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SOURCE SPORTS: Stephanie McMahon Takes a Leave Of Absence From WWE

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The billion-dollar princess of the WWE is stepping away for an extended amount of time. WWE Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon is taking an indefinite leave of absence to focus squarely on her family.

“As of tomorrow, I am taking a leave of absence from the majority of my responsibilities at WWE,” McMahon tweeted. “WWE is a lifelong legacy for me and I look forward to returning to the company that I love after taking this time to focus on my family.”

This most likely refers to the fact that her husband, WWE legend Triple H, suffered a cardiac event last summer that resulted in a near-death experience. Currently, Triple H is back with WWE behind the scenes on a limited basis right now.

READ MORE: SOURCE SPORTS: Sharmell Set to be Inducted in WWE Hall of Fame

Stephanie and her father, Chairman and CEO Vince, are the only McMahons currently still with WWE. She has largely been the one in the family always in from of the press and public appearances for the WWE. She began her time with the company back in 2000 working on the writing team and worked her way up to Executive Vice President of Creative before transitioning to her current role in 2013.

WWE President Nick Khan will assume most of Stephanie’s duties in her absence, according to Wrestlenomics’ Brandon Thurston.

According to PWInsider’s Mike Johnson, “no one but the most inner circle” of the company knew Stephanie’s announcement was coming.

Johnson added that most people in WWE he spoke to were “completely shocked” and “taken aback” by McMahon’s decision.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Deion Sanders Wants No Parts Of a “Private” Conversation With Nick Saban

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Deion Sanders Drops Surprise Gems To Keep A Woman Happy

Jackson State University head coach Deion Sanders has no interest in taking a call from Alabama head coach Nick Saban anytime soon. Recently, Saban alleged Wednesday at a conference in Birmingham that Jackson State paid top recruit Travis Hunter $1 million to go to the HBCU and flip his commitment. He also accused Texas A&M of essentially buying players using NIL deals.

After his initial comments, Saban wanted to clear the air with Sanders, but he didn’t want any parts of it privately. Sanders is open to talking about everything public instead.

“I haven’t talked to Coach Saban. I’m sure he’s tried to call. We need to talk publicly — not privately. What you said was public. That doesn’t require a conversation. Let’s talk publicly and let everybody hear the conversation,” Sanders told Andscape on Thursday.

“You can’t do that publicly and call privately. No, no, no. I still love him. I admire him. I respect him. He’s the magna cum laude of college football and that’s what it’s going to be because he’s earned that.”

After Saban’s initial claim, Sanders first responded via Twitter with a clean and professional response.

Sanders said Hunter didn’t come to Jackson State, a Football Championship Subdivision school, to chase a dollar.

“I don’t make a million. Travis ain’t built like that. Travis ain’t chasing a dollar. Travis is chasing greatness. Travis and his family don’t get down like that. They never came to us in search of the bag. They’re not built like that. This kid wants to be great.”

Saban is looking crazy right now with his claims without proof. Alabama has been a dominant program, always attracting top recruits. NILs have leveled the playing field, and Saban has to adjust and not sound so bitter about it.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Marcus Smart, Giannins Antentokounmpo Highlight NBA All-Defensive Teams

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The NBA has announced the 2021-22 All-Defensive Teams. The first team is highlighted by Boston Celtics guard and NBA Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart. Joining Smart on the first team are Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert, Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. in the frontcourt. Joining Smart in the backcourt is Phoenix Suns guard Mikal Bridges.

The All-NBA Defensive second team was Milwaukee’s Jrue Holiday, Philadelphia’s Matisse Thybulle, Miami’s Bam Adebayo, Golden State’s Draymond Green, and Boston’s Robert Williams III.

Currently Adebayo, Smart, and Green are still playing in the Western Conference Finals. You can see the teams highlighted below.

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ICYMI: Rajon Rondo Allegedly Pulls Gun on Girlfriend and Their Children, Has History of Verbal Abuse

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Rajon Rondo is accused of pulling a gun on the mother of his children. Ashley Bachelor, Rondo’s longtime partner and the mother of his two children, has filed for an emergency protective order from the Cleveland Cavaliers point guard.

According to TMZ Sports, the protective order was filed in Louisville, asking for protection for herself and her son and daughter.

Bachelor states Rondo played video games with his son, Pierre before Bachelor asked the boy to separate laundry. Rondo then ripped the game console out the wall in a fit of rage, smashing outdoor lights, a coffee cup, and trash cans.

