LOS ANGELES, CA – Rallying from a ten point deficit in the fourth quarter, the Los Angeles Lakers mounted a comeback against the tough, suddenly relevant New York Knicks on Tuesday night at Staples Center, earning a hard fought scrappy victory in overtime,101-99. A seesaw battle which had 23 lead changes before a new Laker star emerged!
Talen Horton-Tucker hit the game winning three pointer with only 21 ticks left in OT. It was a crucial victory as the Lakers are desperately seeking to avoid the play-in tournament. “Not too many kids from Chicago can say they did that,” beamed Horton-Tucker, who scored 7 of his 13 points in OT. Tucker was clutch down the stretch, alongside other valuable role players such as Andre Drummond and Wesley Matthews. Injuries have plagued the defending champions all season, Tuesday night was no exception with LeBron James resting that sprained right ankle, and Alex Caruso left early in the first quarter with soreness in his right foot.
It’s absolutely critical the supporting cast, which has been inconsistent at best, rise to the occasion now that the Playoffs are right around the corner. The Los Angeles Lakers improve to 39-30, still a game back from both the Portland Trailblazers and Dallas Mavericks, trapped in the dreaded NO. 7 seed.
Many in Lakers Nation myself included have been frustrated with Wes Matthews, a former All-Star the Lakers acquired during the off season. His confidence, not to mention his deadly three point shooting have struggled thus far. That is until last night.
Matthews grabbed an offensive rebound with three seconds left in regulation, and made a put back to send the game into overtime. Kyle Kuzma led the Lakers with 23 points, Anthony Davis added 20 in the victory.
Tonight marks the final home game in the regular season, hard to believe right? The Lakers will finally unveil their 17th NBA Championship banner in the rafters. LeBron James is also expected to return as well. It all begins at 6:30 with the banner ceremony, followed by tipoff against the Woeful Houston Rockets slated for 7:30 pm PST
LOS ANGELES (May 6, 2021) Today, the trailblazing LA Giltinis Rugby team announced a May 15 home game at SoFi Stadium that will be the first-ever chance for fans to experience rugby at the showpiece venue.
SoFi Stadium will make its Major League Rugby (MLR) debut with fans on May 15 when the LA Giltinis face the Utah Warriors at 7 p.m. This match is presented by Gilly’s Legendary Lager.
The opportunity to showcase MLR in the state-of-the-art stadium demonstrates the exponential growth and interest in Rugby in Southern California.
“We are thrilled to be part of history by providing fans of all sports with the opportunity to experience SoFi Stadium for one of the first times,” said Former Australian Wallabies player and Giltinis General Manager Adam Freier.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to showcase to the people of Los Angeles why Rugby is the third biggest sporting event in the world, and we have already seen huge interest here in Los Angeles, which many refer to as the sporting capital of the world.
“We look forward to welcoming guests to SoFi Stadium for our inaugural series of events,” said Jason Gannon, managing director, SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park. “SoFi Stadium is slated to host a variety of world-class sporting events in the coming years, and we will continue to add dynamic events like Major League Rugby to our list.”
Los Angeles welcomed the Giltinis as the newest professional sports franchise to the City of Angels on March 20 where they began play at the iconic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Due to a scheduling conflict, the May 15 match was moved from the Coliseum to SoFi Stadium. The Coliseum will otherwise remain the Giltinis’ home stadium for the full 2021 season.
A limited number of tickets will be available for the May 15 match, going on-sale Friday, May 7, 12 p.m. PT at Ticketmaster.com.
About Major League Rugby
MLR was founded in 2018 with seven teams and has since expanded to 12 teams this season with the LA Giltinis as the newest club. The current teams in the league are: Austin (TX) Gilgronis; Houston (TX) Sabercats; New England (Boston) Free Jacks; NOLA (New Orleans) Gold; Old Glory DC (Washington, D.C.); Rugby ATL (Atlanta); Rugby United New York; San Diego Legion; Seattle Seawolves; Toronto Arrows; Utah Warriors and the Los Angeles Giltinis.
