Former Denver Broncos tight end Shannon Sharpe recently snapped on paparazzi for recording him while he purchased a dog at the airport.

The 54-year-old Pro Football Hall of Famer was spotted at LAX receiving a puppy from a dog handler when he noticed he was being filmed.

Sharpe purchased the dog for $10,000, according to X17Online, whose cameraman watched the transaction unfold.

Shannon wasn’t happy with the outlet for filming the transaction. He looked at the camera and said, “Really? Why?” to which the paparazzi replied, “Why not?”

Sharpe then angrily stormed off with his pedigree dog.

Friday, Shannon quoted someone who tweeted the video of the transaction.

“F–k wrong wit dude just recording Unc Shannon sharpe like that?” the person tweeted, to which Sharpe replied: “SOME PPL have become really weird looking for paydays,” with a clown emoji.

Watch the video below.

The post [WATCH] Retired Football Vet Shannon Sharpe Confronts Paparazzi At LAX appeared first on The Source.

Undefeated lightweight boxing star-on-the-rise Frank “The Ghost” Martin (16-0-0) is one fight away from a title shot. But before the knockout artist can receive his first title shot, he must fight his toughest challenger yet in the popular and also undefeated Cuban boxing star Michel Rivera (24-0-0).

MORE: Floyd Mayweather Offers 2 Billion ‘Outright’ To Purchase NBA Team

The two next-up contenders are set to main event the WBA eliminator on Saturday evening in Las Vegas on Showtime Boxing. One must let go of the undefeated title and the opportunity to fight for a title in the 12-round lightweight bout. The fight is Martin’s most important night of his career yet.

Martin spoke with The Source’s Bryson “Boom” Paul last week via Zoom on the importance of this bout. Throughout the conversation, The Ghost shares Errol’s promise to him following his last victory, Rivera’s skill, being the most wanted fighter in the lightweight division, if he is the most dangerous man in the lightweight division, more

Read the full interview below.

[Bryson “Boom” Paul”]: This is a big deal, man. This is a WBA eliminator, man. So after this, it’s the title shot, man. How do you feel?

[Frank Martin]: I feel good. I’m working. I’m ready to go out there and do what I do.

Now, this is also a special moment for you, something that you probably haven’t even thought about. This is your third time fighting in Vegas, and this’ll be your third time fighting an undefeated fighter. So tell me about the experience that you’re going to take into this fight, being that one 0 must go.

Just my grind. My grind, with me having Derrick James behind me, that coaching, that’s definitely going to take me over the top. And then just my natural ability, just my skills. But like you say, somebody 0 got to go, and I feel like it’s one of them things, it’s going to be who want it. When we in there, it’s going to be like, which one of them going to bite down and go get it? I’m known for doing it, so it ain’t nothing. It ain’t going to change.

You are fighting Michel Rivera on December 17th at the Cosmo in Las Vegas. They have him ranked number two and got you ranked at number 10. How do you feel going into this being the favorite, though?

Man, I ain’t really looking at it like that. They can rank it how they want to rank it, but it all depends when we get in there in that ring. So I got to just go in there and just do what I do. I don’t let the rankings or none of that play with my head. I’m going for the number one spot. So I got to go ahead and handle my business.

Now, what a lot of people don’t know is this is a fight that was promised to you by Errol Spence Jr, who’s also helping you promote the fight. Can you add some clarity to that promise? Where does this promise come from? How did they make sure you got this fight that you wanted so bad?

From the jump, he told me he was going to give me big fights, “I’m going to get you the big fights you want,” and everything like that. So this one, it had got mentioned earlier in the year, but there was some stuff going on with me or whatever, so we wasn’t able to make it happen. But it came back around once Chris Colbert didn’t end up taking the fight or whatever, he said he wasn’t ready.

So this came back around. So I’m like, “I’m with it, but what this for? Is it something that we fighting for?” And it was, it’s the title eliminator to get me closer to the WBA belt. So with that, that’s all I needed to hear. I’m like, “Let’s get it.”

Because a lot of people ain’t going to fight me. None of the top guys going to just be like, “All right, yeah, we’re going to fight him.” I’m going to have to work. I got to earn it.

So this one of them things that I’m like, “Yeah, it’s the opportunity, I have to take this to get me in that door with them top dogs or whatever, and get me in that position.” So they can’t say, “What’s his ranking? Where he at?” I’m right there. I’m in the number one spot.

That’s why he was promising me that, basically, he was going to give me the big fights and give me a belt or whatever. So this is the perfect setup. This is the perfect opportunity for me.

Now, this is your third fight this year. How do you like this activity? Do you want to take this into next year, where you fight three times a year?

Right now, I’ll fight more. If I could fight four times, four, three. I would really like to fight four. Give me four quarters. Give me four quarters, and I’m going to rock with it. Three good, but four, if I can get four next year, or three, either/or, cool.

You got a lot of fighters in the lightweight division, a lot of them got their eyes on you, and a lot of them have big fights that also involve you in the future. But when other enthusiasts that do these interviews ask you about future fights, ask you about this person, that person, does it ever bother you that they don’t sit here and focus on the fight at hand? Obviously, you are not overlooking anybody. You sitting here like, “Rivera is the one in front of me right now, and then we’ll deal with the rest later.” But do you ever get annoyed or frustrated with people asking you questions as far as future fights or future fighters?

Sometimes. Sometimes, because a lot of times people jump ahead of what’s in front of them. I try to be in that moment. I try to focus on what’s right there right now. Because a lot of those fights they talking about might not even happen. Sometimes it’s a waste of energy to even talk about it. I feel like I’m going to respect my opponent that I got right now, and handle my business with him. And then I would prefer, I like to talk more about other fights when I don’t got no fight booked up, something like that. But talking about another fighter, I would prefer to just stick on my man.

Rivera, is he your biggest challenge so far?

Yeah. I would say fighting style, and record wise and all of that, yeah, I’d say that he’s the more skilled fighter. He is similar to the last dude I just fought, I feel like. Might be just a little slicker, but I feel like he similar to the last guy I fought.

Speaking on Jackson, and your last fight, you obviously won, TKO in the 10. But I want to ask you, looking back at the tape, what were some things that you noticed about yourself that you worked on this camp?

Man, there was a lot. I can’t tell you what I’m working on now, you’re going to have to see that. That fight, I didn’t really have a lot of time to prepare for. I probably found out 10 days before the fight. Energy low, so really the game plan, we worked certain things, but some of the stuff wasn’t sticking with me. Energy low, can’t really register everything.

So that fight, I feel like it was a lot of mistakes that I made in that fight. And also, I felt like it was an off night for me, just within. Just my body, there was some stuff that wasn’t working for me that night or whatever. My timing, I was just off a tad bit.

But I figured it out. Derrick gave me good instructions in the corner or whatever, to get me in that zone that I needed to get in. But I had to figure it out, and find it, that fight. But there was some things that I didn’t lock down on, some shots I got hit with that I wasn’t supposed to get hit with. I was real stationary that fight.

Just really trying to get what I got, get that knockout, but I wasn’t doing it. I wasn’t doing it the smooth way. I made it harder than what it had to be.

Obviously, this is a bigger fight, so everything is amped up, and everything’s a little bit different as far as training. Going into training camp now, how has training been for you this time around?

Yeah, it been good, man. My sparring partners, I got a lot of good sparring partners for this camp. Real good sparring partners. I’ve got a nutritionist. Added on extreme conditioning. EJ been real hands-on with me, just as far as we’ve been locked in together, running, working out, everything. We just been locked all the way in. I done added quite a few things different in this camp.

Now your promoter, how has your relationship with Errol Spence grown in and out of the ring?

Oh, it’s good. Me and EJ’s relationship always been good. With this camp, with this fight, he been making sure I’m good with everything. If it’s anything that I need, or anything that could help me, he asking me, like, “Tell me what you need, whatever.” He just making sure I’m all the way mentally where I need to be, physically. Whatever I need, he making sure I’m getting that, so I can be all the way prepared for the fight. He been tapped in with me.

You are going to be a top dog one day yourself. Like you said, EJ has taken care of you, made sure you got everything you need. In the future, when you on top, are you going to be also reaching back to a fighter like yourself? What is something that you’ve learned from EJ that you plan to take on into the future when you reach back for other fighters?

Man, a lot. It’s like little stuff. Some people take things differently though. Some people may be like, little things help him out the most, like if it is a conversation, if it’s showing somebody a move, if it’s whatever. Just how he is with, not even just me, it’s fighters who ask him stuff.

We just went to a fight over the weekend, and it’s a lot of fighters who admire him. So just how he cool, he real social with his fans, and then with other fighters. Not too many fighters, but if it’s a fighter he rock with, you know he going to support him. He going to support him.

So just that right there, just being real supportive of the up-and-coming fighters that I like, that I rock with. Just being supportive of them, and giving them the motivation, if it’s words … Just certain things go a long way.

You have all the abilities and attributes to become one of the greatest lightweights of all time. But I want to ask you, in your opinion, who are your top five lightweights of all time?

I switched it up a lot. I switch mines up a lot. I like Roberto Duran. I pick up a little bit from everybody though, so it’s something from everybody.

Roberto Duran. Pernell Whitaker. Meldrick Taylor. I like Meldrick Taylor. Floyd. Who else? Let me rock out with my four. Let me rock out with my four.

You said this time you got a nutritionist and whatnot. I want to ask you, what have you learned about your eating habit with this nutritionist?

For the most part, I be on point when it come to eating good and everything. Don’t get me wrong, I’m going to eat when … I like seafood a lot. But I don’t just be eating and get out of shape, and just be, “Oh, I got to …” I’m always in shape.

But, with this nutritionist, it’s just everything that I’m eating, I ain’t really gaining too much weight. I’m having energy, I’m eating all the right stuff that I’m supposed to eat, everything balanced. He know exactly like, “All right, I’m going to cut the carbs off this week, and I’m going to take up the protein.” He knowing what to do. I don’t know how to do that on my own.

I normally cook on my own, but he making it easy. Making sure, in the morning, breakfast made as soon as I get up. Lunch, when I get out the gym, done. Dinner, same thing, when I get back, everything done. So I’m eating, and I can do what I got to do.

In training camp right now, but you still have your downtime, so I want to know, what are you doing to stay relaxed in the downtime? Are you watching anything? Reading anything? Meditations? What are you doing in the downtime?

I was doing yoga. I’ve been doing hot yoga. I be doing that cryo. I be doing that cryotherapy, the compressions, and all of that stuff. I got this book I’ve been reading, it’s called … You going to know what it is. What’s the name of the book? The Way of the Superior Man. I’ve been tapped into that book or whatever. I got to tap back in, I ain’t read it in about two weeks though, so I’m going to get back into it. That keep me my mental on point.

This is The Source. Of course, we have to talk about the music. Who are you listening to in the gym, training?

I’ll be listening to that new Lil Baby. That new Lil Baby, Roddy Ricch. Got some NBA. I got some NBA in there, for sure. We be having a little bit of everything going in the gym.

MORE: SOURCE SPORTS: Caleb Plant Talks Anthony Dirrell, Canelo, Eddie Hearns, & Boxing Future

In the gym, it’s not always serious. Boxers often crack jokes on each other a lot in training. Now honestly, who brings the heat?

EJ got the heat. Errol got the heat. Errol got the heat. He got the heat, for sure. He don’t get on me. We be on Reece, we be on Maurice’s head.

