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Who Runs The World: NCAA Women’s Hoops Sells Six Times More Tickets Than Men During March Madness

It’s no secret that women’s collegiate basketball is on fire, but now the numbers support the popularized premise. Women’s college basketball sells six times as many tickets for its Final Four stage as the men’s games.

TickPick has reportedly “sold six times as many tickets for the Women’s Final Four compared to the Men’s Final Four already,” they said in a post on X. And this spike in sales comes amid the pricing for women’s NCAA tickets costing more than men’s tickets.

The comparison of the NCAA Final Four and championship tickets shows that the NCAA Men’s Final Four games costs $260, and the NCAA Men’s Championship game costs $196. However, the NCAA Women’s Final Four games costs $472, and the NCAA Women’s championship tickets cost $424.

An X user identified as an Appalachian State beat reporter named Paul Leak quickly pointed out the seating chart differences for an NCAA men’s basketball event versus a women’s event, which TickPick co-signed.

“W FF site capacity: 19,432
— FF: $9.1M
— Champ: $8.2M
M FF site capaciuty: 77,612
— FF: $20.1M
— Champ: $15.2M
Supply & Demand,” Appalachian State beat reporter Paul Leak posted.

TickPick agreed, replying with a “Solid note.”

“Given the supply for the men’s final four, it is likely that the get-in price will drop significantly as the event approaches. If Iowa were to advance to the final four, it is likely that prices remain the same or increase,” the post from TickPick continued.

Look no further than the stars of the NCAA women’s basketball ranks for this achievement — Caitlin Clark’s historic final collegiate season, aka the “Iowa” in the TickPick online response. Clark recently broke the all-time NCAA points record. Along with the pop culture star power of Angel Reese, South Carolina’s dominance, and more are keeping the women’s game a hot ticket item.

The storylines are also very vast. From Angel Reese and LSU women’s basketball head coach Kim Mulkey’s relationship, or lack thereof (side eye), to Dawn Staley’s quest to return her Gamecocks to the championship game, women’s basketball is just plain interesting.

Clark and Reese created a women’s millennial NCAA version of Larry Bird vs. Magic Johnson, with Clark now being looked at as the next big thing in the WNBA to everyone not named Sheryl Swoopes. Where the Fab 5 and Tark’s UNLV Rebels kept the men’s game at the top of the heap in collegiate basketball at one time, now the tides have shifted, at least culturally, where people do not mind paying to watch the in-demand athletics services of the women’s collegiate basketball players.

LeBron James Says Steph Curry and Allen Iverson Are The Most Influential NBA Players and “Guys You Want To Watch Every Single Night”

One of the advantages of LeBron James having his own podcast is now he can pontificate on all things basketball, including the legacies of players he is either in direct competition with or has played with in his era. 

What does LeBron James really think of his competitors and contemporaries? 

James, speaking on the first episodes of his “Mind the Game” podcast, said both Iverson and Curry are odds-defiers to the point that he considers them as the most influential players in league history. 

Of course Bron’s opinion is informed by the past 20 years since he exploded onto the scene in 2003, but his basketball knowledge and IQ has long been lauded as one of the highest ever, so hearing him explain his choices would be interesting to any basketball fan.  

James said on the podcast that both Iverson and Curry defied the odds and explained just how influential they became.

LeBron James: “Steph and Allen Iverson are the two biggest influential guys in our game since I’ve been watching and covering it… Allen Iverson and Steph, they were just so relatable and kids felt like they could be them.”

(starts at 1:40 mark)

LeBron James Says Steph Curry & A.I. Most Influential NBA Players

There is no denying that Curry and Iverson are two of the most influential players in NBA history. In a more modern context, they might just be the most influential ones.

LeBron James said a decade ago that he considers A.I. to be the “pound-for-pound… greatest player who ever played.” He listed Iverson and Michael Jordan as his childhood idols back when he was with the Heat. 

James mentioned Iverson’s impact on culture and NBA fashion and how his influence transcended the basketball court. 

Iverson was the one who blew up arms sleeves and of course the cornrows, a cultural staple in the Black community, baggy clothes and his truck jewelry, was pushed into the face of the mainstream basketball fans and media. Iverson’s unapologetic Blackness was his calling card as he became the leading bridge between hip-hop and NBA culture, setting the foundation for players who came after him to walk in their truth and be expressive culturally, despite the pressures of a corporate existence. 

LeBron James: “You got AI who’s like unbelievable crossover, cornrows, arm sleeve. Everyone wears arm sleeves now because of Allen Iverson and he’s going in the trenches, laying it up over bigs whatever the case may be.”

James even has a tattoo in Iverson’s honor.

Curry has changed the game forever with his long-range bombing from any spot on the court. His success as the most prolific shooter in NBA history, has literally caused a shift in how hoops is played at the grass roots level and clearly how teams build towards success in the NBA.  

LeBron James: “And now you have Steph who’s shooting over the Empire State Building. Those two are the two most influential when you say the game, how they changed the game and the kids and those are two guys that you want to watch every single night.”

The fact that both Iverson and Curry are significantly smaller than their rivals and still prevailed, adds to the luster of their legacies. Their diminutive statures also make them more easily relatable to the common person. Especially once their ferociousness and killer instinct peeked through their million-dollar, baby face smiles.

Steph Curry Is 15-7 Against LeBron James In Playoffs: 3-1 In NBA Finals

Bron played Curry 22 times in the playoffs and Steph won 15 of those games, so Bron is speaking from experience. He dominated the NBA to a large extent, especially the Eastern Conference, going to 10 NBA finals, but as he enters the twilight of his career with the NBA All-Time scoring record in tow and his place among the icons, Bron has a chance to introduce his fan base to some other players who helped make the NBA what it is today. Whose impact on players, people and the game, inspired the young LeBron and the older LeBron James. 

A good word for the King on what will be a wildly popular podcast can do wonders for the legacies of past superstars and game-changers, who can easily be forgotten in this social media moshpit we currently exist in.

LeBron and Savannah James Enter The Conversation With Debut Podcasts | ‘Mind The Game’, ‘Everybody’s Crazy’

NBA all-time leading scorer and four-time MVP LeBron James has joined forces with former NBA sharpshooter J.J. Redick in a new venture.

The unlikely duo is set to debut its new podcast titled “Mind the Game,” which is set to air its first show Tuesday on YouTube. In conjunction with James’ Uninterrupted production company and Redick’s ThreeFourTwo Productions, the two highly intelligent basketball minds are hopefully set to take us on a journey through the game and the state of the game. 

In a press release James said, “I’m really proud of what we’ve done to innovate in sports media. When I do a project, the only thing I think about is whether me and my friends would watch it. That is definitely the case with Mind of the Game. Everything doesn’t need to be designed for internet culture and clicks.”

Redick seemingly piggybacked James’ statement:

“It’s meant to be a very free-flowing conversation about the sport and about the game. If you look at it in a very simplistic way, it’s just about basketball.”

How Will This Go? 

In the debut episode the LeBron and Redick talk basketball strategy over wine.

With the James and Redick dynamic it’s gonna be very interesting to see how things go with this podcast. With so many now doing or saying anything to get clicks and views, one can only hope it’s basketball talk in its purest form.

With these two, that goal is highly attainable because James is a savant of the game, and Redick has become one of the more prepared and outspoken NBA analysts around. 

He spots weekly on ESPN’s “First Take,” and let’s just say he does a great job of setting Stephen A. Smith, Shannon Sharpe and Kendrick Perkins straight. What makes it even better is he does it tactfully. That type of energy had to garner the attention of James, who isn’t going to sit and chop it up with just anyone. He definitely sees something he likes in Redick, and that’s why we’re here. 

Hopefully, we get some insightful stories and analysis from James, who’s still playing at a high level in Year 21 and Redick, a retired NBA player, analyst and podcaster (“The Old Man and the Three”). 

Idea Came About Recently

Per reports, the idea to create this podcast came during the league’s inaugural in-season tournament, won by the Lakers. Redick has become the de facto Lakers game color analyst for ESPN, spending a lot of time around James and the team.

Redick and James pride themselves on being students of the game, and that’s something you’ll likely see with both talking strategy and in-game adjustments, something Redick does with regularity as a color analyst.

