Tag Archives: nfl

NY Jets, Partners Built PLAY 60 Fitness Zone for Riverdale, N.J. Public School

As part of the Jets’ Hometown Huddle project, the New York Jets, in collaboration with Dunkin’, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU), and United Way of Northern New Jersey, helped build a new PLAY 60 Fitness Zone for Riverdale Public School in Riverdale, N.J.

The Atlantic Health Jets Women’s Organization, comprised of the many women who are affiliated with the team, including staff members, significant others of coaches, players, and football personnel, along with the women of United Way Women United, Dunkin’, NJBPU, and the Florham Park Teachers Union volunteered their time to build the fitness zone with Sinclair Recreation on October 20.

The play space features an obstacle course with monkey bars, climbers, a lily pad bridge, four slides, and more. The playground not only provides an environment that facilitates play, but also allows students to develop strength and practice fine motor skills.

The Jets unveiled the new PLAY 60 Fitness Zone for the 27th Annual Hometown Huddle Day of Service at Riverdale Public School on October 21. The 17 members of the Jets 2025 Rookie Class – Armand Membou, Mason Taylor, Azareye’h Thomas, Arian Smith, Malachi Moore, Kiko Mauigoa, Tyler Baron, Brady Cook, Jordan Clark, Dean Clark, Ja’Markis Weston, Leander Wiegand, Esa Pole, Payton Page, Jamaal Pritchett, Quentin Skinner, and Fatorma Mulbah – exercised with students from Riverdale Public School on the new Fitness Zone.

The $150,000 playground build was made possible with contributions from the Jets Foundation, Dunkin’, and NJBPU.

Washington Commanders, Atlanta Falcons Team Up This Weekend For Fourth Annual Coach Knapp Stair Climb Campaign

The Coach Knapp Memorial Fund, named in honor of veteran NFL assistant coach Greg Knapp, dedicated to educating drivers on the dangers of distracted driving, reduce the number of distracted driving related deaths, and promote distracted driving awareness reform, will return to Atlanta Sunday as both the Washington Commanders and the Atlanta Falcons will run the Mercedes Benz Stadium stairs prior to their matchup as the latest participants in the fourth season of the “Coach Knapp Stair Climb.” The two teams will also be joined by the Atlanta chapter of Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD) for the climb.

“Knapper was not only a great coach who I had the pleasure of working with on multiple teams, he was a great mentor to all of his QBs, many rising coaches and touched the lives of all that knew him. He is the definition of a great teammate and to this day, I run the stairs before games since doing it with him years ago,” said Commanders Head Coach Dan Quinn. “The Commanders coaches and staff are pumped to join the Falcons for the climb once again this year. We dedicate this day to Greg and the Coach Knapp Memorial Fund. We look forward to continuing to raise money and awareness to combat distracted driving and honor his life in such a meaningful and impactful way.”

This year’s initiative started during the preseason led by Ripon College, Lenoir-Rhyne University and the Los Angeles Rams, followed by the Green Bay Packers who climbed the Lambeau Field steps prior to their week 1 matchup. Over 500 coaches, players and staff will be participating in various forms on game days.

The fund, which has raised over $300,000 to date already, was created by Greg’s wife, Charlotte, and close friend and agent, the late Jeff Sperbeck, to honor the legacy of Greg Knapp who tragically passed away in July 2021 after being hit by a distracted driver while he was bicycling. Coach Knapp was known for climbing the stadium stairs before every single NFL game he coached over his 25 season career. All will be tagged #knappstairclimb on social platforms.

In honor of Coach Knapp, NFL coaches, players, executives and alumni will participate in raising funds and awareness at each NFL stadium prior to team warm ups. Teams confirmed to participate in the stair climb include: the Packers, Rams, Commanders, Falcons, Dolphins and 49ers as well as Fordham University, Syracuse University, Sacramento State, San Jose State, The University of Houston, Lenoir-Rhyne University and Ripon College. Additional participants will be announced in the coming weeks.

At the time of his passing, Knapp was recently named Passing Game Coordinator of the New York Jets under head coach Robert Saleh, after serving as an assistant coach for over a quarter of a century with the Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos, Oakland (now Las Vegas) Raiders, Houston Texans, Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers. Known as a “quarterback whisperer,” Greg coached some of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history helping chart the careers of many young athletes with kindness, humor and trust.

Fans, athletes, and coaches at any level can also participate wherever is most convenient to them across the country, such as apartment building stairs or a high school sports stadium. Images will be shared on various social channels.

To learn more on how you can get involved, details can be found at https://www.knappmemorial.org/stairclimb

Buffalo Tops Tampa Bay in Strat-O-Matic Football 2025 Season Simulation

Four runner-up finishes more than 30 years ago is as close as Buffalo has come to winning the football championship. But Western New York just might be celebrating its favorite team’s first title on February 8, as Strat-O-Matic (@strat-o-matic), the market leader in sports simulations, today revealed the results of its full simulation of the 2025 season. In the ultimate game, Buffalo (14-3, A.F.C # 1 playoff seed) defeated Tampa Bay (14-3, best record in the league), 27-13, for the franchise’s crowning moment.

Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow led the circuit in touchdowns (39, tied with Geno Smith of Las Vegas) and yards passing (4,855) to earn the league MVP honors in the simulation. Derrick Henry (1,811 yards) of Baltimore and Saquon Barkley (19 touchdowns) of Philadelphia were among the top runners, while Las Vegas’s Brock Bowers paced in receptions (137) and touchdowns (15) from his tight end spot.

In Strat-O-Matic’s simulation, using team rosters as of September 1, Buffalo defeated Indianapolis, 35-25, and Kansas City, 41-21, en route to the title game. Tampa Bay, the N.F.C. top seed, edged Detroit, 44-41, and throttled Los Angeles, 30-10, on its run to the final. Josh Allen passed for 274 yards and a TD in the championship game.

Other A.F.C. playoff teams included No. 2 Denver (12-5, West champion), No. 3 Pittsburgh (10-7, North champion), No. 4 Indianapolis (9-8, South champion), No. 5 Miami (13-4, Wild Card), No. 6 Kansas City (11-6, Wild Card) and No. 7 Las Vegas (10-7, Wild Card). Over in the N.F.C., postseason berths went to No. 2 Los Angeles (13-4, West champion), No. 3 Green Bay (13-4, North champion), No. 4 Washington (9-8, East champion), No. 5 Arizona (12-5, Wild Card), No. 6 Detroit (11-6, Wild Card), and No. 7 Chicago (9-8, Wild Card).

