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November 24 -- November 30, 2025
Issue No. 617
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College Football
Playoffs (CFP):
Early Bird Selections
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After a busy weekend, several of my Final Four CFP teams likely played their way out of Playoff contention. Sadly, USC could not stop Oregon, with more credit to the Ducks than any failure by USC as Oregon looked incredibly versatile. Georgia Tech, after a 42-28 loss to Pitt, is likely out, but the ACC is a mathematical quagmire, plus Georgia Tech could upset Georgia and stay in the mix. Miami SHOULD be ACC-selected, based on merit and their 34-17 win over Virginia Tech, but complicated ACC metrics and Committee favortism could preclude that.
Ohio State clobbered Rutgers, 42-9, and is still my favorite to be in the finals and face Georgia, which had a cake-walk win over Charlotte,
35-3. My initial 'Bonus Pick' of BYU still has a shot as a Big 12 entry after a 26-14 win over a tough Cincinnati team. So, who fills the vacuum created by the Georgia Tech and USC losses? James Madison, ("The Dukes,"), the favorite now to win the Group of Five conference playoff spot, Miami, and my initial Bonus Big-12 selection, BYU.
After my streak of last season's successful predictions here in Sports Today, (Florida, to win the Final Four and Ohio State the CFP), my CFP picks are: Georgia vs. Ohio State to meet in the Final, with Oregon a likely successor should Georgia and OSU face each other early due to a bracket conflict: (Currently #1 OSU would, indeed, face #4, Georgia, so the Oregon backup selection makes common sense), James Madison, the favorite now to win the Group of Five conference playoff spot, Miami, and my initial Big-12 selection, BYU. Should the Committee eliminate Miami, substitute Tulane, (the Green Wave), which had a tough non-conference schedule.
RECAP: The Official Sports Today CFP Selections: Ohio State, Georgia, James Madison, Miami and BYU. (Caveat: Backup picks: Georgia Tech/Oregon/Tulane, based on potential brackets-conflicts or Committee surprises). Stay tuned!
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Summary of the Aiyuk–49ers Breakup
Brandon Aiyuk’s once-massive, four-year $120 million extension with the San Francisco 49ers has officially gone off the rails. Fifteen months after settling a rocky contract fight, the two sides are now barreling toward a breakup.
What Happened
- Aiyuk suffered a devastating knee injury in October 2024 (ACL, MCL, meniscus).
- The team expected him back late this season, but he’s remained on the PUP list. (Unable to Perform)
- He’s rarely at the facility and hasn’t attended meetings or team activities, which has irritated the organization.
49ers’ Response
- The team voided all of Aiyuk’s guaranteed money for 2026, saying his absences violated contract terms.
- Instead of challenging it through the NFLPA, Aiyuk chose not to fight — clearing the path for his release after the season.
- That move allows the 49ers to reclaim nearly $27 million in future obligations.
Relationship Fallout
Things were already tense:
- After the Super Bowl LVIII loss, Aiyuk refused to play under his $14.1 million fifth-year option and staged a “hold-in” at camp.
- He wavered on contract demands and potential trade destinations.
- The 49ers explored deals with the Browns and Patriots, but Aiyuk only showed interest in the Steelers, who offered two
- mid-round picks.
- The 49ers nearly traded him in August 2024 — until Aiyuk suddenly agreed to their extension at the last moment.
Where Things Stand
- Aiyuk is 27, recovering from major knee reconstruction, barely communicating with the team, and unlikely to play again for San Francisco.
- Some in the building still hope he returns this year, but most sources say it’s essentially over.
Carl Macki
Mill Valley, CA
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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
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Contents
Games
Cal Bears (MBkB) 67, Presbyterian College Blue Hose, 57
Cal Bears 10, Stanford Cardinal 31
Stanford Cardinal (WBkB) 98, Lehigh Mountain Hawks 43
Features & Commentary
Coach Beam Elevated Young Lives, by Dave Newhouse
Hardly Trivial, by T. Buff
Newsletter, Image, Likeness, by Darren Heitner, Esq.
