DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Nikola Jokić: NBA and Denver Police ‘looking into’ reported incident involving brother of two-time MVP
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( David Close | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —A spokesperson says the NBA is “looking into” an apparent incident involving Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokić’s brother, Strahinja Jokić, which happened after the Nuggets won their home game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night. A video posted on social media overnight Tuesday appears to show Strahinja Jokić wearing his brother’s No. The Denver Police Department (DPD) says it’s aware of the video and is looking into what happened, noting that the incident at Ball Arena wasn’t reported to police. Strahinja Jokić (middle) watches a Denver Nuggets game against the Indiana Pacers on January 14, 2024. The Nuggets took a 2-0 series lead after Denver’s Jamal Murray hit a game-winning, buzzer-beater to cap a dramatic 101-99 comeback win.

Persons: Nikola Jokić’s, Strahinja, Ron Chenoy, Reuters DPD, Nikola Jokić, Denver’s Jamal Murray Organizations: CNN, Denver Nuggets, Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Police Department, Indiana Pacers, Reuters, Lakers, Ball

☆ Shohei Ohtani reveals his new wife’s identity – basketball star Mamiko Tanaka
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-14 | by ( David Close | Jacob Lev | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Two weeks after making the surprise announcement of his marriage, Major League Baseball star Shohei Ohtani has revealed his new wife’s identity – and she’s also a top athlete. Ohtani, 29, on Thursday posted a photo on Instagram of the couple standing shoulder-to-shoulder beside the Los Angeles Dodgers’ team plane as they traveled to South Korea. Tanaka, 27, also played for Japan at U16, U17 and U18 levels, according to her profile on international governing body FIBA’s website. Ohtani, who is known for his two-way abilities on the field, is a hugely popular figure in his native Japan. That announcement stunned fans – and Ohtani and topics related to his marriage quickly became Japan’s top five trending topics on social platform X.

Persons: Shohei Ohtani, she’s, Mamiko Tanaka, Tanaka, Ohtani, “, ”, – Organizations: CNN, Major League Baseball, Los Angeles Dodgers, League, Dodgers, Fujitsu Red Wave, Japan Basketball League, Japan, U16, U18, San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Angels Locations: South Korea, Japan

CNN —Three Rapid Vienna soccer players were not selected for national team duty after video emerged of them taking part in post-match celebrations shouting homophobic chants with a selection of the crowd. Guido Burgstaller, Marco Grüll and Niklas Hedl were seen, among others, chanting after the club defeated rivals Austria Vienna on February 25. Austria’s men’s national team manager Ralf Rangnick said he left the trio out for the upcoming fixtures against Slovakia and Turkey after he and the coaching staff watched videos of the incident. The deciding factor is what the behavior looks like.”Austria manager Ralf Rangnick has not selected the three players from the most recent national team squad. Christian Hofer/Getty ImagesBurgstaller, Rapid Vienna’s club captain, issued an apology online for the “absolute misconduct.”“We bear full responsibility for what happened and deeply regret this action.

Persons: Guido Burgstaller, Marco Grüll, Niklas Hedl, Austria’s, Ralf Rangnick, Rangnick, ”, they’ve, ” Rangnick, it’s, Christian Hofer, Grüll, “, ” Grüll, Thorsten Schick, Maximilian Hofmann, Steffen Hofmann, Stefan Kulovits Organizations: CNN, Rapid Vienna, Austria Vienna, Manchester United, Rapid Vienna’s, SK Rapid, Austrian Football League Locations: Slovakia, Turkey, Austria

☆ Charlie Woods, Tiger Woods’ 15-year-old son, enters PGA Tour pre-qualifier event
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( David Close | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Tiger Woods’ 15-year-old son, Charlie Woods, will compete in a pre-qualifier event Thursday in hopes of making the field for his first PGA Tour start next week. To qualify for the PGA Tour’s Cognizant Classic, Charlie would need to advance from the pre-qualifier and then again from the event’s qualifier Monday. The PGA Tour said just four qualifiers will advance from Monday’s event into the Cognizant Classic field. Aside from winning a state championship, Woods and his legendary father have played together at the PGA Tour’s annual PNC Championship tournament. “I am proud of whatever direction he chooses.”CNN has reached out to Tiger Woods for comment.

