Do I Know You From Somewhere?
No Tinder dates in the NBA bubble, why LeBron and the Dodgers are teaming up and college championships are cancelled.
There’s something so satisfying about being the one who knows just what to say to get the weekend conversation started.
Did you hear the story about….
The Last Night’s Game Team
College Sports
With a handful of conferences cancelling their fall sports, the NCAA (the governing body for college sports) had no choice but to cancel fall championships. This includes championships for men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s cross country, women’s field hockey and women’s volleyball. The Board of Governors has a requirement that states that 50% of schools need to play to hold the postseason. There’s hope to revisit the championships in the spring. UNPREDICTABLE
Overtime
We all know that leagues have implemented the “bubble” scenario to keep players and staff safe. While the NFL (National Football League) doesn’t have an official bubble, some teams are putting their players and staff up in a hotel to create one. Enter in Seattle Seahawks rookie Kemah Siverand, who was cut from the team after he snuck a woman into the team hotel. She was dressed in Seahawks gear in an attempt to look like a member of the team. (Aren’t you curious to know if she was wearing a helmet, jersey and shoulder pads? Us too). The NFL season is scheduled start on time on September 10. TIME TO LOOK FOR ANOTHER JOB
Sideline stat
The biggest story out of the NBA (National Basketball Association) bubble isn’t the fact that the San Antonio Spurs missed the playoffs for the first time in 22 years or the play-in games happening this weekend for the final two spots in the playoffs. It’s that family will be able to join players in the bubble after the first round of the playoffs. The NBA made the rules very clear on who can enter the bubble. Yes – up to four family/longstanding friends (exceptions made on this number for children). No – Your Tinder date (rules specifically state it can’t be someone you’re meeting for the first time), massage therapist, personal chef or tattoo artist. Regardless, everyone new will need to quarantine for approximately seven days before entering the bubble. FAMILY FRIENDLY
Coaches’ corner
They may compete in different sports but the Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB - Major League Baseball) and Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James (NBA) will play together in November. The two teamed up, along with James’ organization “More Than A Vote,” to use Dodgers stadium as a polling location. It will be the first time a Major League Baseball team has offered its facility as a voting center. REGISTER TO VOTE
What to watch
The St. Louis Cardinals (MLB) haven’t played a game since July 29 due to positive COVID tests amongst the team. Fingers crossed; they should return to the field on Saturday. They won’t be able to make up all the games they’ve missed because there are only 45 days left of the regular season. FULL ON FALL
The Only 5 Things You Need To Know About Fantasy Football
Here’s why office productivity is about to tank.
The sport heard round the office.
Let’s get drafty,
The Last Night’s Game Team
1. The sport of fantasy football was originally developed in 1962 but modern fantasy football started in 1999 when Yahoo! offered an online league. Now players can create teams using ESPN or other sports apps as well as make some dough with online betting sites like DraftKing and FanDuel, although they are still illegal in a few states. BETTING IT ALL
2. It’s a male dominated “sport,” with men making up over 80% of the 60 million participants. But don’t look now because women are whipping up teams of their own. There are whole leagues and even businesses dedicated to helping the female football fan join in on the fun. YOU GOT THIS
3. Fantasy football is usually fun but some leagues aren’t for the faint of heart. They take it very seriously and there’s a punishment for coming in last. The penalties include piercings, buying drinks for the entire next football season, doing standup at a local open mic night or waxing of the nether regions (by a professional, of course, because what are we animals)? THAT’S GOING TO LEAVE A MARK
4. Picking a team name is the best part but remember no one is intimidated by the “Glitter Gridiron” team. Luckily for you, there are massive lists of names out there for inspiration. Some of our favorites? Sacks and the City, Game of Throws, Teddy Throwsevelt and Hot Chubb Time Machine (referencing Nick Chubb of the Cleveland Browns). CLEVER EH?
5. Drafts, trades and researching game day opponents are all part of the game, hence why U.S. employers suffer a $17 billion (yes with a 'b') loss in productivity due to fantasy football. It hurts the employee’s pockets too, spending an average of $556 on entry fees, materials and prizes. ALL ABOUT THE BENJAMINS
Who is the commish, why do I care about bye weeks and what's the recipe for success? Check out our fantasy football 101 for the answers to all your questions.
Wednesday Wisdom
Besides their fantasy football draft, here’s what’s happening in the world of sports today, including a classic Twitter troll clapback, how you can buy a baseball team and why one female athlete is speaking up. READ
Hello Old Friend
How a male athlete found out he was pregnant, why the Biebs was enshrined on a baseball card and Tom Brady is going to be around for awhile?
Monday, we meet again.
Fresh start,
The Last Night’s Game Team
NFL (National Football League)
He may be the oldest quarterback and third oldest player in the NFL, but Tom Brady is showing no sign of slowing down. The QB, who turned 42 last week, signed a two-year, $70 million contract extension with the New England Patriots. He may be “old” but the six-time Super Bowl champion has been relatively healthy besides an ACL tear in 2008. FITNESS GOALS
Overtime
Shane Bieber of the Cleveland Indians (MLB - Major League Baseball) has spent much of his life in the shadow of pop star Justin Bieber. The pitcher made a name for himself, becoming the American League MVP in last month’s all-star game and one of the best in the game. That didn’t stop Topps baseball cards from a misprint on his baseball card, calling him Justin. The baseball playing Bieber thought it was hilarious and according to their Twitter conversation, the other Bieber did too. TOO LATE TO SAY SORRY?
Sideline stat
The NFL regular season kicks off in 31 days but that’s not stopping Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield from continuing the tradition of NFL players chugging beer on the big screen. Hyping up fans at a Cleveland Indians game (MLB), he joined his fellow football players and shotgunned a beer once he was put on the big screen. SURELY IT’S PART OF HIS TRAINING REGIMEN
Coaches’ corner
Well this is awkward. A European basketball player, D.J. Cooper, was suspended by FIBA (Fédération Internationale de Basketball) after his drug test revealed he was pregnant. Cooper is not some freak of nature but used his girlfriend’s urine to pass a drug test. It was likely she had no idea that she was pregnant when he tried to pass her sample for his own. ALL IN THE FAMILY
What to watch
On Wednesday, ESPN2 will yet again transform into ESPN8: The Ocho. The channel, inspired by “Dodgeball: The Movie,” will feature obscure sporting events (think Stupid Robot League and lawn mower racing). We’ll cover the big day in Wednesday’s Five Things To Know but if you want a head start on all the action, check out the special edition of the Sports Curious Podcast. LISTEN UP