James is very detailed in his approach, and few people would be influence enough to persuade him to sit and talk basketball weekly. Redick has seemingly earned that respect from his strong and fact-driven opinions. But what sets him apart is his willingness to not back down on ESPN with SAS, Unc Shay Shay and Big Perk usually yelling and screaming, while the former Duke sharpshooter plays it cool while spewing facts. 

It also doesn’t hurt that Redick has called James the GOAT since 2017. With so many choices of who to do a podcast with, he chose Redick, and that says a lot. 

Savannah James Starts Her Own Podcast

Bron, 39, isn’t the only James Gang leader who is venturing into the podcast business. His 37-year-old wife and rock, Savannah James is coming out of her shell of anonymity and using her voice. King James’ longtime queen recently announced her venture will be called “Everybody’s Crazy” along with co-host and Crown + Conquer founder April McDaniel.

Fans were given a number to call to have a live conversation with the hosts.  

Kenny Blakeney Leads Howard Basketball Into Another March Madness | The New HBCU Sports Powerhouse

For decades those proud Howard University alumni would lament their futility in sports because they were the proverbial academic school where athletics were the epitome of an afterthought.

However, with their second straight Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference men’s basketball championship following a visit to the Celebration Bowl, the level of success and expectations has risen along with their brand.

“There are those who might say that last year [2023] was a lucky year,” said Howard athletics director Kery Davis. “But when you go back to back that shows you are building a championship culture.”

Howard faces Wagner in a First Four NCAA Tournament game to tip March Madness off in Dayton. The two unheralded basketball schools are squaring off for an opportunity to play No. 1 seed North Carolina in the first round. It would be a great step for both programs.

Former Duke National Champion Blakeney and Howard Survived Injuries  

The Bison faced a rash of injuries that depleted their roster earlier this season, but the resilience that was installed by head coach Kenny Blakeney helped them cut down the nets in Norfolk after their victory over Delaware State.

Last season Howard made its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 1992 and got stomped by No. 1 seed Kansas, 96-68. This season, Howard seems to be a team of destiny led by fourth-year coach Blakeney, who was a part of Duke’s 1991 NCAA championship team, blending quiet confidence with understated style and not putting himself ahead of the program.

If you didn’t know he was crafted from the championship armor of a blue-blood program, his star presence would be inconspicuous in a packed room.

He came back to the DMV wearing nothing but passion as he began crafting a program in ashes when he came to Howard.

“I love Howard University,” Blakeney said in a press conference. “There’s no place I’d rather be as a higher education professional. Having the chance to help the next group of successful professionals reach their goals in life after basketball is a joy for me”.

Road To Consecutive MEAC Titles

The road to consecutive conference titles was not without its potholes along the way. In his first season, Howard finished 4-29 and they lost 15 of 16 conference games. 

Then came the COVID season of 2021 which shut the program down. However, Blakeney responded by landing the nation’s top prospect Makur Maker.

Maker set back the program because he didn’t stay healthy, but his decision to go to an HBCU had an immediate impact on recruiting.

However, that was where the renaissance began. The Bison haven’t produced a losing season since the pandemic.

Now that Howard has won back-to-back MEAC titles the perception of the program is no longer that of a transfer program, it has become a destination for elite players. Blakeney’s millennial personality has been able to resonate with top ballers who now embrace the HBCU experience. 

As one who played for the late Morgan Wooten at historic DeMatha Catholic High School in suburban Maryland and then the NCAA’s all-time winningest men’s hoop’s coach in former Duke legend Coach K, Blakeney has planted a flag of championship credibility in DMV. 

High Level Recruits Choosing Howard

In one of the most fertile recruiting bases for college basketball prospects in the country. when HU knocks at the door recruits are willing to do more than just listen.

“Coach Blakeney told me about his vision and the opportunity I would have here,” guard Jelani Williams said in the postgame presser. Williams played at Sidwell Friends School, where Sasha and Malia Obama matriculated during their father’s presidency.

“Being from the DMV, it was about legacy. I had the opportunity to come back home and be around my family to do something that hadn’t been done in almost 40 years, so I jumped at it. I went to middle school on Howard’s campus, so it was a no-brainer.”

A Howard victory over Wagner in the first game of the NCAA Tournament would create a ripple effect in the only nationally televised game at the time.

The Bison are now in a position to be the focus of the basketball world and maybe even the next Cinderella story, with a chance to get their first victory in the NCAA Tournament, which would definitely help change the perception of HBCU basketball forever. 

“Hill Smashed An Unlit Cigar In Her Face” | Dolphins Star Tyreek Hill Allegedly Abused Wife For Refusing To Sign Postnuptial Agreement 

It’s been an eventful few months for Miami Dolphins superstar wide receiver Tyreek Hill. The dynamic game-breaking speedster has found himself on the wrong end of a handful of things.

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. One would think that was the reason why Hill filed for divorce in January as well. 

Since then, the two have reportedly made up and, per Hill, the divorce filing was a mistake. Now reports are coming out as to why Hill originally filed for divorce just months after tying the knot. 

Postnuptial Disagreement Spurred Filing? 

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 hit every media outlet. Not long after that police were reportedly called to the talented-but-mercurial wideout’s home for an alleged domestic dispute between Hill and wife Vaccaro. 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 Unfortunately Is No Stranger To Domestic Violence

Hill, who’s currently the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL at $30 million per season, has pleaded guilty to domestic violence in the past. While attending Oklahoma State in 2015, Hill was arrested for punching and choking his then-pregnant girlfriend.

In this case, Hill got off pretty light when you consider his actions. He was sentenced to three years’ probation. It ended up being a 52-week batterer intervention course and then two years of supervised probation. 

As a result of his guilty plea, he was not labeled a convicted felon and the charges were eventually expunged from his records once he completed the probation agreement. He was also still made eligible to play college athletics although Oklahoma State moved on from him. 

The Fins need their star player to get it together off the field. This entire offseason has been filled with his weekly antics, and that’s something that can’t sit well with team brass and officials.

RG3 Says Caleb Williams Should Pull An Eli Manning And Refuse To Play For Chicago Bears

Eli Manning pulled one of the greatest power moves of all time when he refused to play for the San Diego Chargers because he didn’t like the direction the team was going in – and forced his way to the New York Giants via a draft day trade for Phillip Rivers in 2004.

The trade worked out masterfully for Manning as he became the greatest QB in franchise history and a two-time Super Bowl winner in an illustrious career that spanned two decades. 

Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III often wonders what his career would be like had he not gone to Washington, where his stardom was short-lived because of injuries that derailed his career. 

RG3 Says Caleb Williams Should Refuse To Play For Chicago Bears

Griffin said he believes projected No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams should do the same and use Justin Fields as an example of why he doesn’t want to go to Chicago. 

“With everything that just happened with Justin Fields, can Caleb Williams really look at that and say, ‘This is the organization that has my best interest at heart, and they are going to help develop me into the player I want to become,’” said Griffin, the No. 2 pick by Washington in the 2012 NFL draft.

Chicago Bears Sold Justin Fields Short

Griffin’s main issue is the compensation that the Bears got back for Fields. RG3 says the team should have accepted one of the better offers. So, from his perspective, they devalued Fields and considered him a throwaway at 25 years old. 

That may have rubbed RG3 the wrong way, but the prevailing thought is that the Bears wanted Fields to land in a place that he felt comfortable and could eventually reach his potential. They appear to have taken the business L in order to do him a favor, but RG3 didn’t see it that way.

“I thought [Bears GM] Ryan Poles was having an amazing offseason up until this trade for Justin Fields. You trade Justin Fields to get some players back to help your team out this year.” Griffin said. “Because Ryan Poles and [head coach] Matt Eberflus, they are in a lame duck season. They have to win this year or they are going to get fired.”

Chicago Has Poor Track Record Developing Passing Quarterbacks

Chicago is known for the same thing it has been known for over the past 75 years: a ground and pound attack and defense. While the rest of the NFL has joined the air revolution, Chicago remains the only franchise without a 4,000-yard passer, which is almost impossible in today’s NFL. The franchise hasn’t been able to draft a sustainable QB and place pieces around him to help that quarterback elevate his game. 

If the Bears do draft Williams with the No 1 overall pick, expect him to have some high demands and perks within his contract. Rumors have floated for months that Williams and his camp aren’t happy with going to the Bears who have shown no signs of being able to handle a multi-dimensional, unique quarterback like Williams, who has tried to squelch any notion that he would refuse to play in Chicago, in a recent ESPN interview. 

