Today is the start of the biggest week of the year for sports - it’s Super Bowl week. Of course, we’ll cover the big game in addition to whatever else is causing a stir.
Look at you causing a commotion,
The Last NIght’s Game Team
PS - Make sure to follow us on TikTok or Instagram, where we’ll be releasing a new fun fact about the Super Bowl each day. Make sure to catch our Super Bowl podcast when it’s released tomorrow morning.
Soccer
Things are getting ‘Messi’ in Spain. Someone released the details of soccer superstar Lionel Messi’s contract with FC Barcelona, which had been under wraps until now. Spanish newspaper El Mundo revealed that Messi’s contract with the soccer team is the largest contract for any athlete ever. His four-year deal, signed in 2017, is worth €555 million (approx. $673 million). Messi, who is regarded as one of the best to ever play the game, is pursuing legal action over the release of his contract. There were only four copies ever made of his contract and the team had one, the league, Messi, and the law firm he used to negotiate it. SOMETHING TELLS US THE REWARD MONEY WILL BE WORTH TALKING
Overtime
Super Bowl halftime performers aren’t paid for their performance, but the NFL (National Football League) pays for the halftime show production. The Weeknd wanted to make the halftime show more of what he envisioned, more “cinematic,” so he spent $7 million of his own money to achieve that dream. The league is covering the usual production costs, but this performance is going to be extra. ON THE EDGE OF OUR SEATS
Sideline stat
It’s almost time for the start of baseball’s spring training, but the season might be on hold. The MLB (Major League Baseball) Players Association and the league are at an impasse on their negotiations around the season. The MLBPA is reviewing the league’s proposal. Two of the big sticking points are pushing back the start of spring training to mid-March (vs. mid-February) and a 154-game season that would pay players their full 162-game salaries, according to ESPN. GOING NOWHERE FAST
Coaches’ corner
We’re not even into the off-season for the NFL, and we’ve already had a blockbuster trade. The Detriot Lions have sent their veteran star quarterback Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams for Rams’ quarterback Jared Goff. The Lions are rebuilding with a new coach and they presumably wanted to give Stafford, 32, a chance to win. Meanwhile, the Rams were unhappy with the performance of Goff, 26. EVERYONE WINS
