DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Caitlin Clark will head to the WNBA at a critical moment for the league
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

The WNBA, still emerging entering its 28th season, hopes Caitlin Clark can achieve what those athletes did and turn the league into a cultural phenomenon. WNBA players’ salaries also lag behind. Turning Clark fans into WNBA fansClark is already having an impact on the WNBA. “The need by WNBA teams to invest in fan acquisition and fan engagement is really critical to maximize this moment,” she said. Bebeto Matthews/APThe league was financially connected to the NBA, and each of the first eight WNBA teams was linked to an NBA franchise.

Persons: Woods, Venus Williams, Michael Jordan, Caitlin Clark, ”, Boris Lelchitski, Candace Parker, Jonquel Jones, ” Clark, Angel Reese, Clark, Reese, “, Phil Cook, Gregory Fisher, Nielsen, “ Caitlin Clark, Noah Henderson, Cathy Engelbert, “ We’ve, Erica Denhoff, Jessica Gelman, Gelman, David Stern, Lisa Leslie, Sheryl Swoopes, Rebecca Lobo, Bebeto Matthews, Terri Jackson, ” Donna Orender, Orender, ” Engelbert, Cameron Brink, ’, “ Clark, Donna Orender Organizations: New, New York CNN, NBA, WNBA, Indiana Fever, NCAA, University of Iowa, Louisiana State University, Tiger, USA, Sports, Reuters, Loyola University, CNN, LSU, WNBA's Indiana, Kraft Analytics Group, MIT Sloan Sports Analytics, Nielsen, Brands, Gatorade, State, longtime, Olympics, Basketball Players Association, Deloitte, Kraft Analytics Locations: New York, Chicago, Iowa, USA, Atlanta, San Francisco

☆ Embittered Republicans plot to knock off House GOP’s hard-right leader in Virginia primary feud
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-31 | by ( Manu Raju | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

“Bob Good didn’t come here to govern. Rep. Derrick Van Orden talks with reporters after a meeting of the House Republican Conference in the US Capitol on Tuesday, November 7, 2023. Asked if Good’s vote to oust McCarthy prompted the House GOP effort to defeat him, Georgia Rep. Austin Scott said: “It has something to do with that. Rep. Bob Good speaks with reporters at the US Capitol on January 12, in Washington, DC. Bob Good leads the fighters.”CNN’s Sheden Tesfaldet contributed to this report.

Persons: Bob Good’s, Manu Raju ”, Derrick Van Orden, Bob Good, Kevin McCarthy, Van Orden, propping, John McGuire –, “ Bob Good didn’t, ” Van Orden, “ Bob Good’s, he’s, Matt Gaetz, Andy Biggs of, Chip Roy, Texas, Good, Tom Williams, They’ve, ”, “, Gaetz, McCarthy, Bob, McGuire –, –, ” McGuire, Austin Scott, we’ve, McGuire, John McGuire, John C, Clark, Nancy Pelosi, Mike Rogers, Rogers didn’t, Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis, Trump, “ Trump, Trump’s, Mark Meadows, ” Meadows, that’s, Kent Nishimura, Joe Biden, won’t, “ I’m, Ryan Zinke of, Marjorie Taylor Greene, ” “ John McGuire, she’s grandstanding, Chris LaCivita, “ Bob Good won’t, LaCivita, ” LaCivita, doesn’t, “ I’ve, ” Gaetz, Sheden Tesfaldet Organizations: Republican, Virginia CNN —, Caucus, House Republicans, GOP, Wisconsin Republican, CNN, House Republican Conference, “ Conservative, Navy, Democrat, Denver, Georgia Rep, Capitol, ”, Republicans, Pentagon, House Armed, Good, Florida Gov, DeSantis, Virginians, Conservative Leadership PAC, Trump, Mar, Trump Cabinet, Republican Party Locations: Appomattox, Virginia, tatters, Wisconsin, Florida, Andy Biggs of Arizona, Washington, Virginia –, Georgia, Richmond , Virginia, Congress, Alabama, Trump, Washington , DC, Iowa, Ryan Zinke of Montana, United States

☆ Why the Shohei Ohtani story is so concerning for baseball and sports
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-29 | by ( Harry Enten | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

CNN —I can’t recall a recent baseball story that has captured the public imagination like the current one involving Los Angeles Dodgers phenom Shohei Ohtani, his former translator Ippei Mizuhara and gambling. That said, assuming Ohtani has done nothing wrong, America’s pastime will emerge from this situation mostly unscathed. Ohtani stalls at second base after hitting a double during the first inning of a game against the St. Louis Cardinals. Yes, one team is favored to win, but we don’t know that team will win for sure. And if it occurs involving someone as beloved as Ohtani, it could be a disaster for not just baseball, but sports around the globe.

