Never A Dull Moment
The Super Bowl halftime performers announced, Tom Brady’s dad has dad jokes and the NBA is 90% vaccinated so why the controversy?
Giving you something else to talk about besides how it’s still too hot to drink pumpkin spice lattes.
Spice up your life,
The Last Night’s Game Team
NFL (National Football League)
This season's Super Bowl halftime show is a millennial's dream come true. Yesterday, the NFL announced that Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige and Kendrick Lamar would headline the halftime show during Super Bowl LVI on February 13 at SoFi Stadium, home of the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers. MF'ERS DID NOT FORGET ABOUT DRE
Overtime
The Phoenix Mercury (WNBA - Women's National Basketball Association) are getting kicked out of their house ahead of Sunday's game three in their playoff series against the Las Vegas Aces. Last week the team was forced to seek another place to play because of a concert. The team has is forced out because the arena is hosting Disney On Ice instead. Surely, Minnie disapproves of sending six all-stars to play a professional league playoff game at a university basketball arena. HOW ABOUT A LITTLE RESPECT?
Sideline stat
You’ve read the headlines about the drama surrounding the NBA’s (National Basketball Association) goal to get the entire league vaccinated. Players like LeBron James got it, and others like Kyrie Irving don’t want it. Irving is in an interesting conundrum as players who play on teams based in San Francisco (Golden State Warriors), and New York (Nets and Knicks) must be vaccinated to play in their home arenas. Visiting teams are exempt. The NBA said they will not pay players for missed games if they “elect not to comply with local vaccination mandates.” The NBA said that more than 90% of its players had received the COVID vaccine. ARMED FOR BATTLE
*For reference, the WNBA is 99% vaccinated and the NFL is 93%.
Coaches’ corner
Tom Brady heads back to his old stomping grounds on Sunday when his defending Super Bowl Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL) take on former head coach Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots. Brady has played down his return, especially after his dad's comments that he thought Tom felt "vindicated," leaving the Patriots and winning a Super Bowl with the Bucs. Brady's comedic response to his dad's comments included how his dad should know better at this point in his life, and Tom Jr. reserves the right to put him in a home against his will. DAD JOKES FOR DAY
What to watch
Things are getting exciting as we head into the last weekend of the MLB (Major League Baseball) regular season. There are four teams within one game of the American League Wild Card playoff spot - the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays. BATTER UP
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
5 Things To Know About The New Way To Bet On Sports
There’s been a lot of hype around the U.S. Supreme Court overturning a ruling on betting, but what does that mean for you, your paycheck and your state taxes?
There has been a lot of hype around the U.S. Supreme Court overturning a ruling on betting, but what does that mean for you, your paycheck and your state taxes?
Going all in,
The Last Night’s Game Team
Where were we? Before the ruling, if you wanted to place a bet on the outcome of an individual game it was illegal in all states, besides Nevada. The key word is individual games as other states had sports betting. Despite it being illegal to bet on individual games everywhere except Nevada, over $4.7 billion was bet on the Super Bowl - 97% illegally.
What does that mean for the cash burning a hole in my pocket? It will take some time for this to flush out. Much like legalizing marijuana, betting on individual games is determined at the state level. There are six states that are already working on laws to start operating. New Jersey is leading the pack, planning to take legal bets by Memorial Day, with other states hoping to get everything in place in time for the start of football season (Sept). WHY MARK CUBAN IS A BIG FAN
Everyone is looking to get a piece of the pie including professional teams that are hoping to drive attendance. Look no further than across the pond where many European sports stadiums have betting stations inside so you can bet while at the game. Adding live betting could help increase attendance at sporting events.
When we say everyone wants a piece of the pie, you didn’t think Uncle Sam wouldn’t be standing in line for a slice. Remember, winnings are taxable (provided the bet is legally placed). While those taxes may seem like a great revenue generator, don’t hold your breath. Sports betting revenue is a drop in the bucket for Nevada where it accounts for only two percent of the state’s gambling revenue. TAX ME
Ready to go all in? Here’s where your state stands as it relates to being able to place a bet on an individual game. Curious how to bet? Here’s our Five Things To Know About Sports Betting.
The trifecta to get you through your day
Keep up on the office chatter with today’s hot topics including why peeing in a cup could be hazardous to your baseball career, is P. Diddy the newest owner of a football team and which team literally won the lottery? READ