Just Getting By
More than a vote, golf is back and the NASCAR driver who quit after the sport’s progressive moves.
It may have felt like the longest week ever but alas, you made it.
Victory,
The Last Night’s Game Team
NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing)
NASCAR will close out one of the most progressive weeks in the sport’s history by hosting 1,000 members of the military and first responders at Sunday’s race. (Races are still closed to the general public). On Wednesday, the sport banned confederate flags at races starting immediately and Wednesday night’s race saw a 104% increase in viewership over the year before. But not everything ended on a high note. Winless NASCAR Truck Series driver Ray Ciccarelli announced he’s retiring after the season, citing the new flag ban as one of the reasons. TIME FOR CHANGE
Overtime
LeBron James, Kevin Hart and a whole host of athletes and celebrities have joined together to form “More Than A Vote,” a non-profit with a goal of protecting and expanding the voting rights of black Americans in advance of November’s election. In a New York Times interview James said, “We feel like we’re getting some ears and some attention, and this is the time for us to finally make a difference." IF YOU AREN’T REGISTERED TO VOTE, YOU CAN DO SO HERE.
Sideline stat
Golf is back this weekend with the PGA (Professional Golfers Association) Charles Schwab Challenge. It’s been 91 days since play halted due to coronavirus. We will see 148 golfers including 15 of the top 20 golfers in the world hit the links in Texas. This is a huge deal because players of this caliber normally wouldn’t play in a tournament this size but since it’s the first one back everyone (besides Tiger) will be there. As one of the first major sports to return, there will be serious testing involved for the players and their caddies. (There will be no fans for the first five tournaments). WE’RE ALL ‘FORE’ LIVE SPORTS
Coaches’ corner
Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa, two names from the world of baseball (MLB – Major League Baseball) that you’ve probably heard of. During the summer of 1998, these two athletes were locked in a home run chase that captivated so many. Steroids will be forever associated with this time in baseball. McGwire has admitted to using them, but Sosa still denies it. That should make the ESPN documentary that debuts this Sunday even more juicy. AMPED
Be A Light
Basketball is back - here’s what it means, COVID tackles college football and it’s ladies night this Saturday.
Summer days might be heating up but sports provides us with an excellent way to break the ice.
Join the conversation,
The Last Night’s Game Team
NBA (National Basketball Association)
Basketball is back! The NBA is the first of any of the four major professional sports leagues to announce its plan for a return to live sports. A 29-1 vote yesterday solidified the plan to send 22 teams to the ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando, FL where they will wrap up the season. (The Portland Trailblazers were the only team to vote ‘no’ even though they’re one of the 22 teams in the running). The select teams are teams that were already playoff bound or within reach of a playoff spot when the season came to a halt on March 11. Games will start on July 31 and wrap up with a new league champion on October 12. HOOOORAY!
Overtime
Tennis superstar Coco Gauff may only be 16 years old but her powerful speech at a Black Lives Matter protest yesterday was wise beyond her years. In an emotional speech she talked about how her grandmother protested the same thing 50 years ago, stating "We must have the tough conversations with our friends….We must change now." SPREADING HOPE
Sideline stat
College football players have begun voluntary practices in preparation for the football season to begin in August. With the return to close proximity, COVID is raising its ugly head. Three players from Oklahoma State University have tested positive for the virus that one player contracted at a protest and five players at Alabama have met the same fate. As a standard practice across the sport, players will continue to be tested on a daily basis. There’s no word on what the football season will look like moving forward – fans, no fans, a reduced number of fans – so until then we’ll anxiously wait with our tailgate party hats on. DON’T HOLD YOUR BREATH
Coaches’ corner
Protest across the globe have pushed for change, equality and justice. Doing his part, P.K. Subban of the New Jersey Devils (NHL - National Hockey League) used his platform to raise awareness to the GoFundMe page for Gianna, the 6-year-old daughter of George Floyd. Subban, along with fiancée Olympian Lindsey Vonn, donated $50,000 to the fund and the NHL matched his donation. He also asked for everyone to join the fight against injustice. STRONGER TOGETHER
What to watch
Saturday is ladies night for the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship). The main event on Saturday night features a fight between the current champion, Amanda Nunes and Felicia Spencer. Ever wonder what it’s like to be hit by a fighter as dominant as Nunes? A previous opponent described it as “getting hit and seeing like the stars and birds from the cartoons.” UMM NO THANKS
Thank You For Being A Friend
The surefire way to get out of a race, the Peloton/ESPN partnership that you can enjoy from your couch and a classic case of mistaken identity.
We’re sharing more than hand washing tips and banana bread recipes. (Although if you haven’t tried Chrissy Teigen’s banana bread recipe, you’re missing out).
You’re welcome,
The Last Night’s Game Team
Boston Marathon
For the first time in its 124-year history the Boston Marathon has been cancelled. It was moved from its original date to September and organizers simply didn’t feel confident bringing that many people from all over the world together in one sweaty race. (Okay they didn’t say that exactly but surely, they thought it). It’s estimated that the city will lose about $211 million in economic impact from the race going virtual. Also, hurting? The runners raise around $40 million each year for charity. THAT’S ONE WAY TO GET OUT OF RUNNING
Overtime
ESPN and Peloton have partnered to bring you your favorite athletes sweating it out in an all-star ride for charity. If the 16 riders (eight male and eight female) reach a combined 3,000 output during their 20-minute rides tomorrow morning, then Peloton will donate one million meals to the Food Bank of New York City. The ride will be shown on ESPN so you can enjoy it from the comfort of your own home while the riders, which include big name athletes from a plethora of professions, ride from the comfort of theirs. YOU SPIN ME RIGHT ROUND, BABY
Sideline stat
Kobe Bryant’s NBA (National Basketball Association) Hall of Fame induction ceremony is going to have to wait until 2021 as this year’s ceremony has been cancelled. The 2020 members will be honored in early 2021 with the class of 2021 receiving their own separate ceremony later in the year. Other popular players that will be inducted as part of the class of 2020 include Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett. STANDING IN THE HALL OF FAME
Coaches’ corner
It’s a classic case of mistaken identity. When it was announced that a high profile racehorse named Nadal was retiring yesterday, its understandable that tennis fans freaked out thinking the headlines were talking about the 34-year-old tennis superstar, Rafael Nadal. Safe to say, you can relax because even though he’s struggled with injuries recently, Nadal the tennis player is not calling it quits. Yet. WHAT A RACKET