Northern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, by Jeff Bayer
TV or Not TV --That Is Not a Question, by Howard Pearlstein
What's In A Name? NFL Style, by Andy Dolich
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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WHAT’S IN A NAME?
NFL STYLE
by Andy Dolich
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While I was watching Brock Purdy toe the line in the 49ers 41-22
defeathering of the Arizona Cardinals 41-22 last Sunday, I started to think about players whose last names define the game they play. After a quick trip through the rosters, here is what I came up with.
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Josh SWEAT -- Cardinals
Montez SWEAT -- Bears
Mecole HARDMAN -- Bills
Dorian STRONG -- Bills
Zeek BIGGERS -- Miami
Justin FIELDS -- Jets
Marcelino BALL -- Jets
Terence STEEL -- Cowboys
Bryan ANGER -- Cowboys
Jason DART -- Giants
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Jalen HURTS -- Eagles
Robbie CHOSEN - Commanders
Drue TRANQUILL -- Chiefs
Kenny PICKETT -- Raiders
Drew LOCK -- Seahawks
Isaiah LIKELY -- Ravens
Jordan STOUT -- Ravens
D'Andre SWIFT -- Bears
Josh DOWNS -- Colts
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I did not look at first names or players on the practice squads.
Who have I left out?
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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. Mr. Dolich is also a Fearless Longtime
Catch and Release Fishergentleman.
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Cal Bears 10
Stanford Cardinal 31
Stanford Stadium, Stanford, CA
Saturday, November 22, 2025
| Striding into the fray at midfield in the postgame celebration, The Axe is escorted by Stanford's Sam Roush (#86), Zach Buckey (#98), Simione Pale (#55), and Zach Rowell (#97). The Stanford Cardinal celebrated a 31-10 win over Cal at the 128th Big Game at Stanford Stadium on Saturday evening, November 22, 2025. Photo and caption by Ron Sellers. | |
Cal freshman quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele (#3) takes a vicious hit as he scrambles seven yards for the only Golden Bear touchdown late in the second quarter. Photo and caption
by Ron Sellers.
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Facing a rush from Cal's defensive tackle Derek Wilkins (#96), Stanford freshman quarterback Elijah Brown (#2) delivers a pass. Brown completed 10 of 20 passes for 123 yards.
Photo and caption by Ron Sellers.
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Picking up the pieces, Stanford safety Darrius Davis (#29) scooped up a fumbled ball to score the second defensive touchdown for the Cardinal in the second quarter. Photo and caption
by Ron Sellers.
| Always in the middle of the chaos, Stanford middle linebacker Matt Rose (#35) would lead all players with 14 tackles and is shown lifting the ball after securing possession after the third Cal fumble. Photo and caption by Ron Sellers. | Being tossed down like a ragdoll, Cal quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele (#3) is dropped by Stanford's Ernest Cooper (#44) for another sack. Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele completed 33 of 49 passes for 269 yards. Photo and caption by Ron Sellers. | |
Rushing across the goal line, Stanford sophomore Micah Ford (#20) scores a four-yard touchdown in the opening seconds of the fourth quarter. To view a photo album, visit our Facebook Page or visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net. Photo and
caption by Ron Sellers.
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John Beam, who built a legacy of championship football at
Skyline High School and Laney College in Oakland, was shot and killed at 66 this month. Photo by Darren Yamashita
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Coach Beam
Elevated
Young Lives
by Dave Newhouse
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Oakland so needed John Beam, and now he is gone, tragically, senselessly. A monumental loss that can’t be replaced or explained.
Beam benefitted the lives of countless youngsters, and now his own life has been cut down through yet another act of gun violence, Oakland’s unfortunate, unending image.
Such a devastating reward for all the good Beam achieved as a builder of men. Such sadness for his grieving wife, two daughters and grandchildren, and for the thousands of football players who regarded him as a father figure.
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Beam believed that “Kids want structure whether they’re
from suburbia, the ghetto, or in between. They need it, and we have to give it to them.” Photo by Darren Yamashita
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John Beam, the ultra-successful coach at both Oakland-based Skyline High School and Laney College, dead at 66. A cruel act that hit me as hard as the 1973 assassination of Dr. Marcus Foster, Oakland’s peerless school superintendent. Giving humans with evil endings.