Persons: Shohei Ohtani, Ippei, –, Ohtani, Will Ireton, Kirby Lee, Reuters Ohtani, it’s, Mike Trout, didn’t, I’ll, won’t, Sean M, I’m, It’s, they’ve, We’ve, Brad Bohannon, Bohannon, Jontay Porter, bettors, Porter, ” Porter wasn’t, Stu Foster, Sandro Tonali, Phil Mickelson, Pete Rose, Shoeless Joe Jackson –, Rose, Jackson, Tyrese Haliburton, JB Bickerstaff, Charlie Baker, Ezra Shaw, Rob Manfred, David, Goliath Organizations: CNN, Los Angeles Dodgers, Major League, Dodgers, USA, Sports, Reuters, League, Baseball, St, Louis Cardinals, American, NFL, Former University of Alabama, Alabama, Toronto Raptors, Italian Football Federation, England’s Football Association, Newcastle United, Major League Baseball, Cincinnati Reds, Black Sox, Chicago White Sox, Famers, Bettmann, Indiana Pacers, Cleveland Cavaliers, NBA, Getty Images, American Gaming Association, Census, MLB, MLB Network Locations: United States, Nevada, Bohannon, Italy, Tonaly, England

☆ Stop Looking for Flaws in the Premier League Contenders
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-29 | by ( Rory Smith | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The commentators may mention it in passing, but their tone will indicate that the hyperbole is not to be punctured. And if Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta try to point it out before Manchester City faces Arsenal on Sunday, it will be viewed as gamesmanship, or deflection, or unapologetic sophistry. Still, it is true: The meeting between City and Arsenal will not provide the deciding, defining moment in the Premier League’s most compelling title race in a decade. It is a game of glowering significance and considerable heft, of course, a chance for one team to clear a towering, looming hurdle. There is a better than even chance that by the time the whistle is blown at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday night, neither of them will be top of the league.

Persons: Pep Guardiola, Mikel Arteta Organizations: Manchester City, Arsenal, Premier, Etihad Locations: City

☆ MLB commissioner hopes Shohei Ohtani investigation is short, ‘but I just don’t know’
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-29 | by ( Ben Morse | Jill Martin | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred said on Thursday that he hopes the league’s investigation into superstar Shohei Ohtani is short, “but I just don’t know” how long it will take. The build-up to the new MLB season was overshadowed following the recent gambling scandal involving Ohtani and his former longtime interpreter Ippei Mizuhara. The Internal Revenue Service and Major League Baseball are investigating the matter, with the league trying to determine whether its strict rules against gambling have been broken. MLB commissioner Manfred can also penalize someone who goes outside legal sports betting entities and gambles with a bookie. The situation involving Ohtani has raised further questions abouts sport’s relationship with betting in the US as the industry continues to grow.

Persons: Rob Manfred, Shohei Ohtani, Ohtani, Ippei, Mizuhara, Manfred, Chris ‘, ’ Russo, Ron Jenkins, Tisha Thompson, gambles, abouts, ”, Russo, “ Organizations: CNN — Major League Baseball, MLB, Dodgers, ESPN, Los Angeles Times, baseball’s, League, MLB Network, American League, Baltimore Orioles, Texas Rangers, Internal Revenue Service, Major League Baseball, NFL, “ Sports Locations: South Korea, Seoul, Ohtani, United States

TV ratings signal growth in college women’s basketballWhile Clark is enticing viewers, women’s college basketball is experiencing growth that can’t only be explained by “Clarkonomics”– as basketball analyst Debbie Antonelli called it – alone. The surge in women’s college basketball is also due to more investment in media coverage of women’s sports, said Lewis. NIL empowers players — and their sportsCollege women’s basketball players are among the biggest players in the market for Name, Image and Likeness sponsorships. College women’s basketball players are among the biggest players in the market for Name, Image and Likeness sponsorships. One factor driving the speculation that Clark might stay in college was that WNBA doesn’t have the same platform as women’s college basketball.

