense and scoring ability. He’s a special player, “a hockey genius” as one scouting director put it. I believe you should stomach the risks on a player like him, even if the risks are massive, because if he hits, you are talking about the caliber of player who can be an NHL MVP candidate.
I respect the arguments against picking him and realize I won’t bear the career downside of this going sideways other than to my reputation. I ranked Michkov third on my big board, and I would pick him there if I were in charge of an NHL Draft. Time will tell if that would be the right move or not.
(Illustration: Sean Reilly / The Athletic; photo: RvS.Media / Basile Barbey / Getty Images)
NHL offseason dominoes: Moves that could create chaos
In the NHL, one thing always leads to another. Trades, signings and draft picks are never made in a vacuum. One move has reverberations leading to others, like a stone tossed in the water or dominoes tumbling into each other.
Please recall last summer, when the Pittsburgh Penguins traded defenseman John Marino to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for Ty Smith and a 2023 third-round pick. That was to open up a roster spot and salary space so GM Ron Hextall could trade for 34-year-old Montreal Canadiens defenseman Jeff Petry.
The dominoes kept falling. Marino was great for the Devils, helping to make Damon Severson expendable, who then signed a deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets after the Devils traded him there earlier this month. Hextall, who made the Petry deal, is now the Penguins’ former GM.
This offseason will bring more chain reactions, some in close proximity to each other and others down the line.
The following five scenarios are presented for maximum chaos. Take them under consideration as possible outcomes in the multiverse of madness that is the NHL offseason, rather than firm predictions. In each case, the fallout will be as interesting as the catalysts.
Here are some offseason dominoes we’d like to see fall in the NHL:
Islanders sign Samuel Bolduc to two-year contract extension
The Islanders got another piece of offseason business done and dusted ahead of next week’s 2023 NHL Draft.
Defenseman Samuel Bolduc, a pending restricted free agent, signed a two-year extension, the team announced.
It’s a one-way deal with an $800,000 average annual value, according to an industry source.
The deal will keep Bolduc under contract through age 24, when he will again hit restricted free agency.
The Quebec native made his NHL debut last season, skating in 17 regular-season games and scoring twice with an assist.
While the Islanders dealt with various injuries on the back end, Bolduc acquitted himself well enough to be in the mix for a more permanent spot coming into training camp for 2023-24.
Bolduc had a standout year at the AHL level, too, scoring 35 points in 56 games as he bounced back from a disappointing 2021-22.
The Islanders re-signed defenseman Samuel Bolduc to a two-year contract extension. Getty Images
Islanders defenseman Samuel Bolduc battles Capitals forward T.J. Oshie for the puck on March 29, 2023. AP
The question now is whether he can beat out Sebastian Aho for the final spot on the left side of the blue line — or whether Scott Mayfield will depart in free agency, potentially forcing one of the two to shift to the right.
2023-24 NHL Stanley Cup Playoff odds, predictions and preview
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According to oddsmakers, there is no clear favorite in the NHL next season. At least not yet.
Perhaps that sentiment changes after what should be a manic offseason, but for now the bookies are not comfortable putting one team in its own tier like it did with Colorado ahead of the last two regular seasons.
Instead, BetMGM has tagged the Avalanche (+800) just a slight favorite over the Bruins and Maple Leafs (both +950), with the Oilers right on their tails at 10/1.
They have plenty of company, too, as the Devils, Hurricanes, and Golden Knights are all currently 12/1 while there are four other teams (Rangers, Stars, Lightning, and Panthers) between 14/1 and 18/1.
So what are the bookmakers trying to tell us ahead of what will be the busiest two weeks of the NHL offseason?
Parity is back.
The first two seasons after the pandemic hiatus were chalky.
Favorites were clipping at a historic rate in the NHL, and we had two powerhouses (Tampa Bay and Colorado) lift the Stanley Cup.
But the 2022-23 playoffs were full of surprises, and it looks like we could be dealing with more of the same in 2023-24.
One reason we can expect things to get a bit more chaotic is that there are serious questions (not just: Can they stay healthy for 82 games?) to be asked of every team at the top of the board and there’s an emerging middle class of upstarts that will be doing the asking.
Colorado’s depth is a problem, the Leafs are in flux, while the Oilers, Hurricanes and Golden Knights have murky goaltending situations.
And unlike in the past few seasons, this time around there are a handful of rising powers that are ready to steal a spot at the party if things fall apart for one of the big boys.
The Seattle Kraken are poised to make a leap this offseason NHLI via Getty Images
One thing this odds board makes clear is that nobody knows what to expect in the summer.
This could be the weakest free agency class we’ve seen in a decade, but there are plenty of massive names on the trade market, with a handful of teams like the Jets, Flames, and Maple Leafs all rumored to be considering trading away game-breaking players.
All the while, almost every team with aspirations of contending next season is dealing with salary cap problems.
This all adds up to a very unpredictable offseason.
That is good news for bettors, who stand a much better chance at beating the market to big NHL moves than they do in sports like the NFL or NBA, where a lot more people are paying attention.
That means that if you think a team on the outside (say, Los Angeles, Detroit, or Seattle) is setting up for a big move, you’re going to want to beat the market by betting on them before the acquisition becomes official because once it does the number will likely crash a bit.
Connor McDavid looks to lead the Oilers this upcoming season NHLI via Getty Images
Betting on the NHL?
The offseason has yet to even begin, so this is a very early look at the betting landscape for 2023-24, but there are a couple of teams that will likely see their odds adjusted as we get closer to October.
The Sabres and Senators are likely to be trendy sleeper picks, while we could see a big long shot like the Blue Jackets taking some money if they continue to be aggressive this summer.
One prediction I’ll make now: The Oilers will be the betting favorite on opening night.
2023 NHL Draft survey: Scouts, players and staff dish on Bedard, Michkov, more
The premise of my annual draft survey is simple and ambitious: three different questions for three different groups of people who are involved at three different levels of each draft. NHL scouts and staff get one question. The players themselves get another. The general managers and coaches in the leagues they play in get another.
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Each question is designed to elicit insight unique to their role in the draft. The goal is to provide a trio of differing perspectives on what is ultimately the same thing: this year’s draft-eligible prospects.
This year, the finished product includes a total of 95 respondents. Here are the results.
Note: The following answers are lightly edited for clarity and length.
NHL scout survey
I asked 16 scouts and team staff the following question this year: “Where would you rank Matvei Michkov in this class if all else was equal and the geopolitical and contractual considerations weren’t a factor?”
The goal was to garner a better sense of the consensus on the actual hockey player. Given how much readers have asked about him, I felt this was as good an opportunity as any to provide a baseline for what teams are passing up on because of extenuating factors.
Three scouts said they hadn’t seen enough of him to form an opinion. Another replied, “I am not going to touch that one haha.” Here’s where the rest landed.
Scout 1: He probably ranks No. 2. His play in the KHL has been as good as you could hope for from a draft eligible: solid production, strong underlying analytical metrics and glowing scouting reports. After Bedard, he is the only prospect that likely could make the jump to the NHL next year and has higher upside than (Leo) Carlsson or (Adam) Fantilli.
Scout 2: Second or third.
If third, who’d be second for you?
Fantilli.
*pause in texts*
Or (Connor) Bedard.
Scout 3: Third.
Behind Bedard and who?
Fantilli.
Scout 4: I haven’t seen Michkov play this year so I don’t have an accurate assessment. Though from what I’m hearing I would slot him in between 6-10.
Scout 5: Michkov would rank just behind Bedard in that scenario.
Scout 6: Hell of a question. I’m debating between 1 and 2. I think it’s probably 2. I think I value the goal-scoring upside in Bedard a bit more.
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Scout 7: 1B. Both players put together generational draft years.
Scout 8: Second.
Scout 9: Second. I would have Bedard in a tier at the top, next tier would be Michkov in his own tier before the group of Fantilli, Carlsson, (Will) Smith.
Scout 10: Good Q. No. 3 for me.
Behind Bedard and who?
Fantilli. Original, I know.
Scout 11: Given our standing situation MM was a guy I only watched once all year. So, not a situation I can weigh in on with any authority. In saying that, I still have him second on my list when weighing all those factors. But again, given my much lower sample sizes are on the “top” 3-4 guys, I can’t say with much certainty that it would still be the case if I watched those guys more.
Scout 12: Good question. Tough one, I had to think about it as we won’t be in consideration for either. I think Michkov over Fantilli at No. 2 for me.
Player survey
I ask the prospects of each draft class the same question each year: “Who is the most talented non-teammate you’ve played against in the class? Not necessarily the best, but the most talented.”
This year, I surveyed 61 prospects, but with one more caveat: They couldn’t answer Bedard, either.
Then I left them to think about it and come back with an answer. Their responses, I think, are illuminating of which players have impressed their peers.
Ethan Gauthier called Zach Benson “the best player I’ve played on a line with.” Michael Hrabal quipped “You know the players” and refused to answer when pressed, with a smile on his face. Multiple players credited Colby Barlow for how hard he is to stop. One said they told an NHL club in an interview that they’d take Brayden Yager with them to the NHL if they could pick. Only nine of the 60 votes went to defencemen because of the nature of the question, and five of those were for Axel Sandin Pellikka, who was most popular among U.S. NTDP players in what I thought was a notable sign of respect.
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Here was the final tally, ranked by most common (number of responses in parentheses).
1. Will Smith (8)
2. Zach Benson (7)
3. Colby Barlow (6)
T4. Calum Ritchie, Axel Sandin Pellikka (5)
T6. Leo Carlsson, Andrew Cristall, Dalibor Dvorsky, Otto Stenberg (3)
T10. Adam Fantilli, Jayden Perron, Brayden Yager, Etienne Morin (2)
T14. Eduard Sale, Quentin Musty, Luca Cagnoni, Luca Pinelli, Gracyn Sawchyn, Ryan Leonard, Nick Lardis, David Reinbacher, Riley Heidt (1)
Connor Bedard (AP Photo / Abbie Parr)
WHL coaches, GMs and player survey
Over the course of this season, I surveyed staff and players from around the WHL to try to find fresh perspectives and insights into Bedard. It has felt like everything that can be said or written about him has been said or written about him. By pundits. By people with Hockey Canada and the Regina Pats. By him. By his family. By us here at The Athletic, where we’ve written several features across several years, travelled to spend time with him and broken down the ins and outs of his game on tape and his game in the data.
But we haven’t actually heard much from his opponents and peers, at least not the ones who are most familiar with what it’s like to play with and against him. His world juniors teammates saw it — and were asked about it — for two weeks, sure, but few of them actually know it and so you get mostly “oohs and aahs.” But there are some who’ve been seeing it and around it for years. The coaches who’ve game-planned for or against him, the GMs who’ve tried to construct ways to do the same, and the players — and goalies! — who’ve played against him or skated with him, who’ve tried to stop him or tried to get him pucks, in many cases since minor hockey.
And so, 18 of those people were asked some version of the same question: “Tell me something I don’t know about Bedard. Something that flies under the radar. Something that other people don’t see or get wrong.”
Some of their answers were blunt. Some were funny. Some reinforced what we already know.
Here’s what they all said.
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Peter Anholt (Lethbridge Hurricanes GM): “Sorry Scott. Nothing that Connor does for me flies under the radar. No one has been more dissected than this kid. That’s probably what flies under the radar most, is how he has handled the attention.”
Jeff Chynoweth (Calgary Hitmen GM): There is nothing about his game in my opinion that flies under the radar. He was off the charts at the world juniors and has taken it to another level since returning to the WHL. It is like he is playing a video game.”
Steve Hamilton (Calgary Hitmen HC): His versatility on the power play. Could play any one of the five spots without a ripple. Flows into space based on where the good ice is.
Dave Struch (Everett Silvertips AHC, former Regina Pats HC for Bedard’s first two seasons): His preparation before and after a game or practice. It’s nothing fascinating but it’s a pro mentality. The work/rest/focus etc. that he has put (is putting) in to his game when no one is watching.
Luke Pierce (Edmonton Oil Kings HC): I would say recently it has been his playmaking ability. From early December on it has been incredible. Was “easier” to defend him as a pure shooter but his playmaking improvement has made defending him extremely difficult.
Kirt Hill (Edmonton Oil Kings GM): His playmaking in my opinion. Everyone talks about his shot and ability to score, but his passing and ability to be accurate all the time with his passes is a huge part of his game and success. That’s forehand and backhand, which are both elite.
Curtis Hunt (Prince Albert Raiders GM): How strong he is on his skates and how he has developed his physical game.
Bill LaForge (Seattle Thunderbirds GM): I would say his competitive nature. He is in every battle.
Matt O’Dette (Seattle Thunderbirds HC): Thankfully we didn’t have to face him when we visited Regina. Just from watching him, I’m always surprised with his competitiveness and feistiness. Nice combination for a player with that type of skill.
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Dennis Williams (Everett Silvertips HC/GM, HC with Team Canada at the 2023 world juniors): One thing for sure is his compete without the puck. His one-on-one battles. He pursues pucks very well and has a very good stick on takeaways. Strong on his skates with great puck protection skills.
Anonymous coach: He wants the puck all over the ice. It’s not like he just wants it off the rush. He wants the puck low, he wants the puck high, he wants it everywhere. And you just want the puck on his stick as much as possible, which is why I think he’s best as a centre. I think it would be wild to have him as a winger (in the NHL). And his competitiveness, I felt like that was something that people really undervalued. Like he’s chippy and he’ll self-govern himself. Like he’ll go after guys. People were taking full-blown runs at this kid and he’s throwing bigger reverse hits, he’s getting elbows up, and he’s right in the mix of things. I think it’s still underrated, even now.
Fraser Minten (Kamloops Blazers forward, former teammate at West Van Academy): I don’t know if there’s something that isn’t out there already (laughs). I think maybe just that he’s a normal kid. There’s nothing superhuman about him or anything like that. Everything he has gotten is from incredible amounts of hard work and passion. He’s just a super passionate, competitive, driven guy. You watch “The Last Dance” and you think of him as having that kind of drive and will to win. You watch him in the first round this year in the playoffs and he demonstrates that, you watch him in the world juniors, the bigger the game the bigger the moment and he always rises up. But a lot of people think he’s got some ability that’s genetic or born like that and it was all hard-earned and he has progressed every single year. So maybe just keeping in mind that he’s just a normal guy and anyone can do what he’s doing if they’re willing to sacrifice and put in as much work as he has.
