All The Cool Kids Are Doing It - 5 Things You Need To Know About Esports
The NBA is launching its esports league this week. Therefore, we're keeping you in the know on the sport that’s all the rage and slowly taking over the world.
The NBA is launching its esports league this week. Therefore, we're keeping you in the know on the sport that’s all the rage and slowly taking over the world.
Never stop learning,
The Last Night’s Game Team
5 Things You Need To Know About Esports
1. Esports are based on multiplayer video games. Professional gamers play in tournaments and online. Online play will attract over 100,000 viewers who watch through Twitch, owned by Amazon (which is where you can also watch NBA 2K live), or YouTube. If you think that’s odd, on Sundays we all gather around to watch guys play football on TV. Same same but different.
2. Tournaments are often dictated by the game (i.e. Call of Duty) or esports gaming leagues (i.e. NBA 2K or Major League Gaming). Games are categorized by PC (computer) or console (i.e. Xbox).
3. Corporations are following the trend. Players resemble race car drivers with sponsor logos all over their tournament clothes. Coke and Nissan are on board and Red Bull has a massive portfolio of esports teams. WHY RED BULL?
4. The NBA (National Basketball Association) is making history as the first North American major professional sports league to have its own esports league, which starts Friday. The NBA 2k League features the best players of the NBA 2k video game. SCHEDULE & MORE
5. In the case of NBA 2K, the players can make between $32,000 - $37,000. Not only are they paid generously for their six-month contract but they receive funds to relocate to whichever town they’re playing for. Living arrangements, health insurance and a retirement plan are also perks of the gig. We may need to consider a career change. MAKING BANK
Still not convinced of the esports phenomenon? A gamer named Ninja, leads all athletes worldwide in social media engagement, beating athletes like Cristiano Ronaldo, LeBron James and Shaq. RANKINGS
What’s on tap today?
Now that you’re caught up with what the cool kids are doing, here’s what everyone will be talking about today including the Met Gala, a first for a long-time star and why you’re going to need your passport in 2019. READ
Catch That Friday Feeling
The first work week of the 2018 is coming to a close but not without that Last Night’s Game Friday feeling.
The first work week of the 2018 is coming to a close but not without that Last Night’s Game Friday feeling.
Spirit fingers,
The Last Night’s Game Team
PS - This Friday's Tailgate Treat is an easy one that even our team can make. Break out the slow cooker and the chicken wings because it's going to be a party.
Tennis
If you’ve ever spoken too soon. We were so excited for Serena Williams’ return to the Australian Open, one year after she won it while pregnant. Yesterday we found out she’s not ready yet and she withdrew from the tournament. Another one of tennis’ best, Andy Murray also dropped out of the tournament this week with a bum right hip. Crikey!
NFL (National Football League)
When you're rewarded for your hard work. The NFL playoffs start this weekend with the ultimate goal of reaching the Super Bowl on February 4. We'll see playoff action in Los Angeles for the first time since 1986 as the L.A. Rams host the Atlanta Falcons. PLAYOFF PREVIEW
Overtime
Get that #FridayFeeling this morning with more cuteness than one should see in a week. The starting lineup for this year’s Animal Planet Puppy Bowl has been released. Team Fluff and Team Ruff are made up of shelter dogs that hope to be adopted. Talk about the ultimate “tail”gate. Here’s the cutest lineup you’ve ever seen. PICS
Sideline stat
This weekend the Jacksonville Jaguars are playing in their first home playoff game since 2000 against a Buffalo Bills team that hasn't made the playoffs since 1999. They’re so excited (maybe almost too excited) that their black, teal and gold exuberance has spread to the game day food. The team is offering very appetizing burgers with teal buns, teal ice cream and even teal beer. Try to refrain from reciting green eggs and ham.
Coaches’ corner
Do you have weekend plans? If you are in Cleveland, you do now. The Cleveland Browns are celebrating their perfect season with a parade on Saturday. Although it’s not the kind of perfect season you’d think. The parade celebrates the winless, 0-16 (wins-losses) regular season for the team - the second time in NFL history that a team has had a winless season.
Heads up!
Alabama and Georgia will battle it out for the the College Football National Championship on Monday. Brush up on the Five Things To Know About Monday's National Championship Game so you're in the know for the weekend chatter.
Merry Christmas, Ya Filthy Animal
Merry Christmas from our family to yours. We have a few conversation starters for you to gift your family with along with two big things happening in sports today in case you want to avoid your family and catch a game.
Merry Christmas from our family to yours. We have a few conversation starters for you to gift your family with along with two big things happening in sports today in case you want to avoid your family and catch a game.
A win-win,
The Last Night’s Game Team
Spreading Holiday Cheer
When the gift you really wanted wouldn’t fit under the tree. The New Orleans Pelicans (NBA – National Basketball Association) Anthony Davis helped a family in need by giving them a brand new car. Joy doesn’t begin to describe this great video. All the feels.
If you didn’t get what you wanted from Santa. Texas Rangers (MLB - Major League Baseball) pitcher Cole Hamels and his wife Heidi gave a charity exactly what they didn’t know they wanted – a new house. They donated their $9.75 million mansion to Camp Barnabas, an organization that helps individuals with special needs and chronic illnesses. They tried to sell the 32,000-square foot abode sitting on 100 acres in Branson, Missouri, but then decided to give it to charity. That’s quite the stocking stuffer.
The trump card to your family traditions. Carolina Panthers (NFL - National Football League) quarterback Cam Newton has a holiday tradition like no other. He surprises teachers, children and needy families the week before Christmas with gifts. “Santa Cam” gave out over $100,000 in cash, grocery store gift cards and blankets in the Charlotte area last week.
Overtime
It’s tradition to have NBA games on Christmas and part of that tradition included special game day uniforms. Since the Grinch (aka Nike) took over this year there aren't any so one fan took it upon himself, creating ugly sweater uniforms for each of the teams playing. No word if he has a new job running the Nike uniform department or not.
Sideline stat
Just three years after beating cancer, David Quessenberry will be playing his first ever NFL game today. Quessenberry was drafted by the Houston Texans but never played a game. Keep an eye out for his emotional Christmas debut with the Texans this afternoon. SCHEDULE
Coaches’ corner
Good news, bad news. Good news - LeBron James and Steph Curry are two of the best in the league and their teams are meeting up yet again. The Cleveland Cavilers and the Golden State Warriors played each other in the past three NBA finals and they’ll have the honor of playing today on Christmas. Bad news – Steph Curry will not play today as he injured his ankle. SCHEDULE