Persons: Charlie Woods, Charlie, Sam Snead, Woods, Tiger Woods, Steve Almasy Organizations: CNN, Palm, PGA, PNC Locations: Hobe Sound, Florida

A cascade of developments followed, including parliamentary hearings in June 2022 over Hockey Canada’s handling of the case and announcements in July 2022 that London police and Hockey Canada would reopen their investigations. CNN also has sought comment from the woman’s lawyer and Hockey Canada. Hockey Canada apologized for its handing of the caseA month after the TSN report, the Canadian government announced in June 2022 that it was freezing federal, public funding for Hockey Canada until the organization had submitted the complete results of its original, two-year investigation and plans for implementing change within Hockey Canada. Renney confirmed during the hearings that Hockey Canada had settled a civil lawsuit that the woman filed in April 2022, but he did not reveal the settlement amount. In July 2022, Hockey Canada published a letter apologizing for it said was inadequate action regarding the assault allegations, and said it was reopening an internal investigation.

Persons: Mike McLeod, Cal Foote, Carter Hart, Dillon Dube, Alex Formenton, McLeod, Katherine Dann, Dann, Thai Truong, “, ”, she’d, Daniel Brown, Lindsay, Formenton, McLeod “, David Humphrey, Seth Weinstein, ” Foote “, ” Hart “, Riaz Sayani, Megan Savard, Dube “, Louis P, Kaleigh Davidson, Dube, Foote, Tom Renney, Renney, CNN’s David Close Organizations: CNN, NHL, Canadian, Canada, New, New Jersey Devils, Devils, Philadelphia Flyers, Calgary Flames, Ottawa, Hockey Canada, London Police, London Police Service, CTV News, CTV, TSN, Hockey, London, Senators, Flames, ” Locations: London , Ontario, New Jersey, London, Switzerland, Swiss, Canada, Hockey Canada

The charges relate to a woman’s accusation that multiple members of Canada’s world junior hockey team sexually assaulted her in London, Ontario, in 2018. The current NHL players have been instructed to surrender to authorities in connection with the allegations, London police have said. A cascade of developments followed, including June 2022 parliamentary hearings over Hockey Canada’s handling of the case, and July 2022 announcements that London police and Hockey Canada would reopen their investigations. Investigators are scheduled to address the London police investigation and pending charges in a news conference scheduled for Monday. In July 2022, Hockey Canada published a letter apologizing for it said was inadequate action regarding the assault allegations, and said it was reopening an internal investigation.

Persons: Alex Formenton, Mike McLeod, Cal Foote, Carter Hart, Dillon Dube, she’d, Formenton “, Daniel Brown, Lindsay, Formenton, McLeod “, David Humphrey, Seth Weinstein, Foote “, ”, Foote, ” Hart “, Riaz Sayani, Megan Savard, Dube “, Louis P, Kaleigh Davidson, “, Dube, McLeod, Tom Renney, Renney, CNN’s David Close Organizations: CNN —, NHL, Ottawa Senators, New Jersey Devils, Devils, Philadelphia Flyers, Calgary Flames, TSN, Hockey Canada, Hockey, London, Senators, ESPN, CNN, Flames, Canadian Locations: Canada, London , Ontario, Switzerland, London, New, Swiss, Hockey Canada

☆ Lia Thomas: Transgender swimmer begins legal case against swimming’s world governing body
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( David Close | Emma Tucker | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Transgender swimmer Lia Thomas has begun legal proceedings against World Aquatics, swimming’s governing body, after it voted to restrict transgender athletes from competing in elite women’s aquatics competitions, according to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The swimmer is challenging certain parts of the World Aquatics’ gender inclusion policy, which went into effect on June 20, 2022, according to the international court body. CNN has reached out to World Aquatics for comment. At the time of her transition in 2019, the NCAA required transgender athletes to have one year of hormone replacement therapy to be cleared to compete. Advocates of banning transgender women from women’s sport have argued transgender women have a physical advantage over cisgender women in sports.

