It seems Kyrie’s time with the Brooklyn Nets is coming to an end as the superstar is looking to head to another team in the offseason. In a new report from Adrian Wojnarowski, the Lakers are reportedly “the most significant threat” to acquire Kyrie if he decides to leave the Nets.
REPORT: The Los Angeles Lakers are considered “the most significant threat” to land Kyrie Irving if he leaves the Nets.
According to Wojnarowski, the Lakers can’t afford to pay Kyrie a max contract, but he’ll get to play with his former teammate LeBron James. Doing this, Kyrie would have to take a significant pay cut.
With the way the Lakers roster is already set up, Irving would be taking a $30 million pay cut to play with the team. He has a player option worth $36 million for the 2022-23 season and in order to join the Lakers, Irving would have to turn that down and sign a $6 million taxpayer exemption with the Lakers.
“Now, the Lakers are considered the most significant threat right now for Kyrie Irving, but that would essentially entail him taking $30 million less than he can opt into in Brooklyn,” Woj reported. “There’s a $6 million taxpayer exemption he can sign with the Lakers.”
While it seems unlikely that Kyrie will take that significant of a pay cut, the Nets point guard has reportedly been in contact with LeBron as of recent, according to NBA insider Marc Stein. However, if Kyrie does agree to opt-in, he could be a part of a trade that could include Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook going to the Nets.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has settled 20 out of the 24 civil lawsuits against him. Southeast Texas attorney Tony Buzbee released a statement saying Watson settled all but four of the sexual misconduct suits. The terms and amounts of the settlements are confidential.
Attorney Buzbee announced the agreements on Tuesday, while praising every woman who sued Watson. He plans to represent the four women, including Watson’s first accuser, Ashley Solis at trial who did not settle. Buzbee filed the lawsuits against Watson last year when he was with the Houston Texans.
The women who sued accused Watson of exposing himself and touching them inappropriately during massage appointments, along with harassment allegations. Earlier this year, two Southeast Texas grand juries no-billed and decided not to indict Watson after a police investigation of the claims.
Meantime, the troubles for the QB may not be over. An NFL spokesman said the settlements with 26-year-old Watson “has no impact on the collectively bargained disciplinary process.” The NFL could suspend him if it finds he violated the league’s personal conduct policy.
NBA great Shaquille O’Neal is returning to his hometown of Natick, New Jersey to help improve the community. O’Neal unveiled two projects last week, including a new basketball and multi-use court.
The four-time NBA champ held a 3-point shooting contest, offering up laptops to local students who made a shot. O’Neal shared “I played here in the morning and until late at night. When those street lights went on, I ran my butt home.” He continued motivating the Brick City kids and told them to “follow their dreams.”
Shaq also showed off a 33-story affordable apartment tower, where the basketball superstar will be living in its penthouse, called “Shaq Tower 2.” The $80 million building will be the largest mixed income complex in New Jersey. Governor Murphy said the new apartment complex is a win-win for Newark. Twenty percent of the units will be affordable. The historic development project will also offer 12,000 square feet of restaurant and retail space.
It has been seven years since the last time iconic MMA fighter Ronda Rousey (12-2-0) stepped into the octagon. When asked about a possible return to MMA during the Kurt Angle Show last Sunday (June 12), Rousey revealed there’s only one fight she’d be interested in returning to competition for — Gina Carano.
“There’s only one person … there’s only one person I would come back for,” Rousey told Kurt Angle. “I mean, I’ve said it a million times. It’s not like it’s something new. (I’d come back) for Gina, man – Gina Carano. She’s the reason why I got into fighting. She’s the reason why I knew it was a possibility. I will always be forever grateful. If she ever was like, ‘Ronda, I want to fight you tomorrow at 205 pounds’ – like, whatever the hell she’d want. I’m not saying she’s 205 pounds; she’s very svelte.”
