Unvaccinated NBA Players Who Miss Games Won’t Get Paid
NBA spokesman Mike Bass announced Wednesday that players who miss games due to their decision to forego the COVID vaccination will not be paid. For some of the game’s highest-paid players, this could amount to up to $250,000 per game. As of reporting, over 90% of the league’s athletes were vaccinated.
Cards Win Streak Ends at 17
The St. Louis Cardinals saw their 17-game winning streak come to an end Wednesday night following a 4-0 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers. The streak was the longest in the bigs since Cleveland won 22 straight in 2017.
NCAA to Use March Madness Branding for Women’s Tourney
The NCAA announced Wednesday it will use March Madness in all marketing and branding for the Women’s basketball tournament starting this season. The use of the phrase “March Madness,” which has been synonymous with the men’s tournament for years, was recommended in an external review of gender equity issues of the tournaments released over the summer.
Ohtani Shut Down from Pitching for Rest of Season
Los Angeles Angels two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani will miss his next scheduled start in Sunday’s season finale against the surging Seattle Mariners, manager Joe Maddon announced Wednesday. Ohtani, who is in the running for AL MVP, will continue to hit this week in hopes of adding to his impressive offensive numbers that include a .960 OPS, 45 home runs, and 26 stolen bases.
Chris Colinsworth’s Pro Football Focus Receives $50M Investment from Silver Lake
The global investment firm has announced that it will invest $50 million in PFF to help the data and analytics company as they seek to extend their services beyond football, starting with soccer. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the investment bumps PFF over a nine-figure valuation, however specific details are still unknown at this time.
Winter Olympics to Ban Foreign Fans
The International Olympic Committee decided that spectators from mainland China will be able to attend the upcoming Winter Games in Beijing. The news comes on the back of a recent decision by the IOC to require all athletes to be vaccinated to compete or be subject to a 21-day quarantine.
Benson Reveals Long Term Plans to Keep Saints, Pels in NOLA
New Orleans Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson revealed Wednesday her succession plans for both teams upon her passing. Benson, whose husband Tom Benson owned both teams prior to his death, said the long-term plan is to sell the teams but to keep them in New Orleans and distribute the proceeds of the sale to charity.
LaMelo Ball Launches Scholarship Program
Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball has announced that he will fund the four-year tuition for one lucky student who elects to study Sports Management or Sports Communication & Marketing at the Roc Nation School of Music, Sports and Entertainment at Long Island University. All three of the Ball brothers are represented by Roc Nation Sports.
WWE Tag Teams with MLB for Signature Belt Series
Starting next season, the WWE will be moving out of the ring and onto the diamond, as they announce a special partnership with the MLB to create custom championship belts with team logos. In addition, as part of the WWE’s first major partnership with a professional sports league, they will create belts for key events, including the Home Run Derby and World Series.
Olympian Pleads Guilty to Capitol Riot
Klete Keller, a three-time Olympian, pleaded guilty on Wednesday in association with his presence at the Jan. 6 riots at the US Capitol. Although the swimmer was charged with seven counts, his plea addressed only one felony count of obstructing an official proceeding before Congress, for which he could receive up to 20 years in prison.
Genius Works NFL Data for Major Deal with Entain and BetMGM
The sports data company will leverage its access to boundless NFL data in their new partnership with Entain and BetMGM, Sportico’s Eben Novy-Williams reports. This is only the most recent in a long series of such deals for Genius, who also signed on as the NFL’s official sports gambling data partner back in April.