Monday Minute: Wimbledon Royalty, Copa Crushes (Literally) + MLB All-Star Festivities
A pleasure to see you Monday
Welcome to this week's Monday Minute! We've got a roundup of the latest sports news and events to keep you in the loop and ready for any conversation. Let’s dive in!
Wimbledon Highlights
Princess Kate and Princess Charlotte made a rare appearance at Wimbledon to watch Carlos Alcaraz dominate Novak Djokovic in the men's singles final. Alcaraz is making history, lifting four Slam trophies at just 21 years old – a feat neither Djokovic, Federer nor Nadal accomplished that young.
On the women’s side, Barbora Krejčíková won her first Wimbledon title, becoming the second-lowest-ranked woman to win since the WTA Rankings started in 1975. Post-match, she celebrated with her friend, pop star P!nk, whom she met after winning the doubles title in Indian Wells last year.
Both the men’s and women’s champions took home $3.45M in prize money, marking a 14.9% increase from last year.
Soccer News
Euro Cup
Spain triumphed over England in the European Championships, winning 2-1 and claiming their record-breaking fourth title, edging one clear of Germany. England, on the other hand, continues to wait for another major tournament victory, with their last men’s major tournament win dating back to 1966.
Copa America
The start of the Copa America final game between Columbia and Argentina was delayed as fans without tickets rushed the doors to get in, taking out anyone in their way. The game was delayed for more than an hour to safely get fans into the building. Lionel Messi was forced off with an apparent right ankle injury in the second half, but his Argentina team scored in extra time, bringing their country back-to-back Copa America titles ..
MLB All-Star Festivities
All-Star festivities kick off at Globe Life Field, home of the Texas Rangers, with the Home Run Derby starting tonight. Fans attending the Derby or the All-Star Game on Tuesday will experience a unique twist – “Adam,” the park’s first robot bartender, will be serving drinks!
Keep an eye on National League starter Paul Skenes. Skenes learned he was starting in a unique way – his All-Star team manager called into the “Dan Patrick Show” and interrupted Dan’s interview with Skenes to break the news. Skenes has had an epic year, earning the honor of starting the All-Star Game just one year after being taken No. 1 overall in the MLB Draft. If sports aren’t your thing, you might know Skenes as the boyfriend of LSU gymnast, SI swimsuit model, and NIL top earner Livvy Dunne.
In the MLB Draft, the Cleveland Guardians selected Oregon State second baseman Travis Bazzana with the No. 1 overall pick on Sunday. This selection marks two firsts – the first No. 1 pick in Cleveland's franchise history and the first Australian-born player to be selected No. 1 overall.
ICYMI
Patrick Mahomes and Brittany Mahomes are expecting their third baby.
This Week:
- Home Run Derby - Today at 8 PM ET on ESPN
- MLB All-Star Game - Tomorrow at 8 PM on FOX
- WNBA All-Star Game - Saturday, July 20 at 8:30 PM ET on ABC
This week’s podcast is all about making the US Olympic team. Don’t miss it! Stay tuned for more updates, and have a fantastic week ahead!
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
Weekend Preview: ESPYs, Olympic Sparkles + Wimbledon
Serving up small talk success
Get your weekend conversation starters ready with all the latest updates in the world of sports.
Serena Shines at the ESPYs
Good morning! It is Friday, July 12th, and welcome to the Sports Curious Podcast. We're gearing up for the weekend with all the conversation starters you'll need to dazzle everyone with your sports knowledge. Let’s kick things off with a recap of last night’s ESPYs.
The ESPYs, ESPN's celebration of the best in sports, was an emotional rollercoaster. Special award recipients included Prince Harry for his work with the Invictus Games and Dawn Staley, head coach of the South Carolina women's basketball team, recognized for her fight against cancer. Hosted by the fabulous Serena Williams, who wowed in 16 stunning outfits, the night was a blend of fashion and sports excellence.
