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“I Like Miami Because It’s Just, Like, Empty” | Chet Holmgren Takes Shot At Lackadaisical Miami Heat Fans Who Jimmy Butler Said, ‘Never Show Up On Time’

The Miami Heat have enjoyed a ton of success since entering the league as an expansion team in 1988. In that time frame they’ve won three NBA championships and seven Eastern Conference Championships.

They’ve boasted NBA legends Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Shaquille O’Neal, Alonzo Mourning and Tim Hardaway. Legendary coaches Pat Riley and Erik Spoelstra have led the team to their seven NBA Finals appearances. 

Through it all they’ve also had one of the latest-arriving crowds to home games. In fact it’s believed that only the Los Angeles Lakers have a later-arriving crowd for home games. Late-arriving crowds have long been the norm in South Beach, one of the country’s top tourist attractions.

It’s also caught the attention of Oklahoma City Thunder rising star Chet Holmgren, who during a recent interview says he loves playing in Miami because of the lack of a crowd for most of the game. 

Holmgren Takes Subtle Jab At Heat Fans

Speaking on a bevy of NBA related topics during his appearance in the Road Trippin’ Show, the 2022 No. 2 overall pick was asked what road team he likes playing against most, and he said the Miami Heat.

“I like Miami, because it’s, like, just empty. As the away team you just got to build the lead in the first three quarters and then it stays quiet for the fourth.”

Hearing Holmgren say Miami is a tad bit odd when consider the Thunder only make one trip to South Beach per season. But, what’s even crazier is Holmgren isn’t the only player to say the late-arriving Heat crowd is mid at best. 

Jimmy Butler Calls Out Heat Fans

Heat star and dynamic two-way player Jimmy Butler, who’s been in Miami since 2019, echoed those same sentiments in a recent interview with Complex. There the former Marquette star let it be known that he isn’t a fan of the late arriving-and at times disinterested crowd. 

“The worst part, to me, our fans never show up on time. They never show up on time. I was like, damn, I want it to be rocking from, like, the jump ball. Fans, come on, we need y’all.”

Butler having to implore for fans to arrive on time is something that he shouldn’t have to do, but he isn’t the first Miami Heat player to mention that the crowd is always on CP time. 

Holmgren Was Good In First Season On Hardwood 

2023-24 was really Holmgren’s first after he missed his entire rookie season with a foot injury. The rangy 7-footer was a key piece in the Thunder landing the No. 1 seed in the West playoffs. He averaged 16.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.3 blocks per game. 

One area he struggled with was the physicality of being the only big man most nights. In an effort to help him, the Thunder officials went out and signed former New York Knicks big man Isaiah Hartenstein with the hope that he’ll bring the brute strength and physicality that Holmgren lacks. 

‘I’m Not Going To Let You Discredit Me Or The Work I’ve Done’ | WNBA Superstar A’ja Wilson Sets Record Straight. She Was Here Before Caitlin Clark

The “Caitlin Clark Effect” has taken the WNBA by storm. The arrival of the former Iowa Hawkeyes star and 2024 No. 1 overall pick has done wonders for the league.

Viewership is up, attendance has blossomed, merchandise has skyrocketed and earlier this week the league announced that its brand-new media-rights deal that will begin in 2026. 

The deal will more than triple the league’s yearly revenue from $60 million to $200 million. The deal also aligns with the option to get rid of the current collective bargaining agreement agreed upon in 2020 by the players’ association and the league.

In retrospect, all of this has happened with the arrival of Clark, who’s definitely the focal point of the movement, but she’s not alone. 

In fact, reigning WNBA Finals MVP and Las Vegas Aces superstar A’ja Wilson, who also happens to be the league’s unquestioned best player, wants everyone to know she was doing her thing long before Clark popped onto the scene.

Wilson Says She Was Here Before Clark’s Popularity Came Into Play

With WNBA All-Star Weekend here and the league on their Olympic break until mid-August, Wilson took some time to speak with Marie Claire. 

“I felt like I was mentally tired in the in that whole whirlwind of people constantly saying, ‘A’ja you’re only known because of Caitlin Clark; we’re only here because of Caitlin Clark.’ And that’s great, I get that, but while you’re here I’m not going to let you discredit me or the work that I’ve done, or my teammates or the people who came before have done.”

While Wilson has no problem giving Clark her flowers, she’s also been quick to acknowledge herself and many others for helping lay the blueprint of the league. Wilson only wants what she’s earned for her consistent stellar play since she was drafted No. 1 overall in 2018. Wilson has established herself of as one of the all-time greats already and she’s only 27. 

Wilson In The Midst Of Historic Season

Wilson has been downright magnificent this season. The former South Carolina Gamecocks legend leads the league in scoring at 27.2 points, 12.0 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game. She’s also top 5 in steals, and, barring any unforeseen circumstances, she’s all but secured her third league MVP at the halfway point of the season. 

Wilson’s unprecedented season has in many ways gone unnoticed, and that’s a direct result of the popularity and fandom that follows Clark. But one thing about Wilson is she’s gonna speak up and make sure she and others are getting their flowers. 

Wilson Says She Was Built To Do This

In a recent interview with Olympics.com, Wilson talked about how she’s prepared to have a dominating season like this.

Related: The WNBA’s Real MVP A’ja Wilson Has A Back-To-Reality Message For Caitlin Clark and Her Fans 

“Just see it as doing what I supposed to do, I’m doing what I’ve prepped myself, what I love to do,” Wilson said. “If this is historic, and the numbers say it, then great, but at the same time, this is something that I’m built to do. I’ve built myself to do. so it doesn’t come as any surprise. And it’s something that I’m not really hunting. I’m glad that it’s organically coming, and my teammates are helping me do that.”

Wilson has led the Aces to a 16-8 record which is good enough for the fifth seed in the eight-team playoff race. The Aces are looking to become the first team to three-peat since the Houston Comets won four straight titles (1997-2000) to start the league. 

“Sick Of These Punks Disrespecting Our Sport”: Track Twitter Eviscerates Paul Pierce For Saying LeBron James Could Have Given Usain Bolt A Run In 2012 Olympics

There’s been a lot of discussion lately between pros of different sports claiming that they could excel in another player’s sport. Paul Pierce recently suffered the wrath of Track Twitter when he said LeBron James could have qualified for the Olympics in track.

Dallas Cowboys defensive star Micah Parsons said he could hit .200 at the major league level with no experience. Former NBA player Austin Rivers said it would be easier for a basketball player to play football than vice versa. 

Paul Pierce Says Miami Heat LeBron Could Qualify For 2012 Olympics

When it comes to LeBron James, who was also a standout football player in high school and went on to become one of the greatest basketball players in the game, combining football size, track speed and a physique that is built to excel in any sport, he’s always getting credited with being able to excel at another pro sport if he so chooses. 

The track & field world has made it clear, that they don’t want their game diminished by LeBron’s legion of fans and player stans and let it be known on social media, responding to an X post from Rori Dunk.

Dunk shared claims made by former Boston Celtics star Paul Pierce claiming that King James could be a dominant Olympic track and field athlete if he so chose. 

 “@PaulPierce34 claims that 27-year-old LeBron could have been an Olympic sprinter,” reports the post as it went on to quote Pierce on his thoughts about LeBron being able to make the national team.  “If he’s talking about Miami LeBron, 100%. I’ve seen this up and close in person,” the post elaborates on Paul’s claims. 

There have been some lightning-fast Olympians who were tearing up the scene during the time that LeBron was with Miami and would have been 28 years old. That 2012 USA Olympic team was stacked. 

I don’t know LeBron’s 60 or 100-meter dash time, but the possibility of him qualifying for the 2012 Olympic Track & Field team seems like a daunting task. 

Among others, five-time Olympic medalist Justin Gatlin and three-time world champion Tyson Gay were both competing for the USA at the London Olympics, and they were two of the fastest men to ever do it at the time.  

Then there’s the non-American sprinters James would have to face regularly throughout the season and at the Olympics. 

Could Bron Hang With Track Legend Usain Bolt?

During that era one Usain Bolt, recently voted as the ninth best athlete of the 2000s on ESPN’s Top 100 List, was running the 100m in 9.63 seconds to win gold. 

Track is a tough sport that takes guts and the ability to suppress pain and overcome injuries while also winning the mental and physical battle with your opponent. You also have less time to make mistakes and correct them 

Naturally, the track loyalists went in on the notion that LeBron can step into their arena just because. 

“Sick of these punks disrespecting our sport,” said one X user, who obviously feels as if track and field is disrespected by athletes in the major sports. 

Football players have challenged sprinters before and some have come close to winning because they were previously track stars themselves.

Kansas City Chiefs WR Tyreek Hill is known to be the fastest man in the NFL, with ridiculous breakaway speed that allows him to get huge chunks of yardage with one burst. 

 In fact, Hill won a 60-meter race as recently as March of 2023 at the USA Track and Field Indoor Championships, clocking in at 6.70 seconds to win his race in the age 25-29 division. According to USA Today, it was Hill’s first race since he ran a 6.64 in the 60m in 2014.

He also got smoked by a high school kid at his own camp. That was after he challenged NFL wide receiver DK Metcalf and Bolt to a race.

Tyreek Hill Was A Track Star, LeBron James Was Not

Hill was an accomplished track star in high school growing up in Douglas, Georgia, before turning his pursuits to the football field. 

Legit track stars such as Hill, who understands the rigors, dedication, science and athletic excellence involved with sprinting probably get more of a pass. 

LeBron fans don’t seem to share a similar optimism. 

Track Twitter Attacks Paul Pierce

Fans went in on Pierce for minimizing their sport by boosting James with another hypothetical situation and a narrative that can’t be proved at this point. LeBron is almost 40 and he’s not racing anyone, especially not an elite printer. 