Beam was better known to his players than to the public, because junior college sports receive little coverage in big city newspapers. And, so, Laney’s winning a national championship in 2018 made some sports sections, but not all, locally.
But when Andy Dolich and I decided to write our 2023 Goodbye, Oakland book, I pushed for Beam as a deserving chapter, which I titled Harbinger of Hope. Here are some of Beam’s comments in the book that showed the depth of this irreplaceable educator.
“In suburbia,” Beam compared, “there is much more parental involvement, whether it’s good or bad. In Oakland, parental involvement isn’t always the case, but that’s good in one sense, because I have more of an involvement in shaping a kid, and in giving values to those I work with.”
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“There could be burnout,” Beam assessed his own coaching style, “but I get so much energy and purpose back from the kids.
I’m not a savior.” Photo by Darren Yamashita
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What specific values?
“Coaching is a total commitment, but it is your family, right?,” he replied. “That’s OK. You want to become part of the fabric of their lives, and they become a fabric of your life.”
Though his players elevated him as a paternal figure, that wasn’t his intent.
“I’m not trying to replace anyone’s dad. I talk to my players about people who are in gangs. What does anybody want, to be involved as a family, right? That’s what a gang is, so why not make that gang your baseball team or football team? Kids anywhere, not just in Oakland, want to belong to something that has meaning. I give my kids that (meaningful) role on the team, and they love it.
“Kids want structure, whether they’re from suburbia, the ghetto, or in between. They need it, and we have to give it to them. With structure, there is no confusion in their lives. They know what is good for them, and for the team.”
Beam coached kids who were gang members, prisoners, dropouts and fathers, mainly searchers of a better future, a team that was mostly African American.
“I would be at a coaching clinic, and I’d get questions like, ‘What is it like to coach an all-black team?’ I would tell those coaches, ‘Kids don’t see color. They want to know if you’ll answer the phone at three in the morning. That’s all that matters to them.’
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“We’re always looking at our differences as people.” Beam philosophized, “But if we looked at all the things we have in common, we’d be a much better society.”
Photo by Darren Yamashita
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“I’m not a savior,’ he continued, ‘but to see a face light up when they get a scholarship, or get their degree, or when they get their first job, or when they get married, or when they have their first son or daughter — to be a part of their accomplishments, I get super energy from that.' ”
Alleviating society’s ills brought him added joy.
“We’re always looking at our differences as people. But if we looked at all the things we have in common, we’d be a much better society. We focus too much on the positives, and not on the negatives.
“Oakland’s story is my story. I grew up with two parents, neither having graduated from high school, but who provided me with great support throughout my time growing up. But I had to have a tough skin, like Oakland.”
So how would John Beam summarize the complexity of coaching in Oakland?
“Think about the most beautiful quilt you’ve ever seen, and look at all the individual pieces,” he replied. “They don’t look so beautiful by themselves, but when you put them together, the tapestry they make is vibrant. That’s Oakland, which has as much diversity as any place in the world. Put all that diversity together, and you have a beautiful quilt.”
But now a master quilt maker has departed, and it is a sad, sad time in saying goodbye.
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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 67
Presbyterian College Blue Hose 57
Haas Pavilion, Berkeley, CA
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
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With a highly contested first half and seven ties, Cal took an early lead in the second half and retained it for the win. Above,
putting up a three-point shot early in the first half, Cal's Chris Bell (#22) would finish with 14 points. The California Golden Bears played host to the Presbyterian College Blue Hose in a preseason non-conference game at Haas Pavilion on Tuesday, November 18 in Berkeley, CA. Photo and caption by Ron Sellers.
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Driving the lane, Cal's Dai Dai Ames (#7) puts up a contested shot. Ames would finish with seven points. Photo and caption
by Ron Sellers.
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The game's scoring leader, Cal's John Camden (#2) launches a three-point attempt and would finish with 20 points.
Photo and caption by Ron Sellers.
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Cal's Lee Dort (#34) puts up a short shot on his way to scoring a season-high 15 points. To view a photo album, visit our Facebook Page or visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net. Photo
and caption by Ron Sellers.