Indianapolis Colts Season Ticket Members To Receive FanCash to Enhance Gameday Experience at Lucas Oil Stadium

Select Indianapolis Colts season ticket members will receive FanCash as part of a groundbreaking partnership with Fanatics Sportsbook to enhance the cashless experience at Lucas Oil Stadium. 

As a Sportsbook Partner of the Colts, Fanatics Sportsbook will distribute nearly $1 million in FanCash to Colts season ticket members this season. This innovative partnership in the sports world will give customers the ability to use the Fanatics loyalty currency to buy Colts merch or even a hot dog during halftime at Lucas Oil Stadium.*

While Fanatics Sportsbook customers have long enjoyed the benefits of FanCash, this exclusive offer now extends those rewards directly to Colts season ticket members.  Beginning August 21, 2025, select Colts season ticket members will be rewarded exclusively with $100 in FanCash that can be used at the Colts Pro Shop, redeemed in the Fanatics Sportsbook app, or converted into Colts Cash for in-stadium concessions and more. Season ticket members will receive unprecedented cashless benefits and redefine the fan experience at Lucas Oil Stadium.

“We’re excited about further rewarding our customers’ fandom by giving them the opportunity to buy food and merch with their FanCash at Lucas Oil Stadium,” said Ari Borod, Chief Business Officer, Fanatics Betting and Gaming. “The Colts have a history of innovation and their season ticket members have embraced the cashless stadium experience with a rewards program that will integrate FanCash and allow our customers to buy merch, concessions and more, while enjoying the game.”

Fanatics Sportsbook customers in Indiana will also enjoy enhanced rewards every time the Colts take the field, like FanCash multipliers and unique profit boosts. Customers can also use FanCash to enter sweepstakes for a chance to win premium prizes including tickets, field passes and unforgettable team experiences, while getting profit boost tokens for use on the Sportsbook.  

“We’re excited to partner with Fanatics Sportsbook to offer Colts season ticket members a new way to earn rewards and enhance their game days at Lucas Oil Stadium,” said Roger VanDerSnick, Colts Chief Commercial Officer. “Now, our fans can redeem Fanatics FanCash on the Fanatics Sportsbook App or convert it to Colts Cash for use at the Colts Pro Shop or concession stands throughout Lucas Oil Stadium during the season.”

Fanatics Sportsbook customers are choosing to bet with Fanatics because of the versatility of FanCash and how it brings the Fanatics ecosystem to the forefront. Customers can get up to 10% FanCash on every bet, win or lose. The bigger the odds, the bigger the FanCash rewards that can be used to acquire team merchandise, collectibles, bonus bets, odds boosts, tickets and more. FanCash has become a large part of the Fanatics Sportsbook experience and a major reason for picking Fanatics over the competition.

image: All-Pro Reels

NFL, College Teams Continue to Expand The Lineup For Third Annual Coach Knapp Stair Climb Campaign

The Coach Knapp Memorial Fund, named in honor of veteran NFL assistant coach Greg Knapp, dedicated to educating drivers on the dangers of distracted driving, reduce the number of distracted driving related deaths, and promote distracted driving awareness reform, today announced its expanded lineup of nearly half of the NFL and over a dozen NCAA teams participating in this fall’s “Coach Knapp Stair Climb.” This coming weekend, two new Universities, The University of Houston (October 12) and Syracuse University (October 14) will be the latest additions to the roster. The next NFL team to take to the stairs will be the L.A. Rams on October 20, prior to their game against the Las Vegas Raiders.

In honor of Coach Knapp, NFL coaches, players, executives and alumni will participate in raising funds and awareness at each NFL stadium prior to team warm ups. Teams confirmed to participate in the stair climb include: Packers, Colts, Titans, Rams, Jets, Browns, Texans, 49ers, Commanders, Falcons. Participating NCAA teams include: Oregon State University, Georgia State University, University of Oregon, University of Houston, Syracuse University, Sacramento State, Boston College, Butler University, East Carolina University, Ripon College, Rice University, University of Utah.

This fall marks the third annual Coach Knapp Stair Climb, with this year’s initiative starting even earlier with participation kicking off with Georgia State University and Oregon State University participating in the preseason this past August. Over 500 coaches, players and staff will be participating in various forms on game days, easily eclipsing the goal of 20+ participating teams.

The fund, which has raised over $250,000 to date already, was created by Greg’s wife, Charlotte, and close friend and agent, Jeff Sperbeck, to honor the legacy of Greg Knapp who tragically passed away in July 2021 after being hit by a distracted driver while he was bicycling. Coach Knapp was known for climbing the stadium stairs before every single NFL game he coached over his 25 season career. All will be tagged #knappstairclimb on social platforms.

“I was with Coach Knapp in Denver in 2013, and he was somebody that was really influential for me as a young coach,” said Colts Offensive Coordinator Jim Bob Cooter, who participated in the Knapp Stair Climb last month alongside the coaching staff of the Green Bay Packers. “He actually got me started running the stadium stairs before games, which is a habit that I have held onto. Coach Knapp was such a beloved figure in the coaching community, and I’m blessed to have the opportunity to help honor his legacy.”

At the time of his passing, Knapp was recently named Passing Game Coordinator of the New York Jets under head coach Robert Saleh, after serving as an assistant coach for over a quarter of a century with the Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos, Oakland (now Las Vegas) Raiders, Houston Texans, Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers. Known as a “quarterback whisperer,” Greg coached some of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history helping chart the careers of many young athletes with kindness, humor and trust.

Additional participants will be announced in the coming weeks.

Fans, athletes, and coaches at any level can also participate wherever is most convenient to them across the country, such as apartment building stairs or a high school sports stadium. Images will be shared on various social channels.

To learn more on how you can get involved, details can be found at https://www.knappmemorial.org/stairclimb

San Francisco Tops Baltimore in Strat-O-Matic Simulation of 2023 Football Season

San Francisco, with an NFC-best 12-5 regular season mark and 17-14 victory over Baltimore in the championship, reigned supreme as Strat-O-Matic (@StratOMatic), the market leader in sports simulation, played out the 2023 football season through the playoffs. A 59-yard field goal attempt by Justin Tucker missed wide in the final minute to secure the sixth title for S.F.

San Francisco bested AFC #1 Baltimore after defeating Philadelphia in the conference championship game, 27-7. Baltimore outlasted rival Pittsburgh, 40-33, in the AFC title game.

