Sports

Back in August, Australian Formula 1 driver Daniel Ricciardo confirmed his plans to leave McLaren after the conclusion of the 2022 season, putting an early to his three-year contract after just two seasons with the team. Following a period of uncertainty, Red Bull chief Helmut Marko has now confirmed that Ricciardo will be re-joining the team he left in 2018 as a reserve driver to Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez. “Ricciardo will be our third driver,” Marko told Sky Sports. “We have so many sponsors, we have to do show runs and the like, so of course he’s one of the most high-profile and best-suited.” After almost 12 years racing in Formula 1, Ricciardo expressed earlier this month that he’s looking forward to taking some time away from the frontlines to reset, vowing to come back stronger ...

There’s no sugarcoating it: the US Men’s National Team (USMNT) has been bad at the FIFA World Cup. Domestically speaking, however, the growth in the game has never been greater. A 2022 report by Telemundo Deportes indicated that 52% of adults considered themselves as soccer fans, as opposed to 2012. Similarly, participation has grown over 30% from 2002 to 2019 as a “first choice” sport for young people in the US — a bigger jump than any of the other big four sports of hockey, baseball, basketball and American football. The latter of which, knowingly, faces an existential crisis due to brain-related injuries, amongst other prevalent topics. Everyone seems to want a slice of the MLS pie these days. Matthew McConaughey at Austin FC, David Beckham’s very own club, Inter Miami CF, to another ne...

There’s no sugarcoating it: the US Men’s National Team (USMNT) has been bad at the FIFA World Cup. Domestically speaking, however, the growth in the game has never been greater. A 2022 report by Telemundo Deportes indicated that 52% of adults considered themselves as soccer fans, as opposed to 2012. Similarly, participation has grown over 30% from 2002 to 2019 as a “first choice” sport for young people in the US — a bigger jump than any of the other big four sports of hockey, baseball, basketball and American football. The latter of which, knowingly, faces an existential crisis due to brain-related injuries, amongst other prevalent topics. Everyone seems to want a slice of the MLS pie these days. Matthew McConaughey at Austin FC, David Beckham’s very own club, Inter Miami CF, to another ne...

Every iconic World Cup moment ever created – with the exception of Diego Maradona’s hand, Luis Suarez’s infamous goal-line clearance against Ghana or Iran’s Milan Mohammadi acrobatic attempt of a throw-in – has been launched into footballing legend by what is worn on player’s feet every four years: the humble football boot. Over the years, football boots have gone from default rigorous, all-black leather constructs to cutting-edge technologies, with synthetic knits, ergonomic studs and wild designs now very much in vogue for the current generation of players who will kick off the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The days of the game’s purist’s eyebrows being raised at brightly-colored boots are long gone. Now, you’ll see Lionel Messi take to the field in a super-light, special-edition adidas Speed...

Beer sales are set to be banned at stadiums during the Qatar World Cup after the Qatar officials pressured FIFA to abandon the move, just 48 hours before the tournament kicks off. The original plans for the competition called for supporters to be given exemptions to purchase alcohol inside official fan zones between certain times and on stadium concourses, however, it now looks as if concourse sales will be banned. Tourists will still be able to buy alcohol from licensed hotels and restaurants, which is normally allowed under Qatari law.  An official announcement is expected imminently, but the move has put FIFA on a collision course with Budweiser, who is one of the tournament’s biggest sponsors and has a multi-million dollar promotion deal with the organizing body. Th...

Suspended Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving is reportedly nearing the end of his suspension and is expected to rejoin the team as early as this Sunday’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies. As of the Thursday night game against the Portland Blazers, Irving has missed eight consecutive games. NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski has now reported that Irving on track to fulfilling his six condition. NBA executive director Tamika Tremaglio told ESPN on Wednesday night, “Kyrie is continuing his journey of dialogue and education. He has been grappling with the full weight of the impact of his voice and actions, particularly in the Jewish community. Kyrie rejects antisemitism in any form, and he’s dedicated to bettering himself and increasing his level of understanding. He plans to continue this journey...

Kevin Durant recently opened up to Bleacher Report‘s Chris Haynes about why he initially decided to request a trade from the Brooklyn Nets. The star player cleared up any rumors regarding how he felt about the team when they were under the coaching of Steve Nash and exactly what he was looking for from the franchise. KD gives an official explanation stating, “It wasn’t difficult at all to request a trade because it was about ball. I went to them and was like, ‘Yo, I don’t like how we are preparing. I don’t like shootarounds. I like practices. I need more. I want to work on more s–t. Hold me accountable. Get on my ass in film if that’s going to help you get on everybody else’s head. I want to do more closeouts. I want to work on more shell drills at practice.’” KD also said that he spoke wi...

Following the Kyrie Irving tweet of a link to the controversial movie Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America, he was heavily criticized for his antisemitic views. The backlash led to the Brooklyn Nets player’s suspension of at least five games. As of right now, Irving is suspended until he fulfills the six conditions set by the Nets’ organization: 1. Issue an apology for posting a link to the movie on Oct. 27, condemn the harmful and false content and make clear that he does not have anti-Jewish beliefs. 2. Complete the anti-hate causes that Irving, the Nets and the Anti-Defamation League agreed upon in their joint release on Nov. 2 — including a $500,000 donation toward causes and organizations that work to eradicate hate and intolerance in communities. 3. Complete sensitivity training...

Ryan Reynolds appeared on told The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and revealed that he is seriously considering buying the NHL team Ottawa Senators. The Canadian actor confirmed, “I am trying to [buy the Senators]. It’s very expensive, so I need a partner with really deep pockets.” He went on to joke, “It’s called a consortium, when you form a group together to buy an entity and it’s such a fancy way of saying, ‘I need a sugar mommy or a sugar daddy,’ and if that doesn’t work out, I’ll buy a U.S. senator which anyone can afford.” Just last week, the franchise announced that the club was in the process of initiating a sale. Senators chairman and governor Sheldon Plener said, “This was a necessary and prudent step to connect with those deeply interested parties who can show us what their vis...