Brayden Yager (Moose Jaw Warriors forward, does Power Edge Pro skates with Bedard in the offseason): He doesn’t really put too much out there. He’s just a great person. He’s confident but he’s just a great person away from the rink. He’s somebody I look up to. Obviously the stuff he does on the ice is pretty incredible so to just watch him is pretty special. He’s probably the best prospect since, I don’t know, (Sidney) Crosby. There’s obviously a lot of pressure on him and he seems to be handling it pretty well.
You look at the stuff that he’s doing every night, it’s incredible. You’ve got to know where he is on the ice because he’s super dangerous. Just knowing where he’s at on the ice because he’s going to make you look pretty silly if you don’t. Connor Bedard is an unbelievable player.
Jackson Unger (Moose Jaw Warriors goalies): The toughest thing as a goalie is undoubtedly his shot. He’s got a couple past me this season. He beat me off the rush. Off the rush he just does this toe-drag release, the Auston Matthews shot, and it works like a charm for him. He changes the angle so quickly that as a goalie you have to adjust to it, but when he does it so fast it’s easier said than done. It’s a lot of different angles he can give you. (And) I think his speed is underrated. He’s a really fast skater. Like once he gets going, he’s buzzing.
Scott Ratzlaff (Seattle Thunderbirds goalie): It’s just trying to get out, face him, and hope it hits ya. *smiles* And he can shoot from anywhere and he’s lethal from anywhere. You’ve just always got to be ready just in case he shoots it. And then he’s got a really good toe drag release, so it’s watching for that and making sure you’re lined up.
Luca Cagnoni (Portland Winterhawks defenceman): The one thing I think that’s underrated is his strength. He can definitely throw the body around. It happened to us when we played against him. He had a couple of good hits. And then a lot of people talk about his shot but I think he’s just as good a playmaker and he’s really deceptive. That’s what makes him so hard to play against is you don’t know if he’s going to shoot, dangle or pass it because he’s so deceptive and you never know what he’s going to do. He did walk me when I was there, unfortunately, but that’s a part of it. He’s also not as talkative as people might think he would be. He’s not quiet but he’s super humble and a great guy to talk to.
Growing up, he played North Shore so we played him and West Van a lot. That bantam prep year when he came in, he was still an underager and he led the league and everyone just knew that he was the next big thing — the next big Connor.
Zach Benson (Winnipeg Ice forward, former spring hockey teammate and current offseason training mate): I think the hardest thing to contain is his shot. He can just shoot from anywhere and put it in the net. I’d say his agility and his passing fly under the radar. Everyone is so focused on his shot because he can score from anywhere but he can also put a puck right on a platter for ya and he’s so agile. He can move left to right like no one I’ve seen before.
We have so many memories. We went to Europe to play together for a tournament and we were on a line there. It’s pretty special. He’s super humble, just a super nice human being and he’s all about his craft away from the rink. He’s rolling out, he’s doing recovery, he’s putting the right food in his body. It’s what makes him special on the ice.
Nate Danielson (Brandon Wheat Kings forward): I played against him once or twice in bantam and then we were in the same league in midget. He was always one of the better players as an underage. So we knew he was a special player. But I think he has even taken it to another level now. It’s pretty cool to see. Obviously his shot is something pretty special but his creativity as well, I don’t think he gets enough credit for his playmaking ability as well as his shot. It’s pretty tough to stop him. You actually have to almost not worry about him too much. He’ll just make you look silly if you just follow him around out there.
(Illustration: Sean Reilly / The Athletic; photos: Dave Sandford, Bruce Bennett / Getty Images)
Diagnosed With Sickle Cell Disease, NFL Star Tevin Coleman and Wife Detail 4 YO Daughter’s Gritty Fight: “No One Ever Talked to Me”
Beneath the glitz and glamor of the NFL world, some individuals silently fight against sickle cell disease. It’s certainly more common than you think. This genetic blood disorder brings challenges, from excruciating pain to increased infection risk. But amidst the struggle, advancements in medical care offer hope, and 49-ers RB Tevin Coleman is a star example.
He wasn’t aware that he carried sickle-cell disease until he suffered from fatigue during soccer training. Despite struggling to finish practices, he never gave up. However, it was a hard pill to swallow when, in 2017, Tevin and his wife Akilah discovered that one of their twins, Nazaneen, would have unique health needs thanks to this heart-wrenching disease.
Tevin Coleman and Akilah’s Battle Against Sickle Cell
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Despite facing challenges on the field, Tevin Coleman has proven himself a valuable asset to the 49ers. His record of five touches for 70 yards and two scores is a testament to his hard work and dedication. However, the star San Francisco 49ers RB has not always been just a player but has used the NFL platform to raise awareness for sickle cell. After all, it was tough to know how his, then 4-months old daughter, would have to push through the effects of this disease.
However, Tevin and Akilah quickly learned much about managing Nazaneen’s symptoms but weren’t ready to go public with their story immediately. “I just wanted to protect my daughter when I first learned she first had it,” Tevin has now shared. “I wanted to protect her — from the public, from everybody. So that’s why I didn’t say anything at first.”
“If You Were My Kid, We Wouldn’t Even Be…”- Former Super Bowl Winner Once Narrated the Chilling Tale of How Steelers’ HC Mike Tomlin Saved Him From Himself
However, in a recent interview with Inside, San Francisco 49ers running back Tevin Coleman opened up about how the duo manages the disease with a “playbook.” In this 40-second spot released earlier this month, Coleman and his wife Akilah outline their experience and share how “Communication is big for us and our daughter every day. Proactive care is vital for people living with sickle cell.”
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Raising Nazaneen’s Fierce Spirit by Eliminating the Fear of the Disease
For Coleman, juggling Nazaneen’s sickle cell disease with the fact that she is only four years old is part of the reality. He and Akilah work to keep Nazaneen focused on what she enjoys doing while also working to prevent a pain crisis and hospital visits. “We merely instill in her the skills of self-care and pain recognition. We show her how to see that through a child’s perspective.” Though Tevin and Akilah say Nezerah doesn’t know his twin sister’s diagnosis, they feel like “it’s almost as if he knows.”
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But the efforts don’t end here. It is heartwarming to know that this NFL running back put up his game-worn cleats for auction to benefit the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America. They made the cleats keeping Nazaneen in mind. That’s why they’re extra special. Also, he recently bought a beautiful double-sided diamond pendant that features his two lovely children. We believe the spirit of family keeps you going, doesn’t it?
Watch this Story: Tom Brady Went to the Same High School as This Controversial MLB Hall of Famer Who Was Also a 14x All-Star
Where does Cowboys LB Micah Parsons rank among NFL’s top pieces to build around?
Year 3 of Micah Parsons’ professional career is almost upon us.
In a span of two seasons, the Cowboys linebacker has blossomed into one of the NFL’s premier defensive forces. NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks had some high praise for Parsons when he broke down how championship rosters can be built around franchise quarterbacks. When it comes to title-contending rosters, non-quarterbacks are some of the most important pieces in a lineup.
Brooks compiled a list of the NFL’s top non-QB franchise players to build around, kicking things off with Parsons at No. 1.
“If defense wins championships, the first piece of a championship puzzle should be a dominant edge defender with take-over-the-game potential. In his two NFL seasons so far, Parsons has accumulated 26.5 sacks, 33 tackles for loss, 56 quarterback hits and six forced fumbles as a hybrid defensive end/linebacker, establishing himself as the most disruptive defender in the game,” Brooks writes.
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“The 2021 Defensive Rookie of the Year is a unicorn, a premier pass rusher who moonlights as a spectacular off-ball linebacker on early downs. Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn is showing the football world how to deploy Parsons like the queen on the chessboard. The third-year pro is the perfect playmaker to build a franchise around.”
Parsons enters the 2023 season with big plans, focusing on the impact he can make in the game over individual accolades. He has spent the offseason bulking up for a bigger role and taking pointers from former Rams offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth.
To make the list, Brooks focused on some of the NFL’s top playmakers under the age of 26. Other names on the list include Nick Bosa of the San Francisco 49ers, Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings and Sauce Gardner of the New York Jets.
The Cowboys have focused on making their offense Dak Prescott-friendly this offseason, but they also made some moves that complement Parsons. The drafting of Mazi Smith in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft could be viewed as one of those moves.
What else will Dallas do to build around Parsons?
See Brooks’ full list here.
Find more Cowboys coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
Amazon Aims For ‘New Sports Holiday For NFL Fans’ On Black Friday
CHICAGO, IL – OCTOBER 13: Amazon Prime broadcasters speak on stage on the field prior to an NFL football game between the Chicago Bears and the Washington Commanders at Soldier Field on October 13, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
The future of sport for fans and advertisers alike lies in streaming, according to Marie Donoghue, Vice President of Global Sports Video at Amazon, as she offered a jaw-dropping statistic to support her case at a Cannes Lions event charting the evolution of live sports viewing.
“By 2026, 136 million fans will be streaming sports,” she quoted from New Marketer. “It’s the present and it’s the future. It’s a great opportunity to bring great content, convenience and value to fans, and for advertisers to interact and engage.
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“Viewers are younger, more affluent and spend a lot more time with the game. A lot of our audience wasn’t even watching NFL on other services.”
Donogue oversees all of Prime Video’s global sports video and was pivotal in last year’s launch of . She explained that the focus has remained on the fan since then. “We didn’t want to be different for the sake of being different. We needed to create a broadcast that worked. [That’s] not always easy on streaming, you needed to find it easily. Then we added alternate broadcasts and prime vision with data overlays. But it’s all about the fan.”
Now, Amazon has ambitious plans to further tap into the booming market. Donaghue mentioned the prospect of tying Black Friday to the NFL game that same afternoon — “it’s an opportunity to create a new sports holiday for fans.”
Unsurprisingly, her fellow speakers on a sports-themed panel were equally enthusiastic about the new global audiences streaming platforms are able to reach.
Matt Brabants, SVP, Head of International Content Partnerships, NBA, told the session: “For us it’s all about accessibility, innovation and customisation. We have a global brand, we have fans all around the world accessing content in time zones and on different devices. What can provide the most accessibility possible?”
He said NBA would be looking to expand its offering of local language feeds, and figuring out how to provide new features to make the game more personal to each fan. He also referred to the NBA’s launch of a streaming service in Brazil this year.
“Trying to link sporting stories to commercial opportunities around advertisers is something Prime Video has helped us tap into in Brazil, which was previously a lot harder with media companies. We can add scale, and provide ads for individual viewers. These are the types of technological innovation that is not just going to make the broadcast more interesting, but also more commercially relevant.”
Sporting greats
Two sporting legends-turned-pundits gave their personal experience of moving away from legacy media broadcasting to the streaming platforms.
Tony Gonzalez, Hall of Fame tight end and now postgame analyst for Prime Video’s Thursday Night Football coverage, recognised that streaming viewing represents a big change for many.
“The biggest fear is, this is not normally how I watch the game. But you have all these different options: you can see the play-calls, so if you’re a hardcore fan, you can see the plays, how fast the players are running, automatic replay, different angles. It takes your viewing experience to a whole new level. I nerded out when I saw it. I would have loved to have had this growing up.”
Celebrated footballing great Clarence Seedorf shared his enthusiasm for the advances in technology propelled by streaming in the UEFA Champions League.
He said: “People have been used to a certain formula for so many years, so anything new is a challenge. Will I understand it? As a pundit, many times technology is a support tool, not just for those playing the game, but it’s a nice way to engage. You can feel, get feedback on the spot, there are so many important aspects.”
Earning $109,000,000 in Two Years, Aaron Rodgers “Begging Strangers for Money” Gets Flagged by NFL Insider
NY Jets QB1 Aaron Rodgers has taken up almost all the headline real estate this offseason. However, the charismatic passer, who is normally in the news for his gridiron prowess, finds himself under scrutiny for a surprising move in the entrepreneurship sector. The former Green Bay Packers signal-caller has sparked controversy this week after he turned to the masses, hat in hand, in search of financial support.
Aaron Rodgers received significant flak this week for requesting an infusion of $1.235 million from his fans for his start-up venture. Crowdfunding is not a strange concept for start-ups. However, given Rodgers’ immense wealth, PFF Insider Mike Florio didn’t expect the QB1 to resort to public donations.
Aaron Rodgers wants your money for his latest start-up venture
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Months after embarking on the Broadway-bound road to fulfil the Jets’ much-waited Lombardi aspirations, Aaron Rodgers looks ready for a ‘Shark Tank’ feature. The 39-year-old quarterback recently urged fans to join in on the ‘Online Sports Database’ hype. An online startup, that the Super Bowl XLV champion co-founded with actor, Ryan Rottman, OSDB aims to become “the IMDb (Internet Movie Database) of the sports market,” as per Rottman. After already raising $4 million in funding, Rodgers announced a crowdfunding campaign to raise an additional $1.235 million this week.
This did not sit well with Florio, given Rodgers’ $200 million net worth. Also, the quarterback is scheduled to make another $109 million over the next two years as part of his Jets contract. “I’m just astounded by it,” Florio said.
“Why are you trying to raise $1.235 million by begging strangers for money? Money for nothing. Donations. Crowdfunding. Fancy words for ‘Give Me Money’ please. I have no problem with people seeking online support for their causes. But usually, it’s people who don’t have a lot of money in their bank. And are not entitled to $109 million over the next two years,” the PFF writer added.
This isn’t Rodgers’ first start-up venture. The QB is also a co-founder of RX3 Growth Partners. The company has invested in some profitable businesses like ‘Therabody’, ‘Full Swing’, and ‘Manscaped’. However, instead of crowdfunding, A-Rod found investment elsewhere. Some of the notable investors in RX3 included Buffalo Bills QB1 Josh Allen and Olympian swimming icon Michael Phelps.
ALSO READ: Long-Time Rival Calls Out Aaron Rodgers’ Ability to Make Jets a Contender
However, this time, it looks as though the crowdsourcing idea came to Rodgers from his former team, the Packers.
The Green Bay Packers run on a crowdfunded business model
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Aaron Rodgers may have left Green Bay. However, he has taken with him some valuable business lessons. The crowdfunding lesson is definitely one of them. The Wisconsin-based NFL franchise is the only sporting organization in the nation that is publicly owned, with over 530,000 shareholders.
USA Today via Reuters Oct 30, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) after the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Given the success that ‘Titletown’ has enjoyed over the past decades, it’s no surprise that Rodgers wants to incorporate some of the same logic in his own business venture.
