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NEWS REAL

MLB All-Star Game 2025 Updates

WNBA Sky Alliance Confronts Online Attacks

Caitlin Clark WNBA ASG Captain, Starters Named

• The Seattle Storm, in partnership with Climate Pledge Arena, said a statue honoring WNBA legend and Hall of Famer Sue Bird is schedule to be unveiled Aug. 17. The Storm said they would be the first franchise in WNBA history to dedicate a statue to a former player. Current Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson’s statue at the University of South Carolina to honor her time at the school. A free FanFest will follow the unveiling and precede the “Forever Sue” game later that day when the Storm host the Phoenix Mercury.

“Sue’s legacy isn’t just written in championships—it’s woven into the fabric of Seattle,” Storm president and CEO Alisha Valavanis said via the team. “Her leadership transcended basketball and helped shape a cultural shift—one that expanded who gets to lead, who gets seen and who gets celebrated.”

• The International Ice Hockey Federation said it finalized a “landmark agreement confirming the participation of NHL players in the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. This agreement, which has also opened the door for participation of NHL players in the Olympic Winter Games French Alps 2030, officially marks the return of NHL players to the Olympic stage for the first time since the Olympic Winter Games 2014 in Sochi, Russia."

According to NHL commissioner Gary Bettman via the IIHF, “Olympic participation will showcase the skill and talent of NHL players on an international stage. We are proud to collaborate with the IIHF, NHLPA, and IOC to bring the best hockey players in the world to the Olympics and make this happen in a way that benefits the game globally.”

MLB, Partners Plan Speedway Classic Fan Zone

Dodgers Donate $1M To Support Local Immigrants

• The NBA unveiled the game and broadcast schedules for the NBA 2K26 Summer League 2025, which will feature all 30 NBA teams. It is scheduled for July 10-20 in the Thomas & Mack Center and Pavilion on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

All 76 games of the 11-day competition will air live on ESPN platforms (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN+ and ESPN3) or NBA TV. Every game will also be available to stream on the ESPN App.

Each team will play at least five games at NBA 2K26 Summer League 2025, the first four from July 10-17. After each team’s first four games, the top four teams will advance to participate in the playoffs, beginning with a semifinal doubleheader July 19 (ESPN). The two winning teams from the semifinal games will meet in the championship game July 20 (ESPN).

• The Golden State Warriors will host the seventh annual California Classic Summer League, presented by CarMax, at Chase Center on July 5, 6 and 8, featuring the Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs.

• The 2025 Salt Lake City Summer League presented by America First Credit Union is scheduled for July 5, 7, and 8 in the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the University of Utah’s campus. The Jazz along with the Memphis Grizzlies, Oklahoma City Thunder,and Philadelphia 76ers will compete again this year in a six-game, round-robin event hosted by the Utah Jazz.

Saquon Gets NFL Madden 26 Covers

Barkley No. 1 On NFLPA Year-End Sales List

NFL Seeks Responsible Gaming Among College Athletes, Students

• PayPal Holdings has signed multi-year agreements with the Big Ten and Big 12 Conferences designed to “modernize the distribution of institutional payments from universities to student-athletes in a new revenue-sharing model.

The new institutional payments initiative enables athletic departments to seamlessly dispense payments through PayPal, which said the recent court decision that allows colleges and universities to share revenue directly with student-athletes “stands to revolutionize college sports. This partnership helps make that real by distributing those funds to student-athletes in a fast, simple, and secure way.”

• The PGA Tour and Genesis have expanded their alliance, unveiling a global official marketing partnership naming the luxury vehicle brand the first global official vehicle of the PGA Tour and PGA Tour Champions through 2030. The brand is also named an official Mobility partner of the PGA Tour.

The PGA Tour and Genesis have been aligned since 2015, when the automotive brand became an official sponsor of the Presidents Cup in South Korea. Genesis later the title sponsor of the Genesis Invitational at The Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, Calif.

• CBS Sports and the Pac-12 Conference have signed an extension of their partnership, to begin with the 2025 football season. The extended partnership will continue with the league’s transformation and begin with the new Pac-12’s launch ahead of the 2026-27 season and carry through the 2030-31 season.

