⚾️ Skenes and Gil win Rookie of the Year

Inside the NBA moves to ESPN, Netflix reassures NFL after streaming disaster, Winter Classic jerseys revealed, and more!

Author

Sportie Newsletter
November 21, 2024

🏈 Football

NFL reassured by Netflix after streaming disaster

Netflix’s streaming issues during the heavily anticipated fight between boxing legend Mike Tyson and Jake Paul were problematic enough that it raised concerns for the NFL ahead of the league’s upcoming games that will be streamed exclusively on the platform on Christmas Day, according to one report. 

Buffering issues plagued fans tuning in to watch the historic matchup between one of the sport’s greats and its new up-and-coming boxer on Friday. Social media was flooded with complaints, and a lawsuit was even filed accusing the streaming platform of "breach of contract." 

"The NFL did check in with Netflix following the Tyson-Paul fight to ask about the problems and assess the likelihood that they could repeat themselves on Christmas," ESPN reported Wednesday.

NFL issues security alert after burglaries

The NFL issued a security alert to teams and the players’ union on Thursday following recent burglaries involving the homes of Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.

In a memo obtained by The Associated Press, the league says homes of professional athletes across multiple sports have become “increasingly targeted for burglaries by organized and skilled groups.”

Law enforcement officials noted these groups target the homes on days the athletes have games. Players were told to take precautions and implement home security measures to reduce the risk of being targeted.

2025 Football Hall of Fame Semifinalists revealed

The Pro Football Hall of Fame released the names of its 25 modern-era semifinalists for induction into the class of 2025 on Wednesday.

Among the list are six first-time eligible players including former New York Giants quarterback and two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning and former Carolina Panthers linebacker and seven-time Pro-Bowler Luke Kuechly.

🏀 Basketball

Inside the NBA moving to ESPN next season

"Inside the NBA," which features the quartet of Ernie Johnson Jr., Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O'Neal, will appear on ESPN and ABC starting with the 2025-26 season via a partnership with TNT Sports and the NBA, it was announced Monday.

Except when the show goes on the road, TNT Sports will continue to independently produce "Inside the NBA" from its Atlanta-based studios over the term of the agreement. Johnson, Barkley, Smith and O'Neal will remain with the show.

The show, which has won 21 Sports Emmy Awards, will appear on ESPN and ABC surrounding high-profile live events, including ESPN's pregame, halftime and postgame coverage of the NBA Finals on ABC, conference finals, NBA playoffs, all ABC games after Jan. 1, Christmas Day, opening week, the final week of the season and other marquee live events.

LaMelo Ball fined $100k

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball has been fined $100,000 for making an offensive and derogatory comment in a postgame interview, it was announced today by Joe Dumars, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations.

Ball’s comments occurred following the Hornets’ 115-114 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Nov. 16 at Spectrum Center.

🏒 Hockey

Winter Classic Jerseys Revealed

The NHL and Fanatics, the League’s authentic outfitter, unveiled the uniforms Wednesday for the game on New Year’s Eve

Chicago’s uniform pays homage to the Blackhawks’ rich heritage, while introducing distinctive new design elements. The jersey features a classic lace-neck collar, reminiscent of hockey’s early days, complemented by a vintage cream color that captures the nostalgic spirit of the Original Six era.

The Blues’ uniform pays homage to St. Louis’ hockey heritage. The jersey’s primary wordmark represents the first time in team history that a “Blue Note” is not the principal design element appearing on the chest. The font styling and numbers are inspired by an unworn prototype Blues uniform from 1966, and the jersey also includes a newly designed vintage-style Blue Note on the shoulder.2

Bruins Head Coach Fired

Jim Montgomery was fired as coach of the Boston Bruins on Tuesday after two-plus seasons. He has been replaced by Joe Sacco on an interim basis.

Montgomery went 120-41-23 with the Bruins after being hired as the 29th coach in franchise history July 1, 2022, succeeding Bruce Cassidy.

Boston has struggled this season out of the gate after an offseason that saw two big-ticket signings in unrestricted free agents Elias Lindholm (seven years, $7.75 million average annual value) and Nikita Zadorov (six years, $5 million AAV).

The Bruins are 8-9-3 and have lost four of their past five games (1-2-2), including 5-1 at home to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday. They have a minus-21 goal differential, tied for second-worst in the NHL.

Ovechkin out 4-6 weeks

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin will miss the next few weeks as he recovers from a fractured left fibula, the team announced on Thursday.

The injury is not season-ending, but it will hold him out for roughly 4-6 weeks.

The 39-year-old was hurt in Monday's win over Utah Hockey Club when he collided with Jack McBain in the defensive zone early in the third period. He went down in visible pain and needed help getting off the ice, and wasn't putting much weight on his left leg.

Though he tried to skate afterward, he couldn't do much and did not return to play.

⚾️ Baseball

Skenes, Gil win Rookie of the Year

The 2024 MLB Rookie of the Year awards went to pitchers Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates (NL) and Luis Gil of the New York Yankees (AL). This marked the first time since 1981 that both winners were starting pitchers, a rare feat in MLB history.

Astros $119 million All-Star could cut ties with Houston

The Houston Astros face a significant decision regarding third baseman Alex Bregman as he enters free agency after the team's disappointing 2024 season, where they failed to reach the American League Championship Series. MLB.com's Mark Feinsand suggests the New York Yankees could be a strong suitor for Bregman, potentially luring him away from Houston. Bregman, a two-time All-Star and winner of both a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger, has been a key player for the Astros over the last eight seasons, including their recent success in the ALCS.

Bregman, projected to sign a four-year, $119 million deal, hit 26 home runs in 2024 and had his first career Gold Glove season. While the Astros are expected to try and retain him, the Yankees, in need of a third baseman, could make a strong push, especially if they fail to re-sign Juan Soto. Losing Bregman would be a major blow to the Astros, who have relied heavily on him in their playoff run.

MLB to test robot umpires in Spring Training

MLB will test the use of robot umpires as part of a challenge system during Spring training next year, with the aim of implementing the system in the 2026 regular season.

The automated ball-strike (ABS) challenge system will be trialed at 13 ballparks hosting 19 teams in 2025 to allow players to experience the new technology as the league works out how best to implement it, according to MLB commissioner Rob Manfred.

“I think we will have a Spring training ABS test that will provide a meaningful opportunity for all Major League players to see what the challenge system will look like,” Manfred said on Wednesday at the league’s owners meetings.

“It won’t be in every single ballpark, but we actually have a plan where every team will get meaningful exposure to that.”