Rivera is arguably the toughest you will face yet, but definitely not the toughest opponent that you will face in your career, I’m sure. One 0 must go. Are you worried at all about losing your 0, whether it’s now or in the future?

Nah. Nah, I’m not. I don’t want to lose it, so I’m working, I’m working, working, working. Doing everything I got to do so I can keep it. I’m into, whatever going to get me to where I got to get to. So I ain’t like, “Man, this is a tough fight. I don’t want to lose.” No. I’m fitting to challenge myself. I’m going to do everything I got to do to get this W, but for the most part I’m fitting to challenge myself and go get it. So winning is the only thing right now in my mind.

How does it feel with Showtime Boxing and Premier Boxing Champions getting behind you as a promising main event headliner?

Man, it’s dope. It’s dope. All the hard work is right here now. It’s up to me to go out here and do what I’m supposed to do to keep it going. All the hard days, all of that, is right here, so I just have to go out here and do what I do to keep this momentum going.

You have to set the record straight. Is Frank Martin, the ghost himself, the most dangerous man in the lightweight division?

Yeah.

Watch Martin vs. Rivera at 9PM ET/6PM PT on Saturday, December 17, on Showtime

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Frank Martin Talks Michel Rivera, Errol Spence, WBA, Annoying Questions, & More appeared first on The Source.

While his infamous family has been in the spotlight, Iman Shumpert, has been preparing for the release of his anticipated first studio album “This Car Ain’t Stolen”. Initially set to release the summer of 2020, #TCAS has been magic in the making. Known for reciting the phrase “We Own It”, Iman. doesn’t only take pride in the album, it’s the first project to drop on his own record label, “A Sinners Peace Records”.

The sixteen-track album is a story Iman has been ready to tell for quite some time. The album is produced by “Hey Samyr” who worked with artists like Rick Ross, Jada Kiss and DeRay Davis.

“Iman. is very versatile and has a record for everyone. Be prepared to hear different sides of him throughout his album. He is very lyrical and his bars always include a double entendre.”- Hey Samyr.

His summer single off the album, “Drop Ya Glasses” is a remix to Eve’s familiar “Blow Your Mind” track w/ Gwen Stefani and is a smooth addition to the track list. “Should Be Dead”, is a personal track that explains a story close to his heart, reminiscing on a near death experience filled with dope lyrics and a hype flow. Another hitter is “Prada”, an ode to celebration of self and fly fashion.

“This Car Ain’t Stolen” is about OWNERSHIP. Owning your art, Owning your voice, Ownership. No matter the age nor the type of vehicle, being classified “Black” we are constantly reminded that we as a race are seen as unworthy and a danger to those around us. For a long time I struggled with the science of how normalized that was and how I became desensitized to seeing it. My older self sees this all as a game, a game we plan to win. They literally put the most dangerous one behind the controller and now I got control. When people listen to this, I want them to understand this is not the basketball version of my mother’s son. But this is “Mani” that never knew if he’d ever make it. PLAY TO WIN. DRIVE SAFE. THISSTOLEN”

– Iman. #TCAS

“This Car Ain’t Stolen” is available on all platforms.
CLICK HERE to check it out

-written by Chasity Cox

The post Iman Shumpert Opens Up On ‘This Car Ain’t Stolen’ appeared first on The Source.

In the first Clubhouse Report, a developer blog with all the details on the PGA gaming franchise, 2K today provided details on a number of new features coming to PGA TOUR® 2K23. As a first look at PGA TOUR 2K23, a thrilling, action-packed trailer titled “More Golf. More Game” was also made public.

The new 3-click swing option, playable pros, licensed courses, MyPLAYERS, MyCAREER, Course Designer, and other PGA TOUR 2K23 subjects are all covered in The Clubhouse Report. Future Clubhouse Reports will provide further information on the subjects of anticipated announcements. The trailer also gives viewers a glimpse of how pros, courses, and MyPLAYERS operate.

The PGA Tour 2K23 announcement trailer can be seen below.

The current release dates for PGA TOUR 2K23 Deluxe Edition, PGA TOUR 2K23 Tiger Woods Edition, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation®5 (PS5TM), PlayStation®4 (PS4TM), and Steam are October 11 and October 14, respectively.

The post [WATCH] PGA Tour 2K23 Releases Gameplay Trailer, Introduces Clubhouse Report appeared first on The Source.

The Professional Fighters League (PFL), a professional mixed martial arts league who’s investors includes rapper Wiz Khalifa, comedic actor Kevin Hart, former MLB star Alex Rodriguez and NFL Hall-of-Famer Ray Lewis, kicked off their fourth annual one million dollar playoff-style competition this month with big announcements, shocking upsets, amazing action, and new updates on the league’s biggest stars.

MORE: SOURCE SPORTS: Claressa Shields Looking To Become Boxing’s First Undisputed World Champ in Two Divisions

The PFL will be expanding into Europe in 2023 with the initiation of a long-term plan that will turn the brand into an international league. “Our vision to advance and grow the sport is now being put in place with the launch of our first international regional league with PFL Europe in 2023, and there’ll be more regions to follow,” details PFL CEO and founder Peter Murray. “This is what the sport needs to truly advance and to grow, starting with developing great athletes from around the world and committing to regions around the world and those stakeholders to develop the sport at the grassroots level.”

The league’s global launch arrives with anticipated returns of the brand’s premiere stars Kayla Harrison (14-0), the undefeated reigning champion, and greatest of all-time women’s boxing champion-turned-MMA fighter Claressa Shields (1-1-0). Shields, 26, will return to the octagon in November after receiving the first loss of her career to Abigail Montes (3-2-0) last October.

The PFL launched in 2018 and become one of the premiere MMA leagues in United States with television deals with Direct TV and ESPN. The leagues annual playoff series is a bracket-based competition in multiple divisions that awards the contest winner a championship belt and one million dollars. As the contest’s popularity continue to grow annually, it evolving, making it one of the most exciting events in sports.

The Source’s Bryson “Boom” Paul spoke with Murray via Zoom before the New York City-extension of the 2022 Semifinals Playoffs. Read the full interview below.

Launched in 2017. Just announcing a new expansion. As CEO, how do you feel about the growth of PFL?

Yeah. I mean, this is our fourth season. We’ve been operating under five years. I’m very pleased with the growth of the company. We’ve secured the number-two position, globally. Number one, we’ve grown our fanbase – particularly in the U.S., 100% in terms of audience year over year. In addition, we’ve launched new franchises – leveraging our brand, capabilities and platforms  – so this year, we increase from ten events to 18 with the launch of the challenger series on Fubo (FuboTV), and our season on ESPN. All of that content, all of those events are distributed to 160 countries around the world on premium sports platforms. And with respect to international, we’ve expanded our overall reach with quality distribution – as I mentioned on premium sports platforms. In the U.K., we’re on Channel 4, we’re in Latin America, DirectTV, all new deals. In the Netherlands as an example … in Europe – really top media companies distributing the PFL product.

In a short period, the PFL has produced several legitimate superstars. And with plans to find the next real superstar as you embark on international regions like Europe and the Middle East. How do you feel about the current PFL roster as you head into the playoffs?

Well as you said, the PFL, as the #2 in the world, and we’re certainly poised to be co-leader. We’ve proven we can develop stars. Kayla Harrison is a great example of that. Two-time Olympic gold medalist in Judo, now undefeated and two-time PFL champion, and competing perhaps for a third time – we’ll see what happens in the playoffs, but Kayla is a great example for the PFL’s ability to create stars. It certainly starts and ends witht the athlete, and Kayla is an exceptional athlete, and she’s earned it for sure. But we do have that expertise at the PFL to identify, sign, and develop top talent from around the world. We have other great examples as well. We’ve also proven that we can recruit top stars from other organizations, you see Anthony Petits. Anthony Petits will be fighting this Friday at MSG – and competing to get into the championships. Now, he was faced with some adversities last season. He felt, for the first time, the level of competition in the PFL, and it was eye-opening for him. So this year was very much about a pivot for Anthony and how he trained for the PFL, our high-caliber top ranked talent, and this format. And so I’m excited to see how Anthony – and certainly his opponent, Stevie Ray performances – same thing, another top athlete we recruited, now two years ago, Rory MacDonald. You know, Rory been really fun to watch, his first season – last year – in the PFL and our format, and this year, you know, he has a lot to prove. So fans will get to see Rory compete in the U.K., after our August 5th event, so we’re excited about that as well. But those are two great examples of our ability to recruit top stars from other organizations, and even around the world. You know, you got Jarrah, The Jordanian Lion, and former BRAVE CF champion now taking on our format, and trying to work his way into the championships. As it relates to our ability, Ray Sefo is our President of Fighter Operations. Ray’s a former six-time world champion K-1 kickboxer, he’s a respected force in MMA, in training elite MMA athletes – and, as well as signing and developing. So it’s really in our DNA as a company.

Now expanding and looking for the next big global fighter, there is currently a huge rise in popularity in women’s combat sports as well right now. Does the PFL have any excitement towards finding the next “female” global superstar – alongside Kayla Harrison and Claressa Shields?

Sure. Well Claressa, certainly proven, another two-time Olympic gold medalist in U.S. Boxing. She’s the only U.S. athlete to achieve that in U.S. history, in terms of two gold medals. You know, and she’s the greatest woman of all-time professional boxer, so it’s exciting that last year Claressa went pro with the PFL. She’s taking on MMA while she competes at the highest level in boxing. Not an easy thing to do, while they’re two combat sports, there two very different sports. And to see her commit to MMA, and do it in a professional but very humble way, because it’s not easy to start back at the bottom and work your way up. And she’s still working on that – so that’s been exciting. But there are other women in the women’s 155lbs who are competing in the playoffs that we’re excited about. Our Ukranian fighter, Olena Kolesnyk, she’s exciting and I think she’s fighting for a bigger cause, candidly, the emotions beyond what she’s passionate about as a professional athlete and competing through the season. She’s been exciting. And others. And then, what I can tell you, we will be signing other women in different weight classes starting next year.

Most companies explore expansion after at least a decade in business, whereas, the PFL is only five years in and already moving forward with expanding globally. What made you decide to begin expansion plans so early in the league’s development?

It’s always been part of our global vision. Our vision is to advance the sport and grow the PFL, while giving fighters at different level of their pro career throughout the world the opportunity to compete. To compete on a – opportunity for potential to go global stage in the PFL in our main season. But also around the world, in regional leagues to develop, essentially, their experience and capabilities – but to compete at a high pro level, regionally. The opportunity to become a regional champion within MMA – and within the PFL system, and then have a path to get into PFL Global to take on the next level of athlete and competition. That’s what sports – in my view – is all about. And so, for us, we do envision, in-region competition, pan-regional competition, and having multiple regional leagues around the world competing under the PFL brand, and being challenged by our format. 

What are some of the adversities the PFL face in the new expansion?

Well… it’s a matter of dialing in one at a time. Things don’t happen over night. Our global expansion – while it’s always been apart of our original vision – now is the time to execute it after four successful seasons. Candidly, there’s a need in the sport by top athletes around the world are looking for major alternatives, regionally. And so we’re there to support athletes, that’s job one, but as it relates to adversities, it’s really more about staying focus, and not only executing our global events at the high standard that we have, but, you know, rolling out regional leagues. Maintaining the PFL gold standard and brand, and product, and caliber of talent, and competition. So that’s our focus. And it doesn’t happen overnight, and, you know, you really need to execute, not all six overnight or six to eight regional leagues, but one at a time. And that’s what we’re focused on.