Rousey continued: “If she wanted to come into my backyard and do the ‘Rocky’ thing, you know, ‘Ding-ding,’ and we just do it in the backyard, I don’t care. I will fight Gina wherever she wants. And if she doesn’t want to, forever, I will leave that offer there. It’s a respect thing, not like a, ‘F*ck you, I’m coming to get you.’ It’s just like, ‘Hey, if you ever want to pull that card out, it’s there.’ I love her. Thank you, Gina, for everything you’ve done.”
Gina Carano, 40, retired from MMA in 2009 after her first loss against current Bellator MMA champ Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino at Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg in August 2009. Transitioning to acting shortly after defeat, Carano is recognized as the pioneer of women’s MMA.
Rousey has had no interest in returning to MMA for a “final” bout since her loss to Amanda Nunes at UFC 207 in December 2016. In her prime, Rousey was the face of the women’s UFC division. A reigning champion from 2013 to 2015, she headlined five UFC events with her first against Liz Carmouche at UFC 157 in February 2013.
In 2019, Carano shared with ESPN that a potential “super fight” with Rousey was presented to her — a fight Rousey always wanted — with a million-dollar offer to fight a then-undefeated Rousey; however, didn’t materialize because of Dana White — according to Carano.
Carano told ESPN’s Ariel Helwani: “When Ronda Rousey became popular, I remember they (Dana White and Lorenzo Fertitta) had finally called for a meeting, and I walked in this restaurant, and they looked like these two big muscly guys at the table in like the middle of Hollywood. I remember thinking, ‘What took you guys so long? I’ve been … what took you so long?’ So they were like, ‘OK, we’d love to offer you a million dollars. We’d love to have that fight.’ And I was like, ‘Well, that sounds great, but I’m going to need you to do me a favor, then, because I’ve been acting, I’m not active in any gym. So it’s going to take me, you know, you’re going to have to give me some time to build a team or join a team.”
It’s no secret that the idea of Rousey versus Carano would easily be one of the biggest fights in MMA history and draw record-breaking Pay-Per-Views buy. Unfortunately in combat sports, super fights often fall through due to a variety of reasons, ranging from money to politics to proper preparation.
“And it’s not an easy thing, as I’m sure all the fighters know,” Carano continued. “You have to find a team or build one that’s going to be into what you’re doing, and if you haven’t actively been a part of anything, you can walk in as Gina Carano or whoever, but you’re still going to have to find the people who are really going to be there for you, and that takes time. So I told them, ‘You got to be able to just sit on this for about six months, Dana. You can’t say anything and let me get situated with that, because that sounds great and I’d love to do it.’ So it was a nice dinner, and we all left positive. I left stoked, and I was like, ‘OK, well this makes sense. This is my moment to come and be back in there.”
Fans of the two icons have created dream fight simulations that showcased possible outcomes in support of the UFC’s UFC 2 video game. You may watch the full women’s bantamweight dream bout above via EA Sports.
Since the UFC, Rousey has become a WWE Superstar and the current Smackdown Women’s Champion, alongside a flourishing acting career with roles in blockbuster film franchises Fast and Furious and Expandables.
Gina Carano has established herself as an action star with high-profile roles in blockbuster franchises like Fast and Furious also, Marvel’s Deadpool and Star Wars.
More celebrity boxing is coming this summer with the announcement Thursday evening (June 16) of popular recording artist and recurring celebrity boxer DDG (“Moonwalking in Calabasas”) set to return to the ring to face off against chart-topping Atlantic Records recording artist and first-time celebrity boxer PnB Rock(“Selfish”) on July 30 in Los Angeles, California at Crypto.com Arena and Pay-Per-View.
“I said I wasn’t getting back in the ring unless it was another artist,” tweets DDG on Twitter with a promotional flyer featuring PnB Rock and himself. “LETS GET IT!!! Get tickets now.”
Brought to you by Social Golves Entertainment and Bash Boxing, the two hip-hop stars will join as co-headliners of the upcoming boxing match between Los Angeles recording artist Blueface and NBA champ-turned-podcaster Nick “Swaggy P” Young. Bout against PnB Rock marks DDG second celebrity boxing match with a decisive win against YouTuber Nate Wyatt in June 2021 at Battle of the Platforms in Miami.