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Will Aaron Rodgers call off the crowdfunded campaign for OSDB or will the online chatter make no difference for the newest entrepreneur in Metropolis?
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“Your Franchise Will Crumble Without Him”: NFL Fans and Shaquille O’Neal Fight Back “Fire Him” Demands Against Coach Who Almost Stole Patrick Mahomes From Chiefs
Sean McVay recently became the youngest head coach to win the Super Bowl. However, long before McVay and his Los Angeles Rams, that accomplishment belonged to another titan of the league. Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is known for his relentless pursuit of victory and his ability to transform adversity into triumph. However, with the Steelers not achieving the desired success for a long time, Tomlin is not a fan favorite anymore. That narrative took a positive spin this week when a viral clip of the Steelers HC surfaced on the internet.
A sideline chat between Tomlin and one of his players took the internet by storm as the Pittsburgh fan base recalled the true potential of their Lombardi-winning head coach. And it wasn’t just the Steel Curtain fanatics who were impressed by this inspiring clip. NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal also rallied behind Tomlin and shared the video on his Instagram story.
Mike Tomlin had some Harsh but Meaningful Advice for a Steelers legend
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LaShawn Maurkice Pouncey is a Pittsburgh legend and a potential future first-ballot Hall of Famer. The 9x Pro Bowler played as a center for the Steel Curtain for 11 years. However, that didn’t stop Mike Tomlin from giving him an earful on the sidelines during an NFL game. When Pouncey decided to engage in a personal beef with two minutes left on the clock, Tomlin gave him a fiery speech.
“Why are you fighting with that clock running? Sometimes we have to put our personal pride aside when the cause is bigger than you,” Tomlin yelled at his veteran center. Lakers legend Shaq shared the clip on his Instagram.
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The comment section in the IG clip was filled with support for Tomlin. This was a complete U-turn in the franchise fan base’s sentiments, who started ‘Fire Him’ and ‘Fire Mike Tomlin’ petitions on social media in the past few years.
“I ain’t even a Steelers fan. I have to respect this coach. And to all the fans and others saying ‘Fire Tomlin’. I promise your franchise would crumble without him. He is a wise leader of men,” one fan wrote. “Didn’t disrespect him, got his attention, gave him the facts, and summed it up for what it’s actually about. THE TEAM,” another commented.
One fan, nevertheless, carried on the Tomlin hate. Reiterating the head coach’s words, the fan wrote, “The cause is greater. The cause is to win. Please resign.”
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The Steelers could have probably reached the promised land once or twice in the past decade had Tomlin succeeded in landing the reigning Super Bowl MVP.
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Tomlin almost secured Patrick Mahomes back in 2017
Before drafting Kenny Pickett, Mike Tomlin had planned to rope in Texas Tech QB Patrick Mahomes in the 2017 draft. Mahomes was going to take the Steelers in the winning direction as the Ben Roethlisberger era was coming to an end. However, Mahomes went off the table long before the Steelers could pick. Andy Reid and the KC Chiefs secured the gunslinger’s talents, and the rest is history.
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Can Kenny Pickett revive the Steelers dynasty and help put an end to the ‘Fire Mike Tomlin’ social media campaigns?
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One non-QB each NFL team can least afford to lose in 2023, including Bills’ Stefon Diggs, Steelers’ T.J. Watt
Quarterbacks may be the driving force of the NFL; having one of the game’s few elite signal-callers is often the difference between contending for the playoffs and contending for a Lombardi Trophy. However, football is a team sport, which means the QBs still require help on both sides of the ball. And there are plenty of important pieces at other premium positions.
With that in mind, here’s a look at one non-QB each team can least afford to lose in 2023:
Presumably, they’ll already be down QB Kyler Murray at the start of the year. Losing their most accomplished tackle, whose injury-related absence in 2022 helped fuel offensive dysfunction, would put the next QB in danger as well.
With Tyler Allgeier behind rookie Bijan Robinson and Jonnu Smith now behind Kyle Pitts, neither RB nor TE is short on depth. Young QB Desmond Ridder needs to stay upright to feed the weapons, however, and Matthews is a solid blind-side bodyguard.
New WR Odell Beckham Jr. is already an injury risk, but Lamar Jackson’s chief concern in 2023 is staying on the field. Linderbaum was an underrated rookie cog up front, and he’s instrumental to their ground attack as the QB of the line.
This is why his reported offseason frustrations with Buffalo were such a concern. Without his killer route-running and alpha mentality, Josh Allen has only the mercurial Gabe Davis as a proven WR weapon, though rookie TE Dalton Kincaid could help.
At the end of the day, it’s all about keeping rookie QB Bryce Young comfortable in the pocket, especially at his unprecedented size. Ekwonu was solid as a rookie left tackle, and his continued presence there isn’t getting enough attention.
Justin Fields is an electric enough scrambler to avoid a collapsing pocket, but what he really needs in 2023 is improved decision-making through the air. Moore is the only legit No. 1 target in their revised WR corps, and could be key to unlocking the QB.
Star wideout Ja’Marr Chase is a home-run hitter, but Joe Burrow has proven he can survive by leaning on Tee Higgins and Co. Hendrickson, meanwhile, is sorely underrated as a persistent pressure artist, headlining Cincinnati’s defensive front.
If Deshaun Watson were to lose No. 1 WR Amari Cooper, he could be in big trouble, with Elijah Moore and Donovan Peoples-Jones better suited for secondary roles. But what is the Browns defense without Garrett, who single-handedly terrorizes opponents?
CeeDee Lamb is a star out wide, and his absence would surely affect Dak Prescott, who’ll be counting on Brandin Cooks to help him downfield. But Parsons is the heart and soul of the team, his rangy athleticism enabling Dallas to be creative on “D.”
No matter what happens with Russell Wilson’s supporting cast, Sean Payton’s chief hurdle will probably be getting the QB back into a comfortable scheme and mental rhythm. Surtain, on the other hand, buoys the stingy “D” with his cover skills on the outside.
An elite blocker in a 2022 breakout, Sewell is one of the biggest reasons Jared Goff was able to surprise skeptics with borderline top-10 production last year. His size and athleticism at right tackle are simply unteachable.
Left tackle David Bakhtiati is already such a frequent absentee that his loss wouldn’t necessarily upend offensive plans. But Watson is the most accomplished and explosive in a young receiving corps, on which new starter Jordan Love will be leaning.
Assuming rookie QB C.J. Stroud gets the nod under center, he’ll need all the help he can get up front, not only because the interior remains a question mark but because Stroud isn’t necessarily known for his mobility. Protect the signal-caller!
RB Jonathan Taylor is still their most dynamic all-around talent, but if rookie QB Anthony Richardson starts most of 2023 as expected, his own legs can help the ground game. Pittman, meanwhile, is basically the only sure thing at his position.
Why not new WR1 Calvin Ridley? Well, Trevor Lawrence and Co. fared reasonably well without him in 2022. Etienne, on the other hand, is an underrated multipurpose safety valve for the young QB, quietly accounting for 1,400+ scrimmage yards in his debut.
It wouldn’t have been crazy to vote for Kelce as MVP over Patrick Mahomes in 2022. He’s as reliable as they come, forever finding green grass over the middle. And with Mahomes’ WR room shuffling yet again, he’ll remain the de facto No. 1 pass target.
You can see why Jacobs is holding out for financial security. Davante Adams may play a more important position, but with Jakobi Meyers and Hunter Renfrow out wide, Las Vegas can at least get by with WR reserves. Jacobs’ power was their offense in 2022.
All eyes are on whether Justin Herbert can successfully grow as an aggressive passer under new coordinator Kellen Moore, but first he’ll need to feel comfortable in the pocket, where Slater was elite at LT before an injury wiped out most of his last season.
You might argue LT Joe Noteboom belongs here, considering Matthew Stafford isn’t built to withstand another year of hard hits. But Kupp is the only real weapon at the QB’s disposal, and his loss last year left them scratching and clawing for yards every week.
Nothing is more important in Miami than Tua Tagovailoa’s health after the QB’s string of concussions prompted retirement consideration at just 25. Armstead is clearly their best blocker, so his absence could throw everything into a tizzy.
Maybe the easiest pick of the entire list, Jefferson has rightfully drawn MVP consideration for his seamless play-making in Minnesota. Take him out of the lineup, and Kirk Cousins is left to lean on K.J. Osborn and rookie Jordan Addison out wide.
New England Patriots: OLB Matthew Judon
Most of Mac Jones’ supporting parts — both old and new — are fairly replaceable, which speaks to their offensive struggles. Bill Belichick leans on the “D,” however, and Judon’s been one of his most consistent performers coming off the edge.
Who else is rushing the passer if the longtime veteran goes down? New QB Derek Carr probably can’t afford to lose top WR Chris Olave, either, what with Michael Thomas’ injury history. But Dennis Allen’s team is still built on stuffing opposing offenses.
His 2022 success confirmed his arrival as a top young tackle a la Penei Sewell in Detroit. For all the talk about getting Daniel Jones more help out wide, Brian Daboll’s attack probably hinges more on Thomas standing pat at LT to keep the QB upright.
Sauce Gardner is infinitely more talented at corner, and Garrett Wilson could be Aaron Rodgers’ new Davante Adams. But what happens if Rodgers’ LT goes down? Is he conditioned, going on 40, to transcend a bad pocket? The fact Brown is 38 himself, and coming off an injury-riddled season, doesn’t necessarily bode well for A-Rod’s setup in the trenches, as currently constructed.
RT Lane Johnson, one of the best in the game at his spot, is probably more important overall. But he’s already an annual candidate to miss a few games due to injury, and if Brown weren’t active, DeVonta Smith would be Jalen Hurts’ only truly trusted WR.
Alex Highsmith filled out the stat sheet filling in for Watt in 2022, but the latter’s injury-related absence was still felt throughout Mike Tomlin’s defense. This remains a team built around that side of the ball, and Watt’s ferocious edge work can’t be replicated.
Regardless of which QB opens 2023, be it Brock Purdy, Trey Lance or even Sam Darnold, Kyle Shanahan’s going to need his top tackle to be in full form. We all saw what happened last year, when protection broke down and their QBs dropped like flies.
Once again, it’s all about giving the QB a clean pocket. Geno Smith’s turnover tendencies started to flare up down the stretch in his breakout 2022. With Jaxon Smith-Njigba joining the WR corps, Cross is an overlooked key to them staying in the mix.
Mike Evans is a fair candidate, considering he’s the most reliable, consistent member of a WR corps lacking many answers beyond teammate Chris Godwin. But imagine Baker Mayfield under center if Wirfs, their best blocker, is knocked from the lineup.
For years, they’ve made Henry the focal point of the offense. Nothing has changed. As Ryan Tannehill navigates yet another makeshift assembly of WRs, King Henry will be tasked with carrying Mike Vrabel’s attack on his bruising shoulders.
If Ron Rivera really believes new QB Sam Howell is capable of emerging as a long-term answer, he’d better hope the team’s WR1 stays healthy, providing the second-year gunslinger with a downfield threat who’s been relatively QB-proof in terms of production.
Bill Belichick on Patriots’ draft strategy, plans for Christian Gonzalez
Morning Sports Update Bill Belichick offered insight into Patriots’ draft strategy, plans for Christian Gonzalez Belichick used a historical example to illustrate his point. Bill Belichick during a press conference in June, 2023. AP Photo/Steven Senne
The Red Sox defeated the Twins 10-4 on Tuesday. Christian Arroyo went 5-for-5 with four RBIs. Boston extended its current winning streak to six in a row.
The two teams meet again this evening at Target Field. First pitch is set for 7:40 p.m.
Bill Belichick’s thoughts on picking Christian Gonzalez in the draft: It’s not often that Bill Belichick shares insight into his process for drafting players. The longtime Patriots’ coach has also received his share of criticism for some of New England’s picks in recent years.
Yet the team’s handling of the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft was widely praised. The Patriots traded down, but still managed to land talented cornerback Christian Gonzalez with the 17th overall pick.
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How does Belichick calculate value in the draft? He recently offered an explanation during an interview with Mike Tannenbaum for The 33rd Team.
“When we go into the draft, we don’t really target one guy,” he explained. “Need isn’t as big of a criteria as [much as] good football players. I learned that at the Giants in [1984] when we took Carl Banks. We had [Lawrence] Taylor obviously, and it was kind of like, ‘Why are we taking another outside linebacker?’ As it turned out, that was probably one of the better picks that we had at the Giants.”
Banks, picked third overall in 1984 (and who remains the most recent linebacker the Giants have selected in the first round), went on to be named as a member of the 1980s All-Decade Team. He was part of a defense that — orchestrated by Belichick — helped New York win two Super Bowls.
The example of Banks demonstrated a clear point to Belichick, which he used to explain the Gonzalez pick.
“I don’t think it’s about where you need a player. If you’ve got a good football player, nobody’s ever gonna regret that,” Belichick noted. “I’m glad Gonzo was there. I think when you just go and look for one guy and then he’s not there, there’s other players in the draft that can help us as well. He’s been great to work with, and, you know, look forward to getting him ready to go for training camp.”
Christian Gonzalez showing off his HANDS 😳
Gonzalez ran with the first team at OTA’s and reportedly looks like a day one starter.
The Patriots added a PLAYMAKER. pic.twitter.com/4MOzcMrw8Y — NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) June 7, 2023
Gonzalez was recently in attendance for Patriots spring activities (including the recently concluded minicamp).
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Belichick also discussed New England’s approach for integrating the rookie cornerback into the Patriots’ defense, as well as his possible role.
“In spring the plan’s always kind of the same for these guys,” said Belichick. “It’s to bring them in, let them learn how to be a professional football player, and a New England Patriot. That encompasses a lot of things: How to study, how to train, how to prepare, how to learn the terminology and communicate with your teammates.
“We’ll work him into a number of positions like we do almost all players at this point in time in the spring, and then narrow it down a little bit when we get to training camp,” the Patriots’ coach added. “Ultimately, he’s most likely going to be a perimeter corner, but I think there are other situations where he could play inside or in a deeper part of the field, depending on what the call is or how things present themselves from a game-plan structure from time-to-time.”
Bill Belichick knows the #Patriots defense got a good one in rookie CB Christian Gonzalez @Andy_Benoit details how versatility and depth has helped keep New England’s defense thriving #ForeverNE — The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) June 20, 2023
Trivia: Since 1981, only three Red Sox players have totaled six hits in one game. One of them was Nomar Garciaparra (see below). Can you name the other two who have done it?
