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Small sport stirs up controversy in Spain as Basque Country makes its international debut
Arai Lejardi, right, and Erika Mugartegui, left, members of the Spanish national team, pose with their team during the Nations League at the Jai Alai fronton in Guernica-Luno, northern Spain, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Miguel Oses) A woman holds a Basque flag or ''Ikurrina'' during the Nations League match between the Euskadi national team and the Spanish national team at the Jai Alai fronton in Guernica-Luno, northern Spain, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Miguel Oses) Elaia Gogenola, a member of the Euskadi national team, competes with her teammate Maia Goikoetxea during the Nations League match between the Spanish national team and the Euskadi national team at the Jai Alai fronton in Guernica-Luno, northern Spain, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Miguel Oses) Arai Lejardi, right, competes next to her teammate Erika Mugartegui, members of the Spanish national team, at the Jai Alai fronton during the Nations League match between the Euskadi national team and the Spanish national team at the Jai Alai fronton in Guernica-Luno, northern Spain, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Miguel Oses) Elaia Gogenola, a member of the Euskadi national team, competes with her teammate Maia Goikoetxea during the Nations League match between the Spanish national team and the Euskadi national team at the Jai Alai fronton in Guernica-Luno, northern Spain, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Miguel Oses) Jai Alai balls are pictured prior to the start of the Nations League match between the Spanish national team and the Euskadi national team at the Jai Alai fronton in Guernica-Luno, northern Spain, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Miguel Oses) Jai alai baskets are pictured ahead of the Nations League match between the Euskadi national team and the Spanish national team at the Jai Alai fronton in Guernica-Luno, northern Spain, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Miguel Oses) Spectators gather during the Nations League between Spanish national team and Euskadi national team at the Jai Alai fronton in Guernica-Luno, northern Spain, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Miguel Oses) A man receives a Basque flag, or "Ikurrina," ahead of the Nations League match between the Euskadi national team and the Spanish national team at the Jai Alai fronton in Guernica-Luno, northern Spain, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Miguel Oses) Arai Lejardi, left, and Erika Mugartegui, members of the Spanish national team, pose for a photo ahead of the Nations League match between the Euskadi national team and the Spanish national team at the Jai Alai fronton in Guernica-Luno, northern Spain, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Miguel Oses) Elaia Gogenola, left, and Maia Goikoetxea, members of the Euskadi national team, pose for a photo ahead of the Nations League match between the Euskadi national team and the Spanish national team at the Jai Alai fronton in Guernica-Luno, northern Spain, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Miguel Oses) The Spanish national team and the Euskadi national team play during the Nations League match between the Euskadi national team and the Spanish national team at the Jai Alai fronton in Guernica-Luno, northern Spain, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Miguel Oses) Arai Lejardi, right, member of the Spanish national team competes during the Nations League match between the Spanish national team and the Euskadi national team at the Jai Alai fronton in Guernica-Luno, northern Spain, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Miguel Oses) People react during the Nations League match between the Spanish national team and the Euskadi national team at the Jai Alai fronton in Guernica-Luno, northern Spain, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Miguel Oses) People react during the Nations League match between the Spanish national team and the Euskadi national team at the Jai Alai fronton in Guernica-Luno, northern Spain, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Miguel Oses) Arai Lejardi, right, and Erika Mugartegui, left, members of the Spanish national team, pose with their team during the Nations League at the Jai Alai fronton in Guernica-Luno, northern Spain, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Miguel Oses) A woman holds a Basque flag or ''Ikurrina'' during the Nations League match between the Euskadi national team and the Spanish national team at the Jai Alai fronton in Guernica-Luno, northern Spain, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Miguel Oses) Elaia Gogenola, a member of the Euskadi national team, competes with her teammate Maia Goikoetxea during the Nations League match between the Spanish national team and the Euskadi national team at the Jai Alai fronton in Guernica-Luno, northern Spain, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Miguel Oses) Arai Lejardi, right, competes next to her teammate Erika Mugartegui, members of the Spanish national team, at the Jai Alai fronton during the Nations League match between the Euskadi national team and the Spanish national team at the Jai Alai fronton in Guernica-Luno, northern Spain, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Miguel Oses) Elaia Gogenola, a member of the Euskadi national team, competes with her teammate Maia Goikoetxea during the Nations League match between the Spanish national team and the Euskadi national team at the Jai Alai fronton in Guernica-Luno, northern Spain, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Miguel Oses) Jai Alai balls are pictured prior to the start of the Nations League match between the Spanish national team and the Euskadi national team at the Jai Alai fronton in Guernica-Luno, northern Spain, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Miguel Oses) Jai alai baskets are pictured ahead of the Nations League match between the Euskadi national team and the Spanish national team