Track stars spend hundreds of hours trying to elevate their game, improve just 0.10 seconds of a score and working on technique. Fans seemed offended that Pierce didn’t have a more advanced comprehension concerning the prerequisites of the sport. 

Last year, Noah Lyles faced heat from NBA fans when he went on a rant and attacked the NBA for calling their winners World Champions. 

“World Champions of what?” Lyles quipped. That started an all-out social media war, with basketball’s titans of the NBA delivering shots back at Lyles for his comments

So that was really the first sign that track and field athletes are taking it personally that they don’t get the same year-round attention and praise that NBA players do. Also, just wanting people to know that there’s a huge world outside of the United States with athletes who are just as talented and remarkable. 

When Lyles made his comments, of course the titans of the NBA clapped back at him, led by Kevin Durant, who stuck to his playbook and dismissed the 100m world champ’s claims as jealousy.

Related: “To Me, You’ll Be A Cub, Brother” | Micah Parsons Warns Tyreek Hill Not To Change From “The Cheetah” To Parsons’ Nickname “The Lion”

One fan on X dragged Lyles into this recent debate on whether or not LeBron could have been an elite sprinter, saying, “Somebody get @LylesNoah in the chat bc these basketball fans are getting outta control.” Another fan went a step further to claim that LeBron couldn’t even match the women’s top scores in the 100m dash as he wrote, “won’t even see sub 11.5.”

Yeah, I can’t lie, I’d have to go with Flo Jo and Sha ’Carri in a 100m or 200m race against the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. Pierce can dream on.

“You 8 Yet?”: $260M QB Lamar Jackson and Super Bowl MVP Troy Aikman’s Trademark Dispute Over Jersey Number Is Getting Ugly

Lamar Jackson and Troy Aikman are household names when referencing the great NFL quarterbacks of our time, and they both happen to have worn No. 8. 

There’s not a football fan in the world who wouldn’t love to see prime Aikman and prime Jackson face off in a Baltimore Ravens vs. Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl. 

So both of these legends clashing in the courts of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is the next best thing. 

The No. 8 will forever be associated with both quarterbacks, who had very different styles but touched fans equally and in their own way. 

Aikman is the last Dallas Cowboys quarterback to win a Super Bowl. He won three in the 1990s. Jackson hasn’t won any yet, but he’s already a two-time MVP. So both players bring great value to the number and naturally, it is attached to both of their brands in some way. 

Looks like Aikman’s brand is still healthy as Lamar Jackson’s grows and inevitably somebody has to fall back. 

Lamar Jackson Takes Troy Aikman to Court 

Jackson, who owns and has applied for multiple trademarks with the number, is entering a legal dispute with Aikman’s team over the former Cowboys quarterback’s use of the number.

Aikman doesn’t actually use the digit “8.” The NFL analyst rather spells it out with all capital letter (“EIGHT.”)

It’s not a blatant infringement of Jackson’s trademarks, but Jackson and his team believe it may cause confusion for fans looking to buy one of his products associated with the brand. 

The Ravens quarterback has filed two appeals against FL101, a company that lists Aikman as a director. FL101 reportedly owns nine trademarks with the term “EIGHT,” but it was reported that the appeals are only targeting the apparel and bags. Other products with “EIGHT” include beer, beach towels and energy drinks.

Lamar Jackson-Troy Aikman Trademark Dispute

Jackson’s booming brand has been crafted around the No. 8 jersey that he’s worn since his college days at Louisville, when he became the youngest player to win the Heisman Trophy at 19. He’s become synonymous with the number among the current generation of NFL fans. Many who refer to him as LJ8. 

The Baltimore quarterback already owns a few trademarks and has a few pending trademarks that include No. 8. Jackson and his team want to keep Aikman from using “EIGHT” on products because it likely will “cause confusion, or cause mistake, or to deceive” customers, Jackson’s attorney said.

Jackson has been creating his own apparel for years under his Era 8 Apparel brand, with products including T-shirts that just have the numeral 8 on them. 

On his Era 8 website, Jackson has a Youth Collection with bookbags and books for children like “Lamar Ride, I Ride: The Vehicle To Success.” He also has a women’s and men’s collection consisting of various Tees. As well as a unisex collection that includes hats, cologne and bags, all branded by Jackson. 

He also has iPhone cases, hoodies and mugs

Jackson, who signed a five-year, $260 million contract with the Baltimore Ravens prior to the 2023 NFL season that  includes $185 million in guaranteed money, has reportedly applied for a number of trademarks around the number, most of them featuring the “Era 8” name.

Jackson definitely has the money to make this a lengthy brand battle. He’s making an average of $52 million per year and added a $72.5 million signing bonus.  

This isn’t the first time Jackson has gone to battle over his apparel company, as he filed a lawsuit against Amazon in 2020 over selling unlicensed merchandise featuring his registered trademarks.

What Needs To Be Proved? 

Jackson’s team is claiming, “has expended considerable time, effort, and expense in promoting, advertising, and popularizing the number 8 in connection with his personality and fame [and] is well-known by this number due to his notoriety and fame, along with his promotion of this number in his trademarks and in media coverage,” according to the appeals.

Jackson has applied for trademarks on various usages of the number eight, including “Era 8 by Lamar Jackson,” “Era 8,” “You 8 yet?” and a logo of a “stylized wild dog” over a shield with “2018 Era 8 by Lamar Jackson 2018” around the dog.

Jackson’s attorney is claiming that his trademarks of these sayings using the number were registered before Aikman’s “Eight” and that the products from Aikman’s company are “highly similar in sound, appearance, connotation, and commercial impression” to Jackson’s trademarks.

Shouldn’t the better QB get top billing when it comes to the use of the number for branding purposes? Or should they both continue to share its impact, especially if the logos are spelled differently and attract a different consumer base? 

Is it the two-time MVP or the three-time Super Bowl champ who gets to corner the market on a jersey number they both helped make profitable? 

There’s Only Room For One Old Diva On This Team: Terrell Owens Still Crying Over Tom Brady Quashing His Hopes Of NFL Return At Age 48

Pro Football Hall of Famer Terrell Owens was considered difficult to deal with at times by his teammates.

Despite his greatness on the gridiron, Owens has long been looked at as a locker room menace who becomes a problem when things don’t go his way. Or the ball wasn’t thrown his way. That in itself is part of the reason he was voted a second-ballot Hall of Famer when his numbers screamed first ballot.

Owens, who turns 51 this year, has been out of the league since 2012 when he was a member of the Seattle Seahawks practice squad.

But it’s not for lack of effort. Owens has always kept himself in tip-top shape with the hopes of getting another shot. That opportunity hasn’t come, and now Owens is speaking out about his efforts to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers back in 2021 and how Tom Brady ignored him. 

Owens Calls Out Brady 

During a recent appearance on the “Bubba Dub Show,” Owens detailed how he reached out to Brady, the seven-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback. 

“Tom Brady ignored me. The year that AB went crazy… they just needed somebody to fill some holes with AB leaving at the receiver position. 

“I reached out to him through Randy Moss and some other people, just to come in and play third down and red zone situations. This dude ignored me. It just shows you the lack of respect there, but then when they get in front of you they want to act like they respect you.”

“If he really wanted me, he could’ve made that happen.”

Is T.O Serious ?

Owens sounds crazy to think that Brady and the Buccaneers would want to deal with another mercurial receiver after the AB debacle.

AB’s actions ruined it for the more charismatic and “me-first” era guys like himself and Owens, who both are extremely talented but also hard to manage and control at times. 

The Buccaneers were fresh off winning the franchise’s second Super Bowl, and despite losing Brown after his undressing and leaving the field in Week 17, the team still won the NFC South and a playoff game before losing to the eventual Super Bowl champions Los Angeles Rams in the NFC divisional round. 

Fans Had Fun At Owens Expense

As they’ve done with the aforementioned Brown on many occasions, fans didn’t miss the opportunity to roast Owens for his wild take about Brady. 

Sebber (@sebastianbaugh) took to X to say this:

“Bruh you were 48 I’d ignore you too LOL.”

CLIPS (@yourclipss) also joined in the fun, quipping, “Owens is like that ex gf or bf that just can’t accept the fact that the relationship is over LMAO.”

Related: Terrell Owens Reignites Beef With Stephen A. Smith, Who Threatens To Expose T.O. For “The Trifling” Ish “You Tried To Pull”

The second tweet really sticks, because despite his age Owens still believes he can help an NFL team. It’s now been 12 years and no one has pulled the trigger to bring him in. 

He’s a Hall of Famer who should be happy with the illustrious career he had and hang up the cleats. Brady has.  

‘People Have Lost Sight Of What Greatness Truly Is’: Ric Flair Is 75 But Mad That He Didn’t Make ESPN’s Top 100 Athletes of 21st Century

At 75-years-old, former pro wrestling legend Ric Flair has become one of the jewels of this country. Building a celebrity as big as any athlete. Despite the fact that pro wrestling is scripted it requires great athleticism, skill, toughness, resilience and performance. 

It certainly isn’t a sport for the meek. ESPN’s omission of Flair from its top 100 athletes of the 21st century list had ESPN host Pat McAfee and the former world champion losing their minds. 

McAfee went on a direct rage against ESPN for the list, saying, “It is the epitome of everything that everybody hates about ESPN.”

LeBron, Tom Brady and Tiger Woods Miss Top 3

The list in general will have the sports world up in arms, which is probably the point of such a list. Olympic swimming legend Michael Phelps was No. 1, Serena Wiliams was No. 2 and Lionel Mesi came in at No. 3. No LeBron. No Tom Brady. No Tiger Woods in the top 3 slots.

LeBron was No. 4, Tom Brady was No. 5, just ahead of tennis star Roger Federer (No. 6). The rest of the top 10 is rounded out by GOATS of their respective sports. Gymnast Simone Biles is ranked 7th, golfer Tiger Woods is 8th, and track legend Usain Bolt is 9th. Kobe Bryant sneaks in at No. 10.  