Persons: Caitlin Clark, Clark, It’s, Steph Curry, Michael Mulvihill, Clark –, –, Jon Lewis, Lewis, Curry, LeBron James, Michael Jordan, they’re, ”, Pete Maravich’s, Davidson, “ Clarkonomics, Debbie Antonelli, Melissa Isaacson, Iowa’s Clark, LSU’s Angel Reese, let’s, ’ ” Lewis, “, Reese, Cameron Brink, Paige Bueckers, Reed Sheppard, Rob Dillingham, Cody Williams –, Dillingham, Sam Weber, That’s, hasn’t, Isaacson, Diana Taurasi’s, Candace Parker’s, eyeing Clark, — Organizations: CNN, Iowa Hawkeyes, NBA, CBS, ESPN, Fox Sports, Sports Media Watch, UConn, Tennessee, Northwestern, NCAA, College women’s, Bueckers, WNBA, ABC, Indiana Fever Locations: Iowa, Tennessee, TickPick, Opendorse

CALGARY, Alberta (AP) — Alex Ovechkin scored twice and became the third player in NHL history to have at least 20 goals in 19 consecutive seasons as the Washington Capitals beat the Calgary Flames 5-2 on Monday night. The 38-year-old Ovechkin had two power-play goals in the second period as Washington won its third straight game. He was the spark we needed tonight.”The Capitals have been helped in their playoff chase by a rejuvenated power play. “ ... It’s on the penalty kill guys have to do a better job, myself right up there.”Calgary was 0 for 3 on the power play. For me, that was the difference in the game,” Calgary coach Ryan Huska said.

Persons: — Alex Ovechkin, Ovechkin, Gordie Howe, Brendan Shanahan, ”, Spencer Carbery, “, ” Dylan Strome, Hendrix Lapierre, Tom Wilson, We’re, Kevin Rooney, MacKenzie Weegar, Charlie Lindgren, Dustin Wolf, Wolf, Max Pacioretty, John Carlson, ” Wolf, — Wayne Gretzky, ” Lapierre, we’re, Lapierre ’, —, ” Rooney, It’s, Ryan Huska, ” Jacob Markstrom, ___ Organizations: Washington Capitals, Calgary Flames, Washington, Eastern Conference, Capitals, Calgary, The Flames, Flames, NEXT, Toronto, Vancouver Locations: CALGARY, Alberta, ” Washington, Detroit, Washington, Pacioretty, Calgary

(AP) — Vanessa DiBernardo scored the first goal for Kansas City in its new stadium and the Current held off the Portland Thorns 5-4 on Saturday in the regular-season opener for the National Women's Soccer League. Rookie Ellie Wheeler scored moments later and the Current built a 3-1 lead by halftime. It was the first game at CPKC Stadium, which the team says is the first U.S. stadium built expressly for women’s pro soccer. Andonovski also coached two seasons with the Reign before taking over the U.S. national team. Brittany and Patrick Mahomes, part of the Current's ownership group, kicked off the game with a “K.C., baby!” chant.

Persons: — Vanessa DiBernardo, Shelby Hogan, DiBernardo, Ellie Wheeler, Bia Zaneratto, Kristen Hamilton, Alex Pfeiffer, Sophia Smith, Janine Beckie, Smith, Hamilton, Pfeiffer, Beckie's, Vlatko Andonovski, Andonovski, Patrick Mahomes, ___ Organizations: KANSAS CITY, Kansas City, Portland Thorns, National Women's Soccer League, ABC, ESPN, CBS Sports, Amazon Prime, Scripps Sports, Portland, U.S, FC Kansas City, U.S . Locations: KANSAS, Mo, U.S, Missouri, Brazil, Brittany

☆ See-Through Baseball Pants Have Fans, and Brands, Pointing Fingers
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-12 | by ( Eve Peyser | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

At the end of this month, Major League Baseball will officially commence its 2024 season, and with spring training already in full swing, the chatter among hard-core fans and casual observers has been unusually spirited. Unfortunately, the conversation has not been about the New York Yankees trading for Juan Soto or the Los Angeles Dodgers signing Shohei Ohtani. Instead, people cannot stop talking about the league’s new uniforms, specifically the pants, which leave little to the imagination. “Buying my wife Fanatics baseball pants instead of lingerie,” read an X post with more than 33,000 likes. “Whenever I’m nervous public speaking I just pretend people in the audience are wearing Fanatics baseball pants,” another person joked.

