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shahananasrin-blog · 1 year ago

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[ad_1] FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – It might have taken Lionel Messi a little longer to deliver the highlight score he has spoiled fans with early during his Inter Miami career. But he eventually delivered and did not disappoint.Messi scored in the 86th minute to put the icing on Inter Miami’s 4-0 win over FC Charlotte in the Leagues Cup quarterfinal on Friday night at DRV PNK Stadium.Eight goals in five games – all Inter Miami victories. And now the team is in the final four of the Leagues Cup tournament.A rarity for a team that sits in last place in the MLS playoff race – before Messi joined the franchise co-owned by soccer legend David Beckham.“I think that speaks about a moment that has some expectations of doing something important,” said Inter Miami coach Tata Martino, who also coached Messi at FC Barcelona and Argentina, about the team’s prospects in the tournament. WORLD CUP CENTRAL: 2023 Women's World Cup Live Scores, Schedules, Standings, Bracket and More“I hope we can do something.” When will Messi play next?Inter Miami will be on the road against the Philadelphia Union in the Leagues Cup semifinal on Wednesday, Aug. 16. How did Messi fare in this game?Messi scored in the first eight minutes of his first three Inter Miami starts. He even one-upped himself – scoring in the eighth, seventh, and sixth minutes – in those games.But Messi did not need to provide the early theatrics in this one.Josef Martinez scored on penalty kick in the 12th minutes and Robert Taylor scored in the 32nd as Inter Miami took a 2-0 lead into halftime. An own goal in the 78 minute solidified their lead against a feisty Charlotte team that could not make the most of its opportunities.And Messi sent the fans home with a score and a smile in the final minutes, once again living up to the Messi Mania hype since joining the Miami MLS side last month. Why did Messi not have the penalty kick early?Martino, who coached Martinez in Atlanta United from 2017-2018, said he has no problem having Messi or Martinez kick in those opportunities.After all, Martino trusts both players. And Martinez may have needed the involvement in this game more than Messi, who has shined in other matches.“Whichever one kicks is fine,” Martino said. “At some point we’re going to have this situation and now we’re doing it.” How far can Inter Miami go in Leagues Cup?FC Charlotte coach Christian Lattanzio offered some high praise for Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba – the former FC Barcelona stars now in Miami.“You bring three players that are the star three players, from a team defined by experts as maybe the best ever, what do you do?” Lattanzio said.“Plus, when you have Messi, he just needs a chance, one second in the game. And you have to be very sharp to stop him from producing the magic he’s produced since he joined Barcelona when he was 16.”Lattanzio is high on Inter Miami. He thinks they could win the Leagues Cup. He thinks they could win the U.S. Open Cup, which Inter Miami will play a semifinal game on Aug. 23.“I don’t know if they ae the clear favorites, but they can win the competition,” Lattanzio said.And he thinks Inter Miami could make a run from last place to the MLS playoffs when the regular season continues.“If they find a way to make the playoffs, they can win,” he said. Messi goal: Inter Miami 4, Charlotte 0It was the moment we’ve been waiting more.Messi’s left boot put the finishing touches on his fifth game with Inter Miami.Messi was assisted by Leonard Campana in 86’ and Inter Miami’s run with the world’s greatest soccer player continues.Messi has scored eight goals during his Inter Miami career on the way to his fifth victory. Own goal: Inter Miami 3, Charlotte 0Leo Messi’s presence was felt, and Inter Miami is less than 20 minutes away from advancing to a Leagues Cup win.Messi charged the middle, and his pass to Diego Gomez put Charlotte on the brink.Gomez sent the ball back toward the middle, but a sliding defender – Charlotte’s Adilson Malanda – resulted in an own goal that gave Inter Miami a 3-0 lead late in the second half. Messi misses in 70’: Inter Miami 2, Charlotte 0Messi nearly blew the roof – OK, it’s an outdoor pitch – off Inter Miami’s stadium.Robert Taylor found Messi in the middle of the field, ready for a left boot to excite an otherwise pedestrian second half.But Messi’s kick was blocked by Charlotte’s Adilson Malanda in 70’.Messi has been held scoreless so far in his fifth Inter Miami game.Taylor, who scored in the first half, was later subbed out soon after. Halftime: Inter Miami 2, Charlotte 0While Messi had a quiet first half by his standards, he