Confidence Boost
Why Team Europe is wearing cheeseheads, the US Olympic Committee is taking a stand on vaccinations, WNBA playoffs are on, and everyone is watching.
No one exudes confidence like you after reading today's weekend preview.
Look out world,
The Last Night's Game Team
WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association)
The WNBA playoffs have begun with the Phoenix Mercury and Chicago Sky winning round one of the single-elimination games. The action on the court is must-see, and the viewership numbers prove it. The regular season viewership numbers are up 49% this season over last. The Las Vegas Aces and defending champion Seattle Storm are the favorites to win it all. WATCH THEM SOAR
Overtime
The Summer Olympics just wrapped up, but that doesn't mean we can't start talking about the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. Team USA announced that they will only consider vaccinated athletes for the 2022 Games. LINE IN THE SAND
Sideline stat
Typically when the City of Chicago celebrates the Irish, they dye the river green but not this weekend. The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame will take on Wisconsin at Soldier Field in Chicago. It's the first time these two teams have played in 57 years, and tickets are sold out, with the average StubHub resale ticket price running at $400. ESPN College GameDay will also be broadcasting live from the stadium on Saturday morning. BE THERE OR BE SQUARE
Coaches' corner
The Ryder Cup (golf) is underway, and Team Europe is deep in enemy territory. Their players are trying to win over the fans in Wisconsin (home of the 2021 Ryder Cup) while defending their title. The fans are expected to be a game-changer for Team USA at this year's tournament. In an attempt to make new friends, the players from the European team showed up wearing cheesehead hats – the unofficial headgear of Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin fans. WORTH A SHOT
The Ryder Cup is a biennial competition between the US and Europe and could be one of the most contentious sporting events around. Check out our five things you need to know to learn a little more about why there's no prize money and who could come to blows over a golf game.
Friday Night Lights
The Rock is back, who’s taking a voyage to India and uniforms fit for a superhero.
Be the bright spot this Friday by enlightening your friends with the always exciting world of sports.
Shine bright like a diamond,
The Last Night’s Game Team
NBA (NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION)
The Sacramento Kings and the Indiana Pacers are in Mumbai, India for the first ever NBA game in that country. The teams will play two preseason games in the city as part of the league’s continued efforts to take the NBA global. The league also hosted youth clinics, including one hosted by WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association) legend Ebony Hoffman for girls. Expect to see more than 3,000 children at the game as part of the Reliance Junior NBA school program. SLAM DUNK
OVERTIME
WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) makes its “SmackDown” debut on FOX tonight and they’re bringing out the big guns. Former football player and wrestler turned actor, Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson will re-enter the ring for the first time in six years. CAN YOU SMELL WHAT THE ROCK IS COOKING? A GIANT PAYDAY
SIDELINE STAT
The Tampa Bay Rays (MLB - Major League Baseball) landed a spot in the playoffs with the lowest payroll in the league. The players’ salaries slide in at $60 million in a league where the highest payroll is $200 million. The team is an underdog for so many other reasons besides payroll. They have a terrible stadium, the worst attendance in the league and yet still they thrive. They’ll play the Houston Astros in the first round of the playoffs this afternoon. THRIFTY AND THRIVING
COACHES' CORNER
A college football game to watch this weekend is Georgia Tech as they take on North Carolina. Saturday is “Cape Day” for Georgia Tech, a special day where the football team will wear uniforms that pay tribute to the brave children who battle illnesses every day at the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. The tradition has been around since 2014 and fans are encouraged to wear capes to celebrate the superhero patients at the hospital. IT’S A BIRD, A PLANE
What to watch
We’re in the midst of the WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association) finals and the series between the Washington Mystics and Connecticut Sun is tied 1-1. (Series is best of five). Keep an eye on the Connecticut Sun’s Alyssa Thomas in game three on Sunday. The all-star is so dedicated to her team and determined to win the overall title that she’s playing with a torn labrum in each shoulder. DEDICATED DAME
Score! The 5 Things You Need To Know About College Football Season
You’ll be the smartest tailgater around.
Money talks, College GameDay rocks and they’re now serving beer. Kind of.
Cue the band,
The Last Night's Game Team
1. Believe it or not, college football has been around for 150 years. It all started in front of 100 fans back in 1869 with a battle between Rutgers and New Jersey (later would become Princeton). In the 150th year, the Clemson Tigers are the defending champions and regularly play in from of home crowds of 100,000+. Their head coach Dabo Swinney is coaching in his first year under his new record-breaking 10-year, $93 million contract. MY HOW THINGS HAVE CHANGED
2. The ongoing debate in college sports is whether or not athletes should be paid. No matter what side of the argument you’re on, it allows for the universities to pay top notch coach’s salaries and build state of the art facilities to attract top talent. Case in point, LSU overhauled their locker room this year and each player gets a sleeping pod. NAPS ARE GOOD
3. While you might want to rake a head coaches’ salary, there’s no fun in that. In fact, Alabama’s head coach Nick Saban said he has no time to party and has never been to a tailgate. Don’t be boring like Nick and go to a tailgate at one of the best schools for tailgating. BREAK OUT THE BODY PAINT AND BEER PONG
4. Attendance at college football games has been on a decline. In fact, last season it was at its lowest mark in 22 years. Part of the problem is that live games are too expensive and fans can have a great experience from the comfort of their own home or a bar. (TV ratings are still strong). One lure to get butts in seats at games and maybe make a little extra cash? Alcohol. Conferences and schools across the country are lifting the ban on selling booze to general admission ticket holders. (Alcohol was typically only available previously in suites and designated luxury seats). CHEERS TO HOPING
5. We’d be remiss if we didn’t discuss the cult classic, ESPN College GameDay. It’s like Saturday morning cartoons for grownup sports fans. Each week, the show travels to the campus of the biggest game and does their report from there. It’s a perfect blend for a curious sports fan - about 65% sports and 35% screwing around and always features guest stars and famous alumni. THE E! OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Note - This weekend is what’s known as week zero of college football. There will be two games this weekend, with the big kickoff to week one of college football, which starts next Thursday. Clemson is ranked #1 in the pre-season and will again be the team to beat. SCHEDULE
Wednesday Wisdom
Can’t wait until the weekend? Here’s what everyone will be talking about this morning including a gruesome injury for an athlete on set, women giving NFL players a run for their money and a tennis player that'll have you talking. READ