June 21, 2022
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Gerrit Cole threw seven hitless innings en route to the Yankees’ MLB-high 50th win. All seems perfect in the Bronx, but will that be the case when Aaron Judge’s arbitration begins tomorrow?
Brooks Koepka Latest To Leave PGA Tour For LIV [[link removed]]
Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
On the heels of a thrilling U.S. Open that saw Matt Fitzpatrick [[link removed]] take home $3.2 million and his first major title, the LIV defections are back — and bigger than ever.
On Tuesday, four-time major champion Brooks Koepka became [[link removed]] the latest golfer to defect from the PGA Tour to the LIV Golf Series, according to the Telegraph [[link removed]]. He’s expected to debut June 30 at the next LIV event in Portland, Oregon.
Also making their debuts at the event are Bryson DeChambeau and [[link removed]] Patrick Reed, as well as Abraham Ancer, who left the Tour on Sunday, per ESPN Deportes [[link removed]].
Koepka is supposedly taking a seven-figure deal to join the Saudi-backed league, per the Telegraph — a controversial jump that could revitalize his career.
He has $38M in career earnings — but only $1.3M for the 2021-22 season.The 32-year-old has battled knee and hip injuries in recent years — and hasn’t won a major since the 2019 PGA Championship.His last PGA Tour win was at the Waste Management Phoenix Open in February 2021.
Koepka’s younger brother, Chase, was one of the first to join LIV — but may have only gotten the invite because of his last name, having mostly played on lower-tier tours for a world ranking of 1,607.
But the elder Koepka’s decision marks the crest of a new wave of defections that was once rumored to include Collin Morikawa.
However, the World No. 4 officially tweeted [[link removed]] that he is staying with the Tour.
Could Nets’ Kyrie Irving Stalemate Alienate Kevin Durant? [[link removed]]
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
With free agency set to begin in just over a week, the Nets and Kyrie Irving are reportedly [[link removed]] at a potentially dangerous stalemate.
The Nets prefer [[link removed]] to give Irving — who played only 29 games last season due his unvaccinated status — a short-term deal with incentives, but the seven-time All-Star wants a long-term contract similar to co-star and friend Kevin Durant — who’s on the books until 2026.
Considering the duo’s bond — Durant is widely acknowledged to have joined Brooklyn to play with Irving — any false moves from GM Sean Marks could [[link removed]] see the Nets lose both stars, a crushing blow for a team that mortgaged its future in search of its first title.
The 30-year-old Irving is eligible for a five-year, $245M contract if he opts out. He’s missed more regular-season games than he’s played (113-103) in three seasons in Brooklyn.Irving’s $37M option would give the Nets the NBA’s third-highest payroll next year [[link removed]].They’ve won just a single playoff series since 2019.
Irving has reportedly received interest from the Lakers, Clippers, and Knicks, but all three teams would need to shed salary to match anything close to his player option.
Ironically, Kyrie actually played more games than both Durant and former Net James Harden — while the latter’s replacement, Ben Simmons, never suited up for Brooklyn.
The Nets are essentially a step away from a shocking rebuild, but reality hasn’t hit oddsmakers yet — Brooklyn still has the fourth-best odds (+650) to win the Finals next season.
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The Evolution of Esports and Crypto
Over the last few years, esports and gaming has grown exponentially. What was once only considered a hobby is now a legitimate, competitive segment of the sports world that is constantly evolving.
The rise of blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies have made a significant impact on the evolution of the esports industry [[link removed]].
In Lesson 3 of Crypto in Sports Essentials [[link removed]], Steve Arhancet, CEO & Owner of Team Liquid, sits down with Team Liquid member and professional gamer, Juan ‘Hungrybox’ DeBiedma, to discuss how the mainstream adoption of cryptocurrencies and NFTs is changing the landscape of the industry and improving the fan experience for all.
Sign up [[link removed]] for the course today.
No Shortage of Firepower In Stanley Cup Final Goalfest [[link removed]]
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
On Saturday, the Avalanche decimated the Lightning 7-0 in Game 2. Two days later, Tampa Bay struck back with a 6-2 victory in Game 3.
So much for defense winning championships: This year’s Stanley Cup Final is a veritable goalfest, with the two teams trading devastating haymakers.
Neither the Avs nor the Bolts dominated the regular season in GF/G, with respective rankings of fourth (3.8) and eighth (3.5), but they’ve collectively taken out four of the NHL’s top seven this postseason (Florida, Toronto, St. Louis, Edmonton) — and are now training their sights on each other.
The Lightning were the first team to win an SCF game after losing by 7+ goals since 1919.The Avalanche lead the postseason with 4.59 GF/G.This series, only nine skaters haven’t recorded at least a point.
Colorado is getting its points from the usual sources: Mikko Rantanen (7), Cale Makar (4), Gabriel Landeskog (4), and Valeri Nichushkin (4). The first three are the Avs’ highest-paid players, combining for a cap hit of $25.3 million this season.
For Tampa Bay, Nikita Kucherov, Victor Hedman, and Ondrej Palat — who respectively rank second ($9.5M), fourth ($7.9M), and eighth ($5.3M) on the team for 2021-22 cap hits — each have three points.
Sporting a 2-1 series lead and home-ice advantage, the Avalanche remain the favorites (-310) to capture the Stanley Cup.
Making Headlines
Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
Tennis: Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal were announced as the Nos. 1 and 2 seeds at Wimbledon in the absence of Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev; they won’t be able to meet until the final.
NBA: Mike D’Antoni will meet [[link removed]] with the Hornets for their head coaching job; Kenny Atkinson initially accepted the job but unexpectedly backed out. Also: Heat forward P.J. Tucker is [[link removed]] opting out of his $7.4 million option to enter free agency.
NFL: Browns QB Deshaun Watson has [[link removed]] settled 20 of 24 cases against him regarding allegations that he committed sexual misconduct; the news won’t [[link removed]] have an impact on the NFL’s bargained disciplinary process.
NHL: Lightning RW Nikita Kucherov is “likely” to play in Game 4 despite the effects of Devon Toews’ dangerous cross-check in Game 3. Also: The Oilers have extended head coach Jay Woodcroft through the 2024-25 season.
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