In his fight against PnB Rock, DDG hopes to inspire the end of senseless gun violence in today’s hip-hop that has taken the lives of so many prominent hip-hop stars in recent years. He encourages other artists to join celebrity boxing and settle their differences with their fists, instead of resorting to gun violence.
In a follow-up tweet, DDG tweets with money bag emojis: “This shit more than a boxing match, it’s a movement! Rappers put the GUNS down & put on the Gloves. Ni**as out here killing for free when u can just punch it out for a BAG.”
This shit more than a boxing match, it’s a movement! Rappers put the GUNS down & put on the GLOVES niggas out here killing for free when u can just punch it out for a BAG
PnB Rock has yet to comment on the upcoming bout at press time.
DDG is scheduled to perform headlining shows in Chicago, Atlanta and New York City leading up to the fight with more show announcements on the way.
In related news, DDG and popular recording artist Toosii agreed to a boxing match last summer after the two exchanged words over DDG’s ex-girlfriend Rubi Rose. More as the story develops.
Tickets for DDG vs. PnB Rock are available now at AXS.
Steph Curry has been incredibly busy this week, trying to lead the Warriors to an NBA title in a gritty battle against the Boston Celtics. While Curry hopes to emerge a winner on the court, he is working for a more even playing field off the court.
Curry has been known for rocking some fits from up-and-coming minority designers in his tunnel walks, and he is also promoting gender equality with his custom Curry 4’s, which feature the hashtag #RetireInequality and draw attention to economic inequalities that still face many women around the world today.
Curry debuted the custom Curry 4’s in game three against the Celtics. The shoes feature a bright blue, pink, yellow, and white colorway with the hashtag #RetireInequality. A closeup of the shoe was posted on the official Curry Brand Instagram (@sc30) with the following caption:
For Game , @stephencurry30 wore a special pair of Curry 4s designed by our very own @azzi35. Major love to @tiaa @currybrand @dezcustomz and @kreativecustomkicks for helping make it all happen!
A small quantity of this special pair will be available for purchase on June 23 on @ntwrk, with all proceeds going to the Women’s Sports Foundation and @tiaa’s mission to bring awareness to the retirement pay gap affecting women today.
Learn more: https://retireinequality.com
SC30 Instagram
#RetireInequality is an initiative by TIAA bank to promote economic opportunity for women and work towards more equitable pay and retirement savings opportunities. Azzi Fudd shooting guard for the UConn Huskies. The shoe design was also courtesy of custom shoe designer @dezcustomz, which specializes in airbrush art design and @kreativecustomkicks, which specializes in intricately detailed custom painted shoes.
Hulu shares the official trailer for their upcoming eight-episode scripted series from director Steven Rodgers (I, Tonya), “Mike,” that transforms lead actor Trevante Rhodes (Moonlight) into the iconic former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson. The limited series will show an unauthorized and no-holds-barred look at the controversial Hall-of-Fame boxing legend’s life. Watch the official trailer below.
Mike Tyson (50-6-44KOs) became the youngest heavyweight boxing champion ever at 18-years-old in November 1986 when he knocked out Trevor Berbick in the second round. Tyson was one of the most famous athletes of the 80s and 90s. The series tells the dynamic moments of his life, like knocking out fighters in seconds, shocking losses, high-profile relationships, lavish life, prison stint, and triumphant return to fame.
Produced by 20th Television, Trevante Rhodes stars and serves as one of the series’ executive producers. Karin Gist serves as the series showrunner. Alongside Rhodes are cast members Russell Hornsby, Harvey Keitel, Laura Harrier, and Li Eubanks.
“Mike” is a biographical series that will lead to more sports stories being told by Hulu. Last year President of ABC Entertainment and Hulu Originals Craig Erwich told Deadline the following: “Biographical pictures are a fan favorite and a staple of the movie and television business and frequently the subjects are not involved. We have a strategy of taking a modern lens and applying it to stories and figures of popular culture of the past. We’ve had a lot of success doing that, and I think it reveals interesting things, not just about where we’ve been but where we are, so we’re looking forward to continuing the creative conversations behind Iron Mike.”
