Oh, It’s On
Be 4th of July ready. Barstool Sports takes NIL to a new level, the 2nd highest-paid athlete in the world needs a job and 75 hot dogs in 10 mins - GO!
This Friday, we’re bringing you everything you need to be set up for small talk success poolside or at your Fourth Of July barbeque.
Going all out,
The Last Night’s Game Team
Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest
After no fans last year (and an awkwardly quiet competition), the crowd might be just what the competitors need to defeat the 13-time hot dog eating champion, Joey Chestnut. Although, a Chestnut defeat is unlikely as he’s the obvious favorite after beating his own record last year by eating 75 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes The women’s champion Miki Sudo won’t be there to defend her championship as she’s pregnant with her first child, so the door is wide open for a new winner. We talk more about a “Roman Incident” and other hot dog eating traditions that would make our founding fathers so proud in this week’s podcast. DON’T SIT IN THE SPLASH ZONE
Overtime
You haven’t been able to turn on the news over the past few days without hearing about NIL (name, image and likeness) for college athletes. The NCAA announced that as of yesterday, July 1, college athletes could profit from their NIL.
A few athletes took advantage of this change from the word go. Twin women’s basketball players from Fresno State, Haley and Hanna Cavinder, who have over three million followers on TikTok already signed a deal with Boost Mobile. Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler said that he’d use this opportunity to donate a portion of what he makes to charity. One athlete, Addie Halverson, a volleyball player from Jacksonville State, reached out to Barstool Sports to see what it would take to be a "Barstool Athlete," and they've now set up a whole program to support these athletes. MONEY IN THE BANK
Sideline stat
Chris Paul has played in the NBA (National Basketball Association) for 16 years and never made it to the NBA finals until now. He and his Phoenix Suns punched their ticket to the finals Wednesday night. In his postgame interview, he talked about how he writes the words “can’t give up now” on his shoes every game. The inspiration came from a Mary Mary song. Paul, who you’ll recognize from his State Farm commercials, took a risk with the Suns - a team that hasn’t made it to the finals since 1993. AT LAST
Coaches’ corner
Though COVID restrictions are still tight in Canada, the Quebec government is allowing 3,500 fans to attend tonight’s game as the Montreal Canadiens take on the sending champion Tampa Bay Lightning in the quest for their first Stanley Cup since 1993. In case you're wondering, the Lightning are up 2-0 in the series. BE THERE OR BE SQUARE
Get Your Game Face On
College football bowl game season and “The Bachelorette” go head-to-head, the playoffs are set and hockey season is happening.
Refine your wrapping skills and sharpen your tongue - it’s party time.
Game on,
The Last Night’s Game Team
College Football
We don’t want to jinx it but after a season of highs and lows, it looks like we will be able to crown a college football champion. We now know that Alabama (No. 1) will take on Notre Dame (No. 4) and Clemson (No. 2) will face off against Ohio State (No. 3) on January 1 in the playoffs. ‘Bama and the Irish were supposed to play in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena but due to California’s COVID regulations that prohibit fans from attending, the game has been moved to AT&T Stadium in Dallas. KICK OFF 2021
overtime
It’s been a rough year for Vanessa Bryant who lost her husband, basketball legend Kobe Bryant, and her daughter Gianna in a helicopter accident in January. Now her mom is suing her claiming that she, Sofia Laine, was an unpaid “longtime personal assistant and nanny” and that Kobe “promised to take care of” her “for the rest of her life.” Laine is seeking back pay for all of the hours she’s worked over the years helping out and taking care of her grandchildren at the rate of $96/hour. In addition she is seeking “$5 million, a house and a Mercedes SUV.” In a statement to Us Weekly, Bryant said that Laine “has spiraled out of control” and is “continuing to try and find ways to extort a financial windfall from our family.” AND YOU THOUGHT YOUR HOLIDAYS WERE CONTENTIOUS
Sideline stat
The New York Jets (National Football League) secured their first win of the season but it was bad news for the team. Why? With the win, they lost their grip on the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft which would presumably be used on Clemson’s quarterback Trevor Lawrence. In other shocking NFL news, for the first time in 11 years, the New England Patriots will miss out on the playoffs. BETTER LUCK NEXT YEAR
Coaches’ corner
Tiger and Charlie Woods had fans swooning while playing together at the PNC Championship (golf). While the father and son combo didn’t win, their twinning was a win in our book with the matching fist pumps to their traditional “Sunday Red.” Charlie is the youngest player to every play in the tournament. THE APPLE DOESN’T FALL FAR FROM THE TREE
What to watch
College Football Bowl Season starts today. There aren’t nearly as many games as usual with games being cancelled and teams dropping out but regardless, there’s plenty of football to watch during “The Bachelorette” commercial breaks. (Don’t forget to set your brackets)! SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
Also, the NBA (National Basketball Association) regular season begins tomorrow.
One Giant Leap For Mankind
Making history even before coffee with who’s leaving the U.S. for good, what astronauts have to do with football and a new champion is crowned.
Jumping into the weekend and making history at the same time.
Yaaas!
The Last Night’s Game Team
PS – A huge congratulations to the Washington Mystics on their first WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association) championship title.
Soccer
For the first time in 40 years, and after pressure from world governing body FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) and women's rights campaigners, women were allowed to attend a men’s soccer match in Iran. Tickets sold out in minutes for the FIFA World Cup qualifying match between Iran and Cambodia. The home team won 14-0. EVERYONE WINS
Overtime
Halloween will come a bit early for the Purdue University football team. This weekend they’ll be wearing all white uniforms that mimic an astronaut suit as part of their moon-themed uniforms. Why you ask? It’s because Purdue has produced the most astronauts out of any school not affiliated with the U. S. Military. TO INFINITY AND BEYOND
Sideline stat
Former U.S. Open Champion and #3 ranked tennis player in the world, Naomi Osaka, is giving up her U.S. citizenship to play tennis for Japan in next year’s Olympics. The two-time Grand Slam champion’s mother is from Japan and father is from Haiti. SAYANORA ‘MERICA
Coaches’ corner
Set your alarm clock because early Sunday morning the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers play in London. This is the second NFL (National Football League) game in two weeks in England, which is all part of the league’s efforts to build an international fan base. The Brits will get a look at early MVP candidate Christian McCaffrey (Panthers running back). BUT WILL BABY ARCHIE BE IN ATTENDANCE?
What to watch
There are some big college football matchups this weekend but one rivalry that spans generations is the showdown between the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners. In its 115th year, the “Red River Rivalry” takes place on neutral territory at the Texas State Fair and will feature a battle between two of the best quarterbacks in the game – Jalen Hurts (Oklahoma) and Sam Ehlinger (Texas). TELL ME MORE