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Stanford Cardinal 98
Lehigh Mountain Hawks 43
Maples Pavilion, Stanford, CA
Sunday, November 23, 2025
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The Lehigh Mountain Hawks had no answer for Stanford Cardinal forward Nunu Agara as she went a perfect 10-for-10 from the field, finishing with 24 points in a 98-43 victory on Sunday, November 23rd at Maples Pavilion. Photo and caption
by Darren Yamashita.
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Freshman guard Hailee Swain scored 12 points and registered three steals as the Cardinal remain unbeaten on the season
(7-0). Photo and caption by Darren Yamashita.
| Guard Talana Lepolo knocks away a pass intended for Mountain Hawks guard Jessie Ozzauto as the Cardinal racked up ten steals and forced 17 turnovers. Photo and caption by Darren Yamashita. | |
Stanford Cardinal guard Carly Amborn (11) reacts after making a three-point basket against the Lehigh Mountain Hawks during the fourth quarter at Maples Pavilion Photo and caption
by Darren Yamashita.
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The Stanford Cardinal bench reacts after a three-point basket by guard Carly Amborn (not shown) during the fourth quarter against the Lehigh Mountain Hawks at Maples 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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Northern California Jewish
Sports Hall of Fame
The Olympic Club, San Francisco, CA
Sunday, November 23, 2025
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Scholarship winners gather on the deck overlooking the 18th green at the historic Olympic Club. Photo: John Marconi
http://www.ncjshof.com
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The Northern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame held its 18th Annual Induction Dinner on November 23, 2025, at the historic Olympic Club Lakeside Clubhouse. A sold-out audience enjoyed an outstanding silent auction featuring exclusive memorabilia, event
tickets, travel packages, and a variety of other exceptional items.
The evening included the induction of Olympian Gold Medalist Amit Elor, iconic San Franciscan Quentin Kopp, Bay Area broadcasting legend Roxy Bernstein, and former 49er Dennis Brown and his wife Erica Arteseros were honored
as Mr. & Mrs. Mensch.
The stars of the evening were the nine scholarship award winners who took the stage in front of proud family and friends.
Several of the students prerecorded short videos thanking
their families, schools and the NCJSHOF for their
support and scholarships.
Board President Steve Sockolov commented, “Our 18th Annual Induction Dinner highlighted a fantastic panel of new enshrines, but most importantly we were able to award nine new scholarship winners.” Steve added, “We were thrilled to have this fantastic
evening and can’t wait to start working on next year!”
Bay Area Radio Hall of Famer Celeste Perry was Mistress of Ceremonies. Local sports legend and 2014 NCJSHOF Inductee Andy Dolich (as well as a frequent contributor to The Ultimate Sports Guide) moderated the panels of inductees.
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Adam Swig got the crowd excited to bid on the silent auction.
Photo: John Marconi. http://www.ncjshof.com
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NCJSHOF Board President Steve Sockolov greeted the
sold-out audience with opening remarks.
Photo: John Marconi. http://www.ncjshof.com
| Dennis Brown, Board Member Pete Sills and Keena Turner pose during the silent auction. Photo: John Marconi. http://www.ncjshof.com | |
Quentin Kopp is joined onstage by MC Celeste Perry, Moderator Any Dolich, Quentin Kopp, and Kevin Pursglove.
Photo: John Marconi. http://www.ncjshof.com
| Local broadcasting legend Roxy Bernstein was presented by former Cal Basketball Coach and NCJSHOF Hall of Famer Ben Braun. Photo: John Maroni. http://www.ncjshof.com | |
Mr. & Mrs. Mensch Award. L-R Andy Dolich, Dennis Brown,
Erica Asteseros, Jill Littlefield and Jeff Bayer.
Photo: John Marconi. http://www.ncjshof.com
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The Golden Ticket Raffle was won by a big sports fan!
Photo: John Marconi. http://www.ncjshof.com
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Scholarship winners pose after receiving their awards.
Photo: John Marconi. http://www.ncjshof.com
All text and captions provided by Jeff Bayer.