(Answer at the bottom).
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Hint: One was born in Fall River. The other made his Major League debut in 2017 and became the youngest Red Sox player to hit a home run since Tony Conigliaro.
More from Boston.com:
Mass. native Kristie Mewis heading to the World Cup: The U.S. women’s roster is being announced on Wednesday. Mewis, 32, is set to make her World Cup debut after charting a unique path back to the national team.
Congratulations are in order for Lynn Williams, Kristie Mewis, and Kelley O’Hara!
“Honestly, it felt like I was getting called for the first time to go to a World Cup,” O’Hara said. This is the first World Cup for Mewis and Williams. https://t.co/OGfUUFFH00 pic.twitter.com/mJRi8cVF58 — TODAY (@TODAYshow) June 21, 2023
Masataka Yoshida’s moonshot: The 29-year-old connected for a towering 447-foot home run in the Red Sox win.
447 ft of GONE. pic.twitter.com/uDl32VgLI4 — Red Sox (@RedSox) June 21, 2023
On this day: In 2003, Nomar Garciaparra tied the franchise record with six hits in a single game (going 6-for-6), but the Red Sox bullpen blew multiple leads during extra innings in a 6-5 defeat to the Phillies.
– Globe Archives
Daily highlight: Braden Taylor made a tremendous defensive play as TCU topped Oral Roberts at the College World Series on Tuesday.
Trivia answer: Jerry Remy, Rafael Devers
Ranking NFL 2023 ‘Triplets,’ Part II: Jaguars lead teams in middle of pack; QB situation doesn’t affect 49ers
Just as we did last year, and the year before that, and the year before that, and the year before that, and the year before that and the year before that, the crew here at CBSSports.com recently set out to rank each NFL team’s “triplets.” Why not, right? It’s the middle of the offseason, and it’s an offseason tradition around these parts.
So in the space below, we’re once again counting down the NFL’s best QB-RB-WR/TE trios, grading the expected starters at quarterback and running back and their presumed top pass-catcher for the 2023 NFL season. For some teams, it was obvious who would fill each role. For others, less so. Where we had to make judgment calls on which player would start at quarterback or who would be the top target, we did.
In the space below, you’ll see our rankings of these triplets. The first number in parentheses is the team’s average ranking based on the votes of several of our staff writers and editors at CBSSports.com, while the second number reflects the high and low end of where our staffers ranked that individual team.
For example, our No. 13 team — the Seattle Seahawks — had an average ranking of 14.3, with a high ranking of 10 and a low of 23. We have denoted tier breaks in any place where the difference between the average ranking of one team and another exceeded 2.0. For example, the aforementioned Seahawks had an average ranking of 14.3 and the Vikings had an average of 11.9, so the Vikings begin a new tier.
The panel included myself, John Breech, Jeff Kerr, Tyler Sullivan, Jordan Dajani, Cody Benjamin, Shanna McCarriston, Chris Trapasso, Kevin Steimle, Brett Anderson, Garrett Podell, Joel Magaraci, Kyle Stackpole, R.J. White, Eric Kernish and Eric Kay. The rankings reflect the collective wisdom of this crowd, while the corresponding analysis is mine.
We began this exercise on Tuesday with the bottom third of the league. We continue Wednesday with the middle of the pack, and we’ll finish up Thursday with the top tiers. Without further ado …
Tier 5: Pretty Good! With Some Questions
Last year: 30th
QB: Justin Fields RB: Khalil Herbert WR: D.J. Moore
This is a big step forward for Chicago’s trio. Fields’ performance as a runner last season was second to none, and the Bears did what several teams with young, ascending quarterbacks before them have done in going to get him a No. 1 receiver. Herbert seems likely to split the backfield duties with D’Onta Foreman and/or Roschon Johnson, but should be the leader among that group. If Fields can take a leap as a passer this season, Chicago could ascend significantly higher next year.
Last year: 17th
QB: Derek Carr RB: Alvin Kamara (or Jamaal Williams) WR: Chris Olave
Well, this seems about right for the Saints. Olave was fantastic as a rookie and looks every bit like a future star. But Carr has been somewhere between slightly above average and slightly below average for the majority of his career, and Kamara took a step back last year and may or may not be facing a significant suspension. (And Williams’ effectiveness is likely overstated right now due to his absurd touchdown rate last season.)
Last year: 28th
QB: Daniel Jones RB: Saquon Barkley TE: Darren Waller
Jones may have been the most improved player in the NFL last season, but most of that improvement was about limiting the downside of his play and not discovering the upside. New York took more off his plate and basically asked him to be a runner and short-passer and that was about it. What will things look like if and when the Giants ask him to do more? We’re going to find out over these next few years, and at least the team went out and got him a higher-quality pass-catcher in Waller to aid that development.
Last year: 6th
QB: Matthew Stafford RB: Cam Akers WR: Cooper Kupp
This is a steep fall for the Rams, and seems to be based mostly on health. What is the status of Stafford’s elbow? Who the heck knows. Is Kupp fully recovered from his ankle surgery? We won’t really find out until training camp. Can Akers rediscover any of what made him an exciting prospect before his Achilles tear? It remains to be seen.
Last year: 9th
QB: Jimmy Garoppolo RB: Josh Jacobs WR: Davante Adams
So, uh, is Jimmy G even going to suit up for the Raiders? Or is that clause in his contract about being released with no penalty before this season about to become very important? That’s a situation that seems wildly up in the air. Jacobs is coming off a First Team All-Pro season, but his play last year was wildly out of step with his performance through the first three years of his career. What should we expect going forward? Adams is one of the small handful of best receivers in the NFL, but we don’t know who will be throwing him the ball, or what Garoppolo will look like outside of the Kyle Shanahan cocoon if it’s indeed him.
Last year: 24th
QB: Jared Goff RB: David Montgomery WR: Amon-Ra St. Brown
Goff has shown at this point that if he is well protected, he can deliver the ball on time and on target with enough regularity to lead a pretty damn good offense. He doesn’t present much of a ceiling beyond what is schemed up for him within the confines of the offense, but when the scheme and the line are as good as Detroit’s, that’s not as much of an issue. Perhaps Jahmyr Gibbs should be the back here, but Montgomery seems much more likely to be the team’s leading rusher, with Gibbs operating as a secondary threat in both the run and pass game.
Last year: 11th
QB: Deshaun Watson RB: Nick Chubb WR: Amari Cooper
I’m honestly not sure how anybody chose their rankings for the Browns, because I have no idea what anybody should expect from Watson. He essentially did not play football for about a year and a half, and although it was due to a suspension and not an injury, that is a long time to be away and it is not like you come back and just automatically resume your prior level of play. Can he rediscover that form at all? There appears to be at least a mild degree of confidence here that he can.
13. Seattle Seahawks (Avg: 14.3, High: 10, Low: 23)
Last year: 31st
QB: Geno Smith RB: Kenneth Walker WR: DK Metcalf
The Seahawks were probably last season’s biggest (pleasant) surprise, with Geno Smith enjoying a delayed breakout season the likes of which we have rarely seen in the NFL. His combination of accuracy and playmaking was up there with some of the best in the league for most of the season, though he did slow down toward the end of the year. Still, it looks like he’s got the faith of our panel, which expects Seattle to be pretty firmly in the top half of the league once again.
Tier 4: Very Good, Maybe Not (Yet) Great
12. Minnesota Vikings (Avg: 11.9, High: 9, Low: 15)
Last year: 15th
QB: Kirk Cousins RB: Alexander Mattison WR: Justin Jefferson
Jefferson currently holds the crown as the best receiver in the league, but Cousins is basically the epitome of a league-average quarterback and we’ve only seen Mattison act as the lead back a few times in his career so it’s fair to have some questions about how he’ll fare in that role full time. A ranking just outside the top 10 seems about right.
Last year: 13th
QB: ??? RB: Christian McCaffrey WR: Deebo Samuel
Do you have any idea who will be playing quarterback for the 49ers in Week 1? We don’t. And it didn’t much matter here. Brock Purdy is still recovering from his elbow surgery. Trey Lance is working his way back from a broken ankle. Sam Darnold might actually have to take some snaps! But CMC and Deebo are so good (and Kyle Shanahan’s so good at establishing a high floor for quarterback play) that the Niners checked in just outside the top 10 anyway.
Last year: 18th
QB: Tua Tagovailoa RB: Raheem Mostert WR: Tyreek Hill
With the exception of a stray vote at No. 3, every other panelist placed the Dolphins between No. 8 and 13. That seems like the appropriate range for this group given the heights Tagovailoa achieved as a passer last year and the inherent risks involved with him as a player at this point. Hill showing what he did outside of Kansas City last season was pretty outrageous, and at least somewhat unexpected. Mostert will likely share work with Jeff Wilson Jr. and Devon Achane, and we didn’t really know which direction to lean with the choice at running back here.
Last year: 27th
QB: Aaron Rodgers RB: Breece Hall WR: Garrett Wilson
I’m at least a little surprised there weren’t more varied opinions on the Jets. Rodgers took a pretty sizable step backward last season and Hall is coming off a torn ACL. I thought there would be less agreement on whether Rodgers could bounce back and whether Hall would be healthy enough to lead the backfiield, but there was a pretty narrow band of rankings here. Wilson is a future (if not already present) superstar, though, and was able to show that essentially whenever anyone but Zach Wilson was on the field last season.
Last year: 8th
QB: Lamar Jackson RB: J.K. Dobbins TE: Mark Andrews
Baltimore is the only team to check in with the exact same ranking as it did last year. It helps that we’re using the exact same three players, even if the Ravens have changed out a lot of the pieces surrounding them — including the offensive coordinator. Jackson was on track to rediscover top form last season before injuries hit both him and the receiving corps, but the Ravens are clearly hoping Todd Monken can open things up for him and help find avenues to more explosive plays through the air.
Last year: 23rd
QB: Trevor Lawrence RB: Travis Etienne WR: Calvin Ridley
I think it will be quite a long time before we find a Lawrence-led group outside the top 10 ever again. His rise last season was a bit overshadowed, but he is elite at avoiding negative plays and over the second half of the season began tapping into his outside-of-structure playmaking and high-level ability to read each layer of the defense. With a true No. 1 wideout now on board in Ridley, he should be able to ascend another level this season.
Fantasy Football Rankings 2023: Sleepers, breakouts, busts by computer model that called Samuel’s down year
A tried-and-true method for success when it comes to Fantasy football is locking down volume-heavy running backs. While most NFL teams rely on more than one back, finding the one that most frequently maximizes his opportunities is one of the golden rules when putting together your 2023 Fantasy football draft prep. One potential 2023 Fantasy football breakout that falls into that category is Miami Dolphins rookie Devon Achane.
Even in a stagnant Texas A&M offense last season, Achane rushed for 5.6 yards per carry and 1,102 yards with eight touchdowns. He’s the latest Dolphins skill player whose explosiveness vastly outweighs his diminutive build, but will he get enough touches in a pass-first Miami offense? Before setting your 2023 Fantasy football draft strategy, be sure to check out the 2023 Fantasy football rankings and cheat sheets from the proven computer model at SportsLine.
Last year, the model accurately predicted that 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel was being dramatically overvalued. Samuel was the sixth receiver coming off the board on average, but the model had him ranked outside the top 10. The result: Samuel followed up a season in which he had 1,770 scrimmage yards and 14 touchdowns by producing just 864 yards and five scores.
The same model has a proven track record providing Fantasy football tips, identifying A.J. Brown as another sleeper in 2020 and nailing Jonathan Taylor’s enormous season in 2021. Additionally, it’s called past Fantasy football sleepers like Derrick Henry in 2019, Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara in 2018, and Davante Adams in 2017. Anybody who banked on players like those made a run at their league title.
The model is powered by the same people who generated projections for all three major Fantasy sites, and it beat human experts last season when there was a big difference in ranking. The projections update multiple times daily, so you’re always getting the best Fantasy football advice.
Now, SportsLine has simulated the entire NFL season 10,000 times and released its latest Fantasy football rankings 2023, along with plenty of sleepers, breakouts and busts. Head to SportsLine now to see them.
Top 2023 Fantasy football sleepers
One of the 2023 Fantasy football sleepers the model is predicting: Raiders receiver Davante Adams. The 30-year-old receiver has been one of the first off draft boards the majority of his career, but he still provides value based on his current projections and 2023 Fantasy football ADP. Adams has totaled more than 1,500 yards and 11 touchdowns in each of his last two seasons.
Adams has averaged at least 83 yards per game each of the last five seasons. He’s earned a significant target share during that span and has made the most of those opportunities. Adams had 100 receptions for 1,516 yards and 11 touchdowns in his first season with the Raiders with two different quarterbacks splitting time. The Raiders don’t have the ideal quarterback situation entering the 2023 season, but Adams has proven the ability to stand out regardless of who is throwing him the rock. See more Fantasy football sleepers 2023 here.
Top 2023 Fantasy football breakouts
The model is also projecting Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs as one of its top 2023 Fantasy football breakouts. Alabama running backs have produced mixed results in the NFL, but Gibbs should have every opportunity to succeed in the Lions’ backfield. After the team cut ties with both Jamaal Williams and D’Andre Swift in the offseason, Gibbs realistically only has David Montgomery to contend with for carries.
Montgomery hasn’t always proved to be the most efficient runner despite his status as the bell cow in Chicago for the past few seasons. Gibbs has also proven to be a capable pass-catcher out of the backfield, and made 44 receptions for 444 yards and three scores last year in Tuscaloosa. Gibbs’ potential in the Lions’ offense has the model predicting he’ll have a better Fantasy season than others going ahead of him in drafts like Kenneth Walker III, Alvin Kamara and Isiah Pacheco. See more Fantasy football breakouts 2023 here.
Top 2023 Fantasy football busts
As for players to avoid, the model lists Panthers running back Miles Sanders as one of its 2023 Fantasy football busts. Playing in Philadelphia’s read-option offense, Sanders had career highs with 1,347 scrimmage yards and 11 touchdowns. He then joined Carolina in the offseason but is going to a vastly different offense without a dual-threat option at quarterback like Jalen Hurts.
