Weekend Preview: Messi Mania, Golf vs. Toads + “Fun Grandma”
More action than the box office this weekend.
Photos: Instagram/uswnt
So much happening in the world of sports besides the box office fanfare this weekend.
Messi's debut with MLS (Major League Soccer)
Today could be one of the most monumental days in US soccer. Lionel Messi makes his debut for David Beckham's Miami FC team. While we're so excited to see Messi in that iconic pink jersey, but is he as popular as Taylor Swift? The tickets to his debut match cost about $712 on average. If you've ever looked at Taylor Swift concert tickets, you realize it is a deal.
The Open Championship (Golf)
Will Rory McIlroy take away his sixth top-10 finish in a row? Let's see what the Natterjack Toads say about this. The rare Natterjack Toad inhabits the grounds of the golf course, and the groundskeepers have been trained to ensure the safety of the Toads so that spectators or golfers do not harm them. Golf has a rule that you play it where it lies, and if the ball lands next to an alligator or in thick grass, you have to figure out how to hit it. In this case, referees will assist if a ball falls near one of those toads.
Women's World Cup (Soccer)
Let's talk Women's World Cup. It started this week, and the US Women's Team will take on the team from Vietnam on Friday evening for their first game of the Women's World Cup. They are trying to go for a historic back-to-back-to-back win. Veterans Alex Morgan and self-proclaimed "fun grandma" Megan Rapinoe lead the team. Keep an eye out for Trinity Rodman, the daughter of Dennis Rodman. She's one of the young talented members of the group.
Before we go
Jacksonville Jaguars (NFL) strength coach Kevin Maxson came out gay, and that's a first for a male coach in major men's US professional sports.
In F1 (Formula 1), originally intending to take the year off, one of the best personalities in the sport, Daniel Ricciardo, is back on the track racing this weekend. Let's hope that he gets a win so we can see him do a shoey, which is when he takes a drink of his champagne out of his dirty race shoe.
It is the final weekend for the Tour de France, so watch for that in our Monday update.
That's what you need to know for the weekend.
Make sure you catch up with us on social media at @lastnightsgame. We'll see you on your favorite podcast platform every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. If you need anything else, check us out at lastnightsgame.com.
Photo: Instagram/uswnt
A GUIDE TO THE WOMEN’S WORLD CUP
The USWNT makes a historic bid in the southern hemisphere. READ ON
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GAME CHANGER
Place your bets with confidence (or at least be prepared to talk shop) with our sports betting 101. THE MORE YOU KNOW
Wednesday Wisdom
The world will be watching the World Cup. Plus, today's watercooler topics.
If you're resigning today in hopes of winning the Powerball, don't. The odds of winning are about 1-in-292 million. You're more likely to die from a meteorite strike than win.
So you're saying there's a chance,
The Last Night's Game Team
Photo: Instagram/livvydunne
NAME, IMAGE, LIKENESS CELEBRATES TWO YEARS
We had the pleasure of interviewing Ayden Syal, the CEO and founder of MOGL, a leading name, image and likeness (NIL) software company, for this week's Sports Curious podcast.
Initially, schools were restricted from directly assisting or brokering NIL deals. However, collectives emerged as innovative entities, connecting athletes with donors, local businesses and sponsors. Universities collaborate closely with collectives to support their student-athletes, even though they are technically prohibited from directly brokering deals.
Check out this week's podcast for more on the future of college sports or just fascinating stories about your favorite college athletes. LISTEN UP
Short and Sweet
The Women's World Cup starts tomorrow. Will the USWNT go back-to-back-to-back? Their tournament begins on Friday.
Everyone loves "Quarterback," a show that gives access to the lives of NFL (National Football League) quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes, Kirk Cousins and Marcus Mariota has been renewed by Netflix for a second season.
Running backs aren't getting paid, causing a stir in the NFL.
Daniel Weinman wins the World Series of Poker main event title, defeating over 10,000 other players to win a record-breaking $12.1M prize.
Photo: instagram/uswnt
Photo: Unsplash
Up Your Game
The world is watching. GUIDE TO THE WOMEN’S WORLD CUP
game on
Your dessert game just got stronger with this week's Tailgate Treat, Strawberry Crumble Bars. YUM
The Future of College Sports: Exploring Name, Image and Likeness with MOGL CEO + Founder Ayden Syal
Happy 2nd Birthday, NIL! My, how you’ve grown.
Photo: Unsplash
We had the pleasure of interviewing Ayden Syal, the CEO and founder of MOGL, a leading name, image and likeness (NIL) software company, for the Sports Curious podcast. Join us as we delve into college athletics and the fascinating evolution of MOGL.
Unleashing the Power of Name, Image, and Likeness
Ayden Syal explains that MOGL's mission is to connect college athletes with brands and fans for monetization opportunities, such as sponsorships, endorsements, appearances and more. They also provide software solutions to universities and NIL collectives to effectively manage their NIL programs.
The Journey of MOGL and NIL
Ayden Syal takes us back to the initial days when seven states, including Georgia and Florida, passed laws enabling college athletes to monetize their name, image and likeness. In response, the NCAA made it a national mandate in July 2021 to ensure fairness across the board. MOGL was founded in 2019, well before these developments, and originally focused on connecting athletes with local businesses for sponsorships. However, the rise of collectives and university involvement expanded their scope.
Collectives: The Bridge to Athlete Support
Initially, schools were restricted from directly assisting or brokering NIL deals. However, collectives emerged as innovative entities, connecting athletes with donors, local businesses and sponsors. Universities collaborate closely with collectives to support their student-athletes, even though they are technically prohibited from directly brokering deals.
MOGL was founded by former Notre Dame classmates Ayden Syal and Brandon Wimbush, who started 16 games at Quarterback for the Fighting Irish.
The Changing Landscape and the Loopholes
As the NIL landscape evolves, Ayden explains that nonprofit collectives are transitioning to for-profit entities due to IRS regulations. This shift allows collectives to connect athletes with corporate sponsors and local businesses while donors receive exclusive membership perks and other non-tax-exempt benefits.
Recruiting, Tampering and NIL
NIL has become a powerful recruiting tool, especially in football and basketball, where discussions about collective compensation are part of the conversation. Although tampering does occur, the focus is on ensuring athletes receive fair compensation for the revenue they generate for universities, providing them with opportunities for success on and off the field.
Celebrating MOGL's Success Stories
MOGL has facilitated numerous success stories for athletes across all divisions. Notable examples include Caden Cox, the first known college athlete with Down Syndrome to appear in a football game, who collaborated with Jake Max Apparel to design a merchandise line and ultimately became the brand's face. MOGL's impact extends beyond monetary compensation, helping athletes build professional connections, podcasts and future job opportunities.
Looking Ahead: Integrative Compliance and Fan Interactions
MOGL is focused on providing compliance and operational software to universities and collectives of all divisions, ensuring equal access and opportunity for all athletes. Excitingly, they are launching a fan portal where fans can directly connect with their favorite athletes for personalized video shoutouts, appearances, autograph signings and more.
Name, Image, and Likeness in college sports go far beyond the headlines, with MOGL leading the charge in revolutionizing the industry. Equal access, opportunity, and compliance are at the forefront of their mission, transforming the lives of athletes across divisions. To learn more about MOGL and its offerings, visit their website at www.MOGL.online. Stay connected with Ayden Syal on LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter to keep up with the latest developments.