FanDuel Group is expanding its FanDuel Casino offerings in New Jersey and Michigan. FanDuel Group announced today the official launch of its FanDuel branded, standalone FanDuel Casino product in New Jersey on iOS, Android and desktop. In Michigan, FanDuel Casino customers can now enjoy live dealer games from Evolution.
FanDuel Casino was initially offered exclusively within the FanDuel Sportsbook app in New Jersey. With the addition of the standalone FanDuel Casino product, customers living in, or visiting, New Jersey now have a dedicated online casino experience that is secure, legal and fully regulated. The standalone FanDuel Casino app will feature casino game staples like blackjack, roulette, video poker and a multitude of recognizable slots and fan-favorite games from the casino floor. Players will receive the same customer support, convenience, safety and security that customers have come to expect from FanDuel, while making it secure and simple for customers to cash out winnings. FanDuel Casino will still be available within the FanDuel Sportsbook app, and new casino players can either signup for a Casino account or use their existing FanDuel Fantasy or Sportsbook account to log in and play. New FanDuel Casino players can play their first day risk-free up to $1,000.
FanDuel Casino is also expanding in Michigan. FanDuel Casino has added live dealer blackjack, roulette and baccarat games for customers living in, and visiting, the state of Michigan. The live casino games launched this past Thursday, July 22, after approval from the Michigan Gaming Control Board. Live dealer casino games give players the social interaction of a casino with the convenience of playing from home.
FanDuel Casino is available today on iOS, Android and desktop in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan and West Virginia.
Hall of Fame Resort and Entertainment Company (“HOFV” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: HOFV, HOFVW), the only resort, entertainment and media company centered around the power of professional football, today announced the Front Office staffs for the 10 franchises competing in the inaugural season of the Hall Of Fantasy League (“HOFL”), the first national league that allows sports fans to experience a fantasy football team with a community of shared Stakeholders. As a result of HOFV’s partnership with StakeKings, fans who purchase a stake in any of the HOFL’s teams are eligible to receive their pro rata share of winnings based on the success of their respective franchise during the 2021-22 season. Fans can purchase stakes today by clicking here.
Each franchise will consist of a dedicated Front Office comprised of prominent fantasy experts and former NFL players, who will serve as General Managers and Team Captains. The Front Office staffs will be responsible for the configuration and daily management of rosters as well as regular engagement with their respective franchise’s Stakeholders. The Front Office personnel for the 2021-22 season include:
Team
Team Captains
General Managers
AtlantaHot Wings
Harry Douglas· 10-year NFL career· 7 seasons with Atlanta Falcons· Career totals of 310 receptions, 3,759 receiving yards, 10 receiving TDs
Joe Dolan· Co-Owner and Managing Editor of Fantasy Points· FantasyPros #1 Cumulative Ranker 2014-2018· Co-Host of SiriusXM Fantasy Football Gameday & the Fantasy Feast Podcast Graham Barfield· Co-Owner and Director of Analytics at Fantasy Points· Formerly worked for Fantasy Guru and NFL Network· Originator of charting process Yards Created
BostonBarflies
Patrick Chung· 11-year NFL career – 10 with New England Patriots· 3x Super Bowl Champion· Career totals of 11 INTs and 778 combined tackles
John Paulsen· Director of Forecasting at 4for4 Fantasy Football· FantasyPros Most Accurate 2010 & 2014· FantasyPros top 6 accuracy in 9 of last 11 years Jennifer Eakins· Senior Editor and Writer at 4for4 Football· Co-Host of The Most Accurate Podcast (TMAP)· Contributor for Yahoo Fantasy Sports
ChicagoHogmollies
Eddie Royal· 9-year NFL career – 2 with Chicago Bears· Career totals of 408 receptions, 4,357 receiving yards, 28 receiving TDs· 4 600+ receiving yard seasons
Jeff Ratcliffe· Fantasy Sports Analyst at FTN Fantasy· Host for SiriusXM Fantasy Radio· CBS Sports Network TV Analyst
Los AngelesSidekicks
Ricky Proehl· 17-year NFL career – 5 with St. Louis Rams· 2x Super Bowl Champion· Career totals of 669 receptions, 8,878 receiving yards, 54 receiving TDs
Christopher Harris· Host of the Harris Football Podcast· FSWA “Best Fantasy Podcast” winner· Renowned for evaluating fantasy via game film on YouTube.com/harrisfootball
New YorkBodega Cats
Rashad Jennings· 8-year NFL career – 3 with New York Giants· Career totals of 3,772 rushing yards, 1,469 receiving yards, 23 rushing TDs· Contestant on Season 24 of Dancing with the Stars
Scott Engel· Writer at RotoBaller· Host of RotoBaller Radio on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio· FSWA Hall of Famer known in the industry as “The King” Raphael Rabe· Co-Founder of RotoBaller· Host of RotoBaller Radio on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio· Outspoken fantasy sports talking head known as “Real Talk Raph”
OhioGOATS
Joe Thomas· 11-year NFL career with Cleveland Browns· 10x Pro Bowler; 6x First Team All Pro Offensive Lineman· NFL 2010s All-Decade Team
Michael Fabiano· Senior Fantasy Analyst for Sports Illustrated· FSWA Hall of Famer· Formerly of NFL Network and “The NFL Today” on CBS Bob Harris· Senior Editor for FootballDiehards.com· FSWA Hall of Famer & first-ever Fantasy Football Writer of the Year 2005· Host for SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio
PhiladelphiaPowderkegs
Jason Avant· 10-year NFL career – 8 with Philadelphia Eagles· Career totals of 346 receptions, 4,118 receiving yards, 13 receiving TDs· 14th on Eagles all-time receptions list (297)
Adam Caplan· NFL Reporter, now in his 20th season· Host on SiriusXM NFL Radio & SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio· Host of “Inside the Birds” Eagles podcast
SeattleHaze
Justin Forsett· 9-year NFL career – 4 with Seattle Seahawks· 1x Pro Bowler· Career totals of 3,890 rushing yards, 210 receptions, 19 rushing TDs
Melissa Jacobs· Founder and Managing Editor of The Football Girl (TFG)· NFL Columnist at The Guardian· Former Fantasy Analyst at espnW and NFL Editor at Sports Illustrated Pat Fitzmaurice· Winner of FantasyPros’ 2020 Ranking Accuracy Contest· Contributor to The Football Girl and Footballguys.com· Host of the Fitz on Fantasy Podcast
TexasY’allers
Darren Woodson12-year NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys3x Super Bowl Champ; 5x Pro Bowler: 4x First Team All-Pro SafetyCareer totals of 23 INTs, 12 forced fumbles, 967 combined tackles
Sigmund Bloom· Co-Owner of Footballguys.com· Current all-time #1 in the FFPC Pros vs. Joes Competition· Co-Host of The Audible & On The Couch podcasts Joe Bryant· CEO & Co-Founder of Footballguys.com· FSWA Hall of Famer· Mr. Rogers > Aaron Rodgers… and he likes Aaron Rodgers
VegasPocket Kings
Marquette King7-year NFL career – 6 with Oakland Raiders1x Second Team All-Pro Punter46.7 yards per punt – tied for 4th all time
Jeff Mans· Part-Owner and President of Elite Sports Network· Host for SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio· Has earned over one million dollars in fantasy sports winnings
Terrell Davis, Commissioner of the HOFL and Pro Football Hall of Famer, said, “The HOFL is rolling into its inaugural season with serious momentum as the pre-season ramps up and Stakeholders lay claim to their teams. There is a high level of anticipation for the League within the NFL, fantasy and sports fan communities. I am thrilled to be part of this transformational League season and look forward to the franchise battles and trash talking ahead!”