The new agreement establishes CBS Sports as the primary long-term media partner for the new Pac-12, with additional partners to be named. As part of the extended partnership, football and men’s basketball games for the new Pac-12 will air throughout each season on The CBS Television Network (and streaming on Paramount+) as well as CBS Sports Network.

All current and future members of the new Pac-12 participated in the decision to extend the partnership long term with CBS Sports.

NFL Exec Rolapp Named PGA Tour CEO

NCAA Sees Decline In Harassment Of Athletes

• WWE in partnership with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority that Las Vegas will host WrestleMania 42 in Allegiant Stadium on Saturday, April 18 and Sunday, April 19, 2026.

WWE said WrestleMania 41 this past April in Las Vegas was the most successful and highest-grossing event in its history, drawing 124,693 fans over two nights in Allegiant Stadium. WrestleMania 42 will mark the third time Las Vegas has hosted WWE's biggest event of the year (2026, 2025 and 1993).

WWE will also bring Monday Night Raw, Friday Night SmackDown, Stand & Deliver and WWE World – a multi-day interactive fan experience hosted in partnership with Fanatics Events – to Las Vegas, as well as a variety of other fan and community events designed to give back to the local region.

• The WTA has introduced a measure that provides ranking protection for WTA athletes who choose to undergo fertility protection. The WTA said the development and adoption of the Fertility Protection Special Entry Ranking Rule has been championed by WTA players and delivers a further enhancement to the existing package of benefits empowering players to combine professional sport with family life.

Players can now take time away from professional tennis for a fertility protection procedure such as egg or embryo freezing and safely return to competition with a protected ranking.

The rule expands the WTA’s comprehensive Family Focus Program, which includes ranking protection during pregnancy, or another means of parenthood, and postpartum support with a return to play.

• AP Sports: The global watchdog of doping in sports said it will urge public authorities to shut down the drug-fueled Enhanced Games planned in Las Vegas next year.

"We will urge the U.S. authorities to find legal ways to block this initiative," World Anti-Doping Agency president Witold Banka said on the sidelines of a meeting of Olympic sports bodies. "This initiative seeks to normalize the use of potentially dangerous drugs.This initiative seeks to normalize the use of potentially dangerous drugs,"

Organizers of the games scheduled for next May promise $1 million bonuses to beat world record times by athletes who will be encouraged to use performance-enhancing drugs under medical supervision. (Full story here.)

• RIP John Bresnkus “Sport Science”

NBC Sports: If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call the network, previously known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, at 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741 or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources.

• Yahoo Sports: The New York Liberty are the most valuable team in the WNBA, worth nearly half a billion dollars based on a recent valuation.

LPGA Names New Commissioner

NFL ’25 International Flight Plan

• Sky Sports: The Women's World Cup will be expanded from 32 to 48 teams in time for the 2035 tournament in the United Kingdom. The decision was taken during a virtual FIFA Council meeting on Friday. It will take effect from 2031 when the Women's World Cup is due to be staged in the United States. The number of matches will jump from 64 under the 32-team format to 104 - as will be the case at the men's World Cup in 2026 in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

"This decision ensures we are maintaining the momentum in terms of growing women's football globally," said FIFA president Gianni Infantino. (Full story here.)

Fever Marketing Puts Clark, Team In Spotlight

PWHL Adds Seattle To Roster, More TK?

NFL Commanders $3B Stadium Plan

NBA Awards 2024-25

NHL Awards 2024-25

• CBS Sports: The NWSL has filed an application with U.S. Soccer to launch a Div. II league in 2026 with the intention of furthering player development, marking the latest development in the evolving lower-league club landscape in women's soccer in the United States.

The NWSL has eight affiliated teams from its existing Division I league lined up for the inaugural season of the Division II league -- Bay FC, Kansas City Current, North Carolina Courage, NJ/NY Gotham FC, Orlando Pride, Racing Louisville, Seattle Reign and the Washington Spirit.

The league confirmed the proposal to CBS Sports. (Full story here,)

NHL Sets Attendance Mark: 23M

• CBS Sports: Five years ago, more than 4,400 Division I men's basketball players were legally and collectively paid a grand total of $0 in NIL earnings. That number is now promised to be in the hundreds of millions. A year ago, a handful of schools were able to easily clear $5 million. But now? That budget number has doubled — minimally.