Persons: Juan Soto, Shohei Ohtani, — Organizations: Major League Baseball, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Nike, San Diego Padres

☆ Arsenal wins 6-0 in ‘one of the most one-sided games’ in Premier League history
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —In what was one of the most one-sided games in English Premier League history, a rampant Arsenal thrashed Sheffield United 6-0 on Monday. Many Sheffield United fans left before the end of the match at Bramall Lane. The club has struggled since being promoted to the English Premier League this season and currently sits bottom of the league on goal difference. The team has now conceded 12 goals in its last three league games, without managing to find the net once itself. Arsenal also made history on Monday, becoming the first side in English league soccer history to win three successive away games by five goals or more, according to Opta.

Persons: Captain Martin Ødegaard, Jayden Bogle, Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Declan Rice, Jamie Carragher, Ben White, Bramall Lane, David Rogers, “, Mikel Arteta, postmatch, Carl Recine, ” Organizations: CNN, English Premier League, Arsenal, Sheffield United, Blades, Bramall, Gunners, Sky Sports, Premier League’s, Getty, ” Arsenal, Reuters, Manchester City, Liverpool, Brentford, City Locations: Bramall Lane, London

☆ Ezra Mam: Indigenous Australian rugby league star accuses rival of using racial slur during game in Las Vegas
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-04 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Indigenous Australian rugby league star Ezra Mam has accused an opponent of using a racial slur during a game in Las Vegas on Saturday. Brisbane Broncos’ Mam made a complaint against Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu during the second half of the National Rugby League’s (NRL) season-opener. Meanwhile, Broncos coach Kevin Walters told reporters after the game that Mam was “adamant” a racial slur had been used, adding his player was “pretty upset” after the game. You wouldn’t think it’s still out there,” Reynolds told reporters after the match. David Becker/Getty ImagesRoosters coach Trent Robinson told reporters he had not spoken to Leniu about the incident in the locker room after the game.

Persons: Ezra Mam, Mam, Spencer Leniu, Leniu, ”, Kevin Walters, Adam Reynolds, didn’t, “ It’s, it’s, ” Reynolds, “, ” Spencer Leniu, David Becker, Trent Robinson, ” Robinson, Andrew Abdo Organizations: CNN, Indigenous Australian rugby, . Brisbane Broncos, Sydney Roosters, National Rugby League’s, Nine, NRL, Nine News, Broncos, Team, Getty, Roosters, Sydney Morning Herald, The Roosters, ” CNN Locations: Las Vegas

☆ Everton has 10-point Premier League deduction reduced following appeal
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-26 | by ( Sammy Mncwabe | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —An independent Appeal Board has reduced Everton FC’s sanction for breaching the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSRs) from 10 points to six. It comes after the Merseyside club successfully appealed a November decision by an independent commission to deduct points for breaching financial rules. The successful appeal moved Everton, which has failed to register a win in their last five matches, up to 15th in the Premier League table. That was a reference to the Premier League charging Everton with a second PSR breach along with Nottingham Forest in January. In response to the latest charge, the Liverpool-based club criticised “a clear deficiency in the Premier League’s rules.”

Persons: Everton FC’s, ”, ” Everton, “ Organizations: CNN, Everton, Premier League, “ Everton FC, Appeal, Club, Nottingham Forest Locations: Merseyside, “, Liverpool

☆ MLS season preview: Messi and Inter Miami target domination of US soccer in ‘year two’
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

How to watch the MLS season openerThe MLS season opener between Inter Miami and Real Salt Lake kicks off at 8 p.m. ET and will be broadcast in the US and UK on Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass, following the 10-year streaming deal signed in 2022 between MLS and the technology company. Tim Nwachukwu/Getty ImagesDays before the MLS season began, league commissioner Don Garber said he believed Miami could still add more superstar firepower to its squad. The Columbus Crew will likely pose a threat once again to win the MLS Cup. Writing for ESPN, Luis Miguel Echegaray said he doesn’t see Inter Miami winning the Eastern Conference.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, it’s, Messi, Luis Suárez, Gerardo ‘ Tata ’ Martino, Suárez’s, ” Messi, Tim Nwachukwu, Don Garber, “, ” Garber, Leo, Garber, Maddie Meyer, Wilfried Nancy, ’, Luciano Acosta, “ We’re, Luis Miguel Echegaray, Tata Martino, ”, ” GOAL.com’s Ryan Tolmich Organizations: CNN, Inter Miami, Barcelona, MLS Eastern Conference, Leagues, MLS, Miami, Apple, Uruguayan, Gremio, Messi, CONCACAF Champions League, ESPN, Argentine, Columbus Crew, FC Cincinnati, Miami Herald, ”, Eastern Conference Locations: Miami, Real Salt, Brazil, Barcelona, French, Ohio, Argentine

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — NBA All-Star weekend in Indianapolis had plenty of winners. There was Karl-Anthony Towns, the fourth player to score at least 50 in an All-Star Game. They’ll be busy for a while after the Eastern Conference’s 211-186 victory over the Western Conference on Sunday night in the highest-scoring All-Star Game. Some takeaways from Indianapolis:Photos You Should See View All 33 ImagesALL THOSE POINTSScoring 186 points is something that only two teams in the history of the All-Star Game had done before Sunday night. That’s the kind of game it’s going to be.”STEPH VS. SABRINAFor many, what happened Saturday night — Curry beating Ionescu — will be the highlight of All-Star weekend.