“If I get drafted by the Bears, I’ll be excited,” Williams said. “If they trade the pick, and I get drafted by someone else, I’m just as excited.”

Most NFL insiders have reported that Williams to Chicago is a done deal, but situations such as Eli Manning in 2004 do happen. If any player had a right to refuse to go to a team it’s Caleb Williams, and RG3 agrees. Look no further than their past two quarterbacks drafted. Williams had a sensational second season at USC, throwing for 3,633 yards, 30 touchdowns and five interceptions.

We will quickly find out if it was Justin Fields or the Chicago Bears system that wasted fans’ time the last four seasons.

Mike Tyson Risks Ruptured Brain To Fight Opponent 30 Years Younger In Attempt To Keep Pro Boxing Relevant

Mike Tyson has nothing to prove and much to lose in his boxing match with YouTube star-turned-pro-boxer Jake Paul, scheduled for July 20 at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys. The fight will be via PPV and streamed on Netflix as the movie giant ventures into the live sports and streaming arena.  

Paul, on the other hand, has everything to gain. It’s authenticity versus manufactured greatness at its best. An example of how the two worlds is now a dual-functioning entity when it comes to the future of boxing and selling it to the mainstream.

Tyson is an icon, willing to share his hard-earned legacy with a guy who rode social media to stardom and opportunities beyond his wildest dreams. 

In this wacky world, where social media and sensationalism is the tail wagging the dog, a clash of these two unique cultural icons satisfies the thirst of everyone looking for a boxing moment that transcends the ring and unites families and people of all age groups along contrasting narratives. 

Paul is in his prime at age 27, having already fought once this year. Tyson, who was walking with a cane two years ago, will be 58 when the fight jumps off in front of hundreds of thousands, maybe even millions, of subscribers. 

Tyson Risks Brain Damage In Fight With Jake Paul 

Reports say doctors have warned Tyson that his upcoming match with Paul could lead to serious injuries, including ruptured veins in his brain. There were rumors that both fighters would wear head guards, which would undoubtedly lessen the attraction of the bout and weaken promoters trying to sell it as a “real boxing match,” not an exhibition. 

Paul dismissed those rumors and as expected, he’s leaning into this promotion like his brother Logan leans into full dismounts off the top rope in his job as a pro wrestler. 

This clash is more than three years in the making, so Paul has strategically maneuvered himself to career-defining moment. At the time, the narrative was whether or not Paul could even withstand a Tyson punch.

Will Tyson-Jake Paul Be A Real Fight? 

Which leads us to the authenticity of the fight. Will both fighters really be trying to knock the other out? How many rounds are we talking, because Tyson hasn’t fought competitively since his popular return bout against Roy Jones Jr. in 2020. 

Jones and Tyson had both seen better days, so it was an evenly matched fight that ended in a draw. Paul is not an over-the-hill champion boxer with more than 50 fights under his belt. 

Paul is on a run and in the prime of his life. He has won nine of 10 fights with six knockouts against a group of former athletes and MMA fighters. His only loss came last year to Tommy Fury, half-brother of WBC heavyweight champ Tyson Fury.

“Iron Mike” Tyson, of course, was the undisputed world heavyweight champion from 1987-90 and retired in 2005 after winning 50 fights, 44 by knockout.

“My sights are set on becoming a world champion, and now I have a chance to prove myself against the greatest heavyweight champion of the world, the baddest man on the planet and the most dangerous boxer of all time. Time to put Iron Mike to sleep,” Paul wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Tyson Looking Serious

Tyson released a video, where he was looking quite fit and ferocious. The champ sent a warning to Paul that got everyone feeling real nostalgic, including Chuck D of the legendary hip-hop collective Public Enemy. 

The way people react to a short video of Tyson is why this fight will generate big money. We can’t ignore the age difference. We also can’t ignore the warnings that doctors have given Iron Mike. Maybe they are exaggerated and lend mystery and tension to the event. Between now and July we will probably hear some of the weirdest stories and narratives surrounding the throw-down. There’s also still the possibility that the fight, which is four months away,  never happens if Tyson has any physical setbacks during his training camp. 

All of this unpredictability adds to the allure of the fight. Nobody knows what we are really going to get, but we all have our imaginations.

Mike Tomlin and GM Omar Khan Got A New QB Room For $4.5M | How Will They Utilize Both Russell Wilson And Justin Fields?

When the Pittsburgh Steelers’ season ended with a wild card playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills, team owner Art Rooney II let it be known he was not happy with just getting to the playoffs.

The usually reserved owner pretty much told reporters that while non-losing seasons were good, that’s not the standard in Pittsburgh.

Art Rooney

His displeasure resides with the team’s winless playoff drought, dating back to the 2016 season, and in essence, he put head coach Mike Tomlin and GM Omar Khan on notice.

Back in January, Steelers owner Art Rooney, who rarely makes any statements regarding the team to reporters cleared up any misconceptions about his feelings towards the team.

“We’ve had enough of this,” Rooney told ESPN. “It’s time to get some wins; it’s time to take these next steps.”

The Steelers have made postseason appearances in four of the last seven years but have been knocked out in the Wildcard round in 2020, 2021 and 2023. 

The club hasn’t won a Super Bowl since 2008 and their last appearance in was in 2010.

Art Rooney Wanted Steelers QB Situation Fixed ASAP

Rooney was saying fix this and fix it now. The Steelers have definitely made some changes that should help their team going forward. After two seasons of putrid quarterback play from Mitch Trubisky, Kenny Pickett (traded to the Eagles) and Mason Rudolph, the team went out and signed future Hall of Famer Russell Wilson and then traded for Chicago Bears 2021 first-round pick Justin Fields. 

Tomlin Makes It Clear That Russell Wilson Is QB1

Upon trading for Fields, Tomlin whose record for consecutive non-losing seasons to begin a coaching career reached 17 this past season, made it clear that Fields was coming to Pittsburgh as the team’s backup. 

Per Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network Tomlin was straightforward with his plan going forward. 

“Speaking of Justin Fields and the Steelers trade, coach Mike Tomlin reached out to Russell Wilson last night when the trade was  going down to let him know he was the starter. @TomPelissero said it last night, and  Tomlin views that as the plan. Fields will compete, regardless.”

Fresh Start For Justin Fields

Smart move by Tomlin to etch roles in stone to squash any potential confusion. It’s also an opportunity for Fields to recalibrate himself behind a veteran quarterback. He’ll get to see how Wilson prepares and handles the daily grind of being a starting QB in the NFL. A blueprint to success that he didn’t have in Chicago. A positive step after the beating he took in the Windy City, and he’s still only 25 years old.

Two QBs For Under $5 Million In 2024

The Steelers unloaded the aforementioned Pickett for a 2022 first-round pick, Trubisky, who is a former No. 2 overall pick, and Rudolph, a longtime backup or third-string guy. They then landed two starters for a grand total of $4.5 million next season. 

Wilson will make $39 million, but the Steelers only owe him $1 million of that. As for Fields, he’s due to make $3.5 million in year four of his rookie deal. The Steelers must decide if they wanna pick up Fields’ fifth-year option for 2025 and also extend Wilson beyond 2024.  

How Will Wilson/Fields Dynamic Play Out? 

The Bears, who reportedly received much better offers than the sixth-round pick they got for Fields, did him a solid for his loyalty and professionalism and traded him to his desired place.

That now sets up and interesting dynamic between the two QBs and first-year offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, whose strength is designing a strong running game and throwing off of play-action. 

Wilson’s strength is throwing the deep ball off of play-action. As for Fields, he’s a great runner and off-schedule passer. In fact, since 2022 he has more rushing yards — 1,900 — than any other QB.

In many ways both QB’s skill sets mesh, making it easy for Smith to design an offense that will allow him not to have to deviate from the game plan if one were to unfortunately go down. 

This situation is ten times better than that of the last two seasons minus Ben Roethlisberger at the helm. 

Women’s History Month: Happy 54th Birthday Queen Latifah, ‘You Taught Us How To Be A Queen’

Queen Latifah has done it all. She’s one of the first female rap stars of the 1980s. The Newark, New Jersey product signed with Tommy Boy records in 1989. She has flipped that early mic hustle into an empire as a performer, record producer, businesswoman, actress, singer, and iconic spokesmodel. Her positive, potent and enlightening contributions to Black music, TV, and film are legendary.

