Oh, It’s On
Be 4th of July ready. Barstool Sports takes NIL to a new level, the 2nd highest-paid athlete in the world needs a job and 75 hot dogs in 10 mins - GO!
This Friday, we’re bringing you everything you need to be set up for small talk success poolside or at your Fourth Of July barbeque.
Going all out,
The Last Night’s Game Team
Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest
After no fans last year (and an awkwardly quiet competition), the crowd might be just what the competitors need to defeat the 13-time hot dog eating champion, Joey Chestnut. Although, a Chestnut defeat is unlikely as he’s the obvious favorite after beating his own record last year by eating 75 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes The women’s champion Miki Sudo won’t be there to defend her championship as she’s pregnant with her first child, so the door is wide open for a new winner. We talk more about a “Roman Incident” and other hot dog eating traditions that would make our founding fathers so proud in this week’s podcast. DON’T SIT IN THE SPLASH ZONE
Overtime
You haven’t been able to turn on the news over the past few days without hearing about NIL (name, image and likeness) for college athletes. The NCAA announced that as of yesterday, July 1, college athletes could profit from their NIL.
A few athletes took advantage of this change from the word go. Twin women’s basketball players from Fresno State, Haley and Hanna Cavinder, who have over three million followers on TikTok already signed a deal with Boost Mobile. Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler said that he’d use this opportunity to donate a portion of what he makes to charity. One athlete, Addie Halverson, a volleyball player from Jacksonville State, reached out to Barstool Sports to see what it would take to be a "Barstool Athlete," and they've now set up a whole program to support these athletes. MONEY IN THE BANK
Sideline stat
Chris Paul has played in the NBA (National Basketball Association) for 16 years and never made it to the NBA finals until now. He and his Phoenix Suns punched their ticket to the finals Wednesday night. In his postgame interview, he talked about how he writes the words “can’t give up now” on his shoes every game. The inspiration came from a Mary Mary song. Paul, who you’ll recognize from his State Farm commercials, took a risk with the Suns - a team that hasn’t made it to the finals since 1993. AT LAST
Coaches’ corner
Though COVID restrictions are still tight in Canada, the Quebec government is allowing 3,500 fans to attend tonight’s game as the Montreal Canadiens take on the sending champion Tampa Bay Lightning in the quest for their first Stanley Cup since 1993. In case you're wondering, the Lightning are up 2-0 in the series. BE THERE OR BE SQUARE
The 4th Of July Tradition That We Love, But Will Also Make You Want To Puke
It’s a tradition unlike any other.
Photo: Unsplash
Nothing says “Happy Birthday America” like sitting on your couch watching people down 75 hot dogs in 10 minutes in the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest.
Our founding fathers would be so proud…
The Last Night’s Game Team
1. In a tradition unlike any other, our nation will celebrate its birthday with the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest. Like our country, the contest’s roots run deep. According to Nathan’s, legend has it that on July 4, 1916, four immigrants gathered at the very first Nathan’s Famous hot dog stand on Coney Island and made eating contest history. As the story goes, they were competing to see who was the most patriotic. The winner was determined with a hot dog eating contest. BUT OF COURSE
2. Let’s talk about what everyone is thinking about – vomiting. An eater who has "a Roman incident" or “reversal of fortune,” as it is so delightfully called, will be disqualified if the result of that incident touches the plate or table. After the contest is over, eaters can dispose of the food however they’d like, although some contests have a post-binge wait period. MAKE SURE NOT TO SIT IN THE SPLASH ZONE
3. This isn't college; the competitors don't show up just for the food. The winner out of the dog-downing competitors will take home $10,000. Want to bet on it? That can be done. You can also bet on if PETA will interrupt the contents or not or if there will be a “reversal of fortune.” One thing that’s a sure winner, Nathan’s will continue their annual tradition of donating 100,000 hot dogs to the Food Bank of New York. EATING FOR GOOD
4. After no fans last year (and an awkwardly quiet competition), the crowd might be just what 13-time champion Joey Chestnut needs to beat his record of 75 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. He is one of 18 men to compete for the belt. Chestnut also holds the record for the most hard-boiled eggs eaten in 10 minutes at 151. IRON STOMACH
5. Don’t worry, this sport isn’t only for the boys. Miki Sudo has won for seven straight years on the women's side, but she will not attend this year as she’s pregnant with her first child. So while the men’s competition is pretty much a lock for Joey Chestnutt, the women’s side is wide open for any of the 10 competitors to win. Only two women, Sudo and Sonya Thomas. have won the competition since it started in 2011. A NEW CHAMPION WILL EMERGE
You can catch the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest at 11 am EST on July 4 on ESPN. The contest will occur amidst stifling humidity and a massive crowd at Maimonides Park, which is steps away from Nathan’s flagship store on Surf and Stillwell Avenues.
