TENNIS

For the first time in history, two unseeded women will play for a major championship title. Canada’s Leylah Fernandez, who turned 19 this week, will play against Briton’s Emma Raducanu (18 years old) in the U.S. Open Final on Saturday.

FOOTBALL

In a mostly mistake-ridden game, the defending Super Bowl champions, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Dallas Cowboys 31-29 in the first matchup of the NFL season. Bucs QB Tom Brady and Cowboys QB Dak Prescott’s performances were highlights from the game, with Brady scoring 4 touchdowns including a game-winning drive, and Prescott throwing for 403 yards and three touchdowns.

In other NFL news, T.J. Watt is now the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL after signing a four-year, $112 million extension with the Pittsburgh Steelers. T.J.’s big financial windfall comes 7 years after his brother J.J was declared the highest-paid defender.

The beginning of the season for the Baltimore Ravens has been rough. Running back Gus Edwards and cornerback Marcus Peters both suffered ACL injuries in practice and will miss the rest of the season.

FOOTBALL

The NFL season kicks off tonight with the defending Super Bowl champs, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, against the Dallas Cowboys (the most valuable sports franchise ($6.92 billion) in North America according to Sportico). Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott will start for the first time since his ankle injury caused him to sit out most of the 2020 season. Bucs quarterback Tom Brady (44 years and 37 days old) will take the field as the oldest non-kicker to start in a Week 1 NFL game.

After having to leave town due to Hurricane Ida, the New Orleans Saints will return home for week 4 against the New York Giants. They will start the season playing in Jacksonville, Florida this weekend.

Emma Raducanu has already made history at the U.S. Open. The eighteen-year-old became the first qualifier (female or male) to reach the semifinals of the Open. And, in the men’s bracket, Novak Djokovic won his 11th straight quarterfinal match, a career-best.

FOOTBALL

The NFL kicks off the new season with the Dallas Cowboys and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers facing off on Thursday night. This season will feature an expanded 17-game regular season which means there will be football every Sunday until February 20th, 2022.

BASKETBALL

The NBA’s season begins on October 19th and will be known as “NBA 75” commemorating the 75th Anniversary of NBA basketball.

BASEBALL

The delayed induction ceremony for the National Baseball Hall of Fame will take place on Wednesday at 1:30 pm. New York Yankees Derek Jeter, Colorado Rockies Larry Walker, St. Louis Cardinals Ted Simmons, and the late former labor leader Marvin Miller will join the Class of 2020. There were no inductees to the Hall of Fame in 2021.

VACCINES

A number of sports clubs are dealing with COVID vaccine mandates and Team policies. According to reports, the Washington Nationals Vice President, Bob Boone, decided to resign rather than adhere to team vaccine requirements.

And, in the NBA, fully vaccinated players and team personnel will have more privileges than those not vaccinated. For example, the fully vaccinated will not have regular COVID testing during the season, they won’t have to quarantine if they come in contact with someone who tests positive and, if the team is fully vaccinated, they will be able to leave the hotel and go to bars/restaurants/lounges when they travel.

In addition, according to local government rules, the Nets, Knicks, and Warriors will need to be vaccinated to play in home games.

As for the fans, in a recent Morning Consult Survey poll, over 25% of unvaccinated U.S. adults would get the vaccine if that means they can attend a sporting event or concert.

SOCCER

With his 110th goal (then shortly after his 111th) Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo broke the world record for goals scored in men’s international soccer.

FOOTBALL

There is even more to the crazy story about how ESPN got duped into televising the lopsided IMG/Bishop Sycamore high school football game.  Not only is the legitimacy of Bishop Sycamore in question (no website currently exists), but also the school is accused of bouncing checks worth $3,596 to the hotel where the team spent the night prior to the game. For more on this bizarre story, click here.

FOOTBALL

NFL teams cut their rosters to 53 players on Tuesday. The biggest move came from the New England Patriots who released quarterback Cam Newton. Rumors are flying that Patriots coach Bill Belichick considered Cam’s vaccination status (which Cam won’t confirm, as he says it’s personal) in his decision. Belichick denies the rumors and announced rookie Mac Jones will be the starter.  

BASKETBALL

Ben Simmons met with the Philadelphia 76ers and expressed he wants to leave the team and won’t be reporting to training camp.