It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere
Spice up the sports-related small talk before the sun goes down.
Spice up the sports-related small talk before the sun goes down.
Make it a double,
The Last Night's Game Team
NBA (National Basketball Association)
When you’re so good that details aren’t important. For the first pick in the NBA draft, the Phoenix Suns selected Deandre Ayton from the University of Arizona. Ayton had a big few days, first joining Jimmy Fallon and fellow draft prospects in a 90s themed skit. Not to be outdone, he was another athlete to fall victim to not reading a sponsored social media post before tweeting it. TWEET FAIL
When you have a fashion moment you regret. The newest members of the NBA attempted to emulate fashionable veterans LeBron James and Russell Westbrook at their big debut. Not only did University of Oklahoma’s Trae Young, who was the fifth player drafted, show up in a maroon suit…with shorts (maybe he couldn’t find pants that were long enough)? but the night’s fashion included jackets lined with logos, “Black Panther” inspired Gucci and a grandma inspired suit coat. DRAFT FASHION
Overtime
TV personality and chef, Ayesha Curry, wife of Golden State Warriors (NBA) star Steph Curry, is opening a new restaurant in Houston much to the dismay of some Houstonians. Still bitter that the Warriors knocked their Houston Rockets out of the playoffs, fans took to Yelp to rip apart the restaurant before it even opened, posting over 550 reviews. SPOUSAL SUPPORT
Sideline stat
Superstar Lionel Messi couldn’t save his once favored Argentina from a World Cup loss to Croatia yesterday. Their 3-0 loss could make it hard for his team to make it out of the first round, depending on today’s Iceland vs. Nigeria game. WHAT A MESSI
On the other hand, Messi’s rival, Cristiano Ronaldo is having a stellar World Cup, setting the European record for international goals scored in his team’s win over Morocco yesterday. SCORE
Coaches’ corner
Rules were made to be broken at least for one reporter. The NBA frowns upon insiders releasing draft picks before they’re announced. An ESPN reporter found a way to get creative with the way he revealed who teams would be selecting, using phrases on Twitter like the teams have “zoned in on,” “grown comfortable with,” or “focused in on” a certain player. SAME SAME BUT DIFFERENT
The 5 Things You Need To Know About The World Cup
Nearly half of the world’s population watched the last World Cup, which happens every four years. Therefore, the topic of soccer is going to be unavoidable for the next month.
Nearly half of the world’s population watched the last World Cup, which happens every four years. Therefore, the topic of soccer is going to be unavoidable for the next month.
If you can’t beat 'em, join 'em,
The Last Night’s Game Team
The Five Things You Need To Know About The World Cup
1. Starting tomorrow and for the next month, the world’s eyes will be on Russia as they host the best 32 teams in the world in their fight for the global title. Not in the battle? A team from Italy and the U.S. It has been 60 years since the Italians failed to qualify for the World Cup and 32 years for the Americans. BUT WHY?
2. FOX paid over $400 million for the broadcasting rights for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup. Despite shelling out that cash, 8 of the 12 broadcasters will be calling games from a studio in Los Angeles, not live from Russia. Guess they forgot to include funds for a travel budget? On the bright side, Aly Wagner will become the first woman to call a men’s World Cup soccer game. KUDOS ALY
3. With the United States out of the tournament, who should you cheer for? How about Team Iceland? They’re the smallest country to ever qualify for the men’s World Cup (population 330,000), it’s their first time ever playing in a World Cup AND their coach was a dentist up until two years ago, so give it up for the underdog. (Not to be confused with the under bite – obligatory dentist joke). WHO TO ROOT FOR
4. Three of the best soccer players in the world also happen to be three of the highest paid athletes on earth, but what’s the one thing they all have in common besides big bank accounts? No World Cup trophy. You can catch Lionel Messi (Team Argentina - #2 in the world in getting paid), Cristano Ronaldo (Team Portugal - #3) and Neymar (Team Brazil - #5) as they fight for the one thing they can’t buy. LAST CHANCE
5. The host team automatically qualifies for the tournament so Russia is in. What’s also in right now in Russia? Smiling. Apparently workers who will interact with the influx of tourist (ex. train workers) have been learning how to smile in hopes of dispelling the stigma that Russians aren’t friendly. SAY CHEESE
Bonus: Announced this morning – a joint bid by Canada, Mexico and the United States to host the 2026 World Cup has been successful. Canada and Mexico will host 10 of the games and the U.S. will host 60. MORE
Let’s talk about today
Living life in the present? Here’s what everyone is bantering about over their bacon this morning including an epic championship day, a scholarship surprise and they spent how much on booze in the past week? READ
5 Sporting Events To Get Excited About In June
Forget June gloom! This month is filled with sports action that’ll get you off your feet and into the conversation.
Forget June gloom! This month is filled with sports action that’ll get you off your feet and into the conversation.
Ready for summertime socializing,
The Last Night’s Game Team
Five Sporting Events To Get Excited About In June
1. Normally we get to the Belmont Stakes, the third race in the quest for the Triple Crown, and we have nothing to be excited about. Not this year! On Saturday, Justify hopes to become the 13th horse in history to win the Triple Crown. If that’s not enough, watch for Gronkowski (a horse named for and partially owned by New England Patriots’ Rob Gronkowski – NFL – National Football League) to add a little entertainment. BUT WILL THERE BE HATS?
2. The world’s biggest sporting event, the World Cup, starts June 14 in Russia. Over 3.2 billion (yes billion) watched the last World Cup, which happens every four years. With Team U.S.A. out, watch for Lionel Messi (Argentina) and Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) to make a run for the trophy but don’t count out underdog team Iceland, making their first ever appearance in the World Cup. SCHEDULE
3. The biggest names in golf will hit the links in Southampton for the U.S. Open on June 14. Known as the “toughest test in golf,” big names like Tiger Woods, who docked his $20 million yacht in the Hamptons for the tournament, will be competing. While Woods is a household name, keep an eye out for cancer survivor and full-time NHL (National Hockey League) referee, Garrett Rank, who qualified this week to play in the tournament.
4. Since the summer isn’t hot enough, why not play a little baseball outside in the humidity in Nebraska? Omaha is the mecca for college baseball and the College Baseball World Series starts there on June 16. While the eight teams battle it out, fans will fight to keep their balls, their beach balls that is. The long-standing tradition has been banned from the stadium but that won't stop them. HEY BATTER BATTER
5. Wrap up the end of the month by watching college athletes put their livelihood on the line in hopes of being chosen in the NBA (National Basketball Association) draft on June 21. Players must be out of high school for one year to be eligible and collegiate athletes that go undrafted cannot go back to school to play. Talk about all or nothing. MORE
Not interested in the future? Let's talk about today.
Here’s the buzz on what’s happening today including the latest list of highest paid athletes and some familiar faces are missing, the sports books are finally open in one state and what’s Dennis Rodman’s new job? (Hint – it’s kind of important so fingers crossed that he doesn’t dress in drag). READ