These programs either have $10 million committed already or are easily capable of reaching that total in roster-building efforts by the end of this year's transfer cycle: Arkansas, BYU, Duke, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan, North Carolina, St. John's and Texas Tech. (Full story here.)

LA28 Unveils Venues: Dodger Stadium, Rose Bowl, SoFi

Leader Of The Ice Pack: Crosby Remains Atop NHLPA Poll

Dončić Wins Best-Selling NBA Jersey Title

FIFA: U.S. Lone Bid For ’31 Women’s World Cup

NFL: Sony’s Hawk-Eye In Place For All Games

Dodgers Capture Most Popular Jersey Title

Show And Telecom: NWSL, AT&T Alliance

Yankees Most Valuable MLB Team ($8.2B)

Unrivaled First Season Reviews, Rewards

Dick’s Gets Skenes Topps Card For $1.1M

Report: Impact Of Women’s Sports On TV Growing

UFC’s Dana White Boosts Global Boxing

• AP Sports: The U.S. Olympic team received its biggest donation ever — $100 million — to fund $100,000 payments and matching life insurance benefits for anyone who earns a spot on Team USA starting next year.

The donation to the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Foundation is from Ross Stevens, the founder and CEO of Stone Ridge Holdings Group, a finance firm that focuses on “nontraditional” investment options such as crypto and fine art. (Full storu jere.)

• Mothers Against Drunk Driving is calling on everyone to make safety a top priority. By planning a safe ride home before kickoff, fans can help save lives and ensure game day is unforgettable for all the right reasons.

Alcohol consumption and impaired driving often increase during major sporting events like the Super Bowl, particularly around pre-game gatherings, halftime, and post-game celebrations. According to the latest data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration cited by MADD, 45% of all fatal crashes on Super Bowl Sunday in 2022 involved alcohol.

• College Football Playoff has named Las Vegas to host the national championship game in Allegiant Stadium Jan. 25, 2027. Miami will host the next national championship game on Jan. 19, 2026 in Hard Rock Stadium. (Promo spot here.)

• The NFL Alumni Assn. and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Division of Cancer Prevention and Control have launched "GEAR UP Against Cancer,” which aims to raise awareness about the impact of colorectal cancer, emphasize the importance of regular screenings, and create a deeper understanding of the unique needs of cancer survivors.

According to the CDC, colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer death among men and women in the United States.

• Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots, has launched through his Foundation to Combat Antisemitism “Stand Up to Jewish Hate,” a $25 million multi-media campaign to “raise awareness nationwide about soaring incidents of antisemitism online and in person.”

• AP: Attempted book bans and restrictions at school and public libraries continue to surge, setting a record in 2023, according to a new report from the American Library Assn. Full story here.

POLL POSITION

Top Ten Most Valuable NFL Franchises 2024

1. Dallas Cowboys $10.32B

2. Los Angeles Rams $7.79B

3. .New York Giants $7.65B

4. New England Patriots $7.31B

5. San Francisco 49ers $6.86B

6. New York Jets $6.8B

7. Miami Dolphins $6.76B

8. Philadelphia Eagles $6.75B

9. Las Vegas Raiders $6.7B

10. Washington Commanders $6.3B

The 32 NFL franchises collectively are worth $190 billion (including team-related businesses and real estate held by the owners).

Source: Sportico

AVERAGE TEAM VALUES

1. NFL (32 teams): $5.11B
2. NBA (30 teams): $2.86B
3. MLB (30 teams): $2.32B
4. Soccer (top 30 teams): $2.17B
5. Formula 1 (10 teams): $1.88B
6. Indian Premier League (10 teams): $1.04
7. NHL (32 teams): $1.03B
8. MLS (28 teams) $579M
Source: Forbes

