5 Of America’s Best Cities (That Also Happen To Have Great Sports Teams)
Who isn't looking for a reason to get away?
Photo: Instagram/Nashvilletn - FirstBank Amphitheater
We’ve taken out the obvious choice for sports cities in Los Angeles, New York, Boston and Chicago and given you a few new places to add to your must-see travel list.
*Books flights,
The Last Night’s Game Team
Denver
With over 300 days of sunshine, Denver is an obvious choice. Sure they have the Denver Broncos (NFL – National Football League), Denver Nuggets (NBA – National Basketball Association), Colorado Avalanche (NHL – National Hockey League) and Colorado Rockies (MLB – Major League Baseball) but did you know they have over 150 breweries in the metro area? You can take in a concert at the Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre if you’re not into sports or venture into the mountains for some hiking, skiing or our favorite, après-ski. ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH
Seattle
If the Pike’s Place Market area, the original Starbucks or taking in the views from the top of the Space Needle isn’t enough to drive you to check out Seattle, how about a little sports action? Seattle is the home to the newest NHL team, the Seattle Kraken, that will begin their inaugural season this fall. If hockey isn’t your thing, they have the Seattle Seahawks (NFL), Storm (WNBA - Women's National Basketball Association), Sounders (MLS – Major League Soccer), OL Reign (NWSL – National Women’s Soccer League) and the Mariners (MLB). The Mariners have the longest playoff drought in baseball, so maybe you can bring them some good luck (or at least enjoy the outdoors with a cold beer and some popcorn). HEY BATTER BATTER
Nashville
If Nashville is on your travel list, you’re not the only one. The music city ranks high on the list of most-desired domestic destinations in 2021. If you like football, food and music – you’re in luck. You can catch a Tennessee Titans (NFL) game and then wander over to the Country Music Hall of Fame or to Lower Broadway to take in some of the best live music you’ve ever heard. The city is booming, with over 22 new restaurants opening thus far in 2021, which will be great to grab a bite before a Nashville Predators (NHL) or Nashville SC (MLS) game. VOLUNTEER TO VISIT
Las Vegas
The newest blossoming sports city also happens to be the entertainment capital of the world. So if you’re not into catching a Vegas Golden Knights (NHL) or Aces (WNBA) game or checking out the Las Vegas Raiders (NFL) in their brand new stadium, there are plenty of options of things to do. While we all know the Las Vegas Strip is what keeps people coming back to Vegas, did you know that there’s excellent hiking at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area and a world-class Mob Museum with a speakeasy in the basement? Oh, and they have 280 non-stop passenger flights scheduled to 152 destinations in nine countries, so it’s easy to get there. SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
Tampa Bay
While you may think of the beaches, Tampa Bay has cemented its status as an elite sports city over the past few years. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, led by Tom Brady, won the Super Bowl (NFL) in 2021. Not to be outdone, the Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL) won back-to-back Stanley Cup Championships. The Rays (MLB) were World Series runners-up in 2020, and the Toronto Raptors (NBA) called Tampa home during COVID because they were prohibited from traveling in and out of Canada. A PLACE TO CALL HOME
He’s Grrrreat!
How sports books lost their butts with Tiger’s win, the Boston Marathon is today and fireworks in San Fran.
It’s the comeback everyone is talking about. And no, we don’t mean the fact that it’s Monday again.
It’s so much better than that,
The Last Night’s Game Team
PGA (Professional Golfers Association)
Until recently, no one would’ve ever thought of Tiger Woods as an underdog. But after some distractions in his personal life and back problems that left him unable to walk, he was not even close to being the favorite to win at the Masters. Then he went and proved them all wrong. Tiger showed why he still deserves to be at the top by winning the Masters yesterday. This was his fifth Masters win and first since 2005. TIGER FOR THE WIN
Overtime
The Colorado Rockies and San Francisco Giants (MLB – Major League Baseball) played an 18-inning game on Friday night, the equivalent of two games in one. The Giants promised Friday night fireworks so when the game was over (the Giants won), they proceeded with their fireworks show. The only problem is that it was after 1 am. Needless to say, their neighbors were fired up. DARE YOU TO CALL THE COPS
Sideline stat
Overshadowed by the star power and success of his own team, the Golden State Warriors’ Steph Curry, 31, set the record for three-pointers made in the NBA (National Basketball Association) postseason. (The playoffs started on Saturday and the Warriors are again the favorite to win it all). NBD JUST SETTING RECORDS OVER HERE
Coaches’ corner
With his win, Tiger became the second oldest golfer to win the Masters. Nike celebrated by dropping an incredible commercial directly after his win. Not celebrating? The sports books. Because he was such an underdog, online betting company FanDuel said his win cost them over $2 million. An executive with William Hill (another online sports betting company) summed it up perfectly by saying, “It’s great to see Tiger back. It’s a painful day for William Hill – our biggest golf loss ever – but a great day for golf.” WIN SOME, LOSE A LOT
What to watch
The Boston Marathon is today. Keep an eye on seven-time NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) champion Jimmie Johnson who will be pounding the pavement in today’s race. IF YOU’RE NOT FIRST, YOU’RE LAST
Back With A Vengeance
Break out the caffeine because Monday is back.
Break out the caffeine because Monday is back.
Show today who’s the boss,
The Last Night’s Game Team
MLB (MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL)
Celebratory cheese curds. We’re in the midst of the MLB playoffs and something is brewing in Wisconsin. The Milwaukee Brewers proved to be too tough for the Colorado Rockies; sweeping them to head into the next round of the playoffs. There are still plenty of teams in the race. PICK YOUR PONY
OVERTIME
One Houston Astros (MLB) fan learned the hard way never to bet against your own team. After a home run by the Astros’ Jose Altuve, the fan made a bet with his section that if the next Astros player at the plate hit a home run, he’d buy beer for the whole section. Well as you can imagine, the Astros prevailed and this fan learned a $500 lesson. DILLY DILLY
SIDELINE STAT
What is 329 pounds and can run like the wind? Okay maybe it's more like a light breeze. That’s Minnesota Vikings’ (NFL) Linval Joseph. The big defensive lineman found himself on the other end of an interception in yesterday’s game and ran the ball back for a 64-yard touchdown. Call us impressed. IT’S LIKE TRYING TO STOP A TRAIN
COACHES’ CORNER
No surprise that there was drama in the highly anticipated UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) fight on Saturday night. Conor McGregor lost by submission to Russian Khabib Nurmagomedov (reminder – he is the fighter who trains by wrestling live bears). Chaos ensued after the fight when Nurmagomedov decided to jump out of the octagon and go after a McGregor teammate. ONE WIN WASN’T ENOUGH
What does it mean to lose by submission? It’s when the fighter throws in the towel by tapping out or saying they’re done to avoid injury or passing out from a hold. HE WAS A SLEEPY BEAR