Drake has always been someone who likes to try new things. Overall, we have seen this on social media, time and time again. Now, he has all the time in the world to engage in past times and other activities. He has vowed to take a break from the rap game, and although he has a tour with J. Cole next year, he still has a nice break. Throughout the past few weeks, he has been in Turks & Caicos, enjoying the sun as the Winter approaches. It has been a nice vacation for him as he cools out in his favorite spot.
As it turns out, Drizzy recently took a page out of the DJ Khaled paybook. In the Instagram post below, you can see that he took to the golf course to enjoy a round of the sport. As many of you already know, golf is a difficult and oftentimes frustrating sport. It can be hard to really break any ground, and for the most part, you can never really be consistent at it. Only the pros are getting consistent scores and hitting the fairway every time. Drake is well-aware of this, and he is very realistic about his skill.
“I’m trash at this sport but the drinks are hitting,” Drake wrote in his caption. Overall, the drinks are a huge reason to play golf. Furthermore, there is a social aspect to it as you usually play with a group of friends. Although you could have a rough round, being around your buddies does make the whole experience more palatable. Hopefully, with each round of golf that he plays, Drizzy gets at least a little bit better. After all, you don’t want to be bad at the sport forever, especially if you hit the links often.
Let us know your thoughts on golf, in the comments section below. What is the best score you’ve ever gotten? Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. We will continue to keep you informed on all of your favorite artists and their upcoming releases.
Draymond Green has been “suspended indefinitely” by the NBA after being ejected against the Suns earlier this week. Per the NBA’s statement on the decision, the suspension “takes into account Green’s repeated history of unsportsmanlike acts.” Furthermore, “He will be required to meet certain league and team conditions before he returns to play,” the league added. Green received his 18th career ejection, and third of the season, for striking the Suns’ Jusuf Nurkić in the face with a spinning backhand early in the third quarter of Tuesday’s game.
While Green did apologize for the incident, the NBA has chosen to come down hard on the veteran. The Warriors will meet with Green and his agent, Rich Paul, to devise a rehabilitative program to help Green return to the court. Furthermore, a source told ESPN that the Warriors had “lost their leverage for disciplining” Green after not adequately punishing him after he punched Jordan Poole last season. However, sources also told the outlet that Green is open to getting “whatever help he needs” to “overcome the challenges he is facing.”
In short, Green will not play for the Warriors until the NBA says he can. This is different from a more standard suspension, which is served over a set number of games. Case in point, Green was suspended for five games after placing Rudy Gobert in a chokehold last month. Additionally, Green’s salary will be docked $153,941 per game that he misses. However, this increases to $202,922 per game after his 20th missed game.
Neither Green nor the Warriors have released a statement about the suspension. However, head coach Steve Kerr did criticize Green for his actions following the ejection. “We need him. We need Draymond. He knows that. We’ve talked to him. He’s got to find a way to keep his poise and be out there for his teammates,” Kerr said. The Warriors have said they will address the suspension at a shootaround ahead of their game against the Clippers tonight.
The NFL has announced that Brazil will host one of the league’s international series games in 2024. Announced at the ongoing owners’ meetings in Dallas, the game will be played at Corinthians Arena in San Paulo. The arena holds just over 49,000 spectators and is the home of Brazilian soccer giants SC Corinthians. Furthermore, the league also announced that the international series would expand to a slate of eight games in 2025. The number is opposed to the current slate of four.
“Becoming a global sport is a major strategic priority for the league and 32 teams. Increasing international game inventory allows us to grow our global presence and share our game with exciting new markets to connect with more fans around the world,” Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. The 2023 season saw games in London and Frankfurt. Conversations with organizers in Madrid will continue, the league also noted. The NFL hopes to host a game at the iconic San Bernabeu in the near future.
While the NFL has been expanding its international impact for over a decade, a new pin on the calendar has added additional weight to the endeavor. 2028 marks the Olympic debut of flag football, a project that the NFL has long pushed for. However, the game still remains fairly limited in its international scope. When the news was originally announced, the internet was flooded with memes and mockery about how dominant the US team would likely be at the event.
However, for the moment, Brazil appears to be the league’s next focus. “There’s a lot of interest in the NFL. I mean, we saw it. We did a Super Bowl viewing party last year down in Brazil, and it was packed, and the energy is there. You’ve got some classic soccer clubs around the world who are really interested in hosting the NFL and building a relationship with the NFL. So, the marriage of those two interests there, for sure. It’s just determining the timing and the approach,” the NFL’s VP of international events told The Adam Schefter Podcast.
