Houston Ties Series with 7-2 Win in Game 2
The Fall Classic is all tied up heading to Atlanta as the Astros bounced back Wednesday with a 7-2 win against the Braves. José Altuve provided the sparks for Houston, going 2-for-5 with a home run. Altuve’s blast is his 22nd in the postseason, tying him with former New York Yankees star Bernie Williams for second-most all-time in the postseason. Game 3 is Friday night at 8:09 p.m. ET.
Fanatics Stays Golden with Olympics Deal
The retail giant announced on Thursday that it has struck a deal with the International Olympics Committee. The deal will begin with the 2024 Paris games and extends through the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles and marks the first international deal for the Florida-based company, which has a valuation of $18 billion.
Mavs Make Voyager Digital Official Crypto Partner
The Dallas Mavericks have inked a five-year deal to make Voyager Digital the team’s first cryptocurrency brokerage and international partner. The exclusive partnership announced Wednesday is expected to include educational and community programs, global activations, and fan engagement promotions.
Abigail Montes Hands Claressa Shields First-ever Combat Loss
The two-time Olympic gold medalist lost Wednesday’s PFL World Championship finale to the 21-year-old Montes in a split-decision loss. The rising Mexican star maximized Shields’ inexperience in the cage, utilizing the fence and establishing control over the 26-year-old, who was fighting just her second MMA match.
WNBA Veteran Alana Beard to Spearhead Oakland-based Ownership Group Eyeing Expansion
Former WNBA champion and 4-time All-Star Alana Beard will lead an ownership group that hopes to bring an expansion team to Oakland. The 15-year veteran has teamed up with the African American Sports and Entertainment Group and have presented their intentions to the league via letter to Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. They will hold a virtual press conference on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. EST to announce the bid.
WWE to Launch New Line of NFTs
Fox Corp. and WWE are joining forces to launch a new marketplace to sell NFTs. The multi-year partnership between the WWE and Fox’s Blockchain Creative Labs will include NFTs of popular wrestlers, iconic moments, live events, and much more.
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NFLPA Announces DRIVEN Program to Boost Diversity in Sports Licensing
The NFL Players Association (NFLPA) announced a new business accelerator program on Wednesday aimed at addressing the debilitating impact of “sideline culture” on the emergence of people of color and women as leaders in the sports licensing space. The DRIVEN program will select three businesses led by individuals from underrepresented backgrounds that will receive mentorship, research, and development, product creation, marketing support, consultation from partners and athletes, and coaching sessions to help them navigate and thrive over a two-year period.
J.J. Watt Faces Shoulder Surgery
The Arizona Cardinals look to stay unbeaten tonight as they face the 6-1 Green Bay Packers at home. However, they will do so without J.J. Watt. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the star defensive end will have surgery on an injured shoulder that is likely to bench him for the remainder of the season. The Packers’ No. 1 and 2 receivers, Davante Adams and Allen Lazard, will also be missing in action on Thursday due to COVID protocols.
NBA Veteran J.J. Redick Tips Off Next Chapter with ESPN
After announcing his retirement from the league late last month, NBA journeyman J.J. Redick revealed his newest role: ESPN analyst. Redick will join various studio and radio shows across the network, while also serving as an in-game analyst for select matchups. It won’t be the first foray into media for the 15-year veteran, as he’s the co-founder of ThreeFourTwo Productions and the co-host of the popular “Old Man and the Three” podcast.
Packers Get Approval to Sell Stock for Lambeau Field Improvements
The NFL has given the Green Bay Packers approval for a potential stock sale, paving the way for future improvements at Lambeau Field. The Packers have had five stock sales in the team’s history, occurring in 1923, 1935, 1950, 1997, and 2011. The 2011 sale, in which fans could purchase a stake in the team at $250 each, netted $67.4 million.
Barcelona Sacks Coach Ronald Koeman
Barcelona fired its coach Ronald Koeman on Wednesday, just 18 months into his tenure with the club. The news comes on the heels of their 1-0 loss to Rayo Vallecano and an overall underwhelming start to their La Liga season.
World Series Game 1 Viewership Up 17.5% Over Last Year
Game 1 of the World Series between the Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros drew an average of 10.81 million viewers on Fox, a 17.5% increase over last year’s Game 1 between the LA Dodgers and Tampa Bay Rays. The total number of viewers was actually 11.07 million when combining viewers on Fox, Fox Deportes for Spanish-language coverage, and Fox’s streaming apps.