Forbes MLB Most Valuable Teams 2023

1. New York Yankees $7.1B (+18% from 2022)
2. Los Angeles Dodgers $4.8B (+18%)
3. Boston Red Sox $4.5B (+15%)
4. Chicago Cubs $4.1B (+8%
5. San Francisco Giants $3.7B (+6%)
6. New York Mets $2.9B (+9%)
7. Los Angeles Angels $2.7B (+23%)
8. Atlanta Braves $2.6B (+24%)
9. Philadelphia Phillies $2.575B (+12%)
10. St. Louis Cardinals $2.55B (+4)

11. Houston Astros $2.25B
12. Texas Rangers $2.225B
13. Seattle Mariners $2.2B
14. Toronto Blue Jays $2.1B
15. Chicago White Sox $2.05B
16. Washington Commanders $2B
17. San Diego Padres $1.75B
18. Baltimore Orioles $1.87B
19. Milwaukee Brewers $1.6B
20. Colorado Rockies $1.475B

21. Detroit Tigers $1.45B
22. Minnesota Twins $1.39B
23. Arizona Diamondbacks $.38B
24. Pittsburgh Pirates $1.32B
25. Cleveland Guardians $1.3
26. Tampa Bay Rays $1.25B
27. Kansas City Royals $1.2B
28. Cincinnati Reds $1.19B
29. Oakland A’s $1.18B
30. Miami Marlins $1B

Source: Forbes

Forbes World’s Most Valuable Soccer Clubs 2023

1. Real Madrid Spanish La Liga Spain $6.07B
2. Manchester United EPL England $6B
3. Barcelona Spanish La Liga Spain $5.51B
4. Liverpool EPL England $5.29B
5. Manchester City EPL England $4.99B
6. Bayern Munich Bundesliga Germany $4.86B
7. Paris Saint-Germain Ligue 1 France $4.21B
8. Chelsea EPL England $3.1B
9. Tottenham Hotspur EPL England $2.8B
10. Arsenal EPL England $2.26B

See the full list here: Forbes

Forbes NBA Most Valuable Franchises 2022

1. Golden State Warriors $7B
2. New York Knicks $6.1B
3. Los Angeles Lakers $5.9B
4. Chicago Bulls $4.1B
5. Boston Celtics $4 B
6. Loa Angeles Clippers $3.9B
7. Brooklyn Nets $3.5B
8. Dallas Mavericks $3.3B
9. Houston Rockets $3.2B
10. Philadelphia 76ers $3.15B
11. Toronto Raptors $3.1B
12. Miami Heat $3B

26. Indiana Pacers $1.8B
27. Charlotte Hornets $1.7B
28, Minnesota Timberwolves $1.67B
29. Memphis Grizzles $1/65B
30. New Orleans Pelicans $1.6B

See the full list here: Forbes

Most Valuable NHL Franchises 2022
1. Toronto Maple Leafs $2.12B
2. New York Rangers $2.01B
3. Montreal Canadians $1.7B
4. Chicago Blackhawks $1.44B
5. Boston Bruins $1.41B
6. Los Angeles Kings $1.39B
7. Philadelphia Flyers $1.35B
8. Edmonton Oilers $1.29B
9. Washington Capitals $1.22B
10. Detroit Red Wings $1.12B
32. Arizona Coyotes $465M

Source: Sportico

KEEPING SCORE

World’s Richest Sports Franchise Owners 2022
1. Steve Ballmer NBA Los Angeles Clippers $83B
2. Rob Walton NFL Denver Broncos $56.7B
3. David Tepper NFL Carolina Panthers $18.5B
4. Robert Pera NBA Memphis Grizzlies $17.6B
5. Steve Cohen MLB New York Mets $17.5B
6. Dan Gilbert NBA Cleveland Cavaliers $17.3B
7. Jerry Jones NFL Dallas Cowboys $16B
8. Stan Kroenke NFL Los Angeles Rams, NBA Denver Nuggets, NHL Colorado Avalanche $12.9B
9. Stephen Ross NFL Miami Dolphins $11.6B
10. Shahid Khan NFL Jacksonville Jaguars $11.2B

This year’s Forbes 400 includes 50 sports team owners with controlling stakes, up from 43 last year. Among them, 17 own NFL teams, 14 own NBA franchises, 12 own NHL clubs and 9 are MLB owners.

