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November 17 -- November 23, 2025
Issue No. 616
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San Francisco
49ers 41,
Arizona Cardinals
22
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George Kittle
Brock Purdy's Return Energizes 49ers
With gratitude to Mac Jones' excellent work, when Brock Purdy returned at QB, the team was excited. Skyy Moore returned the AZ kickoff 96 yards to the two-yard line and CMC ran it in (6-0, point after blocked). Purdy's passes to Jauan Jennings and George Kittle propelled a 70-yard drive and a 13-0 score. Jacoby Brissett, who finished 47/57 with 450 yards passing played well, but the AZ defense was the 49ers' star offensive weapon, with 16 penalties (their most since 1936).
Brissett clicked with Michael Wilson and it was 13-7, then 19-7 after a CMC TD and another missed PAT. On defense, the 49ers tackled with ferocity, particularly #59, LB Curtis Robinson and #25, S Jason Pinnock. An AZ FG made it 19-10, but a 48-yarder by Eddy Pineiro made it 22-10 and a second FG, enabled by an AZ penalty, made it 25-10 at halftime.
Penalties continue to plague the Cardinals and a Pineiro 47-yarder made it 28-10. A Lenoir interception and nifty return led to a George Kittle four-yard TD, 35-10, the 50th of his career. An AZ drive stalled when Upton Stout knocked the ball out of Brissett's hands on the two-yard line, recovered by Keion White. AZ would later score on a pass to Trey McBride, another noteworthy Cardinal: 35-16 (two-point attempt failed). Unwisely, with Pineiro hurt, Purdy was called in to help with a two-point conversion and was SACKED! Wasn't there ANYONE ELSE? SF recovered an onside kick, and a McCaffery run made it 41-16. An AZ TD pass to Dortch led to the final score, 49ers 41, Cardinals 22, and an important win against a divisional rival.
You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ws1_Hp5461c (14:36)
Game Highlights: San Francisco 49ers vs Arizona Cardinals Game Highlights | 2025 NFL Season Week 11
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College Football
Playoffs (CFP):
Early Bird Selections
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With the situation in flux, and the inherent bias of the Committee for SEC teams, these four selections to reach the Finals are based on fairness, potential and the hope they aren't all placed in the same bracket. My Final Four CFP teams are: Georgia (SEC), Georgia Tech (ACC), USC (Big 10) and Ohio State (Big 10). (A Bonus Big-12 selection is BYU, currently 8-1/5-1).
After my streak of last seasons' successful predictions here in Sports Today, (Florida to win the Final Four and Ohio State the CFP), my two favorites here, Georgia and Ohio State, are most likely to be in the Final. However, all these selections have legitimate shots based on solid defenses (Tech) and big-play potential (USC), which is my personal favorite. Brackets are, of course, a variable. Stay tuned!
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Note to Readers:
Most photos in each issue are linked to Facebook albums produced by our talented photographers. To enjoy additional photos, simply click on a photograph or on the link provided at the end of each report. New albums, contributor essays and Sports Today issues are continually posted to: www.ultimatesportsguide.net
The photo of John Edward Beam (below) was provided by staff photographer Darren Yamashita from a game he covered on September 12, 2014 between the Laney College Eagles and the City College of San Francisco Rams. Retired "Last Chance U" football coach Beam was fatally shot last week at Laney College in Oakland. Our thoughts are with his family and the many athletes to whom he had dedicated his life.
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Contents
Games
Cal Bears MBkB 93, CSU Fullerton Titans 65
Cal Bears WBkB 76 vs. Harvard Crimson 65
Cal Bears WBkB 69 vs. Charlotte 49ers 44
Features & Commentary
Bob Marley said it..., by Howard Pearlstein
Hardly Trivial, by T. Buff
James Brown, from the autograph collection of Robert Moselle, Esq.
Newsletter, Image, Likeness, by Darren Heitner, Esq.
Tic-Tac-Toe, by Andy Dolich
Veterans Day Saluted by This Airman, by Dave Newhouse
Organizations
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A's
Bay Area Falcons
Bay FC
Cal Bears
Cal State University East Bay
Golden State Valkyries
Golden State Warriors
Oakland Ballers
Oakland Roots SC
Oakland Soul SC
Oakland Spiders
Saint Mary's College Gaels
San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco Giants
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San Francisco Nighthawks
San Francisco Unicorns
San Jose Earthquakes
San Jose State Spartans
Santa Clara Broncos
SF City
Sonoma Raceway
St. Francis Yacht Club
Stanford Cardinal
UC Davis Aggies
University of Pacific Tigers
USF Dons
WeatherTech Raceway Laguna
Seca
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TIC-TAC-TOE
by Andy Dolich
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I must admit I’m confused. NFL players are among the toughest of all athletes. Getting to the league is a multi-year journey through head-on collisions along with every other part of their anatomy. Common football injuries include broken bones, sprains, strains, ligament tears, (ACL/MCL) fractures, concussions, torn achilles, tendonitis, shin splints, dislocations and many other traumas to the body from head to Toe.