No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young is mobile but not the running threat that Hurts is, so defenses won’t have to account for the QB like they did with Sanders’ former team. That means more attention will be on the running back, who is also a non-factor in the passing game. Sanders had just 78 total receiving yards in 2022, which ranked 306th in the NFL. After finishing 10th amongst RBs in Fantasy points last year, the model has Sanders as the RB22 in its 2023 Fantasy football rankings. See more Fantasy football busts 2023 here.
How to find proven 2023 Fantasy football football rankings
SportsLine is also extremely high on a surprising quarterback you aren’t even thinking about being taken in the middle rounds of 2023 Fantasy football drafts. This quarterback is listed as a shocking top-10 option ahead of stars like Trevor Lawrence and Aaron Rodgers. You can only see who it is, and the 2023 Fantasy football rankings for every player, at SportsLine.
So which 2023 Fantasy Football sleepers, breakouts and busts should you target and fade? And which QB shocks the NFL with a top-10 performance? Visit SportsLine now to get 2023 Fantasy Football cheat sheets for every single position, all from the model that nailed Deebo Samuel as a bust last year, and find out.
After Spending $5,600,000,000 With Magic Johnson on NFL Team, NBA Millionaire Splurges to Battle Michael Jordan and More in NASCAR
For months, the hot topic of discussion revolved around the Washington Commanders. NFL owners reportedly wanted Dan Snyder gone, and so the bids came flying in. Many big names stepped up. At the end of the day, an ownership led by Josh Harris and involving Magic Johnson seems to be the front-runner. The group is rumored to have poured $5.6 billion into the project. Yet Harris wants to expand his network in sports.
After joining hands with Magic Johnson, he is now gearing up to throw down with Michael Jordan and other NASCAR owners. Notably, he just bought the minority stake in Joe Gibbs Racing.
Michael Jordan will have to face fellow NBA owner on a NASCAR track
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JGR is one of the most revered and successful NASCAR franchises. They won their first cup back in 1993. Since then, the team has collected 204 cups and 197 Xfinity wins under its belt. Their roster is led by Denny Hamlin, a driver who was named among NASCAR’s 75 greatest.
Many also know Hamlin as a close accomplice of Michael Jordan. The two are great friends and even began 23XI Racing together.
via Getty WATKINS GLEN, NEW YORK – AUGUST 08: NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan and co-owner of 23XI Racing looks on from the 23XI Racing pit box during the NASCAR Cup Series Go Bowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen International on August 08, 2021 in Watkins Glen, New York. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Recently, Joe Gibbs Racing announced a sale of its minority stake. The buyers were the Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, a group founded by Josh Harris.
Harris is a well-known owner in the sports realm. He previously butted heads with Jordan as an NBA team owner, operating the Philadelphia 76ers. He also owns the NHL’s New Jersey Devils. Speaking on their new partnership, Joe Gibbs had great things to say about Harris.
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5x NBA Champion Dennis Rodman Used Michael Jordan’s Hall of Fame Night to Prove He Deserves to Be Next
“Josh Harris, David Blitzer, and their entire team have a vision that has delivered winning franchises in basketball, hockey, soccer and youth sports. Their teams are among the most successful in their leagues in growing audience and sponsorship and their commitment to the communities they work in are unparalleled,” said the JGR owner, as reported by NBC Sports.
Harris also educated the media about his project. The 58-year-old mentioned being friends with Gibbs and having a vision of helping JGR, “continue its track record of excellence long into the future.”
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WATCH THIS STORY: Jordan was the epitome of a sloth claims his father James Jordan.
Do you think Michael Jordan will beat his new nemesis on the track? Share your take in the comments below!
How Denver Nuggets really felt about Nikola Jokic when they drafted him in 2016
Denver Nuggets’ two-time MVP Award winner Nikola Jokic recently led his team to their first ever NBA championship, but the Nuggets organization never imagined the impact he’d go on to have with the team, believes NBA writer Mark Medina.
The 28-year-old Serbian was drafted by the Nuggets with the 41st pick of the 2014 NBA Draft, making the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2016. Since then, he has established himself as one of the best centers currently playing in the league, while also putting his name in the conversation as being one of the top-10 centers since the NBA’s inception in 1946.
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Denver Nuggets – Nikola Jokić
NBA writer Mark Medina recently told GIVEMESPORT that he believes that when his career is all said and done, Jokić could well end up being either the sixth of seventh-best center, if not higher.
Standing at 7’0” in stature, his highlights package, in particular his range of passing is a beauty to behold.
The 5x NBA All-Star has received high praise from around the league, including some likening his play on-court to that of San Antonio Spurs legend and Hall of Famer, Tim Duncan.
According to Sports Illustrated, aside from his impressive scoring range and team-first approach to his play, his incredible court-vision and passing ability has made it virtually impossible for him to be double-teamed, causing headaches for NBA coaches alike.
Former NBA player turned ESPN analyst, JJ Redick, even argues that nobody on the planet is better at the game of basketball than Jokić is right now due to his unique all-around game and ability to unlock his teammates.
He is simply a match-up nightmare for any opposition, yet back in 2014, nobody could have predicted how much of a dominant force he would become.
What has Mark Medina said about how the Denver Nuggets viewed Nikola Jokić?
When asked about Nikola Jokić, Medina alluded to the idea that the Denver Nuggets didn’t expect his upside to be so high when they drafted him in the second round.
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, the journalist said: “They didn’t necessarily map this out – they drafted Nikola Jokić No. 41 in the 2014 NBA draft.”
“Talking to Tim Connelly [former Denver Nuggets GM] a few years ago, he admitted that they did not think that he’s all of a sudden going to become a two-time MVP or future NBA champion.”
“They viewed him as a very intriguing international prospect that can play the right way, and was seen as a project that they can develop and see what happens.”
How did Nikola Jokić perform during the 2022-23 NBA season?
Despite narrowly losing out on a third consecutive regular season MVP award to the Philadelphia 76ers Joel Embiid, ‘The Joker’ made up for it by going on to win the Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP Award as the Nuggets clinched their first ever NBA title at the hands of the Miami Heat.
As per StatMuse, in 69 regular season games the Serbian averaged 24.5 PPG, 11.8 RPG and 9.8 APG on 38.3% shooting from the three-point line, close to a triple double.
He somehow elevated his game in the playoffs, and in 20 games he posted an average of 30.0 PPG, 13.5 RPG and 9.5 APG, all while shooting an improved 46.1% from three.
On his historic run, he became the first NBA player to record over 500 points, 250 rebounds and 150 assists in one postseason, while also recording 10 triple-doubles, also the most ever in a single postseason run.
Without Jokić, the Denver Nuggets would arguably not be in the position they are in now as the reigning NBA champions. By having him as their franchise-piece going forward, the sky is the limit on how many NBA championships they can win while he is in the prime of his career.
How the NBA’s greatest dynasty was built
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – CIRCA 1988: (L-R) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar #33, Magic Johnson #32 and Orlando Woolridge #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Indiana Pacers during an NBA basketball game circa 1988 at Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, Indiana. Abdul-Jabbar played for the Lakers from 1975-89. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
Tough decisions in Lakers Draft: To pick or not to pick by RC Nazemi
Today marks the 35th anniversary of the fifth and final NBA championship captured by the Showtime Lakers. On June 21st, 1988, they defeated the Pistons in Game 7 of the NBA Finals at the Fabulous Forum in Inglewood to win the franchise’s 11th title and fifth of the Showtime era.
The Showtime years were indisputably the finest, most successful and most exciting era of Lakers basketball. After Elgin, Jerry, Wilt and Gail had all departed, and before Kobe, Shaq and Pau or LeBron and AD arrived, a top-notch roster was led by two of the greatest players in NBA history, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Earvin “Magic” Johnson.
Those Showtime Lakers won five championships in nine seasons, including triumphs over the 76ers and Celtics twice each. The players themselves are convinced that they would have won one or two more titles if not for untimely injuries.
Let’s take a look at that iconic era and the steps the franchise took to reach that point in 1988.
Building the Showtime Lakers dynasty:
Step 1: The Huge 1975 Trade
The seeds of that era were planted back in June 1975. It was then that Lakers owner Jack Kent Cooke and general manager Pete Newell engineered a trade with Milwaukee, swapping four very good players, Junior Bridgeman, David Meyers, Elmore Smith and Brian Winters to the Bucks in exchange for one superstar, center Abdul-Jabbar.
Step 2: Two 1977 Player Acquisitions
Two years later, the Lakers made two other important moves. First, they selected point guard Norm Nixon with the 22nd pick of the draft. Two months later, they signed former UCLA star small forward Jamaal Wilkes as a free agent.
With Kareem manning the middle, the team averaged 48 wins a season from 1976-1979 and finished first in the Western Conference in 1977. But that group was unable to advance to the NBA Finals. In those final three years of the 1970s, with Bill Sharman as the new GM and the legendary Jerry West as coach, the Lakers lost once each in the first round, second round and conference finals.
If the team was going to win a title, the front office clearly had to do something more.
Step 3: The Steal of the 1978 Draft
The next important move the franchise made was totally off just about everyone’s radar. With the 60th pick in the third round of the 1978 draft, the Lakers selected a skinny poor-shooting forward out of New Mexico named Michael Cooper.
He promptly tore knee ligaments and missed the entire 1978-79 season. The following year all eyes were elsewhere when he barely survived the final roster cut. Nobody would have predicted what a vital role Coop would soon play for the team.
Step 4: Three Monumental Months in 1979
In what proved to be an incredible three-month span for the Lakers, the following occurred from May to July 1979:
1- Jerry Buss finalized a deal to purchase ownership of the Lakers from Jack Kent Cooke. Buss wanted to build not only a winning team but one that would greatly entertain the fans and generate tremendous interest throughout the LA area.
2- Jerry West, who was tearing his hair out trying to coach the team, moved into the Lakers front office. West would go on to become one of the top talent evaluators and general managers in NBA history.
3- Fate or luck was on the Lakers’ side. NBA rules at the time required compensation when a player left his team in free agency. Back in 1976, Lakers free agent guard Gail Goodrich signed with the Jazz, and a complicated arrangement resulted in LA getting their first-round pick in 1979… which turned out to be the #1 pick of the entire draft!
The Lakers used that pick to select charismatic point guard Earvin “Magic” Johnson, the perfect player to help Buss implement his plan. The table was set for the Showtime Era to begin.
Highlights of the Showtime Lakers era
1980– The Lakers won 60 regular season games and began their playoff run by beating both Phoenix and defending champion Seattle in 5 games.
In the Finals, Abdul-Jabbar dominated Philadelphia, averaging 33.4 points and 13.6 rebounds throughout the first 5 games and leading the Lakers to a 3-2 game lead. But a sprained ankle forced Kareem to sit out Game 6.
That’s the game that will forever be remembered for Magic Johnson’s scintillating performance. The rookie seized control away from the Dr. J-led 76ers, scoring 42 points and snaring 15 rebounds. Along with ample support from Wilkes, who scored a career-high 37, the duo helped the Lakers capture their second championship in L.A.
1982– After losing to Houston in the first round in 1981, the Lakers looked to get back on top. But things looked grim when, just 11 games into the season, Magic publicly pronounced he could no longer play for Coach Paul Westhead.
Buss fired Westhead and then surprisingly promoted Pat Riley, who had no previous coaching experience, to become the head coach. At the time, people scratched their heads in wonderment. In retrospect, it is recognized as a bold and brilliant move.
At midseason, former NBA scoring leader Bob McAdoo was acquired for a second-round pick, joining Kareem, Magic, Wilkes and Nixon and providing a vital scorer off the bench. He played an important role as the Lakers recaptured the NBA title by sweeping both Phoenix and San Antonio, then once again beating the Sixers in the Finals in 6 games.
The Lakers’ good fortune continued after the season ended. Two years earlier, they had made a seemingly insignificant trade with Cleveland, swapping forward Don Ford, whose role on the Lakers had shrunk dramatically, and a 1980 first-round pick for Butch Lee and a 1982 first-rounder.
Lady Luck once again smiled at LA when the Cavs finished the 1982 season in last place, giving the champion Lakers the top pick in the draft. Buss and West wisely used it to select forward James Worthy, who would go on to become one of the all-time Laker greats.
1983– In his rookie season, Worthy combined with Cooper and McAdoo to form a potent trio off the bench for the Lakers. Worthy played both forward positions, sometimes subbing in for Wilkes and also often playing alongside him.
But his season ended in April when he broke a leg. Unfortunately, that was only the first of several injuries.
The Lakers had a successful run through the West, beating Portland in 5 games and San Antonio in 6. But McAdoo tore a hamstring in the final game against the Spurs. Then Nixon separated his shoulder in Game 1 of the Finals. Both were severely limited for the rest of the series.
Although the Lakers led every Finals game at halftime, they squandered those leads each time in the fourth quarter and were swept by a Sixers squad led by Dr J and Moses Malone.
During the offseason, the Lakers made another significant trade, swapping 6-1 Nixon for the #4 pick in the draft, 6-4 shooting guard Byron Scott. The trade would allow Magic to become the team’s full-time point guard while adding a younger, excellent outside shooter.
1984– The Lakers cruised to the NBA Finals, sweeping the Kansas City Kings in the first round, then beating Dallas in 5 games and Phoenix in 6. But instead of the 76ers, they would face an old, familiar foe in the Finals: the Boston Celtics.
Between 1959 and 1969, the Lakers had squared off seven times against the Celtics and lost all seven. Three times the series went a full 7 games.
In most of those years, the Lakers’ two future Hall of Famers, Elgin Baylor and Jerry West, couldn’t get over the hump against a full contingent of future Boston HOFers, including Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, Bill Sharman, Sam Jones, Tom Heinsohn and John Havlicek.
This time around, the Lakers had the athletic edge. But the Celtics’ physicality proved to be the difference, as symbolized by Kevin McHale’s clothesline tackle of Kurt Rambis in Game 4. That takedown turned the tides not just of the game but the series, with Boston ultimately winning Game 7 at home.
1985– The Lakers to a man felt they should have won the ’84 title, and re-doubled their efforts in ’85. They won 62 regular season games as Worthy replaced Wilkes in the starting lineup and Scott became the full-time starter at shooting guard.
Once again LA waltzed through the West in the playoffs, sweeping Phoenix and losing just one game apiece to Portland and Denver to return to the Finals for the fourth straight year.
Their opponent once again was the Larry Bird-led Celtics. The Lakers were brimming with confidence that this time would be different.
But in Game 1, known as the “Memorial Day Massacre”, Boston soundly whipped the Lakers 148-114. At age 38, Abdul-Jabbar no longer looked like the game’s most dominant player, and yet another Celtics title seemed to be on the horizon.