Persons: Damian Lillard, Michael Jordan, Stephen Curry, Sabrina Ionescu, Karl, Anthony Towns, They’ll, it’s, Here’s, ” Lillard, you’ve, STEPH VS, SABRINA, — Curry, Ionescu —, Sabrina, Curry, ” Ionescu, San Francisco —, Ionescu, They’re, Adrian Griffin, Joe Prunty, Doc Rivers –, Lillard, “ We’ve, Giannis Antetokounmpo, “, we’re, ”, Tyrese, Kevin Durant, Jayson Tatum, Anthony Davis, ___ Organizations: INDIANAPOLIS, Western Conference, West, New York Liberty, NBA, Lillard, Bucks, Milwaukee, ” Bucks, Pacers, Indy, Eastern Conference, Boston Locations: Indianapolis, San Francisco, —, Milwaukee, Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana, Phoenix

☆ NBA All-Star Game: Record point total in controversial as the East defeats the West, 211-186
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-19 | by ( Samuel Joseph | Sam Joseph | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

“We found out and went after it.”This year’s All-Star Game also saw the return of the traditional East vs. West format. The East was led by 39 points from Lillard, who capped off a highly successful weekend by being named All-Star Game MVP, after retaining his title in the Three-Point Contest earlier on Sunday. Some of his makes during the showcase game were from well beyond the arc. The All-Star Game is a showcase above all, but the wild point totals and lackadaisical defensive efforts have started to frustrate viewers. “Hopefully, as years go on, [the All-Star Game] gets back to being what the fans wanna see … I guess guys are trying to figure out how to play hard and be safe at the same time,” Brown said postgame.

Persons: CNN —, LeBron James, Steph Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokić, Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard, “, Leonard, ”, Star Durant, Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Haliburton, Stacy Revere, Karl, Anthony Towns, Shai Gilgeous, Alexander –, –, — shannon sharpe, Elam, Mychal Thompson, Klay Thompson, Adam Silver, ” Brown, Durant, Silver Organizations: CNN, Eastern Conference, Western, NBA, Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics, Indiana Pacers, Kobe Bryant All, Getty Images Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Defense, Golden State Warriors, Eastern Locations: Lillard, @ShannonSharpe

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The first half of the All-Star Game was record-setting, and not exactly the more-competitive level of play that the NBA was seeking. The Eastern Conference led the Western Conference 104-89 at halftime Sunday night — with the 193 points the most ever scored in an All-Star half. The previous record was set last year, when 191 points were scored before halftime. The East tied the record for points in any half; the West also had 104 in the second half of the 2016 game in Toronto, which it won 196-173. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and other league executives were seeking a more competitive All-Star Game after last season's 184-175 matchup was widely panned — and television ratings plummeted.

Persons: Indiana's Tyrese Haliburton, Adam Silver, Famer Larry Bird, Brunch, “, ” Bird, “ I’m, you’ve, Luka Doncic, Donovan Mitchell, Bam Adebayo, Nikola Jokic’s, Devin Booker Organizations: INDIANAPOLIS, NBA, Eastern Conference, Western, East, Famer Locations: Toronto

☆ NBA All-Star Weekend: Steph Curry and Sabrina Ionescu to go head-to-head to crown basketball’s best three-point shooter
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-17 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The two sharpshooters will face off over All-Star Weekend in the first NBA vs. WNBA three-point contest to settle a long-running debate. Gary A. Vasquez/USA TODAY Sports/ReutersA dream crossover match-upCurry is a two-time NBA three-point contest champion and holds the league’s record for most career three-pointers made (3,642). However, in 2023, Ionescu set the WNBA record for most three-pointers in a single-season (128). ET, before the three-point contest showcases some of the best talent from deep. Curry vs. Ionescu and the Slam Dunk competition then round out the evening.