Ric Flair Thinks He Should Be On List

But if you survey the rest of the list, there’s no “Nature Boy.”

“How in the hell on God’s green earth is Ric Flair not considered to be one of the top 100 athletes in the world???” Flair wrote on X (Twitter).

“I should actually be in the top 10.16 world titles, actually 22. 1,200 hour matches, 15 years without a day off; a cultural icon & worldwide sensation.

“Good lord, so many people have lost sight of what greatness truly is!

“I never pulled out with a calf muscle strain. Oh how the times have changed! What a bunch of b——!

“I get Tom Brady and all that but come on let’s get serious!”

The calf muscle strain comments could be a shot at any of a number of NBA players who have load-managed their way through seasons or used such injuries as reasons why they couldn’t play.

We can’t deny that wrestling was not a sport with an executive branch and ownership group that were highly concerned with the health of its employees.

Over the decades, while building Vince McMahon’s billion-dollar industry, many wrestlers have met their fates prematurely because of the dark side of the game and the fame.

Ric Flair Is Mixing Up His Eras: He’s Not 21st Century Athlete

Flair is off the chain. First of all, he and McAfee are confused with eras. Ric Flair won none of his word titles in the 21st century. In fact, he retired from wrestling in 2008, 2012 and again in 2022. Always searching for the flowers that he clearly doesn’t think he got. 

One might say Ric Flair’s legacy was cemented and peaked when he was the centerpiece of one of The Migos’ greatest rap hits, “Ric Flair Drip.” 

Also, if there was a performance category on ESPN’s list, then Flair would definitely be a top 10 candidate. However, the majority of the people on thai list are in their prime or just nearing the end of prolific careers and in the last quarter century Flair has aged from 51 to 75. He wasn’t at the top of the wrestling game at that point.

So he would have had a better chance of making the list in the ’80s or ’90s, for several reasons. Fans were still holding onto the faint hope that wrestling was real back then, so the wrestlers were more mythical. 

Now they are respected for their showmanship, but there’s not a person who believes it’s real. In fact, the pro wrestling world has long ago stopped trying to convince kids of the tooth fairy, Santa Claus and that the blood you see trickling from wrestler’s heads is real. 

Social Media Corrects Flair, Some Gentle Some Harshly

One X user named Jeff Da Stone seemed to be a huge Flair fan and used a polite approach to help the elderly legend understand that his math was off. 

“Hey Ric, big fan here. Currently watching SuperBrawl 94 you vs Vader in a steel cage (basically an early version of Hell in a Cell). You’re the best to ever do it. But the ranking is based on the 2000s accomplishments alone. So you gotta toss out everything in the 70s, 80s, and 90s.”

X users were quick to point out those reasons and more for why “The Nature Boy” didn’t make the list.

“Bro, the matches are predetermined,” one X user commented.

“I love when wrestlers brag about how many times they’ve won a belt, as if they actually competed for a title like Muhammad Ali, rather than just getting the upper hand from the script department!” read another comment. “If that’s the case, Sylvester Stallone is a former 2 time world boxing champion!”

“Your sense of self importance is amazing,” another X user responded.

Related: “Heroin Is Not An Addiction, It’s A Disease”| Ric Flair Joins ‘The Pivot Podcast’ As 10-Year Anniversary Of Son’s Overdose Looms

So clearly, most of the sports world born post-2000 doesn’t consider pro wrestling a real sport. That might have been the accepted train of thought back in the days, but Flair needs to enjoy his family and his legacy which is more than any performer could ever dream of. He’s probably touched as many lives through his craft as the most famous athletes of unscripted sports. Let’s not push it.

Davante Adams Tells Uncle Shay Shay He Would Take A 58-Year-Old Brady As His QB “At This Point”

Tom Brady is preparing for his career debut as an analyst for Fox Sports, and his first broadcast will feature the Dallas Cowboys and the Cleveland Browns on Sept. 8. 

The Week 1 matchup is set to be an exclusive broadcast window for Fox, putting an even bigger spotlight on Brady’s debut as a sports analyst.

It took years for Brady to finally walk away from the gridiron. It most likely contributed to his failed marriage. This time it feels real. He walked away with seven Super Bowls. They did the roast. He got the 10-year $375M deal to talk on the microphone. He and Giselle are at peace.

But when it comes to Tom Terrific, who knows if he won’t get that urge to return to the glory and guts of football. Maybe a season in the booth doesn’t ease him into retirement but rather ignites his passion for the real thing. 

The possibility of Tom Brady returning to the field will linger in the back of everyone’s heads at least until he’s 50. 

Star receivers such as Davante Adams encouraging Brady to come back to the field doesn’t help ease the fears of Fox execs. 

Adams, who will be trying to get big yardage for a quarterback room considered one of the worst in football, sat down with Shannon Sharpe on his world-famous “Uncle Shay Shay” podcast and dropped a bombshell about his desire to play for Tom Brady right now. 

“Hell. Yes. You guys talk about how old he is…I don’t care,” Adams said. 

Shannon replied: “You’d take him at 47, 48? 

Before Sharpe could finish his breakfast, Davante Adams said, “I’d take him at 58 right now.”

With the Las Vegas Raiders entering the season with Aidan O’Connell most likely to be the starter, according to Adams, who recently told reporters “It’s Aidan O’Connell’s job ‘right now,’” the Raiders are looking extremely mid at the position. Gardner Minshew is a capable backup who can move an offense in the pinch, but he’s wildly erratic at times and if he plays too much his warts tend to outshine his contributions. 

“Tom knows how I feel about him, and I would be the first person to play for both Tom and Aaron [Rodgers], so that would be pretty cool. He’s getting older but he still has to be able to throw it better than half these dudes in this league at this point,” Adams insisted. 

“He’s gonna sit right there in that pocket so you better have a nice, little secure home for him right there.”

Lord have mercy. Adams and Uncle Shay Shay are trying to give Brady’s friends, family and the Fox suits who dished out almost $400M for him a heart attack.  

Then Sharpe got serious and named off a list of quarterbacks the Raiders have had over the past three seasons and asked Adams about the frustration he feels trying to win and post huge numbers with no true No. 1 at QB. 

“Yeah man,” Adams said, “It’s always a tough conversation when you talk about having the sure answer. We don’t know we have never seen Gardner in a Raiders uniform. … Aidan hasn’t had nearly as much experience.” 

”This offense requires a real high level of execution,” Adams said. “I do believe in Aidan. We are just going to continue to grow and learn from each other. He came in real confident and showed everybody what he had the potential to do 

“Just like me and Aaron,” Adams added. “If you were trying to count your chickens before they hatch with me because you wouldn’t of had no eggs. Because my first two years weren’t exciting, nobody thought I was going to turn out like this. Give time for the flower to grow. We are watering it right now and let’s see what happens.”

Adams had some high praise for the 25-year-old O’Connell and believes he will grow into an excellent quarterback. Adams also admits now is not the time to start expecting the Raiders to make a Super Bowl run, but he’s positive about the future.  

He also made it clear that if there was any way he could get Tom Brady to come out of retirement, he would be with it. 

Maybe Brady can be a player-owner.

According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, “Per a source with knowledge of the situation, Hall of Fame defensive lineman Richard Seymour is close to finalizing a deal to become an owner and limited partner of the Raiders.”

Adding Seymour is a move to help get Brady over the hump because owner Mark Davis wants to sell him a piece of the team and it wasn’t getting approved by the other owners. 

Seymour, 44, finished his Hall of Fame career with the Raiders, playing for the team between the 2009-12 seasons. Prior to that, he was Brady’s teammate on the New England Patriots.

Brady, Seymour and their other partners would own a 10.4 percent ownership stake if the other NFL owners approve the transaction.

Earlier this year, reports say Brady and his ownership group was offered a 10 percent minority share for about $175 million in October of 2023 and Brady would have sole ownership of 7 percent. 

But there were concerns from the finance committee reviewing Brady’s portfolio that his share was being sold below market value. 

Naturally, Mark Davis isn’t that concerned with selling Brady a percentage of the franchise because of Tom’s legendary status as the NFL GOAT QB, his marketability, popularity and his future earrings which should only increase with his $375 million announcing deal that kicks in this year. 

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay told the Boston Globe straight out that he had a problem with the accuracy of the $175 million valuation. 

“The number has to be a reasonable number for a purchase price for Tom, that’s the only thing. If a reasonable value says that 10 percent should be $525 million, you can’t pay $175 million.” 

Now that it looks like adding Seymour settles the score, can you see Brady acting as player/owner and calling his own number in Vegas?  

Adams would surely support that. Most fans are crazy enough to support it as well.

“Our Phones Are Ringing Off The Hook”: Does WNBA Thank Caitlin Clark, The Fans Or NBA For 150 Percent Increase In New $2.2B Media Deal?

Earlier in the season, Phoenix Suns star Natasha Cloud made headlines for telling male basketball commentators and new fans trying to stir the pot with various narratives about the league and Caitlin Clark’s place in it, to “invest” In the W or “STFU.”

Well, the NBA’s Board of Governors invested more than the league could ever imagine. The WNBA is finally seeing some real cash from the NBA. 

WNBA’s New Media Rights Deal Worth 2.2 Billion 

On Tuesday, The Athletic reported that the WNBA’s upcoming media deal is valued at approximately $2.2 billion over 11 years, which marks a groundbreaking financial come-up for a league that has grown exponentially this season with the influx of charismatic and fan-captivating rookies Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and Cameron Brink, to name a few. 

It was pretty much understood that the league would be getting a much-needed financial infusion of cash after the NBA completed its media rights deal, because the NBA controls the WNBA’’s financial future and evaluates how much the WNBA is worth and then pieces them off from the NBA deal. 

