Archive for August, 2022
Serena Williams Wins 1st Round, Inspirational Tributes To The GOAT
TENNIS
Serena Williams kicked off her farewell grand slam tournament with a win against Montenegro’s Danka Kovinić 6-3, 6-3. Once Serena’s powerful serve kicked in, there was no stopping her. With a sold-out celebrity-filled crowd watching, CBS anchor Gayle King introduced an emotional post-match celebration of William’s contributions as a role model over the past 20 years.
In addition to the on-court celebrations, there was an outpouring of support on social media. The two that stood out for me are LeBron James’s heartfelt message and Gatorade’s inspiring commercial.
Williams will face #2 seed Anett Kontaveit in the second round on Wednesday.
No commentsBills Cut Araiza, Serena’s Last Tournament, Max Verstappen Wins Consecutive Race From Outside Top 10, Chapman Tattoo Injury
FOOTBALL
The Buffalo Bills cut punter Matt Araiza after allegations surfaced that he is in the midst of a civil lawsuit accusing him (and two other San Diego State football teammates) of gang-raping a 17-year-old girl last year. Bills GM Brandon Beane claims they did not know about the allegations before drafting him.
TENNIS
The U.S. Open begins today with one of the most iconic tennis players in the history of the sport, Serena Williams, playing in what could be her last tournament. Tune in for her first match at 7:00 pm ET Monday on ESPN. Later this week, Serena and sister Venus will team up as doubles partners for what they hope will be their 15th Grand Slam together.
FORMULA ONE
Max Verstappen started in 14th place but handily won the Belgian Grand Prix. He is the first driver in 60 years to win consecutive races after starting outside the top 10 in the grid.
BASEBALL
Yankees Pitcher Aroldis Chapman is on the injured list for an unusual reason..an infection in his leg caused by a tattoo.
No commentsDennis Rodman Plans Russia Trip For Griner Release, Kevin Durant Stays W/Nets, Saban’s Extension, PGA Tour Changes, TMRW Sports
BASKETBALL
Dennis Rodman announced he plans to travel to Russia to help release WNBA player Brittney Griner. Rodman has previously traveled to North Korea to showcase his relationship with Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un.
Kevin Durant will remain with the Brooklyn Nets. After months of speculation, Durant and the Nets agreed to “move forward.”
FOOTBALL
Alabama head coach Nick Saban signed a contract extension where he’ll earn $10.75 million this season and will average $11.7 million annually through 2029. At 70 years old, Saban is one of six college coaches who earn at least $9 million annually. The other coaches are Ryan Day (Ohio State), Jimbo Fisher (Texas A&M), Brian Kelly (LSU), Mel Tucker (Michigan State), and Kirby Smart (Georgia).
GOLF
In response to LIV Golf and with the influence of Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, the PGA Tour has made some big changes to its schedule and compensation.
Woods, McIlroy, and CEO Mike McCarley also announced their new business venture, TMRW Sports, which will focus on “building technology-focused ventures that feature progressive approaches to sports, media, and entertainment.” Woods released a statement saying, “I am excited to work with TMRW Sports in bringing people more access to sports. So many athletes, entertainers, and people I meet from all walks of life share our passion for sports, but they also share our desire to build a better future for the next generation of sports fans. Together, we can harness technology to bring fresh approaches to the sports we love.”
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Tiger Wants Changes On PGA Tour, Browns Owner Admits Deshaun Suspension BC He’s A Star, Brady On “Masked Singer”?
GOLF
Tiger Woods is attempting to use his influence to stem the flood of players heading from the PGA Tour to the Saudi Arabia sponsored LIV tour. Woods assembled 15 top players to discuss changes to the PGA including $20 million purses.
FOOTBALL
Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam defended Deshaun Watson’s 11-game suspension (instead of the whole season) by stating “People deserve second chances.” He also went on to say, “And you can say, ‘Well, that’s because he’s a star quarterback.’ Well, of course.” Watson is scheduled to return in week 13 when Cleveland plays Watson’s former team, the Houston Texans.
Tom Brady has been absent from practices and pre-season games for the past month. Tampa Bay Coach Todd Bowles explained that Brady was “tending to personal things.” One theory is that Brady left to film an episode of “The Masked Singer.” The show is part of Fox Network (where Brady will work when he retires), and Brady’s former teammates Rob Gronkowski and Antonio Brown at one point appeared on the show.
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Deshaun Watson Suspended 11 games & Fined $5 Mill, Big Ten Signs Massive Media Deal
FOOTBALL
The NFL and NFL Players Association agreed to suspend quarterback Deshaun Watson for 11 games (and fine him $5 million). It was a comprise from the original ruling which called for a six-game suspension and a full season (which is what the NFL claimed they wanted). Watson has not been charged with a crime but he was accused of sexual misconduct by 25 women. The Cleveland Browns could start Watson on December 4th in a game against the Texans.
The Big Ten signed a massive $7.5 billion media deal, the most expensive ever for a college sports league. Big Ten teams will have their games aired on Fox, CBS, and NBC.
No commentsAlabama #1 Again, Jets Injuries In Pre-Season, No NBA Games On Election Day, James $97.1 Mill Extension
FOOTBALL
Alabama grabbed the #1 spot (for the 5th time in the last 7 years) in the AP preseason poll. Rounding out the top five is (2) Ohio State, (3) Georgia, (4) Clemson, and (5) Notre Dame.
The NY Jets have had a tough pre-season. Their starting quarterback Zach Wilson had arthroscopic knee surgery and will be out at least 2-4 weeks, while their offensive tackle Mekhi Becton suffered a season-ending knee injury. Jets coach Robert Saleh believes 37-year-old Joe Flacco should take over quarterbacking duties until Wilson is healthy enough to start.
