Weekend Preview: So Much Action, $2.8B For College Athletes + Charles Barkley Is Pissed
Your Ultimate Memorial Day Weekend Sports Guide
Good morning! It's Friday, May 24th, and we're rolling into Memorial Day weekend. Whether lounging by the pool, on a road trip or hanging out at a barbecue, we have the best sports banter to keep you in the know. Let's dive right in because a lot is happening this weekend.
Groundbreaking Ruling in College Sports
Last night, the NCAA Board of Governors and every Power Five Conference agreed to dismantle the amateurism model and allow players to share revenue. This transformative legal settlement includes a $2.8B compensation for past athletes and sets the stage for future revenue-sharing models starting as soon as fall 2025. Stay tuned for more details as the NCAA and its conferences hammer out the specifics.
TNT Loses NBA Broadcasting Rights
In a surprising move, TNT lost the rights to air NBA (National Basketball Association) games for the first time since 1989. Long-time TNT commentator Charles Barkley expressed his disappointment, citing poor management decisions. "Morale sucks, plain and simple," Barkley said, referencing the uncertainty of the future of the basketball arm of the network.
FA Cup Final
Saturday starts with the FA Cup Final between Manchester City and Manchester United. This marks the first time since 1885 that the same two clubs will contest the final in consecutive years. If Manchester City wins, they will secure a domestic double after being crowned Premier League champions earlier this year.
Sunday: A Sporty Spectacle
Monaco Grand Prix
Sunday starts with the picturesque Monaco Grand Prix, an F1 (Formula One) race that winds through the narrow streets of Monaco. Qualifying positions are crucial due to the difficulty of overtaking. Last year saw only 22 overtakes, highlighting the challenge posed by the circuit’s tight turns and narrow lanes.
Indy 500
Next up on Sunday is the 108th running of the Indy 500. Rain is in the forecast, and we’ll know more about how that’ll impact the race as the start time approaches. Local fans in central Indiana will continue to experience a media blackout to encourage attendance, but you can still catch the live broadcast on the radio. For more on the Indy 500, including traditions like milk chugging and BYOB, check out our Wednesday Wisdom Podcast “BYOB and Burning Rubber: Memorial Day Weekend Sports.”
The Coca-Cola 600
The NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) follows the Indy 500. Kyle Larson and Jimmie Johnson will compete in this grueling race after rushing from the Indy 500, where Larson is racing and Johnson is commentating. Expect some drama as Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Kyle Busch’s recent feud could flare up again. (Does Stenhouse’s name sound familiar? He dated Danica Patrick for five years).
French Open
Rounding out the day, the first round of the French Open begins on Sunday morning. Keep an eye on top-ranked players Novak Djokovic and Iga Świątek. Djokovic must reach the finals to maintain his world No. 1 ranking, which he has held for 425 weeks. If he loses before the finals, Yannick Sinner will take the top spot, even if he doesn’t play.
Stay Connected
That's your rundown for the Memorial Day weekend! For more details and updates, stick with us here at lastnightsgame.com and follow us on social media. Enjoy your Memorial Day weekend and stay in the loop with all the exciting sports action.
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Weekend Preview: Teeing Up A Big Golf Weekend, Mystik Dan Runs For The Triple Crown + We See You NY
Sports talk to get you through the weekend.
It’s Friday, May 17th, and we’ve got the scoop you need to sound like the ultimate sports guru this weekend. Let’s dive into the highlights.
Triple Crown Watch: Preakness Stakes
First up, Kentucky Derby winner Mystic Dan is racing in the second leg of the Triple Crown as the favorite at the Preakness Stakes on Saturday. Bob Baffert’s horse, Muth, was the favorite but dropped out due to a fever. It’s hard to win the Triple Crown with fresh horses entering each race. Only three horses in the Preakness also ran in the Kentucky Derby.
Caitlin Clark’s Record-Breaking Start
The Indiana Fever’s (WNBA - Women’s National Basketball Association) first game set viewership records thanks to the electrifying presence of Caitlin Clark. Expect big numbers again when they face the New York Liberty and Sabrina Ionescu on Saturday at 1 pm ET.