However, Kareem, Pat Riley, Magic Johnson and company weren’t quite ready to concede. First, the Lakers rallied behind Abdul-Jabbar’s 30 points and 17 rebounds to capture Game 2 at Boston.
Next, they continued to ride Kareem’s coattails to win 3 of the next 4 games, clinching the title with a Game 6 victory at Boston Garden for their first-ever victory in the Finals over the Celtics. Kareem became the oldest player to win MVP honors.
1986– The Lakers once again won 62 games. But both Wilkes and McAdoo had moved on. And after 4 straight trips to the NBA Finals, they unexpectedly managed to lose 4 of 5 games to 51-win Houston in the Western Conference Finals to end their season prematurely.
1987– The 1986-87 team is regarded by many as the finest in Lakers history. It was buoyed by Jerry West’s masterful mid-season trade acquiring Mychal Thompson, who would back-up Kareem at center and also play alongside him at power forward.
After a 65-17 regular season record, the Lakers won 11 of 12 games in the Western Conference playoffs to return yet again to the Finals. There they would face a familiar opponent: the Boston Celtics.
Here’s where the presence of Thompson was keenly felt. He was probably the best player in the league at defending Boston’s Kevin McHale, a former college teammate. And Bird has admitted that Cooper was the best defensive player he faced.
The teams had already split their first two series in the ’80s. Now Kareem, Magic, Worthy, Scott and Cooper squared off against Bird, McHale, Robert Parrish, Dennis Johnson and Danny Ainge to determine which was the best team of the decade.
The singular moment of the series occurred in the waning seconds of Game 4 in Boston when Magic Johnson sank the “junior, junior skyhook” to win the game. A few days later the Lakers clinched the series in Game 6 at home, their fourth title of the ’80s.
In the victory celebration, Riley boldly guaranteed that the Lakers would repeat as champions the following season. No team since the Celtics of the ’60s had won two straight titles.
1988– Although the Lakers won 62 games in the regular season, the 1988 playoffs were not the typical Lakers cakewalk through the Western Conference.
They swept San Antonio in the first round but were pushed to the limit by both Utah and Dallas in the next two series. LA used home-court advantage to win series-clinching Game 7’s at the Forum against both teams to advance.
They met an unfamiliar opponent this time around in the NBA Finals: the Detroit Pistons, a team that had never won a title and hadn’t been to the Finals since 1956, when the franchise was still located in Fort Wayne, IN.
But these “bad boys”, including Isiah Thomas, Adrian Dantley, Joe Dumars, Bill Laimbeer and a young Dennis Rodman, proved to be a deep, formidable foe.
By now 40-year-old Abdul-Jabbar had become more of a secondary offensive weapon. Instead, the Lakers were led by three players still in their prime, Worthy, Johnson and Scott, while Thompson and A.C. Green provided scoring support. And although Cooper struggled offensively, he was still a defensive stopper.
The Pistons, however, stole Game 1 in LA behind Dantley’s hot 14-16 shooting. The Lakers recovered to win Game 2 at home and Game 3 in Detroit. But the Pistons buried the Lakers by a total of 35 points in games 4 and 5 to grab a 3-2 lead heading back to the West Coast.
If the Lakers were to repeat as NBA champs, not only would they have to win two straight games at home, but they’d also have to become the first team to ever win three consecutive seven-game series. The only sure thing was that the Pistons wouldn’t make it easy.
In Game 6, Thomas sprained his ankle but somehow scored 25 points in the third quarter while hobbling on one foot to give Detroit a one-point lead heading into the final quarter. Thomas would go on to tally a game-high 43.
But the Lakers defense held the Pistons to just 21 fourth-quarter points and LA won 103-102 on a pair of late free throws from Kareem to force Game 7. To this day, Detroit fans claim that Laimbeer didn’t foul Abdul-Jabbar on the play.
In the series finale, James Worthy had one of the best Game 7’s in NBA history, scoring 36 points on 15-22 shooting along with 16 rebounds and 10 assists. The Lakers built a 15-point fourth-quarter lead only to have Detroit cut the margin to just one, 106-105, with six seconds remaining.
But Magic passed to Green for a layup to put LA up by 3. Then Thomas lost the ball while trying to launch a desperate shot in a collision with Johnson and time ran out. The Lakers had earned their repeat title the hard way in 7 grueling games.
1989– The Lakers were favored to make it a “three-peat” in Kareem’s final season, and looked like a championship squad when they swept Portland, Seattle and Phoenix in the conference playoffs, winning 11 straight games.
Because they would then have a full 8-day break before a Finals re-match with Detroit, Riley arranged for the team to have a 3-day mini-camp to keep the team sharp. Unfortunately during those sessions, both Magic and Scott suffered torn hamstrings.
Scott, who had averaged over 20 points per game against both the Blazers and Suns, couldn’t play at all in the Finals. Magic hobbled through parts of the first couple of games before he was forced to the bench for the remainder of the series.
Without their starting backcourt, the Lakers were unable to compete with the Pistons and lost all four games of the Finals.
1991– After losing to Phoenix in the second round in 1990, the squad was now minus Abdul-Jabbar and Riley. But behind the mainstays of the team, Johnson, Worthy and Scott along with new head coach Mike Dunleavy, the Showtime Lakers made a final, somewhat surprising return to the NBA championship round in 1991.
Their opponent was the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls, making their first-ever Finals appearance. The question was whether experience would triumph over the heroics of the game’s greatest player of all time.
Unfortunately, the injury bug struck the Lakers once again when Worthy sprained an ankle in the conference finals. He struggled through the first few games of the Finals before aggravating it further in Game 4 and was forced to sit out the rest of the series. Scott soon joined him on the bench after spraining his shoulder.
The Lakers won Game 1 in Chicago. But the aging squad faded and lost four straight games, including the final three in L.A.
Despite the losses in 1989 and 1991, the Showtime Lakers had an impressive run. Over a 12-year span, they made the Finals 9 times, winning 5 titles. Key injuries in 1983, ’89 and ’91 prevented them from perhaps winning more championships. And the excitement they brought to the fans is unparalleled.
Happy 35th anniversary to the 1988 champions!
Victor Wembanyama: NBA prospect roasted online after ‘hilarious’ moment at Yankees game
Victor Wembanyama came in for a fair amount of criticism from people online for his performance ahead of the New York Yankees’ game against the Seattle Mariners.
Victor Wembanyama is arguably the hottest prospect that we have seen emerge ahead of an NBA Draft in quite some time. The French phenom, who stands at 7’4 and weighs 230lbs had a sensational start to his young career, averaging .470% shooting percentage from the floor, 21.6 points per game and 10.8 rebounds for Metropolitans 92 last season.
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Now though his destination is the NBA, where after last month’s draft lottery, and barring some drastic change of events between now and the draft on Thursday, he will be taken with the #1 pick by the San Antonio Spurs, where they will hope that he can help drive them back to the levels of dominance we saw from them between 2000-2010.
If for whatever reason basketball doesn’t work out for him, although we can’t see that happening, it’s always possible that he could turn his attention to another sport (his frame would make him the perfect redzone target for an NFL team for instance), but after what happened last night, it’s fair to say that baseball won’t be on his agenda.
Victor Wembanyama throws a far-from-perfect first pitch
Wembanyama is in New York this week for the NBA Draft, and as you might expect for a player in such a big spotlight, he’s being carried around all over the place for a variety of appearances and interviews ahead of the event. One such appearance saw him throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the New York Yankees’ game against the Seattle Mariners, where it’s fair to say he didn’t cover himself in glory with his efforts.
Video: Victor Wembanyama has disastrous first pitch experience:
Wembanyama joins a long list of celebrities who have had bad experiences when throwing out the first pitch, and it wasn’t long before there were a flood of comments from people online who were ready to roast him:
As a few people have expressed, it does seem strange that an athlete, especially one who is used to having a ball in his hands (even if it’s a different size), can’t put the ball where he needed to on command like that. Perhaps he should have thrown it two-handed out of his chest like a regular basketball pass just to make him more comfortable.
2023 NBA Draft: Five questions that will shape draft night, including No. 2 pick and Zion Williamson’s future
The 2023 NBA Draft isn’t short on intrigue. It features the most hyped prospect in recent memory in Victor Wembanyama, a plethora of other tantalizing talents eager to make their mark on the league, and several teams potentially poised to shake things up. Typically, the mystery of who the top overall pick will be is the largest looming question heading into draft day. That isn’t the case this year, but there are still a bunch of potentially league-altering questions that will be answered on Thursday night. Here’s a look at the five most pressing.
1. Who will Charlotte select with the second pick?
There’s little mystique at the very top of the draft, as French phenom Victor Wembanyama is universally expected the be the first overall pick by the San Antonio Spurs. At 7-foot-4 with tight handles and a smooth shot, Wembanyama boasts a crazy mix of size and athleticism, and as a result he’s already caught the attention of some of the league’s top players.
“Everybody’s been a unicorn over the last few years, but [Wembanyama] is more like an alien,” Lakers forward LeBron James said of Wembanyama . “No one has ever seen anyone as tall as he is but as fluid and as graceful as he is out on the floor. At 7-4, 7-5, 7-3, whatever the case may be, his ability to put the ball on the floor, shoot stepback jumpers out of the post, stepback 3s, catch-and-shoot 3s, block shots, he’s for sure a generational talent.”
Wembanyama will provide an enormous, immediate boost — both on and off of the floor — to whichever organization lands him, and that’s why the Spurs will assuredly select him. With that decision locked up ahead of time, the most pressing question near the top of the lottery becomes: Who will the Charlotte Hornets select with the second pick?
The Hornets appear to have their choice narrowed down to two players, as Alabama’s Brandon Miller and G League Ignite’s Scoot Henderson both had multiple workouts with the team. Both players have franchise-changing potential — something the Hornets certainly need as an organization that hasn’t made it past the first round of the playoffs in over 20 years. Charlotte’s decision at the second spot will have an enormous ripple effect on the rest of the draft, and in turn on the league as a whole. It’s tough to overstate the overall importance of this pick. All eyes will be on Charlotte on Thursday night as a result.
2. Will the Blazers trade the third pick?
Heading into the draft, there has been rampant speculation that the Portland Trail Blazers could look to trade the third overall pick in order to acquire established, win-now talent to pair alongside Damian Lillard. Some have even suggested that Lillard could seek a trade if Portland doesn’t make that move, as he has made it clear that he isn’t interested in being part of a rebuild with the Blazers. While the situation is more nuanced than that, it’s still certainly a central storyline surrounding the draft.
Lillard has said time and again that his first choice would be to spend his entire career in Portland, but he is also well aware that his window to help lead a team to a title is closing and he wants to maximize his remaining time at the peak of his powers, either in Portland or elsewhere.
“I want to have an opportunity to win in Portland…We got an opportunity, asset-wise, to build a team that can compete,” Lillard said recently. “If we can’t do that, then, you know, obviously, like I’ve said, you know, for months now, like then this is a separate conversation that we would have to have.”
It will be very interesting to see what the Blazers do here. They could add a very promising player with the third overall pick, but by doing so they could run the risk of aggravating Lillard, and in turn pushing him out of Portland.
3. Will the Pelicans trade Zion Williamson?
Zion Williamson’s name has popped up in trade rumors recently, and some reports have suggested that the Pelicans might be willing to part with the former top overall pick in order to move up into the top three in the draft in order to land top prospect Scoot Henderson.
Williamson getting traded prior to the draft is unlikely, according to The Athletic, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Williamson hasn’t been the reliable franchise cornerstone that the organization hoped he would be when he was selected with the first pick in the 2019 draft. When he’s been out on the floor, Williamson has been extremely impressive, but availability has been an enormous issue, and there’s certainly some frustration on both sides behind the scenes.
The Pelicans have long been enamored with Henderson, and even if they don’t want to trade Williamson, if the opportunity to turn Williamson into Henderson presents itself, it’s something the organization would at least have to consider.
4. Will the Thunder cash in some chips?
The Oklahoma City Thunder have a ton of draft picks in the upcoming drafts, including three (one first-round, two second-round) this year. They also have four first-round picks in the 2024 NBA Draft. As a team with a ton of young talent already on the roster, could they look to trade in some of those picks for established talent in order to take the next step forward as a team? Or, could they potentially look to package a couple of picks — maybe their first round pick this year and one in 2024– to move up in the draft this year? They will have the No. 12 overall pick as it stands, but perhaps they’ll want another crack at the top five.
Maybe they’ll make a move, maybe they won’t, but regardless the Thunder are definitely a team to keep an eye on draft night since they possess the draft capital to shake things up in a major way.
5. Will the Mavericks make a move?
After missing the playoffs last season despite acquiring star guard Kyrie Irving prior to the trade deadline, the Dallas Mavericks clearly need to upgrade the roster around Luka Doncic. One way to do that would be to trade the No. 10 overall pick in the draft to land some established talent. NBA insider Jake Fischer of Yahoo! Sports recently stated that he fully expects the Mavericks to trade the pick, and others have expressed a similar sentiment.
In a way, this situation is similar to the one in Portland. Both teams are in win-now mode thanks to the presence of a superstar guard in his prime, and both teams are facing pressure to build better teams around those guys. Lillard is older than Doncic, so there’s a bit more urgency in Portland, but ultimately both teams could look to move their lottery pick in the name of immediate improvement.
NBA free agency: Player option tracker as Kyle Kuzma, Draymond Green, Bruce Brown opt out of deals
NBA free agency is less than two weeks away, and we’re getting a clearer picture of exactly who will be available this summer. Several players are facing decisions on player options for the 2023-24 season, and notable names like Draymond Green and Kyle Kuzma have already declined them.
Green, as expected, turned down his $27.6 million player option with the Warriors for next season, per The Athletic. The Warriors mainstay could stay in Golden State, he’ll just look to do so on a longer contract. Kuzma also expectedly turned down his $13 million option from the Wizards for next season to enter free agency, per ESPN. Kuzma hits the open market after averaging 21.2 points per game last season.
Bruce Brown, fresh off a key role in the Nuggets’ title, declined his $6.8 million option to enter free agency, per The Athletic.
The Raptors have been impacted by two player option decisions. Fred VanVleet declined his $22.8 million option to become a free agent, while Gary Trent Jr. is opting into his $18.6 million option to return to Toronto.