Persons: Lia Thomas, Thomas, Ms Thomas, “, Thomas ’, Danne Diamond, Ally, ”, CNN’s Ben Church Organizations: CNN, World Aquatics, Sport, Olympic Charter, Aquatics, European, Human Rights, Women, NCAA, University of Pennsylvania, UPenn, University of Pennsylvania’s, Ivy League, Penn Athletics, Sports Medicine Locations: Berlin

☆ Tiger Woods improves on day two of his long-awaited return to golf
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( David Close | Thomas Schlachter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Tiger Woods had a much improved second round at the Hero World Challenge on Friday, shooting a two-under-par 70 as he continued on his golfing comeback. Woods, making his highly anticipated return to golf after a lengthy layoff, got off to a brilliant start on day two and looked to be flying up the leaderboard. However, like the first round, Woods stumbled towards the back end of his 18 with three bogeys before closing it out with a birdie on the final hole. The 15-time major winner ended the day on one-over par after his second round and in 15th on the leaderboard. “Better than yesterday for sure,” Woods said after his improved showing on day two.

Persons: Tiger Woods, Woods, ” Woods, “, would’ve, haven’t, Viktor Hovland, Scottie Scheffler, Jordan Spieth Organizations: CNN

CNN —Veteran NHL forward Corey Perry apologized on Thursday for the “inappropriate behavior” which saw him waived by the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Perry in a Thursday statement regarding his release from the Blackhawks. He was signed to a one-year deal in July and played in 16 games, scoring four goals and assisting on five others. “In the event Mr. Perry clears waivers, we intend to terminate his contract effective immediately,” the team stated. Perry has played in 1,273 NHL games while scoring 421 career goals.

Persons: Corey Perry, Perry “, Perry, “, ”, ” Corey Perry, Perry’s, Ethan Miller, Luke Richardson, ” – Organizations: CNN — Veteran NHL, Chicago Blackhawks, Blackhawks, “, CNN, Vegas Golden Knights, Columbus Blue Jackets, ‘ Hawks, NHL, Anaheim Ducks Locations: Perry’s Chicago

CNN —An arrest warrant has been issued for Buffalo Bills linebacker Von Miller, who has been accused of assaulting a pregnant woman, the Dallas Police Department said in a statement to CNN on Thursday. A police spokesperson told CNN the arrest warrant is active, meaning Miller is not currently in custody. Police said a preliminary investigation determined Miller and the woman had a verbal argument and that Miller allegedly assaulted her. “This morning, we were made aware of an incident involving Von Miller,” the Bills said in a statement. WBD had no comment when asked about the arrest warrant.

Persons: Von Miller, Miller, ”, WBD Organizations: CNN, Buffalo Bills, Dallas Police Department, Dallas, Police, Bills, NFL, Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Rams, Miller, Warner Bros . Locations: DeSoto , Texas

☆ Angel Reese: Mystery still swirls around LSU forward’s absence as star is set to play high-profile game Thursday
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( David Close | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —LSU women’s basketball head coach Kim Mulkey said star player Angel Reese will return to the defending national champion’s lineup on Thursday against No. Reese has been mysteriously absent from the team since the Tigers faced Kent State on November 14. “She’s coming back after not being with the team,” Mulkey said. “Angel is back and we are happy, happy, happy. She’s happy, happy, happy.”The Tigers-Hokies tilt on Thursday night is a 2023 Final Four rematch between the two programs; LSU won that game 79-72 en route to the national championship.

Persons: Kim Mulkey, Angel Reese, Reese, Mulkey, “, Reese didn’t, “ She’s, ” Mulkey, “ We’ve, ”, Angel, “ Angel Organizations: CNN, LSU women’s, Virginia Tech, Tigers, Kent State, LSU, LSU’s, Niagara, Cayman, Iowa, NCAA, YouTube, Hokies Locations: Virginia, ”

☆ Aaron Rodgers to return to New York Jets practice as season winds down
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( David Close | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Just 11 weeks after new New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers had surgery to repair his torn left Achilles tendon, head coach Robert Saleh announced the soon-to-be 40-year-old could now return to practice. Rodgers could participate in limited practices that include throwing to teammates but would not include any contact, Saleh said. According to NFL.com, the Jets have 21-day window to evaluate Rodgers in practice while he remains on the injured reserve list. “If the answer is no, then I gotta listen to my body.” Aaron Rodgers on TuesdayThe 4-7 Jets have six games left in the regular season. News of Rodgers’ seemingly miraculous recovery has social media abuzz, with even NBA superstar LeBron James marveling at the quarterback’s possible return.

