Thunder's Shai Gilgeous Alexander nets huge payday
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Hamilton-born Shai Gilgeous Alexander didn't waste any time in cashing in on his remarkable season of individual and team dominance as the straw that stirs the drink of the new NBA-champion Oklahoma City Thunder.
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The NBA and Finals MVP signed a record-breaking super max contract extension (US$285 million over four years) to help tip off the first few weeks of big spending in NBA and NHL free agency. The ESPY nominee as athlete-of-the-year will make US$63 million in his first season, but that will go up to as much as US$79 million in Year 4).
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In Major League Baseball, the Toronto Blue Jays had a near perfect week, sweeping the New York Yankees in four entertaining and back-and-forth home dates at the Rogers Centre in Toronto.
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The sweep turned what was a three-game deficit behind the Yankees into first place in the American League East and a 49-38 record; 11 games above .500.
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What's more, the Jays have erased what was an eight-game deficit behind the Bronx Bombers on May 28 on the strength of 22 wins in their last 32 starts. That's second only to the win percentage of the Houston Astros of the AL West. It also marks the first time that the Jays have been in first place in the manager John Schneider era.
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Most important, the hot streak is selling lots of tickets in the prime summer months of July and August, all the more to showcase the about US$400 million in fan-friendly upgrades at Rogers Centre.
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Expect home dates to attract a baseline of over 30,000 fans. Many weekend games will sell out in the 40,000 neighbourhood, especially if Toronto remains in the pennant race atop the AL East.
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Meanwhile, Florida Panthers general manager Bill Zito Jr. is making it look easy. He already has two Stanley Cups and three consecutive Cup Final appearances in his five years on the job with the reigning champs.
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The former player agent and attorney said he thought he could re-sign all three of his major free agents — Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad and Brad Marchand — and he did exactly what he promised.
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His recipe is enhanced by the value of zero-per-cent state income tax in Florida, but is as much the allure of winning, a warm-weather beach environment and training in modern, customized amenities in Greater Miami where players can go about their lives in relative privacy compared with Canadian-based or Original Six markets.
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