Josh Allen, who paced the Bills to a 13-4 mark and #2 seed in the AFC with 4,259 passing yards, 814 rushing yards and 40 touchdowns total, earned MVP honors, edging Aaron Rodgers, who helped New York to 10 wins, throwing for 4,827 yards and 37 touchdowns.

Justin Jefferson of Minnesota had a league-best 115 receptions and 1,543 yards.

Division winners were: AFC, Buffalo (13-4), Baltimore (13-4), Tennessee (10-7) and Kansas City (10-7); NFC, Dallas (10-7), Green Bay (10-7), Atlanta (9-8) and San Francisco (12-5).

Full standings and playoffs scores below:

AFC East
Buffalo, 13-4
New York, 10-7
Miami, 9-8
New England, 5-12

AFC North
Baltimore, 13-4
Pittsburgh, 12- 5
Cleveland, 9-8
Cincinnati, 8-9

AFC South
Tennessee, 10-7
Jacksonville, 9-8
Houston, 8-9
Indianapolis, 4-13

AFC West
Kansas City, 10-7
Las Vegas, 9-8
Los Angeles, 8-9
Denver, 8-9

NFC East
Dallas, 10-7
Philadelphia, 10-7
New York, 8-9
Washington, 7-10

NFC North
Green Bay, 10-7
Detroit, 7-10
Minnesota, 7-10
Chicago, 5-12

NFC South
Atlanta, 9-8
Tampa Bay, 9-8
Carolina, 8-9
New Orleans, 7-10

NFC West
San Francisco, 12-5
Seattle, 9-8
Los Angeles, 7-10
Arizona, 2- 15

AFC Wild card
BUF over MIA 24-23
NYJ over KC 31-17
PIT over TEN 17-16

NFC Wild card
DAL over SEA 26-23
TB over GB 34-32
PHI over ATL 17-16

AFC Divisional
BAL over NYJ 33-27 (OT)
PIT over BUF 26-23

NFC Divisional
SF over TB 29-28
PHI over DAL 27-20

AFC Conf Chp
BAL over PIT 40-33

NFC Conf Chp
SF over PHI 27-7

Super Bowl
SF over BAL 17-14

Rob Gronkowski to Attempt Live Field Goal During Super Bowl with $10 Million

Today, FanDuel Group, the premier online gaming company in North America, announced the “Kick of Destiny,” a campaign featuring four-time Super Bowl Champion and five-time NFL Pro-Bowler, Rob Gronkowski, who will attempt to kick a field goal during a live Super Bowl LVII television commercial. Any customer who places a Super Bowl bet of five dollars or more on FanDuel will win a share of $10 million in free bets if Gronkowski kicks the field goal. 

FanDuel introduced the campaign with the first spot in the campaign featuring Gronkowski returning to football for the Super Bowl – this time as a Kicker during a commercial. The integrated campaign will follow Gronk’s journey throughout the NFL playoffs, including his training with a legendary NFL kicker, as he aims to win fans their share of $10 million in free FanDuel bets.

“Whether it’s kick-off, a touchdown or an important play that will decide a season, FanDuel knows moments matter. Our first-ever Super Bowl commercial will be more than just a television spot – it will create a moment that will bring fans together, and give them something to collectively cheer for,” said FanDuel Executive Vice President of Marketing, Andrew Sneyd. “It’s an unprecedented field goal attempt on live TV…so anything can happen.”

Additionally, FanDuel will spread the word about this historic campaign through a series of digital and promotional activities on the ground in Phoenix during the run-up to the big game:

  • Fans will be able to take photos with the “The Foot of Destiny,” a replica of Gronkowski’s foot that will be signed by him and auctioned off after the Super Bowl
  • Fans 21+ can take their own shot at the “Kick of Destiny” on-site at the Super Bowl Experience with the chance to win $25 at the FanDuel SportsBook at the Footprint Center

“I spent my career catching the ball, but I always knew I could kick it and now I’ll do it live in front of football fans everywhere during the Super Bowl,” said NFL legend Rob Gronkowski. “With $10 million in free FanDuel bets on the line, I’m training every day to give fans something to root for and to watch the “Kick of Destiny” live on national television.”  

Gronkowski joined the FanDuel team as an exclusive brand partner in December. In addition to the “Kick of Destiny,” he will play a significant role in many aspects of the company’s business, including appearing regularly on its network FanDuel TV with Kay Adams, host of Up & Adams. Gronkowski will also make sportsbook picks and suggested bets, make appearances at newly opened retail sportsbook locations and at other top-tier FanDuel events. FanDuel will also work with him to build awareness for enjoying sports wagering responsibly. 

Fans can stay up to date with Gronk’s training for the Kick of Destiny by following @FanDuel and @FDSportsbook on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, or subscribing on YouTube at YouTube.com/FanDuel. Fans can also follow #KickofDestiny on Twitter for the latest updates.

NFL Coaches, Former Players Across Eight Teams To Support First Campaign Honoring Coach Greg Knapp

Eight NFL teams today announced that select coaches, athletes and staff will participate in different ways to support the first-ever Coach Knapp fundraiser this December, which will benefit The Coach Knapp Memorial Fund. The fund exists to educate drivers on the dangers of distracted driving, reduce the number of distracted driving related deaths, and promote distracted driving awareness reform. The fund was created by his wife Charlotte and close friend and agent Jeff Sperbeck, to honor the legacy of Greg Knapp who tragically passed away in July 2021 after being hit by a distracted driver while he was bicycling. Coach Knapp was known for climbing the stadium stairs before every single NFL game he coached over his 25 season career. All will be tagged #knappstairclimb on social platforms.

An image of the shoes being worn this weekend can be found at https://www.knappmemorial.org/

“We can think of no better way to honor Greg’s legacy and raise awareness for such a simple, but vital cause than by doing one of the activities he loved the most, climbing the stairs on gameday,” said Steve Mariucci, former NFL head coach and one of Knapp’s key mentors, who is now at analyst on The NFL Network. “To see the amount of support this has gotten is really touching, and most importantly, we firmly believe it will save lives well into the future.”

“Knapper was one of the very best teammates I’ve ever been around. His Energy, optimism and high standards as a coach made such an impact on anyone who was fortunate to be around him,” added Dallas Cowboys Defensive Coordinator, Dan Quinn, another of Greg Knapp’s loyal fellow coaches, “Please join me in making sure his legacy as a great teammate and friend lives on.”

