Terry Lyons

Basketball Africa League: Debuts in May

March 29, 2021 by Terry Lyons

DAKAR – (Source: Official FIBA News Release) – The Basketball Africa League (BAL) announced that the league’s historic inaugural season will tip off Sunday, May 16 at the Kigali Arena in Kigali, Rwanda, with 12 teams from the continent of Africa competing in the new professional league.

The BAL, a partnership between the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the National Basketball Association (NBA), builds on the foundation of club competitions FIBA Regional Office Africa has organized on the continent and marks the NBA’s first collaboration to operate a league outside of North America. The first BAL Finals will be held Sunday, May 30.

The BAL has created robust health and safety protocols for the 12 teams and personnel traveling to Rwanda, based on guidance from the World Health Organization and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, with advice from public health officials and medical experts.

“We are thrilled that the inaugural Basketball Africa League season will take place at the world-class Kigali Arena,” said BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall. “Through the BAL, we will provide a platform for elite players from across the continent to showcase their talent and inspire fans of all ages, use basketball as an economic growth engine across Africa, and shine a light on Africa’s vibrant sporting culture.”

“We are extremely happy to finally launch the highly anticipated first season of the BAL,” said FIBA Africa and BAL Board President Anibal Manave. “FIBA and the NBA have been working closely together to develop protocols to address the health and safety of all players, coaches and officials. The experience of hosting the FIBA AfroBasket 2021 Qualifiers in Rwanda late last year will contribute to a safe and successful inaugural BAL season.”

The league today also announced an adjusted competition format for the inaugural season, which will feature a total of 26 games at the Kigali Arena. The competition will tip off with an 18-game group phase with the 12 teams divided into three groups of four. During the group phase, each team will face the three other teams in its group once. The top eight teams from the group phase will qualify for the playoffs, which will be single elimination in all three rounds.

Below are the 12 club teams from 12 African countries that will compete in the inaugural BAL season:

COUNTRY	TEAM
Algeria	GSP (Groupement Sportif des Pétroliers) **
Angola	Petro de Luanda (Clube Atlético Petroleos de Luanda) *
Cameroon	FAP (Forces Armées et Police Basketball) **
Egypt	Zamalek*
Madagascar	GNBC (Gendarmerie Nationale Basketball Club)**
Mali	AS Police (Association Sportive de la Police Nationale) **
Morocco	AS Salé (Association Sportive de Salé) *
Mozambique	Ferroviàrio de Maputo**
Nigeria	Rivers Hoopers BC (Rivers Hoopers Basketball Club)*
Rwanda	Patriots BC (Patriots Basketball Club)**
Senegal	AS Douanes (Association Sportive des Douanes) *
Tunisia	US Monastir (Union Sportive Monastirienne)*

*Champion from national league that earned representation in the inaugural BAL season
**Secured participation in the inaugural BAL season through a BAL qualifying tournament

Champions from the national leagues in Angola, Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal and Tunisia earned their participation in the inaugural season. The remaining six teams, which come from Algeria, Cameroon, Madagascar, Mali, Mozambique and Rwanda, secured their participation through BAL qualifying tournaments conducted by FIBA Regional Office Africa across the continent in late 2019.

The BAL groups and additional details about the league will be announced at a later date.

Sports Biz: Tour and Travelers Ink Deal

March 29, 2021 by Terry Lyons

HARTFORD, CT – (Official News Release) – The Travelers Companies, Inc. and PGA TOUR announced that they have reached an agreement to extend Travelers’ title sponsorship of the Travelers Championship through 2030. The company has been a partner of the tournament since its inception in 1952 and has served as title sponsor since 2007. This agreement will make Travelers the longest-running title sponsor in the event’s history.

As part of the sponsorship extension, Travelers will remain the Official Property Casualty Insurance Provider of the PGA TOUR, PGA TOUR Champions and Korn Ferry Tour.