The global sports landscape – it’s exciting, you never know what’s going to happen, it’s all about the thrills, but, most of all, it’s all about the competition. Starting the PFL in 2017 and being on your fourth playoffs now. How do you maintain that competitive nature taking your brand to the next level while competing with related brands?

We’re passionate about our vision and our mission as a company. And that’s what fuels the PFL. This is a high gross venture, we’re entrepreneurial, we’re fast moving, and we’re the most innovative fast-growing sports league, not just in combat, but in overall sports. It really takes a great team to propel this type of growth in the time that we’ve accomplished it year-to-date or since we’ve launched the company – I should say. And it takes the power of a team to propel the next phrase of growth, and what I can tell you is that’s just passion. Passion to build one of the most incredible and successful leagues that’s ever been created, at least in modern times. 

Now you can’t have a league without great fans. Give me your thoughts on the love and support that the PFL fans have shown since the beginning?

Well let’s look at it like this. The fighters are looking for alternatives to compete, right? Different options in competition – so we certainly fulfill that. With respect to fans, this is “underserved” fanbase. There are over 600 million fans around the world today, over 80% outside the U.S.. It is the third largest fanbase in all of sports, behind the world’s #1 sport, soccer (futbol) and basketball. And what I can tell you, this fanbase, they want access to more quality MMA, and quality fights, and really that is our focus. This sport, meaning MMA, is still very much in it’s early days when you compare it to other major sports, right? NFL, where I have great history, is over 100 years old. NBA to other major sports leagues have been around 100 years or decades to decades. This sport is very much still in it’s early days and there’s so much growth ahead because of that underserved fanbase. There’s a consumer that demands more quality product. We serve up a premium product, meaning the PFL, that’s innovative on a different night of the week then perhaps the UFC or other promotions, and we’re not asking fans to choose one or the other. We’re providing different occassion – and a completely different experience. Candidly for a young fanbase that expects more from MMA. As it relates to the product that’s around the world, and it really is a 2.0 experience.

What has been your favorite moment from previous PFL Playoffs?

Listen. Our version of the playoffs – it really is March Madness-meets-MMA in August. It’s win and advance, lose and go home, everything is on the line. All these fighters have had to compete in the regular season two fights, this is their third fight and if they win, their in the million dollar championship, and the opportunity to win the 2022 belt for their respective weight class, so there’s pressure. There’s added intensity … this is it. So for me, the experience every year is different. Watched all these fighters and, at the end of the day, there been upsets in the past, and there are favorites come this Friday, but we’ll see how it all goes down because a fight a fight. And everyone who is in the PFL has the capability, and certainly the desire to be champion. So we’ll see what happens when that cage door closes and that bell rings. Honestly, every year is unique and supporting the fighter’s journey.  

What is the PFL doing differently this year from previous Playoffs formats?

What we did differently this year is really the big thing we did launching the “Challenger Series,” which was a new format. So when you think about things that were new in the sport. I mean the “Challenger Series” was another breakthrough format from the PFL. It was American Idol-meets-MMA. Eight consecutive weeks of fighters had to prove themselves, and not only win, but perform to earn a PFL contract. And, you know, we had icons of combat sports, including former MMA champions, other major sports stars, like Ray Lewis, as well as fans weigh in on who got those contracts. So that was breakthrough. That was breakthrough for the sport, that was breakthrough for the fighters because these are earlier stage fighters, aspiring to get into the PFL season. And we’ve had fighters front the “Challenger Series” on Fubo actually make their way in. Nine fighters on the “Challenger Series” on Fubo that we launched in February actually made it on to the PFL 2022 season. And there are fighters like Jarrah, who are in the hunt. So we’ll see what goes down with those “Challenger Series” fighters.

Another thing that goes hand-and-hand with combat sports is the support of social media. How is PFL becoming more engaging with social media as you enter new expansions and the playoffs?

As we continue to grow our PFL league, along with our fighters, we have over 15 million followers today, number one. Number two, we have a great new leader on the team in Sean Loughlin. Sean was an executive at Barstool for the last six years – leading their digital and social platforms, and growth. He’s brought over a new energy and voice for our brand across all social channels, which is helping to drive further interest in the league. In our live events. And following our fighters – that’s the beauty of social. There all unique channels that fans engage in different ways and they can access the PFL, and all those stories because in the end, it’s about stories and conversations. 

Outside the cage, does the PFL have any plans to embark on the podcast world?

Yes, definitely. We will be launching a podcast. We will be making that announcement, candidly, in conjunction with leading up to the championship.

MORE: SOURCE SPORTS: Boxing Champion Claressa Shields Shows She Can Kick In MMA Training

Definitely excited about that. As the CEO, what is some advice you would give to these fighters that are entering into the PFL 2022 Playoffs?

Listen, I wish them all, you know, the very best. And they know what’s on the line. So they need to put on the performance of a lifetime or of their career come the playoffs because when you have a belt and a million dollars on the line, and it’s win and advance, lose and go home, you know, they have to be the very best verison of themselves as professional athletes. And it’s all about preparation, and the dedication, so based on my understanding and what Ray Sefo tells me that this group that we have coming into the playoffs, they’re absolute pros, and, you know, they’ll come prepared.

Fighters are putting everything on the line for this million dollar journey, so I have to ask this related question. What are the PFL’s plans of involving themselves in the sports betting world – another popular outlet for combat sports?

We’re already in the betting business in a big way. Draft Kings here in the U.S. is our sorta – corner stone partner. And we’re activating those rights internationally as well. And we brought innovation to betting in MMA – in being the only league to be able to activate our “smart cage” fighter data and fight analytics, so as an example, strike speed and kick speed, those are new “prop bets,” as well as bets related to traditional sport’s leagues. We have the ability to, essentially, expand engagement, and create those opportunities – with best-in-class partners like Draft Kings. 

Kayla Harrison responded to the results of the Amanda Nunes-Julianna Pena fight at UFC 277 that was held last weekend, (Saturday, July 30th, 2022) on Twitter when fans offered up a trilogy – she (Harrison) made her presence felt to be like: “I’m around too.” As the PFL CEO, how do you feel about Harrison’s tweet and are you guys open to a possible collaboration with the UFC on a fight with Kayla Harrison?

Yeah we’ve said that before. Yeah, you’ve heard me say that before at the end of the day … well, let me just reframe. You’ve heard me say before we are open to creating fights that fighters want and fans want to see. And if that means cross promoting with other major organizations – and top fighters – we’re all about it. And more to come on that.

The PFL 2022 Playoffs continue Saturday (August 20) in London at Copper Box Arena. Watch it on ESPN+.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: PFL CEO Peter Murray Talks New Expansions, Playoffs, Betting, UFC & More appeared first on The Source.

Undefeated lightweight boxing sensation Frank “The Ghost” Martin (15-0-11KOs) sent shock waves throughout boxing in January 2022 with a highlight knockout victory against Romero Duno — making him a fight-to-watch of 2022 in a division that includes recognizable boxing superstars Gervonta Davis, Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia.

MORE: SOURCE SPORTS: Devin Haney Dominates George Kambosos To Become Undisputed Champion

The Ghost is the latest boxing star in Derrick James’s stable, already home to two undisputed champions in Errol Spence Jr and Jermell Charlo. Ahead of his upcoming fight this Saturday (July 9) in San Antonio, the 27-year-old southpaw spoke with The Source’s Bryson “Boom” Paul about a variety of topics, including training with Errol Spence Jr, the pros and cons of knockouts, mental health, rankings, if he is the “scariest” fighter in the lightweight division and so much more. Watch the full interview above.

Martin is scheduled to fight Jackson Martinez on the Magsayo vs Vargas undercard at the Alamode in San Antonio, Texas, and airing on Showtime Championship Boxing-Premier Boxing Champions. Martin was originally slated to fight Ricardo Nunez before the last-minute replacement in Martinez. Martin vs. Martinez will open this weekend’s Showtime/PBC event.

MORE: SOURCE SPORTS: Jermell Charlo Talks Brian Castaño, Jermall Charlo, Al Haymon & More

Martinez is coming off a loss and marks Martin’s third TV appearance. “I’m looking to establish myself and this will be the third time on TV and I think people are getting to know who I am,” Martin told Ring Magazine. “I wanted to fight when I was young, but my mom (Erica) wouldn’t let me, so I played football and wrestled. When I first told my mom I wanted to box, I was 11 or 12 and she wasn’t for it. There was no pestering my mom about it, but I was always fighting as a kid outside of boxing. My mom wanted me to do something else, because I was at that age when I was fighting in the streets.”

WBC featherweight titlist Mark Magsayo’s first defense against unbeaten Rey Vargas on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING (9PM ET/6PM PT) from the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Frank “The Ghost” Martin Talks Errol Spence Jr, Lightweight Division & More appeared first on The Source.

Lions are on the hunt for the most prestigious title in Boxing Saturday night.

Heading into his undisputed rematch with Brian Castaño (17-0-2), unified Junior Welterweight Champion Jermell Charlo (34-1-1) talks to The Source’s Bryson “Boom” Paul about preparing for his upcoming rematch, discussions with his twin brother, and fellow champion Jermall Charlo, future outside of boxing, the best advice he’s received from manager Al Haymon, and, of course, Houston hip hop. You may watch the full interview right below.

MORE: SOURCE SPORTS: Shakur Stevenson Talks Oscar Valdez, Trailblazing & More

Charlo and Castaño fought to a draw last July. Remember the night, Charlo credits the draw to multiple reasons, ranging from lower back issues to giving away too many rounds to just simply not being his “best night.” He told Bad Left Hook’s Will Esco in May, “… I didn’t have my best night, I got a draw — I’m not worried about losing a 0 because I’ve already been down that road before, so right now it’s just stepping up into the ring to be the Jermell Charlo that I know I should be, and possess a different type of talent, be very talented, be very athletic and smart. With that alone, he can’t fuck with me.”

On what adjustments he’s made for the rematch, Charlo says in the same interview: “I feel like I’m gonna make some improvements just like he’s gonna make some improvements. I’m excited to be in there again, ready to do it again, ready to go, and I just know I want to get the fuckin’ knockout. I want to knock this motherfucker out ‘cause I’m 154 lb champion and I’ve been 154 lb champion, and I’ve been knocking motherfuckers out. Now I’m going back to that.”

MORE: Triller Announces Boxing Competition Series ‘So You Think You Can Fight’

Should Jermell win on Saturday night, he will be crowned the undisputed Junior Welterweight champion as holder of all four belts (WBC, WBO, WBA, IBF) within the division. On the other hand, Castaño has the opportunity to strip Charlo of all three titles, the WBC, IBF, WBA, currently in his possession on Saturday night. It all goes down Saturday night.

Watch Charlo vs. Castaño 2 Saturday night (May 13) on Showtime starting at 9PM ET/6PM PT.

Watch the full interview above and get ready for Charlo vs. Castaño 2 today with the preview below.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Jermell Charlo Talks Brian Castaño, Jermall Charlo, Al Haymon & More appeared first on The Source.

An 0 must go.