At the time of his passing, Knapp was recently named Passing Game Coordinator of the New York Jets under head coach Robert Saleh, after serving as an assistant coach for over a quarter of a century with the Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos, Oakland (now Las Vegas) Raiders, Houston Texans, Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers. Known as a “quarterback whisperer,” Greg coached some of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history helping chart the careers of many young athletes with kindness, humor and trust.

In honor of Coach Knapp, NFL coaches, players, executives and alumni will participate in raising funds and awareness at each NFL stadium prior to team warm ups between Week 14 (Dec. 11th), Week 15 (Dec. 18th) or Week 16 (Dec. 24th) of the NFL season. In addition, coaches and staff from several teams will wear custom designed shoes honoring Coach Knapp’s legacy as part of the annual “My Cause, My Cleats” celebration the weekend of December 4th. The shoes will be designed by several local artists working with each team. Participating coaches and former players will include: Steve Mariucci, Dan Quinn, Peyton Manning, Joe Lombardi (LA Chargers), Chris Strausser (Indianapolis Colts), Frank Pollack (Cincinnati Bengals), Jeff Ulbrich, TJ Yates, among many others. Teams confirmed to participate include: New York Jets, Atlanta Falcons, Dallas Cowboys, Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers.

Fans, athletes, and coaches at any level can also participate wherever is most convenient to them across the country, such as apartment building stairs or a high school sports stadium. Images will be shared on various social channels.

Registration is $100 per climber, with proceeds going to The Coach Knapp Memorial Fund. Details can be found at https://www.knappmemorial.org/stairclimb

Additional participants at other teams will be announced in the coming weeks.

NY Regulator Expects To Clear 2022 Sports Betting Targets

Since launching Jan. 8, New York sportsbooks have already handled more than $9.7 billion on sports wagers statewide, a figure that cements the Empire State as the nation’s capital of sports betting. Online wagering has already generated more than $368 million for New York state tax coffers, an astounding figure considering that only four states across the nation have eclipsed the $100 million threshold since the U.S. Supreme Court’s repeal of PASPA in May 2018.

The explosion of sports betting leaves New York State Gaming Commission Executive Director Rob Williams optimistic that the state could generate $500 million in tax revenue from online sports wagering in the first year of the market. For context, when former Gov. Andrew Cuomo reversed course on sports betting in 2021, his administration projected that the state would not clear that figure until Fiscal Year 2026, at the earliest. The numbers are astounding when you consider that more than two other dozen states have generated around $1.31 billion in combined tax revenue from legal sports wagering since May 2018.

“We’re very pleased with the overall success of the mobile sports wagering industry in New York. We are very cognizant that we’ve reached those great numbers without going through a football season,” Williams told Sports Handle last week on the sidelines of the Racing and Gaming Conference at Saratoga.

The nation’s capital for sports betting

From the outset, there were clear indications that New York appeared poised to shatter national records, based on the sheer volume of activity in certain sports-crazed neighborhoods of Manhattan. New Yorkers placed more than 300,000 wagers over the first hour of legal sports betting in the Empire State, and a total of 17.2 million over the first weekend on Jan. 8-9, according to Vancouver-based geolocation provider GeoComply. For the Super Bowl, New York activity represented a whopping 25% of the company’s U.S. sports betting traffic, ranking first.

Consequently, there are strong indications that New York will surpass $2.3 billion in handle for the upcoming NFL season. Of the seven states that provide a breakdown for revenues by sport, wagering on the NFL last year represented about 18-20% of their overall handle, according to Sports Handle internal research. The figure jumped to 27.6% in Mississippi for retail sports wagers (the state only accepts online sports bets inside casino properties). One outlier is Nevada, where NFL wagers represent about 37% of the state’s overall handle on a historical basis, according to the UNLV Center For Gaming Research. Last year, NFL wagering represented 33.4% of the handle statewide.

New York launched online sports betting one day before the final Sunday of the 2021-22 NFL regular season.

When you toss in betting on college football, New York appears on track to clear $500 million in tax revenue. As a point of comparison, Colorado handled more than $158 million in college football wagers in 2021, on top of the $689.1 million state sportsbooks handled on the NFL. Although the Colorado figures contain wagers in several offseason months, the bulk of wagering occurred in the four months during the season. The population in New York outranks Colorado by a factor of 3.4x.

“There’s no doubt that as we go through this upcoming fall football season with both college and professional football that we will exceed the initial revenue numbers that we were aiming for,” Williams said. “It has been a wonderful success without what everyone concedes is the most important season to benefit sports wagering, so we’re very bullish on the market.”

At a hold of 8%, New York sportsbooks could generate more than $180 million in gross gaming revenue (GGR) from the NFL alone. Given the explosion of single-game parlays, it stands to reason that the hold this fall could be considerably higher. For those attempting to forecast the NFL hold in New York, trends on the hold from parlays in Illinois might be instructive:

SGPN Marks 10th Anniversary As Featured Podcast For NFL Draft ‘Pre-Game Show’

Sports Gambling Podcast Network (SGPN),  the only major independent sports wagering media network that places a premium on entertainment value and free user content, will celebrate its 10th anniversary at the NFL Draft next week, providing picks, props and prognostications for their audiences of millions as a featured podcast on the prominent BlueWire network during the NFL’s annual meeting to select newly eligible players in Las Vegas.

Sports Gambling Podcast co-hosts Sean Green and Ryan Kramer will live stream from the state-of-the-art BlueWire Studio at Wynn Las Vegas from 3-5 p.m. PT, just one mile from where the 32 teams will make their selections in front of a live audience.  The NFL Draft was ticketed for Las Vegas in 2020 but was reduced to a video conference because of COVID-19.  Will Blackmon, the former standout NFL kick return specialist and member of the New York Giants 2012 Super Bowl Championship Team, will be among the guests during the podcast, which will stream live on YouTube.


The coveted pre-draft BlueWire studio slot is one of four podcasts that SGPN will produce during NFL Draft week with an additional 10 mock drafts on SportsGamblingPodcastNetwork.com and scores of social media posts to inform and guide its audiences as America’s intense interest in the proceedings reaches a fever pitch.  Green estimates that SGPN’s NFL Draft coverage will encompass 12 podcasts, 25 articles and 12 hot takes via social media, arguably surpassing the volume of any other comparable media platform in the industry.

In 2012, Green and Kramer were still recording in Green’s one car garage amidst Christmas decorations and camping equipment.