Today, the living icon turns 54 years young.

The Queen was serenaded with a full-crowd rendition of Stevie Wonder’s “Happy Birthday” at the recent NAACP Image Awards on Saturday.

Actor Erika Alexander told her: “You taught us how to be a Queen”

Queen Latifah Is Legendary 

Her debut album All Hail to the Queen went platinum and later, her single “U.N.I.T.Y.” earned Latifah her first Grammy Award.

She has also garnered acclaim on the big screen and appeared in a number of high-profile films, earning her first Oscar nomination (best supporting actress) for her performance in the 2002 blockbuster musical Chicago.

As a member of the cast for the classic and groundbreaking sitcom “Living Single,” Latifah was part of a Black woman revolution that saw the portrayal of the everyday Black Queen —  in all her imperfections and glory — finally presented to the world.

Her performance in HBO’s Bessie Smith was classic and showed the depth of her strength, versatility, and adaptability as an actor.

The Comeup

Latifah was born Dana Elaine Owens on March 18, 1970, in Newark, New Jersey. Hip-Hop was her ticket to freedom of expression, female empowerment and evening out the field in the male-dominated music industry.

Her value to our culture has withstood the test of time. She has personally endured heartache, a few run-ins with the law, brief drug addiction and the tragic loss of her older brother on a motorcycle that she purchased for him. Latifah is the epitome of strength, talent, the complexities of humanity and the multi-faceted greatness of the Black woman.

Her music always uplifted her people and reflected positively on the realism of rough urban conditions.

To celebrate a trailblazer and groundbreaker like The Queen is a no-brainer. Especially when the 5-foot-10 Latifah was a former high school basketball power forward. Her vivacious spirit and edgy yet feminine rap personality was influenced by her days on the hardwood, balling with girls and guys and putting in that work.

From Hoops To Hip-Hop

One of her classic moments that affirms her athletic gangster is when she ripped Shawn Kemp in a celebrity game and went coast for the layup.

When she had The Queen Latifah Show some years back, she had a “Hoop There It Is” segment where she played mini-hoops against celebrities.

From hoops to Hip-Hop to Hollywood to the heavens, Queen Latifah is a soul survivor and entertainment provider worthy of praise during Women’s History Month.

Social Activist, LGBTQ Leader, Hip Hop Pioneer

Who can forget the 2016 VH1’s Hip Hop Honors event, where the 46-year-old rapper threw her profound voice into the national conversation being dominated by issues of police brutality, racism and Colin Kaepernick’s freedom battle with the NFL. Latifah said it was imperative we changed deeply entrenched racist attitudes within society.

And despite the meteoric rise, the Jersey shorty-turned-Queen L-AT-I-F-A-H in command still rocks the mic. 

Queen Collective Allows Women To Tell Their Own Stories Through Film

As more women begin to assert themselves and rise to fame in the rap game: Cardi B, Nicki Minaj, Megan Thee Stallion, etc, they all should thank Queen Latifah because she pioneered this women’s rap thing like nobody else and she did it with dignity, grace, and strength and truth.

She continues to expand her influence and impact on the community with ‘Queen Collective,” where she is allowing women of color to tell their stories through film from ideas to distribution.

‘That Stuff Matters’: Deion Sanders Thinks Shedeur Sanders and Caleb Williams’ NFL Careers Will Suffer If They’re Drafted By Cold-Weather Franchises

Deion Sanders has been studying USC quarterback Caleb Willliams’ draft process very closely, because if his son Shedeur has the season that he’s projected to have throwing the ball, the 6-foot-2 multi-talented QB could find himself in a similar situation in 2025. 

Being a No. 1 overall pick comes with extreme pressure, and you’re usually going to a team that isn’t very good. Those factors are tough enough for a rookie quarterback trying to break into the NFL. 

Sanders expressed some other concerns for Williams and how he will fare in Chicago’s cold weather, being a kid who played the majority of his football in California. 

Deion Sanders Says Teams Drafting Caleb Williams Should Consider Weather Conditions

The 22-year-old grew up in Washington, D.C., so he’s not totally oblivious to Northeast-type weather conditions, but Sanders doesn’t think it benefits Williams at all to be in potential frigid temperatures.

“Let me tell you something that I have a problem with. And this kid can flat-out play. I think he’s the best one on the board this year for sure. A kid that’s coming from California for the last couple years, right? And went to Oklahoma. That’s not terribly cold. Chicago’s cold, man,” Sanders told Mad Dog Sports Radio, via ProFootballTalk.

Weather is something that most draft picks don’t get to control. Teams such as Chicago, Minnesota, Green Bay and Northeast squads such as the New York Giants and Jets and Buffalo Bills often play in weather conditions that create challenges for quarterbacks in the fall and into the winter. 

Playing in Chicago in -5 degree weather conditions in late November is totally different from playing in Dome-controlled environment, in the South or on the West Coast. Every QB isn’t built to brave those conditions. 

It kind of sounds like a cop-out or Deion providing Williams with excuses if he doesn’t pan out in Chicago.

“You gotta think about that kind of stuff when you’re taking a young man. Like, see, when you take a guy from Ohio State and you bring him to Chicago, OK, I could understand that. But from California to Chicago? Not only that, but they also added what? One or two more games in the NFL. Seventeen games. Come on, man. You gotta factor in that stuff. That stuff matters.”

Deion Sanders Doesn’t Want Shedeur Sanders Drafted By Cold-Weather Franchise

Sanders’ son, Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, will enter the 2025 NFL draft as one of the first quarterbacks projected to be taken. Deion expressed his fear that his son will be dealing with a similar situation as Williams.

“Like, I don’t want my kid [Shedeur] going nowhere cold next year. He grew up in Texas. He played in Jackson, played in Colorado. Season’s over before it gets cold in Colorado. I’m just thinking way ahead. I don’t want that for him.”

Sanders brings up a point that is not often discussed when media members talk about quarterbacks and potential draft picks. There’s a significant advantage when it comes to throwing the ball effectively, for those quarterbacks who don’t have to concern themselves with wind or unfamiliar temperatures. 

In a day and age where players are calling more of their shots and more concerned about their brand than ever before, Shedeur Sanders’ personality would certainly fit better with a warm-weather, big market team. He doesn’t seem to be a good fit for a team such as Chicago or Green Bay or any other cold-weather squad with a blue-collar mentality.

Deion Sanders Warning Certain NFL Teams To Stay Away From Shedeur In 2025 Draft?  

Deion won’t be able to control where his son gets drafted in 2025, but he does know how to get his point across strategically. Coach Prime was laying the basic groundwork for his son’s draft process. Letting certain teams know from early that Sanders wouldn’t thrive in cold weather. This nugget will undoubtedly make its way back to the forefront of the media as next year’s NFL draft approaches and potential teams begin showing interest in drafting Shedeur.

Caleb Williams has all of the raw skills that suggest he could be the franchise QB Chicago is looking for. The trade of Justin Fields ended any speculation about the Bears trading away the No. 1 pick. The way he and his dad have conducted his recruiting and draft process, however, suggests that Williams needs ideal conditions in order to be comfortable.

The Bears already have personnel challenges that Williams will have to deal with the same as Justin Fields did. Having to go through such a difficult learning process in unfavorable weather conditions is something no first round QB with savior expectations want to deal with. Shedeur won’t have that problem until 2025, but Sanders, as we know, loves to stay ahead of the game.

Kwame Brown, Pat Beverly Call Out Gilbert Arenas For Sports Gossip | ‘Y’all Suppose To Be OGs. SMH’

It’s no secret that Washington Wizards former No. 1 overall pick Kwame Brown and his teammate Gilbert Arenas aren’t too fond of one another.

Brown, who’s been on a revenge tour the last couple of years against those who clowned him during and after his NBA struggles, has targeted Arenas often.

Brown hasn’t been shy about calling him “stupid” and “media controlled,” which is why he says Arenas acts the way and says the things he does. 

His latest gripe with Arenas stems from comments made by Arenas and another former Wizards teammate Nick Young concerning reality television star and social media influencer Draya Michele, who’s 39 and pregnant by 22-year-old Houston Rockets star Jalen Green.  

Arenas and Young are known to be very jocular, and this past week they showed that lasting immaturity during a social media session. 

