This article was originally published on June 7th, 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.
Basketball story I'm interested in -
Toronto Raptors' Kawhi Leonard (@kawhileonard) filed a lawsuit against Nike, alleging that the footwear and athletic apparel company stole his "Klaw" logo. Leonard was under contract at Nike before choosing to jump to New Balance, in 2018. The lawsuit alleges Leonard wasn’t aware Nike had filed a trademark for the logo until, while he was developing clothing using the icon, a representative for the brand sent him a cease and desist. It’s important to note that the logo appeared not just on Nike goods but also apparel made for events like Leonard’s basketball camps and charity events, which seems to suggest that Nike initially understood the idea this was his logo and not the other way around.
Surfing news that excites me -
The World Surf League (WSL) has announced that it will institute sweeping changes to its Championship Tour and Big Wave Tour in an effort to eliminate single-use plastics at its events and become carbon neutral by the end of 2019. “The WSL is incredibly proud to break new ground in sports in the urgent battle against climate change and ocean pollution,” said WSL CEO Sophie Goldschmidt (@sogoldschmidt) in a statement. “We believe it’s our responsibility to be ‘all in’ with our efforts to protect the ocean and beaches amid the devastating climate crisis we all face. We invite everyone who cares about the ocean to join us.” The WSL will aim to offset its carbon footprint by supporting REDD+ (reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation) and VCS (Verified Carbon Standard) certified carbon offset projects around the world, and “regionalizing [its] operation” to reduce non-essential corporate travel. STOKE (Sustainable Tourism & Outdoors Kit for Evaluation) Certified will aid the WSL in calculating its carbon offset program.
Athletics story I am following -
After Caster Semenya (@caster800m), lost her challenge to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) last month, against the implementation of a restriction on testosterone levels in female runners, she has received some good news. Semenya took her appeal to the Swiss Federal Supreme Court (SFT) who have temporarily suspended the ruling. However, the IAAF says it will seek a "swift reversal" of the decision.
Football news I am following -
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell (@nflcommish) is reiterating his stance of wanting to reduce the four-game preseason schedule at a time the league and player's association have begun preliminary talks on a new collective bargaining agreement. “I feel what we should be doing is always to the highest quality, and I’m not sure preseason games meet that level right now,” Goodell said. The NFL has long backed reducing the preseason schedule in exchange for expanding the regular season to as many as 18 games.
Sporting event I am excited for -
The FIFA Women's World Cup kicks-off today. Obviously I will be supporting Scotland, but I do have a soft spot for the Dutch, and players such as Lieke Martens (@liekemartens1). You are able to see my predictions below:
Have a wonderful weekend, all!
Jonathan