“Pretty much unimaginable is the only way to describe our journey from that 2012 NFL Draft to today,” offered Green, who won $200,000 in a Draft Kings Fantasy Competition in 2017 to enable SGPN to turn the corner as a profitable, sustainable business. 

With the repeal of the Professional Sports and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) that following year, SGPN was well positioned to seize the moment and grow the enterprise that now includes 50 contributors, 18 different podcasts and a new state-of-the-art studio plus offices in Los Angeles. One validation of their success came in February when the Los Angeles Business Journal featured SGPN’s path to profitability in a 20-paragraph article that appeared in both the online and print editions.

“We’ve been fortunate timing-wise with the PASPA repeal, for sure,” offered Kramer, a data and metrics specialist who spent 10 years in the tech industry for Hulu and other companies. “We’ve also complemented each other on the business side so that the steady growth has been efficient.  There’s plenty more to do but right now we’re focused on delivering some winning wager recommendations on all things NFL Draft because our loyal audiences deserve it.”

In 2012, the big stories were the amazing skills of Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck and Baylor Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III, who went first and second, respectively, in that draft. “Like everyone else, we believed that both guys would be stars in the league ten years later, but that’s how unpredictable our world is,” recalled Green in reference to their shortened careers. 

  • The Sean Green/Ryan Kramer SGPN eye-opening prediction for next week:

Liberty quarterback Malik Willis to go second to the Detroit Lions or another team via trade as the first QB selected. Consensus odds have Willis going around the ninth or tenth selection. “Great players at that position have immense value,” offered Kramer.“We believe the Lions – or multiple other teams via trade – will pull this trigger.”

SGPN clobbered industry growth projections with a 30 percent year-over-year increase in total downloads during the course of 2021 (over 3 million) and is continuing its record growth in 2022. SGPN launched eight new podcast feeds last year and has become a leading authority on the USFL, producing over 10 hours of original content around the draft and continuing that momentum as the season got underway, recording three podcasts per week on the sport.

RealResponse Announces Landmark Deals with Broncos, Chiefs for Real-Time and Confidential Reporting

RealResponse (@RealResponseHQ), the award-winning leading safe and secure feedback, monitoring and anonymous reporting platform for athletic teams and organizations, today announced a pair of landmark partnerships with the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs, becoming the first two NFL teams to offer the platform to its employees. Both will use the system to proactively stay in communication with employees regarding feedback on areas impacting their wellbeing – both positives that are benefiting experiences as well as to gain additional insight into the issues that may need to be addressed. The partnership will launch in the coming weeks.

“RealResponse is a critical tool that our organization will utilize at all levels to enhance our communication with employees,” said Nancy Svoboda, Executive Vice President of Human Resources for the Denver Broncos. “We are proud of our workplace culture and we want to continue to be proactive in supporting our staff by making sure that their voices continue to be heard. We are excited to be a part of this groundbreaking platform.”

“We are excited to partner with RealResponse to design and implement a valuable tool to enhance internal and external communication at all levels of our organization,” said Kirsten Krug, Executive Vice President of Administration for the Kansas City Chiefs. “Creating an efficient, confidential and anonymous way to proactively identify and address issues and opportunities will make us better. We are proud to be a part of this emerging trend within professional sports.”

“We are very proud to have both the Broncos and the Chiefs join us in this expansion of our business into the NFL,” said David Chadwick, RealResponse founder and former NCAA Division I basketball player. “The platform we have built is all about empowering athletes and employees’ voices and keeping those in leadership informed not just on issues, but on opportunities to better communicate and work together. Whether it is a junior staff member receiving acknowledgement for going above and beyond the call or a senior administrator alerting leadership of potential issues regarding employee health and well-being. It is clear that the leadership in the NFL, with Denver and Kansas City being first in, are engaged and ready to listen to resolve issues before they become problems.”

The two teams will begin implementing and onboarding staff into the system in the coming weeks. RealResponse already works with the NFLPA for player-related reporting, but having teams engaged will make the system more holistic and impactful across all areas of the organizations.

Former NFL Star QB Alex Smith Joins UCAN Team

The UCAN Company is proud to announce that they are welcoming former NFL Star QB Alex Smith to the brand as an investor in the company. As a longtime fan of UCAN products, Alex incorporated them into his gameday performance and off-the-field training regimen during his career and continues to use the full assortment of products in his everyday life. He brings not only an enthusiasm for UCAN’s products but a wealth of knowledge and connections to help continue to grow the brand.

Alex is a former number one overall draft pick who enjoyed 16 seasons overall in the NFL. His return from a devastating injury ahead of the 2020 season is considered one of the greatest in NFL history and earned him the 2020 NFL Comeback Player of the Year. Since retiring in 2021 Alex joined ESPN as an NFL analyst. In addition to his role as an investor, he will serve as a brand ambassador and a member of UCAN’s Fitness Advisory Board.

“As you get older, you learn how to optimize your nutrition to perform at the highest level and truly reach your potential. UCAN was a part of my routine in the NFL, during my recovery from injury, and I use it now more than ever. Any time I’m doing any type of physical activity, if I have a busy day, or I’m on the go, UCAN is a must for me,” said Alex Smith. “The opportunity to invest in a company that I truly believe in and incorporate their products into my everyday life was a no brainer – I’m a big believer and know that the sky is the limit for UCAN.”

With a strong passion for health and fitness, Smith believes UCAN’s unique ability to deliver energy without sugar carries benefits far beyond elite sports.  “Sugar is in so many things and it’s all around us. To be able to cut it out is something that I would advocate for everybody, it doesn’t matter who you are. In my opinion, this is what sugary sports drinks have been advertising falsely for decades. Instead of drinking sugar water, you should be taking UCAN every day. The possibilities are endless. You name the sport, it has an application.”

“We’re thrilled to welcome Alex to the UCAN family, where he will be involved in a multitude of roles,” added Shoba Murali, CEO & Founder of The UCAN Company. “He lends the brand cache from his achievements during his playing days and will expand the reach of the brand through his nutrition experience, connections on and off the field and passion for an active lifestyle.”

cover image: credit Mike Morbeck

SportsHandle: California, Ohio Wagering Could Have Reached $400M for Super Bowl

Bettors in California and Ohio potentially could have wagered as much as $400 million on Super Bowl LVI Sunday were sports betting live in either state, according to an in-depth report issued today by SportsHandle.com, a leading news source of information on sports betting legalization in the U.S.