“So many historic and exciting moments in golf have happened at the Travelers Championship over the years, but it’s the amazing moments that are made off the course that capture the real value of our hometown tournament,” said Alan Schnitzer, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at Travelers. “As a company rooted in taking care of its customers and communities, the charitable mission of the Travelers Championship reflects who we are as an organization. This tournament is important to so many people across the region – both as an economic driver for the state and as a funding source for hundreds of charities – and we are proud to continue its legacy for years to come.”

Since Travelers became title sponsor, the tournament has generated more than $20 million for nearly 800 nonprofits. All net proceeds from the Travelers Championship go to charity, and the funds raised each year have increased substantially, from $650,000 in 2007 to $2.1 million in 2019. The 2020 Travelers Championship, held as a TV-only event due to COVID-19 restrictions, generated more than $1.6 million.

“The Travelers Championship has established itself as a premier PGA TOUR event, thanks to the inspirational leadership provided by Travelers, the dedication of thousands of volunteers and the passionate fans who watch or attend every year,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan. “Connecticut and the PGA TOUR are fortunate to have a company like Travelers that helps deliver an outstanding experience every year for our players, for golf fans and for local nonprofits. We are extremely excited about the future of the Travelers Championship.”

The tournament has been recognized with 15 “Best Of” awards from the PGA TOUR over the past several years, including Tournament of the Year in 2017, Players Choice in 2017 and 2018, and Most Fan Friendly Event in 2010, 2012 and 2017.

“The Travelers Championship wouldn’t be possible without the overwhelming support we receive from people across the state and the thousands of volunteers who help each year,” said Andy Bessette, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer at Travelers. “The event may be branded with our company name, but this is really Connecticut’s tournament. Together, we have made it one of the best stops on the PGA TOUR for players and fans.”

With Travelers as title sponsor, many significant enhancements have been made at TPC River Highlands, including the addition of a 23-acre practice facility, a multimillion-dollar course improvement project and a 40,000-square-foot clubhouse, which opened prior to the 2019 Travelers Championship. The tournament purse has also increased by $200,000 annually for six straight years, reaching $7.4 million in 2020.

Red Sox: Coming Down the Stretch from Spring Training to Opening Day

March 29, 2021 by Terry Lyons

FORT MYERS – The Boston Red Sox won each of their last two games following a two-game losing streak. Boston has not lost more than two consecutive games at any point this spring.

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Today marks the eighth of nine scheduled Grapefruit League meetings between the Red Sox and Braves (Red Sox lead, 4-3). The teams will close out their spring training schedule against each other today in North Port and tomorrow at jetBlue Park.
The Sox and Braves will play each other 4 times in the regular season, with 2 games at Fenway Park (May 25-26) and 2 at Truist Park (June 15-16). The Sox went 2-4 vs. ATL in 2020, finishing the season by taking 2 of 3 games in Atlanta from September 25-27.

Sox Manager Alex Cora announced that SP Nathan Eovaldi will start the Red Sox’ Opening Day game against the Orioles on April 1. Eovaldi’s 1st career Opening Day start came last year against BAL, when he allowed 1 run in 6.0 IP. In his final 4 starts of 2020, Eovaldi posted a 0.86 ERA (2 ER/21.0 IP) with 25 SO and 2 BB, allowing 0 runs in his final 13.0 IP. On the season, he averaged a career- best 9.68 SO/9.0 IP and ranked 7th in the majors in SO/ BB ratio (7.43), walking only 7 of his 199 batters faced.

PGA Tour: WGC Dell Tech Match Play & Corales Puntacana Champ Wrap-Up

March 29, 2021 by Terry Lyons

By TERRY LYONS

It was a big weekend in PGA Tour golf with two tournaments in play, including the prestigious World Golf Championship – Dell Technologies Match Play competition in Austin, Texas. There was an interesting suggestion that the PGA Tour consider adding a “real” fifth major and making it a Match Play event. (The PLAYERS Championship has long been considered the “fifth” major).

