SOURCE SPORTS: NFL And NFLPA Agree to End All COVID-19 Testing and Protocols Effective Immediately

NFL Launches 'Inspire Change Initiative' to Enact Positive Change in Inner City Communities

The NFL is throwing the towel in when it comes to COVID-19 testing. The NFL and NFL Players Association have agreed to suspend all COVID-19 protocols and testing as of right now.

“Based on current encouraging trends regarding the prevalence and severity of COVID-19, the evolving guidance from the CDC, changes to state law and the counsel of our respective experts, the NFL and NFLPA have agreed to suspend all aspects of the joint COVID-19 Protocols, effective immediately,” the memo reads.

The memo added that even given the suspension of the league’s protocols, “clubs are required to remain in compliance with state and local law.”

Individuals are still asked to monitor themselves for symptoms daily. According to the memo, anybody experiencing COVID-19 symptoms must report them to the club and test negative before entering the team facility. Any individual who tests positive must isolate for five days after their test.

By the time training camps and the regular season gets underway again, the NFL is looking at the pandemic as a thing of the past. There is no telling yet if other sports leagues will follow the NFL’s stance on COVID testing. As the positivity rate continues to go down, we may very well be heading toward endemic status.

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SOURCE SPORTS: WNBA Fines New York Liberty Half a Million For Chartering Flights

new york liberty

The WNBA levied a $500,000 fine against the New York Liberty for their repeated use of charter flights over the back end of the season, an issue that has been at its boiling point for the past few years.

Last season, the New York Liberty, led by new owners Joe and Clara Tsai, decided to push those boundaries by paying for chartered flights anyway, according to Sports Illustrated‘s Howard Megdal. After they were caught, a furious league office proposed massive penalties, including a $1 million fine, substantial loss of draft picks and possibly even “termination of the franchise.” 

So the WNBA doesn’t want their owners to charter flights for their respective teams seems very backwards in thinking. The WNBPA seems to think it’s backwards also.

In February, the WNBA announced a $75 million capital raise from investors to help address some of these problems. “It’s really important that the players know this is investment in them, even though it’s in the league and not a specific team or just specific players,” Engelbert said. “It’s to help grow our revenue streams and produce sustainable long-term growth.”

The Liberty are one of the WNBA’s eight founding franchises. They are one of three (Sparks, Mercury) still remaining as the league enters its 26th season in 2022. A fourth, the Utah Starzz, is currently the Las Vegas Aces.

By coming after the Liberty’s ownership, the WNBA seems to be moving backwards on the very promise they made to their players.

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SOURCE SPORTS: New York Giants Willing To Listen to Trade Offers for Saquon Barkley

Saquon Barkley Set to Return to Practice for the New York Giants

The New York Giants are in cap space hell. One way to get out of that situation could be trading away Saquon Barkley.

Giants general manager Joe Schoen indicated Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine that trading the former No. 2 overall pick is not off the table, though that’s the case for most players on the Giants’ roster.

“We’re still working through that, but I’m open to anything. Like whether it’s trading player for player. I’ll listen to anybody,” Schoen told reporters. “I’m not going to say we’re open for business on our entire roster. But if anybody is going to call and they’re interested in any of our players, I’ll certainly listen. 

“We’re in a situation where unfortunately we have to get under the salary cap and we’re not in very good salary cap health. I’m not going to say yes to every deal, but I’m definitely going to listen and be open to situations that are best for the New York Giants.”

 Barkley is owed $7.2 million in guaranteed cash in 2022, the fifth and final year of his rookie deal if the Giants don’t see Barkley helping an already struggling offense in 2022, moving off of him while he still has some value might be best for the long term reboot of the franchise.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Tyson Fury Hints Retirement After Next Title Defense

Tyson Fury

It appears it will be a grand closing for Tyson Fury after his next boxing match in April. On Tuesday, the WBC heavyweight champion told reporters that he intends to retire following his April 23 match against mandatory challenger Dillian Whyte.

During the press event, Fury said: “This is the final fight of my career, I’m retiring after this, $150m in the bank, healthy, young, I’m gonna buy a massive yacht abroad. I’m retiring, I’m out, this is my final fight, I’m done.”

