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☆ The inside story of how FanDuel upended US sports betting with the same-game parlay and used it to dominate the market
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( Ashley Rodriguez | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

The daily-fantasy-sports company, which European gambling giant Flutter Entertainment had acquired, was racing to introduce its "same-game parlay" to the US. The same-game parlay, a phrase FanDuel coined, has since caught fire, meshing well with the high-scoring, stat-driven, athlete-personality focus of US sports — and propelled FanDuel to the forefront of the betting market. "The same-game parlay was the right product in the right market at exactly the right time." Every sports-betting operator, from DraftKings to newcomer Fanatics, now has or is building its version of the same-game parlay. After the NBA resumed play in July 2020, the same-game parlay grew from 5% to 10% of FanDuel's bets, Farren said.

Persons: FanDuel, Scott Longley, parlay, Conor Farren, FanDuel's, DraftKings, Entain, parlays, Longley, would've, John Maguire, Maguire, isn't, LeBron James, Jalen Rose, Sportsbet, Paddy Power Betfair, Farren, It's, Ben Hider, Penn Organizations: NFL, Krejcik, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Australian Football League, Australian rugby, NBA, ESPN Bet, FanDuel, Industry Locations: DraftKings, Melbourne, Australia, England, FanDuel

☆ Venomous snake on field of play delays AFLW game in Australia
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-16 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —A venomous snake delayed the start of an AFLW game in Blacktown, Australia by half an hour as players waited for a snake catcher to remove it from the field. The red-bellied black snake, which the Australian Museum says will only bite under extreme circumstances, was spotted on the field before Greater Western Sydney Giants played Richmond Tigers in the AFWL, the women’s Australian football league. “It’s pretty interesting,” said the Giants’ head of women’s football Briana Harvey during the delay, according to the AFL. “There’s a little red-bellied black snake on the ground at the moment, just in one of the far pockets. After the delay, the Giants sunk to their third consecutive loss of the season as Richmond completed a 19-point victory.

Persons: “, ”, Briana Harvey Organizations: CNN, Australian Museum, Western Sydney Giants, Richmond Tigers, Australian, Giants, AFL, Richmond Locations: Blacktown, Australia

☆ Wanted: Female Athletes. Multiple Vacancies.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-19 | by ( Rory Smith | More About Rory Smith | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Brooke Walker spent that first night watching as much Australian rules football as she could. She did the same the next night, and the night after that. Walker had not grown up playing what is, depending on whom you ask, Australia’s most popular sport. As a child, she had played touch, the minimal-contact version, and rugby league. “Even when I was 14 or 15, I wouldn’t ever have seen it,” she said.

Persons: Brooke Walker, Walker, ”, “, — Organizations: league, Australian Football, — Carlton Locations: New Zealand, Australia, Melbourne

Two of Australia’s largest grassroots Indigenous football bodies – Indigenous Football Australia (IFA) and the Australian Indigenous Football Council (AIFC) – say there’s no funding for Indigenous football in Legacy ’23, the 357 million Australian dollar ($228 million) post-tournament fund dedicated to growing soccer in Australia. By contrast, the AIFC oversees state and territory Indigenous football councils and organizes the First Nations Indigenous Football Championships and teams who play as the Indigenous Roos and Koalas. The AIFC recently signed a “Football Treaty” with New Zealand equivalent, Māori Football Aotearoa, and Gilbert wants to create a World Indigenous Football Council and Indigenous World Cup, independently of FIFA. Pickering-Parker seems more hopeful that the World Cup will bring more funding to his small team of volunteers: “Right now. If hosting a Women’s World Cup isn’t going to do it, I don’t know what else is,” she said.