Undefeated WBO junior lightweight titlist Shakur Stevenson (17-0), one of the best pound-4-pound boxers in the world and self-proclaimed “smartest boxer in the sport,” faces his biggest challenge yet this Saturday night (April 30) when he fights WBC champ Oscar Valdez (30-0) to unify the super featherweight titles in Las Vegas.

MORE: Floyd Mayweather Makes Boxing Return With Exhibition In Dubai This May

After capturing the WBO title following a dominating TKO victory over former champ Jamel Herring last October. Stevenson, 24, not only puts his title on the line but also his undefeated streak against Valdez – who is also undefeated and eager to erase his past cheating allegations behind him. The unification bout is a career-defining fight for both fighters.

The Source’s Bryson “Boom” Paul spoke with the Newark, New Jersey native during fight week, discussing training for Oscar Valdez, who he’s listening to right now, being a new first-time father, the importance of trailblazing a path in boxing that the future will follow, women’s boxing, and so much more.

Watch the full interview above.

Stevenson, the two-weight world champion, welcomed a daughter last December with girlfriend Michelle Ragston, also known as recording artist Young Lyric. The Top Rank boxer has been identified as the future pound-4-pound by various co-signs, which includes Terrence “Bud” Crawford – who is currently ranked #4 overall in boxing. Shakur Stevenson is a Southpaw and heads into Saturday night a 5 to 1 favorite over Valdez.

MORE: Triller Announces Boxing Competition Series ‘So You Think You Can Fight’

Stevenson-Valdez, plus a full supporting undercard, will be broadcast on ESPN, beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/ 7:00 p.m. PT. The show will also air on Sky Sports in the U.K.

Watch the full interview above and check out the Stevenson-Valdez preview “Blood, Sweat and Tears: Valdez vs. Stevenson” below.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Shakur Stevenson Talks Oscar Valdez, Trailblazing & More appeared first on The Source.

Last night NASCAR turned into WWF wrestling when Ty Gibbs and Sam Mayer came to blows.
Gibbs lost the lead to Brandon Jones in the final corner and attempted a final drive off the corner when Sam Mayer ran into Gibbs from behind, moving him up the racetrack and creating a three-car jam for second place. Mayer then ended up driving Gibbs into the wall.

Gibbs expressed his displeasure by running into Mayer after the checkered flag, and things escalated once the two stopped on pit road. Gibbs quickly confronted Mayer, and the two exchanged words and shoves before Gibbs began punching and grabbing Mayer by the head. The two went down in a pile before being separated.

“I tried to talk to him, and he got all in my face. At that point, we’ve got to start fighting,” Gibbs told Fox Sports. “We got put in a bad position there. The only thing I’m mad about … He wasn’t going to get past the No. 16 there and I just got hit in the left rear. It’s just frustrating. I just got drove in the fence at the end.”

Mayer, who was left with a black eye and some bruising to his face, said his racing Gibbs hard on the final lap would have awarded $100,000 to Mayer had he passed Gibbs to be the highest-finishing Dash 4 Cash-qualified driver.
Mayer criticized Gibbs for getting upset for being on the receiving end of getting moved out of the way despite his willingness to do the same to other drivers Gibbs previously moved John Hunter Nemechek for the win at Richmond, a point which Gibbs agreed.

During the melee an official was also placed on a stretcher and taken to an ambulance with unspecified injuries.
Watch the video below

The post [WATCH] Where’s The Outrage? Nascar Thugs Fight It Out On The Track appeared first on The Source.

Floyd “Money” Mayweather (50-0) picks up another bag as he continues his exhibition boxing run – this time, he will be fighting in the United Arab Emirates.

TMZ broke the news that the 45-year-old undefeated Hall of Famer has signed a deal to participate in his third exhibition bout, to be called “The Global Titans Fight Series,” against the undefeated boxer Don “Dangerous” Moore (18-0-1) in an eight-round match on top of a literal helipad above the Burj Al Hotel in Dubai on May 14. Mayweather originally announced plans for the fight last December after meeting with promoters.

MORE: Antonio Brown & Floyd Mayweather Hit The Studio

Moore and Mayweather are familiar with one another as Moore trained with Mayweather’s late-Uncle and former coach, Roger Mayweather. Moore and Mayweather sparred together in 2015 to get Mayweather for his bout against Andre Berto. Mayweather beat Berto that September via the decision to secure his 49th victory. You may check out the clip of Mayweather and Moore’s 2015 spar below.

Before the upcoming exhibition, Mayweather boxed two previous opponents, including kickboxing star Tenshin Nasukawa and YouTuber star Logan Paul last June. The last time Mayweather fought professionally was in 2017, when he defeated MMA star Conor McGregor by TKO. 

Mayweather says the attendance will be exclusive, calling the latest exhibition a “limited edition boxing showcase,” Mayweather says the attendance will be exclusive. “It’s going to be a very special crowd, not too many people,” he said. “So if you get the chance to come here, you must know, you’re very, very special for this event.”

The Global Titans Fight Series will be co-presented by FrontRow and ROQU and, of course, in conjunction with Floyd’s Mayweather Promotions. The undercard will include marquee names in MMA legend-turned-boxer Anderson “The Spider” Silva and Mayweather protege and former Light Heavyweight champion boxer Badou Jack (25-3-3). Silva, 46, will be facing Brazilian star, Bruno Machado. 

No official word of Mayweather’s purse and full undercard at press time.

MORE: Floyd Mayweather Celebrates Star-Studded Birthday Weekend on the Heels of New Investment

In related news, Mayweather has joined the metaverse with his own NFT project, titled Mayweverse. “Mr. I don’t lose at nothing, is back and if you in the NFT world and you betting on me, you will never lose,” he said. “Ladies and gentlemen, follow me. As you can see, we like to call this the great room, coz I’m great. Let’s go in here, that beautiful masterpiece right there, soon that’s gonna be an NFT. But what I need you to do right now, go get Mayweverse. That’s my new NFT, I’ve been working on that for months and I just dropped right now, go get it.”

See the latest addition to the Mayweverse NFT collection below. 

The post Floyd Mayweather Makes Boxing Return With Exhibition In Dubai This May appeared first on The Source.

Whether it’s in music, politics, or even sports, there will be the purists who don’t like how the new generation does things. You can hear a lot of basketball purists, especially those who grew up idolizing Kareem, Chamberlain, Magic, Bird, or Even Jordan, criticize how the game is played today. Some have even blamed Steph Curry for how the game is played now.

Curry responded to his haters on a recent episode of the Knuckleheads podcast. He said he does not care about what the purists have to say about how he impacted the game and that he did not tell current players to play like him.

“I’m gonna use this moment to get on my soapbox,” Curry said. “Stop tagging me in all these horrible basketball clips of people taking bad shots telling me I ruined the game. I did not tell y’all to shoot that shot. I did not say, ‘Shoot that shot.'”

Do you think Curry hurt the game?

You can watch the clip of Curry’s response below.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Steph Curry Claps Back at Those Who Say He Ruined Basketball appeared first on The Source.

Former Welterweight champion Keith “One Time” Thurman (29-1-0) makes his return to the ring tonight after a two-and-half-year hiatus to reclaim his popularity against a tough opponent in Mario Barrios.

MORE:  SOURCE SPORTS: Terrance Crawford Stops Shawn Porter In The 10th Round To Remain Undefeated

During fight week, One Time spoke with The Source’s Bryson “Boom” Paul about his return, mental health, criticism from the entire boxing community, the welterweight division right now, Barrios and so much more in this half-hour interview. Thurman returns to the ring seeking redemption following a 2019 loss to legendary boxer Manny Pacquiao — the first loss of his career. Now at 100-percent, Thurman wants to remind everyone why he is the best and reclaim his championship belt.

Watch the full interview above.

“It’s Keith Thurman versus Everybody,” he told Boom when asked about the statement he is looking to make on Saturday (Feb 5) to the rest of the boxers in the welterweight division. “Don’t talk smack if it don’t come with a contract…”

Mario Barrios comes into the fight with a lot to prove as he enters a new division following his Super Lightweight reign that was recently ended after suffering his first defeat in a knockout against Gervonta “Tank” Davis in October 2021. Barrios looks to make a statement against one of the best in the welterweight division right out the gate. Can Barrios have the same success in the high-profile division? We will find out tonight.

MORE: SOURCE SPORTS: Gervonta Davis Moves Up In Weight to Become a Three-Division Champ

Thurman-Barrios includes an eight-fight lineup, including the return of popular Lightweight boxer Leo Santa Cruz.

“Look at the fight card,” says Thurman. “This is not Shawn Porter versus Terrence Crawford… You saw Porter vs. Crawford and there was not one fight you wanted to watch…”

Fight fans can watch Thurman vs. Barrios Tonight (Feb 6) on FOX Sports-PBC Pay-Per-View. Order here and check out the official weigh-in below.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Keith Thurman Jr Talks Return, Barrios, Crawford, Mayweather & More appeared first on The Source.

Even the COVID-19 virus won’t keep boxing legend, Oscar De La Hoya, out of the boxing ring.

After his September 11th fight with Vitor Belfort was canceled due to De La Hoya being hospitalized after testing positive with COVID-19, the former champ still didn’t count himself out. 2022 seems to be the year that he’s ready and Mayweather is the first one on his list.

“Personally, right now I’m not motivated because of COVID. I was actually in great shape and then COVID hit me, so my morale right now is a little low in terms of me fighting in the ring personally, but come January, I’m sure I will get right back into it and start training again and prepare myself mentally first. But I do want to get out there again, possible Cinco De Mayo.”

The post [WATCH] SOURCE SPORTS: Oscar De La Hoya Calls Out Mayweather In 2022 Boxing Return appeared first on The Source.

In a landmark interview with Sports Illustrated, Jordan Brand Chairman Larry Miller revealed that he once killed a person when he was 16 years old and hid the secret for years from close acquaintances such as Michael Jordan and Larry Silver.

Miller, who is also the former president of the Portland Trailblazers, confessed to killing 18-year-old Edward White in September 1965 in retaliation for a friend being stabbed to death in a gang altercation. Miller admitted that he didn’t know if White was even involved in his frined’s death.

“That’s what makes it even more difficult for me, because it was for no reason at all,” Miller said. “I mean, there was no valid reason for this to happen. And that’s the thing that I really struggle with and that’s — you know, it’s the thing that I think about every day. It’s like, I did this, and to someone who — it was no reason to do it. And that’s the part that really bothers me.”

Miller was incarcerated from his late teens until he was 30 years old for the murder. He later received an accounting degree from Temple University.

Miller landed the job as Nike’s Vice President in 1997 before becoming Jordan’s brand president from 1999 t0 2006, then moving on to the Blazers organization; never revealing his haunting past.

In his interview, Miller talked about the fear of having such high-profile jobs with an unknown, violent criminal past. He says he decided to come clean to encourage others to seek and also offer former convicts second chances.

“If I could go back and undo it, I would absolutely do that,” Miller said. “I can’t. So all I can do is try to do what I can to help other people and try to maybe prevent this from happening to someone else.”

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Jordan Brand Chairman Reveals He Committed A Murder At 16 Years Old appeared first on The Source.

While in the Bahamas getting ready for The Big3 Championship games, Amir Johnson shared his most memorable Hip-Hop moment. Amir Johnson, co-captain of the Trilogy is looking to take home the championship title in this year’s BIG3 finals game. We caught up with Johnson after practice to get some insight on his love of Hip- Hop.