Michael Crawford, President and Chief Executive Officer of HOFV, stated, “It’s the beginning of fantasy football season and we could not be more excited to unveil the Front Offices for the 2021-22 season of the HOFL! The HOFL offers a unique value proposition for fantasy sports fans unlike any other national league. It is the only place where fans can be part of a fantasy franchise that is managed by some of the top fantasy experts and beloved former players, and be eligible for a pro rata share of season winnings. Let the games begin!”
Each franchises’ Front Office will take input from their Stakeholders and crowdsource decisions regarding their teams, but will ultimately have sole discretion on all decision-making. General Managers will interact directly with their respective Stakeholders on the HOFL app via their team’s feeds, and can take part in exclusive team chats and a direct message feature called “DM the GM.” General Managers will also contribute weekly content on the HOFL app by providing commentary and analysis regarding roster decisions, trades, waiver wire pickups and previewing and recapping key matchups, while Team Captains will provide distinct fantasy insights, analysis and perspective that reflects their experience in the League. Team Captains will also periodically engage with Stakeholders on the HOFL app. The HOFL app will be available on the App Store and Google Play in the coming weeks.
The HOFL will leverage its access to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, NFL alumni and fantasy football personalities to create original video, audio and written league-focused content that will be hosted on its platform, helping to entertain, educate and engage team Stakeholders throughout each week of the season. To keep up to date on the latest news surrounding the HOFL – including the date of the first draft in League history – fans can visit www.thehofl.com or listen to The HOFL Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud or Spotify. Fans of the HOFL can also purchase team apparel of their favorite franchises via the League website.
RealResponse (@RealResponseHQ), the award winning leading safe and secure feedback, monitoring and anonymous reporting platform for athletic teams and organizations, today announced the addition of new colleges and universities to its fast-growing list, reaching the 100 partner milestone for the first time in the company’s short history. More than 50,000 athletes now have the ability to use RealResponse to share feedback, safely and securely report issues to coaches and administrators in real time for everything from mental health issues, social injustice concerns, COVID-19 policy infractions, misconduct, hazing, sexual harassment as well as using the system to highlight successes and best practices which might go otherwise unnoticed. Their work was recognized by the Charlotte Business Journal this month as one of the “Fifty Most Innovative Companies in the Region.”
“As we head towards a period of increased scrutiny and challenges for athletes in everything from the Olympics to the return to play in colleges big and small this fall, the pressure and challenges placed on athletes and coaches at all levels has never been greater, and we are proud to be able to work with this growing number of colleges, universities and organizations to document, address and most importantly, head off issues within any size programs,” said 31 year old David Chadwick, former Division I basketball player at Rice University and Valparaiso University and the founder of RealResponse. “We started this because we saw, and heard, the need to help the athletes speak, and to help coaches and administrators address issues safely and securely, and the response continues to speak loudly. We are thrilled to eclipse 100 partner institutions and welcome our recent members and look forward to additional news, partnerships and growth in the coming weeks.”
Recent additions to the growing number of partners for RealResponse includes: Boston College, Campbell University, Appalachian State University, Cal State Northridge, UNC Asheville, and Arkansas State University. They join a list that has schools from the Major Five Conferences (Wake Forest, the University of Maryland, Ole Miss, TCU) as well as mid major schools (Army, Georgetown, Grand Canyon, and Liberty) and schools from Division II and III (Cal State Monterey Bay, Western New England, Bowdoin). RealResponse has also begun working actively outside the collegiate space with organizations like the NFLPA, National Governing Bodies like USA Gymnastics and others, and will be expanding with other relationships in the coming months.
“We are living in a very changing, dynamic time, for intercollegiate athletics and the world in general. Within our athletics department we challenge our coaches, staff, and even our student-athletes to question whether just because we have been doing something one way does not mean we need to keep doing it. Is there another better way? Or are we missing something? And that is where RealResponse came in,” said Janet Cone, Director of Athletics, UNC Asheville. “We wanted to give our student-athletes an easy to use and real time tool to provide us with critical information . We are now very confident that the anonymous aspect is going to allow us to gather more information. Instead of someone hesitating and trying to decide, ‘Should I go forward or not?’ They know they can send a message to us. And we now have some information that we did not know that can help us address concerns and issues.” For more on UNC Asheville’s partnership click here.
Three other athletic directors, two in the Big 12 Conference, the other in the ACC, also reaffirmed their growing support of RealResponse:
“RealResponse is used extensively by our Leadership Team, especially our Sport Administrators. The Survey Platform streamlined how we collect feedback and measure our student-athlete experiences, both internally and benchmarked against national trends,” added Jamie Pollard, Director of Athletics, Iowa State University. “The Real-Time Reporting has created an open and safe channel for our administration to stay responsive to student-athlete needs. Lastly, the Documentation Repository has allowed our team to centralize and manage important notes and communications in the daily execution of our departmental processes. It has truly become an essential part of our operations, and I would recommend RealResponse to any peer.
“RealResponse has been tremendous for Baylor University. Student-athletes can approach us anonymously and I can still communicate back, creating a safe environment while offering key resources such as Title IX, Equity, and Mental Health Services. Importantly, these conversations are automatically captured, and the documentation trail and timeline generated provide peace of mind to our department,“ said Dawn Rogers, Deputy Director of Athletics, Baylor University
“Protecting the health and safety of our student-athletes and the integrity of the institution are paramount responsibilities for an Athletics Director. RealResponse is an invaluable tool to help identify student-athlete needs and concerns – and determine the right administrative response – before they escalate into a crisis,” added John Currie, Director of Athletics, Wake Forest University
Sports trading cards aren’t the only memorabilia skyrocketing in value. Heritage Auctions has put a Pokémon card collection, valued at an estimated $3 million, on the auction block July 24-25. This is potentially the largest sale of a non-sports card lot in US history.