Persons: “, that’s, it’s, ”, Ros Moriarty, James Johnson, Karen Menzies, John Maynard, “ I’ll, I’m, I’ll, Maynard, –, who’ve, Asanka Brendon Ratnayake, Moriarty Football, John’s, Moriarty, ” Lawrence Gilbert, Gilbert, ” John Moriarty, John Moriarty, Johnson, We’ve, It’s, Jennifer Pickering, Tai Tokerau, “ You’re, ” Pickering, Claudia Bunge, Michaela Foster, Mathias Bergeld, Phillip Pickering, Parker, Pickering, Kyah Simon, who’s, Lydia Williams, Williams, ” Williams, Matt King, Australia’s, That’s, crowdfunding, NIAG, we’ve, Menzies, we’re, … Organizations: Sydney CNN —, Indigenous Football Australia, IFA, Australian Indigenous Football Council, Indigenous, Moriarty Foundation, Football Australia, CNN Sport, FIFA, Indigenous Advisory, CNN, Aboriginal Soccer Tribe, UNICEF Australia First Nations, Aboriginal, Torres Strait, Elders, Commonwealth, First, First Nations, Reuters, Australian, soccer team, ” John Moriarty Football, New South, Nations Indigenous Football, Indigenous Roos, Treaty, Māori Football Aotearoa, Indigenous Football Council, Nations Australian, Nations, . New Zealand, ”, New Zealand Football, AFL, Australian Football League, Sydney Football Stadium Locations: Australia, New Zealand, Brisbane, New South Wales, Koalas, Tai, New, ., Norway, Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, Perth, “

☆ Women's World Cup: Australia dares to dream of win as Matildas mania sweeps the country
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Hilary Whiteman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Sydney CNN —Two matches stand between Australia and a historic Women’s World Cup win, and the nation – perhaps prematurely – is debating the pros and cons of a national holiday should the squad defeat Spain on Sunday. Soccer mania has swept the country in a culture where rugby, cricket and the local “Aussie Rules” football usually dominates. Australia players celebrate after winning their quarterfinal match against France in Brisbane, August 12. Zara Borcak beams as she holds the jersey Sam Kerr gave her after Saturday's match against France, August 12, 2023. Maybe it’s because the last time the country came together to fight a common cause, they were desperately trying to stay apart.

Persons: Tertius Pickard, Asanka Brendon Ratnayake, Sam Kerr, “, ‘, ”, Zara Borcak, Selma Borcak, Anthony Albanese, Albanese, Andrew Cornaga, Ben Crowe, Crowe, Eleanor Roosevelt, Ash Barty, it’s, ” Mackenzie Arnold of Australia, Norvik, that’s, Mackenzie Arnold, I’ve Organizations: Sydney CNN, Spain, Sunday, England, Australia, France, FIFA, Reuters Sporting, – Basketball Australia, AFL, Australian Football League, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, ”, NRL, ’, Sweden, Wimbledon, Richmond AFL Locations: Australia, France, Australia’s, United States, Brisbane, Sydney, Green, Brazil, Zara, Spain, Eden, Auckland, Denmark, Melbourne

☆ Australia’s Matildas Unite a Nation and Crack the Code Wars
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Rory Smith | More About Rory Smith | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Inside the vast sweep of the Melbourne Cricket Ground, almost nobody was paying attention to what was happening on the field. Those fans who remained in their seats were staring up at the big screens, absorbed by a game a thousand miles away. The live sporting event playing out in front of them could not compete with the appeal of the Matildas. Over the course of the last three weeks, Australia has fallen — and fallen hard — for its women’s soccer team. Images of Matildas players beam out from billboards and television screens and the front pages of every newspaper.

Organizations: Melbourne Cricket, Australian Football League, Carlton, France, soccer Locations: Melbourne, Brisbane, Australia

☆ Australia Women's World Cup: After Barbie, the Matildas became the new heroes in cleats
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Hilary Whiteman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

But now, seemingly in the blink of an eye, we’re all wearing green and gold for our newest heroes, Australia’s Women’s World Cup hopefuls, the Matildas. Sam Kerr takes the ball during a FIFA World Cup 2023 round of 16 match between Australia and Denmark at Stadium Australia on August 7. “A lot of people just frankly don’t want to believe women’s sport is doing well,” Lassey told CNN. Football Australia said part of the rationale for bringing the Women’s World Cup to Australia was to use it to grow the women’s game – backed by a 357 million Australian dollar ($232 million) FIFA legacy fund. Argus says the World Cup is a turning point for women’s sport because the turnout and viewing numbers have proven that there’s an enthusiastic audience.

