Latest news with #NBA-champion
The Province
05-07-2025
- Sport
- The Province
Thunder's Shai Gilgeous Alexander nets huge payday
Tom Mayenknecht: FIFA's Club World Cup is enduring a miserable inaugural tournament. Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander celebrates after winning the NBA championship with a Game 7 victory against the Indiana Pacers on June 22 in Oklahoma City. Photo by Julio Cortez / AP 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. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors 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). 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. 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. 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. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 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. 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. 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. 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. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 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. The only disconnect around Zito is he hasn't yet won a GM-of-the-year award despite being nominated as a finalist four times (the last three times finishing second to Jim Nill of the Dallas Stars). Bears of the week The longer-than-expected injury time that's sidelined Caitlin Clark has created a bear market for the superstar and her Indiana Fever. It's certainly taken the edge off the first two months of the WNBA campaign for the league, its broadcast partners and national sponsors. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Meanwhile, the Chicago White Sox continue to be awful, going into the weekend playing .322 baseball (28-59 and 25 1/2 games out of first place in the American League Central). Despite counting American-born Pope Leo XIV among their biggest fans, there's been no divine intervention as of yet. Unless that is you count the Colorado Rockies of the National League West as a heavenly distraction. The Rockies are serving as the ideal foil to the Chisox, setting new standards of haplessness with a 20-67 record. The Rockies are anything but mile-high, winning less than one out of every four games. An unfathomable 35 1/2 games out of first place, the only question is how early in August are they officially eliminated from contention. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Yet it's the FIFA Club World Cup that continues to struggle in finding an audience in the host U.S. as the newly expanded 32-team tournament heads into quarterfinal knockouts. If there were more matchups like Paris St. Germain and Bayern Munich (on Saturday), the global club championship would have gained more traction outside of its traditional roots in Europe. Yet for every PSG-Bayern UEFA feature, there's been two less-recognized clubs in play, such as Fluminense of the Italian Serie A and Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia today. Tom Mayenknecht is the host of The Sport Market on Sportsnet 650 on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Vancouver-based sport business commentator and principal in Emblematica Brand Builders provides a behind-the-scenes look at the sport business stories that matter most to fans. Follow Mayenknecht at: Read More Vancouver Whitecaps Vancouver Whitecaps Vancouver Canucks World BC Lions
Calgary Herald
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
Thunder's Shai Gilgeous Alexander nets huge payday
Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander celebrates after winning the NBA championship with a Game 7 victory against the Indiana Pacers on June 22 in Oklahoma City. Photo by Julio Cortez / AP THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Calgary Herald ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Calgary Herald ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors 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. 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). 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. Your weekday lunchtime roundup of curated links, news highlights, analysis and features. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.
Ottawa Citizen
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Thunder's Shai Gilgeous Alexander nets huge payday
Bulls of the week Article content 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. Article content Article content 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). Article content Article content 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. Article content Article content 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. Article content 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. Article content 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. Article content Article content 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. Article content Article content 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. Article content 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. Article content 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.
Vancouver Sun
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
Thunder's Shai Gilgeous Alexander nets huge payday
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. 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). 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. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. The only disconnect around Zito is he hasn't yet won a GM-of-the-year award despite being nominated as a finalist four times (the last three times finishing second to Jim Nill of the Dallas Stars). The longer-than-expected injury time that's sidelined Caitlin Clark has created a bear market for the superstar and her Indiana Fever. It's certainly taken the edge off the first two months of the WNBA campaign for the league, its broadcast partners and national sponsors. Meanwhile, the Chicago White Sox continue to be awful, going into the weekend playing .322 baseball (28-59 and 25 1/2 games out of first place in the American League Central). Despite counting American-born Pope Leo XIV among their biggest fans, there's been no divine intervention as of yet. Unless that is you count the Colorado Rockies of the National League West as a heavenly distraction. The Rockies are serving as the ideal foil to the Chisox, setting new standards of haplessness with a 20-67 record. The Rockies are anything but mile-high, winning less than one out of every four games. An unfathomable 35 1/2 games out of first place, the only question is how early in August are they officially eliminated from contention. Yet it's the FIFA Club World Cup that continues to struggle in finding an audience in the host U.S. as the newly expanded 32-team tournament heads into quarterfinal knockouts. If there were more matchups like Paris St. Germain and Bayern Munich (on Saturday), the global club championship would have gained more traction outside of its traditional roots in Europe. Yet for every PSG-Bayern UEFA feature, there's been two less-recognized clubs in play, such as Fluminense of the Italian Serie A and Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia today. Tom Mayenknecht is the host of The Sport Market on Sportsnet 650 on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Vancouver-based sport business commentator and principal in Emblematica Brand Builders provides a behind-the-scenes look at the sport business stories that matter most to fans. Follow Mayenknecht at: .
Fox News
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
Mike Francesa unloads on Knicks' offensive game plan in Game 2 loss
New York sports fans can be brutal against their teams, especially in the postseason. Mike Francesa, the New York sports radio legend, showed yet another example of that after the New York Knicks' loss to the Detroit Pistons in Game 2 of the first round, which evens up the NBA Playoffs series. During his Bet Rivers podcast on Monday, Francesa unloaded on the Knicks, specifically head coach Tom Thibodeau due to the team's odd offense in his eyes. "The stagnant four guys watching one guy play basketball is not an offense, and I don't care what your name is," Francesa said, referencing point guard Jalen Brunson playing primarily in an isolated set up, with his teammates spaced apart on the floor around him. "And Brunson is not Michael Jordan." Brunson has always been the focal point of the Knicks' offense, but many on social media felt it was stale in the 100-94 loss at Madison Square Garden. He did finish with a game-high 37 points over his 44 minutes on the floor, going 12-of-27 shooting. However, he shot one-third of the team's 81 field goals, and it ultimately wasn't enough to notch a solid 2-0 lead heading into Game 3 in Detroit. "If this offense is just going to be Brunson bouncing the basketball for 15 seconds and then, if he's double-teamed, he'll flip a pass to somebody and hope they hit a long three, or he's going to find a way to get to the foul line. Dive against a guy and get free shots. Flop to the ground," Francesa said. Mikal Bridges had 19 points on 8-of-18 shooting, while Karl-Anthony Towns, Josh Hart and OG Anunoby each had 10 points to round out the starting five. One of Brunson's main tactics when he has the ball is trying to draw fouls, because he is a solid free-throw shooter. He knocked 9-of-11 shots on Monday night. But Francesa doesn't like that style of basketball. "How many times in one night is Brunson on the ground? Thirty-two? It's not appealing basketball. It's all about Brunson. Why do you think the other teams think he flops? He's on the ground the whole game. That's half the Knicks' offense," he said. Of course, it's not a dire situation for New York just yet. The series is only two games into a best-of-seven set. But Francesa worries about a potential future series, perhaps with the reigning NBA-champion Boston Celtics, who would line up with New York in the second round if they were to win their first-round series. "Four guys are going to be standing around watching Brunson, you're never going to beat a good team. You're never going to beat the Celtics," Francesa said. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