Young And Arenas Put Draya On Blast, Brown Disapproves 

Young, aka Swaggy P, tells a story of how he was once a passenger in a car with Arenas coming from a strip club. He then proceeded to detail what he allegedly saw going on in the car between Arenas and Michele in the backseat. 

“If they only knew I was shocked too. That day when I was riding home with Philly. I don’t know if I can tell that story if you want me to tell that story,” said Young. “She’s a mother now. I can’t do that. That day changed my life. That day was when Swaggy P was like OK, this is what the NBA is about. … I’m riding in the car and he’s in the back seat. What were you doing in the back seat, Gil?”

That drew the ire of Brown who called out Arenas and reminded him that he has a mother and sisters and talking about another woman in that manner is unacceptable. Brown used some much more vulgar terms, but you get the gist of what we mean. 

For as much as Arenas talks and gets things riled up, he seems to tone it down when Brown comes for him. Maybe it’s because he knows Brown truly doesn’t care after all the jokes he’s endured as a result of his failed NBA career. 

Other NBA Players Call Out Arenas And Young 

Brown isn’t the only one coming for the two well-known jokesters. Phoenix Suns superstar Devin Booker took to X to say this.

“Y’all suppose to be the OGs. SMH”

Milwaukee Bucks guard Patrick Beverley spoke on the matter on X. 

“Sidenote Yal foul. Not cool. Not at all. @GilArenasShow Yal old asl talking about another man lady. Not cool gang. @PatBevPod.”

Good to see current and former players calling out Arenas and Young for too much pillow talk. It’s just sad that they felt the need to do that, especially knowing she’s a mom, and dating a fellow NBA player. 

Joie Chavis Knows How To Pick Em’ | She Has Children With Rappers Bow Wow and Future and one Coming With Cowboys Star Trevon Diggs

Dallas Cowboys star cornerback Trevon Diggs missed the entire the 2023 after tearing his ACL during training camp. That didn’t stop the former All-Pro cornerback, whose 11 interceptions in 2022 were the most by a player since another Cowboys corner (Everton Walls) accomplished that feat in 1981, from still putting in work. Diggs, the soon-to-be father of three, is about to have his third bundle of joy, this one with girlfriend Joie Chavis. 

Chavis, the 35-year-old dancer and social media influencer who already has children with rappers Future and Bow Wow, took to Instagram to announce her pregnancy. It wasn’t long after the announcement that the social media bandits began to go in calling her a gold digger and talking about the ten-year age difference between Chavis and Diggs. It’s something Chavis says she doesn’t pay attention to because it has no bearing on her life. 

Chavis Is Comfortable In Her Own Skin

During a 2020 YouTube question and answer on her channel, she told fans this about having children by two different rappers. 

“Some people say, ‘Oh, she’s a gold digger,’ or ‘She’s just having babies to secure a bag,’ I always worked since I was 15 years old. I don’t know what it’s like not to do anything.” 

‘So I think that’s the biggest misconception, and it doesn’t bother me at all,’ she added. “The people know me, obviously, I’m so much more than that.”

Having her third child by a rapper or athlete won’t do anything to change folks’ perception of her, but she doesn’t care. Rapper Bow Wow’s daughter is 12, and Future’s son is 5, so in essence you can say that Chavis really set herself up nicely. While she says she doesn’t receive child support, that’s something most won’t buy when considering the status of the men she’s chosen to have children with. 

In July, Diggs signed a huge five-year, $97M extension, including $21.25 million due at signing, with the Cowboys making him the fifth-highest paid cornerback in the NFL. 

Diggs Joins Jalen Green

They say everything is bigger in Texas, and it seems to be that way in Dallas and Arlington. Not only is Diggs having a child with a woman 10-years his senior who’s got children with two popular rappers. Jalen Green, the 22-year-old rising star for the Houston Rockets, is having his first child with reality television star Draya Michele, who’s 17 years his senior. In fact, Michele has a son Green’s age. 

Michele also has two other children, and one by Orlando Scandrick, a former NFL cornerback as well. 

If they like it, we love it!!!!! 

“Shame On You!”: Fans Pile On Serena’s Fashion Parade In Wake Of Simona Halep’s Vacated Drug Suspension | The GOAT Lives Rent-Free In Their Heads

Serena Williams is catching a fade online for something she didn’t do, and it all surrounds fellow player Simona Halep. The consensus world’s greatest tennis women’s player showed off her famous curves in some fashionable images featuring her wearing Valentino on her Instagram when fans began to attack her in the comment section. Serena’s old comments regarding Halep’s doping suspension were resuscitated amid some new information.

Halep, the former world No. 1 player from Romania, had her four-year doping ban reduced to nine months, and now she is eligible to return to competition. This made tennis fans take potshots at Williams, who lost to Halep in 2019.

Williams posted “8 is a better number” on social media after Halep’s doping ban was issued last year. Halep denied Williams her eighth Wimbledon title in 2019, but the post’s timing and the number 8 made many feel that the tennis legend believes Halep’s win over her is linked to the doping saga. Williams had only lost one of her past nine matches against Halep before the 2019 final, which was Halep’s first win over Williams in a Grand Slam.

At last year’s U.S. Open, Halep tested positive for the prohibited substance roxadustat, which increases endurance. As a result, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) suspended her for four years. Following a positive test, a tribunal for Halep was postponed from February until September 2023.

Halep announced that she would appeal the ban and was initially eligible to return to the sport in October 2026. Her team took action, identified the banned drug in her system, and presented evidence at a hearing in hopes of clearing her name.

Many felt that Serena’s post was cryptic and insensitive, and with the suspension lifted, fans wasted no time letting Serena hear it on her platform.

“Serena won’t ever apologise because she doesn’t have the self awareness or the heart,” posted Instagram user @feesfawn in the comments of Serena’s fashion post. “And someone with Simone’s strength and dignity doesn’t need it. Imagine taunting someone who was in the worst moments of her life, you’ve well and truly shown yourself, Serena. Heartless and unkind.”

Another user took a harsh shot at Serena.

“Simona Haelp has won. She was not guilty, Serena Williams,” IG user @sct.sc11 posted in the comments. “You and your husband laughed at her and made jokes about her…What do you think, Serena? You thought she won the Wimbledon against you, doing some dishonest thing, did you? Shame on you!”

On Tuesday, Halep posted a video practicing on the Miami Open courts for her first competitive return since winning her appeal. Let the rivalry continue, even if it is being ignited by the fans and not the players.

“Doesn’t Matter To Me”| Marcus Stroman Establishes Boundaries With Desperate Yankees By Refusing Opening Day Start

When Yankees ace Gerrit Cole went down with right elbow concerns (out 10-12 weeks), the Black baseball community got excited because the next logical candidate to fill the March 28 Opening Day void in Houston would be veteran hurler Marcus Stroman. 

Stroman is built for the big moment and says he came back home to New York to help the Yankees make history. 

Stroman would probably love the opportunity, but he has a finely-tuned body that must remain on a delicate schedule in order for him to remain healthy and effective throughout the 162-game grind, plus the playoffs. 

Marcus Stroman Make Business Decision: Won’t Pitch Opening Day

With all that is at stake with his new two-year $37 million deal, Stroman prefers to stay on his current schedule, which has the meticulous righty lined up to pitch March 30 (Game 3 of the Astros series), and the April 5 home opener against the Blue Jays, which of course, he prefers. 

Family and friends will be in attendance to see the Medford, Long Island, kid toss his first inning on the iconic Yankee Stadium hill. 

GM Brian Cashman and manager Aaron Boone approached Stroman to gauge his interest for the Opening Day assignment and the two-time All-Star, Gold Glove winner and 2017 WBC Championship star, passed on the opportunity.

According to reports, Boone is still holding out hope that Stroman will change his mind, but Stroman isn’t going to start changing routines just because it’s Game 1. 

He wasn’t shy about it either. 

“I think they thought I was going to be like, ‘Hey, let me get it,’” Stroman said of the conversation after a spring training outing against the Detroit Tigers at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium on Thursday.

“But like I said, that’s not my nature, man. Doesn’t matter to me.”

Of course, radio talking heads waiting for a moment to rip Stroman, who has the reputation of somewhat of a prima donna at times, didn’t like his decision either.

The way Stroman operates, he locks into a certain mental space and then he’s able to trigger all of the attributes, training and various preparations he puts into gearing up for an MLB season. 

