This article was originally published on November 23rd, 2018.
Here is the weekly dose of “5-Point Friday”. A weekly round-up of the sports news and stories that I find most interesting and enjoyable.
Swimming news that intrigues me -
Ukrainian tycoon Konstantin Grigorishin has announced plans for an International Swimming League. The league is expected to be launched in 2019, giving 50 of the world's best swimmers the opportunity to earn up to $5 million, revolutionizing the sport.
Soccer story that excites me -
MLS Commissioner Don Garber (@thesoccerdon) and Mexican Football Federation (FMF) President Yon de Luisa, spoke about their accomplishments and goals for the future of soccer in both countries. This future includes a "budding partnership" between MLS and Liga MX. De Luisa said that the future of the leagues' partnership includes having an annual tournament, the Campeones Cup, as well as "working together to share sponsorships and partners across borders."
Baseball deal that I am interested in -
MLB signed a seven-year media rights renewal with Fox Sports that sources say is worth $5.1B, or $728.6M per year. Fox currently is in the middle of an eight-year pact and pays $525M annually through 2021, meaning the new agreement is worth nearly 39% more per year. The deal keeps MLB tied to Fox and FS1 through 2028. The new deal gives Fox enhanced digital, streaming, social media, and highlight rights, as well as the right to produce more games. Fox has the rights to put games on Caffeine, the social broadcasting platform in which 21CF invested $100M a few months ago.
Olympics news that interests me -
Scottish Athletics is making an "astonishing bid for independence." The mediation "designed to secure peace in the current political crisis in British Athletics" has reportedly collapsed, with Scotland "taking the first steps in pursuing a historic breakaway that is being regarded by senior figures as a test case for post-Brexit Britain." A "huge political row erupted inside the sport" when UK Athletics Chair Richard Bowker (@SRichardBowker) proposed a plan that would have seen UKA absorb England Athletics.
Hockey game I attended -
On Friday, I joined seventeen thousand others at the Honda Center, to see the Anaheim Ducks take on the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Maple Leafs entered the game 14-6-0 and took a 1-0 lead at 5:42 of the first period. After a pass redirected off Patrick Marleau's left skate, the left post and the back of Gibson's right shoulder, before crossing the goal line. Despite the Ducks averaging the fewest shots in the NHL (26.3), and allowing the second-most (36.1), they managed to outshot the Maple Leafs 12-9 in the first period and 39-35 for the game. However, a goal from Pontus Åberg (@PontusAberg) was not enough to stop Morgan Rielly (@mriles4) scoring with 1:43 left in overtime to give the Toronto Maple Leafs a 2-1 win.
For my friends spread across the U.S., I wish you and yours a most joyous Thanksgiving holiday!
And to all of my friends out there, spread across the globe, please accept my sincerest gratitude. If it weren’t for you all, I wouldn’t be here or be nearly as excited for 2019 as I am. There is much adventure coming!
Have a wonderful weekend, all!
Jonathan
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