🇺🇸 USA and Canada gear up for championship game

3 Fights in 9 Seconds at 4 Nations game, NBA All-Star game recap, Kyrie Irving, and more!

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Sportie Newsletter
February 19, 2025

🏀 Basketball

Evolution continues with 2025 NBA All-Star Game's new format

he 2025 NBA All-Star Game saw a major overhaul, shifting to a three-game mini-tournament with no clock and a target score of 40.

Shaq’s OGs won the championship, with Stephen Curry earning MVP honors.

The format introduced more competition, though the final game lacked intensity. LeBron James and Anthony Edwards sat out due to injuries.

Giannis Antetokounmpo suggested a U.S. vs. International format for the future. While the changes had mixed results, the NBA aims to keep improving engagement.

Kyrie Irving says he wants to play for Australia at the 2028 Olympics

Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving told reporters during All-Star Weekend that he wants to play for Australia at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Irving was born in Melbourne while his dad was playing for the Bulleen Boomers of the now-defunct South East Australian Basketball League, and holds Australian citizenship. 

"We're in the process of [making the switch from Team USA] right now," Irving said on Sunday. "Just trying to figure out what's going to be the best route for me to be eligible. There's a lot of paperwork in between that.

🏒 Hockey

3 Fights in 9 Seconds at 4 Nations USA vs Canada game

Three fights broke out in the beginning moments of a hockey match between the U.S. and Canada on Feb. 15 as a part of the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off

American brothers Matthew and Brady Tkachuk were two of the instigators, with Brady speaking out after the fact to say they planned to get into the fights ahead of time

U.S., Canada gearing up for intense rematch in 4 Nations Face-Off championship

The 4 Nations Face-Off championship game between the United States and Canada is set for Thursday at TD Garden. The U.S. secured their spot earlier, while Canada defeated Finland 5-3 to advance.

The game will be a rematch of the Americans’ intense 3-1 victory over Canada last Saturday.

Players on both sides recognize the high stakes, with U.S. center Jack Eichel calling it “the biggest game I’ve played in in quite some time.” Canada, dominant in past best-on-best tournaments, looks to reclaim supremacy, while the U.S. aims to prove it's their time to shine.

Both teams expect a highly competitive and physical battle.

🏈 Football

Netflix May Take Your Weekly Sunday NFL Games

Netflix was rewarded quite handsomely for the exclusive Christmas Day games featuring Ravens-Texans and the Chiefs-Steelers. Over 218 countries showed the games, which resulted in more than 65 million viewers.

The NFL's current broadcast rights deal with CBS and FOX expires in 2033. However, the league can pull the agreement four years early in 2029, which is reportedly their plan.

Netflix will bid for the NFL's Sunday afternoon games, hinting that Commissioner Roger Goodell and the league have a desire to continue to spread it to international markets, and that there is no better way to do so than Netflix.

Former Michigan football walk-on gets first coaching job with NFL team

The grandson of legendary NFL broadcaster and coach John Madden, Jesse Madden got his start as a backup quarterback before switching to defensive back. He many not have been a key player on the field in games, but he was someone who the maize and blue faithful were well aware of due to his famous name.

Now Madden is looking to make a name for himself, rather than existing in his grandfather's shadow. Per an official cable from the Washington Commanders, Madden is joining the coaching staff as an offensive quality control coach, thus officially starting his coaching career.

It's a big step from college walk-on to the NFL coaching ranks.