Being mentally locked in from the beginning is just as important as how you feel physically. 

Stroman failed to make 30 starts in each of his two seasons with the Cubs (25), after leading the league with 33 starts for the New York Mets in 2021.

Marcus Stroman Focused On Long-Term Success

When the Yankees invested in Stroman, they invested in his program for achieving maximum results. Therefore, you can’t knock him for refusing the assignment and setting his boundaries.  

Do NOT come asking me to do any wacky stuff. 

“People don’t understand how much changing your schedule at this point in the spring — might seem like it’s easy — but every little day matters,” said Stroman, who has pitched in three Opening Days, including last year for the Cubs.

This shouldn’t be a big deal to the Yankees organization or Yankees fans. The long-term success of the team and health of the pitching staff in the wake of Cole’s unforeseen misfortunes, is most important. Let another professional starter on your staff have the honor of pitching an Opening Day. It’s a bucket-lister for any MLB pitcher of any talent level. 

For Stroman, there will be many more festive games. 

Every game will be a must-win game for Yankees starters as they navigate a brutal AL East Division without the Cy Young award winner and best pitcher in the game. 

This certainly wasn’t in the plans, after a productive offseason that saw the Bronx Bombers coral Juan Soto, Alex Verdugo and Trent Grisham, to balance out the Yankees’ lineup. 

Plus, Storman is in the Bronx to get wins and make headlines. He certainly craves that Opening Day slot at the stadium and barring Mother Nature impeding, he’s not letting anyone take that opportunity away from him. 

Stroman Make Black Pitcher History With Second Yankees Start 

How many Black pitchers have even started Opening Days at Yankee Stadium? 

One to be exact, and his name is CC Sabathia, who started a record six straight Opening Days for the Yankees from the season they signed him in 2009 until 2014. However, only two of those starts came at Yankees Stadium. A 2011 no-decision against the Detroit Tigers and a loss to the Boston Red Sox in 2013. 

Either way, Stroman will be the second Black pitcher to ever tote the rubber for a Yankees season home opener. 

There’s nothing better than that. Stroman is in the perfect position to start his Yankees career with a bang. No need to disrupt the money train, especially with Cole out for a significant amount of time to begin the 2024 campaign.  

The Elite NFL Quarterbacks Are In The AFC | How Did We Get Here?

For years the balance of QB power was pretty even as it pertains to the AFC and NFC. The AFC could always boast that it had Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, while the NFC countered with the Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers and Eli Manning.

That type of QB parity is no longer the case, and the bulk of top signal-callers reside in the AFC, including Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, Aaron Rodgers, Justin Herbert, Deshaun Watson, Tua Tagovailoa, Russell Wilson, Trevor Lawrence and reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud.

That’s 11 talented QBs with only seven playoff spots up for grabs and depending on how Colts second-year QB Anthony Richardson progresses, Indy could be in the mix  

NFC Doesn’t Have Same Quality Of QBs As AFC

Over in the NFC that isn’t much of a problem with only Dak Prescott, Jalen Hurts, Kirk Cousins, Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff ranking as the conference’s top 5 signal-callers.

Then there’s Kyler Murray and rising Packers QB Jordan Love, who showed he can play last season. Niners quarterback Brock Purdy led his team to the Super Bowl, but he’ll never be considered one of the best because of the loaded roster he has at his disposal.

Despite Prescott leading the league in touchdown passes (36) this past season, this group just doesn’t measure up against the AFC’s loaded group of signal-callers. 

Top 5 NFL QBs Reside In AFC

One could make the case that the top five QBs in the league reside in the AFC in Mahomes, Burrow, Jackson, Allen and even Aaron Rodgers. And if you take it a little further it could be 7 or 8 of the top ten with Herbert, Tua and even Watson when healthy, give or take a couple of those aforementioned NFC guys. 

When FS1s Colin Cowherd ranked the QBs he said, “Mahomes is the best quarterback. Nobody disputes that.”

He went on to say this about Burrow and Allen: 

“Burrow and Allen, you can argue, but they’re two or three in some order.”

Sounds about right.

But How Did We Get Here? 

In the past, the NFC did have many more capable QBs with the aforementioned Rodgers (who was traded to the Jets) prior to last season, or Brees, who retired following the 2020 season. Two-time Super Bowl winner Eli Manning played 16 seasons (2004-2019) with the Giants. Former MVP Cam Newton fizzled out in 2019-2020. 

It also shows that the AFC was willing to invest more draft capital into the position over the last few years, and for the most part it’s paid off. Over the last seven to eight seasons the NFC’s biggest mistake in drafting a QB was when the Bears inexplicably drafted Mitchell Trubisky over both Watson and Mahomes in the 2017 NFL draft. That was the NFC teams’ chance to get a real headliner for the conference going forward, and they whiffed on the pick. 

Now they’re putting their hopes in either Caleb Williams (Bears) or Jayden Daniels (Commanders), the projected top two picks in the upcoming draft, to become that guy. 

Good luck with that. No matter what transpires, until further notice the NFC QB room is the JV to the AFC’s varsity room. 

Ryan Clark Called Lamar Jackson First ‘Authentic’ Black QB and Twitter Lost It | This Is Why ESPN Inked Him To Mega Deal Making Over $2M Per Year

Ryan Clark said a mouthful without really saying anything, when he called Lamar Jackson, the first “authentic” Black quarterback on ESPN’s “First Take” this week.

That one statement set off a firestorm of social media reaction, pulling in all directions. 

Not that Ryan Clark sufficiently expounded on his comment, but he didn’t need to. His mission was already accomplished as social media came with an onslaught of photos, memes and names that should be offended by Clark’s statement from Steve ‘Air” McNair and Doug Williams to Randall Cunnigham, James Harris, the list goes on and on. 

The word “authentic” suggests that any quarterback who came before Lamar Jackson wasn’t his true self. Or at least that’s how many on X perceived it. 

Ryan Clark Erases 100 Years Of Black QB History

The fight for Black authenticity — which according to the reaction from Xers centers around a poverty-stricken come-up, using your skill to fight oppression, refusing to speak the King’s English or adjust your cultural shortcomings if it means appeasing others — was turned up.

Noone could settle on a definition for authentic, but labeling Jackson as a first of any kind incited a riot.

Other more “authentic” options were offered. Candidates were plenty, from Quincy Carter and his drugs problems, to Doug Williams being the lowest paid player in the league as a starter for the Tampa Bay Bucs back in 1979 (paid less than some backups), to Dak Prescott allegedly growing up in a trailer park to Cam Newton and his ghetto charisma to Jameis Winston, who stole crab legs as a college student to Joe Gilliam and Shack Harris who suffered indignities and disrespect beyond comprehension as pioneering Black NFL quarterbacks. 

Of course, Michael Vick went to prison for dogfighting. It doesn’t get any more authentically Black than that, according to X. 

In addition to being bombarded with comments from fans, Clark also had to field some backlash against a post he made from Jan. 24 that is resonating with more people today. Clark speaking on Lamar Jackson’s legacy entering this season’s AFC Championship game, and why a win for him would be different than any other Black quarterback before him. 

White Fans Came At Ryan Clark For Ranking Lamar Jackon Over Josh Allen

As if the backlash from Black Twitter wasn’t bad enough for his perplexing cultural take on Lamar, Clark was adamant about ranking Jackson ahead of Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, who has more playoff success, during a segment on “First Take.” 

Every other kind of Twitter and Xer came out against Clark, defending Allen and accusing the ESPN host of playing the race card. 

If attention is what Clark was looking for, he surely got it. He threw a bomb into the sports social media mosh pit and definitely struck a nerve. When you can access a large cross section of the sports audience with one comment then you know you’re influential in this space. 

With a new contract in tow, Clark has security and if the Lamar Jackson controversy is any indication, he’s going to go all out to move the needle, incite emotion and continue to rise in this game. 

Ryan Clark Is Moving Up ESPN Food Chain

After Clark’s previous contract expired, the nine-year TV veteran went public with his free-agent status and betting on himself. 

ESPN never gave Clark a chance to test the market and finalized a deal with the 44-year-old former NFL player last week that that sources familiar with the parameters believe will pay him over $2 million a year.

That would boost his pay beyond that of fellow ESPN analyst Mina Kimes, who earns $1.7 million annually, according to the New York Post. As part of the proposed ESPN contract, Clark will also be allowed to continue hosting “Inside the NFL” on the CW Network and his popular podcast, “The Pivot.”