The NBA negotiated the WNBA’s media deal alongside its own massive media rights agreement with Disney (ESPN/ABC,) NBC and Amazon. Those companies will have their own WNBA packages, according to the report.

The league’s last media rights deal was in the $60M range. The only question was how much the NBA would break off the WNBA this time around. $2.2B, which at a yearly rate of $200M over the course of the 11–year deal isn’t bad.  

That isn’t NBA money. It’s more like a little less than MSL money, but it’s a start that should allow the WNBA to improve marketing, be viewed on even more streaming services and major networks, and, most important, up the salaries for the 144 professional players in the burgeoning league, which just this season agreed on a deal to get private chartered flights for every WNBA team. 

The influx of TV money will also help with that ongoing endeavor.

Tremendous Increase For WNBA In New Media Deal

The average annual value (AAV) of the agreed-upon combined NBA and WNBA rights package is more than 150% higher than the prior pact, which was worth $2.7 billion a year and expires after the 2024-25 season. 

The W commanded only 1 percent of the prior TV deal, but now gets nearly 3 percent of the current one. 

The two leagues negotiated their TV rights together but from two totally different positions of strength.

The NBA’s board of governors approved the deals Tuesday, and Warner Bros. Discovery, as the incumbent deal-holder, now has five days to match for a rights package. The Athletic was the first to report on the WNBA’s cut of the new agreement.

Influx Of New WNBA Cash Doesn’t Stop There: Could Be $260M

The WNBA is also negotiating two other packages of games that could reportedly be worth $60 million or more per year. 

The league already has media deals with Ion, CBS and Amazon on top of its ESPN agreement. The deals, including ESPN, are worth $60 million this year, but the AAV was valued about $17M less.  

When all of the agreements are reached, the WNBA’s average annual TV rights fee will be worth at least $260 million. CBS and Ion are currently leading in the rights race for additional packages. 

Who knows how far the WNBA can take this recent appeal to male fans or how long it will last? But if the league’s popularity and brand continue to rise and expand, they aren’t locked into the $200M deal. There’s a clause in the deal allows the league and its partners to reexamine the rights deal after three years.

“What’s happening now in women’s basketball is confirmation of what we’ve always known: The demand is there, and women’s sports is a valuable investment,” WNBA chief growth officer Colie Edison said in a statement back in May. “We’re encouraged by growing engagement across all our verticals, especially as we welcome new and diverse audiences into our fandom. The WNBA continues to experience sustained growth as our league embraces this heightened momentum.”

WNBA Salaries Should Be On the Rise

The base salary for a WNBA player should at least be $100K if you want more people to take the league seriously. When you are undervalued the customer sees that and often doesn’t want to invest in your product if no one else will. 

The base WNBA salary is a little over $76,000. That’s what Caitlin Clark is making despite probably being entitled to at least 1 whole percent of the WNBA’s $200M windfall, because honestly, there are still only a handful of players that crossover fans want to see.

LA Sparks rookie Cameron Brink, who recently suffered a season-ending ACL tear, had endorsements and deals with brands such as New Balance prior to entering the league. She is another rookie who came with her own fan base and the ability to ball, model and attract major brands. 

“There’s A Privilege For Younger White Players”: Cameron Brink Makes USA 3×3 Team With Hailey Van Lith and Wants Acceptance For Her “Masculine” Teammates 

“To be frank, as a female basketball player, our salaries are hard to sustain ourselves, especially for our needs throughout a whole year,” the 22-year-old said in an interview with Flaunt Magazine. “That’s why endorsements are so important, and that’s why I’m so thankful for every brand I work with because that’s the majority of the money I make. It’s not from my basketball 

Cathy Englebert Sets Goals Of $130M In Revenue: League Gets $200M+

Back in April, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert appeared on CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” and discussed the financial health of the league, particularly as it applies to TV rights and media deals. 

Englebert, who’s done wonders just keeping the at-times cash-strapped league afloat, let it be known that reaching the $120 million revenue threshold is the goal. She also didn’t hesitate to mention that the league was looking to take advantage of the Caitlin Clark hype that’s helped push women’s basketball to heights not seen. 

Let’s not ignore Angel Reese, who is also an “it” girl as one of the pioneers in the recent explosion of women’s college basketball. 

“We hope to at least double our rights fees,” Englebert said. “Women’s sports rights fees have been undervalued for too long, so we have this enormous opportunity at a time when … the media landscape is changing so much.”

Related: $50M In Charter Flights While WNBA Gatekeepers Downplay Her Influence

Well, with four times the revenue being poured into WNBA coffers overnight, there’s no excuses for the league not being on its way to being 100 percent self-sufficient.

Just don’t forget the fans and don’t get comfortable with that NBA money. Build the brand and keep building it. Also be very kind to your male fans because they are the ones who have gotten interested in the game and dominate the social media conversation around the game, helping the league elevate to this next level of financial prosperity.

“Whispers, ‘Don’t Fight It,’ And He Put The Cuffs On”: NFL Legend Terrell Davis Was Humiliated On Flight To Disneyland With Wife, Teenage Sons and 9-Year-Old Daughter

Everyone who has ever flown knows how much nonsense and aggression that airport workers and flight attendants often must deal with.

Also, however, in many instances, the actual airport workers are the instigators and have even abused their power which has led to some frustrating and embarrassing situations for some good people. 

Pro Football Hall of Famer Terrell Davis is accusing United Airlines of a “disgusting display of injustice” after he was handcuffed and removed from a flight in front of his family over the weekend. 

Why Was Denver Broncos Legend Terrell Davis Handcuffed?

What could have led to the Pro Football Hall of Famer and one of the best character guys in NFL history being arrested in front of his family? 

In an interview with “CBS Mornings,” Davis broke the situation down.

“We’d much rather not be here, talking about this under these circumstances,” Davis opened up by saying to host Robin Roberts. “But it’s necessary, right? We have to come here, our kids are on vacation, and we were enjoying that, and they are wondering why they’re mom and dad are not here with them now.”

“But you want to be the voice for the voiceless,” Roberts insisted.

During the flight, his 13-year-old son asked for a cup of ice, but the flight attendant, Davis said, didn’t hear his son’s request. This prompted Davis, who was sitting in an aisle seat, to put his hand up to get the flight attendant’s attention. 

Then, when the flight attendant didn’t see him, Davis said he “lightly tapped” the flight attendant on the shoulder. That’s when Davis said the flight attendant swung around and said, “Don’t hit me.”

Prior to that interaction, Davis says it was the flight attendant who was being aggressive and slamming the kids’ drinks down when he served them. Davis says he slammed his drink down as well. Davis says, his kids said, “Thank You,” but the flight attendant didn’t return the courtesy.

Flight Attendant Accuses Terrell Davis Of Assault

Davis said one of the passengers commented on the interaction, defending Davis, and insisting that he didn’t hit the flight attendant. 

According to Davis, “(the onlooking passenger) turned around and said, ‘You didn’t hit him.’ He said, ‘I saw it. You didn’t hit him.’”

Davis was admittedly surprised by the airline staff member’s reaction but says he didn’t sweat it or think of it much during his flight from Denver to Orange County, California. After all, his family was enroute to Disneyland and the mood was perfect.

Once the plane landed, Davis said everyone was instructed to remain in their seats. According to Davis, the two-time Super Bowl winner, he and his family calmly remained in their seats because Davis said he assumed there was a medical emergency. So he buried his face in his magazine and didn’t look up until he noticed a commotion coming toward him and saw FBI agents flooding the aisles. 

“I see ‘FBI’ on the jacket. I see the green, I think it was the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, and they were walking back toward the plane, and as they get closer to my seat, they come straight to me, and the agent walks up to me, and he leans over and whispers, ‘Don’t fight it,’ and he put the cuffs on me.”

Naturally, Davis has no idea why he was being cuffed, as this was his first time dealing with this kind of interaction from cops. Usually he is asked for autographs or chased down and told how his performance as a Denver Broncos provided so many great memories for football fans of his era. 

It can only be expected that Davis was shocked and spiraling into a surreal situation that probably had his family emotionally traumatized as well. 

“That moment, I felt all of my dignity, I felt powerless, I felt embarrassed,” he said. 

Davis’ interaction with the flight attendant couldn’t have been that significant because his wife Tamiko Davis, said she was not even aware of the incident concerning ice for his son. 

 She said she asked what was happening and kept asking her husband if it was a joke.

“This is some cruel practical prank he’s pulling on me,” she said. “You just have all of these emotions going through.”

Black men often have to deal with traumatizing situations and often in front of their families and concerning police and everyday working people who have a tendency to be more aggressive with Black men than any other race or gender of people. The statistics on Black unarmed males murdered by police in the last 50 years would support this claim. 

This sounds like one of those situations, where a misunderstanding turned into a nightmare for Davis, his wife and his boys, aged 11 and 13 years old, as well as his 9-year-old daughter, who would now have to wait to get to Disneyland

“I felt helpless. I remember watching them place handcuffs on Terrell, and seeing my two sons there, Davis’ wife recalls. “As a mom, as a Black mom raising two Black sons, you work really hard to not have your children have those types of experiences,” Tamiko Davis said. “That moment — I can’t protect my children from that.”

Who Is NFL Hall of Famer Terrell Davis?

“TD” is considered one of the greatest pigskin-toters in NFL history. Despite playing just seven seasons, he is a member of the NFL Hall of Fame as a dynamic, tough and imposing back for John Elway’s Denver Broncos squad, who lacked the running game to close out on Super Bowl seasons in the past, losing several heartbreaking playoff games and Super Bowls, before Davis’ arrival as a 6th-round steal in the 1995 NFL draft out of the University of Georgia. 

