Go to Source Author: Avi Creditor The young U.S. midfielder used his platform on a Bundesliga field to voice his support for George Floyd and opposition to the climate that resulted in his killing in Minnesota last week.If there's one thing that's stood out in the relatively brief time that Weston McKennie has been part of the focal point of the U.S. men's national team picture, it's that he has leadership qualities. He's thoughtful and speaks with perspective that goes beyond his 21 years. He appears to have a strong grasp on the moment. So it should be little surprise, then, that he made a simple, yet poignant statement in Saturday's clash between his Schalke and Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga.In the aftermath

Go to Source Author: Robin Lundberg The focus should not be on the reaction to protests but why they are happening in the first place.The hysteria that ensued when Colin Kaepernick and other NFL players chose to kneel looks extra foolish right now. So, let’s not make the same mistake yet again, and spend all our energy on the reaction and not the reason for it. Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics, who has led protests on the ground, tweeted something that I think illuminates that point.I want to be clear, the vast majority of what is transpiring now is peaceful as well—and with legitimate questions about who is instigating when it is not.Still, we all have to understand why frustration and heartbreak

Go to Source Author: Chris Mannix In the wake of George Floyd's death at the hands of Minneapolis police officers, the sports world has responded, though perhaps none as loudly or visibly as the NBA.The pain brought Stephen Jackson to the steps of Minneapolis’s City Hall, the killing of George Floyd, “my twin,” as he was known to Jackson, emboldening the 14-year NBA veteran to lead an emotionally charged press conference in Floyd’s name. It brought Jaylen Brown to Atlanta, a 15-hour drive from Boston, where the Celtics' 23-year old swingman marched through the streets, a mask on his face and an I CANT BREATHE poster in his hand. It brought Dennis Smith Jr. to Fayetteville, N.C., and Tobias Harris to Philadelphia;

Go to Source Author: Chris Chavez Gregg Popovich, Steve Kerr, Lloyd Pierce, David Fizdale and Stan Van Gundy were among the coaches that were selected to the committee.The National Basketball Coaches Association has formed a committee on racial injustice and reform within NBA cities amid widespread demonstrations across the country against police brutality.Gregg Popovich, Steve Kerr, Lloyd Pierce, David Fizdale and Stan Van Gundy were some of the coaches who were selected to the committee. On Monday, the coaches association issued a statement denouncing the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis and violence against the black community. Floyd died last Monday in Minneapolis police custody after an officer pressed his knee into Floyd's neck for several minutes, even as Floyd said he couldn't breathe. Officer

Go to Source Author: Jenna West The MLSPA voted to approve a counteroffer to MLS on economic concessions for the 2020 season, but the league reportedly won't budge on its previous offer.MLS is on the verge of a potential lockout after the league has reached an impasse while negotiating with the MLS Player Association on terms to resume play in Orlando, according to ESPN.The players union voted Sunday to approve a counteroffer to MLS on economic concessions for the 2020 season, but the league reportedly doesn't intend to budge on its previous offer. According to ESPN's Herculez Gomez, the MLS has given players until noon Tuesday to accept their final proposal, and if they reject it, they will be locked out. The MLSPA

Go to Source Author: Tom Verducci MLB players are pushing for more regular season games, which could push the World Series into the winter.Major league players want to push the World Series toward December in order to play 32 more regular season games than the 82 games proposed by owners. Thirty-two more games mean players collect an additional 20% of their salaries if they are paid on a per-game basis. According to agent Scott Boras, there is a bigger reason why players want 114 games instead of 82: pitchers’ health. Boras fears pitchers will be at risk of injury in 2021 if they don’t pitch enough innings in 2020. “I want to see them throwing 130 innings,” Boras said. “I don’t want

Go to Source Author: Dan Gartland Phillip Wellman’s tirade is unforgettable.13 years ago todayPhillip Wellman has enjoyed a 36-year career in professional baseball, first as a prospect in the Braves system and then as a manager for several minor league teams, but he’ll always be remembered for one monumental blowup on June 1, 2007. Wellman was managing the Double A Mississippi Braves at the time, who were playing the Chattanooga Lookouts that night. Pitcher Kelvin Villa was ejected for using a foreign substance and the rest is history. Wellman charged out of the dugout and expressed his displeasure in a number of creative ways—most memorably by tossing the rosin bag like a grenade at the feet of the umpire. The tirade earned Wellman a

Go to Source Author: Avi Creditor Odion Ighalo will be staying with Manchester United through January 31, 2021, after a last-minute extension to his deal.Odion Ighalo was a last-second addition to Manchester United's squad prior to the closing of the January transfer window. And at the last second before his loan to the club expired, Man United ensured that its pleasant surprise would stick around a little longer.Man United extended Igahlo's short-term loan, with the league suspension caused by the coronavirus pandemic threatening to force him away from the team before the season was able to be completed. Ighalo's initial loan from Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua was due to expire on May 31, but the two clubs agreed to extend his stay

Go to Source Author: Molly Geary As the transfer cycle slows down, a look at who all 15 ACC schools saw arrive and depart.Every spring, college basketball player movement kicks into full force as coaches race to re-shape their rosters based on the names in the NCAA transfer portal. In the age of grad transfers, the right addition or two can make an immediate difference to a team’s potential, but many coaches still emphasize the value of a sit-out transfer as well. With the NCAA opting not to pass a one-time transfer rule this spring, any non-grad transfer will need a waiver to see the court in 2020–21. We’re rounding up the 2020 transfer cycle comings and goings for each major conference,

Go to Source Author: Michael Rosenberg A weekend of violence forces a new perspective on his peaceful protest. Imagine if he first knelt today. And try to imagine what happens nextAmerica is on fire, and Colin Kaepernick tried to warn us. He saw what many white people did not want to see four years ago, and he said what many prominent white coaches and athletes are saying today. Some truths make people uncomfortable until we hear them enough, and that is really all Kaepernick did: He told the truth and made people uncomfortable. He didn’t even really raise his voice. Contrast our current national civil unrest with Kaepernick in his last NFL season: a man, before a football game, kneeling during the