Bart Kiser, had a love affair with Pokémon which was almost as big as the love he had for his children, earning him the nickname “Rad Dad.” So much so, that he gifted his massive collection to his children on Christmas morning 1999. Some 20 years later that collection will be up for grabs, expected to attract spirited bidding.
Kiser passed in 2018 but the colorful cards depicting “pocket monsters” will remind his now adult children again of his Pokémon passion and generosity.
His son Matt Kiser and Joe Maddalena, Executive VP at Heritage Auctions, are available to the media on mutually convenient times and dates to discuss the Bart Kiser Collection.
Highlights from the Rad Dad Collection offered at auction includes sealed box sets such as a Pokémon Japanese Base Set Sealed Booster Box (Media Factory, 1996) released only in Japan (est. $40,000). These boxes were released in Japan on Oct. 20, 1996, which was a little over two years before the English version. English versions of these boxes came with 36 card packs but Japanese versions came with 60 packs.
A Pokémon Unlimited Edition Base Set Booster Box (Wizards of the Coast) remains sealed since 1999, the year the set was released (est. $20,000). It includes 36 booster packs, each with 11 cards, for a total of 396 cards. The cards have never been touched and they are all likely gem mint condition.
Bart Kiser obtained a rare Pokémon First Edition Jungle Set Sealed Booster Box (Wizards of the Coast, 1999) (est. $15,000). This was the second set of the mega-popular Pokémon Trading Card Game, released on June 16, 1999. The set included a total of 64 cards and it was the first set to include copies of the holographic cards in non-holographic form.
The National Lacrosse League (@NLL), the largest and most successful professional lacrosse property in the world, will officially start its 35th season with Face Off Weekend, December 3-4th, 2021, with six games across North America, highlighting a series of exciting changes for 2021-22. A new two-Conference format, expanded playoffs, and the inaugural season of Panther City Lacrosse Club are among the changes in the upcoming season.
The NLL’s 14 teams competing this year will be aligned into two Conferences: East (Albany FireWolves, Buffalo Bandits, Georgia Swarm, Halifax Thunderbirds, New York Riptide, Philadelphia Wings, Rochester Knighthawks, and Toronto Rock); and West (Calgary Roughnecks, Colorado Mammoth, Panther City Lacrosse Club, San Diego Seals, Saskatchewan Rush, and Vancouver Warriors).
The new alignment means a revised playoff format, with the top four teams in the East and top three in the West advancing to the playoffs. The eighth playoff slot will go to the team with the better record between the fifth place East and fourth place West teams, per NLL tiebreaker rules. The first round will be single elimination, while the second round and Finals will each be best-of-three series.
The first matchup for the 2021-22 season will take place on Friday, December 3, when Colorado visits San Diego. On Saturday, December 4, there will be five matches, with Calgary visiting Buffalo, Philadelphia visiting Georgia, Rochester visiting New York, Saskatchewan visiting Halifax and Albany taking on Toronto in its new home in Hamilton, Ontario. Two teams, Vancouver and expansion Panther City, will have byes the first weekend.
“It’s very exciting to announce Face Off Weekend and returning to play,” said NLL Commissioner Nick Sakiewicz. “Face Off Weekend will mark a long-anticipated return to play for the NLL in a very big way with a new TSN Game of the Week partnership featuring 20+ games on linear television and the remaining match-ups streamed on TSN GO.”
“Combined with our 14th team, our Panther City Lacrosse Club in Ft. Worth, Texas, a new conference alignment and expanded playoff format there will be more games, more access for fans, and more amazing NLL electricity and excitement,” Sakiewicz added. “With more announcements coming in the months and weeks ahead, this will truly be a season to remember for all.”
The entire NLL schedule and game times, as well as national broadcast showings, will be announced in the coming weeks. Each team will have 9 home games during the regular season, followed by the playoffs and the league championship series. The Calgary Roughnecks, who defeated the Buffalo Bandits to win the 2019 NLL Title, are the league defending champions, since the 2019-20 NLL season was not completed due to the pandemic.
Nickelodeon and Awesomeness Films today announced the production of new original live-action movie Fantasy Football, executive produced by The SpringHill Company (Space Jam: A New Legacy), the empowerment-led media conglomerate spearheaded by LeBron James and Maverick Carter and in partnership with wunderkind and creative mastermind Marsai Martin and Joshua Martin of Genius Entertainment (Little). In Fantasy Football, 15-year-old Carmen Coleman (Marsai Martin, Black-ish) discovers she can control her professional football player dad’s prowess on the field through her video game. Zoe Marshall (Charmed) is writing the Fantasy Football screenplay, based on an original screenplay by Richard T. Jones & Jeremy Loethen and Tim Ogletree. Marshall is represented by JR McGinnis at Felker Toczek Suddleson Abramson, Ashley Holland at WME and Adesuwa McCalla at MetaMorphic Entertainment. Spencer Beighley and Jamal Henderson of The SpringHill Company are executive producing along with Carol Martin for Genius Entertainment. Jamila Jordan-Theus will produce for Genius Entertainment as well. Production is set to begin in early 2022.
Additionally, Nickelodeon and Awesomeness Films announced production on Hush Hush, a film adaptation of the New York Times best-selling young adult (YA) novels by Becca Fitzpatrick. Hush Hush follows 16-year-old high school student Nora Grey, who befriends new student, Patch, and finds herself drawn to his brooding charm against her better judgment. As Nora starts seeking answers about who Patch really is, she unwittingly gets caught in the crosshairs of an ancient battle between fallen angels and the immortal — a struggle that comes to threaten her life and reveals a shocking secret about her own identity. The Hush Hush screenplay is being written by Monet Clayton (Every Note Played), with production slated for late 2021 in partnership with BCDF Pictures and Entertainment 360. Clayton is represented by ICM, Fourth Wall and attorney Sean Marks.
Both films, led by Nickelodeon and Awesomeness Films Studio head Syrinthia Studer, are scheduled to bow in 2022.
Fantasy Football and Hush Hush will debut on Paramount+, the streaming service for ViacomCBS, and follow the upcoming launch of The J Team, which premieres on Paramount+ on Sept. 3. The J Team marked the first production under the Nickelodeon and Awesomeness Live-Action Film Studio.
Following on Awesomeness’s live-action movie successes including the smash-hit To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before film franchise, The Perfect Date, and Before I Fall, the combined studio is diving into the family and YA film market with a dozen titles lined up for 2022 and beyond.
