Lights, Camera, Action
Soccer stands up to racism, the swine that's having a good time and who’s shotgunning beers on spring break. Hint: It’s the “old” guy.
No need to be quiet on set, this is exactly what you need to join in on the sports conversation.
Fearless,
The Last Night’s Game Team
SOCCER
Tackling the issue of racism in their sport, professional footballers (i.e. soccer players) in England and Wales are boycotting social media today for 24 hours as part of the #Enough campaign. After multiple high profile incidents, players are saying enough is enough. They hope this is the first step in “stronger action to be taken by social networks and footballing authorities in response to racist abuse both on and off the pitch (field)." STAND UP FOR WHAT’S RIGHT
Overtime
The NHL playoffs are nearing the end of the first round and it only seems fitting in the year of the pig that Hamilton the pig is the good luck charm for the Carolina Hurricanes. Although he’s not allowed in the arena, the swine that was adopted from a farm has been a mainstay at the pregame tailgates that led to a Hurricane win. SWEET SWINE
Sideline stat
3.5 seconds…the number of seconds it takes NASCAR’s (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) Clint Bowyer, 39, to shotgun a beer. With NASCAR on “spring break,” driver Clint Bowyer shows his need for speed by shotgunning a beer with fellow driver Kyle Larson’s wife. The two were on a mission to shame retired driver (and retired partier) Dale Earnhardt Jr. FAST AND FURIOUS
Coaches’ corner
Time Magazine released its Top 100 Most Influential People list and it of course includes familiar athletes like LeBron James, soccer’s Mohammed Salah, Tiger Woods and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. But this year for the first time ever, nearly half of the list is made up of women. Of the 48 women who made the list, Alex Morgan (Team U.S.A. Soccer) and Naomi Osaka (tennis) are representing women in sports. TIMELESS
Poppin' Bottles
Celebrate your sports savviness and the fact that it's Friday by breaking open the bubbly.
Celebrate your sports savviness and the fact that it's Friday by breaking open the bubbly.
It’s never too early,
The Last Night’s Game team
NFL (National Football League)
When you’ve weighed all your options. The schedule for the 2018-2019 NFL season has been released. The schedule isn’t just thrown together, it’s a carefully thought out process that involves mapping out holidays, Beyoncé concerts and shared parking facilities. And you thought it was hard to find a time to have a drink with a few friends. SCHEDULE
When there's never enough time in the day. The NFL is giving its fans the gift of time. Fans can rejoice because the start time for primetime games (i.e. night games) have been moved up this season. Okay, so it’s not a lot of time saved but Sunday night games will start 10 minutes earlier than last season and Monday night football, 15 minutes earlier. MORE
Overtime
Zlatan Ibrahimovic arrived last month in Los Angeles to play for the L.A. Galaxy (MLS - Major League Soccer) with his giant ego in tow. Ibrahimovic was a star player for Manchester United and greeted L.A. with a newspaper ad saying "Los Angeles, You're welcome." Now settling into LaLa Land, you might assume he'd like to meet up with fellow celebrities? Think again. When asked who he'd like to meet the most he said, “Me. I don’t want to meet nobody, they want to meet me.” Well then. READ
Sideline stat
The annual Time's 100 Most Influential list is out and while it’s full of big names, there are quite a few athletes that have landed on this list. The list recognizes activism and achievements of those in influential roles. On the list - Kevin Durant (Golden State Warriors – NBA – National Basketball League), J.J. Watt (Houston Texans - NFL), Roger Federer (Tennis) and Olympians Adam Rippon and Chloe Kim. LIST
Coaches’ corner
Yesterday, the Miami Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars (both NFL teams) released their new uniforms for the upcoming season. The Jaguars took their big announcement a step further and revealed they're also opening the first dog park in an NFL stadium this season. Who says cats and dogs can't get along?
What to watch for
Sunday is Earth Day and here are five intriguing ways the sports industry is leading the charge in going green to share with your friends over a sustainable, organic mimosa at brunch. (Hint: one team even went vegan). READ
The Rundown - How ‘Bout Them Apples?
Dinner parties, a hot date, vacation getaway, farmer’s market…whatever your weekend has in store for you, we have what everyone’s talking about so you can enjoy a blissful, awkward moment-free weekend.
How ‘bout them apples?
The Last Night’s Game Team
PGA (Professional Golfers’ Association)
- Sad kitty. Tiger Woods announced he recently had his fourth back surgery to alleviate ongoing pain. With his last victory in 2013, it’s doubtful that we will ever see him dominate again but here’s to hoping.
NFL (National Football League)
- Fancy some international travel? The 2017 regular season schedule was released on Thursday. The regular season will kick off on Thursday, September 7th at the home of the Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots. As part of the NFL’s strategy to develop an international fan base, 10 teams will play regular season games in London or Mexico City.
Tennis
- Acing pregnancy. Tennis star Serena Williams will soon have another title, Mom. She announced via snapchat that she is 20 weeks pregnant, meaning she won the Australian Open while roughly nine weeks pregnant. The record-breaking tennis player is taking the rest of the season off. Williams is engaged to the co-founder of the website Reddit.
Overtime
- Time Magazine released its list of the “Top 100 Most Influential People” but the list isn’t simply for tech company presidents and world leaders. There are quite a few athletes on the list including gold medal winning gymnast, Simone Biles, former San Francisco 49ers quarterback (NFL), Colin Kaepernick and UFC Champion (Ultimate Fighting Championship), Conor McGregor. For a complete list and to find out why they made the cut, click here.
Sideline stat
- Yet another country crooner sings the national anthem before the Nashville Predators playoff game and yet another win for the Predators. Luke Bryan sang the Predators (#8) to a win over the Chicago Blackhawks (#1). Now they will advance to the next round of the playoffs.
For the first time in NHL history, a No. 8 seed swept a No. 1 seed in the first round of the playoffs. (FYI - Carrie Underwood’s husband Mike Fisher plays for the Predators).
Coaches’ corner
- What does it mean for a team to “sweep” a series? Sadly no, that doesn’t mean the team learned how to clean. A sweep means one team won every game in the series. Fans are known to bring brooms to the game when their team is on the verge of a sweep. Finally a good use for that thing!