If bettors had the opportunity to wager on this year’s Super Bowl, featuring the Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati Bengals on Feb. 13 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, Sports Handle projects that handle in California could have reached $300 million with gross gaming revenue reaching $21 million, and the state potentially taking in $2.1 million in tax revenue on a single event.

In Ohio, where fans will watch the Bengals make their first Super Bowl appearance since 1989, handle could have reached up to $100 million, with gross gaming revenue of up to $7 million, and tax revenue of up to $700,000. Both sets of gross gaming revenue projections come from using the industry-standard 7% win rate or “hold” that operators claim in wins against bettors from handle wagered.

The Sports Handle research and subsequent article were compiled by managing editor and sports betting legislation expert Jill R. Dorson and by legislative analyst and wagering revenue researcher Chris Altruda. The research and analysis assume that operators in both states were offering live, legal digital wagering with remote registration for at least one full NFL season ahead of the Super Bowl, that a minimum of 10 digital platforms would be live, that the game would be competitive into the fourth quarter, and that all wagering platforms and the live broadcast would not have any major technical glitches. The tax revenue projections are based on a 10% tax rate, which will go into effect in Ohio when wagering goes live, and is also the proposed tax rate put forth by a group of seven sports betting operators working to qualify an initiative for the November 2022 ballot in California.

The SportsHandle.com article entitled “What If California and Ohio Had Legal, Live Sports Wagering For Super Bowl LVI?” can be accessed here: https://sportshandle.com/california-ohio-super-bowl-projected-handle

In December, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine legalized sports betting when he signed HB 29 into law. State regulators are currently crafting rules, and the law calls for betting to go live no later than Jan. 1, 2023.

In California, a tribal retail-only sports betting initiative has already qualified for the November 2022 ballot. There could potentially be three others, but the most likely is a proposal from a group of seven operators, including BetMGM, DraftKings, and FanDuel, that would allow for statewide mobile wagering with a 10% tax rate. The projections are based on voters approving the operators’ proposal.

Currently, legal online wagering is live in 20 U.S. jurisdictions, with up to three more — Maryland, Ohio, and Puerto Rico — to come online before 2023. In seven other states, retail-only wagering is available.

Founded in May 2017, Sports Handle is an elite sports betting industry news site that covers legislative and regulatory developments through original reporting, features, and analysis.  Sports Handle is owned and operated by Better Collective, a leading sports betting media group that includes The Action Network, US Bets, and RotoGrinders.

Rams Defeat Bengals In Strat-O-Matic Super Bowl Sim

Matthew Stafford passed for 281 yards on 26-of-31 completions and two TDs and Cam Akers scored the go-ahead touchdown on a five-yard run with 8:26 left in the game as Los Angeles defeated Cincinnati, 27-20, in a simulation of this Sunday’s season-ending football contest by Strat-O-Matic (@StratOMatic), the market leader in sports simulation. Akers’ winning score capped an 11-play, 94-yard L.A. drive, and Cincinnati’s final possession ended with 0:22 left on a fourth-down sack by Aaron Donald.

With his team trailing, 17-13, early in the third quarter, Stafford engineered a 14-play, 75-yard drive that consumed almost six minutes, ending in a 3-yard scoring pass to Odell Beckham to give Los Angeles the lead. After a second Evan McPherson field goal tied the game with 0:16 left in the third, Cincinnati could not take advantage of a Jessie Bates interception on the next play, eventually punting to the Los Angeles 6 yard line, leading to the eventual winning drive.

The last two Cincinnati possessions ended on downs, including the Donald sack at the Cincinnati 15 closing the contest.

Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow completed 20-of-45 passes for 197 yards and a touchdown, while teammate Joe Mixon rushed for 106 yards on 16 carries to lead all runners. Sony Michel (15 carries, 54 yards) and Akers (12 rushes, 52 yards) shared the load on the ground for Los Angeles. 

cover image: All-Pro Reels

SGPN’S Sean Green And Ryan Kramer Featured Blue Wire Show At NFL’s Radio Row

Sports Gambling Podcast Network (SPGN) hosts Sean Green and Ryan Kramer will make their debut on Super Bowl Radio Row next week, producing live, daily, mid-afternoon shows for the Blue Wire Podcast Network at the National Football League’s annual promotional extravaganza.

One of the fastest-growing sports wagering prognostication and analysis website/podcast platforms, SGPN hosted the first-ever show last year from the showpiece Blue Wire Studio at Wynn Las Vegas, where some of America’s most prominent podcasts are produced.  SGPN co-founders Green and Kramer will interview prominent guests each day on Radio Row as they provide their unique, entertainment-oriented analysis and predictions on the Feb. 14 confrontation between the Los Angeles Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals.

They will also be doing guest appearances on other shows during the week-long mediafest, providing definitive calls on the side, over/under and on the hundreds of prop bets that populate the sportsbooks in this new-age world of legalized wagering.

  • A primary feature of the week’s content will be SGPN’s $100,000 Super Bowl Props Contest, in which entrants must

predict the outcome of 10 specific offerings with money to be awarded to those who go 10-for-10. 

Fans can enter the SGPN Super Bowl Props Contest on the SGPN App, which is available on all devices and is downloadable at Apple’s App Store,  the Google Play Store and from www.SportsGamblingPodcast.com. SGPN is the only independently-owned and operated sports gambling media network that places a premium on entertainment value.

The no-cost app includes content for sports wagerers on the move from over 50 SGPN writers and personalities plus exclusive access to multiple, free audience contests, now including the $100,000 Super Bowl Props Contest.

“We do expect some of our biggest audiences as we host from Radio Row during Super Bowl Week,” offered Green, whose company will be celebrating its 10th anniversary this spring.  “We’ll let people know who, what, why and how much on the Rams and Bengals, for sure.  We’ll also have the other major sports covered for those seeking input on betting options across the entire spectrum of sports.”

“We appreciate our friends at Blue Wire and look forward to being part of the action next week,” offered Kramer, who correctly picked Georgia plus the under January 10 in the College Football Playoff Championship Game.  “The NFL is surging to the end of a great season, there’s tremendous interest in these quarterbacks and the game will likely live up to the hype.”

