This Week in Sports Talk: July 19, 2020

This Week in Sports Talk (TWIST) is our weekly roundup of top headlines from the past seven days in the world of sports, plus a preview of what’s up next. Heading into the week of July 19, 2020, here’s the top sports news, with a twist. Skim it, and you’ll be good to go all week.

This Week in Sports Talk: July 19, 2020

So funny – last night we dreamed that Kayne West was running for President of the United States. Then this morning, we realized it wasn’t a dream. 2020, you never cease to amaze us.

Anywho, here are the top stories in the world of sports to know heading into the week of July 19, 2020.

1. Play ball! At least, that’s the plan for now

Major League Baseball is back, with regular season games starting this Thursday July 23. Big games include the New York Yankees at the World Champion Washington Nationals and division rivals the San Francisco Giants at the LA Dodgers.

nowhere to play?

Earlier in the week, the Nationals were exploring alternate sites for home games because of local coronavirus protocols in the D.C. area. However on Friday, USA Today reported that the city is waiving some of its COVID-19 protocols for the Nationals so they can use their home stadium.

However, there are a number of other teams that could run into issues similar to the one the Nationals were facing, including the LA Dodgers and teams in current hot spots like Florida, Texas and Arizona. The Toronto Blue Jays are in search of a stadium after the Canadian government forbade play at their home stadium.

Unlike the NBA, the MLB is not utilizing a “bubble.” With players and teams traveling to and from certain cities and needing to adhere to the local policies attached to those cities, there’s a great deal more uncertainty around how the season will unfold.

some players opting out

And that’s why some are opting out before the season even begins. Some MLB players are sitting out the season. Including high-profile players like Buster Posey, the star catcher for the San Francisco Giants. And pitcher David Price of the Los Angeles Dodgers. CBS Sports reports that 11 umpires have opted out of the 2020 MLB season, as well.

cardboard fans show the love

On a much lighter note, since the stands will be empty, teams are getting creative. For an $86 fee, Mets fans can have a cardboard cutout of themselves placed in the stands. “Crowd noise” will be piped in at many stadiums.

german is not leaving

And as always with sports, there’s a rather odd story to report this week, and it’s from New York. Suspended New York Yankees pitcher Domingo German says he is not retiring from baseball and apologized for a confusing social media post. German is serving an 81-game ban for violating Major League Baseball’s domestic violence policy last summer. On Friday night he posted ”I’ve left baseball. Thanks everyone.” Then he wrote Saturday that he was ”very sorry for the unsettling post. Baseball is my life and I promise I am not walking away,” he said. Drunk posting? Innocent mistake? Whatever, dude.

2. NFL’s Washington team makes news – twice

The team formerly known as the Washington Redskins will have a new name after decades of being asked to drop a nickname that many viewed as racist. This week the team confirmed that it is dropping the name. The new name is yet to be determined. 

Just days later,  the Washington Post published an exclusive report in which 15 female ex-employees of the team alleged that they experienced sexual harassment and a toxic workplace culture. The women say the behavior involved high-ranking members of the organization, spanning from 2006-19. Team owner Dan Snyder and General Manager Bruce Allen aren’t directly implicated – but some executives in their inner circle are.

The incident has caused several minority owners of the team to demand an exit. Many would like to see Snyder go. Will he be the next Donald Sterling? Watch this space for further updates.

3. NBA on track for a July 30th re-start

The NBA “bubble” has officially been inflated, as all 22 teams have arrived at Disney World in Orlando, Florida to resume the rest of the 2019-20 season. And the players have been sharing what life is like on social media.

There are many adorable stories and fun facts. Our favorite so far: it was revealed that PJ Tucker packed 60 pairs of shoes for his sojourn in the bubble. So he can have options every morning. We totally feel you, man.

The runner up for favorite of the week is the video of Oklahoma City Thunder forward Terrance Ferguson interacting with his little daughter Lylah. After a rousing round of peekaboo, Ferguson dances along to the baby shark song with her on Instagram Live. Awww . . .

Once the NBA starts play on July 30, any player who breaks quarantine will have to undergo a quarantine period of 14 days – and they will be fined 1% of salary for each game missed. There have already been a couple of violations as people get used to the new regime.

leaks in the bubble

Kings center Richaun Holmes accidentally crossed the “bubble” line to pick up a food delivery and was quarantined for 14 days. Even his mom ribbed him about it on Twitter. Rockets forward Bruno Caboclo also violated the health and safety protocols and was quarantined.

The move to the Disney bubble has not been without hiccups, which is how things tend to go in this New Normal. James Harden arrived 5 days after the rest of his team, citing family reasons. His teammate Russell Westbrook announced that he had tested positive for coronavirus but was exhibiting no symptoms. Pelicans star Zion Williamson had to leave the bubble abruptly due to  a family emergency. We’re wishing everyone the best for a speedy recovery.

social justice jerseys

 The league and the Players Union have agreed on 29 social justice statements that players can optionally have on the back of their jerseys instead of their names. Among them are  Justice; Peace; Equality; and Freedom.  LeBron James has notably opted out of the program.

3. New NFL Contracts

Patrick Mahomes has signed a 10-year, $450 million extension with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Wednesday was the deadline for NFL teams to reach contract extensions with players that were given a 2020 franchise tag. And Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys have failed to agree on new contract. So Prescott will play this season under the franchise tag for $31 million. Negotiations reportedly broke down after the Cowboys insisted on a 5-year deal and Prescott stood firm at 4 years. Some are already speculating that this may be Prescott’s last year in Dallas.