Clark joined ESPN in 2015. He’s gotten better each season as a major contributor and driving voice on “NFL Live,” “Get Up,” “First Take,” and “SportsCenter.” 

In May, the Louisiana native won his first Sports Emmy for “Outstanding Personality/Studio Analyst.”

So, expect the cerebral Clark to continue to push the envelope and say things that will incite a reaction and carry the news cycle until the next day his face graces the screen. 

Mario Chalmers and Shaquille O’Neal Called Rudy Gobert’s Defense Overrated | Truth Is, Minnesota Timberwolves Center Is Better Defender Than Both

Basketball Hall of Famer and four-time NBA champion Shaquille O’Neal has always been very opinionated, and when he doesn’t like something he isn’t afraid to say it. That’s how he is every Tuesday and Thursday on NBA Tip-off on TNT along with Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley and Kenny “The Jet” Smith.

One player O’Neal has long been hard on is Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert, who’s won three DPOY awards and is the prohibitive favorite to win a fourth. 

Shaquille O’Neal Agrees Rudy Gobert Is Overrated Defender

Despite Gobert’s defensive prowess, O’Neal isn’t ready to call him a great defender. Former Miami Heat guard Mario Chalmers agreed with O’Neal during a recent appearance on “The Big Podcast.”

He even called Gobert an “overrated defender” something Shaq quickly thanked him for saying. 

Is “Stifle Tower” Really Overrated?

O’Neal is on record saying if he played in today’s era that Gobert would be barbecue chicken trying to guard him. That’s not really saying much because O’Neal made all of his defenders look like that during his illustrious playing career. During the episode with Chalmers, O’Neal piggybacked his comments saying this about Gobert as a defender. 

“I never thought he was a great defend player either,” O’Neal said. “See what it is, there’s not a lot of centers that are making him play defense. Like he’s not doing that sh-t against Joker cuz he’s got to be engaged. But when he’s going up against another guy, he’s 7-6, of course, if you lay it up, he’s going to block it. But defense to me is guard the guy and shut him down. You want to impress me? Hold Joker under 15 points. All that weak side blocking shots, that’s cool. But it’s not going to work against guys like me, Joker and Embiid.”

Shaq Made Some Good Points about Rudy Gobert’s Defense

Shaq has a point about Gobert not being a great individual defender, and he can’t play in the pick-and-roll either. His strength is team defense and helping teammates.

His 7-3 height is also a deterrent at the rim, and that’s a huge reason that the Timberwolves have been the top defensive team (108.3 points per 100 possessions) in the league this season. During his time in Utah, Gobert also helped the Jazz become an elite defensive team. 

Rudy Gobert A Better Defensive Player Than Shaq?

O’Neal doesn’t like Gobert, but he is a better defensive player than O’Neal was. Shaq had the propensity to loaf on the defensive end, making three second-team All-Defensive NBA squads in his career. As for Gobert, whose specialty is defending and rebounding, he’s made six consecutive first team All-Defensive NBA teams from (2017-2022). 

Must Be The Money

Some of Shaq’s disdain for Gobert stems from the big contract he received from the Utah Jazz in 2020. That’s when he signed a five-year, $205 million extension, putting him at $41 million per season. 

The Frenchman is the odds-on favorite to win the DPOY award this season, which would his record-tying fourth. He’d be in rarified air, along with former NBA legend Dikembe Mutombo who’s the only player in league history to win the award four times. He did it once as a member of the Denver Nuggets, twice with the Atlanta Hawks, and once with the Philadelphia 76ers. No, Gobert isn’t the one-on-one defender that Mutombo was, but he’s pretty good for what the Jazz and Timberwolves have asked him to do. 

Shaq and Rio Chalmers may believe he’s overrated, but Minnesota’s defensive stats and efficiency say otherwise. This season Gobert is averaging 12.9 rebounds per game (second in the NBA) and he ranks sixth in blocks at 2.1 per game. If there was a stat for forcing altered shots, Gobert would lead the league in that category hands down. 

Shaq Called Angel Reese To Congratulate Her For Protecting $2.5B Reebok Brand, But Should Bayou Barbie’s Bum Ankle Get Credit?

NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal has taken fellow LSU post player Angel Reese under his wing since Shaq’s daughter Me’Arah O’Neal was shown great concern and care by Reese on a recruiting visit.

Me’rah didn’t choose her father’s alma mater, instead committing to SEC-rival Florida. But Shaq’s increasing fondness of Reese resulted in him walking her out prior to her senior night game. 

Shaq Called Angel Reese After LSU vs. South Carolina Fight In SEC Championship Game

So, it’s not surprising that Shaq gave his new protégée a holler after her team scuffled with rival South Carolina in an SEC Tournament finals loss this past weekend, one that had social media buzzing and resulted in the arrest of LSU star Flau’Jae Johnson’s brother who jumped over the scorer’s table after his sister was shoved to the floor by Gamecocks 6-foot-7 center Kamilla Cardoso. 

O’Neal told Reese he was proud of how she handled the on-court fight between SEC rivals, as she avoided getting involved in the tussle. 

O’Neal, who provided support during Angel Reese’s multi-week absence from the team early in the season, when the media was heavily criticizing and scrutinizing her every move, described what he told her to Fox: 

“I called her, and I said, ‘You did the right thing,'” O’Neal said. “‘Trust me, you did the right thing, because if you would have gone out there, they would have been looking for you. You and [Kamilla] Cardoso get into a shoving match. She’s already ejected. Can’t play in the next round. That would have happened to you. It would have been all your fault.’ So, she did the right thing. Kudos to her.”

Reese Suggests She Didn’t Fight Because Of Sore Ankle

Reese had already received an intentional foul in the first half for an incident with Cardoso.  

She didn’t have any margin for error, or she would have been ejected and LSU can’t afford that. Besides, Reese arrived at the game in a walking boot because of a sore left ankle and any further injury or discomfort would have been another blunder. 

Reese mentioned this in the postgame presser, delivered in typical fierce fashion, as some suggested on social media that she bailed on her squad when she refrained from engaging in the potential melee.

“As a person at my STATUS, sometimes you have to walk away from certain situations,” the 21-year-old wrote on social media hours after the game, in which she still managed a double-double (15 points, 13 rebounds).

“Mind you the play before that I had rolled my ankle AGAIN and was already walking to the bench. I ALWAYS ride for mine. I’m super proud of this team & super excited for March.”

Good thing she shows more reserve than her coach, Kim Mulkey, who said that she wished Reese had been the one that Cardoso pushed, insinuating that Reese wouldn’t have gotten thrown across the floor like the 5-foot-10, tough-talking Johnson. 

“It’s ugly, it’s not good, no one wants to be a part of that,” Mulkey said to reporters. “But I’ll tell you this, I wish [Cardoso] would’ve pushed Angel Reese. If you’re 6-8 [6-7], don’t push somebody that little. That was uncalled for in my opinion. Let those two girls who were jawing, let them go at it.”

Reese’s wise decision gives her a week to rest her ankle and prepare for what will be one of the most anticipated NCAA Women’s Basketball tournaments in recent history.

Shaq Is Helping Angel Reese Get The Bag

Shaq was never one to back down in an NBA game, but then again he was shrewd when it came to making “business decisions,” and with Reese’s actual WNBA draft status still unknown, it’s good that she didn’t do anything to jeopardize her March Madness appearance or the future bag and continued relationships she will gain in the WNBA and with various brand such as Reebok, whom she signed a two-year deal with in 2023. 

A week after Shaq was named president of Reebok basketball, he snagged Reese, which boosted her NIL valuation to close to $2 million. 

Reese has the option of entering the WNBA Draft, where she is almost guaranteed to be taken in the top 5 picks, or return to LSU to keep running it up and trying for one more title, if they can somehow find a way to beat Iowa and South Carolina this tournament. 

Will Angel Reese Enter 2024 WNBA Draft?

Reese already has an NCAA Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player award under her belt. “Bayou Barbie” is averaging 19.1 points and almost 13 rebounds per game this season in her second season with the Tigers after transferring from Maryland. 

The fact that she can make more money with NIL deals than she would her WNBA salary might influence her decision. Rookies and players with two or less years of experience make a league minimum of $64,154, which is peanuts compared to what Reese would haul in next season if LSU advanced deep in the NCAA Tournament and provided fans with the current bravado that it currently displays. 