and his Inter Miami teammates are a second half away from advancing to the Leagues Cup semifinal.Josef Martinez and Robert Taylor have scored for Miami during the first half to take a 2-0 lead into the locker rooms.Messi had one shot on goal, a short kick with his left foot defended with both hands by the goalie, at the 30th minute.If Inter Miami advances, they’ll face the winner of the Philadelphia Union-Querétaro game, being played tonight. Philadelphia has a 1-0 lead early.The League Cup semifinals are on Aug. 16. Robert Taylor goal: Inter Miami 2, Charlotte 0Messi remains scoreless, but Inter Miami has taken a 2-0 lead on Charlotte.Robert Taylor scored in the 32nd minute to increase its lead.Taylor’s right foot found the left corner of the net, becoming his scored his fourth goal in Leagues Cup play.Taylor received the assist from DeAndre Yedlin. Josef Martinez goal: Inter Miami 1, Charlotte 0Well, Messi’s scoring streak in the first 10 minutes ended.But two minutes later, Inter Miami was on the board.Josef Martinez scored in the 12th minute on a penalty kick, giving Inter Miami a 1-0 lead, capitalizing on a penalty by Charlotte. Where can I watch Lionel Messi's game tonight with Inter Miami?All Inter Miami games are available to watch on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.But fans in search of a free game to view: Inter Miami's U.S. Open Cup semifinal game on Aug. 23 will be available to stream on the CBS Sports Golazo Network. Messi loves to get off to fast startsIf you’re watching the game tonight, keep an eye out on Messi early.Messi has scored in the first 10 minutes of the last three games. And he’s scored even faster with each passing game.He scored in the eighth minute in his first start.He scored in the seventh minute in the next start.And he scored in the sixth minute in his last start.Can Messi score inside five minutes in this one? Lionel Messi already in Inter Miami record booksMessi is already one of Inter Miami’s all-time leading scorers four games into his stint with the MLS franchise.With seven goals, Messi is tied for fourth in franchise history with three other players: teammate Josef Martinez, and former Inter Miami players Lewis Morgan and Rodolfo Pizarro.Messi’s next goal will tie him with teammate Robert Taylor (8) for third in Inter Miami history.Then, the climb really begins.Leonardo Campana is second all-time with 16 goals, while Gonzalo Higuain is the all-time leader with 29 goals. Messi, Busquets, Alba starting for Inter MiamiMessi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba – the former FC Barcelona standouts – will start their second game together with Inter Miami tonight.Here are the starting lineups for both teams:JavaScript is not available. Lionel Messi highlights with Inter MiamiMessi has three braces, or two goals scored in each of his last three games. And his first goal in each game has come before the 10-minute mark. So, Inter Miami has gotten off to fast starts in games Messi has started. Messi’s last game out, his first road game in Dallas, he scored on a free kick in the 85th minute to complete Inter Miami’s comeback in a 4-4 tie that went to penalty kicks. Inter Miami edged Dallas 5-3 in PKs.Messi also hit the game-winning goal in his Inter Miami debut in extra time. Messi has played the entire game in each of his last two games for Inter Miami. He came off the bench in his debut, and lasted until 78’ in his second game. When will Messi play next? If Inter Miami wins tonight, it will face the Philadelphia Union-Querétaro winner in the semifinals on Aug. 16.If Inter Miami is eliminated from the Leagues Cup, the team's next scheduled game is Aug. 23 against FC Cincinnati in the U.S. Open Cup. What is the Leagues Cup?It’s a 47-team tournament that has pit Major League Soccer teams against teams in Mexico's Liga MX.The quarterfinals are being held Friday. The semifinals will be on Aug. 16. The final and third-place game will be held on Aug. 19.The other quarterfinal matchups are:Philadelphia Unions vs. Querétaro F.C., 8 p.m. ETNashville SC vs. Minnesota United, 8:30 p.m.Los Angeles FC vs. C.F. Monterrey, 10:30 p.m. What is Inter Miami's 2023 MLS schedule?Aug. 20: vs. Charlotte FC, 7:30 p.m. ETAug. 23: at FC Cincinnati (U.S. Open Cup), 7 p.m. ETAug. 26: at New York Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m. ETAug. 30: vs. Nashville SC, 7:30 p.m. ETSept. 3: at Los Angeles FC, 10:30 p.m. ETSept. 9: vs. Sporting Kansas City, 7:30 p.m. ETSept. 16: at Atlanta United, 7:30 p.m. ETSept. 20: vs. Toronto FC, 7:30 p.m. ETSept. 24: at Orlando City SC, 7:30 p.m. ETSept. 30: vs. New York City Fc, 7:30 p.m.Oct. 4: at Chicago Fire FC, 8:30 p.m. ETOct. 7: vs. FC Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m. ETOct. 21: at Charlotte FC, 6 p.m. ET [ad_2]