The recent foot focus, aka “Turf Toe” suffered by 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, has dominated the discussion on football-related injuries caused by dreaded synthetic turf.
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What Is Turf Toe?
Turf Toe, or metatarsophalangeal joint sprain (of course you knew that and can properly pronounce it) affects the big toe joint. It happens when the toe remains on the ground and the heel lifts, causing the toe to hyperextend. This motion causes soft tissues and ligaments in the big toe joint to stretch or tear.
The name Turf Toe originated in the 1970s because the injury became significantly more common among football players when artificial turf was widely adopted on playing fields. Artificial surfaces are typically harder and less shock-absorbent than natural grass. They can cause an athlete’s foot to “stick” to the ground. This, combined with more flexible athletic shoes, led to an increase in injuries where the big toe was forcefully hyper-extended.
Turf Toe can occur when you bend your big toe too far or too forcefully, causing soft tissues and ligaments to stretch or tear.
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Symptoms of Turf Toe include:
- Pain and tenderness: Big toe pain may be so severe that you can’t put weight on it.
- Swelling and bruising: The base of the big toe may be inflamed.
- Limited range of motion: Not being able to move the toe or bend it up and down.
- Joint that feels loose: The metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint may pop out of place or feel like it’s unstable.
What are the complications of Turf Toe?
Most Turf Toe injuries heal well, but complications can occur. These can include:
- Persistent pain and joint stiffness.
- Loss of push-off strength.
- Bunions
- Hallux Rigidus
- Sticking up of the big toe permanently.
What is the outlook for the San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback with Turf Toe?
I guess we will know when Brock Purdy takes his first snap against the Arizona Cardinals after missing six games.
New Name For Turf Toe
I would like to get your thoughts on renaming the injury to something a bit more football Tough than Turf Toe? Looking forward to your suggestions:
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Death Toe
Hallux Limitus
Astro Ache
Metatarsophalongial Mess
Tic-Tac-Toe
TTS Torn Toe Syndrome
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MTP -- similar to ACL or MCL
“OH” Toe
TIP Toe
Toe Nailed
TTT -- Tip Toe Trauma
| | Author Dolich displays an illustration accompanying his Turf Toe Treatise. Looking on approvingly is author Dave Newhouse | | |
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Andy Dolich operates Dolich & Associates, a sports consultancy, in Los Altos. A local resident, Dolich has more than 50 years of experience as an executive in professional sports, working with the Oakland A's, San Francisco 49ers, Golden State Warriors, and hockey and soccer teams. Dolich is also the co-author of Goodbye, Oakland, is available in bookstores and from Triumph Books. For earlier articles by Andy Dolich published in Sports Today! click HERE.
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Dave Newhouse photographed at Laon Air Force Base in France
in 1961 after being promoted to Airman First Class
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Veterans Day
Saluted by
This Airman
by Dave Newhouse
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Veterans Day just came and went again, and I’m always thinking “Why so quickly?” Couldn’t it stick around for, say, a week, as it has such a lasting impact on those who served, and, more importantly, on families who lost loved ones defending our country.
Another Nov. 11 just flew by or sailed past or marched on depending on one’s branch of service. For me, it was the Air Force, and though I was grounded — no potential pilot training — those four years changed my life.
I wouldn’t be writing for the Ultimate Sports Guide if I hadn’t signed up with Uncle Sam. There wouldn’t have been nearly a half-century of newspaper employment or the 20 books I’ve written without wearing Air Force blue.
Of course, becoming a sports journalist was pure accident, but it wouldn’t have happened without my being stationed at a base in France, which takes some explaining.
| | Newhouse umpired softball at Laon as a secondary job | | |
Growing up in Menlo Park, I thought as a teenager that I would become a sportscaster. But I gave up on that idea, and without an alternate plan, I dropped out of college with the military next in mind.
That was the 1950s, where young kids were automatically drafted into the Army unless they preferred to enlist in another branch of service. So with a friend, Larry Ludgus, who had also left college, we showed up at a recruiting office.
It’s funny how life turns out sometimes, but an instantaneous decision can impact the rest of your life. For at this recruiting site, an Army sergeant was at the front desk and an Air Force sergeant at the back desk.
A military obligation back then was six years, broken down in various ways. If you enlisted for six months, you would have five and a half years of reserve duty. Signing up for two years meant four years of reserve duty.
| Newhouse (center, top) was a shot-putter on the base track and field team that won the France Air Force championship | |
I was doing the math with the Army guy when Larry grabbed my arm. He said, “If we join the Air Force, we’d have no reserve duty.” I replied, “Yeah, but we’d have four years of active duty.”