If Furry successfully defended his championship against Whyte and retired afterward, he would leave on top of the heavyweight mountain. Fury shocked the world back in 2015 when he beat Wladimir Klitschko.

After taking time off for mental health issues, Fury began a fantastic trilogy with former WBC champ Deontay Wilder. After the first match ended in a draw, Fury would dominate the second and third matchups.

As one right now, Fury isn’t thinking past April 23. If he changes his mind, a unification title fight would be the next logical goal for Furry.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Ja Morant Put The League On Notice After Career High 52 Showcase

ja morant

Ja Morant already been putting the league on notice, but after two straight career scoring games, it might be time to put him in the MVP race.

Morant put up a career-high 52 points in the Grizzlies 118-105 win over the San Antonio Spurs. That also set a franchise record for points scored in a single game, and marked his second straight game in which he put up a career-high.

The 52 point showcase wasn’t even the best part of game. With 0.4 seconds left in the second quarter, Steven Adams delivered a perfectly placed pass down the full length of the court to Morant, who caught it and shot it in one motion while fading back along the baseline.

Morant, along with everyone else in the arena, was left speechless.

Morant finished with seven rebounds and two assists to go with his 52 points, and shot 22-of-30 from the field. He was a perfect 4-of-4 from behind the three point line. The Memphis Grizzlies in one short year, have come from NBA play in tournament darlings, to currently third in the Western Conference.

As the season is winding down, nobody will want the smoke with Morant and the Grizzlies.

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SOURCE SPORTS: UFC Legend Cain Velasquez Arrested On Attempted Murder Charge

Screen Shot 2022 03 01 at 9.30.20 AM

A TMZ Sports report has confirmed that 39-year-old UFC star Cain Velasquez has been arrested and charged with attempted murder in connection to a shooting at a San Jose, CA high school.

According to the report, one person was shot and another was arrested. Velasquez is still in custody and is scheduled to appear in front of a judge tomorrow(March 2).There are no more details about Velasquez’s arrest, but the story is still developing.

Velasquez, a California native, is a legend in the mixed martial arts world, defeating everyone from Brock Lesnar to Junior Dos Santos. After his loss to Francis Ngannou, Cain shifted into the wrestling world, spending several months in the WWE.

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SOURCE SPORTS: MLB’s First Black CEO, Derek Jeter Announces Departure From Miami Marlins

derek jeter marlins

Derek Jeter is announced his departure from the Miami Marlins. The Hall of Fame shortstop said in a statement that the Miami organization and himself “are officially ending our relationship” and he’ll no longer serve as CEO or as a shareholder.

According to The Associated Press, Jeter joined the Marlins as a minority owner in September 2017 as a part of the ownership group led by Bruce Sherman that acquired the team.

He became the Major League Baseball‘s first Black CEO.

READ MORE: The New York Yankees retire Derek Jeter’s #2 jersey.

Jeter explained “the vision for the future of the franchise is different than the one” he signed up to lead. He added the time to step away is now as “a new season begins.”

“My family and I would like to thank our incredible staff, Marlins fans, Marlins players, and the greater Miami community for welcoming us with open arms and making us feel at home. The organization is stronger today than it was five years ago, and I am thankful and grateful to have been a part of this team.”

The former Yankee played 20 seasons for the New York, won five World Series championships, and made the playoffs in 16 of his 20 seasons.

Continue the conversation on social media.

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New York City Mayor Eric Adams Won’t Make Exception For Kyrie Iriving

kyrie irving new york city mayor eric adams

New York City Mayor Eric Adams is continuing to say he won’t make an exception for unvaccinated Nets star Kyrie Irving.

Mayor Adams told CNBC rules are rules and that letting Kyrie Irving play home games “would send the wrong message” to the rest of New York City.

Adams has told thousands of municipal employees “no jab, no job” so the way the Mayor sees it, No COVID shot, no court time in Brooklyn.

READ MORE: Adam Silver on NYC mandate keeping Kyrie Irving out of home games.

The mayor’s comments came a day after he released a statement saying the city is looking at March 7th to lift vaccination requirements for indoor dining, fitness centers and entertainment venues.