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rickhorrow · 6 years ago

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10 To Watch : Mayors Edition 42219

RICK HORROW’S TOP SPORTS/BIZ/TECH/PHILANTHROPY ISSUES FOR THE WEEK OF APRIL 22 : MAYORS EDITION with Jacob Aere

Networks have unveiled their plans for this week’s NFL Draft, which begins April 25. Disney’s presentation of the event will feature over a thousand production elements, with over 600 player highlights, and 57 cameras covering the action. ESPN’s traditional draft telecast, presented for the fourth year by Courtyard, features host Trey Wingo, NFL Draft analysts Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay, and many others. Meanwhile, ABC’s differentiated coverage will focus on the journey of NFL Draft prospects, and feature “Good Morning America’s” Robin Roberts, host Rece Davis, and ESPN’s “GameDay” crew: Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard, David Pollack, Tom Rinaldi, Maria Taylor, and Chris “The Bear” Fallica. Meanwhile, NFL Media will deliver more than 76 live hours of Draft Week coverage, including a record 23 draft war room cameras. Before the first round on Thursday, NFL Draft Red Carpet airs with NFL Network's Melissa Stark and Michael Irvin interviews prospects as they arrive. By harnessing everything from hardcore sports to lifestyle coverage, both the Disney family of networks and the NFL itself demonstrate their awareness that the Draft is now must-see TV and the NFL is now a 52-week sport.

Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber has announced that the league will expand to 30 teams in the coming years, up from the previous expansion target of 28. In 2006, MLS had 11 teams. This season, there are 24, with another three on the way: Inter Miami CF (2020), Nashville SC (2020), and Austin FC (2021). Garber also anticipates selecting the 28th and 29th expansion teams in the coming months with no timetable set for the 30th team. Sacramento and St. Louis appear to be the frontrunners for slots No. 28 and 29, as they've both been asked to make formal presentations to the MLS Expansion Committee. The MLS Board of Governors also set the expansion fee for those two spots at $200 million apiece. Other cities whose expansion hopes may now be reignited include Charlotte, Detroit, Indianapolis, Phoenix, Raleigh, and San Diego, according to Sports Illustrated. Pro soccer is thriving in the U.S. and Canada, and expansion during the last decade has been a key driver of MLS' growth. Investors continue to be enthralled. So why not keep it going?

The Indiana Pacers have agreed to a deal keeping them in Indianapolis for the next 25 years. The agreement includes $295 million in public subsidies for renovation and expansion of Bankers Life Fieldhouse, the Pacers’ home arena. A further $360 million will be used for capital improvements, comprising $270 million from state and CIB sources, and $65 million from private investment. As part of the deal, the city of Indianapolis will also contribute $25 million for public infrastructure needs. Approved by the House of Representatives, the greenlighted bill now goes to the Senate to be voted on and secure final approval. Construction will be completed in three phases. Phase one will focus on interior renovations, scheduled for February-October, 2020. While this won’t disrupt Pacers’ home games, the WNBA Indiana Fever, who play their games during the summer, must play home games during the 2020 and 2021 seasons at another venue. Herbert Simon, the team's 84-year-old owner, has said he wants to keep the Pacers in Indiana and that his son, Steve Simon, will take over the franchise, which has been in their family since 1983.

After winning his fifth green jacket on Sunday, Tiger Woods learned last Monday that he would also be receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Donald Trump, the highest civilian honor in the United States. Trump announced in a tweet that he had spoken to Woods and would be presenting him with the prestigious honor. The honor is not one to be taken lightly. Woods will become just the fourth golfer to receive the medal, joining Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, and Charlie Sifford. While Nicklaus and Palmer were given the medal by President George W. Bush during his presidency, Sifford, who was a mentor to Woods, was honored five years ago by President Barack Obama. When Sifford was awarded the medal, Woods tweeted his congratulations. Woods will be the fourth athlete to receive the award during President Trump’s time in office, joining Babe Ruth, Roger Staubach, and Alan Page.