Larry steered me to that back table, and in that short walk, suddenly my life materialized. I’m not sure how that thought process happened so quickly, but here’s what occurred in two phases:
I hadn’t traveled much to that point, leaving California once to visit relatives in Reno. But perhaps the Air Force could take me to distant places, possibly overseas. Secondly, in four years, perhaps I could find a career once back in civilian life.
So I said “yes” to the Air Force recruiter, as did Larry. And off to basic training in San Antonio, Texas we went, with Larry eventually heading off to jet mechanic school in Colorado Springs, and myself to Denver for special services duty.
That meant working in a gymnasium, running athletic programs. Larry never left Colorado, but I was quickly re-assigned to Laon, France, on a three-year assignment.
I was stationed 90 miles northeast of Paris, which would become my favorite city in the world. But then a “no” decision quickly became a “yes” and the turning point in my quest for a career.
Jack Wendell Jones edited the weekly base newspaper, the Laon Sentinel, and he needed someone to write sports. He asked me twice, and I turned him down each time, until it hit me that he was doing ME a favor.
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Newhouse, No. 35, played center on his squadron’s
intramural basketball team.
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So for two years, besides my gym chores, I covered base and intramural sports for the newspaper. Jack said, “You also get to write a column.” And in my naivete, I said, “What’s a column?’ I had read columns before, I just didn’t know the terminology. And I started writing “Riding With the Rangers” columns about our successful Laon Rangers — yes, that’s right — sports teams. Laon was pronounced “Lohn." And I wrote free of charge.
After serving in the Air Force from 1957-61, and getting to watch the 1960 Olympics in Rome, I came home, then graduated from San Jose State before starting at the Oakland Tribune in 1964. I’ve been writing ever since.
Whatever happened to Larry Ludgus? After the military, he received a degree from Cal, then a law degree and became a Bay Area attorney. We re-united after a 40-year separation, and enjoyed each other's company until Larry and his attorney wife Nancy, by then both retired, moved to Rhode Island, not too far from the Bidens.
I owe so much to the Air Force, for it changed who I was and shaped who I became. I owe so much to Jack Wendell Jones for turning my life in the right direction.
Veterans Day is my favorite holiday.
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* * * * *
Dave Newhouse's journalism career spans more than half a century, including 45 years at the Oakland Tribune before his retirement in November 2011. Newhouse is the author of 19 books. His most recent book, Goodbye, Oakland, is available in bookstores and from Triumph Books. Dave grew up in Menlo Park, graduated from San Jose State, and has radio and television experience, in addition to his work as an award-winning sportswriter and columnist. For earlier articles by Dave published in Sports Today, click HERE.
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Cal Bears 93
CSU Fullerton Titans 65
Haas Pavilion, Berkeley, CA
Monday, November 10, 2025
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After a sloppy first half, the Golden Bears' defense took control and the offense got hot, jumping out to a 20-point lead and holding on for the win. Above and holding his pose, Justin Pippen (#10) delivered the ball to the basket early in the first half. The University of California Golden Bears played host to the CSU Fullerton Titans for a preseason non-conference game at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley on Monday, November 10.
Photo and caption by Ron Sellers.
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Scoring leader in the game with 24 points, Dai Dai Ames (#7) looks to scoop the ball around the defender for a shot.
Photo and caption by Ron Sellers.
| Head coach Mark Madsen takes a moment to instruct his team during a timeout. Photo and caption by Ron Sellers. | Senior transfer Chris Bell (#22), steps back to launch a three-point shot late in the game. Photo and caption by Ron Sellers. | |
Rytis Petraitis (#31) drives to the basket in the closing minutes.
To view a photo album, visit our Facebook Page or visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net. Photo
and caption by Ron Sellers.
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Cal Bears 76
Harvard Crimson 65
Haas Pavilion, Berkeley, CA
Sunday, November 16, 2025
| Cal Bears guard Lulu Twidale led the team with 17 points as the Bears defeated the Harvard Crimson, 76-65, to win the Raising The B.A.R. Invitational championship on Sunday, November 16th at Haas Pavilion. Photo and caption by Darren Yamashita. | Guard Aliyahna "Puff" Morris was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament, finishing with eight points and five assists in the championship game. Photo and caption by Darren Yamashita. | |
Sophomore Naya Ojukwu sparked a third period Bears run, finishing with 15 points and a game-high nine rebounds.
Photo and caption by Darren Yamashita.
| California Golden Bears guard Mjracle Sheppard (center) dribbles against Harvard Crimson guard Karlee White (12) during the first quarter at Haas Pavilion Photo and caption by Darren Yamashita. | |
California Golden Bears guard Lulu Twidale (back) gestures to a referee after being called for a foul during the second quarter against the Harvard Crimson at Haas Pavilion. To view a photo album, visit our Facebook Page or visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net. Photo and caption
by Darren Yamashita.