Source: Forbes

BUY SELL

Forbes' World’s Highest Paid Athletes 2024

1. Cristiano Ronaldo, soccer: $260m
2. Jon Rahm, golf: $218m
3. Lionel Messi, soccer: $135m
4. LeBron James, NBA: $128.2m
5. Giannis Antetokounmpo, NBA $111m

6. Kylian Mbappe, football: $110m
7. Neymar, soccer $108m/$28m
8. Karim Benzema ,soccer: $106m
9. Stephen Curry, basketball: $102m
10. Lamar Jackson, NFL: $100.5m

11. Joe Burrow NFL $100m/$4m
12. Kevin Durant NBA $93.3m
13. Shohei Ohtani MLB $85.3m
14. Canelo Alvarez boxing $8l
15. Patrick Mahomes NFL $84.4m
16. Anthony Joshua boxing $$83m
17. Mox Verstappen F1 $81m
18. Aaron Rodgers NFL $80.8m
19. Rory McElroy golf $80.1m
20. Justin Herbert NFL $78.7m

21. Lewis Hamilton F1 $69m
22. Nick Bosa NFL $68m
23. Tiger Woods golf $67.2m
24. Kirk Cousins NFL $62.5m
25. Klay Thompson NBA $62.2m

See the full list here.
Source: Forbes

Forbes' Top 11 Highest-Paid Soccer Players 2023

1. Cristiano Ronaldo ($260m)
2. Lionel Messi ($135m)
3. Neymar ($112m)
4. Kylian Mbappé ($110m)
5. Karim Benzema ($106m)
6. Erling Haaland ($58m)
7. Mohamed Salah ($53m)
8. Sadio Mané ($52m)
9. Kevin De Bruyne ($39m)
10. Harry Kane ($36m)
11. Robert Lewandowski ($34m)

Source: Forbes

Forbes' Highest-Paid Female Athletes 2022
1. Naomi Osaka WTA ($51.1M) On-Field: $1.1M Off-Field: $50M
2. Serena Williams WTA ($41.3M) On-Field: $0.3M Off-Field: $41M
3. Eileen Gu Freestyle skiing ($20.1M) On-Field: $0.1M Off-Field: $20M
4. Emma Raducanu WTA ($18.7M) On-Field: $0.7M Off-Field: $18M
5. Iga Swiatek WTA ($14.9M) On-Field: $9.9M Off-Field: $5M
6. Venus Williams WTA ($12.1M) On-Field: $0.1M Off-Field: $12M
7. Coco Gauff WTA ($11.1M) On-Field: $3.1M Off-Field: $8M
8. Simone Biles Gymnastics ($10M) On-Field: $0 Off-Field: $10M
9. Jessica Pegula WTA ($7.6M) On-Field: $3.6M Off-Field: $4M
10. Minjee Lee Golf ($7.3M) On-Field: $4.8M Off-Field: $2.5M

11. Candice Parker WNBA ($7.2M) On-Field: $0.2M Off-Field: $7M
12. P.V. Sindhu Badminton ($7.1M) On-Field: $0.1M Off-Field: $7M
13. Leylah Fernandez WTA ($7M) On-Field: $1M Off-Field: $6M
14. Lydia Ko golf ($6.9M) On-Field: $4.4M Off-Field: $2.5M
15: Ons Jabeur WTA ($6.5M) On-Field: $5M Off-Field: $1.5M

16. Paula Badosa WTA ($6.2M) On-Field: $1.7M Off-Field: $4.5M
17. Lexi Thompson golf ($5.9M) On-Field: $1.9M Off-Field: $4M
18. Jin Young Ko golf ($5.8M) On-Field: $1.3M Off-Field: $4.5M
19. In Gee Chun golf ($5.7M) On-Field: $2.7M Off-Field: $3M
20. Alex Morgan soccer ($5.7M) On-Field: $0.7M Off-Field: $5M

21. Megan Rapinor soccer ($5.7M) On-Field: $0.7M Off-Field: $5M
22. Brooke Henderson golf ($5.4M) On-Field: $2.4M Off-Field: $3M
23. Nelly Korda golf ($5.4M) On-Field: $1.4M Off-Field: $4M
24, Caroline Garcia WTA ($5.2M) On-Field: $3.7M Off-Field: $1.5M
25. Garbiñe Muguruza WTA ($5.2M) On-Field: $0.7M Off-Field: $4.5M
Source: Forbes