LOts of Sparkles for Team USA Gymnastics
Switching gears to the Olympics, let’s talk about the sparkle. Team USA’s gymnastics uniforms have been revealed, and they are bedazzled with 47,000 Swarovski crystals across eight styles. One standout is the Luminous Legacy uniform, adorned with over 10,000 crystals. If more bling means more medals, we’re in for a treat.
American Century Championship: Celebs on the Green
This weekend, athletes and celebrities converge at Lake Tahoe for the American Century Championship. Although defending champion Steph Curry will be busy with the U.S. Olympic basketball team, the lineup still includes stars like Charles Barkley, Travis Kelce, Aaron Rodgers, and first-timers like Jason Kelce and Alex Rodriguez. The winner takes home $150,000, but we’re here for the star-studded fun.
Wimbledon: A Battle on Grass
Wimbledon reaches its climax this weekend. Today’s men's semifinals feature Lorenzo Musetti versus Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz versus Daniil Medvedev. Djokovic, recovering from a knee injury, is chasing his 25th major title. On the women's side, Saturday’s finals will see Jasmine Paolini and Barbora Krejcikova vying for their first Wimbledon title.
Football Frenzy: Euro Cup and Copa America Finals
This Sunday, football fans (read: soccer fans) are in for a treat with two major finals. The Euro Cup final pits England against Spain. England’s men’s team hasn’t won the Euros, their last major victory dating back to the 1966 World Cup. Spain, however, are three-time European champions.
Later, the Copa America final sees Colombia facing defending champions Argentina in Miami. It’s a home game for Lionel Messi, who plays for David Beckham’s Miami FC. Colombia is on a 28-game unbeaten streak, but Argentina was the last team to defeat them in an Olympic qualifying match.
Drama Off the Field: Cam Newton’s Wedding Woes
Lastly, some off-field drama. Former NFL quarterback Cam Newton publicly expressed his disappointment at not being invited to his former teammate Christian McCaffrey’s wedding to model Olivia Culpo. McCaffrey clapped back on Instagram, revealing that Newton hasn’t responded to him in four years, and his texts now go green.
We hope you have a fantastic weekend. For more updates, visit lastnightsgame.com and stay tuned to our podcast for deep dives into all things Olympics and more.
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
'Receiver' Debuts On Netflix
Passing you the playbook on what you need to know.
Instagram/amonra_stbrown
Netflix's documentary on football receivers promises to be a captivating exploration of the individuals who have redefined the game with skill and passion. Whether you are a football fanatic or simply someone who appreciates a compelling narrative, this documentary delivers inspiring journeys through the world of NFL (National Football League) receivers.
Peyton Manning’s Omaha Production and the NFL partner on “Receiver” premiering on Netflix, marking a significant event for all football fans. The documentary follows the 2023 season of NFL receivers Davante Adams (Las Vegas Raiders), Justin Jefferson (Minnesota Vikings), George Kittle (San Francisco 49ers), Deebo Samuel (San Francisco 49ers) and Amon-Ra St. Brown (Detriot Lions). Before watching, here’s a little insight about the players.
Davante Adams of the Las Vegas Raiders has had a challenging season, characterized by the mid-season dismissal of an unpopular coach and the transition to Antonio Pierce, a player’s coach.
Justin Jefferson’s season with the Minnesota Vikings was marked by adversity, including a seven-game absence due to injury and quarterback Kirk Cousins tearing his Achilles tendon; however, he recently secured a substantial four-year, $140M contract extension, featuring $110M in guaranteed money.
George Kittle, the tight end (which means he protects the quarterback during plays) for the San Francisco 49ers, joins Deebo Samuel and their teammates on a journey to the Super Bowl in Las Vegas. Known for his formidable skills and larger-than-life personality, Kittle brings a professional wrestler’s flair to the game.
Amon-Ra St. Brown of the Detroit Lions played a part in the revival of football in Detroit as Dan Campbell’s Lions defied the odds.
The documentary gives a glimpse into their personal lives, challenges, and behind-the-scenes access to training sessions and candid moments on and off the field.