Posts tagged with "espn"

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL × DISNEY – DRAWN TO LIFE

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After more than a year of waiting, Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group and Disney Parks, Experiences and Products are excited to announce that Drawn to Life is scheduled to open on Nov. 18. The highly anticipated, new family-friendly show coming to Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., is a collaboration between Cirque du Soleil, Walt Disney Animation Studios and Walt Disney Imagineering and will take residency at Disney Springs. Tickets will go on sale at 7 a.m. ET on Aug. 20 and can be purchased at Cirque du Soleil.

“We are so looking forward to unveil this beautiful, long-awaited creation to the public,” said Daniel Lamarre, President and CEO of Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group. “We were moments away from opening night in March of 2020 when performances were paused. Intermission is now over and we cannot wait for Cirque and Disney fans to experience the joy of this love letter to the art of Walt Disney animation.”

“With its combination of Disney animation and awe-inspiring performances, Drawn to Life is a great addition to the Disney Springs entertainment lineup and perfect for all ages,” said Jeff Vahle, President of Walt Disney World Resort. “I’m excited for a new generation of guests to experience this show as part of their Walt Disney World vacations.”

Drawn to Life, written and directed by Michel Laprise with Fabrice Becker as Director of Creation, is a live acrobatic journey telling the story of Julie, a determined girl who discovers an unexpected gift left by her Disney animator father: an unfinished animation. As she dives into the inner world of animation guided by a surprising pencil, Julie embarks on an inspiring quest filled with her childhood Disney memories. Developed in partnership with Michael Jung, Executive Theatrical Development, Walt Disney Imagineering, the story is driven by 10 unique acrobatic acts alongside animation from beloved Disney films as well as all-new animation created by Disney artists led by Eric Goldberg, best known for characters such as the Genie in the animated classic, “Aladdin.”

“It was an honor to have the opportunity to interpret the spectacular works from Disney’s catalogue of animation into a live show and we couldn’t be more proud of this production,” explained Diane Quinn, Chief Creative Officer Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group. “Together with Walt Disney Animation Studios and Walt Disney Imagineering, we have created a stunning show that will inspire audiences to dream and reach for the impossible.”

“Cirque’s world-class creative and production team worked closely with us, getting to know and understand every aspect of Disney,” said Natalie Woodward, Vice President of Production, Disney Live Entertainment. “Our incredible collaboration on Drawn to Life has created a show that celebrates Disney’s legacy in the art of animation in a unique and signature style that is pure Cirque du Soleil.”

“I think guests will be amazed to see how the magic of Cirque du Soleil and the art of Walt Disney Animation Studios have come together to bring life to classic and current characters like Baloo, Baymax, and Cinderella in ways that no one has ever imagined,” said animator Eric Goldberg.

Drawn to Life is the 50th production created by Cirque du Soleil and its premiere coincides with the 50th anniversary celebrations at Walt Disney World Resort. With an international cast of 64 artists, Drawn to Life will perform Tuesday through Saturday at Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort.

For more information on show tickets, dates and pricing, visit Cirque du Soleil.

About Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group

Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group is a world leader in live entertainment. On top of producing world-renowned circus arts shows, the Canadian organization brings its creative approach to a large variety of entertainment forms such as multimedia productions, immersive experiences, theme parks and special events. Going beyond its various creations, Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group aims to make a positive impact on people, communities and the planet with its most important tools: creativity and art. For more information about Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group, please visit CDS Entertainment Group.

About Disney Springs

Disney Springs is a one-of-a-kind retail, dining and entertainment district located in the heart of the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. With its namesake springs, beautiful open-air promenades and lakefront setting, Disney Springs evokes the charm of Florida waterfront towns at the turn of the 20th century. It’s also home to a collection of more than 150 shops and restaurants, including top-name retail brands, specialty boutiques and dining experiences created by celebrity and award-winning chefs. Located in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Disney Springs is open daily.

About Disney Parks, Experiences and Products

Disney Parks, Experiences and Products brings the magic of The Walt Disney Company’s powerful brands and franchises—including Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, ESPN, 20th Century Fox and National Geographic—into the daily lives of families and fans around the world to create magical memories that last a lifetime.

