Wolves Fire President Gersson Rosas Amidst Internal Turmoil
The Minnesota Timberwolves fired president of basketball operations Gersson Rosas on Wednesday after an internal review from ownership regarding his performance and relationships within the organization. Per The Athletic’s Shams Charania and John Krawczynski, team stakeholders had been monitoring Rosas’ performance throughout the summer, andreportedly discovered evidence that Rosas was involved in a consensual romantic relationship with another team employee.
NHL Finds No Evidence Kane Gambled on Games
The NHL announced Wednesday it has completed its gambling investigation into Evander Kane, finding no evidence that the San Jose Sharks forward wagered on NHL games. The allegations against Kane surfaced on social media as part of an ongoing marital dispute involving his wife.
Bears’ Justin Fields to Get First NFL Start Sunday
The Chicago Bears will have a new starting QB in this Sunday’s match-up against the Cleveland Browns. On Wednesday, coach Matt Nagy confirmed Andy Dalton will be sidelined by a knee injury, and the rookie will take the snap.
WNBA Playoffs Tips Off with Two Single-elimination Games
The WNBA post-season will commence tonight with two single-elimination games. The Phoenix Mercury will take on the New York Liberty and The Chicago Sky will face the Dallas Wings. The winners will meet the Seattle Storm and the Minnesota Lynx in the second round.
Rays Clinch Postseason Berth as AL Wild Card Battle Looms
The Tampa Bay Rays clinched a spot in the postseason Wednesday night with a 7-1 win against the Toronto Blue Jays. The game got testy when benches cleared after Rays outfielder Kevin Kiermaier was hit in the back with a pitch from Toronto reliever Ryan Borucki in the 8th inning. The Jays are in a tight race with the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees for one of two AL Wild Card spots.
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FTX Announces Mercedes F1 Sponsorship
Cryptocurrrency exchange FTX is expanding its impressive sports portfolio, announcing their partnership with Mercedes’ decorated Formula 1 team. The collaboration is scheduled to be unveiled at this weekend’s Russian Grand Prix.
Topps Teams Up with Overtime Elite for Exclusive Trading Cards
After a series of challenging weeks, Topps looks to rebound with Overtime Elite. The trading card giant announced its return to the game of basketball, striking a deal to create exclusive trading cards and collectibles for the new league that debuts this fall and will pay 16- to 18-year old prep players six-figure salaries.
The Athletic Seeks Buyer, $750M Valuation
The Athletic is ramping up efforts to find a buyer willing to acknowledge a $750 million estimated valuation, The Information reported Wednesday. The subscription-only sports media outlet, which boasts around 1.2 million subscribers, has reportedly hired investment bank LionTree to help it find a buyer.
Ahead of UFC Return, Nick Diaz Says He Doesn’t Enjoy MMA
The former welterweight title challenger told reporters that he is not looking forward to returning to the cage for the first time since 2015. As he prepares for his UFC 266 rematch against Robbie Lawler, Diaz told ESPN, “I never enjoyed fighting… it’s just what I do.”
Athletes Hoping to Compete at 2022 Olympics Must Be Vaccinated, USOPC Says
In advance of the winter Olympics, the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee confirmed that American athletes, coaches, and staff must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 in order to utilize USOPC facilities and to be eligible for competition. The US anticipates sending 240 athletes, all of whom must show proof of vaccination by Dec. 1.
Russell Westbrook to Debut Documentary About His Life on Showtime
As he makes his move to LA, Russell Westbrook is set to give his fans an inside peek at his life, debuting Passion Play: Russell Westbrook on Showtime on Oct. 15. The project is co-directed by Gotham Chopra, who also directed the 2015 doc Kobe Bryant’s Muse.
PLL Founder Paul Rabil Joins Therabody Team
After announcing his retirement from the sport, lacrosse superstar Paul Rabil will be joining the Therabody team as a brand ambassador. The all-time leading scorer will join other big names like DeAndre Hopkins, Breanna Stewart, and DeVonta Smith, as Therabody athletes.