About the LA Giltinis
The LA Giltinis is our professional Rugby Union Team representing the City of Los Angeles in the Major League Rugby (MLR), named after a premium cocktail based on a Martini. The Giltinis’ home matches are played at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and headquarters and practice facility is located in El Segundo, CA. The LA Giltinis are setting the pace in the MLR at 6-0 atop the Western Conference standings with Captain Dave Dennis, Wallabies great Matt Giteau and Head Coach Darren Coleman leading the way. The full 2021 season schedule for the Giltinis can be found by visiting www.giltinis.com and for the full MLR schedule visit www.majorleague.rugby
About SoFi Stadium
SoFi Stadium, the new home of the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers, is located at Hollywood Park, a near 300-acre sports and entertainment destination being developed by Los Angeles Rams Owner/Chairman E. Stanley Kroenke in Inglewood, Calif. The 3.1 million square-foot SoFi Stadium is the largest stadium in the NFL, as well as the first indoor-outdoor stadium. It seats approximately 70,000, expandable up to 100,000, with more than 260 luxury suites and more than 13,000 premium seats. SoFi Stadium has already secured Super Bowl LVI in 2022, the College Football National Championship Game in 2023, and the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Olympic Games in 2028. Adjacent to the stadium and sitting under the same roof canopy is the 2.5-acre American Airlines Plaza and a 6,000-seat performance venue. For more information about SoFi Stadium, visit www.SoFiStadium.com or @SoFiStadium on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
WNBA 2019: Chicago Sky vs Los Angeles Sparks game at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Ca on August 11, 2019. (Photo by Austin Sosa)
– Regular Season Schedule to Feature 100 National Broadcasts Across
ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, CBS Television Network, CBS Sports Network and NBA TV –
– Google to be Presenting Partner of the WNBA “25 for 25” on ESPN, Including Opening Weekend ABC Doubleheader Featuring MVPs Elena Delle Donne, Candace Parker, Breanna Stewart, and A’ja Wilson –
– CBS Sports Extends Partnership with WNBA with 40 Regular Season Games per Seasonunder Multi-year Deal –
– Twitter to Stream 12 games and Oculus from Facebook to Stream 20 games –
NEW YORK, May 3, 2021– The WNBA’s 25th season, which will include a 32-game schedule for each team, will feature 100 national telecasts across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, CBS Television Network, CBS Sports Network and NBA TV.
A link to the current national television schedule, as well as to games to be streamed on Twitter, Facebook Watch, and Oculus from Facebook, can be found .
WNBA 2019: #7 Paris Kea blow #3 Tiffany Bias past during a New York Liberty vs Indiana Fever at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on June, 01, 2019 (Photo by Andre Hollis / fi360 News)
Google, recently announced as a premier supporter of the league as a WNBA Changemaker, as well as an Official Technology Partner and the WNBA’s Official Trends and Fan Insights Partner, will be the presenting partner of the WNBA on ESPN. Google has collaborated with ESPN and the WNBA to deliver “25 for 25”, a 25-game schedule of telecasts across ABC, ESPN and ESPN2 in celebration of the WNBA’s 25th season.
In addition, as part of the commitment of CBS Sports to the WNBA, the network and the league, which first partnered in 2019, have announced a multi-year extension of their relationship through which CBS Sports will present WNBA regular season games, including 40 contests this season, featuring up to three games on the CBS Television Network that will also stream live on Paramount+.
NBA TV, now in its 19th consecutive year of carrying WNBA games, will feature 35 games during the 2021 season.
In 2021, the WNBA and partners Twitter and Facebook will continue to deliver programming to fans via alternative live streaming platforms. As Twitter and the WNBA enter the fifth year of their partnership, Twitter will offer a 12-game slate on #WNBATwitterLive, as well as real-time game highlights and post-game interviews. #WNBATwitterLive will also deliver top voices from the sports community and several new ways for fans to engage, including fan Tweets, Q&As, votes and trivia. Facebook, now in its second straight year as a provider of WNBA game action, will present 20 games available on both Facebook Watch and Venues on Oculus Quest.
WNBA League Pass also returns this season offering over 110 games.
“Providing significant opportunities to view WNBA games across traditional and streaming platforms drives expanded coverage to our growing fan base,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. “Our goal is to deliver as many WNBA games and content to our passionate fans and supporters across platforms that best match the evolution of content consumption. Also, we are grateful to Google and ESPN for collaborating on “25 for 25” and we will continue to look for ways to innovate and shape the future landscape of the fan experience.”
The WNBA will tip off its landmark 25th regular season in the national spotlight on Friday, May 14, with a weekend of action featuring all 12 teams.