Persons: Aaron Rodgers, Robert Saleh, Saleh, Rodgers, ” Saleh, “ Aaron, ”, Pat McAfee, McAfee, “, I’m, ” Rodgers, ” Aaron Rodgers, LeBron James marveling, ” James Organizations: CNN, New York Jets, Buffalo Bills, NFL.com, Jets, Washington, NBA, NFL, Green Bay Packers, of Fame

☆ Emma Hayes named coach of US women’s national team, signs record contract
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Wayne Sterling | David Close | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Chelsea FC women’s manager Emma Hayes has been named head coach of the US Women’s National Team, the US Soccer Federation announced on Tuesday. She was named 2021’s Best FIFA Women’s Coach and is a finalist for the 2023 award. US Soccer, which reached an equal pay deal with female players in May 2022, said, without offering specifics, that Hayes’ contract makes her the highest paid women’s soccer coach in the world. “We felt strongly that Emma was the best person and coach to take the US Women’s National Team forward,” US Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker said. “I remember being a young coach working my way up through the system in the US and watching all those young girls aspire to play on the US Women’s National Team.

Persons: Emma Hayes, Hayes, ”, Andonovski, “, Emma, Matt Crocker, ” Hayes, Twila Kilgore, I’ve Organizations: CNN — Chelsea FC women’s, US, National Team, US Soccer Federation, Blues, FIFA, Soccer, CNN, US Soccer, US Soccer Sporting, Chelsea, Interim, Hayes ’, Women’s Super League, Chelsea –, FA Women’s, USA, Iona College, Professional Soccer, National, Summer Games Locations: Sweden, Paris

☆ Chicago Blackhawks sued by player accusing former coach of sexual assault
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( Elizabeth Wolfe | Jennifer Henderson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —A second former player has sued the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks, accusing the team of overlooking his complaints that then-video coach Brad Aldrich sexually assaulted him leading up to the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals. Attorneys for the unnamed player, who is referred to as “John Doe” in the lawsuit, say he was inspired by former Blackhawks player Kyle Beach, who sued the team in 2021 over its handling of similar sexual assault allegations Beach made against Aldrich in 2010. The Blackhawks declined to comment on specific details of the suit, in a Monday statement, citing ongoing litigation. The report concluded that Aldrich had engaged in sexual misconduct in 2010 and senior Blackhawks leaders failed to “promptly and thoroughly investigate” Beach’s assault allegation. Aldrich resigned from the Blackhawks in 2010.

Persons: Brad Aldrich, John Doe ”, Kyle Beach, Aldrich, “, John Doe, ” Doe, ”, Doe, Aldrich “, John Doe’s, –, Beach –, Antonio Romanucci, ” Romanucci, “ John Doe, Romanucci, CNN’s Joe Sutton, Kevin Dotson, David Close, Wayne Sterling Organizations: CNN, NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks, Blackhawks, “ Stanley, Black Aces, Stanley, “, Chicago Blackhawks, The Blackhawks, Beach, NHL, ” Locations: Houghton , Michigan

☆ Jenni Hermoso scores the winner on triumphant Spain return after unwanted kiss
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-28 | by ( David Close | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Spain’s Jenni Hermoso scored a late winning goal on Friday in a glorious return to the national team following the unwanted kiss controversy that overshadowed La Roja’s World Cup win in August. Television broadcasts showed traveling Spanish fans jumping for joy as Hermoso was surrounded by her celebrating teammates. “When Italy sat deep, we needed someone like Jenni to step up with her shooting boots,” Spain’s head coach Montse Tomé said after the game. The fallout over Rubiales’ behavior triggered a crisis in Spanish soccer and sparked condemnation in Spain and across the world. Rubiales’ actions partly “ruined” the tournament and “derailed” Spain’s joyous celebrations, a senior official at soccer’s governing body FIFA said.