He is the Broncos all-time leading rusher and still holds various franchise records, including most postseason single-season touchdowns (eight), which he achieved in 1997. He is also credited with starting the “Mile High Salute”, a celebratory tradition among Denver Broncos players after scoring a touchdown. Davis was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017.

Flight Attendant Was Lying 

The couple’s attorney, Parker Stinar, said that shortly after interviewing Davis and other passengers, investigators determined that the flight attendant’s statement was either false or extremely misleading. 

“The problem is the scars that took place and the trauma that took place are going to impact this family forever,” Stinar said on “CBS Mornings.” “Equally as important, we have heard from dozens of other United passengers that have experienced similar conduct, events and sadly, I don’t know why it happened for Mr. Davis, most of those people aren’t handcuffed.”

Davis also said that the agents did apologize to him after the incident, but his young kids got a first-hand view at how quickly America becomes a police nation and also how quickly a situation can go left. 

“The biggest problem for me was the intent of the flight attendant,” he said. “When you went up there and made that call, your intent was to destroy me. I didn’t do anything to him.”

United Airlines released a statement regarding the incident, but it’s only fair that a lawsuit should follow and that flight attendant gets fired. 

“This is clearly not the kind of travel experience we strive to provide. We have reached out to Mr. Davis’s team to apologize and continue to discuss the issue with them. We have removed the flight attendant from duty while we closely look into this matter and we are reviewing our policies around incidents like this.”

Stinar said legal action could be taken because “They need to be held accountable.” You think? 

‘They Ain’t Did a MF Thing All Day, But Want To Take a Picture with Usher’: WNBA Star A’ja Wilson Rips Teammates For FanGirling Usher After Embarrassing Loss to Angel Reese

A’ja Wilson had a bittersweet WNBA game on Tuesday night. She met her musical crush Usher for the second time. The world-famous crooner attended his first Las Vegas Aces game, but her team was also upset by Angel Reese’s Chicago Sky, who were in seventh place in the league entering the game. 

It should have been a blowout win, and then meeting Usher would have been icing on the cake. 

A’ja Wilson Rips Teammates For FanGirling Usher After Bad Loss

After the game, Wilson’s teammates ran to take pictures with Usher and a nearby hot mic picked up Wilson ripping her teammates, whose performance was less than championship-level. 

In a video, Wilson was heard saying to a teammate, “They ain’t did (expletive) all day, but they want to take a (expletive) picture with Usher.”

Wilson was clearly less than enthralled with the enthusiasm the team showed for Usher’s presence. In her opinion, it was more than the energy they put forth in laying an egg against one of the WNBA’s weaker teams. 

And while Wilson is surely qualified to make a comment on her team as the league’s best player and a two-time defending world champion, she also has to take some responsibility in her team’s recent struggles and worry less about being Usher’s favorite WNBA player.  

The Aces have been starting games slowly all season, which reflects on their lack of hunger as a team to three-peat. They were trailing a team that’s ninth in the league in scoring out of 12 teams by 13 points after the first quarter. 

Eighteen first-half turnovers put the defending champions in a tough position and they rebounded from a 21-point deficit but couldn’t close, losing 93-85.

Coach Becky Hammon acknowledged the difficulties of mounting comebacks, saying, “Those are hard holes to dig out of. Even if we had won this game, we still feel that there’s a lot of things that we could get better at, defensively especially,” per ClutchPoints’ Candese Charles.

The Sky is the WNBA’s leading rebounding team, led by Double-Double Reese and 6-foot-7 Kamilla Cardoso. They lead the WNBA in rebounds per game with 36. The Sky dominated the boards 56-32 and picked up 14 second-chance points, compared with the Aces’ three. Wilson had a standout performance with 28 points, 14 rebounds, five blocks and three steals, but it wasn’t enough to secure a win. 

However, her reaction was more funny than anything because she didn’t know she was on a hot mic. 

Relationship Between A’ja Wilson and Usher 

Back in 2022, after the Aces had won their first WNBA championship, Wilson — the NBA2K25 cover star — practically begged Usher to attend their title celebrations. In the postgame press conference following the Game 4 win over the Connecticut Sun, Wilson said: “Usher, I better see you Usher. I’m not playing with you.”

However, Usher could not attend the 2022 parade or 2023 parade after the Aces clinched back-to-back titles. But the Vegas resident later invited the team to one of his concerts.

Wilson and her teammates took him up on his offer, with the team attending his concert in October 2023. The 45-year-old serenaded Wilson onstage, and he decided to visit her and the Aces this time around.

After the game, Wilson embraced Usher before presenting him with her jersey. The WNBA X account posted a clip of the interaction along with the caption: “Dreams do come true.”

Usher also posed for photos with Sydney Colson and Jackie Young. The trio was smiling despite the defeat, which left the 16-8 Aces second in the Western Conference.

Related: The Real WNBA MVP Contenders So Far This 2024 Season: Where Do Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart Rank?

That’s when Wilson didn’t like the energy and made her comment. It’s not the first time Usher has been involved with sports in 2024. Earlier this year, Usher headlined the coveted Super Bowl halftime show at Allegiant Stadium, the home of the Las Vegas Raiders.

‘2 Fives Make A Dime Every Time’: Former NFL Star Le’Veon Bell Goes To X To Diss Jaylen Brown and Beautiful WNBA Players Angel Reese and Kysre Gondrezick

Former NFL star running back Le’Veon Bell has always been very outspoken.
So much so that many believe the premature ending to his NFL career has a lot to do with what comes out of his mouth. 

Sometimes it’s unfiltered honesty that could be taken as offensive. In his retirement, Bell has been selling content on social media subscription services and boxing. 

Clearly, he still has his gift of gab too as he told his true feelings about Chicago Sky star Angel Reese and former WNBA player Kysre Gondrezick, who were seen sitting courtside at a recent Summer League game, discussing the NBA potential of one Bronny James. 

The video went viral after Brown turned and told his WNBA pals that Bronny James was not a pro, which we are sure thrilled his dad, Lebron James. 

Brown: “I don’t think Bronny is a pro.” 

Kysre: “I think he’ll be on the G League team, for sure.

Brown: “Because of his name, he’s gonna be with the Lakers (main).”

After all of the social media drama subsided, Brown did not explicitly address all the conjecture, but he took the opportunity to compliment the father-son duo.

“It’s a flex to have your son alongside you in the NBA it reflects greatness and longevity!” he wrote. “Bronny has all the tools around him to be successful I look forward to watching his growth.”

Le’Veon Bell Was More Focused On Judging Angel Reese and Kysre Gondrezick

Bell was more focused on the quality of companionship Brown had and tweeted that “2 fives make a dime every time.”

Gondrezick, who had been in the WNBA since 2021, before getting released early in this season, recently began dating Brown, who before her dated 44-year-old IG model Bernice Burgos. 

Gondrezick previously dated NBA star Kevin Porter Jr. and it got messy with domestic violence accusations that were later recanted.

Bell tried to clean it up by saying he was joking, but he wasn’t. In his opinion neither woman stands alone as a dime piece, and he wanted that too be known. 

It’s his opinion at the end of the day. One that some people will share, and others will disagree with. After all, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. 

As far as her basketball skills are concerned, Reese recorded her WNBA rookie-record 17th double-double, leading the Sky to a huge upset win over the two-time defending champion Las Vegas Aces on Tuesday night.

So, she’s riding an emotional high right now and probably not too focused on what Bell is talking about.

Bell was an all-purpose, dual-threat menace during his NFL career from 2013 to 2021, where he toted the rock for 1,595 carries for 6,554 yards and hauled in 399 catches for 3,289 yards, scoring 51 touchdowns. 

Bell was selected to play in three Pro Bowls and Bell suited up for five squads in eight seasons always searching for a bigger bag for his services. He was most prominent with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the team that drafted him out of Michigan State University, but he fell out with the team over money, locker room and media drama.

Since retiring, Bell hasn’t been afraid to continue voicing his opinion. He’s taken shots at New York Giants QB Daniel Jones.

When Bell made his way into the music industry and dropped his album, he took shots at rappers MoneyBagg Yo and Stunna4Vegas for giving him “trash” verses. Bell transitioned into rap, along with his former Pittsburgh teammate Antonio Brown after playing his last NFL game in 2021. He released a new project on July 28, 2023, titled “Make It Boom.”

His post-NFL career shining moment is when he torched NFL great Adrian Peterson in a celebrity exhibition boxing match.

Related: Le’Veon Bell Brutalizes Adrian Peterson And Nick Young Falls Through The Ropes At Social Gloves 2

In any event, Bell has been quiet of late, and similar to his former partner in Pittsburgh, Antonio Brown, he hasn’t done much other than take shots at people on social media while trying to maintain some relevancy.

Reese and Gondrezick aren’t stressing that at all. There are more than a few people who would disagree with Bell’s assessment.

‘Get Him Away From CC…She Deserves Better’: Caitlin Clark’s Boyfriend Under Pressure For Partying With Bottle Girls In Vegas

Caitlin Clark is covered daily and fans and media aren’t just interested in her performance on the court.

Now that the WNBA rookie’s fame has elevated her to “public property” status, nothing involving the Indiana Fever star is off limits.

Conner McCaffery Parties In Vegas

Her boyfriend, Connor McCaffery is quickly finding out what it means to be the boo of an insanely famous women’s basketball player who also has a hive of female supporters hawking the internet waiting to punch holes in McCaffreys relationship. 

McCaffrey did what most 20-somethings do for their birthday. He headed out to Vegas with the boys and had the time of his life. 

On Saturday, Clark posted a heartfelt message to her 22-year-old boyfriend, who did the same for her on Instagram, when she turned 22.

“Happy Birthday Con! Celebrating you is easy 🙂 thankful to have someone as selfless and as loving as you in my life🖤 May this be the year you finally find a way to outshoot me 😉 Love you always 🥺🤍’

Connor, however, is now facing backlash from Clark fans after he was seen partying in Vegas with comedian Theo Von.