Mercy Miller, the son of rapper Master P, broke a school record as he put 68 points for Note Dame High School in a game this week. Miller outscored the entirety of the opposing team as the defending state champions routed Oakwood 104-44. Miller is a four-star recruit in next year’s cycle and has committed to play at Houston. ESPN ranks him as the No. 26 point guard in the nation. His brother, Hercy, is a junior at Louisville. However, Hercy has played in just one game for the Cardinals this season. Hercy began his college career at Tennessee State before transferring to Louisville last season. He made 27 appearances off the bench for the Cardinals.
Mercy was a key player in Notre Dame’s 2023 championship, putting up 17 points and 9 rebounds in the title game. Notre Dame is 6-0 to being the 23/24 season and are next in action on December 19. Miller’s big night improved his season average to 36 points and 11 rebounds a game. His father has since proudly made several posts on social media highlighting his son’s achievement.
Meanwhile, Bryce James appears to be considering Ohio State as a collegiate option. James, a four-star recruit in the Class of 2025, shared photos of a trip to Columbus back in October. Furthermore, he was spotted speaking with men’s basketball head coach Chris Holtmann on the sideline of Ohio State’s football win over Maryland. Ohio State has since made James an offer, joining Duquense as the only schools to currently extend the younger James an offer.
However, James has been indecisive about his junior year of high school. In August, he announced that he was transferring from Sierra Canyon to Campbell High School. However, just a few weeks later, he announced that he would be instead joining Miller at Notre Dame. That didn’t last as in late November, James announced that he was transferring back to Sierra Canyon.
Floyd Mayweather has received the “Champion of Israel” Award for his contribution to Israeli relief efforts following an incursion into southern Israel by Hamas on October 7. The award, presented to Mayweather at a ceremony in Miami, was backed by Magen David Adom, Israel’s national emergency service. The ceremony also served as a fundraising, with over $4 million reportedly raised to further Israeli relief efforts. Mayweather received the award from two close friends who have worked with him on his efforts to help Israel.
Mayweather’s primary contribution to the state of Israel was a supply drop made by his private jet. In mid-October, Mayweather’s jet brought 5000 lbs of supplies to Israel, carrying everything from food to flak jackets. Furthermore, Mayweather has been vocally supportive of Israel on social media and participated in several pro-Israel marches in the United States.
Israel has continued a ground offensive in southern Gaza despite increasing international pressure for a ceasefire. On Tuesday, 153 nations of the United Nations voted in favor of demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. 10 nations, including the US and UK, opposed the resolution while a further 23 abstained. While the US continued to back Israel on the chamber floor, President Biden has warned the nation that their “indiscriminate bombing” of Gaza is rapidly causing Israel to lose much of their international support. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a blanket rejection of the ceasefire resolution. Furthermore, Netanyahu said Israel would “fight until the end”.
Furthermore, over 17,000 Palestinians have died since fighting broke out on October 7, according to Gaza’s health ministry. Meanwhile, nine Israeli Army soldiers are reported to have been killed this week in what the Israeli military has called an “ambush” in Gaza City. Elsewhere, a different war is raging across campuses in the United States as Zionist groups claim that Jewish students and faculty are facing open calls of genocide from pro-Palestinian activists. Two Massachusetts schools, MIT and Harvard, have become focal points of this outrage.
Cam’ron took a shot at Skip Bayless after he and Ma$e were ranked higher than the Undisputed host on Complex‘s list of sports personalities. “Congrats 2 my big bros @stephenasmith and @shannonsharpe84 for securing the top spots!! And Thx @complex for the write up. Number 6 ain’t bad for our 9th month in business. And everyone before us is on TV.. we appreciate y’all!! Here’s some others on the list!! Hey skip!! Down there lol Yeah Murder!!! @rsvpmase @itiswhatitis_talk And thank you @underdogfantasy,” Cam’ron wrote on Instagram.
It Is What It Is has quickly become a fan-favorite sports show, despite the lack of sports expertise and it’s unorthodox home on YouTube. While there were rumblings earlier in the year that a major network was in talks to acquire the show, that does not appear to have come to pass. However, Cam’ron has been transparent about aiming high. His latest hints suggested that a major NBA legend will soon be joining the show’s main cast. It remains to be seen if that will still occur. However, It Is What It Is‘ star is shining bright and set to only shine brighter in 2024.
However, losing out to Cam’ron and Ma$e isn’t the only thing that Bayless has had to deal with this week. According to Front Office Sports, over the last week of November and the first week of December, First Take averaged more than 5.5 times the viewership of Undisputed. Furthermore, November finished with the best monthly viewership figures in the 16-year history of First Take.