Persons: CNN — Spain’s Jenni Hermoso, “, Jenni, ”, Montse Tomé, We’ve, ” Hermoso, Tomé, Hermoso, Luis Rubiales, Rubiales, General Fatma Samoura, Darren Lewis Organizations: CNN, La, UEFA Women’s Nations League, Italy, Salerno . Television, Pachuca Femenil, Spain, Sweden, Spanish Football Federation, England, Spanish, FIFA Locations: Salerno, Italy, Switzerland, Sydney, Spanish, Spain, Africa, London

☆ Brittney Griner honored by the WNBA for her off-the-court community impact
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( David Close | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Basketball star Brittney Griner was honored Friday with the WNBA Cares Community Assist Award – an honor bestowed on the Phoenix Mercury center for her off-the-court volunteer work. Griner, who the US State Department deemed wrongfully detained, was released last December in a prisoner swap that involved Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout. Griner has spent all of her WNBA seasons with the Mercury, winning a championship in 2014. Griner founded the shoe drive in 2016 after noticing unhoused persons in the Phoenix area walking without shoes. The WNBA says it will split a $20,000 donation between the two charities in honor of Griner.

Persons: Brittney Griner, Griner, Viktor Bout, Adam Pantozzi, “, I’ll, ” Organizations: CNN —, WNBA, Phoenix Mercury, US State Department, Mercury, Phoenix, Team USA, University of Tennessee Locations: Phoenix, USA

☆ NHL reverses Pride Tape ban as it allows players to represent social causes on the ice
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( David Close | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —The National Hockey League (NHL) has changed its approach to the use of rainbow-colored stick tape often used to show support for the LGBTQ+ community and inclusion within the game. On Tuesday, the league announced it would now allow players to use products like Pride Tape during practices, warm-ups and games. “After consultation with the NHL Players’ Association and the NHL Player Inclusion Coalition, Players will now have the option to voluntarily represent social causes with their stick tape throughout the season,” an NHL statement read. Dermott displayed a small amount of Pride Tape on the handle of his hockey stick on Saturday, becoming the first player to go against the ban. Thank you Travis!”Following the NHL’s reversal Tuesday, Pride Tape posted: “We are so very grateful to everyone who believes hockey should be a safe, inclusive, and welcoming space for all.

Persons: ”, Gary Bettman, Travis Dermott, Dermott, Zac BonDurant, ” Dermott, Craig Morgan, “, Kristopher Wells, Travis Organizations: CNN, National Hockey League, “, NHL Players ’ Association, Coalition, Players, NHL, of Governors, Sportsnet, Arizona Coyotes, Anaheim Ducks, PHNX Sports, Pride, ”, National Hockey League Players ’, Coyotes Locations: Los Angeles

☆ Kelce brothers: NFL is ‘overdoing’ promotion of Taylor Swift’s attendance at Chiefs games
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( David Close | George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —As fans’ interest in the apparent romance between Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and superstar musician Taylor Swift shows few signs of abating, Kelce and his brother Travis agree that the NFL is “overdoing it a little bit” on social media. Kelce and Swift have not confirmed that they’re dating, but the singer has been seen cheering on the Chiefs star during his past two games. I think it brings a little bit more to the atmosphere, brings a little bit more to what you’re watching. “The Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce news has been a pop cultural moment we’ve leaned into in real time, as it’s an intersection of sport and entertainment, and we’ve seen an incredible amount of positivity around the sport,” it said. She was seen sitting next to the Kelce brothers’ mom, Donna, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City on September 24, before also watching from the stands at MetLife Stadium as the Chiefs defeated the New York Jets on Sunday.

Persons: Travis Kelce, Taylor Swift, Kelce, Travis, Swift, “, Jason, ” Travis, Jason Kelce, Jesse D, we’ve, Swift’s, Donna Organizations: CNN, Kansas City Chiefs, Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, NFL, Kelce’s Chiefs, Variety, MetLife, New York Jets Locations: ”, Kansas City

“The federation has worked to be able to talk to the players,” she said. “The Royal Spanish Football Federation has no right to deprive Spain of the women’s national team, even more so after having won the World Cup. Alexia Putellas controls the ball against Japan during the Women's World Cup. Of the 15 players who signed the letters, only three were in Spain’s World Cup squad: Mariona Caldentey, Aitana Bonmatí and Ona Batlle. However, now that Vilda and Rubiales have left their positions, RFEF hopes to kick-start a new chapter in women’s soccer.