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San Francisco Giants outfielders Heliot Ramos (left)
and Jung Hoo Lee
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Can Ramos, Lee take step
forward in the field?
Maria Guardado
@mi_guardado
:232:08
This story was excerpted from Maria Guardado’s Giants Beat
newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe
to get it regularly in your inbox.
The Giants’ biggest offseason focus will be restocking their pitching depth, but there are several other areas of the roster that could use upgrades, as well.
Another deficiency the Giants will have to address is their outfield defense, which ranked last in the Majors with -18 Outs Above Average in 2025.
Heliot Ramos’ struggles in left field (-9 OAA) were particularly pronounced, but the Giants also got subpar defense out of Jung Hoo Lee (-5 OAA) in center field, raising questions about whether the former KBO star will be able to stick in the middle of the diamond or be forced to shift to a corner spot in the future.
“There's no question we have to be better in the outfield as a group,” president of baseball operations Buster Posey told reporters at the GM Meetings in Las Vegas last week. “It's something that we'll have to evaluate. We’re trying to get a coaching staff in place to have some of those talks with [Lee] about what he thinks are some adjustments he can make to improve.”
continued...
| | The Athletics selected the contract of center fielder Junior Perez from the Las Vegas Aviators on October 15, 2025 | |
A's DFA Bleday, add trio of prospects to 40-man roster
Martín Gallegos
@MartinJGallegos
The Athletics protected a trio of prospects from the upcoming Rule 5 Draft by selecting the contracts of outfielder Junior Perez and right-handers Braden Nett and Chen Zhong-Ao Zhuang (A's No. 29 prospect) on Tuesday. All three were added to the A's 40-man roster, which is now completely full at 40 players.
Nett, rated the A’s No. 4 prospect by MLB Pipeline, was acquired from the Padres as part of the blockbuster deal that sent Mason Miller and JP Sears to San Diego at the 2025 Trade Deadline. He joined Double-A Midland in August and made seven starts for the RockHounds, posting a 4.60 ERA in 31 1/3 innings. Between Midland and Double-A San Antonio, the 23-year-old combined for a 3.75 ERA in 24 starts, with 116 strikeouts and 48 walks over 105 2/3 innings pitched.
Nett is fully on the Major League radar for the A’s, perhaps as early as 2026. He brings a fastball that can hit the upper 90s and a slider that has shown the ability to produce a good amount of swing-and-miss. Those are the standout offerings in a five-pitch mix that also includes a cutter, curveball and changeup that he incorporates mostly against lefties.
continued...
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Ballers Fam,
As we reach the final months of 2025 and the holiday season, we want to express how incredibly thankful we are to have you in our lives. Since the launch of the team, you’ve given us a real sense of community belonging and it manifests itself in a magical way at Raimondi Park when we come together.
From the perfectly timed Goose flyover on Opening Day, to the historic 73-win season, to the three straight wins with everything on the line in the PBL Championship, to the Championship Rally, Parade and Party at Prescott Market, we’ve shared a lot of unforgettable moments together this year.
All of that is a long way of saying that we are thankful for you, Ballers fam. Thank you for supporting us. Thank you for buying tickets and showing up. Thank you for joining us on this journey. We promise we will do everything in our power to keep delivering a championship-caliber organization to you and we’re just getting started.
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Along those lines, identifying and signing top local talent is one key component to winning.
We want to introduce you to 3 recently signed Oakland Ballers, all from the Bay Area. Grant Manning a RHP with some serious heat from Dublin, Jeter Ybarra is a big first baseman and outfielder from San Jose, and former Ogden Raptor Damian Stone is an outfielder that hit .382 last season and hails from Fremont.
We’ve also re-signed local 2025 favorites Esai Santos (Berkeley) and Gabe Tanner (Danville).