The national telecast schedule gets underway on opening day when NBA TV presents Sabrina Ionescu, the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2020, and the New York Liberty hosting the Indiana Fever and Kelsey Mitchell, the WNBA’s sixth-leading scorer last season (7 p.m. ET). Following that game, the action shifts to CBSSN, which will highlight Diana Taurasi, the league’s all-time points leader, and the Phoenix Mercury visiting the Minnesota Lynx, led by back-to-back WNBA Rookie of the Year winners Napheesa Collier and Crystal Dangerfield (9 p.m. ET). In addition on opening day, Twitter will deliver a matchup of two of the league’s top scorers in 2020 as DeWanna Bonner and the Connecticut Sun visit Chennedy Carter and the Atlanta Dream, whose roster also features Aari McDonald, the No. 3 overall pick in the recent WNBA Draft presented by State Farm® (7:30 p.m. ET). The final game on opening day is when Facebook carries the WNBA head coaching debut of Vickie Johnson, whose Dallas Wings with 2020 leading scorer Arike Ogumbowale will be in Los Angeles to meet the Sparks, led by a pair of former All-Stars, sisters Chiney and Nneka Ogwumike (10:30 p.m. ET).
Nneka Ogwumike going hard at Brittney Griner during the Phoenix Mercury vs Los Angeles Sparks at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Ca on June 17, 2016. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
The national focus returns Saturday, May 15, with an ABC doubleheader. The spotlight will first shine on two-time league MVP Candace Parker, who will make her debut with the Chicago Sky at Washington against former MVP Elena Delle Donne and the Mystics (1 p.m. ET). Immediately following that game, ABC will turn its attention to Seattle, where reigning WNBA Finals MVP Breanna Stewart, 11-time All-Star selection Sue Bird and the defending champion Storm will receive their championship rings prior to hosting the Las Vegas Aces, led by 2020 regular-season MVP A’ja Wilson and newly acquired All-Star Chelsea Gray (3 p.m. ET).
Opening weekend wraps up with a pair of games on CBS Sports Network (CBSSN) on Sunday, May 16, as the Liberty and Fever will face each other again, this time in Indiana (2 p.m. ET), and the Mercury will visit the Connecticut Sun (7 p.m. ET).
The regular season, currently scheduled to conclude on Sunday, Sept. 19, and to be followed by a traditional playoffs and Finals format, will include a break from July 15 until Aug. 11, during which time the USA Basketball Women’s National Team will be competing for its seventh consecutive Olympic gold medal.
“We have been extremely proud to collaborate with the WNBA since its inception in 1996,” said Carol Stiff, ESPN vice president, programming & acquisitions, “ESPN is thrilled to continue that relationship by programming 25 games during the regular season for basketball fans in honor of the 25th anniversary of the league. We look forward to continuing our support of the WNBA’s players by spotlighting both their amazing talents and their commitment to social justice on the national stage.”
“We are excited to extend our partnership with the WNBA for years to come and bring high quality basketball to fans across the nation,” said Dan Weinberg, Executive Vice President, Programming, CBS Sports. “The CBS Sports schedule, highlighted by two broadcast games on the CBS Television Network and three games on CBS Sports Network throughout opening weekend, will bring amazing action featuring some of the biggest names in the league to a wide audience throughout the summer. We are thrilled to be a part of the league’s 25th season celebration and showcase the best players in the world on our networks.”
Highlights of the Broadcast Schedule for the WNBA “25 for 25” on ESPN presented by Google
In honor of the WNBA’s 25th season and 25 years of airing WNBA games, ESPN networks – the league’s longest-running broadcast partner – will present 25 telecasts over the course of the regular season, including three on ESPN, 12 on ESPN2, and an all-time high nine on ABC. ESPN also will air AT&T WNBA All-Star 2021, details of which will be announced in the near future.
Additionally, ABC/ESPN/ESPN2 will provide coverage of up to 19 postseason games during the WNBA Playoffs presented by Google and the WNBA Finals 2021 presented by YouTube TV.
All ESPN telecasts during the regular season and postseason will stream live on the ESPN app.
In addition to airing an opening weekend doubleheader, ABC will present a second doubleheader on Saturday, June 5, featuring Las Vegas at Washington (1 p.m. ET) and the return of Candace Parker to Los Angeles as the Chicago Sky visit the Sparks (3 p.m. ET).
In honor of the WNBA’s Inaugural Game in 1997, ESPN will televise a rematch of the Liberty at Sparks on Sunday, June 20 (4 p.m. ET), when Ionescu and New York visit L.A. and 2016 MVP Nneka Ogwumike.
ESPN will televise a matchup of the WNBA’s career points leader, Taurasi, against the league’s all-time assists leader, Bird, on Friday, July 9, when the Phoenix Mercury host the Seattle Storm (9 p.m. ET).
Playoff seeding could be on the line on the final day of the regular season, Sunday, Sept. 19, when Phoenix hosts Las Vegas on ABC (3 p.m. ET).