Tiger Woods’ comeback Masters win delivered $22.5 million in exposure to Nike, according to sponsorship analytics firm Apex Marketing Group. As Tiger made his final round charge towards the title, he is estimated to have generated more than $23.6 million in total exposure for his sponsors. While AT&T, Gillette, and Tag Heuer left Woods as he suffered image issues related to marriage infidelity, substance abuse, and injury, that opened the door to new partners such as Monster Energy – Woods’ golf bag sponsor – which saw $960,000 in exposure during his final round at Augusta. CBS News noted Nike's stock price rose 2% after The Masters began and "continued to edge up Monday" following Woods' victory, adding more than $2 billion to Nike's market value. The "Tiger effect" was also "enough to boost the stock prices of other golf brands." Callaway Golf "spiked as much" as 4% from the start of The Masters through Monday. Acushnet Holdings, which owns Titleist, "jumped nearly" 5% in the same period. However, not even Tiger trying to chase down Jack Nicklaus’ record 18 major wins can change golf’s trajectory – more than ever, it is a game for the aging and not the more desirable demographic, the young.

It’s never too early to get in the Games. NBCUniversal has teamed with the Olympic organizing committee LA 2028 to offer brands advertising opportunities ahead of the 2028 Olympics, to be held in Los Angeles – the first Summer Games to be held in the U.S. since 1996. A sales team is being built by NBCU and LA2028 (plus the USOC) that will begin presenting opportunities for brands to associate themselves with four sets of games crowned by the 2028 Summer Games in L.A. With the first summer games in the U.S. in more than three decades set to arrive in 2028, this partnership marks a new type of opportunity for marketers to get involved in the Olympics — which is shaping up to make an unrivaled economic and cultural impact. “At no other time in Olympic and Paralympic history have the stakes been higher…We are at an inflection point in the sports, lifestyle and live event business that demands a complete reimagining of the model and approach to embracing and involving marketers,” said LA2028 Chair Casey Wasserman. The move is highly unusual, as normally the Olympic organizing committees and broadcast partners pursue sponsorship deals independently.

MLB is bringing the 2026 All-Star Game to Philadelphia, as part of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred last week said the league’s typical process of awarding All-Star games “went out the window” with the move to award the 2026 game to the Phillies. Manfred has sought to make competitive bidding and sequential awarding of All-Star Games key tenets of his tenure since his 2014 election. However, during an event at Independence Mall last week to announce the selection, Manfred said the move to tie the 2026 game to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence was a personal decision that followed more than two years of repeated requests from Phillies Chair and close friend Dave Montgomery. Said Manfred, “Dave never asked for a favor for the Phillies or for himself. But two years ago, he began asking for this game and to announce it soon.” Fittingly, awarding the 2026 MLB All-Star Game to Philadelphia mirrors the 1976 event that was played at Veterans Stadium, and tied into America’s bicentennial.

Port of Oakland says A's waterfront ballpark would pose safety risks. The Port of Oakland’s maritime industry is "raising red flags" over the A’s waterfront ballpark plan, claiming that the 34,000-seat venue and housing project "would pose both a safety risk to ships and a threat to the port’s future as a major, regional economic engine," according to the San Francisco Chronicle. The A’s counter that the project "wouldn’t endanger any port jobs or adversely impact the port’s shipping business." The commission "finds itself having to balance the needs and future of the third-largest port on the West Coast with the desire" of Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf and the A’s to "create a new neighborhood" along the waterfront. Unlike the Giants’ Oracle Park, which "sits on a relatively quiet stretch of waterfront," the A’s ballpark "would be perched right on the edge of the port’s Inner Harbor turning basin." The basin is a "key waterway where each week bar pilots turn around an average of 25 ships" after the vessels "unload and load cargo at two nearby terminals." The pilots are very concerned about the ballpark’s lights, which they claim can act like a car’s high beams and interfere with a navigator’s vision.

A Bay Area high schooler creates a charity to help sports communities around the world. Shevali Kadakia suffered a concussion at age 15 that put her on the sidelines, unable to play soccer or basketball for a long period of time. She realized that she had accumulated a surplus of uniforms during her time playing sports over the years, and that those jerseys could be put to good use. After visiting the impoverished neighborhood of Cite Soleil in the Port-au-Prince section of Haiti, she decided to not only start donating her old jerseys, but also to start a charity. According to KRON 4, the non-profit SKCharities has been contacting colleges all across the U.S. asking athletics departments to donate old uniforms with many happy to help. The nonprofit also organizes free introductory basketball and soccer camps for children and has helped over 4,000 kids worldwide to date.