On Saturday night, Von shared several photos of Connor partying with him and some bikini-laden women at the Wynn in Las Vegas.

Those women were not party goers but bottle girls who were of course in full swing and making sure the situation was as enjoyable as possible for the birthday boy and everyone in attendance, which is their job. 

Caitlin Clark Fans Attack Boyfriend For Partying In Vegas

Clark fans immediately started minding her business and called for her to break up with him.

One X user said: “Get him away from CC this instant. She deserves better”

Another said: “after she made an entire post dedicated to him oh this is nasty”

Then the flood gates opened and fans acted if Connor had Clark locked in a dungeon holding her captive or something. 

“Get this man away from caitlin wtf,” another lamented. 

Seemed to be a lot of women projecting their own personal experiences on Clark, who clearly is secure in her relationship.

She’s been dating Connor since her glory days at Iowa, where she became the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer, and her meteoric rise to fame doesn’t seem to have affected their relationship in any way. 

Some fans, unblinded by the fanaticism surrounding Clark tried to bring some perspective to the situation.

Even with the clear-headed explanation, some fans just wanted to blast Connor and worship their queen.

Related: Caitlin Clark’s First Rookie Triple-Double In WNBA History Overshadows Sabrina Ionescu’s 22 Points

Expect fans to be all up in CC’s business as she continue to grow her brand, set WNBA records and help turn the Fever into true WNBA contenders. Indiana is on a two-game win streak and it’s 11-14 record is good for seventh place in the 12-team WNBA.

Clark is not only firmly positioned to win Rookie of the Year but she will undoubtedly garner some MVP votes.

Man Down ! | Celtics Star Jaylen Brown Caught Shamelessly Gossiping With His WNBA Crew About Bronny James

NBA Summer League is alive and kicking out in “Sin City,” aka Las Vegas. As the NBA’s new crop of draft picks and other NBA hopefuls take the court daily a who’s who of NBA stars, league executives and other well-known faces are usually sitting courtside.

That was no different on Monday night as Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown, the reigning Eastern Conference Finals and NBA Finals MVP happened to be in attendance to his Celtics versus the Los Angeles Lakers. 

The game featured Bronny James, the namesake son of NBA superstar LeBron James whose being drafted created a lot of blowback, and his Summer League performance thus far hasn’t helped matters. Brown, whom many believe should’ve been the one to replace Kawhi Leonard on Team USA in the Paris Olympics, could be seen making comments about the action on the floor.

The three-time All-Star seemingly said what so many others have been screaming ever since Bronny opted to declare for the NBA draft.

Brown Apparently Speaks The Truth

As the camera zeroed in on Brown who was sitting courtside with WNBA free agent girlfriend Kysre Gondrezick and her former Chicago Sky teammate, Rookie of the Year candidate and All-Star Angel Reese, Brown appeared to say the following.

“I don’t think Bronny is a pro.” 

Kysre: “I think he’ll be on the G-league team, for sure.

Brown: “Because of his name, he’s gonna be with the Lakers (main).”

James’ last name is the only reason he was drafted. His one year of college production didn’t warrant him being chosen, but he’s the son of NBA royalty.

Brown Doesn’t Deny What He Said

Following the game Brown took to X and responded to a video of him saying that, and the Celtics star didn’t deny what he said. In fact, he wrote this caption above the video.

“It’s a flex to have your son in the NBA if reflects greatness and longevity! Bronny has all the tools around him to be successful, I look forward to watching his growth.

Bronny Doesn’t Look The Part

Through four Summer League games, Brown is correct, Bronny looks nothing like a pro. His abysmal stat line doesn’t tell the full story either. 

MPG: 25.8

PPG: 4.3

FG%: .226 (7-31)

3p%: .000 (0-15)

FT%: .500

RPG: 3.8

APG: 1.5

SPG: 1.3

BPG: 0.8

TOPG: 1.8

+/-: -38 (-9.5 pg)

He’s only 19, and still learning but he’s got a very, very long way to go. 

‘Cuz Is Cooked. Go Retire’: Skip Bayless Leaving FS1 As Brand Sinks While His Former Co-Host Shannon Sharpe Continues To Rise

During his eight-year run as the top talking head on FS1, Skip Bayless often referenced how he came up from humble beginnings and had a rocky relationship with his mom. 

He was able to overcome all of these family issues and rise to the top of his profession becoming one of the highest-paid taking heads in history. 

Now, at 72 years old, the co-host of “Undisputed” will host his final show this summer after agreeing to part ways with the network.

There are many people within the industry who feel this moment is long overdue

”Cuz Is cooked, go retire in Arizona,” said Nick Hamilton of Nitecast Media.

Skip Bayless Ratings Have Plunged Since Shannon Sharpe Left

Since the well-documented breakup between him and former co-host Shannon Sharpe, Bayless’ ratings have plummeted and the $8 million per year man has priced himself out of the sports talk show game. 

Bayless’ exit at Fox Sports comes more than a year after his longtime co-host Shannon Sharpe left the network after a series of tense on air interactions with Bayless to join ESPN’s “First Take,” where he and Stephen A. Smith have remained at the top of the ratings for morning sports talk TV shows.

We haven’t scene Sharpe expand his role across the other Disney-owned properties as first expected, but his brand is booming because of his sports acumen, his interaction with Stephen A. Smith and other panelists, and his podcast interviews, some of which have gone viral and introduced Sharpe to an entirely new audience. 

Sharpe’s “Late Night” podcast with Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson has been a hit for a few years because of their borderline X-rated content. 

Sharpe’s “Uncle Shay Shay” podcast blew through the roof when he interviewed comedian Katt Williams and got a reported 8 million views in 24 hours. 

Sharpe has followed that success with more internet-breaking interviews and become a subject of the daily sports conversation while also talking sports. 

Since then, “Undisputed” has featured a rotation of co-hosts from Keyshawn Johnson, Michael Irvin and Paul Pierce to Rachel Nichols and Michael Irvin. The once proud king of sports talk was unable to recapture the chemistry that Skip and Shannon once had when they challenged “First Take” for the top spot. 

The New York Post is confirming that “Undisputed” ratings suffered over the past year. Despite that, “Undisputed” will continue and be rebranded and expected to continue on FS1 – Fox Sports’ cable channel. 

The show will go on without the guy who — if you let him tell it — built that network into a sustainable entity with ESPN ruling the landscape. 

Bayless referred the Post to FS1 spokespeople, who declined to comment on the matter.  

Skip and Shannon Feud 

Sharpe, the two-time Super Bowl champion, was chosen to debate Bayless on a myriad of topics daily. And while the two saw plenty of success, they also hit many rough patches, and it seems as if a recent series of debates that turned personal led to their divorce. 

Issues between Sharpe and Bayless hit a peak in 2023 and Sharpe reached a buyout with Fox Sports and bounced to start his own media empire. 

With no reason for their breakup revealed, many speculate it had something to do with Bayless constantly disrespecting Sharpe amidst debates. 

Especially ones involving Tom Brady, and disregarding Sharpe’s Hall of Fame career. 

Damar Hamlin’s near-death experience, the insensitive tweet Bayless sent following that near fatal ordeal, and his refusal to apologize, were also speculated to be factors in Sharpe exiting the show. 

‘No doubt the NFL is considering postponing the rest of this game – but how? This late in the season, a game of this magnitude is crucial to the regular-season outcome … which suddenly seems so irrelevant.’

When the separation was announced, rumors also spread that Sharpe felt like his voice wasn’t heard in production meetings as show topics and angles were discussed. 

Unfortunately for Sharpe, Bayless wouldn’t let his co-host discuss the subject without interrupting him. 

‘Skip tweeted something, and although I disagreed with the tweet, and hopefully Skip will take it down,’ Sharpe said before Bayless interjected.

“Timeout,” Bayless said. “I’m not going to take it down, because I stand by what I tweeted.”

The entire NFL world turned on Skip Bayless that day. He also lost any chance to endear himself to the next generation of sports fans.

The final straw in Shannon and Skip’s run came in the form of a direct shot at Sharpe’s NFL legacy in one of Skip’s fanboy moments involving Tom Brady.

 Bayless’ suggestion in December that Sharpe was somehow jealous of Tom Brady. That may have sealed their fate.

“The moment Skip claimed Shannon was ‘jealous’ of Tom Brady, and Shannon took his glasses off, that was the moment they were separated,” Fox Sports host Rob Parker said. 

Skip’s Had A Magical Career: He Lost Fair and Square

Bayless launched his career and made his mark  in journalism as an award-winning sports columnist and reporter for the Chicago Tribune, Dallas Morning News, Dallas Times Herald, Miami Herald and Los Angeles Times. He rose to fame and expanded his audience when he teamed with a young Stephen A. Smith on ESPN’s “First Take” before moving on to Fox Sports in 2016.

The ride might be over for the LeBron James hater, Dallas Cowboys sports desk cheerleader and Tom Brady worshipper. 

If he doesn’t get on somewhere else, then it’s been a great ride. When it comes to mastering the game though, it’s safe to say Shannon Sharpe got the best of Skip in the end.

“Slow down. Slooooow Down”: Why Did Colin Cowherd’s Question About Nolan Ryan Seriously Offend Derek Jeter?

Colin Cowherd called Derek Jeter old and almost caught these hands on Monday.

Well not directly, but it was seriously implied during his line of questioning.

The legendary shortstop appeared on “The Herd” to chat up some baseball. 

During that conversation, the former Yankees captain had to check the show host who has his eras crossed when talking to Jeter about his illustrious 20-year career.

Jeter Is 50 But He Never Faced Now-77-Year-Old Nolan Ryan

Jeter, who turned 50 in June, is no spring chicken, but it’s also highly unlikely that he’s going to be familiar with or have played against guys from the ’60 to ’80s, like 77-year-old Hall of Fame flamethrower Nolan Ryan. 