If you’re looking to learn more about our players and 2026 roster, Assistant GM Tyler Petersen and VP of Communications and Fan Entertainment Casey Pratt are doing a weekly livestream on YouTube and X where they break it all down and answer live fan questions.
| | Earthquakes Announce 2026 Major League Soccer Schedule | | |
The global game comes to the Bay Area starting Feb. 21 with home opener at PayPal Park; Schedule full of big games and rivalry clashes with annual extravaganzas against LA Galaxy at
Stanford and LAFC at Levi’s Stadium
SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose Earthquakes unveiled today their schedule for the upcoming 2026 Major League Soccer season, which includes home games against interstate rivals LA Galaxy, LAFC and San Diego FC, as well as a Sunday Night Soccer date with Seattle Sounders FC and global superstar Thomas Müller’s first trip to PayPal Park with Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
The only way to guarantee a seat to all 2026 Earthquakes home games is by purchasing season tickets. Regarding single-game tickets for matches at PayPal Park and Stanford Stadium, Season Ticket Holders will enjoy a priority presale starting Friday, Nov. 21, at 10 a.m. PT. Tickets will be made available to the general public on Tuesday, Nov. 25, at 10 a.m. PT. Single-game tickets for the home match against LAFC will be made available at a later time.
The Earthquakes aim to build on last season’s 20-point improvement in the table under first-year Head Coach and Sporting Director Bruce Arena that resulted in narrowly missing the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs by a tiebreaker. Additionally, with the FIFA World Cup™ 26 still seven months away, the global game starts here with the Quakes in February, as several players will be passing through San Jose with their MLS clubs on their way to suiting up for their respective national teams in June.
continued...
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Meet the New Coach Leading Us Into 2026
We’ve got a new leader on the sideline. Ryan Martin is stepping in as Oakland Roots’ Head Coach ahead of the 2026 season. He’s bringing serious USL experience and a playing style that’s bold, hardworking, and all about repping The Town the right way.
The mission is clear. Build a squad that brings energy, passion, and pride to every match. And with a new chapter starting, now is the time to lock in your seat for the full journey.
Season tickets are the best way to catch all the action at the Coliseum. Every goal. Every chant. Every big moment.
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"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
| | Hardly Trivial by T. Buff | |
Everybody knows...
the highest-scoring regular-season game in NBA history is the triple-overtime game between the Detroit Pistons and the Denver Nuggets on December 13, 1983.
The two teams combined to score 370 points, with
the Pistons defeating the Nuggets, 186 -184.
https://tinyurl.com/5drp5cx3
What is the lowest scoring regular season
game in NBA history?
Hint: The 1950/51 season is when it happened.
answer below...
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TV or Not TV --
That Is Not A Question
by Howard Pearlstein
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When we’re watching sports on TV, it’s important to understand we’re not watching football, basketball, baseball… What we’re watching is TV. And that isn’t necessarily either good or bad or both, just different.
Some years ago a very intelligent and perceptive man from Canada named Marshall McLuhan wrote a book that defined the difference between TV and reality. Distilled down to a few words, the difference was this: “The medium is the message.” We see a reality made through a lens someone else directs.
Anyone who’s actually been to a football game, knows the difference.
The game we watch when we’re freezing our asses off in the stands while some leather lungs guy splashes his beer on us is not the same game we’re watching on a big screen tv in a warm sports bar when we’re getting beer splashed on us by our friends. And still different when watching the game from a couch or a comfy chair at home and spilling it on ourselves.
It's not that one game is better than the other, just different, except for our preferences or the beer. It we want to see something again -- a fumble, or a sack at the game, maybe they’ll show it on the big screen. The TV broadcast will almost always show it. But if we record a game to watch it at a more convenient
time (and/or speed through commericals), getting a second look at anything is always an option. (Was that my ex-wife I saw in the stands?)
The people who create the show -- those operating the cameras, the electronic keyboards decide what you see, how much you get to see. They love the game and the art of it. Their choices might not be yours, but they will usually be good ones, the ones that feature the plays we will remember for a long time, like Talanoa
Hufanga blocking a punt, catching it and running it in for a Kick Six.
The other side of the game is TV Advertising, which is all about money. They love one thing: the bottom line. Those of us who ever worked in that game still bear moral scars. That’s why I often repeat William Blake’s quote (inscribed on his
etching of the Laocoon): “Where there is a view to money, art cannot exist but war only.”
The tactical functioning of commercial TV was well defined in the 1950s by William Burroughs, writing about a different addiction, that of heroin, aka “junk.”