Swet Tailor Partners with Reese’s Senior Bowl for 2nd Time as Official Off-The-Field Apparel Sponsor

Los Angeles-based fast-rising menswear brand Swet Tailor, the creators of EveryDay. EveryWear,™ has teamed up with the Reese’s Senior Bowl, the preeminent college football all-star game, for a second time to exclusively sponsor the off-the-field wardrobe for players, coaches and staff. In 2021, Swet Tailor was the first brand that the Senior Bowl brought on to handle all non-field related apparel in the history of the game. The category of off field apparel is expected to be a unique one for college athletes when Name, Image and Likeness comes into play in the coming years, and Swet Tailor has cemented its efforts in NIL as an ongoing business growth opportunity for the brand.

The Swet Tailor off-the-field wardrobe will include key styles such as the Swet Jogger, Swetshirt, Light Weight Swet Hoodie and Softest Tee for elite draft prospects and sport industry insiders to wear ahead of the NFL Draft in April. The brand has continued to grow its presence in recent years with evergreen styles and extended sizing, and its investor athletes include current and former NFL players, not limited to:

Aaron Rodgers, Mark Sanchez, Josh Norman. Josh Rosen, and Ryan Kerrigan. Longtime media personality Rich Eisen has also worn Swet Tailor during his annual 40 yard dash for charity at The Combine, and is a supporter of the brand as well.

“Everything we do here at the Senior Bowl is about creating a better experience for our players and that includes our partnerships,” says Jim Nagy, Executive Director of the Reese’s Senior Bowl. “Swet Tailor is an incredible emerging brand and our players absolutely loved their SWET gear last year.”

“We are honored to return as partners with Reese’s Senior Bowl because we know exactly how pivotal this game is for the student athletes,” shares Swet Tailor CEO Adam Bolden. “We are here to ensure each and every player looks and feels good as they step up to one of the biggest moments in their careers. Our wide range of styles––from our classic sizing to our High and Mighty line––is made to move with athletes, on and and off the field. We are looking forward to getting to know these talented individuals and helping them discover that style and comfort do not have to be mutually exclusive.”

Swet Tailor continues to grow its sporting event portfolio with this second official college football event sponsorship; past partnerships have included The NFL Combine, The EOD Warrior Foundation Golf Outing, and Merril Hoge Celebrity Golf Outing. The NY Jets and Detroit Lions will be the coaching staffs for the 74th annual Reese’s Senior Bowl, which will be played on Saturday February 5th 2022 at Hancock Whitney Stadium on the campus of the University of South Alabama. The game will be aired live on the NFL Network at 1:30 CT. The rosters will be announced shortly. The Swet Tailor sponsorship will span the duration of the Reese’s Senior Bowl Week, which will officially kick off Saturday, January 29th and run through Saturday, February 5.

VKTRY Brings NFL Star Jonathan Taylor On Board As Latest Brand Ambassador

VKTRY GEAR, the fast growing, industry leader in Performance Insoles for heightened athletic performance and injury protection, continued to make 2021 a record year, announcing six months in a row of month over month sales increases while bringing fast-rising NFL running back Jonathan Taylor on as the latest brand ambassador. The Indianapolis Colts star has the second highest grade among all NFL running backs per Pro Football Focus and is second in the league in rushing heading into this weekend. Players on all 32 NFL clubs are now using VKTRY insoles for the first time in the history of the company.

“When I first put VKTRY Insoles into my cleats, it was an instant boost of explosion, power & speed. Being able to explode out of my cuts with more power helps me separate from a defender,” stated Jonathan Taylor. “Knowing that VKTRY Insoles are made with the latest and greatest technology makes you feel almost like you’re a superhero or something out of this world. Having this high-tech product inside your cleats makes you feel like no one can stop you on the field.”

“We are honored to have two of the best young running backs in the NFL as VKTRY’s spokespeople – first Nick Chubb – and now Jonathan Taylor,” said VKTRY CEO Steve Wasik. “JT is one of the most explosive players in the league, highly respected by everyone who knows him. We are honored to have him representing VKTRY.”

During the 2021 NFL season, a record number of over 200 NFL players, from all 32 clubs, are now wearing VKTRY’S carbon fiber insoles, a 75% increase from 2020. The list includes some of the brightest young stars and respected veterans in the NFL: Nick Chubb, Saquan Barkley, Antonio Gibson, Bryan Bulaga, George Kittle, Josh Norman, DK Metcalf, Deebo Samuel and many more. VKTRY Insoles are used across multiple sports and the company’s endorsements include NBA legend Tracy McGrady, Captain of the Gold Medal-winning US Women’s Volleyball Team Jordan Larson, MLB slugger Vlad Guerrero, Jr., and 3X PGA major winner Padraig Harrington.

Made from aerospace-grade carbon fiber, VKTRY Insoles store and return energy to the athlete. They also provide a “spring-like” effect to improve shock absorption and reduce the load and stress on the athlete’s body. In independent performance testing, athletes wearing VKs increased their broad jump by an average of +4.0″, their vert by +1.6″ and improved their 40 times by 0.12 seconds. Because all athletes are not alike, VKs are customized based on the size of the athlete and the sport or activity. VKTRY’s Gold Insoles are available in five different levels of flexibility to optimize performance, protection and comfort.

“VKTRY’s Gold Insoles have been designed for serious athletes, while our recent launch of Silver Insoles appeals to more casual athletes or weekend warriors”, stated Wasik. “2021 has proven to be our best year ever as sales are trending at close to +40% higher than year ago. More and more athletes are discovering the performance and protection benefits of VKTRY Insoles.”

Taylor added: “If a teammate asked me about VKTRY Insoles, I would tell them that this is the one product that would help them take their game to the next level. Foam insoles don’t respond or give you anything back. Wearing VKTRY’s carbon fiber insoles, the one thing I notice instantly is that extra power & explosion that they give me.”

NFLPA, RealResponse Extend Agreement On Reporting Platform

RealResponse (@RealResponseHQ), the leading safe and secure feedback, monitoring and anonymous reporting platform for athletic teams, organizations, and over 50,000 athletes, today announced an expansion of their agreement with the NFL Players Association. Last season, players used RealResponse to communicate COVID-19 health and safety questions and violations to the NFLPA; now, all players and clubs will have the ability to anonymously and securely report any and all issues with regard to player health and safety to the NFLPA in real time for everything from training camp issues, drug policy infractions, social injustice concerns, medical issues, COVID-19 policy violations, misconduct, hazing, harassment, and more as well as using the system to highlight successes and best practices which might go otherwise unnoticed. The NFLPA is the first professional organization to fully implement the RealResponse system, which was significantly enhanced and upgraded in 2020. The NFLPA joins USA Gymnastics and over 100 colleges and Universities as RealResponse partners.

