Talk Sporty To Me
How players are opting out of the football season, busy weekend at the maternity ward and a crappy day of golf.
Talking about something other than politics has never been so easy.
And way less controversial,
The Last Night’s Game Team
NFL (National Football League)
It may seem like NFL players are dropping like ahead of the 2020-2021 season, even though the season doesn’t start until September, but why? Players have until Thursday, August 6 to make a decision if they’re going to stay or go for the upcoming season. If they opt out of the season for a COVID-related medical reason, they will receive a salary advance of $350,000. If it’s a non-medical reason, they’ll receive $150,000. A PERSONAL DECISION
Overtime
We’ve all had those days where your job simply stinks. Enter in European golfer Joel Sjöholm who was forced to take a boat to get to his poorly hit ball. He hit his ball onto an island covered with metal signs, trees and debris but he opted to jump in a little boat to get there and forage through the obstacles to get to his ball. Luckily for us, a camera captured the whole thing. THAT'S COMMITMENT
Sideline stat
It was a busy weekend at the maternity ward for your favorite sports figures. Former wrestlers (WWE – World Wrestling Entertainment) the Bella Twins, each welcomed a baby boy one day apart. Then MLB’s (Major League Baseball’s) MVP Mike Trout and his wife also welcomed a baby boy, Beckham Aaron Trout. Is it a coincidence that the baby’s initials spell BAT? Probably not. WELCOME TO THE WORLD
Coaches’ corner
LSU (Louisiana State University) players had a chance to try out the new “splash shields” that college football players will wear on their helmets to help prevent the spread of COVID. Needless to say, they were not fans with one player describing it as “playing in a Ziplock bag.” Regardless, it seems as these shields will be an integral part the sport this fall. ALTHOUGH BREATHING ALSO SEEMS ESSENTIAL
What to watch
A group of PAC-12 (a college athletic conference) football players are threatening to boycott the season if their concerns around player safety and racial injustice are addressed. Key points include eligibility if they opt out due to COVID concerns, a social justice task force and keeping existing sports by cutting pay to coaches and administrators. STAY TUNED
Happening this week
August 5-6: MLS (Major League Soccer) Semifinals
August 6-9: PGA Championship - the first of three majors this season for the PGA (Professional Golfers Association)
August 7: Deadline for NFL players to opt out of upcoming season.
5 Things To Know About The Big Business Of College Football
Even though college football players can’t earn a salary, college football is big money. How big? You’ll find out.
Even though college football players can’t earn a salary, college football is big money. How big? You’ll find out.
That’s what he said,
The Last Night’s Game Team
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Five Things To Know About The Big Business Of College Football
1. The “power five conferences” (ACC, Big 10, Big 12, Pac 12, SEC) bring in considerable revenue, mostly due to lucrative TV deals. The SEC (Southeastern Conference) alone brought in $311 million from TV/radio rights for the 2014-2015 regular season.
2. Sponsorships are an additional source of revenue. Last year, the University of Michigan signed a deal with Jordan, a Nike brand. The deal runs through 2027 with an option to go to 2031. If it runs its full course, the school will pocket a minimum of $173 million that includes $85 million in Nike apparel/products.
3. While the schools are bringing in bank, the players are not. They can receive a cost of attendance stipend from the school, which is intended to help with outside school expenses (food, gas, etc). During their college career, they are not allowed to use their athletic ability, name or school name to make money. This is an ongoing debate and if you’d like to read more, this is a great article.
4. Athletes may not be able to be compensated financially but conferences are getting creative, providing covered medical expenses for injured athletes after they leave school and lifetime scholarships to sweeten the deal.
5. College head coaches make as much if not more than most NFL (National Football League) head coaches. The highest coaching salary in the NFL is $9 M. The top three highest paid coaches in college are:
Nick Saban (Alabama Crimson Tide) $11.12 M
Jim Harbaugh (Michigan Wolverines) $7 M
Urban Meyer (Ohio State Buckeyes) $6 M
Don’t worry most college coaches’ salaries come out of ticket sales and TV contracts, not tuition.
But wait, there's more.
Want more of what’s happening right now in sports to chat up your colleagues? Here’s the three things you need to know for today.