“OVO Fest in Toronto where Drake is performing, he brought me out on stage,” Amir Johnson shared. “That was my first time being frozen with stage fright,” the 14-year NBA veteran added.

Johnson compared his experience to playing basketball, saying he’s used to people being in the stands watching but on stage you get a different feel. “Everyone’s eyes are on you, and you’re just standing there with people waiting for you to do something.” Johnson said he was on stage dancing with excitement when he noticed how many people were in attendance.

Watch the rest of the interview below.

Big3 Championship game is set to air today on CBS 3:30pm ET.

The post Source Sports: [WATCH] Big3’s Amir Johnson Talks OVO Fest with Drake appeared first on The Source.

As previously reported, U.S. Olympic hopeful Sha’Carri Richardson was disqualified from the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo after testing positive for marijuana. The 21-year-old track star appeared this morning (July 2) on The Today Show, admitting that the death of her mother, who passed away shortly before her win in the Olympic trials, caused her to turn to marijuana as a coping mechanism.

The Olympic-bound runner said, “I want to take responsibility for my actions, I know what I did. I know what I’m supposed to do, [what] I’m allowed not to do and I still made that decision. Don’t judge me because I am human.”

Richardson has received a 30-day suspension for her infraction, so she will miss the 100m race in Tokyo, but a decision has yet to be made as to whether or not Richardson will run in the 400m relay for the U.S.

The post [WATCH] Sha’Carri Richardson Says She Picked Up Marijuana After Mother’s Death appeared first on The Source.

Charles Barkley believes LeBron James violated an NBA policy but nothing will happen to him because of his name.

James violated the NBA’s health and safety protocols last week when he attended a promotional event for a tequila brand in which he has invested. The incident initially called into question his availability for Game 1 of the Los Angeles Lakers’ first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns.

Barkley was asked during an interview with LaJethro Jenkins last week if he believed there was a chance James would be forced to sit out Sunday’s game. Barkley laughed and said there is no way that would happen.

“The NBA ain’t got the f—ing balls to suspend LeBron James. Zero (chance),” Barkley said. “Sometimes you read stuff and you just start laughing … if it was a nobody, they would put him in health and safety protocol. Ain’t no f—ing way LeBron James is gonna be sitting out because of health and safety protocols. LeBron James is playing Sunday, guaranteed.”

Barkley, of course, was right. LeBron played and scored 18 points in his team’s 99-90 loss to the Suns.

Attendees of the tequila event were supposed to either produce proof that they have received the COVID-19 vaccine or had a recent negative COVID-19 test. James has declined to say whether he has gotten the vaccine or intends to get it.

James. was able to get out of any trouble off the court, but after losing game 1 to the Suns, he and the Lakers could be in for a long series on the court.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Charles Barkley Believes The NBA Ain’t Got the Balls to Step to LeBron James For Breaking COVID-19 Protocols appeared first on The Source.

Rapper J. Cole made his debut with the Patriots Basketball Club on Sunday and held his own on the court in the Basketball Africa League.

After releasing another arguably classic album, The Off Season the acclaimed rapper followed another one of his dreams, Playing Basketball. Cole’s new album speaks on chasin what you want and never giving up and he did just that,
Cole finished with three points, three rebounds and two assists in just under 18 minutes of action as the Patriots, who are based in Kigali, Rwanda, took on the Rivers Hoopers Basketball Club.  Cole was a standout basketball player in high school and played briefly for St. John’s as a walk-on. The game was the first game in the BAL, which is a joint effort between the NBA and FIBA.

Congrats to him and may we all never give up on our dreams.

Watch highlights from Cole’s Africa debut below.

The post [WATCH] Highlights From J.Cole’s Basketball Debut In Africa appeared first on The Source.

In the most recent episode of Wallo267 and Gillie Da King’s podcast Million Dollaz Worth Of Game, renowned boxing champion Floyd “Money” Mayweather spoke about why he wouldn’t allow his sons, who are 21 and 16, to enter the dangerous world of boxing.

When Gillie posed the question, “Would you ever let your kids get into boxing?,” Mayweather replied, “My two boys like to smoke weed, so I know they ain’t going to box.”

Making it very clear that the boxers in the Mayweather clan may not last three generations, but makes it very clear that his children are old enough to make their own decisions.

See the full interview below.

The post Floyd Mayweather: My Sons Like To Smoke Weed So They Ain’t Going To Box appeared first on The Source.

Zach LaVine is playing good basketball this season.

The UCLA product is averaging 23.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.5 steals per contest. 

And in Sunday’s 118-108 win over the Dallas Mavericks, LaVine  scored  39 points and added six rebounds and five assists in the win. 

What made LaVine’s performance special is that he scored 21 points in the first quarter and ending the first half with 29 points.

The last Chicago Bull to score 29 or more points in a half was Michael Jordan. LaVine was one point shy from matching Jordan’s 30-point half which his Airness did in a game against the Portland Trail Blazers in 1997. “If you’re mentioned with him, it means you’re doing something right,” Zach LaVine told NBA Insider Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson following the Bulls’ win on Sunday.

“One of the main reasons I started watching basketball as a kid, just like so many others. I think I knew the stats and the way he played and how he got it done.”

LaVine also shared that during his time away from basketball during the NBA Bubble in Orlando, Florida he watched Jordan’s every move in ESPN’s The Last Dance. “I think the thing I didn’t realize is how much stress and how much pressure he had on him and how he handled it,” he told Scoop B. 

“It was cool to see him with the camera on him and see how he handled it and if he was in the hotel room with the cigar or if he was going golfing to decompress. And then he got his mind ready and he turned into an animal on the court. That was what I took away from it, all these outside distractions and how he handled it and he was still the best player on the planet at the end of the day every night.”

Currently LaVine and the Bulls are on a West Coast road trip.

Last night Chicago beat Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum and the Portland Trail Blazers 111-108. LaVine totaled 18 points, four rebounds and nine assists in the win. Coby White posted 21 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, Otto Porter Jr. had 19 points and 13 rebounds of his own. 

The Bulls resume their West coast tonight against the Buddy Hield, De’Aaron Fox, Marvin Bagley III, Hassan Whiteside, Harrison Barnes and Jabari Parker-led Sacramento Kings who are currently 3-4 and are in seventh place in the NBA’s Western Conference standings. Currently the Bulls are 4-4 and in eleventh place in the NBA’s Eastern Conference standings. The Bulls are +230  underdogs on the road. 

Following tonight’s game against the Kings, the Bulls will face LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday and Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday before heading back home and facing the Boston Celtics at home at the United Center next Tuesday. 

The post Michael Jordan Is Greatest Ever Says Bulls Star Zach LaVine appeared first on The Source.

A little more than a week after the Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. exhibition fight, former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield went on TMZ and announced the “imminent” rematch between him and Tyson in 2021.

When asked if he had any words for Tyson, The Real Deal responded,  “Let’s do it, baby… Simple as that. Let’s do it.” He went on saying, “If you’re doing it, you’re doing it for the people and the purpose is the people. It’s the people that makes things go-’round.”

The last time these two met in the ring was the June 28, 1997 “Bite Fight”, in which Tyson gnawed off a piece of Holyfield’s ear in the third round of the fight, marking it as one of the most bizarre occurrences in boxing history.

The post [WATCH] Evander Holyfield: A Fight With Mike Tyson Looks Like It’s Gonna Happen appeared first on The Source.

Who doesn’t love Barack Obama?
The former president of the United States recently surprised onlookers by hitting a spontaneous 3-pointer before casually walking off. The 44th president was in a Flint, Michigan gym on Saturday while on the campaign trail for Joe Biden, his former vice president.

“That’s what I do,” Obama yelled after nailing the three, before lowering his “VOTE” mask and yelling again, “That’s what I do!”

Everyone in the gym seemed stunned that Obama nailed the three, with one yelling, “Walk off!”

“Whoa,” a masked Biden says as the duo leaves the gym.

NBA star LeBron James gave Obama props Saturday night, tweeting, “Now you just showing out now my friend!! That’s what you do huh?? Ok ok I see. All cash!”

Obama posted the video to his Instagram with the caption:

Get out there and vote, and then get two other folks to join you. It’s like draining a three for democracy.

The post [WATCH] Former President Barack Obama Casually Hits 3-Pointer To Urge People To Vote appeared first on The Source.

This year’s basketball season in the bubble was definitely one we will remember.

Top chef Alexia Grant was one of the 10 chefs invited to cook for the players inside the infamous NBA bubble. From her kitchen at Disney World, she launched the pop-up restaurant Comfort Kitchen, specializing in Caribbean and Southern comfort food. Her food has been in demand from the players who miss the taste of home-cooked food. 

Since being limited to the bubble and a certain perimeter, she’s cooked for players from every team in the bubble. The Miami Heat, the LA Lakers, and the Denver Nuggets have all ranted about her tasty cuisine. But cooking under strict quarantine hasn’t been an easy feat. She can’t leave the bubble to do her own shopping and has to rely on runners to deliver her food to the players in the inner bubble.

Watch this video to see how the players were fed during the 2020 pandemic.

The post [WATCH] Dining Inside The NBA Bubble During The Pandemic appeared first on The Source.

The U.S. Open kicked off last week, Venus and Serena Williams both competing and making a bid for her 24th Grand Slam singles title. This weekend, Nike released an inspiring heart-tugging spot featuring the two legendary sisters.

The ad, “You Can’t Stop Sisters,” appeared on the stars’ Instagram pages. It chronicles how the media has always played up the competition between the two siblings but suggests an alternative narrative– both were furthering the causes of women’s sport and racial equality. Narrated by Venus Williams, who says: “Ever since we were little girls, you’ve compared us to each other,” and ends by pointing out “It’s funny. You saw two tennis players trying to win a game. We saw two sisters changing it.”

The Williams’ sisters continue to break records and arguably the greatest athletes in the world.Watch the commercial below!

The post [WATCH] Nike Releases Heart-Tugging Ad About Serena and Venus Williams appeared first on The Source.

If Master P can do it, well, so can J. Cole, according to Larry Sanders.

The former Milwaukee Bucks power forward made it very clear to TMZ that he thinks the North Cackalack wordsmith has what it takes to make it in professional basketball.

“You always see guys crossover from the NBA to music, but you don’t see guys crossover from music to the NBA. So, this will be dope if he accomplishes this,” said the six-year vet of the Bucks and the Cavaliers.

Cole released a Puma commercial that played with the idea of the millennial rap sensation making it to the NBA. Master P, another rapper turned professional b-baller, narrated the commercial and confirmed Cole’s attempt at pro ball. According to a report from XXL, the Detroit Pistons have already agreed to give Cole a shot.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Former NBA Player Larry Sanders Says J. Cole Has ‘A Real Shot’ At Making It In The NBA appeared first on The Source.

As everyone remotely interested in boxing knows, boxing legends “Iron” Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr. will be facing off in the ring for an eight-round exhibition fight next month, which is known as “The Frontline Battle”.

Speaking to TMZ, Tyson was asked if the fight would end with a KO, to which the Brooklyn native responded,  “if the opportunity comes, I’m always looking for it.”

Social media publication Triller announced a ten part docuseries leading up to the fight, which is scheduled for September 12 and will be available via pay-per-view.

h

The post [WATCH] Mike Tyson Says He’ll Knock Out Roy Jones Jr. ‘If The Opportunity Comes’ appeared first on The Source.