at the Jai Alai fronton in Guernica-Luno, northern Spain, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Miguel Oses) Spectators gather during the Nations League between Spanish national team and Euskadi national team at the Jai Alai fronton in Guernica-Luno, northern Spain, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Miguel Oses) A man receives a Basque flag, or "Ikurrina," ahead of the Nations League match between the Euskadi national team and the Spanish national team at the Jai Alai fronton in Guernica-Luno, northern Spain, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Miguel Oses) Arai Lejardi, left, and Erika Mugartegui, members of the Spanish national team, pose for a photo ahead of the Nations League match between the Euskadi national team and the Spanish national team at the Jai Alai fronton in Guernica-Luno, northern Spain, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Miguel Oses) Elaia Gogenola, left, and Maia Goikoetxea, members of the Euskadi national team, pose for a photo ahead of the Nations League match between the Euskadi national team and the Spanish national team at the Jai Alai fronton in Guernica-Luno, northern Spain, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Miguel Oses) The Spanish national team and the Euskadi national team play during the Nations League match between the Euskadi national team and the Spanish national team at the Jai Alai fronton in Guernica-Luno, northern Spain, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Miguel Oses) Arai Lejardi, right, member of the Spanish national team competes during the Nations League match between the Spanish national team and the Euskadi national team at the Jai Alai fronton in Guernica-Luno, northern Spain, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Miguel Oses) People react during the Nations League match between the Spanish national team and the Euskadi national team at the Jai Alai fronton in Guernica-Luno, northern Spain, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Miguel Oses) MADRID (AP) — A small sport popular in Spain's northern Basque Country has stirred up a political controversy that triggered court action and fanned the region's long-held feelings of nationalism. There has been back-and-forth spats between sports officials and politicians after the Basque Country region was allowed to compete as a nation in international competitions in pelota vasca, a sport that was in the Olympics more than 100 years ago but is now rarely seen in most parts of the world. Advertisement Even sport's highest court was asked to get involved. The dispute culminated this weekend in what many had thought was an impossible scenario: The Basque Country and Spain playing against each other in an international sporting event — the pelota vasca Nations League. The Basque Country, also known as Euskadi, maintains a strong cultural identity and traditions in a region once scarred by violence. The Basque separatist movement began in the late 1950s and was led by the now-defunct militant group ETA. In 2011, the group declared a 'definitive end' to an armed conflict that killed nearly 900 people, and it officially disbanded in 2018. What is pelota vasca and who won? Advertisement Pelota vasca, also known as Basque pelota, is played on a court with players using their hands and different types of rackets to hit the ball against a high wall. Depending on which version of the sport is being played, there are different court measurements — all of them with a high front wall and most with another high side wall. The biggest court is 54 meters long (177 feet long). In the Basque Country region, it's considered by many as a national sport. There were jeers when the Spanish national anthem played at the awards ceremony in the Basque Country location of Gernika-Lumo. The Basque Country won the men's final on Friday night, while Spain took the victory in the women's decider. Advertisement Legal fight The sport's Spanish federation had strongly opposed the recognition of the Basque team, citing alleged illegalities in the recognition process by the international body. It denounced 'pressure, threats and coercion' against Basque players who had chosen to play for Spain. Spain eventually went to the Court of Arbitration for Sports and asked for a ruling on the legality of the changes made in the bylaws of the international federation to allow the Basque team to be recognized. The Spanish federation said it was not allowed to vote in the general assembly in late December. The CAS decision is still pending. 'It's essential to emphasize that this is not an issue against the Basque Country, but rather a matter of legality,' the Spanish federation said in one of its many statements. Advertisement The Spanish federation at one point complained of a lack of government support and was especially upset when the nation's top sports official, José Manuel Rodríguez Uribes, said that pelota vasca shouldn't be considered a Spanish sport in the sense that it is not played throughout the nation. The Spanish federation said the sport has an 'unquestionable national presence' with more than 10,000 athletes in the country. 'Exciting step' Politicians in the Basque Country had deemed the recognition by the international federation as historic. They had been working on making that possible for several years but lacked legal backing within local laws and statutes. Advertisement 'It was unimaginable not too long ago to see these athletes wearing the Basque Country jersey in an international competition,' said Aitor Esteban, president of the Basque Nationalist Party. 'I think it's an important and exciting step. It's another step toward national recognition as a country. This international presence gives us visibility.' The Spanish federation said the Nations League can't be considered an official competition because the international federation did not meet the requirements needed to be able to host the event on Spanish soil, which included proper approval by Spanish officials. The Spanish federation said it only participated in the event out of consideration for its athletes who wanted to play and were afraid that the competition could eventually serve as a qualifier for next year's world championships in Argentina, as indicated by the international body. The Spanish federation insisted it can't be considered an official competition. The Basque federation of pelota vasca praised the fact that its national team became a 'reality.' Advertisement 'We were born to grow and promote pelota vasca. It is part of our culture, of our identity and of our people," it said. 