“We are excited to team up with SpringHill and Awesomeness, two creative powerhouses aligned in the mission to celebrate dynamic stories and invoke inspiration within our audiences. Collectively, we are companies that hold the family brand and themes at its core, so this felt like an incredible trifecta to bring Fantasy Football to life. This film is a true reflection of our growing slate: championing new heroes, challenging social ‘norms,’ and showcasing the power of following your dreams,” stated Jamila Jordan-Theus, Head of Motion Picture for Genius Entertainment.
Added Studer, “With the continuing growth of Nickelodeon and Awesomeness’s live-action film studio business, we are curating a slate of aspirational, heartfelt films for everyone. From the fantasy and romance themes found in Hush Hush, to the love of sport and family captured in Fantasy Football, we can’t wait to entertain audiences everywhere with new YA and family stories about what they already love.”
It’s not too early to think about the upcoming National Lacrosse League (@NLL) season, and in that spirit, the largest and most successful professional lacrosse property in the world today launched the NLL Summer 2021 Pick ‘Em presented by WOLF Athletics, a daily opinion poll game continuing through July 21. The free to play game will let fans cast their votes and express their views on all aspects of the league. Daily prizes such as team and NLL merchandise, memorabilia, box lacrosse gear, 2021-22 single game tickets and an NLL Getaway Weekend Grand Prize including travel, hotel, and the chance to attend a select NLL game in 2021-22 will reward fans for responses to queries like best players by position, league awards, rules, logos, milestones and more.
Each day, NLL Summer 2021 Pick ‘Em will pose two to four questions at https://www.nll.com/nll-pick-em/, amplified through the league and teams’ social media channels. A player can win daily prizes by playing the game (t-shirt, hats, backpacks, sweatshirts, game-worn jerseys, tickets and more) and can increase their chances of winning the Grand Prize by playing every day.
“NLL Summer 2021 Pick ‘Em presented by WOLF Athletics is a great way for fans to continue to engage with the league, teams and other fans as we get ready for the new season,” said NLL Commissioner Nick Sakiewicz. “The buzz around recent events like the Expansion Draft and franchise announcements have shown there is a year-round interest in the NLL, and working with our amazing partners FanHub and WOLF Athletics on this game will help keep that excitement going as we work towards Face Off Weekend.”
Together FanHub and the NLL will launch an in-season version of the Pick ‘Em Challenge, which will focus on game outcomes and trends, and will debut timed to Face Off Weekend (December 3-4th, 2021). Details will be announced closer to the season.
Fantasy football expert Ryan Kramer will host a 24-hour, live “Best Ball Draft” event on multiple video platforms from the Sports Gambling Podcast Network 4K studio in Los Angeles on Tuesday, July 13, in a first-of-its-kind offering of input, advice and entertainment for hobbyists and fanatics around the country. The live stream will begin at 1 p.m. PT and will be available on YouTube at http://sg.pn/YouTube.
The co-founder of Sports Gambling Podcast Network (www.sportsgamblingpodcast.com) has been preparing for weeks for this marathon test of knowledge and stamina. Kramer is among America’s top experts in the fantasy football space as the 10-time Fantasy Football Players Championship (FFPC) Main Event league winner. He will focus primarily on the prominent “Best Ball” format, an innovative form of season-long fantasy that requires no week-to-week management after the draft. Participants simply select their 18-player team before the season and each week they receive the points of their roster’s top-performing player at each position. He will use the popular Underdog Fantasy App and viewers will be able to jump into the stream and interact with Kramer during the historic proceedings.
“Fans are returning to the stadiums, training camps open July 27 and the first pre-season game is August 5,” offered Kramer, who is a two-time Draft Kings Best Ball League winner in daily fantasy competition. “There is a perfect storm of peaking interest now as we emerge from the global pandemic with the NFL ready for a new season.
Fantasy football is bigger than ever, so we’re prepared to launch the 2021 edition of the Best Ball phenomenon in a special way.” Throughout the stream, Kramer will be giving away 15 free entries to Underdog Fantasy’s Best Ball Mania tournament in which participants have a chance to win $1,000,000 in prize money.
Kramer will be drafting full teams, consecutively, for the full 24 hours with each cycle expected to take slightly less than one hour. He will intersperse the player selections with traditional wagering commentary on the upcoming NFL season plus analytics drawn from his background as a computer engineer and the myriad skills that have enabled his elite fantasy football accomplishments.
With Kramer committing to the 24-hour effort, the Sports Gambling Podcast Network (SGPN) App will conduct a $500 props contest for Draft Day viewers who attend the livestream. In the hours preceding, viewers will be able to answer various prop bet questions regarding Kramer’s physical well-being and how many different teams he’ll put together during the timespan. The contest, available only on the SGPN App, will include questions like:
• How many times will Ryan Kramer fall asleep – over/under 5. • Total number of fantasy teams drafted – over/under 20.5. • Total number of bathroom breaks – over/under 9.5. The SGPN App is available on all devices and is downloadable at Apple’s App Store, the Google Play Store, and from www.SportsGamblingPodcast.com.
360 Hoops today announced that 12 teams of top men’s and women’s players will compete in the 360 Hoops Orlando Invitational at the main gymnasium at O.C.P.S. Academic Center for Excellence (701 W. Livingston St., Orlando) on Wednesday, July 21. Action on two championship courts will take place from 6-10 p.m., showcasing 360 Hoops, the patented three-on-three version of basketball which features a 17’ radius circular court and three baskets and backboards, all in play on every possession.
The event is held in conjunction with A.C.E. League Orlando, whose mission is to bring high level basketball players throughout the city of Orlando to one centralized location. Teams of four players will compete in both brackets, with $5,000 total prize money offered to the champions.
Admission is free for fans to attend at O.C.P.S.A.C.. Select contests, including the championship game, will be broadcasted via national and regional networks and streamed at the 360 Hoops YouTube channel.
“The 360 Hoops Orlando Invitational will introduce fans to our fast-paced, exciting three-basket concept, both in person at O.C.P.S.A.C. and on television,” said 360 Hoops CEO Archie McEachern. “Our version of basketball keeps every player involved, emphasizes movement and teamwork and athleticism, and we are excited to see players compete in Orlando to show the many benefits of our patented hoop and unique brand of the game.
“Additionally, we are pleased to be working with A.C.E. League Orlando on this event, ensuring a high level of competition to show the great potential of 360 Hoops and how we are changing the shape of the game,” added McEachern.
A.C.E. League teams scheduled to participate include the 2020 champions Pedro’s Posse, Heart N Soul, Metrowest, Stay Gorilla, Global Not Local, Polk County All Stars, Team Rise and Select Group. Former 360 Hoops Invitational women’s championship MVP Alexis Prine will also compete.
“We have been continuing to develop the 360 Hoops unit and the game and we can’t wait to see it played out live with these great men’s and women’s athletes,” said 360 Hoops co-founder Shane Brey. “This is only the beginning as we are planning more events to highlight the game.”