When Walt Disney opened Disneyland in Anaheim, California, on July 17, 1955, he created a unique destination built around storytelling and immersive experiences, ushering in a new era of family entertainment. More than 65 years later, Disney has grown into one of the world’s leading providers of family travel and leisure experiences, with iconic businesses including six resort destinations with 12 theme parks and 52 resorts in the United States, Europe, and Asia; a top-rated cruise line with four ships and plans for three more; a luxurious family beach resort in Hawai‘i; a popular vacation ownership program; and an award-winning guided family adventure business. Disney’s global consumer products operations include the world’s leading licensing business; the world’s largest children’s publishing brands; one of the world’s largest licensors of games across all platforms; Disney store locations around the world; and the shopDisney e-commerce platform.

These experiences are created by Disney Imagineers, the creative force behind experiences found in Disney theme parks, resort hotels, cruise ships, and consumer products—including books, games, and merchandise.

About Walt Disney Animation Studios

Combining masterful artistry and storytelling with groundbreaking technology, Walt Disney Animation Studios is a filmmaker-driven animation studio responsible for creating some of the most beloved films ever made. Located in Burbank, WDAS continues to build on its rich legacy of innovation and creativity, from the first fully animated feature film, 1937’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, to its upcoming 60th animated feature, Encanto. Among the studio’s timeless creations are Pinocchio, Sleeping Beauty, The Jungle Book, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Frozen, Big Hero 6 and Zootopia.

KANE BROWN × BLACKBEAR — “MEMORY”

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Country superstar Kane Brown and multi-Platinum singer-songwriter-producer blackbear released “Memory” today, their first collaboration as artists and songwriters. You can listen to the song HERE.

Produced by Andrew Goldstein and blackbear, and written by Brown, Matthew Musto (blackbear), Andrew Goldstein, Joe Kirkland and Ernest Smith, “Memory” will officially impact Top 40 radio on Monday, July 12 via RCA Nashville in partnership with RCA Records. The song follows Brown’s 2X Platinum hits “Be Like That” ft. Swae Lee and Khalid and “One Thing Right” with famed DJ Marshmello, which have amassed over 567 million and 1.01 billion on-demand streams worldwide, respectively.

Recently, Brown graced the cover of Billboard’s Country Power Player issue while his collaboration with Chris Young, “Famous Friends” hit No. 1 at country radio this week. This weekend, Brown is set to present at 2021 ESPYS, Saturday, July 10 at 8:00 PM EST on ABC and will take part in the MLB All-Star Celebrity Softball Game on Sunday, July 11, which will air Monday, July 12 at 10:00 PM EST on ESPN.

Renowned NFT artist Captvart (Cameron Burns), created an original piece for the cover art of “Memory,” using his background in photography and computer-generated astronaut imagery. Additionally known for his work in the music community, Brown is the first country artist collaboration for Captvart.

Directed by ACM and CMT Music Award winner Alex Alvga, the “Memory” music video made its broadcast premiere on MTV Live, MTVU, CMT and on the ViacomCBS Times Square billboard in New York. You can watch the music video HERE.

Brown recently announced his Blessed & Free Tour, marking the first time a country artist will bring a headlining tour to all 29 NBA Arenas, including New York City’s Madison Square Garden, Brooklyn’s Barclays Center and Los Angeles’ STAPLES Center which he sold-out in January 2020, one of only 11 country artists to accomplish this. For tickets and more information, click HERE.

GWEN BERRY PROTESTS ANTHEM ON OLYMPIC STAGE

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By: Clara Guthrie

On Saturday June 26, hammer thrower Gwen Berry turned her back on the American flag while the national anthem played as she stood on the podium during the track and field Olympic trials in Eugene, Oregon, saying she felt “set-up” by the timing of the song. Berry had just placed third in her respective event, meaning she had secured her spot at the postponed 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The opening ceremony will take place on July 23, and the rest of the Olympics schedule can be found HERE.

According to the Associated Press, the national anthem had played once every night of the track and field qualifying events, meaning “The Star-Spangled Banner” had played consecutively for eight nights before Berry stepped onto the podium. USA Track and Field spokeswoman Susan Hazzard said in a statement, “We didn’t wait until the athletes were on the podium for the Hammer Throw awards, the national anthem is played every day according to a previously published schedule.”