"The junk merchant does not sell his product to the consumer, he sells the consumer to his product. He does not improve and simplify his merchandise. He degrades and simplifies the client."
When we see commercials, we think of them as attempts for some company to sell us a product. Maybe. But their true underlying function is as a revenue source for the station or network. What they are selling is us, they’re selling you and me to the advertiser. Advertising rates are set according to how many sets of eyes are
seeing their sales pitch.
Online, where income is directly related to how many clicks are made, almost all information, whether ads or articles, tease: “Guess which 49er is going to….”
You’ve got to click and scroll down to find out. In other words, we pay them with the money they’ll charge for the next PR release they offer as news.
Electronic human trafficking.
Interesting the things you think about when lying on a bed in a hospital or in rehab.
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* * *
Howard Pearlstein has been a few places and done a few things.
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Newsletter, Image, Likeness Vol. 159: The College Sports Commission's Participation Agreement Is a Power Grab Dressed Up as Progress
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by Darren Heitner, Esq.
Founder of Heitnerlegal -- Sports, Entertainment, Trademarks, Copyrights, Business, Litigation, Arbitration
The Weekly Longer NIL Thought
| | |
This week, power conference schools received an 11-page document that should send alarm bells ringing in every athletic department and university legal office across the country. The College Sports Commission's University Participant Agreement isn't just another step toward implementing the House Settlement. It's a constitutional rights waiver masquerading as an administrative necessity. And schools are being coerced into signing it under threat of athletic exile.
The CSC is demanding that all power conference schools sign this agreement within the next two weeks, and it will only go into effect if every single school capitulates. This isn't governance. It's extortion with a deadline.
The core provision should trouble anyone who believes in due process and checks on institutional power. Schools that sign will permanently waive their right to challenge any CSC rulings in a courtroom. Period. Full stop. Any appeals of CSC punishment would instead funnel through an arbitration process that was conveniently agreed upon as part of the House Settlement. It's an arbitration process that, notably, the CSC itself will have significant influence over. But the agreement goes even further into dystopian territory: Schools must also promise they won't encourage or assist any other parties, such as state attorneys general, state legislators, or anyone else, from filing lawsuits against the CSC. If a school violates this gag order, it faces at least one year without conference revenue distribution and at least one year of postseason bans in any sport involved in the dispute.
Think about the implications. A school could face financial ruin and competitive annihilation simply because its state attorney general decides to investigate whether the CSC is operating as an illegal cartel. The school doesn't even have to file the lawsuit. Merely "encouraging" a third party to pursue legal action is enough to trigger catastrophic penalties.
This is how you build an accountability-free enforcement regime.
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WeatherTech Raceway
Laguna Seca
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Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion Wins Motorsports Event of the Year Award
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The International Historic Motoring Awards (IHMA) are the most prestigious global awards in the collector car world, celebrating the achievements of people and organizations worldwide.
Now in its 15th year, the IHMAs and its esteemed panel of judges selected the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion as the winner of its Motorsports Event of the Year award at a special ceremony at the Peninsula London hotel on Nov. 14.
Held for its 51th running in August at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion celebrated the 75th anniversary of Formula 1 with 50 rarely seen historic and modern Formula 1 racecars. An unprecedented 24 International Race of Champions (IROC) cars also rumbled their way across the track. Multiple classes featured 400 historic racing machines, making for an absolutely epic day of racing and entertainment.
“Each year our team invests endless time and energy to make the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion even better than years past, and this year’s event truly set a new bar for excellence,” said WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca President and General Manager Mel Harder. “We are honored to be recognized on a global stage and would like to thank the fans, drivers, car owners and sponsors who help make this event possible.”
| | From left: Mel Harder, President and General Manager, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, April Henderson, Vice President of Events, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Andy Prill, Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion Advisory Council | | 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.
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| | Hardly Trivial Answer by T. Buff | | |
19-18
The Lakers and Pistons played a lowest scoring
game of 19-18 on November 22, 1950.
https://tinyurl.com/mur5dxpu
will take you to the ESPN 'Classic' recap.
