This article was originally published on April 26th, 2019.
Here is this week's dose of “5-Point Friday”. A weekly round-up of the sports news and stories that I find most interesting and enjoyable.
What I've been listening to -
Ramble Meets... James Horncastle, Luke Moore (@lukeaaronmoore) from the Football Ramble podcast interview with James Horncastle (@JamesHorncastle) a writer, broadcaster, and pundit who specializes in Italian soccer. The interview delves into how Horncastle built his dream career in Italian soccer, highlighting the challenges he faced and what he has been able to achieve.
Basketball news that is interesting me -
The NBA has announced that it will allow teams to sell international sponsorship rights for the first time, starting next season. The three-year trial means is that NBA teams will now be permitted to sell global marketing rights to two current or new sponsors outside the USA and Canada. The limitations of the trial sees sponsors only being allowed to use non-game content such as behind-the-scenes features.
Soccer news that I'm enjoying -
After Ajax overcame Juventus 3-2 on aggregate in the quarter-finals of the Champions League the Dutch side has been handed a major boost by their governing body. The KNVB announced that it will be canceling an entire round of Eredivisie fixtures ahead of Ajax's Champions League semi-final against Tottenham, to aid the team's preparations.
Women's Basketball news I have been paying attention to -
After reigning WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart (@breannastewart) was injured during a Euroleague championship game last weekend and would miss the upcoming WNBA season, it has become a priority of the WNBPA to stop players need to play year-round. WNBPA president Terri Jackson says that ending the financial need for nonstop play is her prime focus. Jackson has received support from the WNBA also, as it seems that the leagues' quality of play would most likely rise and players who remained in their home market could promote their teams year-round.
Athlete I am learning about -
Celia Jimenez Delgado is a Spanish international soccer player with a degree in aerospace engineering. Having started playing soccer at the highest level in Spain at only 15 years old. She would choose to pursue a college degree at the University of Alabama, while also playing for the Crimson Tide. She would go on to play in the Women's Champions League with Swedish side Rosengård in 2018, before being the first player from the University of Alabama to be drafted into the NWSL, after being selected by Reign FC. Delgado will be part of the Spain team to compete at the Women's World Cup this summer, in France.
Have a wonderful weekend, all!
Jonathan
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