Berry, however, claimed that she was told the national anthem would play before the athletes walked back onto the field to receive their medals. “They said they were going to play it before we walked out, then they played it when we were out there,” Berry said. “But I don’t really want to talk about the anthem because that’s not important. The anthem doesn’t speak for me. It never has.”

Berry’s behavior on the podium reflected her immediate surprise and discomfort when the anthem began to play. The Associated Press described the moment:

“While the music played, Berry placed her left hand on her hip and shuffled her feet. She took a quarter turn, so she was facing the stands, not the flag. Toward the end, she plucked up her black T-shirt with the words ‘Activist Athlete’ emblazoned on the front, and draped it over her head.”

Berry is no stranger to merging activism with top-tier athletics. At the 2019 Pan-American Games held in Peru, Berry raised her fist in protest as the national anthem played; she was, again, on the podium, this time receiving a gold medal. The backlash Berry faced for this action was swift and aggressive. According to ESPN, one Twitter user simply said, “Love our country or move out!!”

In defense of her silent and yet impactful protest at the 2019 Pan-American Games was her father, Michael Berry. He said, “For her to do that on the podium is more American than anything, if you ask me. Because that’s what our country is founded on: freedom of expression, freedom of speech.” It is important to note that Michael Berry is an Iraq War veteran—a member of a group that is often brought up as one that is disrespected by any form of protest during the playing of the national anthem.

The US Olympic and Paralympic Committee however, clearly disagreed with Berry’s father’s statement, instead sentencing Berry to a one-year probation for breaking the Olympic code of conduct. At the time, this set of rules forbade any form of demonstration while at Olympic-affiliated venues. According to NBC News, the committee has since apologized to Berry for this punishment. Race Imboden, an American fencer, took a knee while on the podium at his respective medal ceremony at the same Pan-American Games and was also put on probation for one year. While these sorts of demonstrations are still illegal according to the International Olympic Committee, the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee has since changed their rules to allow for some kinds of political demonstrations.

But after her most recent act of protest at the Olympic trials on Saturday, Berry is only renewed in her commitment to social justice, specifically in dismantling systemic racism. In the aforementioned conversation with the Associated Press, Berry said, “My purpose and my mission is bigger than sports. I’m here to represent those […] who died due to systemic racism. That’s the important part. That’s why I’m going. That’s why I’m here today.”

In the wake of Berry’s actions, #gwenberry was trending on Twitter, triggering a storm of passionate comments voicing both praise and pride, as well as disappointment and downright hatred—with many users on the latter side calling for her outright removal from the Olympic team. Republican politician Tom Basile took to Twitter to say, “She’s a disgrace and should not be allowed to represent this country. Period.” Another user added, “When your [sic] supposed to rep your country in the Olympics and turn your back on the flag, you should be stripped of that chance at the Olympics. […] Rooting against her in Tokyo.”

The hashtag has also been flooded with support of Berry’s protest. One user said, “Storming the Capitol and enslaving Americans are NOT acts of patriotism but you don’t want to talk about that. Protesting is patriotic.” Columnist Carron J. Phillips agreed, saying, “She’s a patriot. And if you’re mad at a 2-time Olympian but not the terrorists who stormed the Capitol, you’re part of the problem.”

Other Twitter users astutely observed that Gwen Berry is among many famous and celebrated athletes who have used their high-publicity roles to engage in and push forward different social movements, specifically dismantling systemic racism in America. Former-NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick became the center of a heated debate in 2016 when he began kneeling during the national anthem before his games to send a message about police brutality and discrimination against Black Americans. And at the 1968 Mexico City summer Olympic games, track and field athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos made waves when they both raised a fist in the black power salute during the national anthem as they received gold and bronze medals, respectively.

All four of these athletes—Tommie Smith, John Carlos, Colin Kaepernick and now, Gwen Berry—are paragons of protest and serve as resonant reminders that protest is inherently meant to make us uncomfortable and catalyze change. Berry may be a newer member of this long-standing tradition of Black athletes pushing for political change, but she most certainly will not be the last.