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Here’s the weekend round-up:

World Golf Championship Dell Technologies Match Play Review & Notes

Billy Horschel defeated Scottie Scheffler in the Championship Match, 2 and 1, to earn his sixth career PGA Tour victory and first individual title since the 2017 AT&T Byron Nelson in Dallas.

Horschel has a win and runner-up in the first two World Golf Championships events of the season (T-2) at the WGCWorkday Championship at The Concession). Scottie Scheffler also finished in the top five at both those events.

With the win, Horschel becomes fully exempt on the PGA TOUR through the 2023-24 season.

Scheffler’s runner-up marks his career-best finish on TOUR

With his victory in the Consolation Match, 2013 champion Matt Kucharcollected his 34th match win, to draw to within two of Tiger Woods’ tournament record.

Corales Puntacana Championship: Review & Notes

Joel Dahmen won his first title in his 111th career start on Tour, at the age of 33 years, 4 months, 17 days. Dahmen opened his final round with four birdies en route to a front-nine 32. He played the back nine in 7-under this week as his only hiccups came during the final round with bogeys on Nos. 11 and 14.

Rafael Campos finished with a career-best T-2 in his 37th Tour start.

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Spring Training: Red Sox Snap Two-Game Skid with Win Over Pirates

March 28, 2021 by Terry Lyons

BRADENTON – The Boston Red Sox snapped a two-game skid with a 7-4 win at Pittsburgh, to continue their trend to not lose more than two consecutive games at any point this spring. Boston went 3-5 in their first eight Grapefruit League games but have since gone 11-5-1.

Since March 10, Boston’s 11 wins rank second in MLB behind only the Oakland A’s (12-4-1). The only teams with more than 14 wins this spring are Toronto(15) and Oakland (15).

Sox 1B Bobby Dalbec leads the majors in runs scored (15) and RBI (16) and is tied for the lead with seven HRs (also Joc Pederson). Dalbec ranks No. 2 in SLG (.822) and No. 3 in OPS (1.214). He also leads the Red Sox in Batting Average (.311) while Kiké Hernández ranks eighth in the majors in OBP (.442) and has recorded more walks (9) than strikeouts (8).

Utility man Michael Chavis ranks in a tie for third in the majors with six HRs (tied with Corey Seager and Josh Bell).

Chavis’ 36 total bases rank 5th in MLB spring training.

Celtics Rally for Win at OKC

March 28, 2021 by Terry Lyons

OKLAHOMA CITY – Jayson Tatum scored 20 of his 27 points in the second half and the Boston Celtics rallied in the fourth quarter to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 111-94. Celtics All-Star swingman Jaylen Brown added 25 points to help the Celtics close out a four-game trip and even their season record. Boston had lost five of six before winning at Milwaukee on Friday and at Oklahoma City on Saturday.

OKC’s Moses Brown scored a career-high 21 points and tied a Thunder record with 23 rebounds. The team announced before the game that veteran center Al Horford will be inactive the rest of the season while the team’s young players develop. Brown moved into the starting lineup and set a franchise record for rebounds in a half with 19 before the break.

Theo Maledon chipped-in with 22 points for Oklahoma City.

The Thunder led 80-76 heading into the fourth quarter. Jaylen Brown kept the Celtics in it with 13 points in the third.

Bruins Hand Sabres 17th Straight Loss

March 28, 2021 by Terry Lyons

BOSTON – Back on February 23, 2021, the weather bureau issued warnings for the Northern Plains, there was a report on the decline on exports and soybean futures rose on news of the virus woes in Brazil. That Tuesday evening, the Buffalo Sabres defeated the Devils, 4-1, in New Jersey. It was their last win.

