Sun Goes Down
The Calm app is putting their money where their (tennis) Zen is, Lakers are out of the playoffs and a Floyd Mayweather-Logan Paul fight preview.
Make a connection on a long summer night with a little sports chatter that can easily be turned into a conversation about travel (hello French Open), tech (thanks Calm app) or YouTube videos (gracias Logan Paul).
Did someone say travel?
The Last Night’s Game Team
Tennis
The Calm app is putting their money where their Zen is. After the uproar about Naomi Osaka missing press conferences and then subsequently dropping out of the tournament to take care of her mental health, the Calm app is stepping in. They announced that they would pay the fines for players who decide to skip their press conferences at the French Open. (Osaka’s fines were $15,000). Keep an eye on Serena Williams (No. 7) as she plays in the third round this morning against a fellow American in an unranked Danielle Rose Collins. SMOOTH MOVE
Overtime
You know you were curious how much it would cost you to see YouTube star Logan Paul go head to head in the ring with boxing legend Floyd Mayweather. For the price of $49.99, you can watch one of the best in boxing (likely) knockout his opponent in Miami. As you might recall, these two have been drumming up the buzz around the fight with Paul and his brother hiring round-the-clock security to protect them from Mayweather’s entourage. The fight is non-sanctioned, aka an exhibition fight, so there won’t be judges, but knockouts will be allowed. THE PRICE IS RIGHT TO GET PUNCHED IN THE FACE
Sideline stat
For the first time in his career, LeBron James is out of the playoffs in the first round. The defending champion Los Angeles Lakers were knocked out of the playoffs last night by the Phoenix Suns (NBA - National Basketball Association). Even after dropping 46 points on them, James still met up with Devin Booker, Kendall Jenner's boyfriend, postgame to give him his signed jersey. (Jersey exchanges are tradition). ONWARD AND UPWARD
Coaches’ corner
The Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) starts its season today. They are currently the only outdoor professional lacrosse league in the country after buying their competitor, the 20-year-old Major League Lacrosse. The PLL has disrupted the traditional sports business model with a tour-based league (i.e., no home cities) and no team owners (more money to pay players). They’re also providing a vesting schedule to give players equity in the league. (Want to know more about lacrosse? Check out our lacrosse 101). NEW(ISH) KID ON CAMPUS
What to watch…
...Michelle Wie West as she makes her comeback after being absent from competitive golf for two years. In those two years, she’s added wife (married to the NBA’s Jerry West’s son) and mom to her list of accomplishments, all while overcoming major injuries. Wie West will be joining her fellow LPGA (Ladies Professional Golfers Association) players in the U.S. Open this weekend. WELCOME BACK
Just The Way You Like It
Lakers are champs, a vegan pup who inspired a win and “The Bachelorette” premieres tomorrow thanks to LeBron James
Bringing you the hard-hitting news you want like a vegan pup and why you should thank LeBron James for filling your Bachelorette void.
Monday morning done right,
The Last Night’s Game Team
NBA (National Basketball Association)
“The Bachelorette” fans can all breathe a sigh of relief this morning because the show will premiere tomorrow night thanks to the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers destroyed the Miami Heat last night to earn their 17th championship. It was bittersweet for the team as this is the first championship since Kobe Bryant won it in 2010. If the series made it to game seven, fans would’ve had to wait until another day to watch Clare search for love on TV. LeBron James and his teammates must have been a fan of the show too because they locked it down in true championship fashion. (Don’t forget to fill out your Bachelorette bracket). CELEBRATIONS ALL AROUND
Overtime
Even at 48 years old Shaquille O’Neal still has things he’s never done before – like vote. The NBA Hall of Famer and basketball analyst revealed that he voted for the first time in this year’s election. This week on his podcast he said "I voted for the first time, and it feels good.” He said he never really understood how the system worked but now that he’s involved in various campaigns encouraging people to vote that he felt like a hypocrite not casting his ballot. YOUR VOTE COUNTS
Sideline stat
Formula One (F1) driver Lewis Hamilton, 35, tied the record for career wins yesterday his 91st career victory. No doubt his biggest fan (and maybe fitness inspiration?), his Insta-famous dog Roscoe, who recently went vegan to heal his aches and pains, was oozing with pride. PUP-TASTIC
Coaches’ corner
Yesterday in the NFL (National Football League) we saw quarterback Alex Smith make his triumphant return to the field for the Washington Football Team. Smith suffered a horrific leg injury back in 2018 that almost claimed his life. Even though his team didn’t win, it was a huge victory for him after his long, emotional journey back.
While it was a great day for Smith it was a really rough day for Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dax Prescott who was carted off the field with a season ending dislocated ankle and a compound fracture. This will be the first time in his four-year career that he has missed a game. GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS
What to watch
We’re down to four teams in the MLB (Major League Baseball) playoffs and things are getting spicy with a showdown between the two teams that are undefeated in the playoffs, Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves. On the other side, the Tampa Bay Rays and Houston Astros are battling it out for a spot to play in the World Series. BATTER UP
Celebrating Kobe Bryant Day
Celebrating the girl dad whose legacy will impact generations today, 8/24, Kobe Bryant Day.
Yesterday would’ve been Kobe Bryant’s 42nd birthday and today is officially “Kobe Bryant Day.” Bryant wore the numbers 8 and 24, so it’s only logical to recognize the legend that we lost too soon today.
Be fearless,
The Last NIght’s Game Team
MLB (Major League Baseball)
Kobe Bryant was a huge Los Angeles Dodgers fan. He once announced the Dodgers' starting lineup for game four of the 2018 World Series. The team sported Bryant’s jersey yesterday before the game and both his number and his daughter Gianna’s jersey numbers were prominently featured on the pitcher’s mound. Gianna Bryant died alongside her father and seven others in a helicopter crash in January 2020. LEGENDS LOST
Overtime
He was a man who wasn’t perfect, but never claimed to be. He was one of the best in the history of the game and inspired generations of basketball players, athletes and go-getters around the world. It showed with the plethora of touching (and sometimes tear evoking) tributes from his friends and family yesterday. Nike released a Bryant tribute video yesterday, narrated by rapper Kendrick Lamar, that’ll give you goosebumps. WATCH IT HERE
Sideline stat
Nike has declared this week “Mamba Week.” (Bryant’s nickname was Black Mamba). As part of the tribute, they will donate $1 million to the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation, which "exists to further Kobe and Gianna Bryant’s legacy through charitable endeavors in sports," and includes introducing more girls to basketball and elevating female coaches. Nike is also releasing five pairs of the Lakers’ legend’s signature shoes. FIRST BUT NOT THE LAST
Coaches’ corner
Bryant was a man of many talents. He was raised in Italy and spoke three different languages. He would occasionally pick up another, like Slovak, to talk trash. Once, he wanted to learn how to play the piano for his wife but instead of hiring a piano teacher, which was the easy way out, he taught himself. He put on headphones and listened to Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata" on repeat until he perfected it. WHAT COULDN’T HE DO?