5-POINT FRIDAY, JANUARY 17th, 2020

This article was originally published on January 17th, 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.

Basketball news I am excited by -

The WNBA and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) announced that they have reached an agreement on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

The new deal, which runs from 2020 through 2027, features a new in-season competition and changes the compensation structure to include a base salary and performance-based bonuses. The CBA will see players receive an average salary of $130,000, marking the first time in WNBA history that the average has reached six figures. Top players could earn more than $500,000 a year, which is more than triple the current maximum cash compensation.

Motorsport news I am learning about -

Formula One is on the verge of signing a US$65 million a year deal to stage a Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia. Possibly an interim event could be held as early as 2021 on the streets of Jeddah, while a dedicated permanent track is built for 2022.

Tech news that interested in -

Comcast NBCUniversal is investing up to $50,000 in early-stage sports technology startups as part of a new accelerator that brings its properties, NBC Sports, Sky Sports, and the Golf Channel, alongside NASCAR and two Olympic sports organizations, U.S. Ski and Snowboard and USA Swimming.

The new accelerator is Comcast's first dedicated sports technology program. It will also require entrepreneurs to move to Atlanta for three months, and is designed to give startups access to Comcast’s extensive networks and its partners while encouraging the development of companies that can directly benefit the fund partners.

Hockey news I am looking forward to -

The NHL looks to have gone back to the drawing board for its All-Star Game events announcing a new "Shooting Stars" challenge which will take 10 of the league's best players off the ice and put them on a platform in the stands, about 30 feet above the ice to pull off a variety of trick shots.

Credit: nhl.com

Baseball news I am excited by -

San Francisco Giants confirmed that they have signed Alyssa Nakken as an assistant to new manager Gabe Kapler. Nakken has become the first full-time female coach in MLB history.

"Simply, I think she's going to be a great coach," Kapler said. "Merit and the ability to be a great coach trumps all."

Have a wonderful weekend, all!

Jonathan