Persons: Steph Curry, Sabrina Ionescu, ” Ionescu, “ We’re, ” Curry, Stephen, Sabrina ’ Curry, Ionescu, Curry, Gary A, Vasquez, ”, “, Elsa, Malik Beasley, Jalen Brunson, Tyrese Haliburton, Damian Lillard, Lauri Markkanen, Donovan Mitchell, Karl, Anthony Towns, Trae Young, Gainbridge, Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James, Joel Embiid, ’, CNN’s Ben Church Organizations: CNN, NBA, WNBA, Lucas Oil, TNT, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA Foundation, York, Connecticut Sun, Indiana Pacers, Eastern, Western, East, Black Colleges, Universities, Virginia Union, Winston, Salem State, G League, –, G, Indian Convention, TNT Sports, Turner Sports, Warner Bros, Discovery, Warner Bros . Locations: Indianapolis , Indiana, Indianapolis, Salem

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Last season's All-Star Game played out in a way that the NBA hopes to never experience again. So, the league sent a message: Make the All-Star Game better. Boston's Jayson Tatum set an All-Star Game record by scoring 55 points and the game had a total — total — of four free throws, all of them shot by Antetokounmpo's team. “I’m proud of what the guys did at the in-season tournament and I’m looking forward to the All-Star Game. Durant is a 14-time selection and set to actually play in his 11th All-Star Game.

Persons: Nobody, Golden, Stephen Curry, Phoenix's Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo, —, We’ve, ”, Curry, “ It’s, James, Antetokounmpo, Giannis, Boston's Jayson Tatum, ” Tatum, Doc Rivers, Chris Finch, Rivers, ” It’s, Adam Silver, Joe Dumars, Dumars, ” Dumars, “ I’m, Kareem Abdul, Jabbar, Dirk Nowitzki, Michael Jordan, Durant, Scottie Barnes, Philadelphia's Tyrese Maxey, New York's Jalen Brunson, Orlando's Paolo Banchero, ” Banchero, Julius Randle, Philadelphia's Joel Embiid, Atlanta's Trae Young, Bam Adebayo, Tatum, Damian Lillard, Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous, Alexander, “, ” Durant Organizations: INDIANAPOLIS, NBA, Eastern Conference, Western Conference, Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron, “, Lakers, Milwaukee, Tyrese, Indiana Pacers, West, of Famers Locations: Indianapolis, New, Barnes, Tyrese Haliburton, Dallas, Oklahoma

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — In Adam Silver’s eyes, the NBA’s new 65-game policy is working. “I can tell you that the number of games that players have participated in is up this season,” Silver said. “I just don’t like it, how it forces players to play if they’re injured to achieve something,” Denver center Nikola Jokic said. And as such, the gap in the system that the NBA felt Team Ignite would fill isn’t really a gap anymore. “We are in the process of reassessing Team Ignite,” Silver said.

Persons: —, Adam Silver’s, ” Silver, Joel Embiid won’t, Tyrese Haliburton’s, he’d, Jimmy Butler, “, Nikola Jokic, NBA Players Association —, Silver, Jaylen Brown, “ We’ve, I’m, France’s Victor Wembanyama —, Silver wouldn’t, Victor Wembanyama … it’s, aren’t, it’s Organizations: INDIANAPOLIS, NBA Players Association, NBA, San Antonio Spurs, Spurs Locations: Philadelphia, Indiana, Denver, Boston, …, Paris, France

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Victor Wembanyama’s first NBA All-Star experience will be hectic, just like everything else has seemed so far in his rookie season with the San Antonio Spurs. He’s going to the Tech Summit, the league’s thinktank that kicks off the All-Star festivities on Friday morning. “Honestly, my mind has been so focused on our season that I haven’t thought about it too much,” Wembanyama said. He may play more down the stretch of the season, if the Spurs determine that’s best. “Of course, being selected as an All-Star would have been a great achievement especially in my rookie year,” Wembanyama said.

Persons: — Victor Wembanyama’s, He’s, He’ll, ” Wembanyama, “ It’s, Shaquille O’Neal, Wembanyama, he’d, Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson, Kareem Abdul, Jabbar, Alonzo Mourning, Patrick Ewing, Bob McAdoo, Elvin Hayes, Bob Lanier, Wemby, Erik Spoelstra, Bam, “, Gregg Popovich —, what’ll, ” Popovich, ”, Tim Duncan, Duncan, minding, Chet Holmgren, deservedly, ” O’Neal, won’t, — Organizations: INDIANAPOLIS, San Antonio Spurs, Tech, NBA, Star, of Fame, San, Spurs, Western Conference Locations: Miami, San Antonio, rebuilder, France, Oklahoma

“World Series Champions. Bochy noted the challenges in winning one World Series, but also made reference to what the Chiefs accomplished last Sunday. Of the 169 players who became free agents after the World Series, more than half were still without a team when the week began. Molina managed Criollos de Caguas in winter ball and Puerto Rico in the recently completed Caribbean World Series. The Yankees and Brewers swapped relievers with left-hander Clayton Andrews going to New York and right-hander Johan Quezada going to Milwaukee.