SUPER BOWL WATCH

Upcoming Super Bowls
• Super Bowl LVIX (2024 Season) Caesars Superdome New Orleans Feb. 9, 2025 Fox
• Super Bowl LX (2025 Season) Levi's Stadium Santa Calra, Calif. Feb. 9, 2026 NBC
• Super Bowl LXI (2026 Season) Site TBD February 2027 ABC
• Super Bowl LXII (2027 Season) Site TBD February 2028 CBS
• Super Bowl LXIII (2028 Season) Site TBD February 2029 FOX
• Super Bowl LXIV (2029 Season) Site TBD February 2030 NBC
• Super Bowl LXV (2030 Season) Site TBD February 2031 ABC
• Super Bowl LXVI (2031 Season) Site TBD February 2032 CBS
• Super Bowl LXVII (2032 Season) Site TBD February 2033 FOX
• Super Bowl LVIII (2033 Season) Site TBD February 2034 NBC

MLB: Are You Seeing This See More Ads Below

NOW TRENDING

Flagg Captured: The Dallas Mavericks said they have signed No. 1 overall pick forward Cooper Flagg. Flagg will participate in the NBA 2K26 Summer League for the Mavericks. According to CBS Sports, “As a first-year player, Flagg will earn around $13.8 million, along with $28.3 million guaranteed per the agreement. By 2029, Flagg would be eligible to sign a $359 million supermax contract starting at 30% of the Mavericks' salary cap.

ESPN said it recorded its most-watched First Round of Wimbledon in 8 years, with an average viewership of 571K, up 43% from 2024 during June 30-July 1.

AP Sports: Two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray is to help design a statue of himself to mark the grass-court tournament's 150th anniversary in 2027. Wimbledon organizers said Tuesday they aim to unveil the statue of the British tennis great during the 2027 edition.

TNT Sports’ English-language coverage of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 in the U.S. will continue with Quarterfinals action on TNT, truTV and DAZN July 4-5.

The Harlem Globetrotters said they would be be hosting their first open tryouts to help select athletes for their Centennial season in 2026. In addition to recruitment efforts of elite talent being made through relationships with the global college and professional basketball community, the Globetrotters have created a portal where anyone can apply for a tryout spot. Tryouts will take place in early fall with the final team being assembled and named in November.

Dick’s Sporting Goods and the WNBA have signed a multi-year extension of their partnership, which began in 2021. Dick’s will continue as the WNBA’s official sporting goods retailer and an official marketing partner thru the 2028 season. Dick’s also continues as the official sporting goods retailer of the Chicago Sky and Minnesota Lynx. This season, Dick’s became a Proud Partner of the Jr. WNBA, the WNBA's initiative "dedicated to inspiring girls to play basketball in a positive and healthy way and to learn and grow beyond the game."

Aston Villa has unveiled an exclusive “Back Home” merchandise collection, celebrating legendary rocker and lifelong Villa supporter Ozzy Osbourne ahead of his historic “Back to the Beginning” farewell concert at Villa Park on July 5, 2025. The “Back to the Beginning” farewell concert will feature Ozzy Osbourne performing alongside Black Sabbath’s original lineup for the first time in 20 years,

MLB’s Colorado Rockies and York Space Systems, a Denver-based aerospace and defense technology firm, have signed a jersey patch partnership that runs through the 2030 MLB season. York said it is the first aerospace company to partner on a jersey patch deal across any professional sport. At Coors Field, people will see York-branded in-venue signage, including third baseline and LED placements, and the naming entitlement of the Suite Level beginning in 2026. York will also serve as presenting sponsor of the Rockies' "Wire Cam" broadcast feature, delivering a unique perspective on the game when viewers watch the Rockies.

Members of the Hockey Hall of Fame Class of ’25 were named, including players Jennifer Botterill, Zdeno Chara, Brianna Decker, Duncan Keith. Alexander Mogilny and. Joe Thornton; and coaches Brianna Decker, Jack Parker and Daniele Sauvageau. They will be inducted on Nov. 10 in Toronto.