The world gets a helping hand with a MLS and Adidas Earth Day celebration. According to Hypebeast, Major League Soccer‘s social responsibility platform will run its fourth annual Greener Goals Week of Service through Earth Day. MLS Works’ Green Goals initiative explores ways to reduce the soccer body’s greenhouse gas footprint while raising awareness about environmental issues throughout the sports community. MLS has also worked with Adidas and others to create special limited edition eco-friendly kits from recycled marine plastic uniforms with all 24 clubs sporting these outfits during their games on Earth Day weekend, which took place April 19-21. Additionally, MLS clubs and staff will also be volunteering and partnering up with local charities to give back to the community. Overall, the new environment-friendly jerseys encourage soccer fans to decrease single-use plastic usage, raise awareness for plastic pollution, and generally connect sports fans with eco-friendly practices.

#10 #10towatch

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worldfairnewss · 1 year ago

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Hemp flying Norfolk banner as Britain bid for World Cup semi-finals spot

The Lionesses should arrive at the last four without forward Lauren James, who has contributed three objectives and three helps this competition, however will serve the first of her two-match boycott for the red card she was given in Britain's last-16 experience with Nigeria.

Hemp, from North Walsham, scored in the 6-1 win over China yet Sarina Wiegman's side have fought their direction into this round, with predominance to a great extent supplanted by hounded assurance to crush out wins and keep the fantasy about lifting a first World Cup prize alive.

Goalkeeper Mary Earps accepts "the best is on the way" from Britain.

"I trust it's a shocking opportunity to be an England player point of fact, yet we want to obtain that right reliably," she said.

"Plus, I feel that we're reliably hoping to improve and drive execution and drive our standards and I acknowledge that that is the best thing about it.We're not remaining here, obviously we're glad that we're here and thankful that we're here, yet we're not fulfilled, we're not finished, there's even more levels we need to go.

I believe there's such a lot of ability in the gathering, thus a lot more levels we can go, I truly trust that."

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shahananasrin-blog · 1 year ago

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[ad_1] Inter Miami's Argentine forward Lionel Messi. — AFP/FileLionel Messi put the finishing touches on Inter Miami's 4-0 victory over FC Charlotte with a goal in the 86th minute on Friday night at DRV PNK Stadium.Lionel Messi may have left his fans hankering to see the highlight score he has spoilt them with already in his Inter Miami career, but when it finally came, everyone was thrilled.Inter Miami was able to secure five victories in five games, making it to the final four of the Leagues Cup tournament. The Miami game has already been decided, so they are awaiting the outcome of the Philadelphia Union-Querétaro matchup, which was deadlocked in the second half.Messi scored in the opening eight minutes of each of his first three starts for Inter Miami. In those games, he even outdid himself by scoring in the eighth, seventh, and sixth minutes.However, in this game, he did not need to provide the opening theatrics.To take a 2-0 lead into halftime, Josef Martinez scored on a penalty kick in 12' and Robert Taylor scored in 32'.Inter Miami's advantage over a tenacious Charlotte club that failed to take advantage of its opportunities was cemented by an own goal in the 78th minute.Messi, who joined the Miami MLS team last month, once again lived up to the Messi Mania hype as he sent the crowd home with a goal and a smile.Moreover, Leonard Campana's assist in the 86th minute let Messi continue his streak as the best soccer player in the world continues. Messi has eight goals in his last three games.Inter Miami is just a few moments away from winning the Leagues Cup thanks to Leo Messi's impact.Messi pushed Charlotte to the limit with his ball to Diego Gomez as he attacked the middle. A sliding defender, Adilson Malanda of Charlotte, intercepted a pass from Gomez and scored an own goal to give Inter Miami a 3-0 advantage late in the second half.Messi was waiting for a left boot when Robert Taylor spotted him in the middle of the pitch. Messi's left boot enlivened an otherwise dull second half. But Adilson Malanda of Charlotte blocked Messi's attempt in the 70th second. In his fifth game with Inter Miami, Messi has yet to score.Taylor, who scored in the opening period, was later replaced. [ad_2]