“I can’t wait to get it done,” Adams said. “I take my hat off to New Yorkers — through masks, vaccines, through social distancing, we were hit with the uncertainty, the fear of COVID. I’m really proud of how we responded as New Yorkers. And every morning I meet with my health professionals. Because I always stated I’m going to follow the science. I’m not going to get ahead of the science, because I’m ready to get ahead of all of this and get back to a level of normalcy.”

“But they’re giving us clear instructions, they’ve given us benchmarks, we’re going to follow those benchmarks. But I look forward in the next few weeks of going through a real transformation — that I don’t have to wonder what you look like … We’re going to get the city back up and operating. And we’re going to be rolling out some things in the next day or so on how we’re going to carry that out.”

Continue the conversation on social media.

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Jim Jones, Serena Williams & More Walk Runway in Off-White Paris Fashion Week Show

Jim Jones, Serena Williams & More Walk Runway in Off-White Paris Fashion Week Show

Jim Jones adds high-fashion runway model to his multi-hyphenate profile as he hits the runway with an all-star cast as part of this year’s Off-White show on Monday (February 28) at Paris Fashion Week. 

The Harlem native surprised fans of his involvement in the Fall-Winter 2022/2023 by Virgil Abloh (In memoriam) show with a series of Instagram posts that ranged from the entertainer eating in Paris to sitting in the make-up chair, preparing to walk to walking the runway in an all-egg plant Off-White outfit with a lavender undershirt. Jones walked with icons in both fashion and sports like Serena Williams, Cindy Crawford, and Kendell Jenner.

MORE: Dave East Walks for Hakan Akkaya’s NYFW Runway

“Talkin bout my walk told u I’m a #RunwaySteppa I’m back on my DiddyBop had to put that shit a n real quick,” Jim Jones wrote in an Instagram caption with video of him posing in front a chandelier, in the center of the Off White showroom. “yal mad cause I’m a runway model a rapper and a trainer lol Came to the @off____white fashion in my @off____white turn it to a splashin show.”

It was a proud moment for Jones and Hip Hop as well. The Harlem native was showered with praise by peers and fans alike in the hip hop community on social media throughout the entire fashion show. Commentary ranging from celebratory to comic relief.

“I’m just gonna say this you get it from your mama! Do the damn thing! You got to love him! Because I love him all the way up to God,” Mama Jones, Jim Jones’ mother, comments.

“Legendary sh*t,” Yella Beezy comments. “1 time for Harlem @jimjonescapo,” Kanye West captioned soon after in an Instagram story showing Jim Jones walking the runway. “Walking like you had it on you and the boys was getting close,” followed media correspondent Wayno, who wrote on Jim Jones’ Instagram post.

“Gooooooooo jimmy,” Fat Joe commented with fire emoji.

“cat walk capo!” commented Angie Martinez with three fire emojis.

“I never saw you walk like that before? Lol,” Maino comments with wide-eyed face emoji.

“The Artist Formerly Known As Capo,” Dave East comments with six hilarious laughing-faced emojis.

MORE: North West Makes Kim Kardashian Proud With Runway Debut

In other news, several days before the show, Jones shared that he was in the studio with the Migos working on new music. The two acts recently collaborated on Jim Jones’s latest project Gangsta Grillz: We Set The Trends, hosted by DJ Drama. “@djkhaled voice another one wit @Migos 😂 in the studio layin down #WeSetTheTrends youtu.be/BPxO1JkTXXs,” he tweets.

Want to see all the pieces in the OffWhite Paris Fashion Week show? Watch the whole show below.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Eric Bieniemy Returning to the Chiefs as Offensive Coordinator

Eric Bieniemy

After striking out to become a head coach in the NFL, Eric Bieniemy will officially return to be the offensive coach of the Kansas City Chiefs. The team’s offensive coordinator of the last four seasons is returning to the team on a one-year deal, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

The return comes as Bieniemy went through another NFL head coaching carousel without finding a new job, this time interviewing with the Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, and New Orleans Saints. However, this time, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Bieniemy was also considering college jobs and taking a year off.

The Chiefs had already lost their likely top choice to replace Bieniemy had he left the team, quarterbacks coach Mike Kafka, who left to become offensive coordinator of the New York Giants.

Bieniemy is the only offensive coordinator Patrick Mahomes has ever known. During their time together, the Chiefs have reached the AFC Championship game four times, reached the Super Bowl twice, and won a championship one time.

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