ESPN+ Nearly Doubled in Subscribers Last Year

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ESPN+ hit 13.8 Million Subscribers, a Massive 75% Increase Year-over-Year

Over the last years, ESPN’s business model has changed, both from a digital and broadcast perspective. The multinational cable sports channel is putting a bigger focus on its additional paid service, ESPN+, as the number of sports fans who chose live streaming instead of other media platforms continues to rise.

According to data presented by Safe Betting Sites, the number of ESPN+ subscribers hit 13.8 million as of April, a massive 75% increase year-over-year.

The Number of Subscribers Doubled Amid the Pandemic

Not meant as a replacement for the cable channel, the ESPN+ has become essential for sports fans who don’t have the cable channel to access ESPN’s content and coverage. It has also grown into a necessary service for sports fanatics, searching for exclusive access to specific sports coverage, special analysis, events, shows, and much more.

In the first quarter of the fiscal year 2019, ESPN+ had around 1.4 million subscribers, revealed the Walt Disney Company’s financial results. Over the next twelve months, this figure jumped by 370% to 6.6 million. However, statistics show the number of subscribers surged after the pandemic struck, as more and more sports fans started choosing live sports streaming over other media platforms. Since January 2020, the number of ESPN+ subscribers more than doubled, rising from 6.6 million to 13.8 million.

Almost 40% of Sports Fans Choose Live Streaming Content, China Leads in Global Comparison

The global YouGov survey conducted in January 2021, revealed some interesting facts about the platforms and media channels sports fans choose to watch sports content. Although live TV still represents the global number-one choice for watching sports, almost 40% of sports fans prefer live streaming content. Statistics show that sports fans aged between 18 and 24 lead in watching live sports streaming, with 47% of them using these services. Millennials, aged between 25 and 34, ranked second with 45% of respondents who stated they do the same.

The social media platforms ranked as the third-most-popular choice for watching sports content, with a 34% share among respondents. Online content, mobile apps, and newspapers followed with 25%, 24%, and 19% share, respectively. Only 8% of all respondents followed sports via magazines.

The survey also showed China represents the leading market for live sports streaming, with 54% of respondents who use online streams to follow the sport. Indonesia, Taiwan, the Philippines, and the United Arab Emirates follow with 50%, 49%, and 42% share, respectively.

The United States, France, and Japan were on the other side of the list with a 17%, 16%, and 13% share, respectively.

Read the full story here at Safe Betting Sites’ website.

Do you need a sports tipster?

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Why do your sure bets keep losing? Many sports bettors constantly grumble that they don’t find as much luck as they expected. How many times have you wagered on a ‘strong’ bet only for the team to lose? There is a lot that goes to winning a game. The players could be fatigued or they could quarrel with the coach. This inside information is what a tipster offers.

There are many sites with eSports betting and lucrative odds, but developing a winning strategy proves to be a different ballgame. A losing streak can be very discouraging if you are new to sports betting. Can a tipster service change your fortunes and put you on a winning streak? Maybe so. There are many tipster services offering improved winning rates. Do you need their services?

Tipsters Have Deep Game Insight

Tipsters are bettors with deep experience in the sport, leagues and teams they study. They have spent a long time studying games and have deep insights and inside information. A professional tipster has all the valuable information at their fingertips. They know what team is strong in the first half or second half. They know how teams perform historically against each other.

A good tipster can tell when a team is priced appropriately, underpriced, or overpriced. They can compare the odds against different strengths and weaknesses they have sniffed about the team.

Tipsters Supplement Betting Apps

There are many betting apps and software analysis tools which have made sports analysis very easy. They use Artificial Intelligence for statistical analysis into huge volumes of historical data. These apps have made sports betting easy, even for novices.

The disadvantage with these apps is that they cannot make the deductions that a human can. For example, they cannot tell that a coach has a bad relationship with his players, or that a new player is having difficulties adapting.

A tipster is useful for supplementing what you see on sports betting prediction apps. Combining the two sources will give a richer data set to help you make a betting decision from an informed point.

Tipsters Balance Out Your Views

In sports betting, you will often have a nagging doubt at the back of the mind. Is this the right call? Is this the right betting option or do I pick another? It is normal to have self-doubts when you are new to sports betting, or when you have suffered a string of losses. You could make the right call but lose an opportunity because of self-doubts.