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rickhorrow · 6 years ago

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15 + 5 + 5 To Watch : 42219

15 TO WATCH/5 SPORTS TECH/POWER OF SPORTS 5: RICK HORROW’S TOP SPORTS/BIZ/TECH/PHILANTHROPY ISSUES FOR THE WEEK OF APRIL 22 with Jacob Aere

Peyton’s Places, a 30-episode documentary series hosted by legendary quarterback Peyton Manning, will air on ESPN+. Manning will host the football-themed series, revisiting seminal moments in NFL history. In the series, the two-time Super Bowl champ with the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos interviews former NFL players, coaches, and other key figures about football history and its cultural impact. Slated to debut July 15 exclusively on ESPN+, the series will be presented in five chapters, each comprising six episodes. In addition, ESPN and/or ABC will air special compilations, recapping each part after the full episodes debut on ESPN+. The series is part of ESPN’s celebration of the NFL’s 100th season, produced by NFL Films in collaboration with ESPN+. While not specifically tied to the NFL Draft, the announcement of the new Manning-led series has particular significance before this year’s Draft in Nashville. Manning was selected by the Colts with the first overall pick of the 1998 NFL Draft…out of Tennessee.

Russell Wilson and the Seahawks have reached an agreement on a 4-year, $140 million extension that includes a $65 million signing bonus, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Wilson's extension is the richest ever in terms of average annual value ($35 million per season), surpassing Aaron Rodgers ($33.5 million). His $65 million signing bonus is also a new record, topping the $57.5 million Rodgers got last summer. Wilson, who is coming off arguably the best season of his career, was set to make $17 million in 2019, the final season of the four-year, $87.6 million extension he signed in 2015. As noted by Axios Sports, with their franchise quarterback taken care of, the Seahawks will now turn their attention to potential extensions for All-Pro middle linebacker Bobby Wagner and top pass-rusher Frank Clark. The last few weeks have been full of rumors that "Russell Wilson wants to play for the Giants" and "Russell Wilson and his wife, Ciara, prefer New York." In hindsight, that was all nonsense – and it’s par for the rumor mill that always accompanies the NFL Draft run up.

Even though NBA viewership was down 8% during the regular season, marketers have lined up to take part in NBA post-season action. Strong demand has already gobbled up between 85%-95% of the ad inventory on ESPN, ABC, and Turner’s TNT, with percentage rate increases over last year in the high single digits. Regular-season ratings have minimal impact on the post-season because the NBA Playoffs involve marquee teams with stars playing head-to-head every night. Moreover, numerous postseason superstars have huge social media followings that help draw viewers – particularly younger ones. Perhaps with that in mind, Adidas Basketball and Marvel have unveiled a campaign for a new limited-edition "Heroes Among Us" shoe collection featuring five current and former NBA and WNBA players. Players featured include the Rockets’ James Harden (Iron Man), the Trail Blazers’ Damian Lillard (Black Panther), the Wizards’ John Wall (Captain America), former NBAer Tracy McGrady (Nick Fury), and the WNBA Sparks’ Candace Parker (Captain Marvel). The shoe line will be available at retail April 26, as the playoffs tip off their second round.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has put forward the idea of adding mid-season tournaments to the league and shortening the number of games played each season. Currently, NBA teams each play in an 82-game regular season, with games lasting 48 minutes. For Silver, player welfare is reportedly at the heart of the proposed reforms. But to counteract the reduced revenues a shortened schedule will bring, Silver has suggested adding all-new mid-season tournaments to maintain income. While acknowledging these changes will do away with more than 50 years of American basketball tradition in the U.S., Silver believes they are necessary for the NBA to stay relevant as fans’ viewing habits change in an increasingly competitive market. It is has been rumored that seasons could be scaled back to 70 games per team, with the NBA exploring the possibility of the mid-season tournaments being hosted in Europe and Asia. The two continents have been earmarked by the league for brand growth. Considering that ever-older NBA players have so many miles on their bodies – just look at the just-retired 40 year old Dirk Nowitzki – Silver is right to begin reimagining the schedule.

Despite some shockers in the first round that left busted brackets in the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs Bracket Challenge presented by Jägermeister, the NHL is now offering – for the first time ever – a fresh start with the Stanley Cup Playoffs Second Chance Bracket. At the conclusion of the First Round and before the start of the Second Round, fans will be able to submit a new bracket at NHL.com/Bracket with their predictions for the remainder of the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Hockey fans submitted more than 1.42 million brackets in the initial 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs Bracket Challenge. Following upsets that knocked the Lightning and Penguins out of the Playoffs, the NHL is offering fans who participated in the playoff bracket challenge a second chance. The Lightning were projected as champions by 48.62% of the brackets, and the Penguins were selected by 51.3%. Meanwhile, the Toronto Maple Leafs are probably hoping that their fan Drake doesn’t make the trip to Boston for their Game 7 showdown with the Bruins on Tuesday. The so-called “Drake Curse” has been exhaustively noted – when the rapper roots for someone, they lose.

