Today was a busy day in sports. Your daily sports wrap up. The most expensive news of today, star Dodgers Outfielder Mookie Betts has agreed on a 12 year, $365 Million contract-extension with the Dodgers. This contract will keep Betts away from free agency this winter. As part of the trade from the Red Sox, Betts signed a 1 year deal for $27 Million making his total earnings after 13 years, $392 Million. Betts said, “I just love being here… I love everything about here. I’m here to win some rings and bring championships back to LA. That’s all I’m focused on.” This will add even more talent to the already talented Dodgers team. "I think I just want to stick with, 'I'm here in L.A.,''' he said.
Now on the Ice, Seattle has just announced the beginning of a new NHL expansion team, the Seattle Kraken. The Kraken will make their NHL debut in the 2021-2022 season. The Kraken logo features a big “S” in the middle of it. Another possible name was the Seattle Metropolitans, however, that name was turned down by the commissioner. One month before the announcement, Amazon bought naming rights to the Seattle downtown arena which will be the home stadium for the Kraken and the Seattle WNBA team, Seattle Storm. This arena will cost Amazon $900 Million and will seat around 18,100.
To the court, last night was the first round of intrasquad scrimmages between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Orlando Magic. The players and fans were able to see the “new normal” of sports for a while. The Clippers played without Patrick Beverley, Montrezl Harrell, Landry Shamet, & Ivica Zubac. However, the still took a win over the Magic 99-90. This comes 8 days before the official NBA restart date.
In the NFL, as of July 22, 2020, if fans are permitted into NFL stadiums, it is required for them to wear face coverings. Many stadiums had already mandated masks for fans, however, it is now league policy. Also, Jets owner Woody Johnson is currently under investigation by the State Department for allegedly making racist and sexist remarks while working as the US’s ambassador to the UK. He allegedly argued that Black fathers don't remain with their families, calling that the "real challenge." Johnson would also comment on women at the embassy and would hold male-only parties to prevent female diplomats from attending.
The Washington NFL has chosen their temporary name for the 2020-2021 season as the “Washington Football Team.” This is not the permanent name for the team as they are trying to find a perfect name that represents their team’s “tradition-rich franchise.” The team retired their former name, “The Washington Redskins” on July 13, 2020. The team’s name controversy started when owner Dan Snyder bought the team in 1999.
In the MLB, Washington Nationals outfielder Juan Soto tested positive for COVID-19 on July 23, 2020. Soto would need to go through two negative COVID tests to return to the field. This means that Soto will miss the MLB’s opening night game between the Washington Nationals and the New York Yankees. Soto did miss the first two weeks of MLB “summer camp” for undisclosed reasons. More on the MLB, the Cleveland Indians will meet Native American groups on a possible name change for the franchise. The discussions have come right after the Washing Football Team retired its name “Washington Redskins.” This also comes during a time of social and racial injustice in America. The Indians removed the Chief Wahoo logo from their jerseys in 2018.
Today in Boxing, Mike Tyson, the former undisputed heavyweight champion has announced that he is making a comeback to boxing. He will face Roy Jones Jr. in an exhibition fight on September 12, 2020. Tyson (54 years old) will fight Jones Jr. (51) in an 8 round exhibition at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, CA. In an interview with ESPN’s First Take Tyson said, "It's because I can do it. And I believe other people believe they can do it too ... Just because we are 54, it doesn't mean that we have to start a new career and our lives are totally over. Not when you feel as beautiful as I do, and I'm sure that other people feel the same way.” The fighters believe that there will be no headgear but that they would use 12-ounce boxing gloves.
Your Daily Sports News.
Kourosh Farboodmanesh
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