Life’s Too Short
The Paul-Mayweather fight ends how no one expected, 1.6 M reasons COVID stinks and Simone Biles does it again.
Life’s too short to be boring and talk about the weather. (No offense to our meteorologists out there).
The one where you’re the smartest person in the room,
The Last Night’s Game Team
Boxing
The Logan Paul and Floyd Mayweather boxing match ended in a way no one expected - with a draw. Mayweather, who is regarded as one of the best boxers of all time, complemented Paul, saying he was better than he thought. You might be wondering why the two agreed to fight anyway, and it seems the answer has a lot to do with money. Mayweather said, "I can fight a fighter right now, and I can guarantee myself $35 million, or me and Logan Paul, a YouTuber, we can go out and entertain and have fun and make nine figures. $100 million or more." SO THERE'S THAT
Overtime
Is there anything she can’t do? A few weeks ago, Simone Biles performed the most dangerous vault – the Yurchenko double pike vault – that no female gymnast has dared to try in competition. Yesterday she claimed her seventh U. S. Championship title – the most victories for a woman. Next up are the Olympic trials at the end of the month. Two top scorers at the trial will earn a spot on the Olympic team, and a selection committee will choose the remaining two. SUPER HUMAN
Sideline stat
Just as the world is opening up again, the doors closed for golfer Jon Rahm. Rahm had a significant lead heading into the final round at the Memorial Tournament (PGA – Professional Golfers Association) only to find out on live television that he had tested positive for COVID. He had to forgo the potential victory and the $1.6 million in prize money. OUCH
Coaches’ corner
Canada might change their mind after the last story, but they’re opening up their borders amidst the Stanley Cup playoffs (NHL – National Hockey League). Now they’re allowing teams to cross the border to play in the next round of the playoffs. This allows for Canadian teams in the playoffs to potentially host a home game. Teams must arrive via private plane and are subjected to extra testing. IN THE NICK OF TIME
What to watch
It’s been a wild week at the French Open (tennis). First, Naomi Osaka drops out, and now Serena Williams is out (lost in the fourth round), and so is Roger Federer (knee). The good news is that the excitement isn’t over. American Coco Gauff, 17, has moved onto the next round, and so has last year’s champion, Iga Swiatek. CAN’T WIN ‘EM ALL
Sun Goes Down
The Calm app is putting their money where their (tennis) Zen is, Lakers are out of the playoffs and a Floyd Mayweather-Logan Paul fight preview.
Make a connection on a long summer night with a little sports chatter that can easily be turned into a conversation about travel (hello French Open), tech (thanks Calm app) or YouTube videos (gracias Logan Paul).
Did someone say travel?
The Last Night’s Game Team
Tennis
The Calm app is putting their money where their Zen is. After the uproar about Naomi Osaka missing press conferences and then subsequently dropping out of the tournament to take care of her mental health, the Calm app is stepping in. They announced that they would pay the fines for players who decide to skip their press conferences at the French Open. (Osaka’s fines were $15,000). Keep an eye on Serena Williams (No. 7) as she plays in the third round this morning against a fellow American in an unranked Danielle Rose Collins. SMOOTH MOVE
Overtime
You know you were curious how much it would cost you to see YouTube star Logan Paul go head to head in the ring with boxing legend Floyd Mayweather. For the price of $49.99, you can watch one of the best in boxing (likely) knockout his opponent in Miami. As you might recall, these two have been drumming up the buzz around the fight with Paul and his brother hiring round-the-clock security to protect them from Mayweather’s entourage. The fight is non-sanctioned, aka an exhibition fight, so there won’t be judges, but knockouts will be allowed. THE PRICE IS RIGHT TO GET PUNCHED IN THE FACE
Sideline stat
For the first time in his career, LeBron James is out of the playoffs in the first round. The defending champion Los Angeles Lakers were knocked out of the playoffs last night by the Phoenix Suns (NBA - National Basketball Association). Even after dropping 46 points on them, James still met up with Devin Booker, Kendall Jenner's boyfriend, postgame to give him his signed jersey. (Jersey exchanges are tradition). ONWARD AND UPWARD
Coaches’ corner
The Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) starts its season today. They are currently the only outdoor professional lacrosse league in the country after buying their competitor, the 20-year-old Major League Lacrosse. The PLL has disrupted the traditional sports business model with a tour-based league (i.e., no home cities) and no team owners (more money to pay players). They’re also providing a vesting schedule to give players equity in the league. (Want to know more about lacrosse? Check out our lacrosse 101). NEW(ISH) KID ON CAMPUS
What to watch…
...Michelle Wie West as she makes her comeback after being absent from competitive golf for two years. In those two years, she’s added wife (married to the NBA’s Jerry West’s son) and mom to her list of accomplishments, all while overcoming major injuries. Wie West will be joining her fellow LPGA (Ladies Professional Golfers Association) players in the U.S. Open this weekend. WELCOME BACK
It’s On
How a joint helped Tyson make it through his fight, why this weekend was huge for women in football and why the 49ers are suddenly homeless?
Is it just us or did the first half of 2020 go by at a snail’s pace? Now here we are a few weeks away from the end of the year.
Finish strong,
The Last Night’s Team
Boxing
Arguably the biggest sporting event of the weekend, Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. brought the star power and the entertainment value. But the boxing…maybe not so much. The 16-minute fight between the two 50+-year-olds was dominated by Tyson but the judges ruled it a draw at the end. Tyson was very chill in the post-fight interview and later we found out why. Tyson admitted he smoked weed before the fight. IN THE AIR TONIGHT
Overtime
Women everywhere rejoiced when Sarah Fuller stepped foot on the football field for Vanderbilt on Saturday. Fuller became the first woman to play in a Power Five college football game. (The Power Five conferences are the biggest, highest-powered conferences in college football). Praises from legends Billie Jean King and Sue Bird were just a few of the messages of support and excitement that flooded social media. IN IT TO WIN IT
In other progressive news, Callie Brownson, the chief of staff for the Cleveland Browns (NFL - National Football League), stepped into an interim role and into the history books yesterday. She became the first woman to coach an NFL position group during a regular-season game. She filled the role as the tight end coach because TEs coach Drew Petzing did not travel with the team for Sunday's game due to the birth of his first child Saturday morning. CONGRATS ALL AROUND
Sideline stat
The San Francisco 49ers (NFL) are homeless after a new COVID ban by Santa Clara County (the county the stadium is located in) that bans all contact sports for three weeks – including professional football. The team found out about the ban the same way the rest of us did – via a news conference. Luckily, they were on their way to play in Los Angeles but the ban doesn’t bode well for the team who will need to find another location – tentatively Arizona – to practice and play. A HEADS UP WOULD’VE BEEN NICE
Coaches’ corner
The scariest moment of the weekend was a crash in the F1 (Formula One) race in Bahrain. Driver Roman Grosjean somehow walked away from a crash that split his car in two. Like something out of an action movie, Grosjean jumped out of his fireball of a car while being sprayed by a crew armed with fire extinguishers. TOO HOT TO HANDLE