PWHL: Postseason Excitement
The Professional Women's Hockey League is heating up! The first of five postseason games drew nearly 40,000 spectators, a 32% increase from the regular season. Boston advanced to the first-ever PWHL finals after sweeping Montreal, a team they chose as their opponent. Today, Minnesota and Toronto face off in a decisive Game 5 to determine who will join Boston in the finals.
PGA Championship: All Eyes on Valhalla
Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville is hosting the PGA Championship for the first time since 2014, the site of Rory McIlroy’s last major win. Heading into the second day, Rory is tied for fourth place. Interestingly, Rory filed for divorce this week, and he's historically won four majors while single, none while married. Could this be his comeback moment?
After the first day, Xander Schauffele shot a stunning 62, tying the record for the lowest round in a major, while Tiger Woods sits at +1. With the top 70 players plus ties moving on to Saturday’s play, it's anyone's game.
NBA Playoffs: High Stakes Action
The Boston Celtics (NBA - National Basketball Association) have clinched their spot in the Eastern Conference Finals for the third consecutive year. They await the winner of the Indiana Pacers vs. New York Knicks series. Game 6 is tonight, with the Knicks leading the series 3-2. The Knicks haven’t made the conference finals since the 1999-2000 season, so a win tonight could be monumental.
That’s your quick sports rundown! Stay with us on the site or social media for more details and updates. We’ve got you covered all weekend long.
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What’s Cookin’?
Have you tried our Tailgate Treats? They’re fan favorite meals served best with friends (or you can keep them to yourself). READ
Photo: Instagram/kingjames
GAME CHANGER
Athletes rituals to bring into your 2024 - the good, the bad and the awkward. BRING IT ON
Weekend Preview: Caitlin Clark Docuseries, Mr. Livvy Dunne Makes His MLB Debut + A Black Eye In Hockey
Why hello, Friday.
There's no shortage of sports drama to bring up in confident conversation this weekend. From MLB debuts to the WNBA’s new team, here's a rundown of what's happening in the world of sports.
MLB Debut + LIVVY Dunne = Viral excitement
First, let's talk about pitcher Paul Skenes's highly anticipated MLB (Major League Baseball) debut for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Skenes is making waves not only for his talent on the mound but also for his girlfriend, top NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) earner, national champion gymnast, and Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Livvy Dunne. Dunn's viral post about Skenes's debut has heightened the game's excitement, driving ticket prices up as fans clamor to witness this historic moment.
Caitlin Clark Docuseries and a new WNBA team
Turning our attention to the WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association), the league's 28th season is set to tip off on Tuesday. Getting us amped for the season is a documentary titled "Full Court Press" by Omaha Productions, Peyton Manning's production company. This documentary follows the journeys of standout players from the 2023-24 NCAA season, including Iowa's Caitlin Clark, South Carolina's Kamilla Cardoso and UCLA's Kiki Rice.
The league also announced this morning that Toronto is the lucky recipient of an expansion team. The Toronto team will begin playing in 2026. Golden State was awarded an expansion team earlier this year, and they will start playing in 2025.
Golfer's Paternity Leave
World No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler is taking time off from the Wells Fargo Championship and the upcoming PGA Championship in anticipation of the birth of his first child.
Intense Playoff Hockey
Wrapping up with the thrilling NHL Playoff (National Hockey League) series between the Florida Panthers and the Boston Bruins, characterized by intense physicality and high penalty minutes. In their last game, a mind-blowing 136 penalty minutes were handed out in the third period. It was the first playoff game in which both teams accumulated over 70 penalty minutes since 2015. With the series tied at one, tonight's game promises to deliver more action-packed moments on the ice.
Photo: Unsplash
What’s Cookin’?
Have you tried our Tailgate Treats? They’re fan favorite meals served best with friends (or you can keep them to yourself). READ
Photo: Instagram/kingjames
GAME CHANGER
Athletes rituals to bring into your 2024 - the good, the bad and the awkward. BRING IT ON