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
Real Talk
It’s true, Monday is overrated. Although making a connection with a client or your boss through sports is not.
It’s true, Monday is overrated. Although making a connection with a client or your boss through sports is not.
It’s yours for the taking,
The Last Night’s Game Team
Wimbledon
A Monday is still a Monday. Yesterday was “The People’s Sunday,” a day off for everyone at Wimbledon. They’re back at it today, which is known as “Manic Monday,” where everyone who is still in the tournament plays including favorites Roger Federer and Serena Williams. Over the weekend, Williams revealed she missed her daughter’s first steps because she was training for Wimbledon. REAL TALK
Overtime
The Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB – Major League Baseball) saluted a hero dog whose story went viral. Todd saved his owner from a rattlesnake attack by taking one on the nose. The pup received a hero’s welcome and in case you’re wondering, Todd has recovered from the bite and is as cute as could be. PICS
Sideline stat
And then there were four. The excitement of the World Cup has come to a head with the semifinals this week and the final on Sunday. France will take on Belgium on Tuesday and Wednesday brings us England vs. Croatia. A few English fans took their weekend victory over Sweden a little too far, storming and trashing an IKEA while singing their World Cup anthem, “It’s Coming Home.” THIS IS WHY WE CAN’T HAVE NICE THINGS
Coaches’ corner
Extreme sports star and daredevil Travis Pastrana recreated three of Evel Knievel’s iconic stunts in Las Vegas yesterday, including the Caesar’s Palace fountain jump that nearly killed Knievel 50 years ago. While wearing Knievel style-attire, Pastrana nailed all the stunts like a champion and celebrated with a swim in the famed casino’s fountains. IF YOU THOUGHT YOUR WEEKEND WAS ROUGH
What to watch for
The names of the players for the MLB All-Star Game have been announced. The Houston Astros, Cleveland Indians and Boston Red Sox lead the way with five players each. There’s still time to vote to complete the rosters. The game is on July 17 in Washington, D.C., home of the Washington Nationals. VOTE
5 Reasons You Should Get Excited About The NBA and NHL Finals
It’s a pretty exciting time with two major sports championships happening at the same time. Here’s what you need to know.
It’s a pretty exciting time with two major sports championships happening at the same time. Here’s what you need to know.
Let’s get right to it,
The Last Night’s Game Team
5 Reasons You Should Get Excited About The NBA and NHL Finals
1. If you’re having déjà vu over the NBA (National Basketball Association) finals, you're not the only one. This is the fourth straight meeting of the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors in the finals, with the Warriors taking home two championships to the Cavs one. HISTORY
2. Here’s something you don’t hear often, LeBron James and his Cavs are the clear underdogs (especially at the sportsbooks). James is the only Cavs player to play in all four matchups against the Warriors and is playing in his eighth consecutive finals. Think about what you were doing in 2010 (it wasn’t playing on Instagram because it hasn’t been invented yet). That was the last time James was not in the NBA finals.
3. While the NBA finals are a matchup of familiar foes, the battle for the Stanley Cup (NHL – National Hockey League) is the most unlikely scenario featuring the Vegas Golden Knights, in their first year as an expansion team, and the Washington Capitals, who have never won the cup and haven’t been in the finals in 20 years. A GUIDE TO THE FINALS
4. The pregame ceremony before a Golden Knights game is pure Vegas-style and is a must see. Not only is it a who’s who of celebrities but anything can happen and it does during the pregame on the ice. (A live tiger, fire or Lil Jon? No problem). Fans are not only tuning in for the entertainment but for great hockey with game one already setting record TV ratings. A DIFFERENT KIND OF PREGAME
5. The Golden Knights are the first expansion team to reach the finals in 40 years. The team’s roster is made up of “misfits,” as they call themselves, who were selected from the other 30 NHL teams in a draft. (Want to know more about how the team came together? Here’s a quick video explanation). At the beginning of the season, the odds were 500-1 that the Golden Knights would win the Stanley Cup. If you would have bet $10 on the team then, you could be the proud owner of $5,000, if they win. Coulda, shoulda, woulda. PLACE YOUR BETS
- The NBA finals start Thursday night and game two of the quest for the Stanley Cup is tonight in Vegas. (The Golden Knights are up 1-0). Both series are best-of-seven games.
It just keeps coming
Want to keep the conversation going today? Here’s some fodder for your friends, including Serena’s superhero look, why you should never make a bet with the Twittersphere and when you get busted on social media. READ