Bank of America will serve as a Platinum Partner of the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games (USA Games), scheduled for June 20-26 in Minneapolis and St. Pau;, Special Olympics International and Bank of America also unveiled a three-year $5 million grant expanding programs that help empower athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to serve as leaders in their communities, seek competitive employment, and realize their full potential. The 2026 Special Olympics USA Games has also signed Target as a Platinum Partner.

The NWSL said PayPal Park, San Jose, would host the 2025 NWSL Championship, presented by Google Pixel, scheduled for Nov. 22. The 18K-seat PayPal Park is home to NWSL Bay FC and MLS San Jose Earthquakes. The NWSL Championship will air live in primetime on the CBS Television Network and stream on Paramount+.

MLB said that Players’ Weekend would return in 2025 for a second consecutive year, scheduled for the weekend of Aug. 15-17. Players’ Weekend will “showcase players’ backstories and bring attention to the other aspects of their lives that are important to them, including charitable causes.” Players will have the opportunity to auction off custom bats and cleats on MLB.com/Auctions to benefit charities of their choice.

According to the Boston Globe, NWSL expansion team Boston Legacy FC (2026) will play its first season in Gillette Stadium, home to the NFL New England Patriots and MLS New England Revolution while its permanent home venue, White Stadium, continues to undergo a $200 million renovation.

AP Sports: Luka Doncic has stepped up to pay the entire expected cost of restoring a vandalized mural depicting Kobe and Gigi Bryant in downtown Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Lakers’ new guard made a $5,000 donation Tuesday to cover the entire goal of a GoFundMe page created by artist Louie Palsino. He wants to restore the mural, titled “Mambas Forever,” at 14th and Main streets.

The Luka Dončić Foundation has aligned with the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA and Positive Coaching Alliance to begin bringing the Foundation's "Total Hoops Approach" to life. The Total Hoops Approach emphasizes the importance of teamwork, joy and creativity in teaching the game of basketball to the next generation.

The city of San Francisco celebrates every May 24 as Willie Mays Day. If it's not already happening, MLB needs to do this league-wide by 2025, joining Jackie Robinson Day (April 15), Lou Gehrig Day (June 2) and Roberto Clemente Day (Sept. 15)

2Daze Nwslttr: @NBA In-Season Tourney Goes Hollywood In 'The Heist'; @NHRA Names @MissionFoodsUS Premier Series Title Sponsor; @Spalding Joins w @Crayola For Colorful Products; #NBA ASG Returns To Tradition; @CBSSports To Air 300+ College Hoops Games http://www.NYSportsJournalism.com

9/11 + 23 Years

“We meet aliens every day who have something to give us. They come in the form of people with different opinions.” — William Shatner

"There's not an American in this country free until every one of us is free." — Jackie Robinson

“We all wish we had superpowers. We all wish we could do more than we can do.” — Stan Lee

'Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity' — #MartinLutherKingJr

'We have come too far, we have sacrificed too much, to disdain the future now' — #JFK

“All of us might wish at times that we lived in a more tranquil world, but we don't. And if our times are difficult and perplexing, so are they challenging and filled with opportunity.” — Robert F. Kennedy d June 6, 1968

@TheSatoProject #SatoStrong rescues #dogs in #PuertoRico & finds U.S. homes 2.5k+ in 10+ yrs https://www.thesatoproject.org Milo & siblings now in U.S. 6+ years

SOCIAL ISSUES

College News

Colorado Back To Big 12
NCAA Adds Women NIT
ACC Games On The CW
U-FLA $440M Stadium
CFB TItles Games '25, '26

Let us not seek the Republican answer or the Democratic answer, but the right answer. Let us not seek to fix the blame for the past. Let us accept our own responsibility for the future.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/j/johnfkenn121400.html#46Ul8rBF4XpB4lo0.99

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Forbes Top 30 Most Valuable Sports Franchises 2022