Following the recent protests, riots and uproar against police brutality, professional boxer Deontay Wilder‘s meme-worthy comment ‘To This Day’ resonates now more than ever. The Bronze Bomber released an epic gut-wrenching spoken word on his Instagram page that definitely hits home. Instead of saying ‘I told you so!” The young king took the time to spread a much needed message.
“It isn’t about Blacks Vs Whites…It’s about Blacks Vs Racism” he posted to his Instagram page to almost 3 million followers.

Two years ago when reporter Radio Rahim asked Wilder about his statement and questioned what he meant when he said that ‘black people in American had been fighting for 400 years, it took Wilder over the edge and he took the time to school Rahim.

“They’re your people too! You know what I’m talking about, you all know what I’m talking about!” Wilder screamed.

“Don’t sit up here and try to bait. Y’all know what the f*** I talk about when I say these things. Your people too.”

“How dare you, man?” Wilder fired back. “You know what I’m talking about. You know we’ve been fighting and we’re still fighting ’til this day. ‘Til this day! ‘Til this day! ‘Til this day!”

“I ain’t gotta explain what’s understood, Radio Rahim…If ain’t nobody understand that, then God be with them, go look up the history.

“S***, don’t everybody believe in Google? Go Google that s***, see what I’m talking about.”
“I dare you to sit up there and (ask me to) explain, you know what I’m talking about. His fighting people, you know what we’ve been fighting for and still fighting for to this day. To this day, to this day!”

Classic.
Watch his new jewel dropper below!

The post [WATCH] Deontay Wilder’s Spoken Word Is A HeavyHitter: Dark Like Molasses And Black Like The Night… appeared first on The Source.

According to UFC star Jon Jones, Minneapolis Police knew exactly what they were doing when one of their officers put 46-year-old George Floyd in a fatal chokehold, which resulted in his death. Now, the mixed martial artist is livid over the situation.

Jones referred to pinning someone down at the neck with a knee is referred to in pugilism as the “blood choke”, which he recognizes as a fatal hold that cuts off blood circulation to the brain and that police knew it could kill him beforehand.

“Anyone who has practiced the very basics of jujitsu recognizes a [blood choke] when they see this,” Jones said. “That was as clear as day murder, torture.”

The pioneer of mixed martial arts fighting continued, “I wouldn’t wish the way George Floyd was murdered on my worst enemy. That officer applied just enough pressure to keep him alive for almost six minutes in that chokehold. In all my years of fighting I can honestly say I’ve never experienced anything close to that level of torture.”

On May 25. Floyd was placed in that fatal hold for eight minutes, where eyewitnesses watched the Houston native breathe his last breathe on the streets of Minneapolis.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: UFC’s Jon Jones Says Choke Used on George Floyd is ‘Worse Than Torture’ appeared first on The Source.

Last October 2019, Walt Harris, a professional heavyweight mixed martial artist faced a bigger challenge than any opponent in the Octagon.

His step-daughter, Aniah Blanchard was reported missing on October 24, 2019, in Auburn, Alabama. After finding her car, police suspected foul play and their suspicions were unfortunately correct.

In early November, a suspect, Ibraheem Yazeed, a repeat offender, was arrested. In late November, they found Aniah’s body with a gunshot wound.

Walt’s last fight was July 2019 before the death of his loved one and before COVID-19 took over the world.

“My coach did a really great job of making sure everything was kept clean,” said Harris. “We had a system of literally we trained and everybody went home. There was no extra movement.”

The Reem

Harris was expected to face the legendary Alistair Overeem on December 7, 2019, at UFC on ESPN 7. However, Harris pulled out on November 1, 2019, due to the ongoing search for his missing step-daughter.

By April 9, Dana White, the president of UFC announced that the fight was postponed to May 16, 2020, at UFC on ESPN.

“Camp was a tad bit broken up but it really wasn’t an issue. I think we broke it up mainly to give my body a break with the ups and downs of thinking you are going to fight or not going to fight. We were grinding super hard in Vegas for two weeks and then we found out there was no fight there was a pandemic so we shut it down.”

This Saturday, Harris re-enters the Octagon to face legendary Dutch kickboxer and MMA star, Alistair Overeem. The fight has title implications, especially if Harris wins in spectacular fashion.

“I’ve been following The Reem since he was in PRIDE. He was fighting at 170 lbs and I’ve watched him progress, watched him move up and down and around and the guy’s been everywhere and fought everybody. I’ve always saw myself fighting these guys.

“I respect him but i’m trying to take him out, you feel me? I’m a competitor so its my time, its my time, its my turn to shine and that’s what it is. I’m going in there looking to get the finish and putting on a show like I always do.”

The World Watches

With the UFC being one of the first sports organizations to resume operations and the first in combat sports, Harris knows the value of this opportunity.

“Its dope man. It feels like the sport is finally beginning to get recognized the way the sport needs to be recognized on that stage with the NFL and the NBA. I think it’s cool to see Tom Brady tweeting during the fight. Patrick Mahomes and all these different star athletes tweeting about the fights that are going on, I think that’s pretty cool.”

Harris enters the Octagon this Saturday in Jacksonville for glory and redemption for his step-daughter.

“I got my daughter right here with me so there’s a difference. It’s not him just fighting me, he’s fighting something else too. It’s going to be a fight night and I can’t wait.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: UFC Heavyweight Walt Harris Fights This Weekend for His Slain Step-Daughter appeared first on The Source.

Today marks what would have been Gianna Bryant’s 14th birthday after passing away with her dad Kobe Bryant earlier this year. In a tribute dedicated to her daughter on Instagram, she shared her love for her daughter and asked fans to “caption an act of kindness.”

Vanessa wrote: Happy 14th Birthday to my sweet baby girl, Gianna. Mommy loves you more than I can ever show you. You are part of MY SOUL forever. I miss you so much everyday. I wish I could wake up and have you here with me. I miss your smile, your hugs and your giggles. I miss EVERYTHING about YOU, Gigi. I LOVE YOU so much!!!!!!!

Gianna loved to wear a red bow in all of her school pictures. Red means love and life. To commemorate Gigi’s birthday today, please consider wearing red, caption an act of kindness or show how you will play Gigi’s way since she always gave everything she did her all and led with kindness. Please use the hashtag #PlayGigisWay Thank you. 5-1-06 Mambacita

Happy Birthday Gigi, your smile and talent still shines.

The post #PlayGiGisWay: Vanessa Bryant’s Birthday Tribute To Gianna appeared first on The Source.

In an interview on ESPN’s The Woj Pod Podcast with Adrian Wojnarowski on Friday, NBA analyst Doris Burke revealed that she tested positive for Covid-19.

Burke admitted to Wojnarowski that she could get out of the bed “for more than five minutes” about two weeks ago. Burke said that she decided to get tested because, “I started to believe, even though my symptoms did not seem to line up with the typical symptoms, I believed, given the nature of my profession, the number of people I encounter, that I did, in fact, have exposure to the virus.”

The 54-year-old Burke, who has been with ESPN since 1991, is the latest of a list of NBA notables who have tested for Coronavirus. The NBA suspended its 2019-20 season March 11 when Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz tested positive for coronavirus. Gobert has since been cleared by doctors of the virus.

It isn’t yet known when or if the NBA season will resume.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: ESPN’s Doris Burke Tests Positive For Covid-19 appeared first on The Source.

According to several confirmed reports, NBA Hall Of Famer and game commentator Charles Barkley is quarantining himself after taking ill and is currently waiting on the results of the coronavirus COViD-19 test.

This news comes after the NBA decided to postpone the entire season due to the pandemic across the globe, with the death doll in the U.S. at 40 and globally at 125,000.

The post Charles Barkley Self Quarantines After Feeling Ill, Waiting for Test Results appeared first on The Source.

Floyd Mayweather’s mother of his three children was found dead. 40-year-old Josie Harris was pronounced dead after being discovered in a car outside her home in Valencia, CA. Sheriff’s deputies had been called to the home just after 9:30 PM and pronounced Harris dead at the scene according to TMZ Sports.

Harris has three children with Floyd Mayweather and was known for being very vocal about her relationship with the boxer. Harris claimed to have been physically abused by Mayweather at least six times before the last brutal beating she received by him in September of 2010. It was documented that the abuse was witnessed by their then-15-year-old son, Koraun. Mayweather was sentenced and spent 60 days in prison for that offense.

Prior to her rise to fame, she was an actress who had brief appearances in a couple of films including Exit 38. She also appeared on ‘Starter Wives‘ opening up about the former couple’s relationship and the incident. The show featured women in a relationship with their boyfriends or spouses before they became famous. It starred Josie Harris, Cheryl Caruso, Joseph Taylor Monica, Zakia Baum, Lisa Morales, and Tashera Simmons. She was very vocal about her relationship with Floyd often doing interviews and opening up about their relationship. She was a business entrepreneur, author and mother to three beautiful children.

She will be missed.

The post The Mother of Three of Floyd Mayweather’s Children Pronounced Dead In Car Outside Home appeared first on The Source.

When you talk New York City basketball legends you have to mention Stephon Marbury. The iconic hoops figure emerged from Coney Island and made a splash on the national stage taking his stunning talents to the NBA.

Marbury had the league written all over his life from the moment he was dribbling a basketball in his home. The new documentary, A Kid From Coney Island, starts from that bedroom and details Marbury’s moves as jerseys changed after bursting on the scene in NYC. In addition to his journey across the NBA, the film chronicles his troubling run during the 2004 Athens Olympics and his ascension to a legend in Chinese basketball.

The documentary brings in knowledge and perspective from Marbury himself, but also those who got to see his career playout, including his family, friends, musicians, journalists and Coney Island residents.

A Kid from Coney Island will have a limited theatrical release in March. Ahead of its release, Marbury spoke with The Source about the film, what it really meant to be from Coney Island, the Stabury sneaker line and more.

The SOURCE: Coney Island went with you everywhere. That’s your home, do you ever feel like there was an extra weight to carry with you?

Stephon Marbury: Nah, it was motivation. There’s motivation and opportunity to be able to have people pushing for you. I take all of the positives. I don’t take the negatives, I always take the positive out of the things that came my way.

In this film, there is insight from family and friends, teammates, journalists, everybody. Did any of the details that were shared surprise you? Also, how did you get certain people that are close to you to be trusting in the information given?

Well, I mean the stories, people have their view on their side, which is the best part about the doc. It’s a story being told about a human being doing something and then we cap it up at the end telling them the second part of the story playing basketball in China. Everybody left everything on the table as far as what they knew about me. There are no stories that are made up. I think the documentary, it gives people insight.

Basketball has been your love since dribbling in your room, but kind of took over your life, comparisons with Allen Iverson, Felipe Lopez. Do you think that hurt you in the long run?

You know, I never looked at being compared. I just went in and did what I did. I didn’t ever compare myself to anybody and I mean there’s nobody that really plays like me. Sometimes people will say Derrick Rose because of size and I can jump. But at the same time, you know, for me, I never really looked at comparisons. I made my decisions based upon how I felt, you know, what was going on in my life.

We get this opener of this timeline of a family of hoopers but you were destined to be the one. Do you feel that was your case?

I mean, I’ve always believed that I was going to go to the NBA. So I never was never like, am I going to be the one? It was my brother playing and I thought he was going to the NBA and then he didn’t go. It was a goal I had for myself.