The Buffalo Sabres lost their 17th consecutive game Saturday, twice blowing a single goal lead before Boston’s Craig Smith scored with 3:50 left to snap a third-period tie and give the Bruins a 3-2 victory. The fact that the Sabres have not won since Feb. 23, ties the 18th longest losing streak in NHL history. It was just the fifth time during that span that the Sabres have managed to lose by only one goal.

The Sabres have been without former Boston U star Jack Eichel since early March and had been forced to use a fourth-string goalie, Dustin Tokarski before Linus Ullmark returned tonight. Kyle Okposo had missed three games with an injury.

The Bruins play New Jersey today at TD Garden.

TL’s Sunday Sports Notebook

March 27, 2021 by Terry Lyons

While We’re Young (Ideas) of March 28

By TERRY LYONS

BOSTON – The price tags of each NBA expansion franchise over the last 40-plus years are etched in the mind of this NBA-lifer gone fishing’ in New England back in 2008. Yes, this column construction worker began as an intern at the NBA league office in 1980 and a lot was going on. Namely:

It was the same year Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Larry Bird began their (paid) NBA internships as league rookies.
It was the same year the NBA adopted the “gimmicky” Three-Point Field Goal made popular in the ABA.
It was the same season the New Orleans Jazz became the Utah Jazz.
It was the same year that Dr. Jerry Buss purchased the Los Angeles Lakers and The Fabulous Forum from Jack Kent Cooke.
It was the same year that the late, great Darryl Dawkins broke two glass backboards.
It was the same year David Stern was promoted to Executive Veep – Business and Legal Affairs, under Commissioner Lawrence F. “Larry” O’Brien.
And, it was the same year the NBA laid the foundation for the Dallas Mavericks to become the NBA’s 23rd franchise, beginning the following season – 1980-81.

The purchase price for the Mavericks was a cool $12 million.

When it came time to expand again, in the 1988-89 and 1989-90 seasons, the Charlotte Hornets, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves and Orlando Magic gained entrance to the NBA at the cost of $32.5 million.

The Toronto Raptors and Vancouver Grizzlies bought in as expansion teams in 1995-96 at the cost of a then-whopping $125 million.

The Charlotte Bobcats joined the NBA party for a cool $400 million in 2009-10.

It seemed ridiculous until the Los Angeles Clippers were sold by disgraced team owner Donald Sterling to an anxious to join the club Steve Ballmer for $2 billion in the summer of 2014. That franchise purchase (not via expansion) changed everything across every professional sports franchise.

Nowadays for the NBA, Commissioner Adam Silver is floating a $2.5 billionexpansion fee as a starting point for discussion. Undoubtedly, someone will pay it, most likely to replace the Seattle SuperSonics in the Emerald City.

Now! Sit down for this!

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Our good friends at Sportico issued franchise valuations for the Major League Baseball this week. Read it and weep if your family name isn’t Steinbrenner, Angelos or Illitch.

Here’s the Top 10:

1 New York Yankees – $6.75 billion

2 Boston Red Sox – $4.80 billion

3 Los Angeles Dodgers – $4.62 billion

4 Chicago Cubs – $4.14 billion

5 San Francisco Giants – $3.49 billion

6 New York Mets – $2.48 billion

7 Los Angeles Angels – $2.46 billion

8 Atlanta Braves – $2.38 billion

9 St. Louis Cardinals – $2.36 billion

10 Philadelphia Phillies – $2.28 billion

(Note: The New York Mets were just purchased by Steve Cohen for a record $2.475 billion.)

Sportico last did the NFL franchise valuations for the 2020 season.

Here was the Top 10 of American Footy:

1. Dallas Cowboys – $6.43 billion

2. New England Patriots – $4.97 billion

3. Los Angeles Rams – $4.10 billion

4. New York Giants – $4.00 billion

5. New York Jets – $3.70 billion

6. San Francisco 49ers – $3.63 billion

7. Washington Football Team – $3.58 billion

8. Chicago Bears – $3.41 billion

9. Philadelphia Eagles – $3.35 billion

10. Houston Texans – $3.34 billion

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World Golf Championship Reaches Final Four(somes)

March 27, 2021 by Terry Lyons

AUSTIN – Today is the Final Four of the World Golf Championship Dell Technologies Match Play tournament. The Semifinals to be played this morning, followed by the Championship Match and Consolation Match (third place) this afternoon.