The gap between the two shows has only continued to grow over the second half of 2023. Despite a complete retooling, Undisputed has been unable to bounce back from losing Shannon Sharpe to ESPN back in June. No matter what Skip Bayless tries, including getting a live college commitment announcement on the show, nothing is helping close the gap with the Stephen A. Smith-led vehicle. Not even adding the likes of Lil Wayne has helped Undisputed catch up.
First Take has continued to hold a massive lead over Undisputed in terms of TV rankings. According to Front Office Sports, Over the last week of November and the first week of December, the ESPN product averaged more than 5.5 times the viewership of its FS1 rival. Furthermore, November finished with the best monthly viewership figures in the 16-year history of First Take.
The game between the two shows has only continued to grow over the second half of 2023. Despite a complete retooling, Undisputed has been unable to bounce back from losing Shannon Sharpe to ESPN back in June. No matter what Skip Bayless tries, including getting a live college commitment announcement on the show, nothing is helping close the gap with the Stephen A. Smith-led vehicle. Not even adding the likes of Lil Wayne has helped Undisputed catch up.
First Take is averaging 5x more viewers than Undisputed, per @FOS
“During the two weeks from Nov. 27 to Dec. 8, ‘First Take’ (581,000) drew an audience five times greater than ‘Undisputed’ (105,000), according to sources. In fact, November ranked as the most-watched month… pic.twitter.com/fvUHVJisP0
The addition of Shannon Sharpe, even as a part-time contributor, has helped First Take rocket to new heights, well above any of its major competitors. Back in September, First Take was seeing single-episode highs of over 700,000 unique viewers. However, perhaps Bayless is the architect of his own destruction. In September, Smith was making bombshell claims about Sharpe’s former employer. Smith claimed that he doesn’t view his acquisition of Sharpe as poaching or anything like that because Sharpe “didn’t leave of his own volition”.
However, it makes sense. It’s an open secret at this point that Skip Bayless has been seeking more and more control over his flagship show at FS1. It’s likely that Bayless wanted Sharpe out so that he could restructure the show to once again put himself at the top of the pecking order. This is supported by the fact several people were considered and rejected to replace Sharpe and most were rejected on the basis that they would be too much of an equal opponent for Bayless. Instead, Bayless reportedly wants easy wins when it comes to his debate partners.
Cam’ron and Mase have been killing it when it comes to It Is What It Is. Overall, this is a show that a lot of people have been loving as of late, and for good reason. It is a sports talk show that flips the traditional format on its head. Ultimately, it feels like a show that centers on two friends having a good time while talking about sports. These two are absolutely hilarious together, and there is never a dull moment to be found on the show. Furthermore, they continue to bring on some great guests.
Recently, Complex named them as part of their top 10 sports media personalities list. As part of this, Cam was interviewed and he gave some interesting information on the show’s origins. For instance, originally, the show was going to be with Jadakiss. However, due to some scheduling conflicts, Cam was set on doing the show by himself. Luckily, Mase stepped up to the plate, and the rest was history. Now, the show is doing better than anyone could have imagined.
Cam’Ron of Dip Set during New Era Caps Celebrity Design Session Featuring Dip Set at Def Jam Offices in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
“Initially, I wanted Jadakiss to be my co-host,” he said. “So it was supposed to be me and Jadakiss, but Jada is busy as well. Jada got shit to do, so he never came. He kept saying he’s gonna come, and it’s not his fault but he’s busy as well. But that was my plan to do this show with me and Kiss. One day I was like, I’ll do this shit by myself. I’m gonna just have guests, and I had Ma$e as a guest.”
Let us know what you think of this revelation. Would Jada have been a better co-host? Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the sports and music worlds. We will always keep you informed on your favorite personalities.
Another year of sport has come and gone. Champions were crowned, memes were created, and moments were etched into the annals of history. As the year winds down, HotNewHipHop is looking back at the moments that truly defined sport in 2023.
10. Tom Brady Retires…Again
TAMPA, FLORIDA – JANUARY 16: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers walks off the field after losing to the Dallas Cowboys 31-14 in the NFC Wild Card playoff game at Raymond James Stadium on January 16, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
On January 16, at a little after 10pm Eastern, Tom Brady completed a 12-yard pass to Julio Jones. It turned a 3rd & 18 to a 4th & 6, which the Buccaneers failed to convert. Tampa turned over the ball and the Cowboys ran out the clock to seal a 31-14 win. That pass to Jones would turn out to be Brady’s last in the NFL. 16 days later, on February 1, Brady announced that he was retiring “for good”. People were skeptical, given that Brady had retired and then unretired the year before. However, it looks like this one is going to stick. That ended the historic career of a quarterback whose achievements will likely never be matched.