Highlights of the CBS Sports Telecast Schedule
The CBS Television Network and CBS Sports Network will combine to carry 40 games, including up to three on CBS Television Network, with all CBS Television Network games streaming live on Paramount+.
CBS Television Network will feature a rematch between 2020 first-round playoff opponents Connecticut and Chicago on Saturday, June 19 when the Sun visit the Sky (2 p.m. ET), and on Saturday, June 26 will spotlight the 2019 champion Washington Mystics at Dallas, against 2020 WNBA scoring leader Arike Ogunbowale and the Wings, who made history during the WNBA Draft presented by State Farm on April 15, becoming the first team in league history to make the No. 1 (Charli Collier) and No. 2 (Awak Kuier) overall selections (1 p.m. ET). Both matchups will also be streamed live on Paramount+.
Following an off-season of unprecedented player movement, CBSSN will present some of the most anticipated action when stars take the court against their former teams for the first time…
Las Vegas’ Chelsea Gray, a three-time All-Star during her tenure with Los Angeles, will lace them up against her former team for the first time on Friday, May 21, when the Sparks visit the Aces (10:30 p.m. ET).
Chicago’s Candace Parker, a two-time league MVP in her 13 seasons with Los Angeles, will meet her former team for the first time on Friday, May 28 when the Sky host the Sparks (8 p.m. ET).
And New York’s Natasha Howard, the 2019 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year and a two-time champion with Seattle, will go up against her former team for the first time when the Storm visits the Liberty on Wednesday, Aug. 18 (7 p.m. ET).
While NBA TV will air the very first game of the season on opening day and carry a total of 35 contests, the network will place a particular focus on the race to the playoffs, delivering 29 telecasts – more than any other national carrier – when play resumes following the in-season break.
NBA TV’s coverage will bracket the first part of the WNBA’s 2021 schedule when the network televises the very first game of the season (Indiana at New York on May 14 at 7 p.m. ET) and the final game before the break (Minnesota at Los Angeles on July 11 at 9 p.m. ET).
Highlights of Twitter Content
Twitter’s 12-game package, available via @WNBA, will feature in game commentary from basketball insiders, influencers and WNBA legends.
On Friday May 21, Twitter will deliver a matchup between the Atlanta Dream and the Indiana Fever (7 p.m. ET). Then on Tuesday, May 25, Twitter will spotlight the WNBA’s two most recent No. 1 overall draft selections when 2021 top pick Charli Collier and the Wings visit the Liberty and Sabrina Ionescu, the No. 1 pick in 2020 (7 p.m. ET).
As part of the WNBA’s effort to bring fans closer to live game action, game presentations on Twitter will incorporate fan tweets as an overlay, polls for fans to vote on certain elements of the game, and real-time engagements with the commentators in unique ways.
Highlights of Facebook Watch and Venues on Oculus Quest Content
Fifteen games prior to the in-season break and five when the league returns to action will be available on Facebook Watch via the WNBA Facebook page. The broadcasts will feature interactive elements that take advantage of the Facebook Watch social video platform.
These same games will be available in 2D through Venues on Oculus Quest headsets (both Quest and Quest 2).
The schedule tips off on opening night, Friday, May 14, when it carries the Dallas Wings who will be in Los Angeles to meet the Sparks (10:30 p.m. ET).
Coverage wraps up on Friday, Sept. 17, when Minnesota is at Indiana (7 p.m. ET).
A leading virtual reality platform, Oculus is an Official Marketing Partner of the WNBA and an associate partner of the WNBA’s Believe in Women platform.
About the WNBA
Entering its 25th season in 2021, the WNBA is a bold, progressive basketball league that stands for the power of women. Featuring 12 teams, the W is a unique sports property that combines competition and entertainment with a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and social responsibility. Through its world-class athletes, the in-game fan experience, TV and digital broadcasts, digital and social content, and community outreach programs, the league celebrates and elevates the game of basketball and the culture around it.
In 2020, the WNBA and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) signed a groundbreaking eight-year CBA that charts a new course for women’s basketball – and women’s sports overall – with a focus on increased player compensation, improvements to the player experience, expanded career development opportunities and resources specifically tailored to the female professional athlete. Key elements of the agreement are supported through the league’s new partnership platform, WNBA Changemakers, with AT&T, the WNBA’s Marquee Partner and inaugural Changemaker, as well as fellow inaugural Changemakers Deloitte and Nike. In addition, during the 2020 season, the WNBA and WNBPA launched the WNBA Justice Movement forming the Social Justice Council with the mission of being a driving force of necessary change and continuing conversations about race and voting rights, among other important societal issues.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 back to pass at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, Ca on November 19, 2018. Jevone Moore
NFL accelerates the start of the League’s first ever all-digital package one year ahead of schedule
MAY 3, 2021: The National Football League announced today that Amazon Prime Video will be the exclusive home of Thursday Night Football beginning with the 2022 season. Amazon will distribute Primetime’s 2nd most-watched show across hundreds of compatible digital devices. The NFL’s original agreement with Amazon, announced as part of a larger series of media distribution deals this past March, had Amazon Prime Video distributing Thursday Night Football starting with the 2023 season.