He tried to call Jeter old on the low. 

The conversation started with an exchange about the MLB All-Star game going down on Tuesday, June 16 at Globe Life Field in Texas. 

Cowherd was asking Jeter about sensational Pittsburgh Pirates rookie pitcher Paul Skenes, who in less than half a season earned the starting nod in Tuesday’s game because of his recent dominance. 

Skenes is known to bring it at 100 mph, making a mockery of hitters with his best delivery. 

Thats why Cowherd referenced The Ryan Express, whom Cowherd thought Jeter faced at some point in his career. 

Jeter’s career began in 1996 and Ryan played from 1966-1993, a long career that spanned four decades. 

However, Jeter never got the opportunity to face Ryan, who would have been almost 50. And you know the captain isn’t going to take credit for being any older than he is. He may be retired, but the ego is still All-Star level. 

Derek Jeter Went In On Cowherd 

“Paul Skenes, Pittsburgh Pirates, dominant guy,” Cowherd is heard saying. “Obviously, you were in the Nolan Ryan era…”

Jeter barely let Cowherd finish his sentence when he corrected the host.

“No, no, no, no, no, no, noooo,” the shortstop replied. “I never faced Nolan. Slow down. Slooooow down. I was waaaay after Nolan.”

Jeter actually showed more emotion than he probably has in the last three decades. After retiring from the Yankees, Jeter started “The Player’s Tribune” and then has a brief stint in the Miami Marlins front office. 

As a player he won five World Series as the heart and soul of a Yankees dynasty, and the team hasn’t won since or been able to replace his leadership, durability, longevity and hitting ability. Mr. Clutch played in a record 158 postseason games – the equivalent of one full extra season – where he hit .308 with 111 runs scored, 200 hits, 32 doubles, 20 homers, 61 RBI and 66 walks. 

He finished his career with 3,465 hits, 1,923 runs scored and 4,921 total bases. Jeter was elected to the Hall of Fame in his first year on the ballot in 2020.

“Getting Cooked At Planet Fitness By Door Dash Driver”: A Pickup Game Turned Splash Brother Klay Thompson To ‘Washed’ Brother

Klay Thompson’s historic run as Steph Curry’s Splash Brothers partner came to an end this summer when the sharp-shooting guard signed a 3-year, $80M contract with the Dallas Mavericks, who lost to the Boston Celtics in the 2024 NBA Championship. 

There’s plenty of optimism coming out of the Dallas area about what the future Hall of Famer will contribute to a team that clearly needs more outside shooting and another reliable scoring option beyond Luka Doncic 

There’s also some hate coming Klay’s way. Probably from disgruntled Lakers fans who are mad that Thompson turned down an offer to play with LeBron James and felt Dallas was a more viable destination to win another championship at 34 years old and with a recent injury history that has compromised him as an all-around player. 

A video was posted on social media of Klay getting toasted while playing against amateurs at a local gym in California.

Of course, social media made a mountain out of a molehill as it often does, and fans joined in on ripping the four-time NBA champion and future Hall of Famer. 

“Klay Thompson getting cooked at a Planet Fitness by Door Dash drivers,” said one X user.

Another said: “Bro is washed sadly” 

“Klay Thompson post injuries makes me depressed bro… Mavs really gave this due $80M though,” said another.

“He’s so slow it’s crazy,” said another 

The disrespect kept coming. I personally had no idea that a light workout in a gym would influence this kind of negative talk about Thompson. 

Especially considering we know he has been riddled with injuries late in his career, isn’t the defensive stopper he once was and was probably going about 50-60 percent in effort. 

While Klay just completed another NBA season, the other ballers were clearly trying their absolute hardest to impress one of the greatest players the game has seen.

One NBA fan was at least more honest and rational in their comments concerning the video, saying:  

“I hate this for Klay Thompson. He’s one of the best players to ever play the game. Everyone’s time eventually comes, but the fact that people are coming at him like this is ridiculous. Anyone could have a negative highlight tape in summer runs.”

Another offered some insight into the actual pickup game and how Klay fared outside of this framed presentation of his current hoops skills. 

“Klay had 45 points in this pickup game 🤣 he only missed 5 shots the entire game. This is a video of the 5 shots he missed. Where are the 18 he made??”

Then another fan gave some perspective about the players Klay was competing against. They weren’t door dash drivers. 

“Those guys are pros. I know one if them is Thirdy Ravena. He’s one of the top players in the professional league in the Philippines and China.”

Obviously some of the responses were hyperbole and meant to incite a reaction, but what kind of physical state Thompson is truly in will be determined when the season starts and the Mavs try to make another run to the finals. You ask any of those players and they would tell you the team would rather have Klay than not have him. 

Thompson was drafted out of Washington State University by the Golden State Warriors with the 11th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. 

In 11 seasons with the Warriors (he missed the 19/20 and 20/21 seasons due to injury) Thompson was named to five All-Star games, and averaged 19.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game.

He owes nothing more to Golden State Warriors fans and heading into the 2024-25 season the new Big Three in Dallas have odds of about +1000 to win the championship next season, behind the Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets, Philadelphia 76ers, and New York Knicks.

In other words, Vegas doesn’t believe that Luka, Kyrie and Klay can get back to the Finals. 

All of this doubt and ridicule should only serve to make Thompson more focused and eager to shoot the lights out. 

Only time will tell if he really is washed or the video was much ado about nothing. 

Aliyah Boston Was Invisible Before She Became Caitlin Clark’s Wing Woman

The Indiana Fever are playing well, having won eight of their past 12 games. Those wins include a huge home victory over the league-leading New York Liberty, and road wins over the Phoenix Mercury and Minnesota Lynx. Those three teams have a combined 48-16 record and currently are the Nos. 1, 4 and 6 seeds in the playoff race. 

The Fever, who began the season 1-8, have battled back to 11-14, and as of Sunday they’re the No. 7 seed in the playoff race.

Two big reasons for the Fever’s turnaround have been 2024 No. 1 pick Caitlin Clark and 2023 No. 1 pick Aliyah Boston, who won WNBA Rookie of the Year. Despite Boston’s strong rookie season and standout career at South Carolina playing for the legendary Dawn Staley, her name just didn’t pop much until Clark arrived. 

Boston Is Clark’s Wing Woman

When the Fever drafted Clark to team with Boston it was to form a dynamic duo capable of leading the franchise to deep playoff runs and hopefully more championships.

The franchise hasn’t had much success since winning their lone WNBA championship. In fact the Fever have only had one winning season (2015) and one .500 season (2016) since winning that title. 

After a slow start this season the duo is finding its stride, and the chemistry on and off the court is obvious. In a recent interview, Clark raved about her relationship with Boston, who’s had her back since she arrived in April. 

“I think AB is someone who’s always going to have her teammates’ back, whether it’s myself or anybody on the team,” Clark said. “She just wants the best for every single person. She’s such a positive light in our locker room.”

“She had a great voice, she’s always there, whether things are great or things aren’t as great. She’s just a very consistent person in our locker room. She’s been someone who’s been really helpful throughout my rookie year, having gone through it just a year ago,” Clark added.

Clark giving Boston her flowers is only right. Amidst Clark’s early season struggles, Boston was someone that always had a positive word for her and helped keep her head high. 

Duo Leading The Way

Having a guard like Clark, who leads the league in assists (7.8) and points created has been a welcome sight for the Fever as a team, who only had Boston be named an All-Star last season, and that was more about each team having a representative. 

This season they have three All-Stars, including Clark, Boston and dynamic scoring guard Kelsey Mitchell, who happens to be the team’s leading scorer (16.9 points per game) again this season.

Boston is leading the team in rebounding at 8.5 per game, and on Sunday all three played a huge role in the team’s second-biggest win of the season, a 81-74 road win at the 16-8 Minnesota Lynx. 

In that game Mitchell went for a game-high 21 points, and Boston chipped in with a monster 17 points and 16 rebounds. Clark followed with 17 points and six assists, and forward NaLyssa Smith put in 11 points.

That’s their four top players, who all happen to be former top-2 picks, going for double figures. 

In many ways it showed just how good this Fever team can be if they continue to grow, trust and get more comfortable with each other. And it all starts with Clark and Boston, whose pick and roll game is quickly becoming a go-to way of playing offense in NapTown. 

“It’s Angel. Not A Doubt”: JuJu Watkins and Dawn Staley Say Angel Reese Is Pulling Away From Caitlin Clark In ROY Voting

Caitlin Clark was running away with the WNBA rookie of the year award until Angel Reese’s recent WNBA record 15-straight double-doubles, which just ended with a loss to the NY Liberty on Saturday. 

Now Reese is closing the gap and some prominent members of the women’s basketball community feel she has surpassed Clark in the race. 

JuJu Watkins and Dawn Are Team Angel Reese

USC basketball star JuJu Watkins and legendary coach Dawn Staley both believe that Reese is the front-runner for the award right now. 

In fact, Staley said that it’s not even debatable.

“So you gonna try to put me in a controversy, right,” Staley jokingly replied when asked about the two by TMZ recently.

“They both are having great years,” she continued.” Don’t get me wrong. If I had to pick a rookie of the year at this time, it’s Angel. Not a doubt.”

“What she’s been able to do with the double-doubles. But listen, the season is halfway through and Caitlin is coming. … I’ll say this, whatever team makes the playoffs, that’s our Rookie of the Year,” Staley added.

Clark’s Indiana Fever and Reese’s Chicago Sky currently occupy the final two playoff spots in the WNBA, so they may both make the playoffs, which makes that accomplishment less of a factor in deciding the award. 

Both players have lived up to the billing, setting rookie records in various categories and helping to increase the league’s popularity and ratings. 