360 Hoops, the brainchild of Brey and fellow co-founder Anthony Gomez, is an exciting, inclusive addition to the shape of basketball at all levels, incorporating a three-on-three, three-basket game played on a circular court. Teams compete on the circular court, which features a proprietary single stanchion with three regulation baskets facing away in each direction. Players can score for their teams in any of the three baskets.
The National Lacrosse League (@NLL), the largest and most successful professional lacrosse property in the world, today announced a historic partnership with TSN, Canada’s Sports Leader, to bring games to Canadians across broadcast and live streaming platforms for the first time since 2016. The new agreement is the league’s most comprehensive Canadian broadcast partnership in its 35-year history, and marks the next in a series of major steps the league has taken in recent months as it moves towards returning to play on December 3, 2021.
The multi-year media rights partnership between the NLL and TSN includes exclusive rights to the regular season “NLL Game of the Week,” as well as comprehensive playoff action, including the NLL Championship Series. TSN also delivers NLL coverage to TSN and TSN Direct subscribers through live streaming on its digital platforms, TSN.ca and the TSN app. Schedule details and additional content information will be announced in the coming months. The 2021-22 NLL season begins the weekend of December 3 with 14 teams, five of which are based in Canada.
“As one of our new owners, Wayne Gretzky, reminded people a few weeks ago when we launched our new franchise in Las Vegas, box lacrosse is the national summertime sport of Canada, and we couldn’t be more pleased and eager to bring the NLL back to Canadian fans with TSN, the country’s premier sports network,” said NLL Commissioner Nick Sakiewicz. “This partnership will give us the ability to distribute NLL games to even more fans than ever before and showcase our amazing athletes, coaches, and action that so many Canadians love so dearly and have enjoyed in person.”
“Box lacrosse is an exciting, fast-paced sport, and we are very proud to partner with the NLL to grow the game and bring comprehensive live coverage to Canadian viewers throughout the season,” said Nathalie Cook, VP, TSN and RDS. “The NLL is a significant addition to our live sports schedule, one we know our fans will enjoy for years to come, and we’re excited to deliver expansive coverage, both on and off the floor, to spotlight the league’s talented players.”
For the most up to date information and breaking news, sign up for the NLL newsletter at NLL.com. Also follow Deputy Commissioner Jessica Berman and Commissioner Sakiewicz on Twitter @JessicaBerman1 and @NLLcommish, respectively.
Entain, the leading global sports betting and gaming entertainment operator, is doubling investment in its in-house games studios to accelerate and expand its ability to provide customers with new and exclusive products and experiences.
Headcount will double to around 300 people across Entain’s three in-house studios in the UK, Italy, and India within a year, to deliver exciting, exclusive new products and experiences across all its markets, including the U.S. CR Games, Entain’s UK games studio based near Oldham, Manchester, will initially create 8 new roles taking its headcount close to 50.
New content includes free to play slots tournaments, believed to be the first of their kind, giving customers a great choice of free games to play and win cash prizes. Over 30,000 customers of Entain’s Coral brand in the UK entered in June following launch, with international customers of Gala, Party and bwin expected to join over the summer.
Following the recent sponsorship between its PartyCasino and PartyPoker brands and McLaren, customers will get exclusive access to Formula 1 themed casino content and games later this year. Entain is also developing new experiences for customers using immersive technologies, and plans to upweight this capability at its in-house studios. The Group’s first VR product for customers – a multi-activity sports club – is due later in the year.
“We love giving our customers great experiences and exciting entertainment as that is the bedrock of what we do.” said Jette Nygaard-Andersen, Chief Executive of Entain. “Increasing our investment across all three of our in-house games studios will provide more of that for our customers across all our global brands.”
“By widening our offer with new and exclusive games, such as free-to-play tournaments, we give existing and new customers more reasons to use our products.” added Jette Nygaard-Andersen. “This not only helps to grow our business but brings fresh insight, so we can further improve the offer for our customers.”
Over 70% of BetMGM customers in the U.S. enjoy using exclusive content from Entain, helping to make BetMGM the U.S. market leader in iGaming. Among the most popular exclusive titles are MGM Grand Millions, Borgata Cash Spinner, Premium Blackjack Pro and Bison’s Fury slot game. Win Studios based in Hyderabad, India, is developing 30 new products specifically for customers of BetMGM this year, adding to new games like BetMGM Blackjack Pro, BetMGM Roulette Pro, Book of Myths, The Win Genie, Eye of Hathor, and Platinum Blackjack Pro.
Entain’s studios are also adapting best-selling content for more international markets. Win Studios has tailored Entain’s core bingo product to create a unique sports-themed gaming experience for customers of its Sportingbet brand, for example, and CR Games is tailoring top-ranking proprietary games enjoyed in the UK for customers in Europe.
These now include new customers in the Baltic states, following the acquisition of Enlabs earlier this year. CR Games is versioning the latest release of its popular “Big Banker” game for customers of Optibet in Latvia and bwin customers in other parts of Europe. The studio is also creating new recreational games for the mass market, in the UK and elsewhere, including “Fiery Wilds”, a casino game which has already proved popular with players.
Colin Cole-Johnson, Entain Gaming Director, said: “Our priority is always to create exciting, engaging products that give our customers choice. Not only does this enhance the experience for the millions of people who enjoy our products, but is an important driver of Entain’s growth. These exclusive, innovative, and tailored games are really valued by our customers. Developing more of our own games means we have complete control over what goes into them, not just in giving our customers a great experience, but also keeping them safe”.
Entain has a third proprietary studio in Italy, Eurobet, which is also looking at customizing its most popular exclusive games in Italy to support Entain’s global growth.
Mobile Premier League (MPL), Asia’s largest esports and skill gaming platform, today announced the official launch of the MPL App in the U.S. with nine casual games. The app is now available on the Apple App Store and on Android for users to download.
The MPL App in the U.S. offers a seamless player experience and the unique opportunity to play, compete, and win cash prizes – all under one super app.
Based in India with offices in Singapore and Jakarta, Indonesia, MPL was founded in 2018 and has quickly become Asia’s largest and most trusted gaming platform with more than 81 million registered users across India and Indonesia.
MPL is backed by marquee investors such as Sequoia Capital, Moore Strategic Ventures, SIG, Pegasus Tech Ventures, Founders Circle, Telstra, Composite Capital, MDI, Go-Ventures, RTP Global, Base Partners, among others. The company has raised $225.5 million in funding till date, valuing it at $945 million. MPL’s investors have backed global marquee technology companies in the past.
MPL will offer nine high-quality casual games at launch, and new games will be introduced on a regular basis. The first slate of quick, fun, and fast-action games includes Baseball Star, Block Puzzle, Bowling, Pool, 21 Puzzle, and others.
