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Red Sox: Ready for Opening Day

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BOSTON – (Source: Official club news release) – The Boston Red Sox will present their Opening Day Ceremonies before the commencement of their 121st home season, and their 110th at Fenway Park, on Thursday, April 1, starting at approximately 1:40 p.m. Fans attending the game are asked to be in their seats by 1:30 p.m.

The Sox play the Baltimore Orioles at 2:10 p.m. Morning and afternoon showers are in the forecast.

Before the game, the two teams will be introduced along the base lines. With the giant American flag draped over the left field wall, Springfield native Michelle Brooks-Thompson will perform the national anthem.

The long-time tradition of a flyover on Opening Day will be maintained, but with three different aircrafts flying out of three New England states, a first for a Red Sox Opening Day ceremony. This year’s flyover will include an F-15 from Barnes Air National Guard Base in Massachusetts, an F-35 from Vermont’s Air National Guard (the Green Mountain Boys), and a Tanker plane from Pease Air National Guard Base in New Hampshire.

The singing of God Bless America in the middle of the 7th inning will be performed by the Boston Fire Department A Capella Quartet.

The Red Sox will welcome over 100 healthcare heroes to the ballpark for Opening Day. Through a partnership with Dell Technologies, 10,000 tickets will be distributed to healthcare workers throughout the 2021 season.

Red Sox Opening Day, including the ceremony, will be broadcast live on NESN beginning with their pregame show at 12:20 p.m. WEEI’s Opening Day broadcast begins at 1:10 p.m.

Fenway Park gates open two hours before the game for all fans on Opening Day (12:10 p.m.) and 1½ hours for all other regular season games.

Fans will be required to complete a health screening survey prior to entry on the day of the game, which can be found on the MLB Ballpark App. Fenway Park will be divided into five ‘neighborhood zones’, where ticket holders can access the designated gates for entry and exit nearest their seat location as labeled on their game ticket. To help reduce contact throughout the gameday experience, fans will be issued a digital ticket through MLB’s Ballpark App, and all ticket scanning will be contactless.

Fans attending games at Fenway Park can visit redsox.com/healthandsafety to review the full list of safety protocols in place at the ballpark for the start of the regular season, which currently include mandatory face coverings (except ages two and under), heightened sanitation procedures, reduced contact measures, and physical distancing. The site will be updated regularly with any changes to these protocols.

Demonstrating the organization’s commitment and adherence to high quality health and safety guidelines, Fenway Park is now a Well-Health Safety certified venue, a premier standard that validates and measures features that support and advance human health and wellness determined by the International WELL Building Institute. In addition to this new certification, the Red Sox have partnerships with three companies to help maintain Fenway Park’s high health and safety standards, including Lysol for disinfectant and cleaning supplies; Surfacide for UV-C technology UV technology that kills 99.99% of dangerous pathogens on hard surfaces; and Airocide for air purification that uses bioconversion technology developed by NASA to eliminate harmful, airborne particulates such as bacteria, mold and viruses.

FSG Makes Formal Announcement on James, RedBird Partners Investment

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BOSTON – Fenway Sports Group (FSG), a global sports, marketing, media, entertainment, and real estate platform, announced a significant investment into the company by RedBird Capital Partners (RedBird). The deal is part of an ongoing strategic alliance between the two companies that will focus on the active pursuit of growth opportunities for FSG.

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In addition to the organic growth anticipated for FSG’s current portfolio, the partnership with RedBird will enhance the company’s ability to develop and launch new businesses modeled after successful growth companies built by Gerry Cardinale and RedBird. FSG and RedBird will also develop opportunities for strategic acquisitions in sports, including teams and venues, media and related businesses that enhance or extend FSG’s existing platform.

The investment by RedBird into FSG is based on an enterprise valuation for FSG of $7.35 billion. As part of the overall transaction, LeBron James, Maverick Carter and their longtime business partner Paul Wachter will exchange a previously held interest in Liverpool Football Club and become part of FSG’s ownership group along with RedBird.