London is set to lose the ATP Finals after 2020 with the ATP reportedly favoring moving the season-ending men’s tennis tournament to Turin in Italy. According to the Daily Telegraph, barring a last-minute change of heart, next year’s ATP Finals will be the last staged at the O2 Arena, which has hosted the men’s tennis finale since 2009. The ATP has undergone a nine-month bid process for a new five-year hosting deal, and in December narrowed its shortlist down to London, Manchester, Turin, Singapore, and Tokyo. The Telegraph report claims that ATP executives are likely to rule out a fourth extension to its hosting agreement for the O2. Italy’s bid is apparently unlikely to sell as many tickets as the event at the O2, but Italian media reports have said that Turin’s mayor, Chiara Appendino, is willing to put up an annual guarantee of $17 million in order to secure the tournament hosting rights. The ATP Finals has been a major success in London, drawing more than 250,000 people each year and accounting for 15% of the governing body’s revenues, which amounted to $144 million for the last financial year.

Spending on over-the-top (OTT) technology in sports will hit $6.8 billion by 2021, according to a new report by Deltatre. The analysis reveals that sports operators worldwide are now spending 15% of total budgets on OTT technology, and by 2021, more than $6.8 billion will be invested in the sector. Other key findings in the report reveal that 2/3 of consumers are not willing to spend more than $39 per month on sports content – with the remaining third prepared to pay more. Additionally, the analysis from Deltatre, a Bruin Sports Capital portfolio company, offers good news for global sports operators investing in fan engagement functionality, as doing so delivers a 24% uplift in subscriber acquisition. 72% of those surveyed in the report cite personalization and a tailored user experience as the most important feature offered by OTT sports services. Almost the same number of consumers, 71%, want deeper immersion and a desire to feel closer to the action through the more advanced functionality that OTT can provide. OTT metrics have changed. It's no longer just about streaming games. Encouraging viewers to come back day after day is the gold standard, even when there’s no live competition taking place.

Top Five Tech

Gen.G Esports announces a $46 million round of funding including Will Smith. According to Esports Insider, other new partners include Japanese soccer star Keisuke Honda's Dreamers Fund, Los Angeles Clippers minority owner Dennis Wong, former Chairman of U.S. Investments Alibaba Group Michael Zeisser, and MasterClass Co-Founder and CEO David Rogier. Two-time NBA Champion and current Gen.G Player Management Advisor Chris Bosh will continue to lead the team’s creative and commercial endeavors while the new capital will go towards supporting the ongoing expansion of Gen.G’s global footprint, which already includes teams in the world’s top esports leagues across the U.S., China, and Korea. The new money will also contribute to the development of Gen.G’s youth esports academy program and the launch of Gen.G’s Los Angeles headquarters, opening in July, 2019. Honda’s presence will help build esports in Japan and other nations with budding esports communities, while Smith’s investment adds to the list of big-name U.S. esports investors.

Barstool Sports drives to make a splash in golf with “Barstool Classic.” According to Golfweek, the multi-month tournament will begin with eight qualifying events in major markets, including Boston, Chicago, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and New York, leading up to one championship event. The tournament features teams of two playing at 50% handicap in four-ball format. The winning team gets $10,000 and a trophy for their efforts. The tournament kicks off June 3 in in Milton, Massachusetts, and then takes place on August 26 in Pound Ridge, New York with two additional events to be scheduled in the New York and Philadelphia areas, in addition to the championship. Barstool’s media presence has been built behind loyal fans. And golf is an area that Barstool President Dave Portnoy knows is a hot topic among their fan base, and subscribers can’t get enough of that content. In the week after Tiger Woods’ comeback Masters’ win, Barstool is choosing the right time to capitalize on America’s newfound passion for golf.