Persons: Barbie, Margot Robbie, Greta Gerwig, Australia’s, they’ve, Sam Kerr, Mary Fowler, Caitlin Foord, Hayley Raso, Daniela Porcelli, “, ”, Jackie Schougaard, Alfred Hotel, “ Everyone’s, It’s, Jason Lassey, –, ” Lassey, Matildas, —, “ I’m, Hannah Mckay, Bruce McAvaney, I’m, Maddie Meyer, Kevin Argus, ” Argus, we’ve, Lassey, We’re, Robbie, Gerwig, Barbie ”, ” Gerwig Organizations: Australia CNN, Neighbours, Hollywood, Chelsea, FIFA, Stadium Australia, France, Brisbane, Caxton, Footy Industry, –, AFL, Australian Football League, CNN, Denmark, Sydney, Football Australia, team, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, RMIT, Socceroos, ”, “, Australian Broadcasting Corporation Locations: Brisbane, Australia, Denmark, Melbourne

☆ Sam Kerr: the superstar carrying Australia’s hopes on her shoulders
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-30 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

CNN —Even as a 15-year-old, Sam Kerr had the weight of a nation on her shoulders. Fast forward to 2023 and Kerr is one of best players in the game and a global star. Kerr has had to wait longer than expected for the honor at this tournament having been forced to miss Australia’s opening two games because of injury. But a surprise defeat to Nigeria in the Matildas’ second group game have left their hopes hanging by a thread. Kerr takes a selfie as she celebrates with her Chelsea teammates after winning the Women's FA Cup in 2022.

Persons: Sam Kerr, Kerr, Alyssa Mautz, ”, Tony Gustavsson, Don Arnold, Tony, it’s, I’m, ’ Kerr, Daniel, Bobby Despotovski, “, ” Despotovski, Nicola Williams, ” Williams, Williams, Mautz, ” Mautz, she’s freakin, ” Kerr, Ryan Pierse, Western New York Flash, Rich Barnes, Vanessa DiBernado, Vanessa, ‘, ’ ”, …, swag, Michael Regan, –, Eddie Keogh, she’s, She’s, soccer’s Organizations: CNN, Australia, Perth Glory, Chicago Red Stars, National Women’s Soccer League, FIFA, reining Olympic, Canada, coy, Sydney Opera House, Getty, Reuters, West Coast Eagles, Australian Football League, Glory, AFL, CNN Sport, Western New York, Sky Blue FC –, NY Gotham FC, Western New York Flash, Perth, Sky Blue, Chelsea, Super League, Red, League, – Chelsea, EA Sports Locations: Canberra, Italy, Australia, Brisbane, New Zealand, South Korea, Nigeria, Western Australia, Chelsea, NJ, Rochester , New York, Perth, Illinois, –, Chicago, London

☆ CTE: Heather Anderson, first professional female athlete to be diagnosed with degenerative brain disease
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-04 | by ( Hilary Whiteman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CTE is a neurodegenerative disease that can occur after repeated traumatic brain injuries or hits to the head, with or without a concussion, and to date it has only been diagnosed in professional male athletes. In Australia, lawyers representing dozens of former professional AFL players have filed a class action suit against the Australian Football League (AFL), seeking compensation for injuries caused by alleged negligence. The AFL has acknowledged a link between head trauma and CTE and says it’s committed to mitigating the risks. The AFL Player’s Association, which represents the athletes, is pushing for greater support for current and former players, many of whom are living with the impact of successive brain injuries. Buckland said what’s most needed is a shift in attitudes, so that it’s no longer encouraged or even acceptable to expose children to activities where repeated head injuries are part of the game.