A tipster is useful for comparisons. What are his recommendations and views against yours? These comparisons are very useful in identifying the weaknesses of your analysis. You become better at sports analysis and improve your betting skills in the long run.

Tipsters Can Improve Your Profits

A tipster can be of help in finding quicker financial success in sports betting. The truth is that a good tipster will make more correct calls than you can. You will have a higher win rate and build up your bankroll quicker.

How to Identify a Good Tipster

Stay away from tipsters who promise ‘fixed matches.’ The only way to pick a good tipster is by doing a good review of a tipster’s past performance. There are several sites for reviewing tipsters, where you can also find out about the reputation of a tipster. Any credible tipster will give you a trial period to help you assess his performance. Start with several trials and compare performances to pick the best.

A good tipster can boost your wins and change your betting fortunes, even if you don’t find overnight success. You can use these services to enrich your sports analysis skills and turn into an expert relying on your own tips.

NBA Finals 2020 Viewership Drops 50%

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The sports world is one of the most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic with many major sports all over the world coming to a complete halt. Even after many leagues returned it was clear that the “new normal” will have a significant effect on the entire sports world. With the pandemic throwing many sporting calendars and seasons in chaos, the makeshift calendars proved detrimental to viewership numbers. According to data presented by Safe Betting Sites, the 2020 NBA Finals recorded a 50% drop in viewership compared to the 2019 Finals.

COVID-19 Positive Tests Suspended NBA Season “Until Further Notice”

On March 11, 2020, The Utah Jazz were scheduled to play the Oklahoma City Thunder despite the threat of COVID-19 already rising in other parts of the world. This was until The Jazz’s star centre Rudy Gobert of France tested positive for the virus. This prompted the league to cancel the game merely minutes from tip-off. The league subsequently suspended the remainder of the 2019-2020 season until further notice. In June it was then announced that the season will be restarted on July 31st with an improvised schedule taking in consideration teams current position on the standings when play was suspended. It was agreed that seeding games would be played for all teams that finished within six games of a playoff spot when play was halted.

Season Restarted Under “Bubble Conditions”

As part of the plans for a restart, the NBA instituted a strict medical protocol leading up to the restart as well as during the entire playoffs were played. The games were played in controlled venues within Walt Disney World’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida which was popularly referred to as “the bubble.” The entire playoffs were played in the bubble with no physical fans in attendance. Many players likened the experience to their days as AAU players before their NBA careers.

The 2020 NBA Finals pitted the Eastern Conference Champions Miami Heat against the Western Conference Champions, LA Lakers. The finals are traditionally played sometime in June but the pandemic forced an almost 4-month delay with Game 1 played on September 30. This delay, as well as the unique atmosphere the bubble brought, were a clear contributor to the significant decline in viewership numbers.

Tumultuous Time In US History Leads To Decrease In Ratings

The 2020 NBA finals saw an average viewership of 7.5 million viewers. This is a 51% drop compared to the 2019 Finals which recorded an average of 15.14 million viewers. It is also the lowest number of average viewers of any Finals in the last two decades. Expectedly, the 2020 Finals also saw the lowest TV ratings in the last two decades with a rating of 4 compared to 8.8 in 2019.

At around the time of the improvised Playoffs, the US was going through a tumultuous time in its history in several aspects that also contributed to the decrease in viewers. The COVID-19 pandemic was still ravaging through several states which completely altered many people’s daily routine. The pandemic also meant that sports bars and other venues such as casinos were unavailable and thus the Finals reached far fewer people than in previous years.

The delay in the playoffs also meant that the Finals were staged closer to the critical November 2020 US Presidential elections which meant that people’s focus was dramatically shifted. This combined with the pandemic meant more people were tuning in to news programs rather than sporting events.

Significantly, before and during the NBA’s restart the Black Lives Matter movement was also in full swing as cities around the US protested the infamous death of George Floyd in the hands of police. Another shooting of an African-American man in the city of Milwaukee prompted the Milwaukee Bucks to boycott their playoff game against the Orlando Magic and refused to take to the court. After discussions were held NBA players agreed to play on deciding instead to use their platform to bring awareness to social justice causes. This included wearing NBA jerseys with social justice messages chosen by the player. While the move was commended by many, the polarizing nature of the issue meant that the NBA inevitably lost some viewers who had opposing views.