Running back Derrick Henry and the Titans successfully managed to come to a long-term deal — a four-year, $50 million extension with $25.5 guaranteed. Myles Garrett becomes the highest-paid defensive player in league history after signing a 5-year extension with the Cleveland Browns for $100 million guaranteed. Regular readers will remember that last year, Garrett was suspended and fined for swinging and hitting Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph with a helmet after a rough tackle.

5. And In other NFL news . . . 

NFL training camps are set to open on July 28th, with rookies reporting on the 21st.

Press reports are that the NFL and its Players Association may run into the same complications that plagued Major League Baseball. Week 1 is less than two months away and the two sides still haven’t reached an agreement on what the 2020-21 season is going to look like. Or what sort of official protections and protocols will be in place.

As a result, some NFL players are expressing unhappiness with playing and potentially being exposed to COVID-19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ left tackle Donovan Smith posted on Instagram that trying to do his job amid the coronavirus pandemic doesn’t seem like “a risk worth taking,” especially with his first child due in three weeks.

new face masks

Meanwhile, this week sunglasses giant Oakley, along with the NFL, unveiled a new Mouth Shield that will reportedly help prevent the spread of the virus.

the 99 Club

Also this week, EA’s Madden 21 revealed its new roster for The 99 Club, a prestigious fraternity of the top NFL players who have a 99 rating in this year’s game. The list includes New Orleans’ Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey, Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald and Patriots cornerback  Stephon Gilmore. 

a new QB in Patriots Nation

Since our last report, former Carolina Panthers’ quarterback Cam Newton was signed to the New England Patriots. And our Sports Desk is intrigued.

“This could be anything from him starting to him not playing, from him playing healthy all year to him not playing a snap due to injury.” Will this be a miraculous rebirth? Who knows? As die-hard Pats fans, we’re just thrilled to have something to talk about other than our sense of loss over the departure of TB-12. 

activism and outreach in the NFL

After the Philadelphia Eagles’ wide receiver DeSean Jackson made anti-Semetic comments on social media that were roundly condemned by his team, the NFL, and many others, Julian Edelman proposed that he and DeSean visit a Holocaust museum together. Which is actually a conciliatory and constructive suggestion. Nice job, Mr. Edelman.

Houston Texans’ wide receiver Kenny Stills was arrested on a felony charge while protesting and seeking justice for Brianna Taylor in Louisville (the charges were dropped yesterday). Stills was one of the first to follow Colin Kaepernick and kneel during the anthem to protest police brutality and systemic racism. He has made significant donations to charities devoted to racial justice, and has worked with law enforcement to improve community relations in New Orleans, Miami and Houston. Stills also led a voter registration effort in 2017 that resulted in all Dolphins players being registered to vote. He sounds like a stand-up guy to us.

6. WNBA

The WNBA has released its 2020 schedule, with the 22-game (shortened from 34) season set to begin July 25. All games will be played in a bubble at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.

Opening day will be headlined by superstar Breanna Stewart’s return from injury for the Storm. No. 1 draft pick Sabrina Ionescu debuts for the Liberty. And the champion Mystics take the court for the first time since their big win last season.

7. PGA Golf 

The Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village is underway this weekend. The first day saw brutal conditions for the elite talent on the course — including Tiger Woods.

Woods barely made the cut on Friday and was 14 strokes back of the leader Jim Rahm heading into final round. Round Three is underway even as we write.

8. NHL rain delay

Hockey is back on the ice. And yet, water has caused a temporary delay in the action. Rogers Place in Edmonton, Canada – one of the two hub venues for the re-started hockey season – was flooded by heavy rains this week.

The home of the Oilers is slated to host all of the Western Conference’s action, plus the 2020 conference finals and Stanley Cup Final. The NHL reportedly isn’t yet worried about utilizing the building – but the extent of the damage is still being assessed.

9. Who will win the Mets?

Regular readers are fully aware that Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez have been in pursuit of the New York Mets. Hedge fund mogul Steve Cohen had a deal with the current owners. Then it fell apart. And now he’s back in the fray. So it’s unclear who will end up with the team.

This week, the New York Post reported that the couple flew to Massachusetts for a meeting with New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and his son Jonathan to discuss a partnership on stadium operations should their bid to buy the Mets succeed.

Hmmm . . . sounds kind of Krafty . . .

Meanwhile, some MLB players are unhappy with A-Rod after his comments that the Players Association should  accept a salary cap as a way to improve MLB’s market share. They’re charging him with hypocrisy. Rodriguez was once the highest-paid player in MLB history, making upwards of $440 million during his career despite the taint of accusations about the use of performance-enhancing drugs.

10. Rogers and Patrick part company

It’s over. After two years, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and former NASCAR and IndyCar driver Danica Patrick have apparently broken up.

This despite the fact that they just bought a $28 million Malibu home back in December. Signs of the break up first surfaced on Thursday, when people began to notice that Patrick had un-followed Rodgers on Instagram. What further proof does anyone need? Love is hard, kids.

This Week in Sports News July 19, 2020

That’s it. You’re good to go with the top headlines and coming attractions heading into the week of July 19, 2020. Stay safe and healthy, dear reader. See you next week.

Join our Community

For access to insider ideas and information on the world of luxury, sign up for our Dandelion Chandelier newsletter here. And see luxury in a new light.

Forward This Article