Former Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas was revealed to have had stage 2 chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) when he died last year in his Georgia home.
A cause of death has yet to be revealed by a University of Boston study that revealed the diagnosis. Thomas’ family believes he died of a seizure.
According to the New York Times, Thomas began to have seizures after a serious car accident in 2019. The effects of the accident, compounded with CTE, had a serious impact on Thomas’ quality of life. Thomas had memory loss, increased paranoia, and wanted to be alone. All are considered signs of CTE.
In his career, Thomas was a four-time Pro Bowler, two-time All-Pro, and won a Super Bowl. he announced his retirement in Summer 2021.
Baker Mayfield’s time as the quarterback of the Cleveland Browns has come to a close. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo report the former No. 1 overall pick is being traded to the Carolina Panthers for a 2024 conditional 5th-round draft pick.
The deal is currently awaiting a physical. Mayfield’s first game on the Panthers would be against the Browns during Week 1 in Carolina.
And the cherry on top of this Baker Mayfield trade:#Browns at #Panthers, Week 1.
Garafolo adds that Mayfield will be paid $10.5 million this season by the Browns and $5 from the Panthers. Mayfield agreed to trim $3.5 million off his base salary.
In the 2021 season, Mayfield threw for 3,010 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions.
After months of speculation and months of work for all parties, Baker Mayfield is now a Panther. And Jacoby Brissett is now the #Browns solution for a Deshaun Watson absence. https://t.co/LW3ArTUj6s
Diana Taurasi, the three-time WNBA champion, all-time leading scorer, and five-time Olympic gold medalist for the Phoenix Mercury, and Sue Bird, the four-time WNBA champion, thirteen-time WNBA All-Star, and five-time Olympic gold medalist for the Seattle Storm, will be featured on the cover of the NBA® 2K23 WNBA Edition, according to a 2K announcement today.
The NBA 2K23 WNBA Edition is the second cover in the history of the NBA 2K brand to honor WNBA athletes, and it is only available at GameStop in the United States and Canada. With one more significant cover athlete announcement scheduled for tomorrow, Diana and Sue will join Michael Jordan as the current NBA 2K23 cover players.
NBA 2K23 WNBA Edition
“It really is an incredible feeling to see your hard work memorialized on the cover of a game like NBA 2K23,” said Taurasi. “There are so many kids that dream of pursuing a professional basketball career, and they can now also dream of being on the NBA 2K cover, whether they want to play in the NBA or WNBA.”
“The response to NBA 2K’s first WNBA Edition last year was overwhelmingly positive and a testament to the W’s growing audience and prominence,” said Alfie Brody, Vice President of Global Marketing Strategy at 2K. “Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi have achieved greatness both individually and together, cementing their status as two of the best players in the WNBA’s history.”
NBA 2K is teaming up with the WNBA players to donate $100,000 to Every Kid Sports in honor of Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi’s lifetime dedication to ensuring equitable opportunities for women athletes. This will allow kids to participate in grassroots basketball programs all around the country. By paying the registration costs for more than 550 girls from low-income families, the donation will boost the number of kids who have access to youth basketball. A national nonprofit organization called Every Kid Sports exists to support kids’ participation in recreational youth sports.
“It’s amazing to see myself on the cover of a video game that has such a cultural impact,” said Bird. “And by partnering with NBA 2K and Every Kid Sports, Diana and I have the opportunity to open doors to hundreds of young girls in this country who want to express themselves on the court. I’m honored to be on the cover, and even more honored to use my legacy to provide these opportunities for the next generation.”
“This partnership with 2K and the phenomenal athletes involved is an exciting opportunity for our organization,” said Natalie Hummel, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Every Kid Sports. “We are truly humbled by their support and commitment to our mission to close the gap in access to recreational youth sports. I look forward to working together towards our goal of increased equity in sports by providing a pathway for underserved girls to reap the benefits of play.”
Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi’s WNBA jerseys will be included as in-game extra content in the NBA 2K23 WNBA Edition. When pre-orders start on July 7, stay tuned for further cover reveals and information on pricing.