Your Moment In The Sun
All the BBQ fodder including too many hot dogs, a new meaning to "long drive” and athletes’ sad meals inside the bubble.
Happy 244th Birthday America. Here’s everything you need for your holiday weekend small talk.
Sunscreen required,
The Last Night’s Game Team
Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest
Saturday brings us fireworks, cocktails and binge eating. Well maybe not you but the participants in the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest will be attempting to break the record of 74 hot dogs (and buns) in 10 minutes set by 12-time champion Joey “Jaws” Chestnut. In a move no one saw coming, yesterday it was announced that New Jersey, Colorado and New Hampshire have legalized betting on this competitive eating contest. The new indoor, air-conditioned environment is conducive to Chestnut beating his record but will he “chipmunk” or have a reverse of fortune? You can bet on it.
Want to be the hit of your BBQ, check out the five things you need to know about this Fourth of July tradition that might make you vomit. (Also, we explain chipmunking, etc. – don’t try this at home).
Overtime
The call for the Washington Redskins (NFL - National Football League) to change their team name, which has long been considered derogatory toward Native Americans, has been happening for as long as we can remember. Now the movement has more traction than ever with stadium naming rights sponsor FedEx and PepsiCo joining the long list of companies rallying for the team to change its name. Yesterday, Nike pulled all of its Redskins gear off its site. The team has also been in talks to relocate its stadium to a piece of federal land, which doesn’t look likely unless they change their name. IT’S A MATTER OF TIME
Sideline stat
Many Americans are hitting the road this holiday weekend because they felt flying commercial was a bit too risky. Due to COVID, the PGA Tour (Professional Golfers Association) has made private jets available for players to get from tournament to tournament, but then there’s golfer Viktor Hovland who is giving a new meaning to long drive. Fueled by as many as six Red Bulls and heavy metal music, Hovland has opted to drive between tournaments vs. fly – logging 3,000 miles over four different PGA Tour stops. PUT THE PEDDLE TO THE (HEAVY) METAL
Coaches’ corner
If they say a man’s stomach is the way to his heart, there’s about to be mutiny in Disney World. Ahead of the MLS is Back Tournament (Major League Soccer), the players’ have taken to social media to share their less than desirable and expensive meals from their Disney World bubble, comparing them to something from the Frye Festival. The NBA (National Basketball Association) will join MLS and finish their season on Disney World properties starting at the end of the month. YOUR KID’S CAFETERIA WANTS ITS FOOD BACK
What to watch
Drivers start your engines because F1 (Formula One) season begins on Sunday in picturesque Austria after the global sport was put on hold due to COVID. Team Mercedes, led by six-time world champion Lewis Hamilton - the only Black driver on the circuit - made a surprise announcement this week, announcing that it will debut an inclusive paint scheme. Also arriving this week ahead of the race, F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone, 89, welcomed his fourth child, Ace. WATCH FOR THE EUROPEAN SCENERY, STAY FOR THE RACING