The MPL App provides players the opportunity to compete in a variety of formats, including head-to-head matches or in tournament play, with the option to participate in free competitions or for low minimums ranging from 60 cents to $6. All head-to-head matchups will be determined by MPL’s proprietary and best-in-class player matching technology. For any games with real cash prizes, players need to be at least 18 years of age.
“It is a historic moment for MPL as we launch in the U.S. and continue to grow our presence around the world,” said MPL Co-Founder and CEO Sai Srinivas. “With our proven success in India and Indonesia, combined with the soaring popularity of casual real-money gaming in the U.S., we look forward to providing millions of players in the U.S. with a safe, fair and incredible gaming experience.”
MPL has been a leader in responsible gaming and is one of the first gaming platforms to pioneer groundbreaking technology to ensure player safety and fair play. In the U.S., MPL plans to continue its commitment to protect players and the integrity of all games.
Two-time champion Tony Romo is the 2021 favorite to win the American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament with Charles Barkley among scores of big-name celebrities highlighting the lineup of odds and props for the championship, taking place July 9-11. and is accepting wagers, where legal.
Romo, the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback turned CBS Sports NFL Analyst, is listed at 3-2 in the William Hill sportsbooks ahead of a host of annual contenders, including three-time champion and former MLB standout pitcher Mark Mulder (4-1), and Fox Sports MLB analyst, Hall of Famer and PGA TOUR Champions exemption competitor John Smoltz (8-1). The second choice is the defending champion, former top-ranked American professional tennis player and now USTA Davis Cup Captain Mardy Fish at 2-1.
LPGA and World Golf Hall of Famer Annika Sorenstam(8-1) played in the American Century Championship in 2014 and went off as the 2-1 favorite, eventually finishing second. She has played in multiple tournaments in 2021, and the American Century Championship will be her final competitive venture before teeing-it-up at the U.S. Senior Women’s Open in late July.
Barkley, the Hall of Fame former NBA star and now TNT Basketball Analyst, has the longest odds at 7500-1 but he has recently asserted in media that his game has improved measurably. So, William Hill has posted an unusual proposition bet that enables fans to wager on Barkley finishing in the top 70 of the 85-plus player field.
As it prepares for its first action in December, Panther City Lacrosse Club (PCLC) will take the first major step in stocking its roster via the National Lacrosse League (NLL) Expansion Draft, to be held on Wednesday, June 29, beginning at 7pm ET from the Omni Fort Worth ballroom (1300 Houston St., Ft. Worth, TX). Managing Partner Greg Bibb, General Manager & VP, Lacrosse Operations Bob Hamley, and Head Coach Tracey Kelusky will oversee the team’s 13 selections from among available players not protected by other NLL teams.
The National Lacrosse League (@NLL), the largest and most successful professional lacrosse property in the world, will broadcast the Expansion Draft Selection Show, hosted by Devan Kaney, live via the league’s YouTube channel.
Numerous dignitaries will call each of the 13 selections, including Hamley, Bibb, Kelusky (virtual), #1 WNBA draft pick Dallas Wings’ Charli Collier, future box lacrosse stars representing DFW region youth lacrosse organizations and more. A live audience will be on hand, including PCLC front office staff, partners, season ticket holders and area youth lacrosse players.
“We’ve had a number of Expansion Drafts over the last 4 years and here we are once again for NLL’s 14th team, the Panther City Lacrosse Club. It’s an exciting time for North Texas fans to see which players will become a part of the inaugural team,” said NLL Commissioner Nick Sakiewicz. “There is so much talent across the league and many outstanding players available to help Coach Kelusky build a competitive team. It’s an important night for PCLC and there will be strong viewership of fans, players, and coaches watching across the league.”
The league’s 13 other franchises have submitted their respective lists of protected players, which are available at NLL.com.
The league last held an Expansion Draft prior to the 2019-20 season, as the New York Riptide and Rochester Knighthawks formed the beginnings of their respective squads.
Additional ways for PLCC to build their roster heading into Faceoff Weekend (December 3rd-4th, 2021) include: signing any free agents starting on August 1st, the NLL Entry Draft (Late Summer/Fall 2021), and player trades with other teams.
For the most up to date information and breaking news, sign up for the NLL newsletter at NLL.com. Also follow Deputy Commissioner Jessica Berman and Commissioner Sakiewicz on Twitter @JessicaBerman1 and @NLLcommish, respectively.
For more information on the NLL, visit NLL.com. You can also find @NLL on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
The Entain Foundation U.S., a not-for-profit dedicated to responsible gambling funded by BetMGM co-parent Entain, the global sports betting and gaming operator, today launched a groundbreaking app, “Gamble Responsibly America”. The app is the first of its kind in the U.S. and has been produced together with EPIC Risk Management and RG24/7, partners to the Entain Foundation U.S. on education projects.
The free app now available in the App Store and Google Play Store, features a series of educational resources and tools to help and support anyone facing potential issues with problem gambling. There is no requirement on people to register, and the app is unbranded, positioning the app entirely as an educative resource with no commercial benefit to Entain or BetMGM, the U.S. business it jointly owns with MGM Resorts.
Through the app, the Entain Foundation U.S. aims to extend information and services to underpin safe play as sports-betting and gaming expands rapidly across the U.S. Through a variety of initiatives and programs in the U.S., it already provides dedicated funding to research, extensive resources, and partners with leading organizations to ensure protection for consumers with support from Entain, which has set commitment to responsible gaming at its core.
Gamble Responsibly America will offer assets and information to help people gamble responsibly and provide guidance for those struggling, or who would like to understand the behavioral patterns or symptoms associated with, problem gambling. It is the first free app to do this and available from the outset in both English and Spanish, to maximize its accessibility to all communities in America.
Key features of the app include:
• Limits and Tools: The app informs people how they can regulate playing habits with functions like limiting deposits on a weekly basis or allotting a time-out, where logging into accounts will be restricted until a set time is complete. Most operators offer such tools, which effectively help people to control their levels of play.
• Self-Assessment Quiz: Users of Gamble Responsibly America can take a quick self-assessment to understand whether their playing habits should be modified or adjusted.
• Gambling Diary: Individuals can regularly input notes about gaming and betting choices. This gives users the opportunity to reflect on the decisions and investments being made and adjust if needed.
• Behavioral Callouts: Users can learn more about potentially harmful behaviors, or markers of concern, to be aware of when betting and gaming. These can include, frequency of play, failed deposits, multiple payment methods and more.
• LiveChat: A 24/7 live chat feature is available to connect individuals with helpline specialists. The live chat function within the app routes to the National Council on Problem Gambling’s live chatline, which is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• Extensive Information and Resources: Finally, throughout the app users can find a comprehensive list of where to find additional information and assistance, videos on the importance of responsible gambling, and more. Three videos giving more information about responsible gambling are directly accessible via the app.