1. Dallas Cowboys $8B
2. New England Patriots $6.4B
3. Los Angeles Rams $6.2B
T4. New York Yankees $6B
T4. New York Giants $6B
T6. New York Knicks $5.8B
T6. Chicago Bears $5.8B
T8. Golden State Warriors $5.6B
T8. Washington Commanders $5.6B
10. Los Angeles Lakers $5.5B

11. New York Jets $5.4B
12. San Francisco 49ers $5.2B
T13. Real Madrid $5.1B
T13. Las Vegas Raiders $5.1B
15. Barcelona $5B
16. Philadelphia Eagles $4.9B
17. Houston Texans $4.7B
18. Denver Broncos $4.65B
T19. Manchester United $4.6B
T19. Miami Dolphins $4.6B

21. Seattle Seahawks $4.5B
22. Liverpool $4.45B
23. Bayern Munich $4.28B
T24. Manchester City $4.25B
T24. Green Bay Packers $4.25B
26. Los Angeles Dodgers $4.08B
27. Atlanta Falcons $4B
28. Pittsburgh Steelers $3.98B
29. Minnesota Vikings $3.93B
30. Boston Red Sox $3.9B

See the full list here.
Source: Forbes

Monday

Apr112022

New NBA Trophies Honor Division Winners, NBA Legends, African-American Pioneers

Monday, April 11, 2022 at 04:29PM

NYSJ Sports-Entertainment Business News Service

Willis Reed TrophyApril 11, 2022: As part of the on-going celebration of its 75th anniversary, the NBA today unveiled six trophies, one for each of the league’s division winners, and each named after an NBA legend and African-American pioneer.

The trophies, which will now be awarded to the division winners at the end of every season, “celebrate the teams’ season success and honor the pioneers who helped pave the way for the NBA players who have followed.”

The six legends being honored include Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton, Chuck Cooper, Wayne Embry, Sam Jones, Earl Lloyd and Willis Reed.

At the center of each trophy is a 200mm crystal basketball, divided into six segments representing each of the NBA’s divisions.

One unique segment in each trophy is rendered in gold, representing its respective NBA division.

Each trophy is inscribed with its namesake, along with the name of the team recipient; the division standings are inscribed on the back of the trophy.

• Atlantic Division: The Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton Trophy
The first African-American to sign a contract in the NBA, Clifton played for the New York Knicks from 1950-57 and was an NBA All-Star in 1957. In his first season, he helped lead the Knicks to their first Finals appearance.

• Central Division: The Wayne Embry Trophy
The first African-American to become an NBA general manager (with the Milwaukee Bucks) after a lengthy playing career that included five NBA All-Star appearances and an NBA championship in 1968.

Embry transitioned to the front office after his playing career and rose to become the first African-American to be named General Manager. He continued as a basketball executive with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Toronto Raptors and was named Basketball Executive of the Year in 1992 and 1998

• Southeast Division: The Earl Lloyd Trophy
The first African-American to play a game in the NBA, Lloyd played for the Washington Capitols, Syracuse Nationals and Detroit Pistons. The Army veteran played nine NBA seasons and won an NBA title in 1955.

• Southwest Division: The Willis Reed Trophy
Reed, a graduate of Grambling State, is the only HBCU graduate to be named league MVP and Finals MVP.

Earl Lloyd TrophyReed played his entire career with the Knicks, winning two championships (1969-70, 1972-73). A seven-time NBA All-Star and five-time All-NBA selection, Reed was Rookie of the Year in 1965 and was named to the league’s 50th and 75th Anniversary teams.

• Northwest Division: The Sam Jones Trophy
Jones, a graduate of North Carolina Central University, has won more championships than any HBCU graduate who has played in the NBA — ten, as a member of the Boston Celtics from 1957-69.

He was a five-time All-Star, three-time All-NBA selection and a member of the league’s 25th, 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams. Jones was nicknamed “The Shooter” for his ability to hit clutch shots in championship runs. He stood up for the rights of African-Americans in the league and in the country during a pivotal time in the 1960s.

• Pacific Division: The Chuck Cooper Trophy
The first African-American player to be drafted in the NBA, Cooper was selected with the 14th overall pick in the 1950 NBA Draft. A veteran of the Navy, he played six seasons in the league with the Boston Celtics, Atlanta Hawks and Detroit Pistons.

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