Rondo upset the kids, who saw all of the rage. Bachelor attempted to calm the situation, but Rondo threatened her with, “You’re dead.” Rondo left home but would return 15 minutes later, banging on the back door window with a gun. She asked Rondo to stop, but he would yell, “Go get my fucking son.” Bachelor did in fear of what Rondo would do next. Rondo would eventually “yank” the boy outside and ask why he was scared while he was still holding the gun. He would demand his daughter to come out, and he verbally reprimanded both children for being scared of him.

Rondo’s parents would come to the home. They were unable to calm him but did get him to leave.

The new protection order reads: “I am extremely fearful for my safety and for the safety of my children. Rajon has a history of volatile, erratic, explosive behavior. He is verbally, emotionally, and financially abusive. He physically hits our son and calls him names like ‘p***y’ and accuses him of acting like a ‘bitch.’”

The report also states Rondo calls his daughter “thot, bitch, and dickhead.”

Rondo has not been charged or arrested for a crime.

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Daymond John Joins Board of Directors of Brooklyn Start Up Overtime

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Daymond John, an award-winning entrepreneur, will join Overtime’s Board of Directors, the premier brand for the next generation of sports fans. Following John’s nomination, the Board will be made up of five members: co-founders Dan Porter and Zack Weiner, Sapphire Sport Partner Michael Spirito, and former Credit Suisse and Merrill Lynch Vice Chairman Ken Miller.

“It is an honor to join the Overtime Board of Directors at this exciting time in the company’s quick ascendence as one of the leading sports brands in the world,” said Overtime Board Member Daymond John. “Overtime continues to create disruptive sports IP, merchandise and content for its massive audience and it’s exciting to be able to add my expertise as the company grows to new heights.”

John will join an esteemed board in helping to shape the future of sports for the next generation of fans who consume sports differently. He is best known for his pioneering work as CEO and Founder of global lifestyle brand FUBU, as well as his role as a Shark on the Emmy Award-winning TV show Shark Tank.

“Daymond is an industry leader and entrepreneur with a unique lens that will be invaluable to Overtime as we continue to grow our business in the tech, e-commerce and IP space,” said Dan Porter, Overtime’s CEO and Co-Founder. “We’re honored to welcome Daymond to our Board of Directors as we develop new ways for Overtime to engage with and entertain the next generation of athletes and fans.” 

Overtime has continued to expand its sports IP, which now includes the professional basketball league Overtime Elite and the football league OT7, with more leagues on the way. It reported last year that it had raised $80 million in Series C funding headed by Sapphire Sport, Black Capital, and a diversified syndicate of notable figures in technology, sports, finance, and music. Bezos Expeditions (Jeff Bezos’ personal investment firm), Drake, Micromanagement Ventures (the late David Stern’s family), Alexis Ohanian, Jeff Kearl (via Pelion Capital), Morgan Stanley Counterpoint Global, Blackstone Strategic Partners, and more than 25 current and former NBA players, including Trae Young, Devin Booker, Klay Thompson, and Pau Gasol, were among the notable investors.

Overtime has become synonymous with sports for a new generation of players and fans, with content that has been viewed over 20 billion times per year and a social media following of over 65 million. The company now employs around 250 people.

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SOURCE SPORTS: PUMA Hoops Signs WNBA Athlete NaLyssa Smith

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SOURCE SPORTS: PUMA Hoops Signs WNBA Athlete NaLyssa Smith

PUMA has signed NaLyssa Smith, the No. 2 overall choice in the 2022 WNBA draft, to its basketball roster.

“I am thrilled to be joining the PUMA Hoops family and to rock PUMA both on and off the court,” said Smith. “PUMA’s dedication to being a champion for women athletes along with being disruptive in the basketball sneaker space mixing sport innovation with style made this a perfect fit for me. I couldn’t be more excited to start my rookie season being part of such an iconic brand and joining an incredible roster of PUMA Hoops athletes.”

Smith earned multiple awards during her time at Baylor, including the 2021 Wade Trophy, 2021 All-American first team, 2019 NCAA Champion, and 2018 McDonald’s All-American. She joined PUMA’s roster of young WBNA and NBA athletes, including LaMelo Ball, Breanna Stewart, Skylar Diggins-Smith, Deandre Ayton, Katie Lou Samuelson, RJ Barrett, and others, when she began her debut season with the Indiana Fever in May.

PUMA’s commitment to advancing women’s sports continues with this agreement. In December 2021, the brand officially launched its Women’s Hoops category with a basketball-inspired lifestyle collection, PUMA High Court, coached and created by June Ambrose in collaboration with PUMA Hoops Creative Director June Ambrose.

