Give The People What They Want

Whether you're at the office or lying on a beach somewhere during this holiday week, today's conversation starters are a universal language.

Who needs Rosetta Stone?
The Last Night's Game Team

PS – We heard you! The Sports Curious podcast is now live on iTunes, with new content every week. Tune in to be in the know because you never get a second chance at a first impression. LISTEN

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NBA (National Basketball Association)

When Hollywood is calling your name. On Friday LeBron James said peace out to the Cleveland Cavaliers and last night he said hello to the wild west. He signed a deal for $154 million over four years with the third team of his career, the Los Angeles Lakers. His new locale has some calling him LA-bron. Also interesting about the deal? The coach of the Lakers, Luke Walton, was drafted the same year as James (2003). TWITTER WENT CRAZY

Overtime

In the wake of LeBron’s signing, Lakers ticket prices have skyrocketed and all Cleveland Cavaliers fans have to look forward to next season are free TUMS, which the company will giveaway to fans to calm their heartburn from the King James rejection. ALWAYS A SILVER LINING

Sideline stat

Wimbledon starts today and the main attractions are Serena Williams and her daughter Olympia, who took some time off to visit friend Duchess Meghan Markle this weekend. The Wimbledon seeding committee used their discretionary powers to seed Williams at #25, even though she’s not among the top players in the world after her maternity leave. Who to watch on the men’s side? A #1 seeded 36-year-old Roger Federer, who hasn’t been seeded that high in a decade. SCHEDULE

Coaches’ corner

While traditional powerhouse countries like Germany, Portugal, Argentina and Spain have been eliminated from the World Cup, host country Russia has advanced. In one of the two games yesterday that came down to penalty kicks, Russia became the lowest ranked team to ever advance with their win over Spain. BUT THEY DIDN’T PARTY LIKE THE CROATIAN FANS

What to watch

In a battle for the ages, Brazil and Mexico play each other this morning in the World Cup. We’ll find out if Brazil will advance to the next round under the leadership of Neymar, the last of the notable global soccer superstars still standing after Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi’s teams were both eliminated.

5 Things You Need To Know About The Business Of The World Cup

There’s so much more to the tournament than scandals, corruption and billions in revenue, or is there?

So juicy it needs its own Neflix series,

The Last Night’s Game Team

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5 Things You Need To Know About The Business Of The World Cup

1. We don’t like to throw around stats but they’re important for this one. There’s a reason the World Cup is the world’s most watched sporting event with over 3.2 billion people (essentially half the world’s population) watching the last World Cup. The sport itself is huge. In FIFA’s (Fédération Internationale de Football Association aka International Federation of Association Football) last count, over 265 million people in the world or 4% of the world’s population participates in some form of organized soccer. BY THE NUMBERS

2. The numbers surrounding the tournament are astounding with an expected $6 billion in revenue for FIFA and a prize pool of $791 million, of which $400 million will be awarded to teams based on their performance. WHERE DOES THE REST OF THE MONEY GO?

3. Besides the bragging rights and the eyesore 18-carat gold trophy, teams are competing for some serious prize money. The teams’ national federations will take home $8 million for their team showing up and $38 million in prize money if they finish in first place, $29 million for second and $24 million for third. HOW THE PLAYERS ARE PAID

4. Russia spent over $11 billion in a total of 11 host cities to put on the World Cup. While the tournament may provide a short burst of economic growth, the long-term benefits aren’t there. When countries bid on the tournament, unlike the Olympics where a city submits a bid, they are put through an evaluation process, which some say has been dishonest. At the center of the controversy is the site of the 2022 World Cup, Qatar, which is spending $500 million a week to get ready for the tournament. MORE ON CORRUPTION

5. With this year’s host country (Russia) under sanctions, countries have had to walk a fine line when sending dignitaries to the games. For the first time in a decade, due to political disagreements, a member of England’s royal family will not be in attendance. (Prince William is the president of the Football Association, which is the governing body of football – aka soccer – in England). CONTROVERSIAL RUSSIANS BENEFITTING FROM THE GAMES

We’re just getting started

This is where we talk about the three things happening today that will make your clients clamor and your friends look at you in awe including golf hating on a legend, why it pays to play fair in the World Cup and a whole new meaning to a clean plate. READ

When I Met You In The Summer

The weather is heating up and so is the conversation. Stay cool with your newfound sports knowledge.

Own the weekend,

The Last Night’s Game Team

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World Cup

When you pledge allegiance to the flag. Despite being one of the top teams in the World Cup, Spain fired their head coach days before the tournament began in Russia. They play soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo and his talented Portuguese team today. Spanish fans might be a little conflicted because Ronaldo hails from Portugal but plays professionally in Spain for Real Madrid. Also watch for Gerard Pique, singer Shakira’s partner and baby daddy, who plays for Spain. 5 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE WORLD CUP

Overtime

Minor League baseball teams are known for their zany publicity stunts and these two are no exception. After a fan vote, a Staten Island team is changing their name to the Staten Island Pizza Rats for a few games this season, as an ode to a hungry subway rat. Not to be outdone, the St. Paul Saints will become the "Raccoons" for one game in honor of the heroic raccoon that scaled a St. Paul office building and captivated a nation earlier this week. IT’S A ZOO OUT THERE

Sideline stat

Who said diamonds were only a girl’s best friend? The Super Bowl winning Philadelphia Eagles (NFL – National Football League) received their championship rings and my how they sparkle with their 219 diamonds. Amongst the many carefully considered features, the ring has a dog mask to signify the team’s role as the ultimate underdogs in the postseason and for the first time ever, they’re inscribed with the player’s own signature. PICS

Coaches’ corner

It was a rough first day at golf’s U.S. Open Tournament. Not only was the traffic on Long Island horrendous, taking some players three hours to get to the course, but the actual golf was pretty tragic too. Tiger Woods made a veteran move, staying on his $20 million yacht near the course but that still didn’t help his game. Known for being a challenging course, Shinnecock Hills sent the players home yesterday with the highest average scores in 25 years. TRAFFIC STINKS 

What to watch

All eyes will be on Russia and Omaha, Nebraska this weekend. (We never thought we’d say that in the same sentence). The College Baseball World Series starts tomorrow and features eight college teams ranging from the defending champion Florida Gators to first-timers like the Washington Huskies. The double elimination tournament runs through June 27. SCHEDULE & TEAMS