Clark’s calling card has been her all-around game and high point totals in scoring, rebounds and assists the league leader in assists. 

But Staley’s choice reflects the latest latest ESPN rankings, which had Reese only slightly ahead of Clark.

“For the most part, Reese has been a stat-stuffing dynamo in her debut campaign. She is a close second (behind Clark) in points per 100 possessions among rookies, leads by a mile in rebound rate and has been the best active defensive rookie following Brink’s injury,” ESPN’s Neil Paine writes.

Paine continued: “Aside from teammate Lindsay Allen, no member of the Sky has been associated with more of an uptick in the team’s performance while on the court than Reese, who has overseen a 16.6-point improvement in Chicago’s net rating when she’s in the game.”

USC women’s basketball star JuJu Watkins also believes Chicago Sky phenom Angel Reese deserves to win the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year award. 

“As of right now, I got Angel,” Watkins said in an interview with GQ Sports. “She’s been killing it.”

Shooting-wise, both Reese and Clark have had their rookie struggles, but the other aspects of their games have allowed both to make an immediate impact. 

With a game-high 16 rebounds on Saturday, Reese upped her season total to 276 boards, a WNBA record for any player  through their first 23 games.

The Clark Committee surely doesn’t like the new narrative, but it’s necessary for this rivalry to continue to grow and drive the WNBA’s new marketing power.

The supports for both are fractured along many different racial and cultural lines. 

It is interesting how Reese has gained ground on Clark as far as the national narrative goes.

For ESPN to have Reese with a slight edge over Clark says a lot about the way WNBA narratives change game to game. 

‘Woefully Inadequate’ Tyreek Hill Is The NFL’s Nick Cannon: Court Declares Dolphins WR Is a Dad Again as He Closes on Fathering a Full 11-Kid Squad

Just weeks after confirming that his wife is expecting a baby, Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill reportedly got blessed with news that he fathered another child with a new woman, which unofficially will raise his total number of children to somewhere between 7 and 10. Rumors suggest he could even have more.

Hill has three children from a previous relationship with ex-fiancee Crystal Espinal, meaning he had up to six children from four women, but in a recent interview on the ‘Million Dollaz Worth Of Game’ YouTube channel, he didn’t deny claims that the overall number is much higher.

Tyreek Hill Doesn’t Deny 10 Kids

Hill was asked by one of the hosts: ‘You play offense but off the field, you’re the all-time leading tackler. You’ve got 10 kids. You’re just a family man!’

Hill didn’t confirm or deny the double digit number of kids — causing the hosts, rapper Gillie Da King and influencer Wallo 267 — to burst out laughing

The newly discovered baby, Trae Love Hill, was born last year on May 2 to Kimberly Kaylee Baker who had filed a paternity suit the same month. A Florida court has declared the eight-time Pro Bowl receiver the father.

Yes, the Nick Cannon of the NFL is know to go deep better than any receiver in the league, but his ability to hit the target during casual sex has been prolific. 

Tyreek Hill’s Baby Mama Drama

Hill has been a busy man. Baker, 30, claimed that the newborn was conceived during an August 2022 hookup with Hill.

She said she was receiving $2,500 from him each month but estimated the real cost of caring for their daughter was closer to $10,000.

“The father has in fact demonstrated utter and abject unconcern for the child in wholly failing to act as a parent and is completely failing to support the child,” Baker’s petition alleged.

Hill didn’t contest the results of a DNA test but argued unsuccessfully that California-based Baker had no grounds to file for paternity in Florida, where he lives and works.

A court order published Monday confirms the pair reached a confidential paternity agreement backed by the signing of an NDA (non-disclosure agreement).

“The respondent is the natural and biological father of the child,” the document, obtained by the Daily Mail, confirms.

Hill — nicknamed Cheetah because of his blistering speed — is already paying $13,500 in monthly child support for his three kids with former fiancée Crystal Espinal.

In a separate Broward County paternity suit filed last year he was declared the dad of Soul Corazon Hill, born in February 2023.

The boy’s mom, Brittany Lackner, 30, said his initial offer of $2,500 a month was “woefully inadequate” for someone on a $30 million salary before the pair reached a confidential deal.

When Hill isn’t making babies he’s still trying to meet his next baby mama. 

First it was his mansion catching fire, and that was followed by multiple paternity suits which proved Hill fathered three children in an over a four-month span in 2023. Next it was a social media influencer claiming Hill broke her leg doing football drills in the backyard of his South Beach mansion. 

None of those children is with his current wife Keeta Vaccaro, whom Hill married in November and has dated on and off for years. Vaccaro is the sister of NFL safety Kenny Vaccaro.

Just nine days after the Dolphins season ended with a 26-7 wild card playoff loss to the Chiefs, reports of Hill filing for divorce from Vaccaro after a brief marriage, hit every media outlet.

Not long after that police were reportedly called to the talented and mercurial wideout’s home for an alleged domestic dispute between Hill and Vaccaro.

Hill Reportedly Assaulted Vaccaro With Unlit Cigar

Per reports, Hill was upset because of Vaccaro’s refusal to sign a postnuptial agreement presented to her.

At that time Vaccaro told reporters that Hill’s rage and anger made her feel “bullied, threatened and verbally abused.” Vaccaro says Hill also “smashed” an unlit cigar into her face. Hill vehemently denied doing so saying he just “flicked” the nicotine stick. Vaccaro’s refusal to agree to the postnuptial agreement obviously threw a monkey wrench into Hill’s representatives’ plans to cover his assets.

That’s probably something Hill should’ve had done prior to getting married during the Fins’ bye week. 

Hill Signed $120M Contract In 2022

In any event, Tyreek Hill, who signed a $120 million contract extension with the Dolphins in 2022, has been the barometer for the highest-paid wide receivers at $30 million a year.

If he keeps having babies he will definitely need to maintain his money flow.

Hill, who is approaching the end of his deal with the Miami Dolphins, is looking to exceed the $30 million per year range with his next deal.

Related: They Dont’ Call Tyreek Hill ‘Cheetah’ For Nothing | Third Woman In Four Months Says NFL WR Is The Daddy  

“I’m very excited to like just be a part of the old wave, which was $30 million, and Justin Jefferson came and surpassed that, man,” Hill said this month, via KPRC 2 in Houston. “So, very proud of those guys, happy for obviously my teammate [Jaylen] Waddle getting his new deal.”

“For guys like me, that’s great,” Hill added. “I’m 30 years old, also looking for a new deal. So, very, very excited to see where I fit into that category. It’s amazing.”

Sort of like Hill’s rate of procreation. 

‘I Gotta Get Outta Here Before I Lose My Life’ | Davante Adams Threatened To Bounce If Las Vegas Raiders Didn’t Bench Jimmy Garoppolo

Jimmy Garoppolo was supposed to be the guy to the lead the Raiders to greener pastures, instead he became the perfect tool for star wide receiver Davante Adams to test his influence on the franchise.

The Las Vegas Raiders enter the 2024 season with a question mark at quarterback. After nine seasons of Derek Carr calling the signals, the team moved on from him following the 2022 season.

That opened the door for the team to sign former New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo as a free agent before the 2023 season.

The former Eastern Illinois star signed a nice three-year, $72.5 million contract, but he struggled from the onset. 

In his first six starts Jimmy G completed over 65 percent of his passes, but for a paltry 7.1 yards per completion. His seven touchdown passes, and nine interceptions didn’t help his cause either, and he was eventually benched in favor of 2023 fourth-round pick Aidan O’Connell. But, the real kicker is former All-Pro wideout Davante Adams played a role in the move. 

Adams Was In On Jimmy G Benching 

It’s no secret that Adams wasn’t happy about the Raiders benching the aforementioned Carr late in the 2022 season. Carr, the franchise’s all-time leader in passing yards (35,222) and touchdowns (217), also happened to be Adams’ good friend and former QB at Fresno State and was the reason Adams was OK with coming to the Raiders. During a recent episode of the Netflix show the “Receiver” in which Adams is featured, he didn’t hold back on his involvement in the move to sit Garoppolo.

“Well my opinion on that, was I signed off on that,” Adams said. “And that’s the reality of it. You know, I love Jimmy and he’s a great guy, but something had to happen in order for us to have a chance down the stretch and in order for me to remain a Raider, in all honesty.”

Sounds like Adams gave the Raiders an ultimatum, either they sit Garoppolo or he would look to force his way out of Vegas. Adams’ opinion obviously carries some weight as the Raiders released Garoppolo at the beginning of free agency. 

Aidan O’Connell The Long-Term Answer? 

O’Connell started ten games, going 5-5, including what many considered a franchise-altering win at the back-to-back Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.

For the season he completed just over 62 percent of his passes for an even lesser yards per attempt (6.5) than Garoppolo, but he protected the football much better, with 12 touchdown passes and just seven interceptions. It seems Adams saw enough from O’Connell to trust him as the starter, and he even told the folks at Fox Sports 1 this in a recent interview.

“I want whoever is going to look the best when it’s live bullets,” Adams said. “I think right now if I had to say, I think Aidan has the job, because obviously he was here before and that’s the way that it was. He was running with the one’s more and until Gardner Minshew comes in and takes the job away from him, I think it’s Aidan’s job right now.”

Adams seems comfortable with O’Connell, but in the same breath left the door open for newcomer and NFL journeyman Gardner Minshew to possibly unseat him if he’s better. 

Aaron Rodgers Hinting At A Reunion With Adams

At at charity golf event this week Adams’ former QB Aaron Rodgers caused a little controversy when asked about how Adams would be used in the Raiders’ new offensive attack. In fact he responded in the only way he could:

“I love Davante Adams. I can’t wait to play with him again.”

In 108 games with the Green Bay Packers Rodgers connected with Adams for 622 receptions for 7,590 yards and 69 touchdowns. 

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