Robinson Cano Suspended for PED

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By Hannah DiPilato

Major League Baseball player Robinson Cano has been suspended after testing positive for stanozolol, a performance-enhancing drug. MLB commissioner, Rob Manfred, confirmed on Wednesday in a statement that Cano will be banned for the entire 2021 season.

This is the 38-year-old’s second suspension due to testing positive for PED. In 2018, while Cano played for the Seattle Mariners, he tested positive for using diuretic and missed 80 games according to ESPN.

At the time of his first offense, Cano said the diuretic “was given to me by a licensed doctor in the Dominican Republic to treat a medical ailment.” He said he was unaware the drug was banned in the MLB.

In the MLB, testing positive for a PED a second time will result in an automatic 162 game suspension. This rule is an agreement between Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association.

Neither Cano nor the players’ union has made a statement about his second positive test for a PED.

“We were extremely disappointed to be informed about Robinson’s suspension for violating Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program,” said Mets president Sandy Alderson in a statement. “The violation is very unfortunate for him, the organization, our fans, and the sport. The Mets fully support MLB’s efforts toward eliminating performance-enhancing substances from the game.”

Cano will have to forfeit his 2021 salary where he was set to make $24 million. According to Fox Business, Cano is still set to make $48 million between 2022 and 2023. The Mets are responsible for $40 million while the Mariners agreed to pay the remaining $8 million.

The news of Cano’s suspension is great news for player DJ LeMaiheu. According to the New York Post, LeMaiheu would be the perfect player for either the New York Mets or the New York Yankees to add to their rosters. After rejecting an $18.9 million qualifying offer from the Yankees, LeMaiheu is a free agent.

After the loss of Cano for the 2021 season, the Mets are now in need of a starting second baseman. This adds to the list of starting positions that the Mets are seeking out since they are already looking for a starting pitcher, catcher and center field. The Mets could also start Jeff McNeil at second base, a position he would be comfortable in.

Cano was traded to the Mets in 2018 sending player Jared Kelenic to the Mariners. Throughout his 16 seasons playing the sport, Cano is a .303 hitter with 334 home runs, 1,302 RBIs and two Gold Gloves according to ESPN.

Cano was on his way to achieving 3,000 career hits and was at 2,624 before his suspension. This suspension will certainly create uncertainty for the future of his baseball career.

Tyrod Taylor

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By Justin Lyons

Justin Herbert lined up under center on the first drive Sunday for the Los Angeles Chargers, which was a surprise.

Herbert was selected with the sixth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, but Tyrod Taylor was supposed to be the starter while Herbert learned from the bench. Herbert had a successful day, scoring on his first drive and going on to throw for 311 yards and a touchdown, but he came up a bit short of the Patrick Mahomes-led Chiefs in overtime.

It’s now clear why Taylor didn’t play quarterback Sunday. Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn told ESPN’s Shelley Smith that Taylor’s lung was punctured by a team doctor attempting to administer a pain relief injection just before kickoff.

Lynn told Smith that the injury is not career-threatening, and Taylor isn’t mad or upset. Lynn appeared to reaffirm Taylor’s status as a starter when he is cleared to return, saying there was a lot the Chargers didn’t get done with Herbert as their quarterback and that Herbert is a backup “for a reason.”

George Atallah, the assistant executive director of external affairs for the NFL Players Association, tweeted that the union’s medical and legal teams are looking into the incident. He also confirmed that the NFLPA has initiated an investigation.

According to ESPN, the injection is not uncommon, but the doctor is unable to see where the needle is going, which can be difficult. Though the procedure is standard, it is rare that a player’s lung is punctured.

Lynn said Herbert will start Sunday at home against the Carolina Panthers, as Taylor won’t be fully healthy.

“I am looking forward to seeing him play with a week of preparation and knowing he is the starter,” Lynn said.

The Panthers and Chargers will kick off at 1:05 p.m. local time Sunday.

NBA Protests

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by Justin Lyons

The clock struck 4:05 p.m. on Aug 26 in Orlando, and neither the Magic nor the Bucks were on the court for the tip-off of the fifth game of their playoff series.