'We look to the future with hope, the future is ours.' In addition to Spain and the Basque Country, the other participants in the Nations League were the United States, France, Mexico and the Philippines. Pelota vasca was an official Olympic sport at the 1900 Paris Games and has been a demonstration sport several times since then, most recently in Barcelona in 1992. Variations of pelota vasca include jai alai, which in the United States is mostly played in Florida. Other countries where the sport is seen include France, Argentina, Mexico and Cuba.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The Weekly Sip: Monster shuts down craft beer plant amid alcohol woes
This story was originally published on Food Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Food Dive newsletter. The Weekly Sip is Food Dive's column focused on the latest news in the rapidly changing and growing beverage sector. From inaugural product lines to big investments and controversial topics, this column aims to quench the thirst for developments in the category. Monster Brewing, the alcohol business owned by energy drink Monster Beverages, said it would close a craft beer production facility in Salt Lake City, Utah, in May, following a decline in sales in the company's alcoholic beverage unit. The facility served as the brewery for Squatters and Wasatch and manufactured the two beer brands' products. Ray LaRue, president of Monster Brewing, said in a statement to The Salt Lake Tribune that the brands will remain under Monster Brewing but will be produced at other locations in the company's supply chain. The brewery closure will result in the loss of 25 jobs. 'We believe in the legacy of Squatters and Wasatch and are committed to maintaining their high-quality standards and each brand's unique identity,' LaRue told the outlet. 'Our Utah-based commercial team will continue to support their success and growth locally.' The news comes one week after Monster co-CEOs Rodney Sacks and Hilton Schlosberg slammed a short seller who claimed the energy drink maker's stock is overvalued. In March, the company told investors it lost $130 million in impairment charges related to its struggling alcohol segment. The company ended its most recent financial quarter with more than $4 million in excess inventory of its alcoholic drinks, The Beast canned cocktails and teas. Sales in the segment declined 0.8% year over year in the quarter, netting $34.9 million. Monster Brewing, formerly Canarchy Brewing, began as a collective of craft brewers before its $330 million purchase by Monster Beverages in 2022. The alcohol company's portfolio also includes Jai Alai IPAs and Dale's American Pale Ale. The formerly sleepy drink mix category is finding new fans amid the craze of reusable water bottles among millennial and Gen Z consumers. Jel Sert, which makes powder mixes like Super C, is tapping a nationally known juice maker to bring some brand recognition to its latest launch. The company announced a collaboration with Jamba Juice on Singles to Go!, allowing consumers to add flavors to their drinks inspired by some of the retailer's most well-known smoothies. The powders arrive in three flavors: Razzmatazz, Strawberries Wild and Mango-A-Go-Go. Jel Sert said the drink sticks, which contain zinc as well as vitamins A, C and E, support immunity and hydration with less additives than similar powder products on the market. Each stick contains 30 calories. 'This collaboration allowed us to showcase our capabilities in flavor innovation, bringing consumers' favorite Jamba flavors to life in a completely new way without using synthetic colors or artificial sweeteners,' said Amy Pagels, senior vice president of marketing at Jel Sert. 'It represents an exciting brand extension for Jamba and a natural next step for Jel Sert as we address the growing consumer demand for convenience, taste, and better-for-you products.' Jel Sert has collaborated with food giants before, releasing flavors in partnership with Starburst and Skittles. The drink stick category is projected to be worth $5 billion worldwide by 2030, according to Nielsen IQ data shared by Jel Sert. Iced tea is a rapidly growing category, with legacy and fledgling brands competing for consumers' caffeine intake. One upstart, co-founded by country singer Morgan Wallen, believes its better-for-you brew has what it takes to attract new fans. Ryl Tea announced it raised $15 million in a Series B funding round, bringing its total funds to $30 million since the brand's 2022 launch. Backers include Wallen, Cam Fordham of Get Engaged Media, Alex Dermer, Ben Hiott, Austin Neal of Sticks Management and Seth England of Big Loud Records. Its teas contain zero sugar, less than five calories per bottle and a 'superblend' of antioxidants. The lineup includes flavors Peach, Southern Sweet, Raspberry, Half & Half and Green Citrus. According to Ryl, the funding will help the brand expand into 40,000 stores nationwide by the end of 2025. It is currently sold at retailers like Walmart, Costco and 7-Eleven. Ryl is also building out its workforce, with aims to surpass 100 employees by December. The company's team is led by two beverage industry veterans. Co-founder and CEO Blodin Ukella previously worked as a data scientist at Bai. Ken Kurtz, the tea maker's president, served as president of Bai and senior vice president of Fiji Water. 'This round isn't just a financial milestone — it's a signal of confidence in our mission, our momentum and our belief that Ryl Tea is on track to redefine what a modern beverage brand can be,' said Ukella in a statement. Recommended Reading SodaStream brews beer category entrance with home 'crafted' beer system Sign in to access your portfolio