Basketball star Brittney Griner penned an open letter to President Joe Biden. Within the message, Griner states “I’m terrified I might be here forever.”
Griner spoke for herself and fellow detainees, requesting President Biden does whatever he can “to bring us home.”
“On the 4th of July, our family normally honors the service of those men who fought for our freedom, including my father who is a Vietnam War Veteran,” Griner wrote. “It hurts thinking about how I usually celebrate this day because freedom means something completely different to me this year.”
White House National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson maintains Griner is being wrongfully detained. She stated, “President Biden has been clear about the need to see all U.S. nationals who are held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad released, including Brittney Griner. The U.S. government continues to work aggressively — using every available means — to bring her home.”
You can see the letter from Griner below.
NEW: A letter from Brittney Griner was sent to the White House today, making a direct appeal to President Biden for her freedom. Representatives shared the following excerpts: pic.twitter.com/pvh4IpOfou
Brittney Griner’s trial is officially set to start on Friday. According to ESPN, Griner has been ordered to remain in custody for the entirety of her trial. Griner was arrested four months ago for alleged cannabis possession.
Griner is facing up to 10 years in prison if she is convicted on the charge of large-scale transportation of drugs. Less than 1% of defendants in Russian criminal cases are acquitted, which can be overturned.
During her court appearance on Monday, Griner’s detention was extended for six months to Dec. 20. Videos and images from the courthouse showed the basketball star in handcuffs.
“It was good to see her in some of those images, but it’s tough. Every time’s a reminder that their teammate, their friend, is wrongfully imprisoned in another country,” Phoenix Mercury coach Vanessa Nygaard said. “It’s tough on our team. It is good to see her. See how she’s doing? I don’t know if she’s doing OK.”
According to ESPN’s T.J. Quinn, Griner’s conviction was always likely, despite the evidence holding up or not, citing the proceedings are a formality to qualify her arrest. Russia is reportedly willing to negotiate her release.
WNBA star, Brittney Griner, appeared in Russian court today — faces 10 years in prison for being caught with THC pen pic.twitter.com/BMiKi8H7O1
“This may sound counterintuitive, but the trial is a crucial part of the process,” Dr. Danielle Gilbert, assistant professor of military and strategic studies at the United States Air Force Academy, told ESPN. “The Russians have to keep pretending that this is a legitimate arrest. There is no reason to believe that the charges are legitimate or that her trial will be fair. But if and when she’s convicted, the Russians will have made clear their credible alternative to a deal to bring her home.
“Hostage diplomacy cases rely on the pretense of law. With Brittney Griner — and Paul Whelan and Trevor Reed before her — the Russians are using our own respect for the rule of law against us.”
The San Diego Padres will be the next team to wear a Nike City Connect jersey.
The Nike San Diego Padres City Connect Jersey honors a fusion of cultures that makes the city so special by fusing famous California images with the brilliant colors of the Baja peninsula. The shirt depicts a clear summer day with a pink and golden sunset descending behind the Pacific Ocean.
San Diegans are reminded of worn beach signs by the retro typeface that marks the specific places they value from Oceanside to Imperial Beach and everywhere in between. These beaches have seen generations of San Diegans congregate, tuning their radios to Padres games in both English and Spanish, and enjoying baseball in the sun and sand.
The new City Connect Jersey design will make its on-field premiere on Friday, July 8th, in front of some of the most fervent baseball fans. You can see the new jersey below.
Nike MLB City Connect Series will be available at Nike.com / App, MLB Flagship store (NYC), mlbshop.com and select retail locations.
Kevin Durant sent ripple effects through the NBA world on Thursday when he formally asked for a trade. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, KD made a direct trade request to Nets owner Joe Tsai.
Kevin Durant made the trade request directly to Nets owner Joe Tsai today, sources tell ESPN.
Brooklyn Nets general manager Sean Marks is working alongside Durant and his business partner Rich Kleiman to find a new home for Durant. KD has named the Phoenix Suns and Miami HEAT as where he would like to play next. ESPN noted over half of the NBA contacted the Nets to check into Durant’s availability.
