Can't Stop, Won't Stop
How is it almost April? Elite Eight, U.S. men’s soccer team fails to qualify for the Olympics and sports + vaccinations = a beautiful relationship.
Ever struggle talking to that one coworker? Well, sports are a great conversation starter and serves as a brilliant bridge to a fabulous conversation.
You heard it here first,
The Last Night’s Game Team
College Basketball
This weekend in the men’s March Madness tournament, the underdogs went home and the teams you expected to be in the Elite Eight are there. Oral Roberts, Loyola Chicago (hi Sister Jean) and Syracuse were all sent packing but three of the No. 1 ranked teams are still in it. The Elite Eight play takes place today and tomorrow. PREDICTABLE
On the women’s side, the first No. 1 seed lost with Indiana upsetting North Carolina State. NFL (National Football League) quarterback Russell Wilson was spotted cheering on his sister Anna and her No. 1 ranked Stanford team. Keep your eye on the University of Arizona, whose team is on fire heading into the Elite Eight, which runs today and tomorrow. YAS GIRLS
Overtime
A mere days after U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team star Megan Rapinoe spoke in D.C. on Equal Pay Day, the U.S. Men’s Soccer Team failed to qualify (again) for the Olympics. The U.S. men’s team has not qualified for the Olympic games since 2008, yet the women’s team is still having to fight for similar paychecks and working conditions as the men’s team. For the record, the women’s soccer team has more Olympic golds than any other participating country. (Note, the men’s team is working with primarily amateur players as some MLS – Major League Soccer – teams refused to release players to play on the U.S. team). THINGS THAT MAKE YOU GO HMM
Sideline Stat
The NFL (National Football League) is expected to announce this week that the next NFL season will be a 17-game season, one more than previous years. Owners are ecstatic over the option of more time to make money, and fans are excited about more regular-season games, but players aren’t happy about it. The collective bargaining agreement gave the league the option to expand the season. The league has paired down the preseason from four games to three but players are still concerned about injuries. Why? Let us explain. JUST THE BEGINNING
Coaches’ corner
The MLB (Major League Baseball) season kicks off on Thursday. And while you might think everyone sat around during the off-season eating bonbons, think again. Over 1 million vaccinations were distributed at MLB ballparks during the off-season. There are 11 ballparks across the league that have been converted into mass vaccination centers, and some will continue to be vaccination centers, even with the start of the season. Some teams will be allowing fans when the season opens up this Thursday. For more on the MLB season, stay tuned for Wednesday's podcast. THAT’S A HOME RUN
There's A First Time For Everything
The Final Four is set, Ron Burgundy takes the field and a dino disaster.
The first Monday of the month is an ideal time to drum up a conversation.
Starting off on the right foot,
The Last Night’s Game Team
College Basketball
The Final Four teams in the NCAA College Basketball March Madness tournament are set. Both Auburn and Texas Tech are heading to their first Final Four in school history. The head coach of Virginia is making his first trip to the Final Four and Michigan State, well…welcome back. The games will take place on Saturday. YOU’LL NEVER FORGET YOUR FIRST
Overtime
San Diego is the home of the Padres (MLB – Major League Baseball) and of course, Ron Burgundy. The Padres paid tribute to the Channel 4 news team from the movie Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy in their new mascot race. Yes, the large headed versions of Ron Burgundy, Champ Kind, Brian Fantana and Brick Tamland raced around the track with Mr, Burgundy taking home the win in the inaugural race. SIXTY PERCENT OF THE TIME, IT WORKS EVERY TIME
Sideline stat
Olympian Michael Phelps and his wife, Nicole, announced they're expecting their third child. Baby No. 3 will join siblings Boomer, 2 and Beckett, 1. MAKE YOUR OWN SWIM TEAM
Coaches’ corner
A dinosaur throwing out the first pitch at a Texas Rangers (MLB) game went exactly as you’d imagine. Short arms aren’t exactly ideal for throwing a strike across the plate either, although a dino can dream. THAT’S EMBARRASSING
Bring It On
Woo your clients, connect with your happy hour date and make heads turn in a board meeting when you show off your sports know how.
Woo your clients, carry on a great conversation with your happy hour date and make heads turn in a board meeting when you show off your sports know how.
Take that Monday,
The Last Night’s Game Team
College basketball
When Sunday Funday has a whole new meaning. The luck of the Irish continued last night as Notre Dame’s women’s basketball team won the national championship on a shot, literally made at the last second. Their win over Mississippi State came 17 years to the day after their last national championship.
When nothing good happens after midnight. The clock struck midnight for the Cinderella story Loyola-Chicago men’s basketball team. Sister Jean and her Ramblers lost to Michigan in the final four, setting up tonight’s big national championship game between Michigan and Villanova (9:19 pm EST). Remember how we told you to pick a team that sports the color blue to win your bracket? Once again, regardless of which team wins, the national champion will be blue.
Overtime
The “Babe Ruth of Japan,” Shohei Ohtani, made his MLB (Major League Baseball) pitching debut yesterday for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, picking up his first win. Even more impressive? The dad who was holding his child and caught a foul ball with his free hand. Sign him up. WATCH
Sideline stat
The Vegas Golden Knights may have made history, clinching their spot in the NHL (National Hockey League) playoffs in their inaugural year as a team, but that wasn’t what was important to them on Saturday night. The team retired the #58, forever honoring the 58 victims that died in the October 1, 2017 shooting, which happened just days before the team started their season. (When a number is retired, no one on that team can ever wear that jersey number again).
Coaches’ corner
The most anticipated player to take the field in MLS (Major League Soccer) since David Beckham, scored two goals in his debut with the L.A. Galaxy (also Beckham’s former team). The 36-year-old Zlatan Ibrahimovic signed with the Galaxy from Manchester United and upon his arrival in the U.S., placed a rather ego driven newspaper ad. SEE IT
Stay Tuned
The greatest game on grass, the Master’s golf tournament, begins this week. Stay tuned for all the interesting and quirky traditions in our Five Things You Need To Know on Wednesday. Not into golf? It’s always a great sport to “watch” during your Sunday nap.
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