Nov 29: NFL QB Ben Roethlisberger calling our signals during Pittsburgh Steelers at CenturyLink Field in Seattle Washington. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
With this development, the 2021 season will be the last for Thursday Night Football on FOX. As part of the recent long-term media deals, FOX will continue to produce the National Football Conference (NFC) package of Sunday afternoon games with a focus on America’s Game of the Week, the most-watched show in all of television for the last 12 seasons and the most-watched NFL window for the last 20 seasons.
With its new media distribution agreements the NFL has expanded its digital footprint to reach a broader audience and enhanced the ability of its media partners to innovate around their productions and provide interactive elements such as stats/data, chat and integrated social feeds as part of their digital presentations.
The NFL continues to be the only sports league that delivers all of its games – regular season and playoffs – on free, over-the-air television. (Thursday Night Football will be carried on free over-the-air television in the broadcast markets of the participating teams.)
2019 Holiday Bowl St. Brown running after a catch on Friday December 27, 2019. (Photo by Jordon Kelly / fi360 news)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – The Pac-12 Conference had 28 players selected in the 2021 NFL Draft, highlighted by OREGON offensive tackle Penei Sewell (seventh overall selection by the Detroit Lions), USC offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker (14th overall selection by the New York Jets) and WASHINGTON outside linebacker Joe Tryon (32nd overall selection by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers). The three selections marked the 11th consecutive NFL Draft that the Pac-12 has had at least three players selected in the first round.
After Sewell was selected with the seventh overall pick, it marked the second time in school history for the Ducks to have Top 10 picks in back-to-back years (also, Justin Herbert selected sixth overall by the Chargers in 2020) and the first time since 2015-16 when Marcus Mariota was selected second overall in 2015 and DeForest Buckner seventh overall in 2016. The seventh spot marked the highest ever by an offensive lineman for Oregon (previous, Kyle Long selected 20th overall in 2013) and the highest by a Pac-12 offensive lineman since 2012 (USC’s Matt Kalil selected fourth overall by Minnesota).
USC has now seen back-to-back years with an offensive lineman selected in the first round after Vera-Tucker was selected 14th overall (also, Austin Jackson selected 18th overall by Miami in 2020). Vera-Tucker is the 24th Trojan offensive lineman selected in the first round since 1967, the most such selections by any school over that stretch. In total for USC, the Trojans have had 72 first-round picks since 1967, tied for the most of any school over that stretch (also, Ohio State).
Washington’s Tryon is the first Husky defensive player to be selected in the first round since 2018 when Vita Vea was selected 12th overall, also by Tampa Bay.
UCLA Bruins running back Demetric Felton #10 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA on Saturday November 2, 2019. (Photo by Jevone Moore)
Pac-12/NFL Draft Notes:
Oregon saw four defensive backs selected in the 2021 Draft, tied for the most this year (also, Georgia). Prior to 2021, four defensive backs from one school occurred only 11 times and just three times in the last 20 years.
The Detroit Lions selected four Pac-12 players, the most of any NFL team (Sewell, Levi Onwuzurike, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jermar Jefferson).
In total, 10 Pac-12 programs had at least one player selected in the 2021 NFL Draft, led by Oregon, Stanford and USC each with five picks. For the Ducks, five picks are their most since also having five in 2015. For the Trojans, five is their most since also having five in 2017. For the Cardinal, five is their most since also having five in 2019.
Pac-12 was fourth among all conferences with 28 selections, trailing the 14-team SEC (65) and Big Ten (44) conferences and 15-team ACC (42).
Over the past three years, the Pac-12 has had 93 players selected in the NFL Draft, 2.58 per school in the 12-team league. Averaged by school, 2.58 is the third-most of any Power 5 conference over the last three years, trailing the 14-team SEC (192/4.57) and Big Ten (132/3.14) conferences.