NHL stars are creating video diary series for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. According to Adweek, one player on each of the 16 teams participating in the NHL postseason is taking part in a video diary series called Cup Confidential, in which they will talk about their team’s performance, the atmosphere in the arena, pregame rituals, fans, home lives, and other topics across the NHL’s Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter channels. Players who are part of Cup Confidential include Tyler Ennis of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Rasmus Andersson of the Calgary Flames, and Matt Hendricks of the Winnipeg Jets. While there have been big upsets of late including the Tampa Bay Lightning's 0-4 defeat, the video diaries have been a key part of the NHL’s strong social media push during its playoffs.

Golf hits a hole-in-one with 1 billion minutes of streamed coverage with Tiger Woods’ Masters victory. CBS Sports and The Masters live streaming coverage drew record viewership online, with more than 1 billion minutes of coverage streamed as Woods secured his first major victory since 2008. Over the tournament’s duration, an average audience of 447,000 per minute watched the live stream from Augusta. According to SportsPro, an average of 10.8 million viewers tuned in to watch CBS Sports’ coverage of the final round on Sunday, registering the tournament’s most-watched morning golf broadcast in 32 years. 18.3 million viewers tuned into the final day at its peak between 2:15 pm and 2:30 pm when Woods sealed his fifth green jacket. The final day of play drew a combined 37.2 million viewers, setting the highest Sunday coverage for a Masters since 2013; the final round replay also drew an average of 4.5 million viewers.

Twitch was a preferred streaming destination for Generation Adidas Cup. As part of the MLS agreement, Twitch streamed video coverage of 66 matches from the elite youth tournament to a global audience live from Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas April 13-20. According to MLS, the league also showcased off-field programming through player engagement seminars and coaching symposium talks in addition to streaming live matches. The games at the Cup hosted matches across both U-17 and U-15 divisions. Generation Adidas Cup is the latest MLS event to integrate Twitch as a featured distribution platform, joining eMLS Cup on March 30 in Boston. Reaching into youth sports may be the next big marketing key for a progressively more crowded sports OTT and streaming field.

Power of Sports Five

Cleveland Indians pitcher Trevor Bauer ramps up his charity efforts with $690 donated for every strikeout he tallies on the season. Although somewhat rambunctious in nature, Bauer has a heart of gold. Last season, he started his 69 Days of Giving campaign. He donated $420.69 to different organizations for 68 days in a row, and $69,420.69 on the 69th day to Max Hayes High School, an inner-city Cleveland school focused on STEM courses. According to Yahoo! Sports, this season he has added his strikeout donations, where for every punch out he records, he will donate $10 to 69 different organizations. Already, Bauer has generated $22,800 in 2019 with the money dedicated to providing kids with after-school opportunities. A self-described nerd as a kid, Bauer wants to ensure STEM education gets its fair share of help and has taken to his active Twitter page to let his fans have a say in the charities he will support. An MLB All-Star in 2018, Bauer is poised to make a big splash on the mound as well as in philanthropy this season.

Sports anti-racism charity joins government board to fight anti-Semitism. Action Against Discrimination (AAD) is joining the U.K. government’s new working board to tackle racism and anti-Semitism in sport. According to Jewish News, the group, which is set up by U.K. Sports Minister Mims Davies, is reviewing soccer’s current sanctioning regime to create a closer partnership between soccer authorities and the police to better identify offenders at matches. Tackling hate in sport is a large issue that continues to permeate UEFA, MLB, the NHL, and the NBA. By teaming up with governments, more direct action will be committed in the U.K. toward changing the status quo of waving aside offensive and derogatory language in professional sport.

Oakland Raiders cornerback Gareon Conley is hosting a charity event for vulnerable youth in sport. The 1st Annual Conley Island Best In America Charity Golf Tournament in Columbus, Ohio will raise money for LiFEsports, a charity at Conley’s alma mater, Ohio State University. LiFEsports serves over 1,000 Central Ohio youth from socially vulnerable circumstances through its summer camp, year-round clinics, and Youth Leadership Academy. The program mentors and teaches social skills and valuable life lessons to the youth who need it the most. According to 247 Sports, LIFEsports was in such high demand last year that they couldn't accommodate all of the children that they needed to help, so Conley is using golf and some of his star-powered friends including current and former NFL players Eli Apple, running back Beanie Wells, linebacker Darron Lee, and cornerback Shawn Springs to bring in donations for kids who can use a helping hand through the power of sport. Whether wanting to participate or simply watch, this charity event combines golf and football to gives back to kids who could be future stars in their own rights, so long as they can receive a little help to even the playing field.

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