Persons: Luis Rubiales, Jennifer Hermoso, Montse Tomé’s, Jorge Vilda, RFEF, Athenea del Castillo, Misa Rodríguez, Olga Carmona, Teresa Abelleira –, Friday’s, Rodríguez, Tomé, ”, “ I’ve, We’ve, Montse Tomé, Rodrigo Jimenez, Hermoso –, –, Hermoso, Víctor Francos, Francos, “, Miquel Iceta, ” Iceta, Alexia Putellas, Marty Melville, Iker Casillas, ” AFE, Mariona, Aitana, Ona Batlle, Rubiales, Thomas Coex, Carla Vall Organizations: CNN, Spanish women’s, Royal Spanish Football Federation, Sweden, Athenea, UEFA Women’s Nations League, Cadena SER, Spanish, of Sport, country’s, Sport, Spain’s Law of Sport, ’, High, women’s, Japan, Getty, Women’s Nations, England, Federation, National Court Locations: Switzerland, Spain, Madrid, AFP, RFEF, Sweden, Spanish, Australia, New Zealand, women’s soccer

☆ Gil Brandt, architect of ‘America’s Team’ Dallas Cowboys, has died at the age of 91
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( David Close | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Pro Football Hall of Famer Gil Brandt, widely regarded as the architect who helped build the Dallas Cowboys into one of the most successful and popular sports franchises of all time, died on Thursday, according to the Cowboys. After a six-decade NFL executive career – 29 years with the Cowboys – Brandt was inducted into the Hall in 2019. As the vice president of player personnel for the Cowboys, Brandt was lauded for his acute ability to recognize player talent – having drafted nine Cowboys players who, like Brandt, are Pro Football Hall of Famers. Brandt is also credited in helping build the annual player draft into a three-day, made-for-TV event. The result was discovering future Cowboys from smaller colleges, or even off college basketball or track teams,” said Pro Football Hall of Fame President Jim Porter.

Persons: CNN — Pro Football Hall of Famer Gil Brandt, Brandt, “ Gil, Jerry Jones, –, Cowboys – Brandt, Bob Lilly, Troy Aikman, Roger Staubach, “ Staubach, ” Brandt, “, he’d, we’d, Staubach, Tex Schramm, George Gojkovich, Dallas, XII, ”, Jim Porter, Jones, Gil Organizations: CNN — Pro Football Hall of Famer, Dallas Cowboys, Cowboys, ” Cowboys, Pro Football Hall of Famers, Hall of Fame, US Naval Academy, NFL.com, Pittsburgh Steelers, NFL Scouting, Pro Football Hall of Fame

☆ Kobe Bryant: Los Angeles Lakers announce date for NBA legend’s statue unveiling
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-25 | by ( Ben Morse | David Close | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Vanessa Bryant, the late Kobe Bryant’s wife, announced the date on Thursday when the Los Angeles Lakers will unveil a statue honoring the former NBA superstar. “As you know, Kobe played his entire 20-year NBA career as a Los Angeles Laker,” Bryant said while sitting in front of the now iconic jersey numbers in a video posted at 8:24 a.m. on Thursday morning. “Since arriving in this city and joining the Lakers organization, he felt at home here, playing in the City of Angels. The Lakers also said the statue “is the first in a series of physical tributes to honor his legacy.”“Kobe Bryant was one of the most extraordinary athletes of all time, and one of the most iconic individuals in the history of Los Angeles,” Jeanie Buss, Los Angeles Lakers Governor, said. Bryant was an 18-time NBA All-Star over his legendary career during which he won five NBA titles.