“Health and safety remain the priority for all organizations, and our system will now give thousands of NFL players a safe and secure opportunity to voice concerns beyond only COVID-19 for any issues on and off the field,” said 31 year old David Chadwick, former Division I basketball player at Rice University and Valparaiso University and the founder of RealResponse. “We were proud to support the NFLPA last season amidst COVID-19, and today’s announcement is ample proof of last season’s success and that our system, working with the first movers who lead the NFLPA, will be a model not just for football, but for all athletic organizations as we expand, enhance, refine and customize our offering to meet the needs of athletes, organizations and colleges around the world.”

“The NFLPA is committed to providing players a confidential way to bring forward any issues or concerns that may require the Unions assistance, therefore we are excited to announce that we are expanding our use of RealResponse,” said Don Davis, Senior Director Player Affairs & Senior Advisor to the Executive Director at NFL Players Association. “The successful utilization of this platform in 2020, allowed players to bring forward any COVID-19 questions or violations. We believe this system will go a long way in addressing problems and letting all focus on the task at hand, which is being successful athletes, teammates and family members for decades to come.”

The program will begin with the start of training camp and will continue throughout the season.

Last season, the NFLPA partnered with RealResponse to provide its members with a safe platform to anonymously text potential violations of NFL/NFLPA health and safety protocol related to the coronavirus pandemic.

Hall Of Fantasy League Unveils Inaugural Front Office Staff Of Former NFL Standouts

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:

TeamTeam CaptainsGeneral Managers
AtlantaHot WingsHarry 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
BostonBarfliesPatrick 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
ChicagoHogmolliesEddie 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 seasonsJeff Ratcliffe·         Fantasy Sports Analyst at FTN Fantasy·         Host for SiriusXM Fantasy Radio·         CBS Sports Network TV Analyst 
Los AngelesSidekicksRicky 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 TDsChristopher 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 CatsRashad 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”
OhioGOATSJoe Thomas·      11-year NFL career with Cleveland Browns·      10x Pro Bowler; 6x First Team All Pro Offensive Lineman·      NFL 2010s All-Decade TeamMichael 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
PhiladelphiaPowderkegsJason 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 
SeattleHazeJustin 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’allersDarren 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 tacklesSigmund 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 KingsMarquette King7-year NFL career – 6 with Oakland Raiders1x Second Team All-Pro Punter46.7 yards per punt – tied for 4th all timeJeff 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.

VKTRY Insoles Worn By Record 74 Selections In 2021 NFL Draft

VKTRY GEAR, the fast growing, industry leader in Performance Insoles, today announced that a record number of 74 NFL Draftees, 33 in the first three rounds, wore their carbon fiber insoles as a key part of their prep for the Draft. Included on that list are players from almost every position, including first rounders: Florida TE Kyle Pitts (fourth by the Atlanta Falcons), Northwestern OL Rashawn Slater (13th by the LA Chargers), Tulsa linebacker Zaven Collins (16th by the Arizona Cardinals), Miami DE Jaelen Phillips (18th by the Miami Dolphins), and Alabama Running Back Najee Harris (24th by the Pittsburgh Steelers). Only Quinnen Williams of the New York Jets (third in 2019) was a higher draft pick to use VKTRY Gear in the history of the company.

“The world’s best athletes are discovering the increased performance benefits and the injury protection that our carbon fiber insoles provide, and that was very clear in this year’s NFL Draft,” said VKTRY CEO Steve Wasik. “Every day we get more requests from athletes for our insoles, none more than in the NFL, be it in this next generation of stars or in the growing number of veterans who are making VKs ‘Must Haves’ when they take the field.”

“We’re always told by our coaches that you’re only as strong as your foundation… it all starts with your feet and VKs give me the ability to explode forward and absorb force,” said Rashawn Slater. ”The energy return is the biggest thing… you can feel it. VKs feel way different than a normal insole and they help me reduce the risk of injury and that means everything.”

“Once you become accustomed to the feeling of VKTRY Insoles, it helps to elevate your game. From a lower body standpoint, the explosiveness with VKs is crazy,” added Zaven Collins. “The only time I wasn’t wearing them was when I was sleeping. That subconscious thought helps you play at least 1% faster or 1% better, which is a giant gain in the league.”

“VKTRY Insoles made me a lot more explosive,” said running back Javonte Williams, who the Denver Broncos traded up to take with the 35th pick from the University of North Carolina. “In the past when I didn’t have them I would have to stop or slow down because my feet started hurting. With the VKTRY Insoles I can keep going all day.”

During the 2020 NFL season, a record number of over 200 NFL players, from 29 of 32 clubs, wore VKTRY’S carbon fiber insoles, a 300% increase from 2019. Some of the brightest young stars and respected veterans in the NFL, including Cleveland Browns RB Nick Chubb, LV Raiders RB Josh Jacobs, Washington RB Antonio Gibson, Buffalo Bills RB Devin Singletary, SF 49ers WR “Deebo” Samuel, Seattle Seahawks WR DK Metcalf, NY Jets Williams, Buffalo Bills CB Josh Norman, Chicago Bears WR Anthony Miller, LA Chargers OT Brian Bulaga, Denver Broncos TE Noah Fant, New York Giants TE Evan Engram, Minnesota Vikings WR Justin Jefferson, Pittsburgh Steelers LB Devin Bush and many more are now part of the VKTRY using team. Players from every Power Five Conference used VKs for the first time during their Pro Days.

Made from aerospace-grade carbon fiber, VKTRY Insoles store and return energy to the athlete. They also provide a “spring-like” effect to improve shock absorption and reduce the load and stress on the athlete’s body. In independent performance testing, athletes wearing VKs increased their broad jump by an average of +4.0”, their vert by +1.6” and improved their 40 times by 0.12 seconds.

VKTRY Insoles are available in five different levels of flexibility to optimize performance, protection and comfort. Athletes at more than 300 professional and college teams wear VKTRY Insoles for training and competition. A recent study of 263 NCAA athletes showed 41% less foot injuries and 22% less lower leg injuries when athletes use VKs.

VKTRY Insoles were originally invented for the US Olympic Bobsled Team to improve athletic explosiveness. In 2010, these carbon fiber insoles helped Team USA win gold in the 4-man bobsled – first time in 62 years. Now, more and more people are discovering the benefits of energy return, improved stability and the shock absorption that VKs provide.