Below is a full list of the notable player options this offseason, which includes stars like James Harden and Khris Middleton.
NBA player option tracker
2023 NBA Draft: One trade idea for all 14 teams in the lottery ranging from realistic to utter fantasy
The NBA Draft’s order may be determined by lottery, but ultimately any team can pick in any slot if it wants to badly enough. Sure, getting to the top of the draft might cost you your entire roster, but with rare exceptions, no pick is truly untradeable. The team that holds a draft pick when the card is handed in will ultimately be the team that values that pick more than any other.
So let’s put that theory to the test. The draft is almost upon us. There will surely be several deals at the top of the board. So let’s go through all 14 teams in the lottery and try to find a trade for their picks. Some of the trades will be more realistic than others, but all of them will attempt to re-home picks with teams that value them enough to give up real capital to get them.
Spurs get: Luka Doncic
Mavericks get: No. 1 overall pick, Doug McDermott
This is a purely hypothetical exercise on both ends, and a pretty laughable one at that. Obviously, there is no realistic pathway to a Victor Wembanyama trade… but who is the most valuable player San Antonio could feasibly ask for? Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo, as Finals MVPs in their primes, are untouchable. Stephen Curry likely is as well due to his status as a Warriors icon.
That leaves Doncic, who, to be clear, is not actually available. But reports have indicated that Dallas is afraid that another disappointing year could lead to Doncic, already on a max contract, asking out. If the Mavericks wanted to get out ahead of that possibility, Wembanyama would top any offer any other team could feasibly make. For the Spurs, they’d be exchanging a question mark for a surefire All-NBA player. Doug McDermott is here for cap purposes.
It’s not going to happen, but it’s a fun hypothetical. If these two teams have their way, Doncic and Wembanyama will be the two biggest stars in Texas for a long time, and they’ll hold those titles with their original teams.
2. Charlotte Hornets/No. 14 New Orleans Pelicans
Hornets get: Zion Williamson, No. 14 overall pick
Pelicans get: No. 2 overall pick, Gordon Hayward
Here’s where we go from completely unrealistic to unlikely, but plausible given the reporting, circumstances and general craziness of the modern NBA. The Pelicans reportedly want to move up to draft Scoot Henderson. They are most often cited as a possible trade partner with the Portland Trail Blazers at No. 3, but the Hornets can scoop them with the No. 2 overall pick. If the Pelicans are essentially willing to deal Williamson for Henderson, Charlotte effectively has the right of first refusal.
So the question then becomes… would the Hornets give up the right to draft Henderson (or Brandon Miller for that matter) in exchange for Williamson? Well… we don’t exactly know. Remember, Michael Jordan officially sold his stake in the team less than a week ago. If Mat Ishbia’s recent splurge has taught us anything, it’s that new owners typically like to make a splash. Even if the current front office wants to make the pick, there is the chance that ownership would prioritize the proven star in Williamson, who would fit perfectly next to LaMelo Ball.
So why is the No. 14 overall pick in this deal as well? Williamson’s injuries have to be taken into account here, obviously, but there’s also the matter of leverage. Charlotte is perfectly comfortable making a pick at No. 2. These talks were theoretically born out of David Griffin’s interest in Henderson. If he wants to move up, he has to pay the premium to do it.
3. Portland Trail Blazers
Blazers get: Paul George, 2028 first-round pick (top-8 protected, top-4 protected in 2029)
Clippers get: No. 3 overall pick, Jusuf Nurkic, Anfernee Simons
The Blazers are certainly in the running for Williamson if Henderson makes it to No. 3 and the Pelicans ultimately decide to move him, but what’s their alternative? Let’s look at some reporting by Marc Stein on Tuesday. The Clippers, it seems, are quietly gauging the market on Paul George. Only teams interested in winning now that have a need on the wing would trade for him, and the package would likely have to be substantial for the Clippers to pull the trigger.
That describes the Blazers to a tee. George is older than Williamson, yet, despite his own injuries, more reliable. He plays the wing, which has been a hole for Portland for Damian Lillard’s entire career. Ironically, George could be traded for a player very similar to the one he was dealt for four years ago: a bigger, explosive point guard. It was Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in 2019 and it would likely be Henderson now.
So what about the rest of this deal? Portland has very little flexibility in terms of what matching salary it uses. Simons and Nurkic almost have to be in this deal, and considering the risks associated with George, the No. 3 overall pick alone is a fair return. If the Clippers are getting the young and explosive Simons, they not only have to eat the Nurkic contract, but they have to send out a lightly-protected pick of their own. Remember, in this scenario, they’d hope that by 2028 their pick at No. 3 would have matured into a star himself, so the risk of trading a pick that far away is lighter.
Cavaliers get: No. 4 overall pick
Rockets get: Jarrett Allen
The last two trades were at least grounded by some reporting. This one is pure speculation, and fairly flimsy speculation at that. Cleveland is in no rush to break up its core, and the Rockets already have Alperen Sengun at center. Both teams would likely need to be convinced here.
For Cleveland, it’s a financial reset of sorts. Evan Mobley’s long-term contract is coming up, and turning the $20 million Allen into a draft pick not only gives them a chance at the wing they’re missing, but also gets them four years of cost control at a critical slot. That probably isn’t enough to justify breaking up this team after only one year together, but realistically, if the Cavs lose a few more times and decide they need to invest in a high-end wing, Allen is their likeliest trade chip. This idea just accelerates that process.
And if Houston lands James Harden? Suddenly Sengun is a fairly awkward fit. Houston desperately needs defense somewhere on this roster, and Allen provides far more of it than Sengun. He’s a more traditional Harden pick-and-roll partner as a lob-finisher than Sengun, who is at his most valuable with the ball in his hands. Houston would have to flip Sengun elsewhere to justify this sort of move, but it would at least give them a somewhat sensible roster around Harden. At this point, it’s worth wondering if the Rockets should be tailoring their roster around a soon-to-be 34-year-old, but we abandoned reality long ago where this trade is concerned. If the Rockets are doing this Harden thing, why not really commit to it?
5. Detroit Pistons/9. Utah Jazz
Jazz get: No. 5 overall pick
Pistons get: No. 9 overall pick, No. 16 overall pick
OK, we’re back to the real world now. This one is straightforward, and even has some reporting behind it thanks to Yahoo’s Jake Fischer. The Jazz are stuffed to the brim with future draft capital after trading Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell last summer. The Pistons don’t have an asset surplus. Utah wants to jump ahead of Orlando to take guard Anthony Black, according to Fischer. Detroit seems to be targeting wings in a draft filled with them. This feels like a pretty classic case of one team needing quality and another needing quantity. Easy trade. Let’s move on.
Hawks get: No. 6 overall pick, No. 11 overall pick
Magic get: Dejounte Murray, No. 15 overall pick
We’re back to the realm of speculation here, but it’s slightly more informed. Atlanta has reportedly sought to move up in the draft, but their target isn’t clear. Meanwhile, Murray’s contract is uniquely difficult for the Hawks. He was extended at so far below market-value that even with the league’s new 140% raise rule, he essentially cannot get an extension for a fair price. That means that he is virtually guaranteed to become a free agent next offseason, and the Hawks didn’t exactly light the world on fire with him last season.
Orlando has plenty of young guards, but Markelle Fultz, Jalen Suggs and Cole Anthony are all still projects at this stage of their career. Murray is a sure thing, a mid-range master to help their late-game offense and a top defender to help cover some of the gaps their offense-centric front-court will create. The Magic have so much young talent at this stage that picks really don’t need to be a priority for them. Murray is proven enough to lift them into the playoffs now, but young enough to help them win moving forward. If the Magic want to pursue a veteran like Fred VanVleet in free agency, this could be a way to get that player early and without a bidding war.
Raptors get: No. 7 overall pick, No. 29 overall pick, 2025 first-round pick (top-4 protected, unprotected 2026), Daniel Theis, Chris Duarte
Pacers get: OG Anunoby
Indiana reportedly wants a veteran wing in exchange for its lottery pick. The Raptors are a notoriously difficult trade partner to deal with, as they have reportedly turned down several hefty offers for Anunoby in the past. But he is only a year away from free agency, and to this point, there has been little reported progress on an extension. Perhaps this offer would be enough to pry him loose.
Toronto gets one premium pick in No. 7. They help the Pacers ease their roster crunch by taking No. 29, leaving Indiana with No. 26 and No. 32 to play with. The 2025 pick has upside, but hopefully, a Pacers team built around Anunoby, Tyrese Haliburton, Myles Turner and Benedict Mathurin is contending by then. Duarte is a flier on a former lottery pick that has shown promise but struggled last season. Toronto has turned down three first-round picks before, but this offer exceeds that price. It’s three picks, but one is a premium selection, and the package comes with another former high draft pick. If this isn’t prying Anunoby out of Toronto, it’s likely that nothing will.
8. Washington Wizards/12. Oklahoma City Thunder
Thunder get: No. 8 overall pick
Wizards get: No. 12 overall pick, No. 50 overall pick, 2024 first-round pick (via Utah)
Another relatively simple swap. We’ve already seen the Thunder flex their asset muscles in the late lottery, as they gave up three future picks to land Ousmane Dieng in a trade with the Knicks last season. This deal follows a somewhat similar concept: the Thunder have more picks than roster spots, so they use one of their future selections to jump up and pick a preferred target. If Washington’s ideal pick is on the board, the Wizards will just stay put. But if they are targeting, say, Black, and Utah has already moved up to grab him? Then a move down makes sense, as the Wizards are still so early in their rebuild that every asset counts.
10. Dallas Mavericks
Celtics get: No. 10 overall pick, Tim Hardaway Jr.
Mavericks get: Robert Williams III, Danilo Gallinari
Dallas desperately needs to use its No. 10 overall pick to improve defensively. Boston has seemingly explored the trade market, and its guards have been frequently mentioned in the rumor mill. Marcus Smart is a realistic Dallas target. He’d do wonders for their defense and culture, but he also likes to have the ball in his hands. That isn’t exactly possible on a team with Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Here’s an alternative.
Williams, when healthy, is a legitimate defensive anchor. The “when healthy” qualifier is key here. Boston would essentially be giving up on a possible Defensive Player of the Year by making this trade, but after dealing with his health issues for five years now, they might be willing to swallow that loss for a lottery pick and four years of cost control. The Celtics won’t be cheap once Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum start their super max contracts. They have to find savings somewhere, and by trading Robert Williams, they might buy themselves enough financial flexibility to keep Grant Williams in restricted free agency.
13. Toronto Raptors
Grizzlies get: No. 13 overall pick, Chris Boucher
Raptors get: No. 25 overall pick, Tyus Jones
After fake-trading several All-Stars in this space, we close with a relatively modest trade involving high-end backups. In theory, Memphis should be holding onto Tyus Jones with Ja Morant set to miss the first 25 games of next season. However, there’s been plenty of reporting suggesting that he’s available. He’s probably the best backup point guard in the NBA, but he’s also a perfectly serviceable starter.
The Raptors have a point guard far better than that in Fred VanVleet, but there’s a good chance he’s about to walk in free agency. If he does, and the Raptors want to remain somewhat competitive next season, they are going to have to replace him. Jones is a relatively affordable way of doing so in the short term while the Raptors weigh their long-term options. Memphis, meanwhile, would pick up a better asset to use in its endless search for a wing. Given their draft history, a late lottery pick would be pretty valuable in the hands of the Grizzlies. Boucher is not only matching salary, but a useful backup as Brandon Clarke works his way back from a torn Achilles.
Denied $37,020,932 by Nuggets, Nikola Jokic Finds Relief as Celtics Star Thrown Out of Contention but Not Him in Elite Shaquille O’Neal-Led List
Nikola Jokic, despite not winning the regular season MVP award, showcased his exceptional skills during the NBA Finals against the Miami Heat, leading the Denver Nuggets to secure the 2023 NBA Championship. As a result of his remarkable performance, Jokic was awarded the Finals MVP title. This recent accomplishment has placed him in a prestigious group of NBA players according to a basketball analyst, which includes legendary figures like Shaquille O’Neal from the Los Angeles Lakers.
Nikola Jokic displayed impressive averages of 30.0 points, 13.5 rebounds and 9.5 assists, which played a crucial role in securing the first-ever NBA Championship for the city of Denver. As one of the rare foreigner players who have made such a significant impact in the league, Jokic has built a profound legacy. Comparisons are already being drawn between Jokic and other legendary Hall of Fame athletes, highlighting his potential to join the ranks of all-time greats in the basketball world.
Nikola Jokic joins an elite list
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Basketball critic and analyst Nick Wright recently praised Nikola Jokic for his dominant performances and labeled him as an All-time great player after less than a decade in the NBA. According to Wright, Jokic’s leadership in guiding his team, the Nuggets, to an NBA title places him among a select group of players, including the Big Diesel, Shaquille O’Neal, who have achieved remarkable success this century by being the main men in their team.
via Getty DENVER, COLORADO – JUNE 12: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets speaks with media after a 94-89 victory against the Miami Heat in Game Five of the 2023 NBA Finals to win the NBA Championship at Ball Arena on June 12, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
Analyst Nick Wright included Nikola Jokic in a prestigious group of players that consists of Shaquille O’Neal, Tim Duncan, LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry. All of these players played main roles in leading their respective teams to NBA championships.
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However, it is worth noting that Kevin Garnett, despite winning an NBA title with the Boston Celtics in 2008 and earning MVP honors in the past, was surprisingly omitted from the list. This exclusion came as a surprise given Garnett’s notable achievements and contributions throughout the course of his career.
However, Garnett is probably not missing out on how much Jokic himself is!
Nikola Jokic is denied a big amount by the Denver Nuggets
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Following the NBA Finals, Nikola Jokic’s market value is estimated to be approximately $70 million, while his current salary with the Denver Nuggets is around $33 million. It is surprising that the Nuggets are not compensating the Finals MVP according to his market worth.
Jokic is potentially missing out on a significant amount of nearly $37,020,932. It will be intriguing to hear Jokic’s perspective on this matter, and the situation will certainly add an element of interest to the upcoming season.
WATCH THIS STORY: Nikola Jokic receives a warm welcome by Shaq to the Big Man club
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What are your thoughts on Nikola Jokic’s latest achievement? Do you think Kevin Garnett should at least have been considered? Share your thoughts in the comments!