FSG leadership, comprised of Principal Owner John W. Henry, Chairman Tom Werner and President Mike Gordon said, “Over the years, Fenway Sports Group has been able to attract a dedicated group of executives and partnerships seeking to compete for titles in the most challenging and rewarding landscapes. Our strategic partnership with Gerry and the entire team at RedBird will enhance our ability to pursue future growth opportunities in a more accelerated way but with the same selectiveness that has served us so well.

“We are also pleased to welcome to our ownership group LeBron, Maverick and Paul, with whom we have enjoyed a successful collaboration for well over a decade. Their addition is an important milestone for FSG and expands and deepens a longtime friendship and relationship that began in 2010.

“To our fans and supporters: Winning continues to be the driving force for all of us. The growth of FSG as an organization allows us to further strengthen our resources and commitment to the communities we serve, and we look forward to having these talented new partners join us in the next chapter of FSG’s evolution.”

Gerry Cardinale, Founder and Managing Partner of RedBird, said, “Fenway Sports Group is unique not only for the quality of its sports properties and assets, but for the highly disciplined, results-oriented organization that John, Tom, Mike and the FSG team have built over the past 20 years. RedBird shares the same passion for performance-driven investing, business operations, fan experience and service to the community. We look forward to contributing our experience growing premier sports properties and working alongside this tremendous leadership team, including our fellow new owners LeBron, Maverick and Paul.”

“Working with Fenway Sports Group for the past decade has taught LeBron and me so much about the business on a global scale, and we’ve always believed it would lead to something bigger,” said Maverick Carter. “We are proud to be part of this iconic ownership group and are excited about the opportunities that come with that to continue creating change and empowering people of every race, gender and background to be part of the process.”

The transactions were unanimously voted on by FSG partners on Tuesday, March 16, 2021. The deal is scheduled to close on Wednesday, March 31, 2021. Bank of America served as financial advisor to FSG, and Goldman Sachs served as financial advisor to RedBird on the transaction. Shearman & Sterling served as legal advisor to FSG, while Fried Frank served as legal advisor to RedBird.

In addition to new owners RedBird Capital, LeBron James, Maverick Carter and Paul Wachter, as a part of this transaction Red Sox President & CEO Sam Kennedy will be converting his previously held long-term incentive plan interests into an interest in FSG and will become part of the FSG ownership group.

Red Sox Lose to ATL on Last Day of Spring Training

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FORT MYERS – The Boston Red Sox (16-11) dropped a 5-3 decision to the Atlanta Braves (15-13) in the final Spring Training Grapefruit League game for both  teams today at jetBlue Park. The Red Sox will now pack-up the gear and head north to Fenway Park for Thursday’s home opener against the Baltimore Orioles. Although today’s forecast in Boston was for a perfect spring day, Thursday’s weather calls for afternoon showers and an 80% chance of rain. First pitch is schedule for 2:10pm Thursday.

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Braves reliever Drew Smyly earned the win and Boston RP Martin Perez took the loss while Braves ace Mike Soroka earned a save in the seven inning game. OF Jarren Duran homered off Soroka in the 7th. Perez allowed four runs on four hits in 5.0 innings pitched. He walked two and struck-out five Braves but allowed a two-run homer to Ozzie Albies in the 5th inning.

On Monday, Boston defeated Atlanta, 4-0, behind three long-balls in the 3rd inning and solid pitching. With one out and no base runners, infielder Enrique Rodriguez homered to left field, J.D. Martinez solo homered to left-center and after a Xander Bogaerts single, utility man Marwin Gonzalez homered to right to complete the scoring.

Tanner Houck went 4.1 innings to start for the Sox and he was relived by Kaleb Ort (0.2 inn), Austin Brice (1.0 inn) and Darwinzon Hernandez (1.o inn) to complete the four-hit shutout in a 7 inning game. The Braves used six pitchers and a total of 21 players in the home loss.