“You should know me” is an ongoing column that is intended to introduce accomplished Bay Area artists and entertainers to the mainstream media. I have the pleasure of introducing you to Richard Humphrey. If you have ever seen a roller-skating routine that had eye-catching flair and rhythm, there is a high probability that you can credit Richard. Since Covid-19, we have seen social media explode with these fantastic routines and more people skating outdoors. Richard’s imprint on roller-skating can be seen throughout the world. So why don’t we know Richard Humphrey? Too often, the general public’s knee-jerk reaction is to assume that some personal issue has prevented superstardom. I presented some of these questions to “The King” and requested nothing but the uncut truth.
HOW ARE YOU QUALIFIED TO BE TERMED THE KING OF ROLLERDANCE?
Richard asserts that he is the pioneer for teaching choreographed roller skating routines. He originated using VCR tapes to teach the foundational steps, which is now the skating blueprint for all the routines you see on wheels. The skating world has 4 Central Locations: Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Venice Beach, San Diego Beach, and Central Park in New York. You can travel to any of these locations and see the Humphrey blueprint in action. Richard has traveled throughout the United States, Germany, Brazil, and London to teach Rollerdance. Richard appeared in the movie “Roll Bounce” and is widely known and respected on all the major skating scenes. At this point, I was uncertain if his King status was self-proclaimed.
HAVE YOU BEEN ENDORSED AS THE KING BY THE MEDIA AND GENERAL PUBLIC?
Richard has been summoned to appear before thousands at the San Francisco War Memorial Opera House and performed as the opening acts for comedians Ronny Schell and Phyllis Diller. Kristi Yamaguchi, Gold Medalist Ice Skater, hired Richard to assist in her choreography. In 2006, Ebony magazine featured Richard, to which you can see Janet Jackson on the cover. Damon Wayans hired Richard to be a stunt double in the movie the Underground. In 2009, Reidell, a leading skate manufacturer, debuted the “No Strings Attached Humphrey Skate Boot.” It was the first skating boot with no laces. Also, Reidell released his signature wheel called “Golden Roller Bones.” You may have gotten a view of the No Strings Attached if you tuned into an episode of Dr. Oz, when Richard attempted to show Dr. Oz how to get down on skates.
HOW DID HIS SKATING JOURNEY BEGIN?
Richard was just a kid from Fillmore, San Francisco, who loved track, bowling, and sports. Richard was inspired by an article in Roller Skating magazine written in 1979 on Bill Butler, a New York Skating Pioneer. Also, credit is given to David Miles, San Francisco’s Godfather of Skate. Richard connected with DeWayne McDaniels and Wayne Evans and formed a group called the Golden Rollers. They perfected the “Alpha Kick,” splits on skates, which is known in the skating community as the “#1.” The Golden Rollers appeared on Real People, an Emmy nominated television show. He started skating 40 years ago and never stopped.
HOW CAN ROLLERDANCE BE MONOTIZED?
There have been attempts to bring Rollerdance to the mainstream. In 1978, Saul Zaents, producer of the Lord of the Rings, filmed Richard in a pilot series called Dancing Wheels. In 1999, Richard received a patent for “The Rollerdeck Plus Fitness Machine,” a self-contained portable floor for skaters on the go. Richard has a disdain for people that brand themselves as “certified instructors” and charge people for lessons. He expressed that some people have taken his VCR instructional videos, rebranded them, and changed the names of the moves. It is just the reality of capitalism. One of the major impediments to profit from skating is that you need to own a rink. You need to have an owner that embraces the skating community that provides the flare. Unfortunately, the lack of diversity in rink ownership limits the exposure and opportunities to grown this brand of skating. Richard opines that the owners simply don’t want “you people” to come to their rink. As such, he has moved his classes outside.
HOW CAN PEOPLE JOIN THE ROLLERDANCE FAMILY?
Every Sunday from 10 am to 1 pm, you can join 50-70 people of the Rollerdance Academy at San Lorenzo Community Park. Log onto www.rollerdance.com to stay current with the newest trends in skating. Check out his YouTube channel (https://youtu.be/aJjn) called the “Hook Up” to learn skating routines and get instructions. Instagram @richardhumphrey is also a great place to be part of the movement. I had the pleasure of joining a few classes and purchasing some custom skates from Richard. This is a person with a very soothing and charismatic spirit. Some people have a synergy that brings like-minded and spirited people together. It was a simple pleasure to meet Richard Humphrey, “The King of Rollerdance.”