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Cal Bears 69
Charlotte 49ers 44
Haas Pavilion, Berkeley, CA
Saturday, November 15, 2025
| Cal Bears freshman Aliyahna "Puff" Morris hit four of her five three-pointers in the second half as the Bears pulled away for a 69-44 victory over the Charlotte 49ers during the first game of the Raising The B.A.R. Invitational at Haas Pavilion on Saturday, November 15th. Photo and caption by Darren Yamashita. | |
Guard Mjracle Sheppard finished with 16 points, six rebounds, and five steals as the Bears improved to 3-1. Photo and caption
by Darren Yamashita.
| California Golden Bears center Sakima Walker (35) and Charlotte 49ers guard Tanajah Hayes battle for the ball during the first quarter at Haas Pavilion Photo and caption by Darren Yamashita. | Head coaches of the participating teams -- (L to R) Charlotte 49ers' Tomekia Reed, Cal Bears' Charlotte Smith, Harvard Crimson's Carrie Moore, and Oakland University Golden Grizzlies' Keisha Newell -- pose for a photo before the Raising The B.A.R. Invitational, a two-day event to highlight the need for diversity in women's college basketball, focusing on black female head coaches. Photo and caption by Darren Yamashita. | |
California Golden Bears mascot Oski greets a fan during the second quarter against the Charlotte 49ers at Haas Pavilion. To view a photo album, visit our Facebook Page or visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net. Photo and caption
by Darren Yamashita.
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Buster Posey, 2014 World Championship Reunion,
August 10, 2024. Photo by Darren Yamashita
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Reddit AMA: Which free-agent pitchers are on Giants' radar?
Maria Guardado
@mi_guardado
On Wednesday, Giants beat reporter Maria Guardado held an Ask Me Anything on Reddit with fans at r/sfgiants. This mailbag features questions and answers from there. The full AMA
can be read here. Questions and responses
have been lightly edited for clarity.
Do you expect the Giants to go all in on Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai or focus on other less costly options instead?
I know Buster Posey and Zack Minasian took a scouting trip to Japan during the regular season, so I'm sure Imai has been on their radar for a while. He's definitely an intriguing target, but it remains to be seen whether the Giants will be shopping at the top of the pitching market this offseason.
Greg Johnson told John Shea of the San Francisco Standard that the Giants would be "very cautious" about signing free-agent pitchers to contracts over $100 million, so unless they're willing to go outside their comfort zone, it could be difficult for the Giants to land a coveted arm like Imai. I think it's probably more likely they go after some pitchers in the next tier, such as Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, Zac Gallen or Michael King.
continued...
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Letter to the Editor -- San Francisco Giants
Dear Editor:
Maria Guardado’s recent article on Tony Vitello as the new Giants manager nailed something essential: he knows he’s stepping into the Majors with blind spots, and he isn’t pretending otherwise. His willingness to admit what he doesn’t yet know — and surround himself with people who can fill those gaps — is a rare and welcome bit of honesty in modern baseball.
As she noted, Vitello’s choices in assembling a staff that blends trusted voices with organizational veterans will likely define how well he adapts to the scale and scrutiny of his new role.
Which brings me to Joe Maddon’s comparison of Vitello to New York’s newly elected mayor, Zohran Mamdani. At first glance it feels like a stretch — politics and baseball don’t share many box scores — but the parallel holds.
Both men represent a generational pivot: younger, bolder leaders entering long-established institutions where the old ways simply weren’t producing results. Both face fan bases and constituencies impatient for direction. And both are taking over systems that need fresh thinking more than they need nostalgia.
Maddon’s point, intentionally or not, is that disruption has become the new currency of leadership. Vitello and Mamdani are being asked to modernize cultures, energize their teams, and deliver clarity where the past offered drift. Whether that results in a pennant race or a revitalized city remains to be seen.
But the Giants — like New York voters — have decided it’s time to hand the keys to someone who intends to drive differently.
Carl Macki
Mill Valley, CA
| | Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz versus the Cincinnati Reds, September 14, 2025. Photo by Darren Yamashita | | |
Ballers,
New and improved Flex Packs for 2026 are here and available now.
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Savings: Lower cost than buying individual tickets. Average savings of 24% off for 24-packs. Pricing subject to change.
Early Access: Early access to redeem for Opening Day and single-game tickets, before they go on sale to the general public.
Game Choice: Flex Packs allow you to redeem your tickets in any configuration you desire. For example, buy a 24-pack and redeem them for one game at a time, or use all of them for one game. Flex Packs are your solution for maximum fan flexibility. Buy a 24-pack and use it in any configuration you want: 1 ticket each to 24 different games, or 2 tickets to 12 games, or 3 tickets to 8 games, or any combo that adds up to 24 tickets.
Giftable: You can gift the whole pack (but not partial packs) -- a great gift for the holidays.
Better Process than Last Year: This year's redemption process is much simpler, with no promo codes, no decisions about what ticket-type to redeem for, etc. It'll feel like shopping for tickets, but you'll see zero-dollar tickets when you're logged in. The key will simply be: make sure you're logged in.
What is a Flex Pack?
