five things to know LAST NIGHT'S GAME five things to know LAST NIGHT'S GAME

The Rundown: 5 Things To Know About Esports

For those of you who thought video games were simply Super Mario Kart or Pac-Man, prepare to have your mind blown. Big things are happening in esports. The NBA (National Basketball League) created the NBA esports league, Las Vegas has built large esports venues and the Evolution Championship Series (EVO) was broadcast live on ESPN.

 

That’s great but what does esports mean? Don't worry, we won't leave you hanging. 

 

This sport is growing and here to stay,

The Last Night’s Game Team

Five things to know about esports

  1. Professional gamers play in tournaments and online. Online play will attract over 100,000 viewers who watch through Twitch, owned by Amazon, or YouTube. If you think that’s odd, we watch guys play football on TV. Same same but different.
  2. Tournaments are often dictated by the game (i.e. Call of Duty) or esports gaming leagues (i.e. Major League Gaming). Games are categorized by PC (computer) or console (i.e. Xbox).
  3. Corporations are following the trend. Players resemble race car drivers with sponsor logos all over their tournament clothes. Coke and Nissan are on board and Red Bull has a massive portfolio of esports teams. (Click here for more on the income of professional gamers). 
  4. It is an unregulated sport. There is no national governing body like the NBA or NFL (National Football League).
  5. There are colleges that offer scholarships for esports like University of California, Irvine. A college esports team is similar to a track team where everyone on the team has a specialty such as the 100m dash. On an esports team the game is their specialty (i.e. League of Legends or Street Fighter).
  • Thank you to our esports expert Richard Mitchell – project lead for the XPO Festival, a festival for gamers, fans, developers and game industry leaders.

Overtime

  • NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille “Shaq” O’Neal announced he will be running for sheriff in 2020. The honorary deputy's goal is to bring people together.

Sideline stat

Coaches’ corner

  • The Oakland A’s (MLB – Major League Baseball) have won an astounding three games in a row on walk-offs. The most impressive part? Massive amounts of Skittles are fueling their rallies. Don’t try this at work.

A walk-off is when the home team takes the lead in the last inning. Since the home team goes last – i.e. the visiting team won’t have a chance to bat again – the game ends immediately.

Read More
weekend wrap up LAST NIGHT'S GAME weekend wrap up LAST NIGHT'S GAME

The Rundown: Still Dreaming

We hope your weekend of betting on Derby ponies led to a Monday morning of sleeping in on your big pile of cash.

 

It’s off to work for the rest of us,

The Last Night’s Game Team

Kentucky Derby

  • Day dreaming. Always Dreaming dominated in the 143rd running of the Kentucky Derby, receiving $1.6 million in prize money. The horse can continue to dream of winning with the next stage of the Triple Crown around the corner. The Preakness is on May 20th. Click here for more on the Triple Crown.

NHL (National Hockey League)

  • Moving on. The hockey playoffs are still happening but that’s great news for Mike Fisher (aka Mr. Carrie Underwood) and his Nashville Predators. They defeated the St. Louis Blues to advance to their first ever Western Conference finals.

NBA (National Basketball Association)

NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing)

Overtime

  • Former Green Bay Packer Eddie Lacy (NFL – National Football League) is moving to Seattle to play for the Seahawks. He did what every normal person would do before a move, he had a garage sale. Fans lined up around the block to buy game used items, furniture and even his used deodorant. (Hey maybe it was hot standing in line)? All proceeds went to charity.

Sideline stat

  • Last year’s NBA champions, Cleveland Cavaliers, are having yet another great postseason. They swept the Toronto Raptors this weekend to start the playoffs with a perfect 8-0 (wins-losses) record. They’re the first team in NBA history to start the playoffs 8-0 in consecutive seasons.

Coaches’ corner

Read More
weekend preview LAST NIGHT'S GAME weekend preview LAST NIGHT'S GAME

The Rundown: Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Happy Cinco de Mayo! We love holidays where you can eat tacos and drink margaritas without judgement.

 

Best day ever,  

The Last Night’s Game Team

 

PS – The Kentucky Derby is this weekend. Click here for our fast and fun Five Things to Know About the Kentucky Derby. Don’t forget to follow us on social media for live coverage of the Derby.

NBA (National Basketball Association)

  • For real? LaVar Ball is the father of UCLA basketball player Lonzo Ball, who is entering in this year’s NBA draft. Papa Ball is so demanding that he’s scared away any sponsor who might want to work with his son.

Drawing serious criticism, Ball released his son’s own signature shoe that you can buy for a cool $495. (Mind you he’s never played in an NBA game). Look out Kris Jenner, there’s a new sheriff in town.

Boxing

Overtime

  • The Fertitta Brothers, who recently sold UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) for a hefty profit, are putting their money where their mouths are. They have started their own $500 million fund to invest in fast-growing companies in the media, entertainment and technology sectors.

Sideline stat

Coaches’ corner

  • The day before the Derby is the Kentucky Oaks, which is a race for the fillies (female horses). The race started in 1875 and is the fourth highest attended horse race in the U.S. – following the Triple Crown of racing. All attendees are encouraged to wear pink because the day raises money for critical women’s health issues.  Here's more on the triple crown and the Kentucky Oaks.
Read More