WNBA Playoffs 2019: Seattle Storm vs Los Angeles Sparks single elimination game on September 15, 2019. (Photo by Stephanie Lovell)
Trailer Featuring Original Song “Enough is Enough” Now Available
Film, Executive Produced by Chiney Ogwumike, will be available on ESPN+ immediately after its debut
ESPN Films will debut its latest documentary “144” about the unprecedented 2020 WNBA season in the bubble May 13 on ESPN. After the COVID-19 pandemic shut down sports, many leagues were forced to figure out how to save their seasons. The WNBA created a single site at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida where 144 players across 12 teams played 147 games from July to October 2020. Directed by Lauren Stowell & Jenna Contreras, the latter who spent 62 days in the bubble, the documentary explores the season dedicated to social justice and all that the players overcame to get through it: the COVID-19 pandemic, the demands of activism, and the rigors of an unrelenting schedule. The trailer, which will air during the , also features the original song “Enough is Enough” from Disney Music Publishing Artist, Songwriter and Activist Blush. Trailer:
Said Executive Producer, WNBA All-Star and Multi-Platform ESPN Commentator Chiney Ogwumike: “Developing this documentary about my sisters in the WNBA and the powerful 2020 season has been an honor. ‘144’ amplifies the story of how our league helped create unprecedented social change while redefining how we see strong female athletes compete at the highest level. It is a privilege to showcase the 144 in their vulnerability letting cameras behind-the-scenes, their dedication to social impact, and their strength in navigating through one of the most challenging seasons we have ever had.”
“144” will premiere May 13 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN. The film will be made available on ESPN+ immediately after its premiere, along with the ESPN Films and 30 for 30 library. Advance press screeners, additional information, including film clips and director statements and bios, are available upon request. Follow 30 for 30 on, and.
About ESPN Films
ESPN Films has been an industry leader in documentary filmmaking since its inception in March 2008, producing more than 100 documentaries that have showcased some of the most compelling stories in sports. The high quality of storytelling, highlighted by the Peabody and Emmy Award-winning 30 for 30 series and the Academy-Award winning documentary “O.J.: Made in America,” has led to record viewership as well as multiple honors and critical acclaim. Additional projects from ESPN Films over the years have included 30 for 30 Shorts, Nine for IX, SEC Storied and Emmy award-winning docu-series “The Last Dance.” ESPN+ is the exclusive home for the entire 30 for 30 library.
March 3, 2018 Los Angeles, CA UCLA Bruins guard Aaron Holiday (3) with the floater during the UCLA Bruins vs USC Trojans at Galen Center on March 3, 2018. (Photo by Jevone Moore)
INDIANAPOILS, IN – UCLA suffered a gut-wrenching conclusion to their magical March Madness run as Jalen Suggs banked the shot of a lifetime in at the buzzer, as NO.1 Gonzaga defeated NO.11 UCLA Bruins in Overtime of the Final Four, 93-90, on Saturday, April 3rd at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Bruins Guard Johnny Juzang tied the game with a put back to even the Final Four classic with 3.3 seconds remaining in OT. Unfortunately, Gonzaga passed it to Suggs who dashed across the half court line- releasing a 30 foot bank shot- making history with a miraculous buzzer beater- immediately jumping on the scorers table just as Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant have done in the past.
This see-saw battle will go down as one of the greatest games in the history of the NCAA Tournament. UCLA Nation is sickened and devastated as this is the end of their season. Gonzaga will face NO.1 Baylor Bears on Monday night.
UCLA fought and played with tremendous heart and grit, nearly shocking the undefeated 31-0 Zags. Juzang provided another brilliant performance; never leaving the court with a game high 29 points. He had an opportunity to win the game at the end of regulation. But Bulldogs Drew Timme, on a bang bang play was knocked down, and Juzang was called for charging forcing the extra five minutes of overtime basketball.
In OT of this thrilling game Timme was unstoppable, scoring at will in the post. This was a setup to one of the greatest endings in NCAA basketball history. Trailing 90-85, Jaime Jaquez Jr. made a three pointer to pull his team within two, as he pumped his fist in celebration.
After a Bruins stop, Juzang grabbed his own rebound and laid the ball in to even the score at 90.This was followed by the epic, game winning shot by Suggs that will be shown on sports highlight shows for decades to come. Despite the loss, the Bruins can still hold their head high. Congratulations to our UCLA Bruins, the old cliché certainly fits that this was a game that nobody deserved to lose!
UCLA Jaylen Hands is hyped after making a late basket during the USC Trojans vs UCLA Bruins at Pauley Pavilion on February 28, 2019. (Photo by Jevone Moore)
Indianapolis, IND- UCLA advances to the Final Four continuing their historic run through March Madness on Tuesday, March 30, as the NO. 11 seed UCLA Bruins pulled off another upset defeating the NO. 1 seed Michigan Wolverines, 51-49 at Lucas Oil Stadium .
