June 1, 2022

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Game 1 of the NHL Western Conference Finals wasn’t short on thrills. The Avalanche and Oilers combined for 14 goals — the most in a conference finals game in 37 years — as Colorado won 8-6. Your move, Rangers and Lightning.

The Money Behind Johnson’s Stunning LIV Decision [[link removed]]

Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports

Dustin Johnson’s decision to participate in the LIV Golf Invitational Series’ inaugural event has both shocked and puzzled the golf world.

On Tuesday, the Saudi-backed league announced 42 players for the 48-man, 12-team event in London on June 9-11, and Johnson’s inclusion was as surprising as LIV booster Phil Mickelson’s initial absence.

The World No. 13 men’s golfer previously pledged allegiance to the PGA Tour — where he’s won 24 titles including the 2016 U.S. Open and 2020 Masters — but a massive payday from LIV was enough to flip the Tour’s third all-time earner ($74.3M).

Johnson was paid $125M from LIV CEO Greg Norman to commit to the series, according to The Telegraph [[link removed]]. Total prize money for eight LIV events will be $255M, with seven regular-season tournaments featuring $25M purses — and $4M for winning.The top three individuals after seven regular-season events will share a $30M bonus, and a final match-play championship will feature $50M in payouts.

The 37-year-old is one of three former World No. 1’s (Martin Kaymer, Lee Westwood) to commit to the tournament — and it appears there will be consequences.

According to the New York Post [[link removed]], Johnson sponsor RBC implied it has cut ties with him — a decision probably influenced by the fact that the London event will be played the same weekend as the PGA Tour’s RBC Canadian Open.

In addition, the PGA Tour [[link removed]] may discipline those who participate in LIV events.

Quin Snyder Could Be First Domino in Jazz Rebuild [[link removed]]

Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

The Utah Jazz have become notorious for overachieving in the regular season, then crashing out early in the playoffs — despite putting together an enviable, balanced roster.

Now, the first domino in a potential rebuild could fall sooner than later. ESPN reported [[link removed]] Tuesday that head coach Quin Snyder might be on his way out, despite two years left on his contract.

Snyder shouldn’t have a tough time finding a job. With a track record that goes back to 1992 and includes stints with Coach K at Duke and Mike Budenholzer in Atlanta, he’ll likely be the most coveted coach on the market.

Hired in 2014, Snyder is tied with Steve Kerr as the NBA’s third-longest-tenured coach.He’s 372-264 (58.5%) with the Jazz — both rank second in franchise history behind the legendary Jerry Sloan.He took only three seasons to turn a 25-win team into a 51-win powerhouse.

The report implies Snyder wants to move on, perhaps influenced by the unconvincing superstar tandem of Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, who haven’t been on the same page when it matters most.

The Jazz are just 17-22 in the playoffs with Mitchell and Gobert playing together, compared to 200-108 [[link removed]] in the regular season.

Snyder is also severely underpaid, making a reported [[link removed]] salary of $2 million per year. For comparison, Gregg Popovich, the NBA’s highest-paid coach, makes roughly $11 million.

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Goldschmidt’s Hot Bat Could Unlock Extra $2M [[link removed]]

Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

No hitter in baseball had a month quite like the Cardinals’ Paul Goldschmidt — and the veteran slugger’s torrid May could fill his pockets with extra cash.

On Tuesday, Goldschmidt’s RBI double in the Cardinals’ victory over the Padres extended his hitting streak to 22 games and on-base streak to 36. St. Louis has won eight of its last 11 to pull within three games of the first-place Brewers in the NL Central.

With incentives built into a five-year, $130 million contract signed in 2019, the 34-year-old could rake in up to $2 million on top of the $26 million he’s making in 2022 — which is already second among first basemen and 19th overall in MLB.

Goldschmidt leads the NL in batting average (.352), hits (64), SLG (.626), OPS (1.049), OPS+ (202), and total bases (114).In May, he hit .404 with 10 HRs and 33 RBI for an .817 SLG, .471 OBP, and 1.288 OPS.Incentive clauses reportedly [[link removed]] include $250,000 for a seventh All-Star Game selection, $250,000 for a Gold Glove (he has no errors in 383 chances), and $50,000 for a fifth Silver Slugger Award.

A run for his first MVP would add even more to Goldschmidt’s potential payday.

His deal stipulates a bonus of $1.5 million for winning, $1 million for finishing second, $500,000 for third, $250,000 for fourth or fifth, and $100,000 for sixth through 10.

Heading into June, Goldschmidt has the third-best odds (+700) to win NL MVP behind Manny Machado (+275) and Mookie Betts (+350).

Making Headlines

Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports

French Open: (5) Rafael Nadal topped rival (1) Novak Djokovic in four sets to advance to the men’s semifinals; the Spaniard remains on track to extend his records of 13 French Open titles and 21 Grand Slams. Also: (1) Iga Swiatek and (20) Daria Kasatkina each reached the semis.

WNBA: Becky Hammon’s Las Vegas Aces are 9-1, the best 10-game start to a head coaching career in WNBA history.

NHL: The Canadiens signed head coach Martin St. Louis to a three-year extension; St. Louis served as interim HC after Dominique Ducharme was fired in February.

MLB: Nationals GM Mike Rizzo told a local radio station that they have no intention of trading Juan Soto; Soto declined their 13-year, $350 million contract offer over the offseason.

NBA: Mike D’Antoni and Kenny Atkinson are reportedly [[link removed]] frontrunners to land the Hornets’ head coaching job.

NFL: For the first time since 2000, John Madden will be on the cover of “Madden 2023.” The Hall of Fame coach, broadcaster, and video game icon died in December.

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Written by Chris Kuc [[link removed]], Anthony Puccio [[link removed]] Edited by Brian Krikorian [[link removed]]

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