BASKETBALL
The NBA announced it will not schedule any games on November 8th (Election Day). The League stated its intention to promote “nonpartisan civic engagement and encouraging fans to make a plan to vote during midterm elections.”
LeBron James agreed to a two-year, $97.1 million extension with the LA Lakers. The agreement also includes a player option for his final season. James expressed that his dream is to play at least one season with his son Bronny, who will become eligible for the NBA draft in 2024.
No commentsNBA Retiring Bill Russell’s #6 Jersey, Durant Interested In Sixers, Harry Caray Appears At Field Of Dreams Game
BASKETBALL
The NBA is retiring Bill Russell’s #6 jersey. Russell, who passed away a few weeks ago, will become the first NBA player to have his number retired. Any current NBA player wearing #6 is grandfathered in and won’t have to change jersey numbers. That list famously includes LeBron James. Baseball’s Jackie Robinson (#42) and Hockey’s Wayne Gretzky (#99) have also had their jerseys retired.
In other basketball news, Kevin Durant trade rumors continue. The Brooklyn Net star is now considering a trade to the Philadelphia 76ers (in addition to saying a couple of days ago he’d entertain a deal with the Boston Celtics).
BASEBALL
The Chicago Cubs beat the Cincinnati Reds in the second annual “Field of Dreams” game in Iowa Thursday night. The game, like the movie “Field of Dreams“, had many generational moments and field good themes. One of the highlights was a hologram of the late Harry Caray singing his signature “Take Me Out to the Ballgame”. It was scarily realistic. Check it out here.
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Serena Williams Plans To Retire After The Open, Goodell Wants Watson Suspended For Season, Browns To Start Watson In Preseason Opener
TENNIS
Serena Williams, the GOAT of women’s tennis, said she’ll be retiring after the US Open. It seems fitting that she’ll finish her amazing career in the place where it all started. Williams won her first of 23 Grand Slam singles titles at the US Open in 1999 when she was 17 years old. She now says she’d like to focus on being a mother and growing her business, Serena Ventures, which she started in 2014. The venture capital firm focuses on founders from underrepresented groups. A few of the startups receiving checks from Serena Ventures include MasterClass, Noom, Tonal and Impossible Foods. Fans are furiously grabbing tickets to the Open to see Serena play, and the first two days of the tournament are already sold out. In anticipation of Serena playing in the Finals on September 10th, StubHub is selling tickets for over $12,000 apiece.
FOOTBALL
The NFL is appealing Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson’s six-game suspension. Commissioner Roger Goodell told reporters he thinks Watson should be suspended for the entire 2022 season instead of only 6 games. The Browns don’t seem to be too concerned by the drama, as they are planning on starting Watson in their pre-season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
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Eight Mbrs Of Football Hall Of Fame, LeRoy Had Best Quote, Rich Eisen Roasts Ohio State, Underwater Chess
FOOTBALL
Eight new members were enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The new class included Jackson Jaguars’ offensive tackle Tony Boselli (who is the franchise’s first Hall of Famer), Cliff Branch, LeRoy Butler, Sam Mills, Richard Seymour, Bryant Young, coach Dick Vermeil, and Official Art McNally (who created instant replay in 1996).
Green Bay Packer LeRoy Butler (who is credited with inventing the Lambeau Leap in 1993) had the best quote of the day when he said, “When you play for the Green Bay Packers, a lot of doors open up. You win a Super Bowl, all doors open up. When you make the Hall of Fame, football heaven opens up.”
And, if you’re a Michigan fan, you can’t help but love journalist Rich Eisen roasting Ohio State in his opening remarks at the ceremony.
CHESS
I’ve heard of chess boxing but never Diving chess, which apparently is a thing “and is played underwater, and in which your thinking time is determined by how long you can hold your breath! So, I guess it’s not surprising that somewhere off the coast of India, scuba divers played underwater chess to celebrate the 44th Chess Olympiad. The divers played for over 2 hours at a depth of 60 feet and came to the surface every 20 minutes.
No commentsJuan Soto Traded To Padres, Vin Scully Passed Away, Stephen Ross Fined, Brady 45, NFL Appeals Deshaun’s Suspension, Cowboys Most Valuable, Tiger Turns Down Over $700 Mill
BASEBALL
The Washington Nationals traded superstar Juan Soto to the San Diego Padres in a blockbuster deal that shocked the baseball world.
In other baseball news, Vin Scully passed away at the age of 94. The iconic Scully spent 67 years (a record with one team) as a broadcaster for the Los Angeles Dodgers
FOOTBALL
The NFL suspended and fined Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross for violating the NFL’s anti-tampering policies when he allegedly contacted quarterback Tom Brady and former New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton. Ross will be suspended through October 17th and fined $1.5 million. The Dolphins will also be stripped of their 2023 first-round draft pick.
Speaking of Brady, Tom turned 45 on Wednesday and, once the season begins, will become the oldest starting quarterback in the NFL.
The NFL has appealed Deshaun Watson’s controversial six-game suspension and will seek to increase the length of his suspension to at least one year. The NFLPA (National Football League Players Association), however, plans to sue the NFL in federal court for the decision to appeal.
Per Sportico, the Dallas Cowboys are the most valuable franchise across all professional sports. The team is worth $7.64 billion.
GOLF
The Saudi-funded LIV Golf series offered Tiger Woods between $700-$800 million to play in their league. Tiger turned them down saying he “doesn’t support the insurgent league.”
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