PUMA created the SHE MOVES US platform in 2020, and this year it was expanded to include its top female sports ambassadors, honoring the women who have advanced sports to inspire other women around the world. Smith will appear in SHE MOVES US-themed PUMA Hoops advertising and product launches.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Knicks Add Former Rival Tim Hardaway As a Talent Scout

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It appears the New York Knicks have locked in an old rival from the 90s to help mold the franchise’s future.

On Thursday, Marc Berman of the New York Post reported that the Knicks had hired Tim Hardaway Sr. as their newest scout. The franchise didn’t publicly announce their acquisition of the former star point man this season. 

Hardaway served as an assistant coach to former Detroit Pistons’ head coach Stan Van Gundy from 2014-to 2018.

Hardaway was the heart and soul of the 90’s Miami Heat, who had lengthy playoff battles with the Knicks throughout the decade. Before that, he was a member of the RunTMC Golden State Warriors and Mitch Richmond and Chris Mullin. In their time, the trio was an offensive nightmare for their opponents.

After almost 20 years of waiting from retirement, his name is set to be immortalized in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2022 on September 10th. If Hardaway can bring anything to a dormant Knicks franchise, scouting-wise, it would be a needed welcome to the organization.

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J.Cole To Play in Canadian Elite Basketball League This Season

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J.Cole is pursuing his passion for hoops as the artist will play another season of professional basketball. J.Cole, listed as a guard standing at 6-foot-3-inches, will play in The Canadian Elite Basketball League this season.

The league took it to Twitter to announce the news. Cole will join the Scarborough Shooting Stars in the coming season as a guard. The season begins Wednesday.

Cole’s last appearance as a professional basketball player came in 2021 when he played with the Rwanda Patriots in the Basketball Africa League. In his professional career, the rapper from North Carolina scored five points and recorded three assists and five rebounds. He played in three games at the BAL but left the tournament ahead of the playoffs due to family commitments. The Patriots finished fourth.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Adam Silver Says the NBA Has Teamed with the WNBA to Work on Brittney Griner’s Release

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Adam Silver on NYC Mandate Keeping Kyrie Irving Out of Home Games

WNBA star Brittney Griner has her pretrial detainment in Russia expended for one month earlier this week. On Tuesday night, NBA commissioner Adam Silver revealed he is working alongside WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert in an effort to bring Griner home.

Silver was on hand at the NBA Draft Lottery in Chicago where he spoke to ESPN‘s Malika Andrews and revealed the league is assisting, but listening to experts to not attempt an aggressive approach.

“We’ve been in touch with the White House, the State Department, hostage negotiators, every level of government and also through the private sector as well,” Silver said. “Our No. 1 priority is her health and safety and making sure that she gets out of Russia.”

Griner is believed to be wrongfully detained in Russia after allegedly being in possession of vape cartridges containing cannabis oil.

“That consular official came away with the impression that Brittney Griner is doing as well as might be expected under conditions that can only be described as exceedingly difficult,” State Department spokesman Ned Price said in Washington. “But sporadic contact is not satisfactory. It also may not be consistent with the Vienna Convention to which Russia has subscribed.”

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SOURCE SPORTS: Orlando Magic Win 2022 NBA Draft Lottery

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Orlando Magic, you are on the clock. The Magic won the 2022 NBA Draft Lottery, which was held at McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago. The NBA Draft is set for June 23 and the Magic will pick first.

This is the first time the Magic will pick first overall since 2004 when they drafted Dwight Howard. Prior to that year, the Magic used a No. 1 pick to pick up Shaquille O’neal in 1992. The Magic traded their 1993 No. 1 pick to get Penny Hardaway. That pick resulted in the Golden State Warriors picking up Chris Webber.

“The fans, the organization, it’s so exciting,” said Jamahl Mosley, Magic head coach. “It’s so much to look forward to with this organization and this group and this fan base, it’s gonna be special.”

Orlando, along with the Houston Rockets and the Detroit Pistons, had a 14 percent chance of getting the first pick. The Magic’s pick will join a young core that features Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner. Top big man prospects Jabari Smith of Auburn, Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren, and Duke’s Paolo Banchero are all available to Orlando.

The Oklahoma City Thunder will choose No. 2 overall, their first top-four pick since drafting James Harden in 2009. At No. 12, the Thunder have a second lottery pick. The Rockets, who held the No. 2 pick in last year’s draft, will draft at No. 3.

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