Monday Minute: USWNT Out, Explaining The College Football Conference Mess + Simone Biles Wins
A better start to your day than a cup of coffee.
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Remember, you don't need to be an ESPN Sideline reporter. Having a sports conversation starter is just another tool in your tool belt of success.
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USWNT out of the Women’s World Cup
No country has gone back-to-back-to-back in their wins for the World Cup, and that won't happen this year. The US women's national team lost yesterday to Sweden in penalty kicks. That last penalty kick, it was a goal by just a millimeter. And this loss proves that the world has caught up with the domination that once was a US women's national team. But don't worry; this is not the end of the story. Remember, the US women's national team has the Paris Olympics next summer in 2024, even though Megan Rapinoe will be retiring at the end of the NWSL soccer season, which is in November.
College Football Conference Shakeup
Is money the root of all evil? Some college football fans think that this morning with the shakeup with all these teams leaving the Pac-12 and heading to the Big Ten and the Big 12.
· Leaving the Pac-12 to join the Big Ten are Oregon and Washington – joining USC and UCLA that decided to move last year.
· Arizona, Arizona State and Utah have committed to the Big 12, joining coach Deion Sanders and his Colorado, that decided to leave a few weeks ago.
· The 108-year-old PAC-12 has only four schools – Stanford, Cal, Oregon State and Washington State.
Why the mass exodus? It comes down to money. The Big Ten's old TV deal gave each school $58M. The Pac-12 is working on a deal with Apple. And on the high end, each team could earn up to $30M.
But the grass is not always greener. The Big Ten, they now boast teams coast to coast. So now you're looking at teams traveling from California to the East Coast. And that's like an East Coast team traveling to London. So something to keep in mind, it's not always the bigger, better deal, but for $20M, it might be.
Before WE GO
Simone Biles returned to gymnastics, winning the US Classic.
Will Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg carry out their cage match? Zuckerberg is saying, “I'm not holding my breath.” They have a date on the calendar for August 26th, so stay tuned for that.
Have a great week ahead. If you want more of anything we discussed today, follow us on social media or lastnightsgame.com.
UP your game
Now that the US is out, here’s who else you might want to cheer for. READ ON
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Monday Minute: Brittney Griner Is Taking A Break, Travis Kelce's Punching Problem + Katie Ledecky's World Title Triumph
What you need to know to start your week.
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Monday coffee pot small talk handled.
For today's Monday Minute podcast episode or our podcast exclusive Weekend Preview, subscribe to the podcast or our YouTube channel.
WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association)
Brittney Griner will take a break from her Phoenix Mercury team to work on her mental health, missing the team’s upcoming two-game road trip. Griner returned to the WNBA in June after missing all last season while serving a nearly 10-month detention in Russia. The Mercury fully supports Griner, and the two will work together on a timeline for her return.
NFL (National Football League)
Travis Kelce said, “he’s got to be a better leader,” after two physical altercations on the field during Kansas City Chiefs training camps over the weekend. Maybe he’s taking the diss from Taylor Swift harder than we thought.
Swimming
Katie Ledecky earned her 16th career individual swimming world title in the 800-meter freestyle on Saturday in Japan. She surpasses Michael Phelps’ record for world titles with this win.
Before we go
LeBron James shared a video of his son Bronny, playing the piano five days after being discharged from the hospital. Bronny went into cardiac arrest at a USC practice last Monday.
Everyone went crazy when Eminem introduced Terrance Crawford before his fight against Errol Spence, Jr. this weekend. Then Crawford put on a dominant performance to become the undisputed welterweight champion. Some are calling it one of boxing’s greatest performances ever.
UP your game
The USWNT makes a historic bid in the southern hemisphere. READ ON
Photo: Instagram/newyorkjets
GAME CHANGER
Depicting Athletes' Contracts And Their Weird Inclusions - it’s not all spa treatments and tropical vacations. LISTEN TO THIS WEEK’S PODCAST EPISODE
Monday Minute: Tears, Tractors and Locker Room Rap Videos
Starting the week off right.
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Start the week with conversation starters suitable for any chat, be it a client or an airplane seatmate.
For today's Monday Minute podcast episode or our podcast exclusive Weekend Preview, subscribe to the podcast or our YouTube channel.
Messi and MLS (Major League Soccer)
The man, myth, and legend Lionel Messi made his MLS debut Friday night for Inter Miami FC. He did not start, coming into the game during the second half. Hitting the winning shot in extra time was the exclamation point on a momentous occasion. Messi did so in front of his whole family, team owner David Beckham, who was left in tears after the win, and his wife Victoria Beckham, Kim Kardashian and GOATs in their sports, LeBron James and Serena Williams.
The video of Saint West, Kim Kardashian’s son, freaking out over a signed jersey from Messi reminds us that even famous people freak out over their heroes.
Women’s World Cup
The United States 3-0 victory over Vietnam in the Women's World Cup drew 6.26M viewers. It’s the most-watched soccer telecast in the US since last year's men's World Cup final. They will take on the Netherlands at 9 pm ET on Wednesday.
Open Championship (Golf)
Brian Harman is the epitome of perseverance, winning The Open (aka the British Open) dominantly by six shots. The 36-year-old took home his first major win, which was his first win in the last six years. Instead of touting the famed “I’m going to Disneyland” post-win line, he said all he wanted to do to celebrate was to turn off his phone and go for a tractor ride. Luckily for him, based on the money he won, he said his wife wouldn’t be mad at him for how much he paid for the mowing tractor.
Before you go
Danish cyclist Jonas Vingegaard won his second consecutive Tour de France victory on Sunday on the famed Champs-Élysées in Paris. The second all-female race, the Tour de France Femmes, begins today through July 30.
Florida A&M suspended all football-related activities until further notice after an unauthorized rap video containing explicit lyrics filmed in the team's locker room emerged.
France's Leon Marchand smashed Michael Phelps's last remaining world record on Sunday at swimming's world championships.
Keep up with us between podcasts by visiting lastnightsgame.com or following us on social media. Until next time, have a fantastic day.
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