Playing their home games just 40 miles from Kenosha, Wisconsin, it’s safe to say that the shooting of Jacob Blake by Kenosha police literally hit close to home for the Bucks players.

The Orlando Magic originally took the court for their game, but they decided to leave when it appeared the Bucks weren’t coming. That court was now empty aside from the NBA logos, the regulation markings and “Black Lives Matter” in bold text across the side closest to the scorer’s table.

Then, the tweet from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski came at 4:13 p.m. Orlando time saying that the Bucks officially decided to boycott the fifth game of the series.

News broke later that the Rockets, Thunder, Trail Blazers and Lakers all decided to boycott their games, as well, in a show of unity.

It was the spark that started the fire, as basketball wouldn’t be played again until Aug. 29.

Bucks guard George Hill was one of the most outspoken players on the team regarding the shooting of Jacob Blake, making it very clear that he couldn’t continue to play basketball to distract from the reality of what’s happening in the United States.

The Brewers, the Milwaukee baseball team that plays its home games just a short drive from where the Bucks play, also decided to cancel their Aug. 26 game against the Reds.

Brewers star Christian Yelich said it was a unanimous decision from the team to not play.

“I think the Bucks spearheaded it for us,” Yelich said. “They started the discussion. It gave us a conversation to have. It was eye-opening for us, and we felt like it was the right thing to do.”

The NHL also joined in the protests, postponing games Aug. 27 and Aug. 28.

Later on the night of Aug. 26, Shams Charania reported via Twitter that the Lakers and Clippers, both of which are still contenders for the title, voted to boycott the rest of the season. LeBron James reportedly led the movement to cancel the season, which is no surprise given his history of fighting for social justice.

Giannis Antetokounmpo said the Bucks were able to get in contact with Blake’s father very quickly. Blake’s father was moved to tears by the gesture.

According to an article from ESPN, Antetokounmpo said, “Obviously, it’s gonna be games that you come in and score 30, 35, 50 or whatever the case might be, but that you’re going to remember. The way we felt, we’re going to remember the way we felt for the rest of our lives.”

The Bucks were eliminated from the playoffs Tuesday, which begs the question of how they will respond. Hill expressed disappointment that he had to be in the Orlando bubble instead of fighting for justice, so it should be interesting to see where the Bucks go from here.

Eyes are also shifting to the NFL, which starts Thursday. The entire nation will have its eyes on protests and social justice initiatives from a league that has been just as outspoken as the NBA.

SiriusXM – Sports and the Pandemic

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SiriusXM has announced a live special on “The Business of Sports Reopening During a Pandemic” which will air on Business Radio channel 132 on July 23 from 10am-12pm ET.

COVID-19 has changed the world in which we know it, affecting everyone across the globe, and making a drastic impact on the world of sports which came to a halt as seasons were suspended and canceled.

Today, many teams are allowing individual players to train in their practice facilities and leagues are beginning to discuss plans to reopen, while proceeding with caution in getting back on the field, ring or court safely and under different circumstances.

Dan Loney, host of Wharton Business Daily on SiriusXM’s Business Radio, will be leading the discussion and speaking to some high ranking executives in the world of sports who will discuss their plans on moving forward in the face of this global pandemic.

GUESTS:

Jamey Rootes – President of the Houston Texans

Ilan Ben-Hanan – Senior Vice President of Programming and Acquisitions at ESPN

Larry Baer – CEO of San Francisco Giants

Tim Connelly – Denver Nuggets President of Basketball Operations

Chris Zimmerman – CEO of St. Louis Blues

Drew Rosenhaus – Sports Agent, Owner, Rosenhaus Sports Representation

Bill Mulvihill – Head of U.S. Bank Sports and Entertainment Group

Andy Pazder – PGA Tour Chief Tournaments & Competitions Officer

Sean Gleason – CEO, Professional Bull Riders

Brad Sims – CEO of NYCFC (MLS Team)

To hear the special tune in to Business Radio (ch. 132) on Thursday, July 23 from 10:00am-12:00 pm ET. The special will re-air that night at 8:00pm ET.

SiriusXM Business Radio offers listeners the latest breaking news trends with an emphasis on issues impacting both consumers and the business world and the economy and is available to subscribers nationwide on SiriusXM radios (ch. 132).