NBA Rumors: Dream Lakers draft trade emerges with Brooklyn Nets
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 23: Rob Pelinka of the Los Angeles Lakers with Sean Marks before the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on January 23, 2020 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matteo Marchi/Getty Images)
There has been a lot of speculation about what the Los Angeles Lakers are going to do with the 17th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. While the Lakers could land a solid prospect with the 17th pick, it seems like the team is more interested in trading the selection.
According to Jovan Buha of The Athletic, there is a growing likelihood that the Lakers will trade the 17th pick in the draft. There are two routes the Lake Show can take: the team can try to trade down in the draft to accumulate more draft capital or can try to trade the pick for veteran talent.
But what if the team could do both? It takes the perfect situation for that to happen and luckily, the perfect situation may now exist. The Brooklyn Nets are reportedly very active in shopping their two late second-round picks to move up in the draft while veterans Royce O’Neale and Dorian Finney-Smith have also gained interest.
Alas, the Lakers could knock out two birds with one stone, moving back in the draft while also adding a veteran player to the rotation.
Lakers Get 22nd overall pick Royce O’Neale Nets Get 17th overall pick Mo Bamba
NBA Rumors: Why the Los Angeles Lakers would say yes
This is the best of both worlds for the Los Angeles Lakers. The team would be able to bring in a cost-controlled veteran that can log legitimate rotation minutes without having to sacrifice a first-round pick in the draft. With LA’s ability to scout and develop players, the difference between pick 22 and 17 may not be that large.
O’Neale is exactly what the Lakers should be looking for out of a rotation player off the bench. He gives the team the wing depth that is so desperately needed while also adding another shooting presence off the bench that the Lakers lacked.
O’Neale shot 38.9% from three last season and throughout his career, he has been incredibly consistent. He has shot 38.4% from beyond the arc while attempting 3.5 threes per game in his career.
He may not be able to do much more offensively but that is fine. His solid three-point shooting and above-average wing defense is valuable enough. Better yet, he is on an expiring deal that pays him under $10 million a year, so he does not break the bank in the slightest.
NBA Rumors: Why the Brooklyn Nets would say yes
O’Neale has value to a team like the Lakers but may not have as much value to the Nets. Brooklyn is a wing-heavy team and one year of O’Neale isn’t really moving the needle for Brooklyn. With large contracts given out to the likes of Ben Simmons and Joe Harris, the Nets may benefit from trading O’Neale for Mo Bamba for the sole purpose of waiving Bamba and his non-guaranteed contract.
Brooklyn would get to move up five spots in the draft and would get to free up just under $10 million in salary cap space in the process. The difference between the 22nd and 17th pick may not be large for the Lakers but it could allow the Nets to draft someone that they are in love with.
This kind of trade almost has to happen on draft night itself. It would take a prospect who Brooklyn is very high on falling to the 17th pick with the belief that he won’t fall to 21 (the Nets’ next pick in the draft). If that happens, this becomes an obvious no-brainer for the Nets.
2023 NBA Draft rumors, buzz: Scoot Henderson vs. Brandon Miller debate nearly settled; Cam Whitmore intrigue
The San Antonio Spurs are on the precipice of potentially changing the NBA landscape for the next decade with the expected selection of Victor Wembanyama at No. 1. Every other draft day plot, point of intrigue, all gossip fodder this year is overshadowed by the spectacle of the greatest basketball prospect in 20 years.
No matter which way this goes, 2023 will be remembered as the Wemby Draft.
That said, the NBA community is still abuzz with presumptions, assumptions and scuttlebutt over what’s going down after Wemby walks up to shake Adam Silver’s hand. With that in mind, I checked in with a number of NBA sources in the past week-plus. As always, Rule No. 1 of draft week is: believe nothing. These people are motivated to lie! That said, occasional kernels of truth do pop from time to time. Here’s some of what’s on the minds of those around the league as we head into Thursday night’s NBA Draft.
Scoot vs. Miller remains a very hot debate
T-minus 24 hours until the draft and the feeling around the league — likely bolstered by reporting from ESPN — is that Charlotte is going to select Alabama freshman Brandon Miller at No. 2.
But should it? Granted, this is a small sample size, but of the 10 people I talked to (not all of them general managers), seven of them said they’d take Scoot Henderson over Miller — and that’s with some of them taking into account Charlotte’s roster construction.
“These teams are building around these multiple, dynamic pick-and-roll players, and when you get deep in the playoffs, the ability to get to the basket and draw fouls [is significant],” one high-ranking Western Conference executive told CBS Sports. “Miller doesn’t have as much personal versatility, the combination of Scoot’s scoring and playmaking, that’s what teams are looking for. Brandon is exciting, don’t get me wrong, but this is more of an appreciation for Scoot.”
That executive said he expects Henderson to be a multiple-time All Star — and fitting alongside LaMelo Ball shouldn’t be a concern for Charlotte.
“To have the opportunity to play with two of these guys as playmakers, they’ll help each other,” he said. “It’s not a fit issue. LaMelo at the top of his apex, he should be playing multiple positions as the wing player. He doesn’t have to be a primary ball handler. If you look at his catch-and-shoot numbers, they’re elite. Scoot is almost too good to pass up.”
Said another Western Conference source: “Scoot has all the winning intangibles, and despite the possible oversaturation with ball handling, there’s too much there. In any other draft, he’d be a No. 1 pick, in my mind. We can kill the jump shot and kill his lack of efficiency in the second part of the year, but I think when that dude is locked in, with the right pieces around him, we’re talking about a Westbrook, a Ja, a John Wall.”
“Take Scoot,” another GM said. “Makeup, competitiveness, I’m betting on the human being. He’s what an elite point guard looks like in our league. I just love him more. I think he’s going to be really good. … With Miller, off-the-court stuff aside, when you look at the back at some of the games he had, something’s missing. Not very vocal, missing something. I don’t think he’s an elite-elite athlete like some of these wings.”
There are still plenty in Miller’s corner as the better choice. He’s easily the better shooter, and he’s taller and fits the mold of a prototypical NBA wing. One Eastern Conference source was plainly in on Miller over Scoot, and another evaluator ardently agreed. What ultimately matters is what Mitch Kupchak thinks. (And Michael Jordan, too, one last time.) At this point, the assumption is Charlotte will take Miller. Then again, the assumption a year ago was that Orlando was taking Jabari Smith Jr. … until that switched in the 11th hour.
Whitmore slide rumors: real or smoke?
The draft “starts” at the No. 4 spot with Houston. Amen Thompson is the favorite to go there. There was a time (just a few weeks back) when Villanova’s Cam Whitmore was considered a viable choice to go fourth. But there is a feeling spreading in the league that Whitmore’s stock is slipping more than any other player in the lottery. What does this mean, where does it stem from and will it actually come to pass?
Whitmore had a really good pro day workout in May, but a few of his team workouts weren’t as fruitful, sources said. Throw that on top of a somewhat-bumpy year at Villanova, and some are thinking he’s due to drop three or more spots from his previous top-five projection. One executive said it is possible Whitmore could drop to No. 9. Another source said he doesn’t believe it’s smoke, that Whitmore’s drop will bear out on Thursday. (Neither source is picking in the top 10, but as always, this is lying season, folks.)
“I think it’s real,” another source said of Whitmore’s slide. “There’s medical stuff that’s popped up. I think that’s one of the primary reasons, and I think it’s more so there’s other guys with more certainty there. The gap between how much better he is than everyone else is not there, and throw in maybe medical stuff and that’s what you got when you’ve got the Thompson twins, (Anthony) Black, Jarace (Walker), Taylor Hendricks. Then throw in the questions with consistency, production, his place on the floor, it all adds up.”
Cam Whitmore’s draft stock is a moving target heading into the draft. Getty Images
“From a basketball perspective, he’s got hard things to replicate: size and power and potential to get his own shot,” one front office executive said. “There’s a point in the top 10 where he becomes a no-brainer. If he were to fall to 9, that seems odd to me. I don’t fully grasp it.”
“I remember going to Seton Hall and he was buried at the end of the game,” another executive said. “This guy’s supposed to be a top-five pick and he’s not even on the floor against a very average team.”
The people who like Whitmore as a top-six prospect point to his physical tools and previous play against high-level competition, dating back to his time before Villanova. Another source said Whitmore’s been overanalyzed and there is usually at least one player in the top 10 every year who suffers from analytical fatigue in the final days leading up to the draft. Whitmore didn’t fare well in some workouts and interviews, according to sources, but we’ll see if he actually falls and how far. From my perspective, getting picked sixth or better wouldn’t constitute a fall. A lot of people are really curious where he lands.
Two who could overshadow the draft: Zion, Dame
The two biggest names attached to potential movement are Portland’s Damian Lillard and New Orleans’ Zion Williamson. The will-he-or-won’t-he with Lillard has been a talking point for years. The Zion rumormongering has grown louder as of late, but to hear one source lay it out, it’s going to take a huge package of talent and future first rounders to get New Orleans to shift off Williamson.
Pelicans executive vice president David Griffin knows his window to capitalize on building a contender is now — not two or three years down the road. Brandon Ingram is in his prime, C.J. McCollum has exited his, and Williamson is still waiting to enter into such a phase.
“I can 100% see them trading up,” one source said. “Griff is well aware the window is now. The franchise has underperformed. With another underperforming season, then there will be changes.”
The risk of letting Zion loose is still seen as too great, one source said. If he’s traded away and becomes elite, that can flip a front office. If they keep him and he’s still not healthy, Zion’s contract keeps him relatively cheap because he’s not paid as much if he doesn’t play a majority of games.
Then again: “We’d be surprised by Dame, Zion not so much,” one person in the Western Conference said.
So yeah, nobody knows anything. As a few people pointed out, the Lillard chatter is starting to venture into Bradley Beal territory. Hey, it took a long time, but Beal did eventually get dealt. What I can promise you is Zion or Lillard moving on draft night would be the biggest story of the evening, even bigger than the formality of San Antonio drafting Wembanyama.
Over/under 1.5 trades in the lottery
In asking around, this year’s lottery is considered below average. And yet, once again, the “there’s going to be so many trades” gossip has predictably arrived right on time. That in mind, if I’m setting the over/under at 1.5 trades in the top 14, I guess I’ll take the over. Dallas at No. 10 is considered — by a wide margin — to be the most likely trade target among all teams picking in the lottery.
“Dallas feels a little bit of pressure to deliver on Luka’s potential,” one Western Conference source said. “Aligning to get to the end of his contract without being on a pathway to being a championship contender is a little difficult.”
We’ve seen many teams enter the draft with a wide assumption they will make a move, only to keep the pick. So we’ll see about Dallas. The other teams (in order) considered potentially open to swapping more than others: Indiana at No. 7, Utah at No. 9, Orlando at No. 11.
Said one Eastern Conference evaluator: “This is all speculation right now and everyone’s bored.”
Perceived risers
We’ll soon find out how accurate the collective NBA mock draft community is on some guys who have jumped up a tier or two in the past couple of weeks. Here are the three hottest names relative to where their stock was more than a month ago.
BILAL COULIBALY : The Frenchman who played with Wembanyama. Some around the league believe he could go as high as No. 9 to Utah, and don’t think he falls beyond Toronto at 13. Said one source: “Are one of these teams in the top 10 quietly going to move on that? That’s one everyone’s monitoring.” Others have skepticism, due to the fact he’s jumped so far so fast. The feeling at this juncture is Coulibaly’s wingspan, fluidity, size and age will have teams on the back end of the lottery spooked to pass on him.
: The Frenchman who played with Wembanyama. Some around the league believe he could go as high as No. 9 to Utah, and don’t think he falls beyond Toronto at 13. Said one source: “Are one of these teams in the top 10 quietly going to move on that? That’s one everyone’s monitoring.” Others have skepticism, due to the fact he’s jumped so far so fast. The feeling at this juncture is Coulibaly’s wingspan, fluidity, size and age will have teams on the back end of the lottery spooked to pass on him. KOBE BUFKIN : The Michigan product has jumped up in a major way in recent weeks, going from late first-rounder to a guy who could be called in the lottery. His sophomore season was a plot twist. He played alongside Hunter Dickinson and Jett Howard on an OK Michigan team, and came out as the best pro prospect of the bunch. “He’s big, versatile, can handle/pass, looks like a multi, do-it-all who can play 1 through 3 at our level,” one source said. “He’s helped himself more than anyone.” The range feels 8-15 for Bufkin.
: The Michigan product has jumped up in a major way in recent weeks, going from late first-rounder to a guy who could be called in the lottery. His sophomore season was a plot twist. He played alongside Hunter Dickinson and Jett Howard on an OK Michigan team, and came out as the best pro prospect of the bunch. “He’s big, versatile, can handle/pass, looks like a multi, do-it-all who can play 1 through 3 at our level,” one source said. “He’s helped himself more than anyone.” The range feels 8-15 for Bufkin. BRANDIN PODZIEMSKI: One source said all three guys on this list here are products of the powers of the analytic staffs on teams. “The modeling is pretty standard league-wide, so those guys are darlings from an analytics perspective,” the source said. Podziemski would make it back-to-back Santa Clara players picked in the first round (Jalen Williams last season). That after the school went through a three-decade drought. He seems a lock to go top-25. Be sure to read this great profile of Podz by our own Kyle Boone
Perceived fallers
JETT HOWARD, MICHIGAN : Reads on Howard’s stock are all over the map. Huge knocks against his defense, and two sources suggested there might only be a couple of teams that have a top-25 grade on him. More polarizing than I realized.
: Reads on Howard’s stock are all over the map. Huge knocks against his defense, and two sources suggested there might only be a couple of teams that have a top-25 grade on him. More polarizing than I realized. BRICE SENSABAUGH, OHIO STATE : Was projected as a safe first round pick for most of this process. However, as we get closer to the big moment, word is spreading over concerns regarding his size and medical, multiple sources said. His range was once thought to be No. 15-25, but now it feels more like No. 23-35.
: Was projected as a safe first round pick for most of this process. However, as we get closer to the big moment, word is spreading over concerns regarding his size and medical, multiple sources said. His range was once thought to be No. 15-25, but now it feels more like No. 23-35. ANDRE JACKSON JR., UCONN: Perhaps his lack of a jumper is going to cost him first-round status. Jackson passes a lot of tests, but it’s worth considering that his decision to leave UConn wasn’t a no-brainer. Many teams (including some I talked to) have a second-round grade on him — and like him at that value.
Second-round sleepers
In polling some NBA minds, here are three guys who got a few nods for being valued slightly more than mock drafts would suggest.