If money is the root of all evil, then this edition of the Rundown is downright wicked. Between free agency, retirement and Wimbledon players threatening to sue the crowd it seems money is on everyone’s mind today.
This weekend as you celebrate the birthday of our country with all things American – apple pie, BBQ and Michael Phelps - we hope The Rundown provides you with the conversation starters you need.
It’s a win-win,
The Last Night’s Game Team
PS: Share us – so all your friends can sound as smart as you this weekend.
Formula One Racing (F1)
- Vroom. The F1 race takes place in Austria on Sunday (8 am EST on CNBC). Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg has taken a significant point lead in the race for the championship. His Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton, who is in second place, will need to win this race to close the gap.
NBA (National Basketball Association)
- Big price tags. Free agency started this morning at 12:01 am. This is the period when teams can sign free agents (basketball players whose contracts have expired). Chaos (while carrying very large checkbooks) ensues. The biggest player on the market, Kevin Durant, is holding meetings with potential teams in the Hamptons, where he’s spending the weekend. NBD. Follow us on twitter for up-to-date information on the deals and steals.
NCAA Baseball (College)
- College World Series champions. In a best-of-three series Coastal Carolina Chanticleers fought back after losing game one and won the final two games beating The University of Arizona Wildcats to win the NCAA Baseball National Championship.
Soccer
- Portugal progresses. Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal advanced to the Euro 2016 semifinals with a win over Poland in penalty kicks last night.
- Things we never thought we’d hear. Grab some freedom fries and a spot on the couch because everyone’s favorite underdog Iceland takes on host country France on Sunday in the quarterfinals (3 pm EST on ESPN).
Summer Olympics
- Phelps fever. Michael Phelps, the United States’ most decorated Olympian, has qualified for his fifth Olympics. The 22-time medalist qualified for the 200-meter butterfly event and will most likely qualify for more.
Tennis
- I’m calling my attorney. Rain has been the name of the game in Wimbledon with no major upsets to report other then mother nature delaying matches. One player, Gilles Simon, was not happy with the drizzle he had to play through. He was afraid of injuring himself and threatened to sue the judge if he was to get injured. He also said (we can’t make this up) "I feel the day I'm going to get injured on slippery grass, I'm going to sue everyone in the stadium.” Let’s hope your attorney likes to attend tennis matches.
Overtime
- The "NikeCourt Premier Slam" white Wimbledon dress made for Nike’s sponsored athletes has been causing quite a stir for being a little too see through and a bit short. Nike’s players have gone as far as pairing it with white leggings because we all know that tennis skirts are known for their modesty. Others athletes don’t mind. 2014 Wimbledon finalist Eugenie Bouchard calls them “cool and modern,” while Serena Williams doesn’t care because she wears a Nike dress specifically designed for her.
Sideline Stat
- Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck has signed the biggest contract in NFL history - six years for $140 million. With his new fortune, the founder of the Andrew Luck Book Club (Andrew Luck), revealed that he has his eyes not on leather bound books but on a robotic ping pong machine. Chick magnet.
Coaches’ Corner
- The changing of the guards doesn’t only happen in London but in Oregon too. Nike announced that co-founder Phil Knight has official retired as Chairman. The company has made Knight a wealthy man with a net worth of $24.4 billion. Current Nike President, Mike Parker, will step in. In a move where no one seems to understand the job description, Nike has appointed current board member Apple CEO Tim Cook as "lead independent director."
