This article was originally published on December 28th, 2018.
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 watching -
61*, directed by Billy Crystal (@BillyCrystal). Based on the story of New York Yankees' Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle, as they try to break Babe Ruth's home-run record in 1961.
Tennis story that interests me -
Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) has supported the introduction of more ranking protection for new mothers on the WTA Tour. Players coming back from childbirth or injury can use their previous ranking to enter 12 tournaments over a three-year period. "I think it's great," said Williams who gave birth to daughter Alexis Olympia in September 2017 and returned to action in February 2018. "Women that are younger can go out there and have kids and not have to worry about it, and not have to wait until the twilight of their years to have children, and I think it's a really great rule."
Golf news that excites me -
It was reported this week that "The Match" will return. I previously wrote about the Tiger-Mickelson experiment here. Apparently, the joint Woods and Mickelson business entity had signed a three-year deal with Turner on the enterprise. That means "The Match," will return in 2019 and 2020, in some form. The $9 million showdown drew in nearly one million customers paying the $19.95 pay-per-view subscription, earlier this year.
Basketball news intrigues me -
The NBA had its most-watched Christmas schedule since 2011. 10.2 million viewers tuned in for the first match defending champion Warriors and LeBron James (@KingJames) since he moved to Los Angeles. ESPN said that the five games averaged 5.8 million viewers, an increase of 14 percent from last year.
What I'm listening to -
This week I took the time to listen to the NHL Executive Suite interview with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. Hosted by hockey personality Deb Placey (@DebPlacey), the interview offers an insight into how Bettman got into hockey. Bettman details his work-life balance and how he sees the future evolution of the sport.
Have a wonderful weekend all!
Jonathan