A Flex Pack lets the purchaser (or whoever you gift/transfer the Pack to) redeem for tickets to any 2026 regular season home game. It lets you lock in a discounted price by buying in volume, and then have the flexibility to choose which games you want to go to later. You could use them all up on seats to Opening Day, or you could redeem every week for a few seats to each home stand. It's totally up to you. Once you redeem for a specific game, you can transfer those specific game tickets to others via email.
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Thank you,
Ballers
P.S. Some of the restrictions for Flex Packs are different than last season. So be sure to read all the details on the ticketing site at the links above.
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Bid Now!
For the first time ever, we are offering a selection of our auction items online in advance of the 2025 Induction Dinner.
This is your unique opportunity to bid and lock down an early holiday gift!
The online auction will be open from November 14th through midnight on November 20th!
Use this link to view at this great selection
https://ncjshof2025.ggo.bid
Be There!
Sunday, November 23, 2025
There are just a few tickets left!
| | Northern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame | | |
"Join us for Great Food, Great Beer and a Great Time."
We are located one block from the Moscone Convention Center, only a short walk from many of downtown San Francisco's familiar hotels, attractions, and diverse businesses. Open Monday through Thursday 4pm. Friday, Saturday, Sunday 12pm. Come by and raise a glass with us. Sláinte!
www.thechieftain.com
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James Brown -- from the
Autograph Collection
of Robert Moselle
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The Godfather of Soul, James Brown, was a guest on The Steve Allen Show, (a syndicated Filmways, Inc. revival of the original Tonight show), for which my father, Lee Moselle (above), was executive producer.
He had been an entertainment attorney in New York, and clients included Rodgers & Hammerstein, Rod Sterling, Katherine Dunham and major Broadway talent. Filmways was also a client and persuaded him to move to Los Angeles as legal counsel and president.
Filmways would later acquire Sears Point International Raceway, now Sonoma Raceway, and my dad was asked to help revive it and was named president. He got it back on the motorsports map, and it was subsequently sold by Filmways just when Laguna Seca (in Monterey) needed new leadership. Laguna Seca asked him to take the helm, which he did as Executive Director of SCRAMP (Sports Car Racing Association of Monterey Peninsula) for 13 years.
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With a lengthened track and numerous upgrades, he was able to attract NASCAR, international motorcycle events with Kenny Roberts and other MX luminaries, CART (now IndyCar) and other major attractions. He helped SCRAMP raise millions of dollars for local charities and elevate Laguna Seca into the elite facility it is today. To my knowledge, he is the only person to have been chief executive at both Sears Point and Laguna Seca.
James Brown graciously accommodated my father’s request for an autograph, complete with sage advice for my Washington & Lee brothers. When James brought his show to Roanoke, VA, we all made the pilgrimage to watch the hardest working man in show business work his magic -- cape, band and pure dynamite energy.
The Godfather was a Class Act!
Robert Moselle
Monterey, CA
Marketing Director, Sports Today
https://www.cce-mcle.com/aboutus
| | Hardly Trivial by T. Buff | |
Rather Than Going
With My First Trivial Notion...
to create a question regarding bad, illegal behavior,
like gambling and cheating in major sports,
I stumbled on some less than trivial events in
Basketball that led to NBA changes
in court structures.
During this week, in 1979, a strong basketball player, while dunking, destroyed the first of two backboards within a three-week period during regulation games.
Who was that player?
answer below...
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Bob Marley said it: “Give them an inch, they take a mile…"
by Howard Pearlstein
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…and everything is just for a while.
I’ve loved watching the Dubs play since 1956. When I left Philly and came out here, so did they. But that seems to be over now.
I’m delighted that the Warriors are finally giving Jonathon Kuminga a real chance to show the world what he can do. And the Dubs showing the world what THEY can maybe do one more time – a healthy JK playing ample minutes with Hall-of-Fame shoo-in’s Steph Curry and Draymond Green, and Butler and Moody and Podziemski. And who knows, if, as it seems, Quinten Post, Jackson-Davis and Spencer bringing their game up to full-tilt NBA
levels. I’d love to see it.
Unfortunately, probably not, because of the pig-in-the-trough greed and contempt for fans the NBA (and other pro sports) are showing. Short-term profits vs. long term legacies.
Corporate greed gluttony has decided that in order to see them play, we have to pay extra for special channels: NBSBA (Sports Bay Area) and NBSCA (Sports California) as well as NBAHD.
Not just basketball, NFL, MLB, Hockey – all of them. They seem to have forgotten that the only reason their sports became so popular, i.e.; people willing to pay expensive prices for tickets, or, less costly, bought merch for the team they liked. Because people had seen them on TV and liked what they saw.
But that was it. They got TV money, and were happy as pigs rolling around in the stuff in which they rolled around. So why not get more?
