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
Out Of Ideas? 5 Extravagant Gifts Athletes Buy Each Other For The Holidays
‘Tis the season to be jolly. Quarterbacks and star running backs often give holiday gifts to their offensive line for protecting them. But what do you give someone who can afford to buy themselves anything? You’ll see.
‘Tis the season to be jolly and give gifts to the ones who have our backs. The same unspoken rule applies to football players. Quarterbacks and star running backs often give holiday gifts to their offensive line – the guys who protect them from being hit by the opposing team’s defense. But what do you give someone who can afford to buy anything? You’ll see.
Better than a lump of coal,
The Last Night's Game Team
PS - Speaking of gifts, head over to the Last Night’s Game store to check everyone off your list. SHOP NOW
FIVE EXTRAVAGANT GIFTS ATHLETES BUY EACH OTHER FOR THE HOLIDAYS
1. Tom Brady has been referred to as the G.O.A.T (Greatest Of All Time). What do the best in the business and his supermodel wife Gisele get his offensive line for protecting him? How about Audi Q7s? That’ll do the trick.
2. Gifts with wheels are very popular. Last year, Dallas Cowboys’ Ezekiel Elliott gave his linemen John Deere UTVs and former running back Reggie Bush? He gave away segways. Hall of Fame running back (and Dancing With The Stars winner) Emmitt Smith left a key to a new Hummer in each of his linemen's lockers. Too bad they were actually for the remote controlled version.
3. Last year for the holidays, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (aka Ciara’s hubby) gave his offensive linemen TVs and the entire team two-first class airline tickets. Go big or go…to the airport.
4. Understanding the severity of the hits his lineman have taken for him, Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer bought each of them a hot tub to soothe their aching muscles.
5. We saved the best for last. Quarterback Trevor Siemian is a lover of Skittles and he wanted to share that with his linemen. So, he bought them custom parkas that dispense Skittles. Yes, the fur-rim hooded parkas have a button on the chest that when pushed, Skittles arrive in a coat pocket. A dream come true.
The Rundown: 5 Things to Know About Formula One Racing
The popularity of NASCAR (National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing) in America has nothing on the global excitement around F1 (Formula One) racing. Since an American company now owns the majority of F1, and they are pushing for more races in the States, we thought you should be ahead of the curve when the season starts this weekend.
Taking home the checkered flag,
The Last Night’s Game Team
Five Things to Know About F1 (Formula One) Racing
- The races take place in some of the most picturesque places in the world including the scenic streets of Monaco, the desert of Abu Dhabi and under the lights in Singapore (the only night race). Even if you don’t like F1, it’s worth watching for the postcard worthy scenery. The only race in America is in Austin, TX. The season starts this Sunday in Melbourne, Australia.
- F1 cars are designed to be light and fast. Like a trip to Jenny Craig, the car and the drivers, with all of their gear, are weighed in at the end of each race to ensure they meet the car weight restrictions.
- One of the best part about being an F1 fan is that the races are done in two hours regardless of if the total number of laps have been completed or not.
- Last year’s champion Nico Rosberg went out on top when he retired days after winning his first championship at the age of 31.
- F1 has always had an international feel, but times are changing as U.S.A. based Liberty Media became the main stakeholder last year, buying in at a mere $4.4 billion.
- Bonus: Think you can distinguish F1 drivers from the bad guys in movies? Take this quiz.
World Baseball Classic
- Uniting the country. Team U.S.A. beat two-time champion Japan for a place in the World Baseball Classic finals. They will take on a tough Puerto Rico team tonight in Los Angeles. Break out your red, white and blue for good luck as U.S.A has never won the title.
Overtime
- The curious case of New England Patriots (football) quarterback Tom Brady’s missing Super Bowl jersey has been solved. The culprit? A Mexican media executive who snuck off with the jersey after the game. It was also uncovered that the same guy stole Brady’s jersey from the 2015 Super Bowl and a Denver Broncos helmet from the 2016 Super Bowl.
Sideline stat
- Billionaire Warren Buffett offered $1 million a year for life to any employee who could pick every game correctly through the March Madness Sweet 16 (48 games). A factory worker was one game short of perfect but he will still receive a $100,000 prize. There were more than 96,000 entrants from Berkshire Hathaway’s 367,000 employees.
Coaches’ Corner
- Just when you started going through withdrawals, bracket basketball is back. The Sweet 16 teams (final 16 teams left in the bracket) begin playing tomorrow through Friday. Here’s the schedule.