Then again, nothing is stopping her from continuing to get endorsement deals and branding collaborations, which would be unlimited and more prestigious because of her pro status. The WNBA needs Reese and Clark on a team ASAP, but maybe she decided to continue to build her social media following and milk the NIL mill for one more season. 

You know Shaq is probably advising her on all money moves, and however it shakes out, as long as Reese stays healthy and keeps her nose clean, she’s in line for more mean green. 

Patrick Mahomes Continues Tom Brady Legacy Chase | Deal Restructure Saves Chiefs $21.6M to Get Justin Jefferson, Who Wants To “Break The Bank” With $30M Per

Patrick Mahomes is back on his Tom Brady. After winning his third Super Bowl and second in a row, the NFL’s best quarterback is putting his money where his mouth is when it comes to winning championships. 

Kansas City Chiefs have restructured quarterback Mahomes’ contract, giving the Super Bowl champions some much-needed salary cap space.

By restructuring the contract, which would have counted more than $58 million against the cap for the upcoming season, the Chiefs created $21.6 million to bring in an elite receiver.

Patrick Mahomes To Justin Jefferson?

The speculation has thrust the name of Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson to the forefront. 

Even before quarterback Kirk Cousins departed for a massive deal with the Atlanta Falcons, Jefferson was unenthused with the direction of the team. Now with journeyman Sam Darnold being signed recently, the quarterback position is considerably weakened, and there’s no A-1 signal-callers left on the market. The draft is the next best option, and we know there’s no guarantees with that. 

Justin Jefferson Isn’t In Love With Minnesota

Back in January after a season-ending loss to the New York Giants, Jefferson, who is eligible for a contract extension, didn’t sound enthusiastic about committing long term to the franchise that could make him the highest-paid receiver in NFL history. 

He addressed whether he wants to remain with the Vikings long term, saying that so long as the Vikings want him, he’s here to stay.

“I mean, I will be wherever I’m wanted. If they want me here, I’m here. That’s not something that I can really control,” Jefferson told Pioneer Press reporter Chris Tomasson on January 16.

Bradyesque: Mahomes Gives Up Bread Now To Stay In Super Bowl Contention

In a league full of elite pass-catchers, Jefferson is considered by many to be the best in all of football. The 6-foot-1 playmaker has nearly 6,000 yards receiving and 30 TDs in four seasons. He only played 10 games in 2023 due to injury after playing at least 16 games in each season prior. 

This isn’t the first time Mahomes moved his money around in order to help the Chiefs strengthen the team. Mahomes also adjusted his 10-year, $450 million contract in 2021 to help the Chiefs with their financial situation.

With three Super Bowls in tow, Mahomes’ legacy now becomes a pursuit of greatness. Tom Brady restructured his contract several times during his two-decade run and six Super Bowl wins with the New England Patriots.

Vikings Say They Are Close With Jefferson On Long-Term Deal

 The Vikings made a late push to extend Justin Jefferson last offseason, and Minnesota says they have no intentions of trading Jefferson, but that hasn’t stopped media insiders from speculating on a potential divorce. 

Head coach Kevin O’Connell came out strongly against the rumors, stating during an appearance on “PFT Live” that the organization has no intention of trading their star wideout.

“I can tell you we have no intent to trade Justin Jefferson,” O’Connell said (via Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com). “We have had zero discussions, dialogue about that either internally, externally, on this planet or another planet. I feel very strongly that Justin is best in his position in football. Any time you’re trying to reset the receiver market — we know who he is, we know what Justin’s earned through his first four years in this league — you know how hard it is. … It was never gonna be something that was just going to be easy to get done, but the intent was there. The intent is still stronger than ever to get something done with Justin.”

Jefferson will play 2024 on his fifth-year option worth $19.74 million. GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah says the two sides got “unbelievably close” to an extension last offseason and he’s confident Jefferson wants to be in Minnesota. 

Justin Jefferson Wants $25-$30 Million Per

If Jefferson does stay, he’s not going to hand out any hometown discounts. The dynamic receiver has already said he wants to “break the bank” and is probably positioning himself for a deal that will surpass the $30 million average annual value set by Miami Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill. 

At the very least, Jefferson is looking to join the $25 million per year club. Three other WRs are currently making $25 million or more per season (Davante Adams, Cooper Kupp, A.J. Brown).

K.C. is the hunted and is trying to stay ahead of the pursuers with so many teams improving and adding reinforcements. Plus, life in the AFC is a gantlet of solid teams with elite quarterbacks. 

“There isn’t much of a recruiting pitch that needs to be made with Kansas City,” Chiefs player Drue Tranquill linebacker said Wednesday. “You have incredible leadership, top to bottom. You have a culture that’s a winning culture. … Everything at the Chiefs and in our organization is about winning, and it’s about hoisting the Lombardi Trophy at the end of the season.”

Tranquill sounds like the New England Patriots under Brady and Bill Belichick.

Well, that mentality doesn’t exactly fit with Justin Jefferson’s public expression to be among the highest paid receivers. However, Mahomes’ willingness to free up nearly $$22 million gets them closer to a number the wide receiver could be happy with if Minnesota was willing to let him walk out of the door. He also might want to win a Super Bowl, which would also enhance his legacy and lead to bigger bags.

Other talking Xers like Antonio Brown thinks the Steelers have an inside track on Jefferson.

This is looking like one of those stalemates that will carry deep into the offseason or possibly into next offseason. If Mahomes was able to secure JJ, it would be reminiscent of when Randy Moss joined Tom Brady and they shattered NFL passing records together and nearly had the first 19-0 season in NFL history.

Russell Wilson Has $61 Million Worth Of Property On The Market | Mike Tomlin Will Be Nine-Time Pro Bowler’s Best and Last Head Coach

Quarterback Russell Wilson announcing that he was signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers didn’t really come as a surprise. The Steelers struggled to find a replacement for Ben Roethlisberger since he retired following the 2021 season.

Despite their offensive struggles the Steelers still managed finish with winning records each season, keeping head coach Mike Tomlin’s record non-losing season streak to begin a coaching career intact. 

Following the team’s wild card playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills, team owner Art Rooney II, who stays out of coaching decisions, voiced his displeasure of having no playoff wins since the 2016 season. The well-respected owner let it be known that kind of mediocrity is unacceptable, and he put the pressure on Tomlin to figure out the one position that’s plagued the team the past two seasons. 

How Does RW3 Fit In The Burgh?

For a team that loves to run the ball with the dynamic duo of Najee Harris, who rushed for over 1,000-yards and eight touchdowns, and Jaylen Warren who added another 784 yards and four touchdowns on just 149 carries (5.3 yards per carry average), it’s highly unlikely the offensive transforms into an air raid with new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.

While the running game will still be its bread and butter, the good thing is they won’t have to be as one-dimensional as they’ve been the past two seasons. 

Wilson will provide accurate passing; leadership and he’s been one of the best play-action quarterbacks in the league since his rookie season with the Seahawks. Wilson is familiar with playing in a run-first system. That’s what it was in Seattle with Marshawn Lynch and a great defense to lean on. 

Tomlin and Smith also have the option of letting Russ cook and win a shootout, if need be, which is something they haven’t been able to do in years.

NFL analyst Brian Baldinger talked about the Wilson move to Pittsburgh on his “In The Huddle” podcast.

“I think it’s perfect,” Baldy said of the Wilson-Steelers pairing. “I got to believe Pittsburgh isn’t just handing him the ball. I got to believe there’s going to be some level of competition with Kenny Pickett. I mean Russell Wilson doesn’t look like the Russell Wilson of four years ago, to me, but he played much better this year.”

Wilson isn’t coming to Pittsburgh to be 2022 first-round pick Kenny Pickett’s backup, he’s coming to start, and the Steelers need him to be solid. 

Wilson And Wife Ciara Have Two Mansions For Sale

With Wilson’s abrupt ending in Denver the power couple has put their $25 million Denver-area mansion on the market. What’s wild is they still haven’t found a buyer for their $36 million mansion they had in Seattle when he played for the Seahawks. 

That’s $61 million in houses that the Wilsons are attempting to get rid of in two different cities. One has to wonder where they’ll live in or around the Pittsburgh area. With his contract being just one year, it’s highly plausible they rent something for the next 12 months. 

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