They went to Las Vegas for the same fantasy reasons people go to Vegas – to find the end of the rainbow. Teams whose fans were giving up on them, like the Raiders, after Al Davis and his Nepo Baby pillaged Oakland until Hell wouldn’t have it.
Las Vegas has casinos, gamblers and whores. (The latter are the only one of those who actually give people what they’re paying for, so I NEVER use that word to slam people who cheat, like politicians.) And a lot of hardworking people live there, holding up the glittering pot of gold illusion for wages just a bit above minimum.
And who did the Sports Pros decide to emulate? Casinos spend a lot of money on architecture and talent to give you a good show while emptying your pockets. The gamblers are putting their own money on the line. The sex workers rent out their own
physical and sexual identity, and tell us: “We’re not selling anything that isn’t ours. And there isn’t a politician who can honestly make that same statement.”
They decided that manipulation is better than communication and chose to be Carnival Barkers (TV advertising). They sell stuff they don’t make to people who can’t afford it. (Those of us who worked anywhere in that business still bear moral scars from it.)
They don’t make the product. They just tell people how wonderful it is, without such limiting disabilities as principles. They promote in-game on-line gambling, with enough immediate things to bet on to delight even the most degenerate gamblers -- like who shoots (or misses) the next basket.
I would have dearly loved seeing Steph and the team take down Wemby. But I pay for cable and I will not pay for special channels to watch a bunch of teams I don’t care about, other than mine. Even if I could afford it. I actually still have some principles.
I call on an American Hero named Joseph Welch who, in the 1950s stood up to another media bully and said:
“At long last, have you left no sense of decency?”
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* * *
Howard Pearlstein has been a few places and done a few things.
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Newsletter, Image, Likeness Vol. 158: An Open Letter to President Trump on College Athlete Compensation
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by Darren Heitner, Esq.
Founder of Heitnerlegal -- Sports, Entertainment, Trademarks, Copyrights, Business, Litigation, Arbitration
The Weekly Longer NIL Thought
| | |
Dear Mr. President,
I read with great interest your comments to Pat McAfee regarding the need for "very powerful caps" on college athlete salaries. As someone who helped draft one of the first state laws permitting college athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness rights, and who has spent the better part of the last five years navigating the complexities of this evolving landscape, I feel compelled to respond with both legal clarity and a reminder of foundational Republican principles that seem to have been forgotten in this debate.
Unilaterally imposed salary caps on college athletes are almost certainly illegal under federal antitrust law. The comparison you drew to the NFL is instructive, but not in the way you might think.
You mentioned that the NFL has salary caps and suggested colleges should follow suit. But there's a critical distinction that cannot be overlooked. The NFL's salary cap exists because of a collective bargaining agreement negotiated between the NFL Players Association and team owners. This is Labor Law 101. When employers and employees bargain in good faith through their respective representatives, they can agree to terms that might otherwise raise antitrust concerns.
College athletes have no such union. They have no seat at the table. They have no bargaining power. For "very powerful caps" to survive legal scrutiny, there must be true collective bargaining with the athletes (the labor). Without it, any unilaterally imposed cap is a textbook restraint of trade, the precise conduct that antitrust laws were designed to prohibit.
The NCAA has learned this lesson the hard way, losing many significant antitrust cases brought against it in recent years. The Alston decision by the Supreme Court made clear that the NCAA's compensation restrictions face strict judicial scrutiny. Justice Kavanaugh's concurrence was even more pointed, noting, "Price-fixing labor is price-fixing labor. And price-fixing labor is ordinarily a textbook antitrust problem because it extinguishes the free market in which individuals can otherwise obtain fair compensation for their work."
continued...
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WeatherTech Raceway
Laguna Seca
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Porsche Track Experience Debuts in Monterey
| | | | |
Cierra Verdone, hospitality & event operations coordinator at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, received the Monterey County Hospitality Association’s Excellence in Hospitality Rookie of the Year Award at a special recognition luncheon earlier this week.
Cierra, who joined the raceway last December, was recognized as a new employee who has demonstrated exceptional performance in their role within the county’s hospitality industry. Congrats to Cierra and thanks for your hard work!
| | NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) driver Kyle Larson visited his hometown of Elk Grove, CA, to celebrate his second NCS Championship victory. (Photo Credit: Sonoma Raceway/Sophia Siotos) | | |
The day began with Kyle signing autographs and snapping pictures with diehard fans, followed by a parade down Elk Grove Blvd. before making a slight right-hand turn on Railroad St. and ending the parade route at the Old Town Plaza. Kyle was greeted by hundreds of diehard fans, family and friends.
Following the parade, the ceremony promptly began featuring speakers from the California State Assembly, City of Elk Grove City Council, Sacramento County Board of Supervisors, and, of course, Sonoma Raceway. All of which congratulated Kyle on his astounding achievement in front of all his biggest supporters.