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WGC “Final Four(some)” Notes:

The Final Four(somes) Match Play begins with Tee Times at 10:05am EDT/9:05am (local) with Victor Perez facing Billy Horschel and continue at 10:20am EDT/9:20am (local) with Matt Kuchar and Scottie Scheffler – (link)

Semifinals Matches

9:05 a.m. – Victor Perez (31) vs. Billy Horschel (32)

9:20 a.m. – Scottie Scheffler (30) vs. Matt Kuchar (52)

Single-Elimination Format

Sunday morning: Semifinals; Sunday afternoon: Championship Match and Consolation Match

Weather: Warm and humid with a high of 85. Wind S 8-16 mph.

Notebook:

With a 4-and-3 victory over Sergio Garcia, Victor Perez is trying to become the first player since Geoff Ogilvy (2006) to win the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play in his tournament debut.

With wins by Scottie Scheffler and Perez, the total jumps to five players who’ve advanced to the Semifinals in their tournament debut since Austin Country Club began hosting the event in 2016: (Lucas Bjerregaard/2019/4th, Jon Rahm/2017/2nd Hideto Tanihara/2017/4th).

With Jon Rahm’s loss, the Semifinals will not include one of the top-16 seeds for the first time since the event introduced the group play format in 2015.

Billy Horschel outlasted Tommy Fleetwood in a playoff, with Horschel making a par-5 on the 12th hole to advance after an errant Fleetwood tee shot cost him a stroke penalty.

Of the 17 countries represented in the field, only two remain:

o United States – Billy Horschel, Scottie Scheffler, Matt Kuchar

o France – Victor Perez

Match Play Recaps:

Round of 16 Matches

Tommy Fleetwood (21) def. Dylan Frittelli (64), 4 and 3

Billy Horschel (32) def. Kevin Streelman (53), 3 and 1

Sergio Garcia (39) def. Mackenzie Hughes (48), 2 and 1

Victor Perez (31) def. Robert MacIntyre (41), 5 and 4

Scottie Scheffler (30) def. Ian Poulter (60), 5 and 4

Jon Rahm (3) def. Erik van Rooyen (62), 3 and 2

Brian Harman (54) def. Bubba Watson (55), 2 and 1

Matt Kuchar (52) def. Jordan Spieth (49)

Quarterfinal Matches

Billy Horschel (32) def. Tommy Fleetwood (21), playoff

Victor Perez (31) def. Sergio Garcia (39), 4 and 3

Scottie Scheffler (30) def. Jon Rahm (3), 3 and 1

Matt Kuchar (52) def. Brian Harman (54), 2 and 1

PGA Tour: Corales Championship Round-Up

March 27, 2021 by Terry Lyons

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – Tournament co-leader Joel Dahmen has played the back nine in 9-under this week in search of first Tour title in his 111th start.

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The 2016 Masters Tournament champion, Danny Willett, shot a (67) and seeks his second Tour title to join his triumph at Augusta National.

After shooting an opening round (73), Michael Gligic carded his second consecutive bogey-free round while seeking first Tour title in his 36th start. He and Willett are only one stroke back.

Puntacana Resort ambassador Emiliano Grillo (T-5) at (-8) carded nine birdies in first 15 holes, tying his career-most in a round, before closing bogey-par-bogey en route to 7-under (65). The round marked his sixth outing of 65 or better this season.

Leaderboard at Corales Championship

Joel Dahmen 67-71-68—206 (-10)

Rafael Campos 68-69-69—206 (-10)

Danny Willett 70-70-67—207 (-9)

Michael Gligic 73-66-68—207 (-9)