9. Spain Wins The Women’s World Cup
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – 2023/08/20: Spain team celebrates after winning the Women’s World Cup 2023 Final game between Spain and England at Accor Stadium. Final scores, Spain 1:0 England. (Photo by Julieta Ferrario/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
For the first time in 12 years, a team other than the United States won the Women’s World Cup. Spain, at just their third World Cup, powered their way to a maiden title and Europe’s first since 2007. This happened in conjunction with a monumental collapse from the USWNT, who failed to make the semifinals for the first time in the competition’s history. But even more notable is what happened in the weeks after the competition concluded. A feminist reckoning swept Spain as the World Cup-winning players stood up to the predatory behavior of their national federation president.
8. Texas Rangers Capture First World Series
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – NOVEMBER 01: The Texas Rangers celebrate after beating the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-0 in Game Five to win the World Series at Chase Field on November 01, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
2023 truly was a year of firsts, as the Texas Rangers captured their first World Series title with a 4-1 series win over the Arizona Diamondbacks. However, what’s more amazing about this title is that the Rangers were by no means a preseason favorite. They entered the season with +4500 odds to win the Fall Classic. However, a bevy of career years from its superstar roster powered the team to a 90-win campaign, even if they lost the division title on the final day of the season. Notably, the Rangers were unstoppable away from Arlington, going 11-0 on the road during the playoffs.
7. Vegas Golden Knights Claim Maiden Stanley Cup
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JUNE 13: William Karlsson #71 of the Vegas Golden Knights hoists the Stanley Cup after a win against the Florida Panthers in Game Five of the 2023 NHL Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on June 13, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
The NHL also had its own first-time champion as the Vegas Golden Knights avenged their loss in the 2018 Stanley Cup Finals to finally capture the title for themselves. Standing in their way was the ultimate Cinderella story in the Florida Panthers, who had somehow navigated a stacked Eastern Conference bracket. However, the Panthers were no match for the Knights, who brought yet another title to the ever-growing trophy cabinet of Las Vegas.
6. Terence Crawford & Errol Spence Jr Unify The Belts
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 29: Terence Crawford celebrates with his championship belts after defeating Errol Spence Jr. in the World Welterweight Championship bout at T-Mobile Arena on July 29, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
There were so many boxing matches that were hyped as “Fight of the Year” this year. However, few matched the hype of Terance Crawford vs. Errol Spence Jr in Las Vegas. The winner would unify the welterweight title and maintain their undefeated record. While the fight didn’t quite match the hype, it still brought Crawford, briefly, to the pinnacle of his weight division. A rematch is expected next year between the two. Furthermore, Drake also won big, walking away with $20 million after betting on Crawford.
5. LeBron James Becomes The NBA’s All-Time Scorer
Los Angeles, CA – February 07: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers speaks to the crowd after breaking Hall of Fame and former Los Angeles Lakers Kareem Abdul Jabbar, right, scoring record (38,387) in the second half of a NBA basketball game against Oklahoma City Thunder at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Tuesday, February 7, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images)
On February 8, LeBron James scored the 38,388th point of his career. The 21-foot turnaround jumper moved LeBron past Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA’s all-time leader scorer. Kareem’s record had stood since 1989, five years after Kareem himself had surpassed Wilt Chamberlain. It all but cemented LeBron’s status as the GOAT, but it didn’t end there. On November 21, LeBron became the first player in league history to surpass 39,000 points with a 17-point night against the Jazz. With LeBron eager to play a few more years at least, it still remains to be seen where the new benchmark will finally be set.
4. Georgia Routs TCU For National Championship Repeat
INGLEWOOD, CA – JANUARY 09: A player holds up a sign after Georgia Bulldogs wins their game versus the TCU Horned Frogs in the College Football Playoff National Championship game on January 9, 2023, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Everyone expected the Georgia Bulldogs to reach the FBS National Championship. TCU not so much. After going 5-7 in 2021, TCU exploded onto the national scene, going undefeated until the Big 12 Championship Game, where they lost to Kansas State. However, they still progressed to the College Football Playoffs, where they stunned Michigan in the Fiesta Bowl. Despite this, a full Cinderella run wasn’t to be as Georgia steamrolled the Horned Frogs 63-7. Regardless of the final result, TCU’s 2022 season will go down in history.