Was that amplified when you were with the Knicks or Nets when you were close to home?

Everybody used to make big deals out of Marbury getting traded again. I get to go play all over America. I get it, Kobe [Bryant] and Magic [Johnson] and play on one team, great. But Michael Jordan played on another team, the greatest basketball player ever played on another team. So it’s funny when people were talking about wanting to go home because it just made such a big deal about me wanting to do it.

When I was in Minnesota, everybody made it about everything other than what I said that I wanted to do. People said I was jealous and it was just, what about me? My contract is seven years and living in this same environment. Did you ever think about that for me? I come from New York and I went to school in Atlanta, then I went to Minnesota. I’m 18, already there for two years and staying here for six, for seven more years, that’s nine and a half years of your life. Just think about it. Me saying that I wanted to leave had nothing to do with anything other than my life. So going home and playing, for me I have a chance to play in New Jersey. That was, that was a great opportunity. I got a chance to see my family. I went to Phoenix It was nice. I had a great time going there and then playing with the Knicks.

At the time when you first announced Starbury, there were supporters of your line and thinking of the under-resourced. Then there were those who balked at the idea. I was a kid when they came and had a couple of pairs. But from you, what do you feel was accomplished during that launch?

What I accomplished was creating a platform for people to have the chance to buy something at an affordable price. I thought it was a great opportunity to be able to do something like that and support the community.

Sneakers now are even crazier than it was then. Inflation prices, limited availability, partnerships with everyone, do you think the impact of a Starbury launch in today’s climate where people are more aware of pricing struggles and there is a larger voice to that would have been received more positively or negatively?

I mean the impact of social media has changed a lot of that and is giving people the opportunity to know what’s going on. For us, it gives insight and how to make better business decisions. At the time social media wasn’t, it wasn’t as powerful and popular as it is right now for sure.

Some would consider your years before departing for China rough. In turn that moves only cemented your name as a basketball icon. Three ships, a statue, what did you think of originally going and how does that differ from the love when you were done?

When I went there, it was rough, my father passed away. I had a lot of stuff going on and I made a decision that I wasn’t gonna play anymore. Then I went there and just left myself completely vulnerable to love. Citizens of China were completely different from other people, how they live and how they operate it. So you know, that weighed heavily in my life in a positive way. So it had me knowing and seeing that I’m going in a different direction, but being able to create.

It’s a lot of dope names attached to this project, Kevin Durant, Rich Kleiman, Forrest Whitaker how did this come to you?

Well, Nina Bongiovi’s and Jason Samuels, those two collectively started this. She just wanted it to be for dope, they had the vision. Then you have Forest Whitaker, I don’t even have to tell you, you know, I mean, that’s, that’s our Jordan. Him and Denzel Washington. Those guys are like Jordan if we would compare them to basketball. So you have those types of people who are curious to know about you, let alone want to do something with you. I haven’t been in that space where I had those opportunities for me to get that out and see the outflow. Like, wow, I’m blessed. This is amazing.

What do you think your legacy in basketball is?

I came to help change the world, baby. And I did that.

The post Exclusive: Stephon Marbury Talks ‘A Kid From Coney Island’ Documentary appeared first on The Source.

According to TMZ, Floyd Mayweather spoke at an event when an audience member asked him if Deontay Wilder could win in a rematch with Tyson Fury.  Mayweather then responded, “If I train him! If I train him, I can teach him how to win!” Floyd expressed his support via social media after Wilder lost to Fury during a heavyweight match on Feb.22.  Despite the shocking lost, fans still back Wilder who became a popular meme last year.

Mayweather also added, “Win, Lose or Draw … Deontay is our brother that has accomplished many triumphs and as a community, we should all uplift and support him throughout it all. No matter what, you’re still a winner in my eyes, King!”

Wilder and Fury are expected to get back in the ring for a 3rd fight on July 18 in Las Vegas. Do you think Mayweather can help Wilder defeat Fury?

The post Floyd Mayweather Says He Can Help Deontay Wilder Beat Tyson Fury appeared first on The Source.

Last October, 27-year-old boxer Patrick Day died due to a traumatic brain injury he sustained in the ring. Correspondent Jon Frankel sits down with his opponent Charles Conwell, his trainer Joe Higgins as well as Day’s three brothers, all of whom are grappling with Patrick’s death and the sport of boxing itself.

The post [WATCH] Boxer Charles Conwell Reflects on the Night He Fought the Late Patrick Day on HBO’s ‘Real Sports’ appeared first on The Source.

Shakira and Jennifer Lopez got good reviews for their Super Bowl halftime show. One review, in particular, came from Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The Milwaukee Bucks All-Star sent a tweet after the performance, suggesting that his girlfriend Mariah Riddlesprigger might not have approved of his reaction to the performances. 

Antetokounmpo wasn’t the only NBA All-Star who was lusting over the halftime performance. Dallas Maverick Luka Doncic couldn’t control himself on Twitter either.

Usually, the Super Bowl halftime show isn’t highly viewed by males in the 20-35 age range. For the most part, the Super Bowl halftime show this time around was one of the most enjoyable in years, and the eye candy was simply too sweet not to comment on.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Giannis Antetokounmpo Enjoyed the Super Bowl Halftime Show a Little Too Much appeared first on The Source.

The Kansas City Chiefs capped off an amazing playoff run en route to a 31-20 Super Bowl win over the San Francisco 49ers. It was the Chiefs’ first Super Bowl win in 50 years. The real question seems to be, is this the dawn of a new NFL Dynasty. Here are three reasons it could be.

Patrick Mahomes

Mahomes is only 24 years old, but in just three seasons in the NFL, he seems like a seasoned veteran. Already a league MVP and Super Bowl MVP, Mahomes hasn’t even hit the prime of his career. With a young receiving core, this is only the beginning of his dominance of the league.

Andy Ried

Reid had long been regarded as one of the best coaches in the NFL, now that he has a Super Bowl win under his belt, Reid has all the motivation to get another. Ried is an offensive-minded genius. With a young quarterback and weapons at his disposal, another Super Bowl run should be expected.

New England Patriots Are Done?

With Tom Brady aging and possibly considering leaving New England, the Chiefs appear to be the class of the AFC going forward. The Patriots are currently don’t have the weapons to match up well with the Chiefs. At 42, Brady isn’t the best quarterback in the league and with no deep threats on his sideline, nobody is afraid of them anymore. What separates the elite teams from the good teams is identity and vision. Those are two things the Patriots don’t have currently.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Three Reasons Why The Chiefs Could Become The NFL’s Next Dynasty appeared first on The Source.

The entire country and the sports world, in particular, are still in shock at the sudden deaths of Kobe Bryant and his daughter yesterday in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, CA that claimed the lives of four other people.

As one of the most well-known Los Angeles Lakers and also a friend to Kobe Bryant’s father Joe, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar offered up a few heartfelt words about the late All-Star Laker, who Jabbar said that he met when the young Kobe was only 11 years old.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: [WATCH] NBA HOFer and Former Laker Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Speaks on the Death Of Kobe Bryant appeared first on The Source.

Does he really wanna mess with Black Dynamite?

UFC fighter Michael Perry had some words for Blood And Bone actor Michael Jai White following an interview he did with VladTV and some comments he gave about the late UFC great Kimbo Slice.

During the interview, Michael Jai White talked about teaching Kimbo how to properly execute an on-screen fight and being hurt by his untimely death in 2016 at age 42.

Perry’s response appeared to be seeking nothing more than White’s acceptance of a challenge from the seasoned martial artist and esteemed actor.

The 52-year-old actor responded to Perry’s threats with class, just letting him know that it’s not that hard to catch a fade from Mr. Black Dynamite himself.

From the replies from everyone in the fighting world including Dana White, this really might end up being a thing. It just doesn’t look like Perry did his homework on White before he jumped out the window.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: UFC Fighter Mike Perry Challenges Martial Artist/Actor Michael Jai White appeared first on The Source.

Shibbon Winelle, mother of 17-year-old Bryce Gowdy–the Georgia Tech recruit that recently passed from an apparent suicide recently opened up about her son’s death.

Winelle told the heart-wrenching story about her son’s final moments before he was hit by a train last week. Bryce the eldest of her three sons was worried about his mom and brothers who were homeless and living out of a car at the time. She shared that her son appeared to be suffering from a mental health crisis in the last few days before he died.

“A few days ago, Bryce was talking crazy… He was happy though, he was talking about his future. He was talking about going to Georgia Tech,” she said through tears. “He had a lot of questions about spirituality and life. He kept asking if I was OK, if his brothers were going to be OK. I said, ‘yeah.’ We sat in the car all day… because we didn’t have anywhere to go,” she said. “He sat next to me just talking. I was stressed. I was too stressed to really deal with it. We were on the streets again, homeless. The little job I got wasn’t paying me my money on time or in full.”

She said her sons questions were stressing her out so much because she had just gotten her period, and her son’s piercing questions were giving her chest pains. She shared through devastated tears, “When he asked to hold my hand, I refused.” She told him to “toughen up” and “get it together.” She said his energy was so intense she could feel his pain and it was breaking her heart.

After Winelle picked up her son, Brayden, from work that night, the family went to their hotel room.She said she locked herself in the bathroom to take a break from Bryce’s intense questions. 30 minutes later, she emerged from the bathroom and asked Bryce to go to the car to get her favorite blanket.

When he didn’t return, she went out to look for him. Her blanket was gone from her car and Bryce was nowhere to be found. He left his cell phone, wallet and shoes in the hotel room. Later that morning, Winelle called her older brother, who told her someone was hit by a train at 4 a.m.

“I’ve been begging for help for months,” she cried. “For months, I’ve been begging for help.”

A recent study shows a dramatic increase in suicide deaths among Black adolescents and teenagers. From 1991 to 2017, suicide attempts among Black children and teens rose by 73%.

Watch his mother’s testimony below and to help someone suffering from mental health or suicidal thoughts call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

To donate to Shibbon Winelle and her remaining sons CLICK HERE

The post [WATCH] Bryce Gowdy’s Mother Details Son’s Mental Breakdown About Homelessness Before Suicide appeared first on The Source.

It’s hard to imagine a reality in which things are going better for Anthony Davis, LeBron James, and the Los Angeles Lakers. Through the first 28 games of the season, the Lakers are an amazing 24-4, tied with the Milwaukee Bucks for the best record in the NBA.

During his recent appearance in GQ, Klutch Sports agent Rich Paul defended AD’s decision and explained how people need to show more empathy towards what is going on inside of an athlete’s head.

Via GQ:

“From AD’s perspective, he just felt it was time for change. There’s nothing wrong with that. As a player, the side that people don’t see is like, okay, yeah, I can go out and score 40 every night, but I can’t make you put certain things around me because I don’t have that power. I have to bet on you to do so. And in the event that I’m good enough that, if I feel that’s not happening, and I can change something? Then I’ll change it. Or I’ll seek to change it.”

In addition to Davis landing with the Lakers and finding immediate success around LeBron James, Paul also had quite the summer when it came to taking care of his clients as Draymond Green and Ben Simmons each signed massive contract extensions in the summer.

Davis and James are working out better than anyone imagined, with James and Davis both making a strong case for NBA MVP while Davis is making one for his first career Defensive Player of the Year award.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Super Agent Rich Paul Shares More Insight to What Led Anthony Davis Out Of New Orleans appeared first on The Source.