Bruins guard Johnny Juzang was brilliant, torching Michigan with 28 points, his fantastic shooting kept the Bruins in the game early.
“Nobody believed in us, that’s how this team likes it,” said UCLA Head Coach Mick Cronin.
The small crowd was pro Michigan, but very loud. The Bruins trailed by seven early before Juzang went on a tear, scoring every jumper in sight scoring 12 consecutive points. UCLA held on to a four point lead at the half.
Early in the second half, Juzang suffered a twisted ankle which allowed Michigan to claw back in the game. A seesaw battle ensued as both teams showed defensive grit, and the outcome was not decided until the Final buzzer. Point Guard Tyger Campbell added 11 points in the shocking upset.
UCLA’s defense was dominant, holding the Wolverines to 39 percent from the field. Michigan went ice cold down the stretch, missing their final eight shots, including a pair of potential game winning 3-pointers in the closing seconds.
UCLA has reached their19th appearance in the Final Four in the school’s history, their first since 2008. Awaiting them next is the juggernaut, undefeated Gonzaga Bulldogs. Armed with loads of talent it will take another monumental effort to advance for the Bruins. USC on the other side of the bracket lost 85-66 to the now 30-0 zags.
Tipoff is set for 5:34 pm on Saturday night, win or lose, UCLA Basketball is back!
Portland Pilots vs USC Trojans basketball game on Friday November 8, 2019 at Galen Center. (Photo by Rick Gurrola)
INDIANA- Often overlooked and disrespected by narrow minded college basketball pundits, the PAC-12 has steamrolled through March Madness, going a perfect 6-0 to open the tournament. Included in this run is double digit victories by both USC and UCLA, which has both advancing to the round of 32. In a year in which the world has seen many unthinkable firsts; the NCAA Tournament is no exception as the Oregon vs Virginia Commonwealth University(VCU) game was cancelled just hours before tipoff because of VCU’s inability to meet COVID-19 protocols.
Specifically, VCU was not able to put five players on the court. Faced with this harsh reality, the NCAA Committee was forced to make the gut wrenching decision to rule the game a No Contest. Sadly, this marks the first time in the history of March Madness a game has been cancelled. Oregon will play Iowa on Monday.
Now let’s talk Bruins and Trojans basketball!
In the matinee game, the NO.6 USC Trojans made a statement in their first round matchup- crushing the NO.11 Drake Bulldogs by a score of 72-56 on Saturday, March 20.
After a close first half in which USC clung to a slim three point lead, their swarming defense kicked into overdrive led by Evan Mosley. His three blocks put the leash on the Bulldogs, only allowing seven field goals for 19 points in the second half. When the Trojans have at least three players score 10 or more points they’re 20-0. That is now 21-0 after three Trojans scored at least 14 points today.
The road to the Final Four doesn’t get any easier for the Trojans. Awaiting them on Monday night is the perennial powerhouse, NO. 3 Kansas Jayhawks on Monday night.
For loyal readers of Canyon News- we clearly realize the UCLA Bruins are the only team on your radar; that’s why we saved the best for last. It was like deja vu all over again for UCLA as J-3 led the way for the resurgent Bruins. The trio of Jules Bernard, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Johnny Juzang once again were pivotal in the victory.
The NO. 11 UCLA Bruins knocked off the NO. 6 BYU Cougars,73-62 on Saturday night at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Led by Johnny Juzang who poured in 27 points to carry the Bruins.
‘This is what we live for. This is the height of college basketball,” Juzang said, ”and playing for the Bruins – I’m from Los Angeles. Playing with a lot of guys I’ve known, we’re all brothers here. So putting on this jersey with my brothers, coming out, playing for the home team – I’m just trying to make everybody on the team proud.”
Jules Bernard added 16 points in the upset. Also key was Jaime Jaquez, his 13 points were key as BYU jumped out in the second half, cutting the Bruins lead to four. Jaquez drove past the Cougars defense for an epic slam dunk, effectively ending BYU’s comeback.
UCLA will now meet another Cinderella story on Monday night. Minutes after the Bruins victory, NO. 14 Abilene Christian upset the NO. 3 Texas Longhorns, 53-52.
”I owe (assistant coach) Darren Savino lunch. He’s scouting Abilene Christian and he told me they would win,” UCLA coach Mick Cronin said. ”Abilene Christian is really, really good. That’s all I can say.”
It will be UCLA’s third game in five nights. With both Southland programs succeeding in the tournament – the fans are feeling March Gladness!