Martin Lycka, Entain Senior Vice President for American Regulatory Affairs and Responsible Gambling and Trustee of the Entain Foundation U.S., noted, “We are incredibly proud to be launching the Gamble Responsibly America application as our commitment to responsible betting and gaming is unmatched within the industry. Through this first-of-its-kind app, we are determined to continue helping individuals by providing the resources and programs necessary to ensure everyone is betting and gaming responsibly.”
Today’s announcement is another milestone for the Entain Foundation U.S., a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting responsible gambling, sports integrity, and corporate compliance in the U.S.
Prior to the launch of Gamble Responsibly America, Entain announced a series of partnerships and programs, including, a player education initiative around sports betting with professional sports leagues and colleges across the US with EPIC Risk Management; a cross-border responsible gambling tool with PlayPause; and, a five-year research initiative with the Division on Addiction at Cambridge Health Alliance, a Harvard Medical School teaching hospital to better understand problematic and addictive behaviors.
Gamble Responsibly America is available to for download on iPhone and Android via the AppStore or PlayStore. Additionally, BetMGM will provide information and links to the app on all of its responsible gaming web pages. This information will be valuable to anyone interested in learning more about responsible betting and gaming.
FanDuel Group has announced a venue selection for its new technology campus which will be located at Ponce City Market in Atlanta, GA. The company selected the historic and revitalized building in the Old Fourth Ward neighborhood as the new technology hub for its software engineering, product development, user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) teams. The company plans to grow its Atlanta-based workforce to approximately 900 colleagues over the next five years. These colleagues will be housed in a newly built-out 68,000 square foot space on the building’s third floor.
“Ponce City Market is the perfect location for our new technology campus and reflects our commitment to becoming a central part of the Atlanta corporate footprint,” said Sarah Butterfass, Chief Product Officer for FanDuel Group. “This historic building offers our employees a blend of old-world charm, cutting edge sophistication and modern amenities that will deliver an unmatched working environment. Additionally, its location allows us to build deep ties to Atlanta’s diverse pipeline of talent coming from its many top-flight universities.”
FanDuel colleagues will benefit from a range of Ponce City Market amenities, including direct access to the Atlanta Beltline, furnished corporate apartments, bike storage and child daycare center on-site, as well as an array of food, entertainment and wellness options.
“Over the last few years, Ponce City Market has become a major employment hub for the City of Atlanta,” said Matt Bronfman, CEO of Jamestown, the real estate investment and management company behind Ponce City Market. “FanDuel will add to that important distinction and further grow the property’s dynamic ecosystem of tech and creative class companies.”
Ponce City Market first opened its doors in 2013 and has since been credited as a catalyst for revitalizing the Old Fourth Ward neighborhood. The property currently includes 643,000 square feet of Class-A office, with 300,000 square feet of curated retail, over 75,000 square feet of entertainment, and over 36 food and beverage purveyors. Ponce City Market hosts at least 8-12 events and activations each week. The award-winning building has been recognized as a LEED Gold Building Design & Construction, as well as the 2018 Mixed Use Building of the Year from BOMA TOBY.
Ponce City Market recently unveiled new plans to include 500,000 square feet of new development and neighborhood amenities. Designed with a focus on sustainability and wellness, the site is expected to bring an office building, outdoor courtyard surrounded by 38,000 sq. ft. of shopping and dining, and more than 400 units in a new “hospitality living” concept to the Old Fourth Ward neighborhood.
The National Lacrosse League (@NLL), the largest and most successful professional lacrosse property in the world, has long been a leader in championing the awareness of Indigenous Peoples and their crucial role in the continued growth and development of their native sport of lacrosse. In that continued spirit and in conjunction with June’s Indigenous History Month in Canada, the league is proud to announce today’s launch of a pop artist initiative featuring three standout Indigenous pop artists and a player discussion with Georgia Swarm forward Randy Staats, highlighting and celebrating their contributions to the sport and authentically representing unity and inclusion.
The league has commissioned artwork by Yul Baker, a former Rochester Knighthawks player and champion and Squamish Nation citizen residing in West Vancouver, B.C.; Tracey Anthony, owner and operator of Vision Artworks of Six Nations / Delaware / Mississaugas of the Credit First Nations; and Jordan Thompson of Mohawk Art & Design, a citizen of Haudenosaunee Confederacy on the U.S./Canada border. Beginning today and rolling out throughout the month, the NLL will feature the artwork highlighting the artist’s unique journeys and stories via its digital platforms and social media. NLL fans can enter to win custom prizing with the designs throughout the month of June by entering at NLL.com.
Staats participated in a candid conversation with the league on the history of Residential Schools and how they impacted the Indigenous populations across Canada, raising awareness of this important history of these people. As one of the native players within the NLL, Staats will look to highlight the league’s efforts to raise awareness of systemic issues facing these populations as well as the strides made among this community.
Tewanee Joseph, member of the Squamish First Nation and CEO of Tewanee Consulting Group, will host interviews with the artists and coordinate communications efforts surrounding the program. In one of his many accomplishments delivering key partnerships, Joseph negotiated the first licensing agreement to recognize Indigenous artwork as part of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic games in Vancouver.
“The contributions of Indigenous Peoples to the development and maintaining the enduring traditions of the ‘Creators Game’ is epic. We are honored and proud to work together for the continued success of lacrosse shinning a light on the immense contribution by Indigenous Peoples on the game,” said NLL Commissioner Nick Sakiewicz. “Yul, Tracey, and Jordan have created unique pieces that capture their unbreakable bond with the sport, and Randy is one of the league’s most outstanding individuals. We couldn’t be more proud to be featuring these beautiful works of art as well as Randy’s interviews, all reflecting our core values of unity, inclusion and character.”
Some of the most influential individuals in business, entrepreneurship and at all levels of hockey today formally announced the launch of The Carnegie Initiative, an independent not for profit platform to promote the growth of hockey and ensure opportunity and access to the sport. The Carnegie Initiative will also establish and award academic grants and other incentives for those who are doing work to positively grow and address change in the sport throughout Canada and the United States.
The foundation is named in honor of legendary hockey player and social justice pioneer Herb Carnegie. It is co-founded by Bernice Carnegie and Bryant McBride. Bernice is Herb’s daughter and co-author of their family autobiography, “A Fly in a Pail of Milk”, featuring Part II – Lessons passed on from father to daughter. Bryant is a longtime businessman and former National Hockey League executive. McBride co-produced “Willie,” the critically acclaimed documentary about hockey pioneer and Hall of Famer Willie O’Ree, who broke the color barrier in the NHL. Board members include well-known figures within hockey and in business, ranging from Hall of Famer Grant Fuhr, veteran NHL executives Brian Burke and Ted Nolan, Olympian Sarah Nurse, legendary broadcasters Ron MacLean and Harnarayan Singh, women’s hockey pioneer and Hall of Famer Angela James, and other key leaders at the grassroots level representing members of the BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and parasport communities.