DALLAS, TEXAS – APRIL 02: Angel Reese #10 of the LSU Lady Tigers reacts towards Caitlin Clark #22 of the Iowa Hawkeyes during the fourth quarter during the 2023 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament championship game at American Airlines Center on April 02, 2023 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
In the waning minutes of LSU’s blowout win over Iowa in the NCAA women’s basketball national championship, Angel Reese finally found her spotlight. She had delighted basketball fans all season as one of the nation’s best scorers and rebounders. However, her actions at the end of the National Championship finally made her a household name. It all started as Reese hit National Player of the Year Caitlin Clark with Tony Yayo’s iconic “You Can’t See Me” move. Once the confetti settled, Reese remained in the spotlight, beefing with the first family over perceived disrespect.
2. Chiefs Top Eagles
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – FEBRUARY 15: Travis Kelce #87 and Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrate on stage with teammates during the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl LVII victory parade on February 15, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images)
The 2023 Super Bowl matched the dynasty-building Chiefs against the upstart Eagles. It was truly a clash of the best teams in the league and one that fans that salivating for. What fans got was a game of two halves. The Eagles raced out to an early lead, leading 24-14 at halftime. However, the Eagles would score just 11 points in the second half as the Chiefs took control and powered their way to a 38-35 win and their second Super Bowl victory in the last four years. It feels like the teams are on a collision course again this year, even if the Eagles already got revenge in their regular-season matchup.
1. Denver Nuggets Capture The NBA Title
DENVER, CO – JUNE 12 : Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets celebrates victory of the NBA Finals against Miami Heat with his family at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
To close out our list, we have another historic title. The Denver Nuggets roared into the NBA season with a team possessed. The team only won five more games than the season before but something felt different. Once the playoffs rolled around, there was the Nuggets and there was everyone else. That included a sweep of the Lakers so bad, it made LeBron consider retirement. Come the Finals, the Heat simply had to stand by and watch as Nikola Jokic and company cruised to the franchise’s first title.
What do you think of our list? Did we miss your favorite moment of the year? Let us know in the comments. 2024 promises to be just as exciting. Will Denver and Kansas City repeat as champions? Who will be the surprise package of the sports world? Furthermore, it’s an Olympic year, so all eyes will turn to Paris at the end of July. Be sure to follow all the latest sports news here at HotNewHipHop.
KSI has announced that he is no longer interested in fighting Jake Paul after news broke alleging that Paul was yet to sell out his fight against Andre August. “Yeah, he ain’t got any hype anymore. I ain’t wasting my time to fight him lol,” KSI wrote on X. The smaller venue fight at an Orlando casino is already being hailed by Paul as his way of proving his boxing credentials rather than his PPV draw ability. “This is probably just a break-even fight for me. I probably won’t even make money on it. Who knows what the outcome is. It’s $200,000 for a private jet to fly around just to get me there and back,” Paul previously told TMZ.
There is a lot riding on the fight for Paul. If he wins, the result goes a long way proving that he does belong in the boxing space. However, losing would drop him to 0-2 against established boxers, ending any sort of hope he might have had about establishing a serious career outside his celebrity fights. August is 35 years old and has a 10-1-1 career record. That makes him the most experienced fighter Paul has faced in his career so far. Paul suffered the first loss of his career when he faced his first experienced opponent, Tommy Fury, earlier this year.
However, KSI isn’t the only person that Paul potentially has beef with. Earlier this month, Paul took aim at his fellow Clevelander – Kid Cudi. Paul claimed that he had reached out to Cudi about performing at his 2021 fight against Tyron Woodley. However, Cudi’s fee was just too much for Paul to afford. “I tried to get him to perform at the Tyron Woodley fight just before I came out and he asked for like, an astronomical fee that was like, ‘F-ck you.’ I get it, but it’s like, this was like some sh-t to tap in back with the city. Like, first event back from Covid,” Paul explained.
Furthermore, Cudi later responded. “As far as Jake Paul, listen chief, Im an artist. A real one. I make art for a living. Im not some guy that comes out to perform at boxing matches. I entertained it tho cuz it was u, and tho it went against what I stand for I submitted a fee. My fee is my fee. Especially for some sh-t thats not my style. If im gonna do it its gonna be worth it for my pockets and time. This is business baby. Im not these other rappin a– n-ggas that will show up for a lil check. U came to me u shoulda knew what time it was young man. U dont know me either to say im anything broski. So theres that. Ok, these are my thoughts,” Cudi tweeted.