Persons: Vanessa Bryant, Kobe Bryant’s, Bryant, Kobe, ” Bryant, Gianna Maria Onore Bryant, Kobe Bryant, ” Jeanie Buss, Chick Hearn, Kareem Abdul, Jabbar, Earvin, ” Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Jerry West Organizations: CNN, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, Los Angeles Laker, Lakers, City of, Star Plaza, Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles Lakers Governor, Elgin Baylor Locations: Kobe, City, City of Angels, Los Angeles, Calabasas , California

CNN —Jennifer Hermoso, Spain’s star player on the winning Women’s World Cup team, said Friday at no point did she consent to an unwanted kiss by the country’s soccer chief. “I can’t stand that my word is put into question and far less that words are invented that I didn’t speak,” Hermoso added. Luis Rubiales kisses Jennifer Hermoso during the medal ceremony of the FIFA Women's World Cup on August 20 in Sydney, Australia. Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images/FILEHermoso, along with teammates on Spain’s 2023 World Cup winning squad and other professional women soccer players, said Friday they would not play again for the country until Rubiales has been removed from his position. The national team players continued: “It fills us with sadness that an act, so unacceptable as this, is managing to tarnish the biggest sporting achievement in Spanish women’s football history.

Persons: Jennifer Hermoso, “, ”, Hermoso, Luis Rubiales, ” Rubiales, Rubiales Organizations: CNN, Royal Spanish Football Federation, FIFA, National Locations: Sydney, Australia, Eurasia, Spanish

☆ Jennifer Hermoso: Spanish women footballers' union vows to fight 'machismo and sexism' after World Cup kiss controversy
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Tara Subramaniam David Close Florencia Trucco | Tara Subramaniam | David Close | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

On Monday, Rubiales admitted he had “made a mistake” by kissing Hermoso after she collected her winners’ medal. Rubiales embraces Hermoso just before video showed him kissing her after Spain's World Cup victory over England. Imago/ZUMA PressThe controversy comes against a backdrop of ongoing unrest between Spain’s players, coach Jorge Vilda and the football federation. However, the football federation backed Vilda, who has himself become embroiled in a controversy surrounding the World Cup final after video emerged of him appearing to inappropriately touch a female staff member during the match. CNN has reached out seeking comment from Vilda, the Royal Spanish Football Federation and the staff member.

Persons: Jennifer Hermoso, “ machismo, “, Luis Rubiales, ”, TMJ, ” FUTPRO, Rubiales, Hermoso, ” Rubiales, Pedro Sánchez, Victor Francos, Jorge Vilda, Spain’s Organizations: CNN, country’s, ” Spain’s Association of Professional Soccer, Royal Spanish Football Federation, England, Spanish, of Sport, ZUMA Locations: England

CNN —A Somali sports official was suspended for nepotism on Wednesday after a viral video showed an apparent novice runner skipping across the finish line in last place at an international competition. The video, which circulated widely on Wednesday, showed Nasro Abukar Ali competing in the third heat of the first round of the women’s 100-meter race at the International University Sports Federation’s (FISU) Summer World University Games in China. She finished in 21.81 seconds – more than 8 seconds slower than the second-last runner, and more than 10 seconds behind the winner of the heat. “What happened today was not representative of the Somali people,” he said in Somali, Forbes reported. The Summer World University Games are ongoing in Chengdu, southwestern China.

Persons: Nasro Abukar Ali, Ali, sluggishly, “, disheartening, “ It’s, Khadijo Aden Dahir, Dahir, Sports Mohamed Barre Mohamud, Forbes, Mohamud, ” Organizations: CNN, International University Sports Federation’s, Games, Twitter, Ministry of Youth, Sports, Somali Athletics Federation, Somali National Olympic, Youth, Association of Somalia Universities, Somali University Sports Association, Athletics Federation of, ” CNN, East African country’s Sports Ministry, Somali National Olympic Committee, World Athletics, World Locations: China, Somalia, Somali, Athletics Federation of Somalia, Chengdu

☆ Kylian Mbappé refuses meeting with Saudi club Al Hilal, per reports
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( David Close | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: 1 min

How relevant is this ad to you? Video player was slow to load content Video content never loaded Ad froze or did not finish loading Video content did not start after ad Audio on ad was too loud Other issues

Search resuls for: "David Close"

25 mentions found