Durant’s trade request comes just days after Nets co-star Kyrie Irving decided to return to the team to “full his commitment” to the organization and Durant. Now the belief is Irving will also be moved. Options for Irving currently include the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks.
Durant and Irving reportedly have had no contact with the Nets after opting into his deal. There is a small possibility that the Nets could move Irving and Durant together.
Last year, Durant averaged 29.9 points, 7.4 points, and 6.4 assists. Durant is under contract for the next four years.
Anuel AA, one of the largest names in Latin music, and the UFC today announced an extension of their ground-breaking marketing collaboration. This move will further link Anuel AA with one of the most well-known sports companies in the world.
“I’ve long been a UFC fan, so when the opportunity to collaborate from a business side presented itself, it was a dream come true,” said Anuel. “I aim to become a brand ambassador and connect the Latino community to the sport through my music while continuing to open doors to our culture. This is just the beginning for UFC and Anuel.”
“Anuel is one of the best ambassadors we have for this sport and for UFC,” said Grant Norris-Jones, Vice President, Global Partnerships, UFC. “His passion, energy, and charisma are undeniable, and we’re looking forward to featuring him within more UFC content. Our brands share a lot in common—we’re both pioneers at the top of our respective industries. By working together, we have an opportunity to reach even greater heights and connect with more fans in a meaningful, authentic way.”
Anuel will join the UFC as an Official Marketing Partner due to the expanded collaboration, providing him with several opportunities to incorporate his trademark branding into important UFC assets. All UFC Pay-Per-Views for the rest of the year will have Anuel’s branding, with broadcast features and branding inside the Octagon®, the home of UFC. Additionally, UFC and Anuel will work together on a range of unique and original pieces of content that will be shared on UFC’s well-liked digital and social media platforms, reaching roughly 200 million followers globally.
Anuel will grant UFC the right to use every song from his three albums (Real Hasta la Muerte, Emmanuel, and Las Leyendas Nunca Mueren) during significant points in UFC live events, such as fighter walk-outs, in exchange for this. Anuel’s upcoming LEGENDS NEVER DIE WORLD TOUR, which begins on August 24 in Houston and visits Hildalgo, Dallas, Miami, Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and Seattle, will also prominently involve the UFC as a partner.
With NBA Free agency opening on Thursday, three league stars have inked new extensions with their franchises.
According to ESPN, league MVP and Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic has agreed to the largest contract in NBA history. Jokic and the Nuggets have agreed to a five-year, $270 million supermax extension, which now ties the big man to the team for six seasons at a total of $303 million. Last season Jokic averaged 27.1 points, 13.8 rebounds, and 7.9 assists.
After opting out of this player option, Washington Wizards star Bradley Beal has signed a new five-year maximum contract worth $251 million. Beal recently turned 29 years old and has played all 10 years of his career with the Wizards.
Karl-Anthony Town has committed to the Minnesota Timberwolves at $224 million in a supermax deal. That number is attached to the $70 million owed to Towns over the next two seasons.
After a breakout season that made him a household name and superstar, Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant agreed to a five-year designated rookie extension that will bring $231 million. He is guaranteed $192 million and will be supermax eligible which could lead to the $231 million.
With the Phoenix Suns rumored to be in the mix to add Kevin Durant, they locked in their current superstar Devin Booker to a $224 million supermax. The deal will keep Booker with the team over the next four years.
You can keep up with all the NBA Free Agency moves here.
Logan Paul appears to be leaving the boxing to his brother. After a successful wrestling debut alongside The Miz at Wrestlemania, Logan Paul has signed a deal with WWE.
Paul appeared next to Interim WWE CEO & Chairwoman Stephanie McMahon and her husband, wrestling legend and Board of Directors member Triple H, who delivered his signature finger point.
After his win with The Miz at Wrestlemania 38, The Miz turned on Paul and delivered a Skull Crushing Finale. This past Monday on WWE’s Monday Night Raw, The Miz boasted about what he did to Paul, seemingly setting up a match at Summerslam 2022, which occurs on July 30.
