Laboring For The Weekend
Wake up, have a cup of coffee and do a happy dance becuase Friday and a three-day weekend are here. Out of common courtesy, please put some clothes on first.
Thanks for that mental image,
The Last Night’s Game Team
College Football
- It’s going to be a wild ride. Buckle up for a big weekend in football. Some teams have already played this week but there are still great games ahead including the ESPN College GameDay’s game of the week - Florida State (#3) vs. Alabama (#1). Rankings wise it’s one of the best opening games ever produced.
- Chicken for everyone! The Florida State – Alabama game will be played in a neutral location and will be the first game played in the new Atlanta Falcons stadium (NFL – National Football League). Don’t worry, because it’s a Saturday game, the stadium’s controversial Chick-fil-A location will be open.
MLB (Major League Baseball)
- Hometown heroes. After a long week away due to Hurricane Harvey, the Houston Astros are finally home and will play at Minute Maid Park this weekend. While they’re home, they’ll deliver more than 10,000 shirts and tickets to this weekend’s games to evacuated Houstonians staying at the convention center.
- Here’s what other teams are doing to support the flood relief efforts.
Overtime
- Earlier this week, we reported that Houston Texans’ JJ Watt (NFL) started a fund, offering to match $100,000, with a goal of raising $200,000 for relief efforts. He has slightly exceeded that goal. He’s raised over $13.6 million so far this week. Now that’s a return on investment. Here’s how you can help.
Sideline stat
- College football = big money. More than $70 million will be paid out to teams this opening weekend. Whether it’s payouts for neutral site games or the travel bonus for a power conference team playing a lower division team, their pocketbooks thanks you.
Coaches’ corner
- NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) loves a good theme party and this week’s race, the Bojangles Southern 500, will have a throwback theme. The cars’ paint schemes will be from 1985-89. We can only hope the hair will be too.
The Rundown: Let’s Get Ready To Rumble
Hold onto your hats because it’s a massive sports weekend. We’re keeping it simple so you can play a part in the sports talk this weekend.
Bigger isn’t always better,
The Last Night’s Game Team
PS – Keep up with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more bite-sized, small talk conversation starters.
Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor boxing match
- Step on the scale. The big fight is live from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas tomorrow night. Today is important because fighters have to make the 154-pound weigh in. If they weight more than the determined fight weight, there will be financial penalties. Don’t get any ideas Jenny Craig.
- Show me the money. It seems like all the talk around this fight involves dollar signs. From Mayweather’s nickname “Money,” to $400 million payouts to 50 million TV viewers. We’re going to throw one more number out there. A $1 million bet was placed yesterday in Vegas on Mayweather. (Mayweather is the favorite to win).
- If you missed our intriguing Five Things To Know About The Mayweather – McGregor Fight, it’s your lucky day. Click here.
Overtime
- After much anticipation, MLB (Major League Baseball) Players Weekend is here. As part of the weekend, players will wear jerseys featuring their nickname on the back, instead of their last name. The New York Yankees have never had names on the back of their jerseys, but they will feature the nicknames as well. Be prepared to cheer for Easy J, Squeaky and Ninja.
Sideline stat
- Always the marketing machine, Mayweather is charging sponsors $3.5 million to put their logo on his waistband and $1 million for his victory robe. And you thought the million dollar Victoria's Secret bra was expensive...
Coaches’ corner
- The big kickoff to college football is next weekend but there are a few teams playing this weekend, including the Stanford Cardinal (#14) and Rice Owls. The two teams are expanding American football's global market by playing in Sydney, Australia tomorrow. Crikey!
Wine Not?
It may be Friday morning but we’re already thinking ahead to happy hour and how these conversation starters are going to nicely pair with our glass of wine. It is National Pinot Noir Day after all.
We'll drink to that,
The Last Night’s Game Team
MLB (Major League Baseball)
- Role models. For the first time, the little leagues will get a taste of the big leagues on Sunday when the St. Louis Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Pirates play at Williamsport, PA, home of the Little League Baseball World Series (LLBWS). The LLBWS is in full swing and features teams that have traveled from all over the world to compete.
NFL (National Football League)
- Speaking out. Choosing not to stand for the national anthem is still very much a hot topic in the NFL with many players joining the protest to speak out against injustice after the events in Charlottesville, VA. The players hope the protest, started by former San Francisco 49ers Colin Kaepernick last season, will lead to progress for equality. Here’s a more in depth look.
Overtime
- The U.S.A will take on Europe in the LPGA’s (Ladies Professional Golfers Association) Solheim Cup starting today in Iowa. The players from Team U.S.A. hope to utilize home field advantage and win back-to-back cups. If all else fails, Michelle Wie (Team U.S.A. star) will blind her opponents with her sweet bedazzled cleats.
Sideline stat
- One – The number of games the highly anticipated Chick-fil-A in the brand-new Atlanta Falcons stadium will be open for business. The company will adhere to its policy of not being open on Sundays, despite being at an NFL stadium that has seven of its eight games on Sunday.
Former Top Chef contestant Kevin Gillespie pays homage to Chick-fil-A with his Closed on Sundays chicken sandwich, which will be served from his stand in the stadium to satisfy fans' need for poultry.
Coaches’ corner
- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL) offensive line went to dinner at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse and told the two rookies they were in charge of picking up the tab, per tradition. When the bill arrived, it was $26,000. Luckily for the two panicking rookies, it was a joke and the real bill was "only" $3,000, which their teammates paid for.
What’s the role of the offensive line? They’re the big guys who protect the quarterback and clearly can eat.
