Friday April 19

MNML Sports Newsletter
April 19, 2024

This week’s sports news and what to watch this weekend

WNBA

Caitlin Clark goes to the Indianapolis Fever with the first overall pick in the WNBA Draft. Other notables are Angel Reese (LSU) to the Chicago Sky, Kamilla Cardoso (S. Carolina) also to the Sky, and Aaliyah Edwards (UConn) to the Washington Mystics.

2024 WNBA Draft results: Caitlin Clark goes No. 1, who else went in first round? | FOX Sports

As expected, the Indiana Fever took former Iowa star Caitlin Clark No. 1 overall in the WNBA Draft. See how the rest of the draft shook out here!

www.foxsports.com/stories/wnba/2024-wnba-draft-results-caitlin-clark-goes-no-1-who-else-went-in-1st-round

NBA

Blake Griffin retires from the NBA at age 35.

Six-time All-Star F Blake Griffin announced his retirement from the NBA on Instagram. Griffin – the Clippers’ No. 1 overall pick in 2009 out of Oklahoma – made second-team All-NBA three times, third-team All-NBA twice and won the 2011 Rookie of the Year award. Griffin played his… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn)
4:05 PM • Apr 16, 2024

The USA Men’s Olympic Basketball Team is finalized for the Paris Olympics.

Olympic men’s basketball roster a Dream Team with LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Steph Curry

The U.S. Olympic men's basketball team goes for a fifth consecutive title in Paris.

www.nbcsports.com/olympics/news/2024-olympic-basketball-roster-usa-paris-lebron-durant-curry

GOLF

It was reported that Rory McIlroy was offered $850 million to join the LIV Golf league, however, it’s fake news accordingly Rory.

Rory McIlroy shoots down LIV Golf rumors, pledges PGA Tour commitment

Rory McIlroy maintains he's sticking with the PGA Tour amid a report LIV Golf offered him $850 million and an ownership stake to join league.

www.usatoday.com/story/sports/golf/2024/04/16/rory-mcilroy-liv-golf-rumors-pga-tour-future/73346302007

While it’s cool to see these guys make hundred of millions of dollars from LIV (is it?), Men’s professional golf has a major problem as viewership is down 20% across the board, with limited numbers tuning into LIV.

McIlroy proved right about LIV as concerning Masters data emerges after Augusta

The final round of the Masters had a 20 per cent drop in viewership compared to the previous year, and Rory McIlroy was already concerned.

www.express.co.uk/sport/golf/1889245/Rory-McIlroy-Masters-viewing-figures-LIV-Golf

NHL

The Arizona Coyotes are no more. The NHL approved the sale of the team to Salt Lake City, effective immediately. They will play at Delta Center along with the Utah Jazz. The NHL has left the door open for a new expansion team in Arizona.

NHL approves sale and relocation of Arizona Coyotes to Salt Lake City, effective immediately

The sale and relocation of the Arizona Coyotes to Salt Lake City, Utah has been approved by the National Hockey League’s (NHL) Board of Governors, the league announced on Thursday.

sports.yahoo.com/nhl-approves-sale-relocation-arizona-090257371.html

OTHER SPORTS

The Olympic Torch is lit in Olympia Greece for this year’s games and will begin it’s journey to Paris.

Paris flame lit in ancient Olympia ceremony, starting torch relay to France

The flame was lit early Tuesday at the site of ancient Olympia and will be carried more than 3,000 miles on its way to the French capital this summer.

www.nbcnews.com/sports/olympics/paris-olympics-flame-lit-ceremony-torch-relay-greece-ancient-olympia-rcna147959

WHAT TO WATCH THIS WEEKEND

NHL Playoffs - Round 1

NY Islanders at Carolina Hurricanes | Saturday 5pm ET on TBS
Toronto Maple Leafs at Boston Bruins | Saturday 8pm ET on TBS
Tampa Bay Lightning at Florida Panthers | Sunday 12:30pm ET on ESPN
Washington Capitals at NY Rangers | Sunday 3pm ET on ESPN
Colorado Avalanche at Winnipeg Jets | Sunday 7pm ET on ESPN2
Nashville Predators at Vancouver Canucks | Sunday 10pm ET on ESPN

NBA Play-in Tournament

Chicago Bulls at Miami Heat | Friday 7pm ET on ESPN
Sacramento Kings at New Orleans Pelicans | Friday 9:30pm ET on TNT

PGA Tour

RBC Heritage Round 2 | Friday 2pm ET on Peacock
RBC Heritage Round 3 | Saturday 1pm ET on Golf Channel, 3pm ET on CBS
RBC Heritage Round 4 | Sunday 1pm ET on Golf Channel, 3pm ET on CBS

MLB

NY Mets at LA Dodgers | Saturday 4:05pm ET on FS1
Texas Rangers at Atlanta Braves | Sunday 7pm ET on ESPN

Sean Fitzgerald
MNML Sports Newsletter

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