No. 4 Ohio State Debuts With Comeback Win Over Minnesota
After a slow start, the Buckeyes rolled to a 45-31 victory over the Badgers Thursday night in front of a sellout crowd at Huntington Bank Stadium. Trailing at the half, freshman quarterback CJ Stroud got some key encouragement from head coach Ryan Day to key a stellar second-half performance, finishing with 294 passing yards and four touchdowns.
No. 3 Clemson Loses To No. 5 Georgia
In a defensive battle, the Georgia Bulldogs beat the Clemson Tigers on Sunday. While neither team was able to get going offensively, Georgia’s stifling defense held Clemson to only 180 yards of total offense.
Naomi Osaka Reveals She May Never Play Tennis Again
After tennis superstar Naomi Osaka lost at the 2021 U.S. Open, she tearfully announced that she will be taking a hiatus from tennis. Osaka previously pulled out of various tournaments this year citing mental health issues. Osaka, who was ranked No 3 going into the tournament, lost to Leylah Fernandez who is ranked No 73rd.
Ashleigh Barty Loses To Shelby Rogers In Shocking Upset
At the U.S. Open Ash Barty, No 1 in the world, lost to Shelby Rogers who is ranked No 43. Barty had recently won Wimbledon, so this signifies a major upset.
Three-time Patriots Super Bowl Champ David Patten Dies at 47
Former NFL wide receiver David Patten Jr., who won three Super Bowl championships as a member of the New England Patriots, passed away Thursday night in Richland County, South Carolina at the age of 47. Patten was reportedly involved in a three-vehicle accident on his motorcycle. He additionally played for the Giants, Browns, Washington, and Saints, and famously caught Tom Brady’s first-ever Super Bowl touchdown pass in 2002. After the news broke, friends and teammates around the NFL paid profound respects to Patten’s memory.
NFL Says No to Crypto — for Now
NFL teams will not be able to cash in on the crypto craze, at least for the moment. The league has prohibited its teams from linking with crypto companies, including creating NFTs and leveraging naming rights deals, The Athletic reports. The move aligns with the league’s history of taking a generally cautious approach to new markets and technologies, as evidenced by its approach to fantasy and sports betting.
Yankees Radio Announcer Rescued from Flood by Fellow Broadcaster
New York Yankees Spanish radio announcer Rickie Ricardo is being hailed a hero after rescuing fellow Yankees broadcast announcer John Sterling from rising floodwaters earlier this week. The rescue, which occurred Wednesday in the midst of treacherous weather from Hurricane Ida, involved Ricardo reportedly pulling the 83-year-old Sterling from his car after becoming stuck in a flash flood.
PGA Tour Tees Up Netflix Deal
Following the immense success of behind-the-scenes sports programming like F1’s Drive to Survive and the NFL’s Hard Knocks, the PGA Tour announced that it will launch its own limited release series on Netflix. The docu-style series will grant fans a peek behind access to some of the best players on the tour throughout the 2021-22 season.
SI Sportsbook Launches in Colorado
Sports Illustrated is making its move into the sports betting space, announcing that it will open its first sportsbook in Colorado just in time for the NFL season. Over the coming months, the brand seeks to expand in Indiana, Iowa, and New Jersey. SI’s parent company, Authentic Brands Group, bought a 5% stake in online gambling company 888 Holdings earlier this year to help launch their new venture.
Drake Taps Sports’ Biggest Names for Viral Campaign in Advance of CLB Drop
On Thursday, Twitter exploded with cryptic messages from some of sports’ biggest stars, including LeBron James and Kevin Durant. Various “6”s and owl references signaled Drake’s impending release of his sixth studio album, Certified Lover Boy, which dropped on Friday.
ESPN Connects with Tech Giants to Explore the Next Frontier of Sports Technology
ESPN announced Thursday it is partnering with several major tech companies to launch a new sports media initiative called the ESPN Edge Innovation Center. The new project, which involves Microsoft, Verizon, and Accenture, is being launched “to explore how new technologies like 5G, Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR), and mobile edge computing (MEC) can enable new ways for fans to experience sports.”
Barstool Sports to Stream New Channel, Exclusive Content on Sling TV
Barstool Sports video content will now be available on SLING TV, both brands announced Friday. The new Barstool Sports Channel will be available to both SLING subscribers and SLING Free users, will feature exclusive programming from its top personalities.
Utah Jazz to Offer Exclusive NFTs Granting Fans Virtual Locker Room Access
The Utah Jazz became the latest NBA team to get into the crypto game on Thursday after announcing it would start selling non-fungible tokens to fans. The new Jazz-inspired NFTs, which are expected to show off a virtual locker room experience and some iconic team moments, are expected to go on sale starting Sept. 7.
NHL, Sportradar Deal Offers Equity with Impending IPO
Recently released details of a new gambling and data streaming deal between the NHL and Sportradar shows the league could net as much as $90 million in future earnings. The 10-year deal, which was disclosed in Sportradar’s F-1 SEC filing, gives the NHL the right to purchase up to 1.8% equity in the Swiss firm via three separate avenues.