Persons: Heather Anderson, “, ”, neuropathologist Michael Buckland, …, Buckland, Anderson, CTE, James Elsby, It’s, it’s, what’s Organizations: Australia CNN — Scientists, Australian Football League, Sports Brain Bank, University of Sydney, AFL, league –, AFL Club, Adelaide Crows, Australian Defence Force, Australian Sports Brain Bank, US Centers for Disease Control, Boston, NFL, AFL Player’s Association, Boys ’ Locations: Brisbane, Australia, Darwin, United States

☆ Australia recommends testosterone limits for transgender athletes in elite female sport
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MELBOURNE, June 16 (Reuters) - Australia's peak sports authority has recommended testosterone limits for transgender athletes seeking to compete in elite female competitions as part of guidelines on inclusion released on Friday. The 'Transgender & Gender-Diverse Inclusion Guidelines for HP (high-performance) Sport' recommends transgender athletes have plasma testosterone levels of less than 2.5 nanomoles per litre for two years prior to competition. Transgender inclusion in female competition has become one of the most contentious and divisive issues in sport. Australia's guidelines come months after the national basketball federation rejected a transgender athlete's application to play in a semi-professional league, drawing criticism from LGBTI groups. Eligibility requirements for transgender athletes in elite female competition vary broadly in Australian sports.

Persons: Ian Ransom, Peter Rutherford Organizations: MELBOURNE, Australian Sports Commission, HP, AIS, Australian Institute of Sport, ASC, rugby, Australian Football League, Australian Rules, Cricket Australia, Thomson Locations: Melbourne

In a full page statement published in The Sydney Morning Herald, Rugby Australia (RA) said the proposed referendum is "too important a contest to watch in silence". "Provision for an Indigenous Voice to Parliament in our Constitution is long overdue," it added. RA and the AFL join the National Rugby league (NRL), several AFL clubs, and other sports governing bodies like soccer's Football Australia, Tennis Australia and the Australian Olympic Committee in formalising support for Indigenous recognition through a referendum. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who has staked significant political capital on the referendum, has been keen to get the support of leading sports bodies and players. Some of Australia's top athletes are Indigenous, like NBA star Patty Mills, former Olympic sprinter Cathy Freeman and former woman's tennis world number one Ash Barty.

☆ Australian Rules-Tasmania savours victory in 'hard fight' to secure AFL team
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( Ian Ransom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The state government signed off on commitments to secure the AFL's 19th team license and has targeted the 2028 season to launch in the Australian Rules top flight. "This has been a hard fight ... by many, many Tasmanians over a number of generations," state Premier Jeremy Rockliff said in the state capital Hobart. The AFL targeted richer eastern states and continues to spend a fortune propping up expansion teams in territory long owned by rugby league. AFL clubs relying on league distributions balked at the prospect of another drain on the league's coffers. ($1 = 1.5006 Australian dollars)Reporting by Ian Ransom in Melbourne; Editing by Peter RutherfordOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ New AFL boss steals spotlight from Jones's Wallabies pitch
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( Ian Ransom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Australia rugby union coach Eddie Jones poses with a ball, flanked by Wallabies players Andrew Kellaway and Reece Hodge at a news conference, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, in Melbourne, Australia, May 1, 2023. Whether the AFL’s late press call was by coincidence or design, Rugby Australia officials were left fuming as the spotlight shifted away from their global sport to the homegrown game popular in only the nation's southern states. Appointed in January, Jones's second stint in charge of the Wallabies sees them much diminished from his first when he took them to the final of the 2003 World Cup on home soil. In 2002, Jones was the last Australian coach to win the Bledisloe Cup, the annual series against New Zealand. Rugby Australia will hope Jones can deliver Rugby Championship wins along with his sharp wit and penchant for a sound bite to help build more buzz around the fallen twice World Cup winners.

☆ Australia is asking its people one question and it's not whether to keep the King
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-13 | by ( Hilary Whiteman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

But in Australia, despite Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's pro-republic views, there's no concerted push in that direction. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attends the Proclamation of King Charles III, on the forecourt of Parliament House on September 11, 2022 in Canberra, Australia. Today, Yu says views within the Australia's Indigenous community on the Queen are mixed -- as they are in most communities. He said after the Voice to Parliament passes, Australia may be ready to consider life after the monarchy. However Yu, from ANU, said the issue of Australia's Indigenous people must be addressed before any talk of a republic.

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