While the Knicks are without a permanent head coach, a new name has thrown her hat into the coaching vacancy. That name is Becky Hammon.

Hammon became the first full-time female assistant coach in any of the big four American sports in 2014 after a 16-year run in the WNBA. She led the Spurs to a Las Vegas Summer League title in 2015 and became Gregg Popovich’s top assistant in 2018.

Sources told CNBC’s Jabari Young and Ganesh Setty that Hammon would have an interest in the position if she could land a four- or five-year deal. That has been fairly standard, as the last three Knicks coaches have landed five-year (Derek Fisher), three-year (Jeff Hornacek) and four-year (Fizdale) contracts despite each getting fired with at least one year left on their deals.

That type of security would probably be necessary because the Knicks are one of the toughest coaching jobs in the NBA. 

An issue with luring prospective coaches, as one Eastern Conference scout tells CNBC, is that a coaching job under owner Jim Dolan is considered by many in the league to be a “terrible” position. Dolan has long been criticized by Knicks fans for the organization’s perpetual struggles. One would have to look back to 1999 to find the last time the Knicks made it to an NBA Finals and all the way back to the ’70s for a championship win.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Becky Hammon is Interested in the Knicks’ Head Coach Opening appeared first on The Source.

“I quit. I don’t want to talk about suspension…I’m not doing this sh*t no more” – David Irving

In the midst of the national debate over marijuana legalization, Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle David Irving went live on social media, while smoking a joint, to make it known that he was no longer willing to hit the field with the Cowboys due to the NFL’s policy of marijuana prohibition.

The 25-year old was suspended twice before by the NFL for substance abuse, which makes three suspensions in three seasons. Irving’s personal life, including winning custody of his daughter, may have helped him with a decision that the Cowboys had made for him last week.

The post [WATCH] Former Cowboys Player David Irving Says He’s Quitting NFL Over Marijuana Policy appeared first on The Source.

Ricky Williams is a colorful character, but he still knows what issues he wants to tackle and the ones he definitely wants to stay away from.

The Pro Bowl running back made an appearance on The Domenick Nati Show, still talking about smoking weed, which subsequently got him booted from the league, his astrology reading skills and surprisingly why he feels that the league and the public are being too harsh on disgraced Patriots owner Robert Kraft.

Listen to the interview in its entirety below.

The post [LISTEN] Ricky Williams On Robert Kraft’s Prostitution Charge: ‘Sometimes It’s Just Better To Pay For It’ appeared first on The Source.

While the 2017-2018 was an epic season for the Philadelphia Eagles, the 2018-2019 season has proved a bit more challenging. From a less-than-stellar record to Carson Wentz’s stress fracture, the Super Bowl LII champs have been struggling to even make the playoffs this year. Yet thanks to a stellar performance by quarterback Nick Foles, who stepped in to replace Wentz, the Eagles might just have a fighting chance for that second Super Bowl ring.

Completing 24 of 31 passes for an impressive 273 yards, Foles led the Eagles to a 30-23 upset against the Los Angeles Rams this past Sunday- in Los Angeles, nonetheless. While Foles’ recent performance was reminiscent of his epic ones in both the 2018 NFC Championship Game and Super Bowl LII, his 2018-2019 season began with a lackluster start, performing decently in the Eagles’ first regular season games, but returning to the bench to make room for Wentz to start. Yet, as analysts have noted, Foles has proven that he’s a prime-time player when it counts, but many also wonder if he is consistent enough to replicate his performances. Delivering one amazing performance is impressive, but can he consistently deliver the same results game after game should the Eagles make it to the playoffs? More importantly, does he have what it takes to deliver against a variety of defenses?

The truth is that Foles is not inconsistent, but there isn’t enough information to determine how he will likely perform against upcoming competitors. Based on his performances over the past three seasons, he’s a strong player, consistently putting up completion percentages in the ’60s or higher and a strong touchdown to interception ratio.

Off the field, Foles, an evangelical Christian, says that when he prays, he prays not for God to deliver results, but to provide him with courage. “My prayer throughout the Super Bowl, when I kept talking to God, was that I would play with boldness and without fear, because fear doesn’t come from God. Boldness does.”

For Foles and the Eagles, that bold strategy has been paying off.

The post Nick Foles Delivers Under Pressure, But Can He Maintain Consistency? appeared first on The Source.

Yesterday [September 25], was NBA Media Day in which all 30 teams endured lots of camera and reporters alike, questioning them about the predictions and goals they have for this upcoming season. Outside of Lebron being the main attraction after his big move to the Los Angeles Lakers other highlights included Trae Young’s transition from college ball to professional ball, and Kawhi’s laugh may just have been the biggest highlight of the day.

During Kawhi’s press interview he was answering a question that asked what he would like people to know about him. Kawhi went on to say, “I’m a fun guy. Obviously I love the game of basketball. It’s just more questions that you’d have to ask me in order for me to tell you about myself. I just can’t give you a whole spill. I don’t even know where you’re sitting at.”

Kawhi then followed up with the weirdest, most awkward, most robotic laugh ever seen before. In fact, Kawhi’s laugh became the talk of social media and the butt of everybody’s joke only invoking more laughs. Check out the video below.

Kawhi Leonard is laughing during his press conference!! ?

(via @TSN_Sports)pic.twitter.com/hyxbZ99PH7

— Yahoo Sports NBA (@YahooSportsNBA) September 24, 2018

The post Kawhi Leonard’s Laugh is the Biggest Highlight of 2018 NBA Media Day appeared first on The Source.

UNCLE DREW, arguably one of the most hilarious basketball movie to date is out today on DVD and On Demand with an unexpectedly funny all-star cast. Kyrie Irving, Chris Webber, Lil Rel Howery, Shaquille O’Neal, Reggie Miller, Lisa Leslie. Nick Kroll, and Tiffany Haddish star in this new classic full of knee-slapping humor for the entire family. The movie follows a young team owner and his pal Uncle Drew go on a wild goose chase to round up Drew’s old basketball squad and compete in a huge tournament to prove that old men can jump.

From L to R: From L to R: Chris Webber as “Preacher,” Nate Robinson as “Boots,” Lisa Leslie as “Betty Lou,” Shaquille O’Neal as “Big Fella,” Lil Rel Howery as “Dax,” Kyrie Irving as “Uncle Drew,” Reggie Miller as “Lights,” and Erica Ash as “Maya” in UNCLE DREW. Photo by Quantrell Colbert.

I sat down with five-time NBA All-Star, Correspondent— and old friend Chris Webber who plays the comically defiant husband of Lisa Leslie in the film.  After catching up on our kids we discussed what it took for him to prep for this role, acting alongside the star studded cast he once played against and of course— his love for hip hop.

What was it like playing a preacher in UNCLE DREW?

Growing up the churches I went to… they were like that. The  church I grew up in had 30 people seven of them were my family members, it really was a comfortable spot for me to be in and they let the little girl in the film be played by my daughter, my father… he was able to sit in there next to Lisa Leslie, it was great and I worked very hard.

Nick Kroll (“Mookie,” left) and Tiffany Haddish (“Jess,” right) star in Lionsgate Home Entertainment’s UNCLE DREW.

Yes I did several things I have a lot of old friends so I spend time with a lot of older individuals my father and his crew and older dudes and I took  on a lot of their characteristics, a lot of characteristics of family members and things like that it’s funny you say music because there was an older soundtrack I was playing in my mind. My character hope Oakley don’t get mad  because that’s my boy (laughs) but in my mind the character was a mix of Oakley, Al Sharpton, and maybe a couple of preachers that I know.   I just tried to concentrate to make sure I did those revival preachers  that I used to grow up listening to and doing them justice,  I went to a large church and it was funny because the pastor was saying, ‘There goes the preacher from Uncle Drew,  the church the band everybody started playing and I was like okay I must have did a real good job  because the church is giving me love on it  so I’m glad I got the character through.

It’s all good, as far as working with Shaq. I’ve been close with Shaq ever since we battled in Sacramento and the Lakers and so he’s been a friend, same with Reggie he’s my working partner  and Nate Robinson I’ve known, Kyrie, we have a great relationship through Rod Strickland who is my close friend and godfather ,  it was no animosity on the set they say when you retire you miss the locker room  and that’s true for me  your body is hurt  you don’t miss games or things like that anymore  maybe once and a while but what you miss every day  is talking  to the fellas in that locker room and how it is we were able to get that on the movie set  I mean every Second on set  we were laughing and joking  every second it’s a joke going on,  I mean you had to walk off the concentrate  because everybody knows each another  so now there was no animosity  it was a lot of fun and I think everybody wanted to do good for each other.  I made sure I brought in great character  so  I did my best  so Lisa would look good  and she did the same so Nate would look good and we all  did our best because Kyrie  gave us a shot in this movie  that he brought to the table  so we wanted to thank him through all the hard work so it was a real good vibe on set.

Check out part 2 Friday when we continue our talk with Chris Webber about working with Nas, being judged by older players when he was in the Fab Five and why he doesn’t judge the younger generation in hip hop. 

The post Exclusive Clip: UNCLE DREW Out On DVD + Talk With Chris Webber (PT 1) appeared first on The Source.

Former Seattle Seahawks running back, Shaun Alexander is among the nominees of the 2019 Pro Football Hall of Fame Class. Shaun Alexander’s numbers and accomplishment speak for themselves, but are they good enough to land him in the Hall of Fame?

During his career, Alexander accumulated 9,453 total rushing yards, which slates him currently at 36th on the NFL’s All-time Rushing list. Alexander is currently tied with Adrian Peterson and Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk at 100 career touchdowns.

“Running backs are tough because of numbers. It all depends on the voters,” NFL Hall of Famer, Walter Jones tells sports reporter, Landon Buford.

Jones, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2014 was Alexander’s teammate from 2000-2008. The two would spend lots of time on the field too. Jones along with offensive linemen, Steven Hutchinson, Chris Gray, Robbie Tobeck, and Sean Locklear were the frontline that helped Alexander accumulate those career numbers. Alexander benefited from those linemen and achieved a ton of personal accomplishments on the gridiron, including being named to the 2000s All-Decade Team. The three-time Pro-Bowler also won the NFL’s MVP award in 2005 and was an intricate part of the Seattle Seahawks’ Super Bowl XL appearance in 2005, though they’d lose 21-10 to a Ben Roethlisberger-led Pittsburgh Steelers team.

Not winning that Super Bowl begs the question: Is Sean Alexander Hall of Fame worthy?

“It is a popularity thing as well nowadays,” Walter Jones also told Landon Buford.

Former NFL MVP running back Terrell Davis had a similar story, except he won some hardware. In fact, Davis won two Super Bowls with the John Elway-led Denver Broncos in 1998 and 1999. That distinction surely swayed voters.

And in the case of Alexander?

“He’s got a shot,” said sports analyst and Scoop B Radio Podcast host, Brandon Robinson. “Shaun Alexander put up solid numbers, was positive in the community and led the Seahawks to a Super Bowl. That man was on fire on that field! I’m pulling for him.”

Walter Jones thinks the voters and powers that be could possibly give his former Seattle Seahawks teammate the nod.

“I think from a media standpoint Shaun was a great guy,” said Jones.

The post Seahawks’ Shaun Alexander’s HOF Chances ‘Depends On Voters’ Says Former Super Bowl Teammate appeared first on The Source.