Persons: ”, I’ve, Bruce Bochy, Bochy, Chris Young, ” Young, Shohei, Seattle’s Julio Rodríguez, Elly De La Cruz, Ian Happ, ” Happ, “, NL Cy Young, Blake Snell, Cody Bellinger, Matt Chapman, Yasmani Grandal, Shintaro Fujinami, Phil Maton, Scott Alexander, Spencer Turnbull, Tommy John, Craig Counsell, Bob Melvin, Pat Murphy, Mike Shildt, Melvin, Carlos Mendoza, That’s, Stephen Vogt, Terry Francona, Ron Washington, Phil Nevin, Joe Espada, Dusty, ” Espada, I’m, ” MOLINA, Yadier, Molina, Criollos, John Mozeliak, Louis, Peyton Burdick, Burdick, Clayton Andrews, Johan Quezada, Jay Cohen, Stephen Hawkins, Marc Berman, Chuck King, ___ Organizations: Texas Rangers, ”, Rangers, Kansas City Chiefs, Chiefs, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, Dodger, Mariners, Super Bowl . Young Cincinnati, Cubs, NL, New York Mets, Philadelphia, NL Central, Chicago, Brewers, Padres, National League, American, Houston, Louis Cardinals, Puerto, ” Cardinals, Baseball, Cardinals, Marlins, Triple, The Yankees, AP Baseball Locations: Surprise , Arizona, ” Texas, Texas, Seoul, South Korea, Peoria , Arizona, Las Vegas, Goodyear , Arizona, Florida, Arizona, Pittsburgh, Tampa, Oakland, Milwaukee, San Francisco, San Diego, Cleveland, Caguas, Puerto Rico, Miami, Jacksonville, New York

☆ ‘Born to Play’: How the NFL put Ghana at the heart of one of the Super Bowl’s biggest commercials
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Jack Bantock | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

There, the inspiration for the commercial – two-time Super Bowl champion Osi Umenyiora – awaited to greet the youngster, played by Eldad Osime. NFL“That’s the most important Super Bowl commercial that they have in terms of the NFL,” Umenyiora told CNN. It’s really exciting.”Home truthsIn a poll of over 160,000 conducted by USA Today, “Born to Play” ranked fifth of the 59 commercials shown during Super Bowl LVIII. “But I think that attitude is changing now.”Umenyiora (left) celebrates his second Super Bowl victory with teammate Devin Thomas after the Giants defeated the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI in 2012. “This campaign shows young people globally that it doesn’t matter where you were born, but you were born to play.”

Persons: Usher, hurtling, Saquon Barkley, Justin Jefferson, Cameron Jordan, Jeremiah Owusu, Koramoah, Eldad Osime, Africa –, –, NFL “, ” Umenyiora, ”, Andrew Dosunmu, Jay, Jay Okocha, Rashidi, Hakeem “, ” Olajuwon, Umenyiora, “, they’re, Devin Thomas, Rob Carr Organizations: CNN, NFL, Camp, New York Giants, end’s, USA, “, Super Eagles, Giants, New England Patriots, Super, ”, National Football League Locations: Las Vegas, Accra, British, Africa, Lagos, Ghana, London, Anambra, Ogbunike, Nigeria, America, Canada, North America

scores bigIn many ways, the N.F.L. couldn’t have asked for a better outcome for the Super Bowl. The game was a place to see and be seen. Yes, Swift arrived in time from Japan to cheer on her boyfriend, the Chiefs star Travis Kelce. And A-list celebrities like Jay-Z, Beyoncé and LeBron James were spotted at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

Persons: couldn’t, Usher, Taylor Swift, Swift, Travis Kelce, Jay, LeBron James, Elon Musk —, Tim Cook, Jack Dorsey Organizations: Super, Kansas City Chiefs, Chiefs, Elon, Apple, Twitter Locations: Japan, Las Vegas

☆ What to know about the Chiefs-49ers Super Bowl matchup
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-11 | by ( Hannah Brewitt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —Super Bowl LVIII is finally upon us and only two teams remain in the fight for the NFL’s biggest prize. Their next challenge is to defeat the Chiefs and win the franchise’s first Super Bowl title in nearly 30 years. Sunday’s matchup will be the second time in just four years that these two teams will meet in a Super Bowl. When the rivals squared off in Super Bowl LIV back in 2020, Kansas City came back from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter to earn its first Super Bowl title since 1970. He’s won two Super Bowl titles, two Super Bowl MVP awards, and two league MVP awards - all before his 30th birthday.