“Change in hockey, and opening up the game for all, is something that is growing but needs to be accelerated, and we believe that the time to do that has never been better,” said McBride, the first black executive at the National Hockey League. “There are so many efforts going on, both big and small, to help expand the game, and our goal is to shed light on those communities, as well as help those still being marginalized, change problems that exist. We will do it holistically and without any bias.”
“Hockey is a great game, and my father worked hard throughout his life to make sure opportunities existed for all,” added co-chair Bernice Carnegie. “The Carnegie Initiative can now focus with the necessary resources and outreach to expand his work and help those who need it thrive both on and off the ice.”
credit: Pexels/Arthur Brognoli
The Carnegie Initiative will work independently with executives, teams, leagues, federations, brands and leading academic institutions across North America to champion the successes of diverse audiences in hockey as well as work to address and correct issues in the game on all levels with regard to any area of diversity. It will accelerate the work started by Herb Carnegie, a Canadian of Jamaican descent, more than 60 years ago when he launched his first hockey school in Toronto to teach hockey skills while fostering a spirit of diversity and inclusiveness.
The Carnegie Initiative (CI) will work to
• Ensure that hockey is inclusive, supportive and welcoming to all
• Examine the efforts of governing bodies and other stewards of the game to make hockey more diverse and inclusive
• Use rigorous academic research to identify and solve the sport’s biggest issues
• Shine a light on success stories and best practices through media partners
• Create substantive, authentic change throughout the hockey world
In short, advance the change in the culture of hockey.
The Carnegie Initiative’s leadership team includes Stephanie J. Geosits, Executive Director, and Ken Gelman, Chief Commercial Officer. Geosits worked alongside McBride at the NHL in launching the league’s first diversity programs and Gelman was one of the initial creators of NHL Center Ice. Both are long-time sports executives and entrepreneurs.
For information on making a contribution to The Carnegie Initiative, contact Ken Gelman. For information on The Carnegie Initiative grants to academic institutions contact Stephanie J. Geosits.
Carnegie’s hockey career began in 1938 and ran through the mid 1950’s. His chance at playing in the NHL came in the late 1940’s when he was given a tryout with the New York Rangers and offered a contract to play in the Rangers’ minor league system, but because he was offered considerably less money than he was earning in the Quebec League he turned down all three offers made by the Rangers organization during his tryout. As a black man playing hockey in the 1940’s and 1950’s, Carnegie endured his share of racism. In one famous incident, Conn Smythe, the owner of the Toronto Maple Leafs, watched Carnegie play as a member of the Toronto Young Rangers. He is alleged to have said either that he would accept Carnegie on the team if he were white or that he would pay $10,000 to anyone who could turn Carnegie white.
After retiring, Carnegie had a successful business career as a financial planner with the Investors Group, and in 1955, he founded one of Canada’s first hockey schools, Future Aces, and through his work in training young hockey players, became a member of both the Order of Ontario and the country’s highest civilian award, the Order of Canada. His hockey career was recognized when he was inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2001, and the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame in 2014. He passed away in Toronto in March 2012 at age 92.
Strat-O-Matic, the market leader in sports simulation, today released the results of three simulations tied to baseball’s observation of “Lou Gehrig Day” as part of its celebration of the endeavor across the sport. Full details of each simulation are posted at http://www.strat-o-matic.com.
The first is a “Home Run Derby” featuring two pairs of famed Yankee sluggers during their most prolific seasons. Gehrig took on his 1927 teammate Babe Ruth and 1961 “M&M Boys” Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris in a 10 at-bat format. Gehrig hit just one home run in his first four at bats to two by each of the other competitors, but slammed five in his last six times up to win with six bombs to four each by Ruth, Maris and Mantle.
Second is an imagined contest in which all the competitors wore #4 in their careers. In the simulation, which pitted the N.L. vs. the A.L. Gehrig went 0-for-4 against Blake Snell and 1950s journeyman Hal Jeffcoat, but his Junior Circuit squad took a 3-0 verdict behind two home runs by Hall of Famer Goose Goslin and eight innings of four-hit pitching by 1960s lefty George Brunet.
In the final simulation, Strat-O-Matic reimagined Gehrig’s career had he not been stricken with ALS, beginning with the 1938 season, during which his numbers were likely reduced in the early stages of the disease. In the replay, Gehrig plays through 1942, his age 39 season, amassing a total of 676 doubles (which would have placed him third at the time of his retirement, instead of 11th), 610 home runs (second, rather than third) and 2488 RBI (first, instead of third).
In addition to conducting the simulations, Strat-O-Matic will donate 10% of net sales today (June 2) to The ALS Association Greater New York Chapter, home region to Gehrig and the game company celebrating its 60th year. June 2 was both the day that Gehrig began his consecutive games played streak in 1925 (first game started), and the date of his death in 1941. In addition to increasing awareness of the disease and fundraising to fight it, Lou Gehrig Day also serves to celebrate those working to end ALS.
With the recent announcement that baseball will observe “Lou Gehrig Day” annually on June 2, Strat-O-Matic, the market leader in sports simulation, today unveiled its plans to honor the all-time great first baseman whose untimely passing from ALS cut short his legendary career. In addition to donating 10% of net sales on that date to The ALS Association Greater New York Chapter, home region to Gehrig and the game company celebrating its 60th year, Strat-O-Matic will simulate several scenarios related to the Hall of Famer.
Beginning on Monday, May 31, and continuing through Wednesday, Strat-O-Matic will release three simulations by its research team that include an extension of Gehrig’s career past 1939, had he not been stricken with the progressive neurodegenerative disease that often bears his name; a home run derby between Gehrig, Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris; and a contest featuring all-time stars who wore his famed #4.
Lou Gehrig (Met Museum/The Jefferson R. Burdick Collection)
June 2 was both the day that Gehrig began his consecutive games played streak in 1925, and the date of his death in 1941. In addition to increasing awareness of the disease and fundraising to fight it, Lou Gehrig Day also serves to celebrate those working to end ALS.
“Lou Gehrig’s accomplishments on the field and impact off the field are immense, and we’re pleased to be honoring him as part of baseball’s new Lou Gehrig Day across the sport,” said Adam Richman, Strat-O-Matic President. “We are proud to incorporate a donation to the ALS Association Greater New York Chapter and we hope fans will enjoy the simulations around one of our most popular historical players.”