Magic Johnson and Kanye were among those looking to purchase the Denver Broncos after it went up for sale earlier this year. However, their hopes of owning a NFL team were crushed yesterday when it was reported that the team would be sold to Rob Walton, the heir to the Walmart fortune, and who has a estimated net workth of $65.7 billion.
In a statement following the purchase, Walton spoke on the sale saying “Having lived and worked in Colorado, we’ve always admired the Broncos. Our enthusiasm has only grown as we’ve learned more about the team, staff, and Broncos Country over the last few months.”
The Denver Broncos and the Walton-Penner family have entered into a purchase and sale agreement to acquire the team.
In May, Magic Johnson had joined businessman and 76’ers co-owner, Josh Harris, in a bid for the Broncos.
Earlier this year, Antonio Brown, president of Donda sports, announced that he wanted Kanye to buy the Broncos. “NFL CALL YE,” Brown tweeted. “Donda Sports want to buy the @Broncos who with me!” Brown added in a separate tweet.
TMZ, was able to catch up with Brown where he doubled down on wanting Ye to buy the Broncos. “Tell Roger [Goodell] to call me. We’re working on it … We’re working towards getting it done,” Brown said.
Undefeated lightweight boxing star Devin Haney (28-0) became the undisputed lightweight champion of the world following a dominating performance to collect all four sectioned belts (WBC, WBA, WBO, IBF) in a unanimous-decision dethroning victory over former three-belt titleholder George Kambosos on Sunday (June 5) at Marvel Stadium in Docklands, Australia.
“The game plan was to go there and hit and not get hit and I did that for the majority of the fight,” said the 23-year-old Haney. “I took the last round off just because I knew I was comfortably ahead, but I fought a good, smart fight.”
Further analyzing the fight, Haney continued: “I handicapped him of his best things. He wanted to land the overhand right, and he wanted to land the big left hook … I was fighting both ways. When I would go to the left, I would fight his right hand. When I would go to the right, I would fight his left hook. And he couldn’t hit me with neither one of them.”
The defeated Kambosos expressed he would exercise the rematch clause immediately in the post-fight interview. “Yes, 100 percent … we’ll do it again,” said Kambosos. “Look, I gave him the shot. If I hadn’t given him this shot, he wouldn’t have had his moment right now.”
Haney’s victory comes on the heels of fellow undefeated lightweight champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis delivering a highlight reel knockout to Rolando “Rolly” Romero to defend his lightweight title last week in Brooklyn. Davis has voiced interest in a bout with Haney after Kambosos to determine the true lightweight king.
A game-worn Kobe Bryant jersey was recently sold at an auction for close to $3 million.
The jersey was worn by the basketball legend during the 1996-1997 NBA season and for at least 2 games during the 1997 playoffs.
The jersey was auctioned off through SCP auctions. And after 26 bids an anonymous buyer purchased the jersey for $2,735,546 million, to be exact. According to David Kohler of SCP Auctions, the jersey had been estimated to sell between $3 million and $5 million before going up for auction.
This is not the only one of Bryant’s jerseys to sell for millions of dollars. Last year, another one of Bryant’s rookie jerseys sold for millions. The jersey was another yellow, game-worn jersey but was autographed by Bryant himself. The $3.69 million price tag made it the most a basketball jersey has ever sold for.
SCP also sold a rare, signed 1997 Precious Metal Gems Kobe card which sold for over $403,000.
Kobe Bryant’s Rookie Game worn jersey from the 97-98 playoffs just sold for $2,735,546 million in auction ! pic.twitter.com/efeEuCnt3M
LETS GET IT!! Get tickets now 
(@PontiacMadeDDG) 
, @stephencurry30 wore a special pair of Curry 4s designed by our very own @azzi35. Major love to @tiaa @currybrand @dezcustomz and @kreativecustomkicks for helping make it all happen!