 

Sports Biz: Draft Kings Acquires VSiN

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BOSTON – DraftKings announced that it has acquired Vegas Sports Information Network (VSiN) , a multi-platform broadcast and content company delivering trusted sports betting news, analysis, and data to U.S. sports bettors since 2017. The acquisition will enable DraftKings, which is live with mobile and/or retail sports betting in 14 states, to further build out its content capabilities and will augment VSiN’s ability to broaden their audience alongside the expansion of legal sports betting in the U.S.

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“VSiN creates authentic and credible content that resonates with sports bettors at every level, whether they’re experienced or new to sports betting,” said Jason Robins, DraftKings’ co-founder, CEO and Chairman of the Board. “In addition to its brand equity among sports bettors and engaging talent roster, VSiN also has an established infrastructure that DraftKings can immediately help expand, in the hopes of adding value to consumers who are looking to become more knowledgeable about sports betting.”

VSiN, which operates out of Las Vegas, develops, produces, and distributes up to 18+ hours of live linear sports betting content each day. In addition to its 24/7 stream, VSiN’s original content is accessible through multiple video and audio channels including Comcast Xfinity, Sling TV, fuboTV, Rogers’ Sportsnet, MSG Networks, NESN, AT&T Pittsburgh, Marquee Sports Network, a dedicated channel on iHeartRadio and TuneIn, as well as terrestrial radio stations throughout the country, and its growing slate of podcasts and betcasts. VSiN’s current talent roster includes Brent Musburger, legendary sports broadcaster; Michael Lombardi, former NFL executive; Gill Alexander, host of the Beating the Book podcast; and Pauly Howard and Mitch Moss, co-hosts of VSiN’s popular morning show, Follow The Money.

“We created VSiN as a destination for sports bettors to find the most credible content to help inform their wagering decisions,” said Brian Musburger, CEO of VSiN. “Harnessing the power and network of the DraftKings brand will allow us to reach an even wider audience with our unique content.”

DraftKings’ vision is for Musburger and his leadership team to continue to manage day-to-day operations while maintaining editorial independence. DraftKings intends to fully integrate VSiN’s current employee base located in Las Vegas, including its on-air talent, into its 2,600 person global workforce. Since opening a Las Vegas office in January 2020, DraftKings has grown its local employee base by 132%. The Company also recently announced a multi-year agreement to become a primary sponsor of the Center for Gaming Innovation, housed within the International Gaming Institute at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

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

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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.

 

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

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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.

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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

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

NBA: Celtics Strike Buck

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MILWAUKEE – Boston struck Buck, errr … back.

A night after the Boston Celtics lost to the Milwaukee Bucks at the TD Garden in New England, Jayson Tatum scored 34 points and added six rebounds, Marcus Smart had 23 and the Boston Celtics beat Milwaukee 122-114 on Friday night and snapped a Bucks’ eight-game winning streak and spilt the two-game home and home mini-series.

The Celtics, who led 60-55 at the half, hit nine of 14 three-pointers in the third quarter to build the lead to 103-89 entering the final period.

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Newly acquired Celtics bigman Moe Wagner and veteran Celtics guard Smart extended Boston’s lead to 118-97 with three-pointers in the fourth quarter. Boston’s All-Star guard Kemba Walker added 21 points, and All-Star swingman Jaylen Brown had 18 for the Celtics.

Boston finished 22 of 47 from beyond the arc. Smart was 7 for 10, and Brown and Tatum added four apiece.

As Spring Training Winds Down, Boston Red Sox Lose to Minnesota Twins

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FORT MYERS – Minnesota Twins SP Randy Dobnak gave up one hit in five innings, a solo homer by Boston’s Bobby Dalbec, as Minnesota prevailed as spring training winds down. The Twins’ Josh Donaldson and the Red Sox’s Jonathan Arauz and Cesar Puello also homered as the Twins snapped a three-game Boston win streak with last night’s 7-4 decision. Boston is (6-3) in their last 9 games and 10-4-1 in their last 15.

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Boston remains one of six teams with 13 wins (or more). The only teams with more wins are the Royals (14-7- 3) and Blue Jays (14-8-2). Boston has five games remaining in spring training before opening the regular season at home on Thursday, April 1, against the Orioles.