This article was originally published on April 3rd, 2020.
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.
Article I'm reading -
Tyson Beck is the graphic designer who makes the NBA look good by Ciaran Varley (@CiaranVarley) on the BBC. The story delves into the story of how the Australian graphic designer has managed to work with the NBA and other Major League sports.
Soccer story I am paying attention to -
The Belarusian Premier League (or the Vysheyshaya Liga) has struck multiple overseas deals with broadcasters seeking live sports content during the coronavirus pandemic. Among the broadcast deals reported, TV networks in neighboring Russia and Ukraine, as well as countries further afield such as Israel and India, have snapped up rights to the league.
The Belarus Football Federation (ABFF) has refused to postpone play while the country is taking a more relaxed approach to the COVID-19 outbreak.
"What is clear is that this situation has never happened before in our country's competition. [Previously] it was difficult for us to sell,'' said ABFF spokesperson Alexander Aleinik on the national soccer body's website.
Rugby news I am following -
USA Rugby has filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy due to ‘insurmountable financial constraints’ amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and the widespread shutdown of the global sporting calendar.
The men’s and women’s senior national teams will continue to compete as normal when rugby returns after the pandemic, though the body will operate on a reduced staffing structure for the foreseeable future.
“This is the most challenging period this organization has faced and all resolves were never taken lightly in coming to this determination,” USA Rugby Chair Barbara O'Brien said. “While the current climate is of course much larger than rugby, we remain focused with stakeholders and supporters in the continued effort toward a balanced rugby community where the game can truly grow.”
NFL news I am interested in -
ViacomCBS-owned children's channel Nickelodeon will air a specially produced broadcast of an NFL game under newly confirmed plans to expand the league’s post-season playoffs. With the coverage of a wild card fixture set to be tailored for a younger audience.
Sport I want to try -
While watching the Amazon Prime show 'James May: Our Man in Japan', I came across the sport of Yukigassen. Yukigassen which translates as “snow battle”, started in Japan in 1988, with its highest level competition being the annual Showa Shinzan International Yukigassen World Championship.
Each year, teams from around the world gather in Hokkaido for an epic snow war to determine which baller will reign supreme. For the battle royale, each team is supplied with 90 pre-pressed snowballs and rules similar to capture the flag. The team nails that all the players on the other team with snowballs, captures the other team’s flag, or has more players on the field when the clock runs out is declared the victor.
Have a wonderful weekend, all!
Jonathan