Following the parade, the ceremony promptly began featuring speakers from the California State Assembly, City of Elk Grove City Council, Sacramento County Board of Supervisors, and, of course, Sonoma Raceway. All of which congratulated Kyle on his astounding achievement in front of all his biggest supporters.
continued...
| | Hardly Trivial Answer by T. Buff | | |
Darryl Dawkins
Dawkins broke two backboards during his NBA
career, both in the 1979-80 season. His powerful dunks led to the NBA adopting breakaway rims
to prevent further incidents.
This link will take you to a Youtube video showing
the events and interviews with some of the
players of the day...
If you want more stories, this link will take you to a bunch of news items about the event.
Go Celtics
Go Patriots
| |
The Axe has been in Berkeley for each of the past four seasons.
2025 Big Game Week Events
Activities Will Take Place Across The Bay Area Prior To
Saturday’s 128th Big Game
Many traditions and events associated with the Big Game take place during the week leading up to the annual football contest between Bay Area rivals California and Stanford. Below are the highlights of known activities and public events in the Cal community the week leading up to the 128th Big Game at Stanford Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 22. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. The game will be televised by the ACC Network.
continued...
| |
Men’s Basketball Signs Four
in Class of 2026
Stanford men's basketball signs one of the top classes in the country
STANFORD, Calif. – Kyle Smith, the Anne and Tony Joseph Director of Men’s Basketball, has announced the signing of four high school seniors in the class of 2026: Aziz Olajuwon (Houston, Texas), Isaiah Rogers (Corona, Calif.), Elias Obenyah (Ukiah, Calif.) and Julius Price (Santa Maria, Calif.).
One of the top quartets in the country, the class is rated No. 13 nationally from 247Sports and No. 16 in the country from ESPN, the latter of which was announced prior to the addition of Price. All four student-athletes are dynamic players with the ball in their hands, while showcasing tremendous defensive potential.
continued...
| |
Spartans to Play Home Opener Against Bethesda on NBC Sports
Bay Area
SAN JOSE, Calif.- The San José State men’s basketball team (0-3, 0-0 MW) will host Bethesda (0-4, 0-0 Big SSIC) for its home opener at the Provident Credit Union Event Center on Monday at 7 p.m. The game can be watched on NBC Sports Bay Area and the Mountain West Network and can be heard on KTRB 860 AM.
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| | Saint Mary's College Gaels | |
MSOC | Saint Mary’s Ends 2025 Season with Narrow Loss to Portland
MORAGA, Calif. — Saint Mary's Men's Soccer closed out their 2025 campaign on senior day with a hard fought 1-0 loss to the 6th ranked Portland Pilots.
The Gaels were continuously active in the attack throughout the match, outshooting the Pilots 19-7, but ultimately were unable to find the finishing touch. Portland converted the match's lone goal in the 23rd minute, and despite relentless pressure from Saint Mary's, the breakthrough remained just out of reach.
continued...
Photo: Saint Mary's Athletes -- Tod Fiener
| |
Fuchs Dominates,
Dons Take Down Braves
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. -The University of San Francisco (USF) men's basketball team (3-1) continues its winning ways at home on the Hilltop on Saturday night as the Dons took down Bradley (1-3), 75-64, at War Memorial at the Sobrato Center.
USF had two players score in double figures, led by Ryan Beasley, who had 23 points, five assists, and two steals in a game-high 35 minutes. David Fuchs logged his first double-double as a Don, recording 17 points and 12 rebounds off the bench, while Tyrone Riley IV added seven points and seven rebounds.
continued...
Game Recap: Men's Basketball | 11/15/2025 10:00:00 PM
Photo: Christina Leung
| |
Second Half Comeback Falls Short for Women's Basketball Against Arizona State
SANTA CLARA, Calif. – A second half comeback came up just short for Santa Clara women's basketball in an 82-77 defeat to Arizona State on Sunday afternoon. The Broncos (3-2) were down 13 at the half but fought all the way back but the Sun Devils (4-0) were able to get back on top and hold on for the win.
continued...
Game Recap: Women's Basketball | 11/16/2025 3:14:00 PM
| | University of Pacific Tigers | |
Senior Day Celebration Ends in 2-1 Defeat to No. 13 Oregon State
STOCKTON, Calif. – The Pacific men's soccer program celebrated Senior Day on Saturday night, coming up short in a 2-1 decision to No. 13 Oregon State at Knoles Field.
The Tigers (4-13, 1-7 WCC) found a late goal to tie the contest in the 82nd minute, but the Beavers (10-3-2, 6-0-2 WCC) pulled away with the result after a goal in the 84th minute.
continued...
| |
Cross Country Heads Across Causeway For NCAA West Regionals
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – After a strong showing at the Big West Cross Country Championships, UC Davis cross country heads to the NCAA West Regionals for a shot at qualifying for the NCAA National Championships.
HOW TO FOLLOW/SCHEDULE
2025 NCAA West Regionals | Haggin Oaks Golf Course | LIVE RESULTS
Women's 6K – 9 a.m.