Persons: Lombardi, Taylor Swift, Patrick Mahomes ’, Patrick Mahomes, David Eulitt, Super Bowl LIV, ’, Andy Reid’s, Mahomes, He’s, Brock Purdy, Mark J, Terrill, Purdy, Tom Brady, Joe Montanta, Brady, Will Mahomes, Swift, Travis Kelce, songstress, Jamie Squire, ” Kelce, “, ”, Travis Kelce’s, Donna, she’ll, Donna Kelce Organizations: CNN, Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, CBS, CBS Sports, Paramount, Nickelodeon, Patrick Mahomes ’ Chiefs, NFL, Chiefs, Super Bowl, Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens, 49ers, Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, Kansas City, Niners, Super, NFC, ‘ Chiefs, Embassy of Locations: Vegas, Sin, Super, Kansas, San Francisco, Montana, ‘, Embassy, Embassy of Japan, United States, Tokyo, Las Vegas, Allegiant

☆ What it’s really like to go to the Super Bowl
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-10 | by ( Harmeet Kaur | Scottie Andrew | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

The person who attended the Super Bowl nine timesMike Quackenbush has been to the Super Bowl nine times — but he didn’t personally pay for tickets because, technically, he was there on business. It’s a great event and I was super lucky to go all those years.”The first-time Super Bowl attendee who went during the pandemicChelsea Bear was all smiles at the 2021 Super Bowl. Lennox McLendon/AP Most rushing yards in a Super Bowl: Washington quarterback Doug Williams won the Super Bowl MVP award in 1988, but rookie running back Timmy Smith set a Super Bowl record that year with 204 rushing yards against Denver. Ezra Shaw/Getty Images Longest pass in a Super Bowl: Carolina wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad caught an 85-yard touchdown pass from Jake Delhomme during Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2004. Paul Sancya/AP First score in Super Bowl history: In the first quarter of what we know now as Super Bowl I, Green Bay Packers wide receiver Max McGee scored a touchdown on a 37-yard pass from Bart Starr.

Persons: who’ve, who’d, —, he’d, Mike Quackenbush, didn’t, Quackenbush, Washington Redskins —, ”, he’ll, Peyton Manning’s, it’s, It’s, Bear, Chelsea Bear, Chelsea Bear’s, Chloe, ” Bear, couldn’t, Tom Brady —, I’ll, San, Judy Abad, “, Steve Young, Tom DiPace, Tom Brady, Brady, John David Mercer, Jerry Rice, Lennox McLendon, Doug Williams, Timmy Smith, Bob Galbraith, Rod Martin, Jeff Roberson, Bill Belichick, Belichick, Al Bello, Baltimore's Jacoby Jones, Ezra Shaw, Muhsin Muhammad, Jake Delhomme, Brian Bahr, Willie Parker, Paul Spinelli, Pittsburgh's James Harrison, Kurt Warner, Leon Lett, Lett, Buffalo's Don Beebe, Rick Stewart, Manny Ramirez, Peyton Manning, Denver's Knowshon Moreno, Paul Sancya, Max McGee, Bart Starr, McGee, Neil Leifer, Scott Norwood, Phil Sandlin, Abad, ” Abad, Mike Ryan, Chris Jeter, Ryan, Patrick Mahomes wasn’t, “ I’d Organizations: CNN, Super, Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, NFL, Super Bowl, NFL Players Association, Bowls, Washington Redskins, Buffalo Bills, Chelsea, Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, South Florida, Bucs, New England Patriots, Philadelphia, Patriots, Atlanta, USA, Cincinnati, Famer, Washington, Denver, Oakland, Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, New, New York Giants, Ravens, San Francisco, Getty, Pittsburgh, Dallas Cowboys, Rose, Green Bay Packers, San, 49ers, Buffalo, Bills, Kansas City, Bowl, I’m Locations: Tampa, San Francisco, Diego, Francisco, New England, Carolina, Denver, Seattle, Kansas, Miami

Search resuls for: "league’s"

25 mentions found