Men's 10K – 10 a.m.
Teams can earn qualification for the NCAA National Championships, set to run on Saturday, Nov. 22 in Columbia, Mo., by finishing as one of the top two teams at their respective regional or entering as one of 14 teams selected via an at-large bid for a 32-team field.
continued...
Photo: copyright Todd Tokubo
| | Cal State University East Bay Pioneers | |
Bush Leads Pioneers Past Jessup
HAYWARD, Calif. – Jaayden Bush poured in clutch basket after clutch basket to lead Cal State East Bay past Jessup 78-75 on Saturday night at the Pioneer Conference Challenge. The Pioneers rode a breakout night from Bush, who made two tough jumpers in the final minute to improve to 2–0 on the season.
continued...
| | | | |
Watch any program on CCE's YouTube channel, or, for attorneys, earn MCLE credits online, economically, with "The Best in Topics and Talent."
Center for Continuing Education, Monterey, CA is a State Bar of California MCLE approved Provider, #8450
https://www.cce-mcle.com/
| | |
2025/26 Schedules
San Francisco 49ers
Las Vegas Raiders
| | |
Weekly Bay Area
Sports Calendar
Monday, November 17, through
Sunday, November 23, 2025
| | |
Monday, November 17
Las Vegas Raiders vs. Dallas Cowboys, 5:15 p.m.
Tuesday, November 18
Golden State Warriors @ Orlando Magic, 4 p.m.
San Jose Sharks vs. Utah Mammoth, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, November 19
Golden State Warriors @ Miami Heat, 4:30 p.m.
Sacramento Kings @ Oklahoma City Thunder, 5 p.m.
Thursday, November 20
Sacramento Kings @ Memphis Grizzlies, 5 p.m.
San Jose Sharks vs. Los Angeles Kings, 7 p.m.
Friday, November 21
Golden State Warriors vs. Portland Trail Blazers, 7 p.m.
Saturday, November 22
Sacramento Kings @ Denver Nuggets, 7 p.m.
San Jose Sharks vs. Ottawa Senators, 4 p.m.
Stanford Cardinal vs. Cal Bears, 4:30 p.m.
San Jose State Spartans @ San Diego State Aztecs, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, November 23
Las Vegas Raiders vs. Cleveland Browns, 1:05 p.m.
San Jose Sharks vs. Boston Bruins, 5 p.m.
| | |
Publisher: Christopher Weills
Associate Publisher: Ann Cooke
Marketing Director: Robert Moselle
Sales: Ayiko Konopaski
Contributors: Lydia Chain, Steve Chain, Harvey Cohen, Andy Dolich, Pete Elman, Rob Flammia, Bruce Macgowan, Robert Moselle, Dave Newhouse, Howard Pearlstein, Amaury Pi-Gonzalez, T. Buff, Shelia Young
Software Engineer / Sports Today Editor: Medhavee Upadhyaya
Staff Photographers: Jeff Bayer, Alex Ho, Ed Jay, Ron Sellers, Darren Yamashita, Rich Yee, Kenny Karst (retired)
Advisor: Arif Khatib
Artist: Carl Macki
Website: www.UltimateSportsGuide.net
Contact us at: theultimatesportsguide@gmail.com
| | |
FIELD OF PLAY
For the past 60 years, Michael Zagaris has taken his camera behind the scenes of the NFL, capturing the moments that define America’s game.
To order: https://www.zagarisbook.com/
| | LOL, Loss of Logo: What’s Your Next Move? was written for sports professionals by Andy Dolich and Jack Hirschman and offers valuable takeaways for everyone chasing the fancy logo and corner office. | | The Emerald Mile: The epic and award-winning story of the fastest ride in history through the heart of the Grand Canyon, by Kevin Fedarko. A thrilling true tale during the legendary flood of 1983. | | More than a cookbook, this culinary delight was written to preserve a great chef's traditional family recipes and stories of her childhood for her far-flung grandchildren. Author Leonie Samuel-Hool recounts stories of a vanished society and legends of the gods and goddesses that protect and sometimes make mischief in Indonesian homes, fields and foods. The recipes are explicitly presented. | | The absolute greatest Yankees were the 1949-1953 pinstripers, winners of an unprecedented five consecutive World Series. "The Yankee Way," Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa writes in the book's foreword, is "full of Yankee winning keys, star-studded competition, and insights about one of baseball's historically fascinating periods." By Charlie Silvera with Dave Newhouse (Author). | | To Order: $10 hardcover, $7 paperback, plus $4.95 shipping. Send check/M.O. to Christopher Weills, P.O. Box 4515, Berkeley, CA 94704 | | | |
The Ultimate Sports Guide is very appreciative to the ongoing contributions made by former staff photographer Kenny Karst and Robert Moselle. Mr. Karst, now retired, continues to contribute helpful ideas and his archives.
Mr. Moselle, Esq., is now lending his extensive editorial experience and marketing savvy to the publication.
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