Just so you will know the answer to my next
question about NBA lowest scoring games,
https://tinyurl.com/5r7nx5bh
will take you to a list of the 50 lowest
scoring games in NBA history.
(And I thought baseball kept
a lot of stats... )
Go Celtics
Go Patriots
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Berta Passola Folch reached the final in her first appearance in the
NCAA Singles Championship.
Passola Folch Falls In NCAA
Singles Final
ORLANDO, Fla. – Berta Passola Folch's postseason run came to an end Sunday at the USTA National Campus, where the California women's tennis senior fell to North Carolina's Reese Brantmeier in the final of the NCAA Singles Championship.
After dropping just one set in five tournament wins leading up to the championship match, the 113th-ranked Cal senior lost 6-3, 6-3 to the third-ranked and Nos. 9-16-seeded Tar Heel.
This has been Passola Folch's best season as a Golden Bear, with the Spaniard earning All-America honors upon reaching the round of 16 and finishing the first half of the season as the NCAA runner-up in the first individual postseason tournament of her career. She boasts a 16-4 singles record.
"Her game is a little more organized and she's more self-assured through a gradual buildup of confidence and playing and practicing to her strengths," Cal interim head coach Kris Kwinta said. "She has a lot of weapons, though it's really about her forehand. She's learned to trust a little bit more, concentrate on hitting the forehand and be more aggressive."
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Strong Start to 2025-26 Slate
Cardinal takes down No. 2 Princeton in 2-1
opening weekend
PHILADELPHIA – The fourth-ranked Cardinal finished a strong opening weekend of the 2025-26 season today, topping No. 2 Princeton at the end of a 2-1 overall weekend.
Stanford opened up the young season with a dominant 8-1 win at No. 9 Drexel on Friday. Freshmen Zhi-Xuan Goh and Avery Park picked up wins in their first collegiate competition, with Goh taking a straight-set win on court two and Park winning a five-set battle on court eight.
The Cardinal dropped the Saturday bout with No. 3 Penn, falling 8-1. Tiana Parasrampuria picked up a four-set win on court eight, and Avery Park won in five on court 10. Eight of the 10 matchups went the distance in the closely contested matchup.
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Spartans Fall on the Road to
San Diego State
SAN DIEGO - Danny Scudero recorded a career-high 12 receptions for 79 yards to lead the San José State football team (3-8, 2-5 MW) in a 25-3 loss to San Diego State (9-2, 6-1 MW) Saturday night from Snapdragon Stadium.
Tama Amisone, filling in for Walker Eget, who left the game early, led the Spartans offensively, completing 15-of-27 passes for 104 yards while rushing for a team-high 75 yards on 13 carries. Steve Chavez-Soto added 51 yards on the ground and two receptions. San José State’s lone points came on a 37-yard field goal by Mathias Brown midway through the second quarter, cutting the deficit to 11–3 at the time. The Spartans went 1-for-3 on field goals in the game.
Defensively, Jordan Pollard anchored the Spartan unit with 12 total tackles (six solo), while Gafa Faga notched the team’s only sack, resulting in a 12-yard loss in the fourth quarter. Noah McNeal-Franklin added six tackles, including one for loss.
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| | Saint Mary's College Gaels | |
MBB | Gaels Cruise to 54 Point Victory in Final Game of Six Game Opening Homestand
MORAGA, Calif. — For the second straight season, the Saint Mary's Gaels (6-0) are unbeaten heading into their Thanksgiving M.T.E (multi-team event), as they downed the UC Merced Bobcats 96-42. The 54 point margin of victory was the seventh largest margin of victory in program history, as the Gaels continued to score with extreme efficiency, shooting at least 50% from the field for the fourth time in six contests.
The Bobcats came out of the gates hot, taking leads at 2-0, 4-2, and 7-6. Following UC Merced taking what would be their final lead of the half, the Gaels would go on a 19-2 run to push ahead 25-9, with 11 of those 19 points being scored by Joshua Dent. The Gaels lead would balloon up to 18 points at 36-18 following a Paulius Murauskas triple, but the Bobcats recaptured some momentum heading into the break, with an 8-4 run to cut the deficit back to 14 at the halftime buzzer. Joshua Dent led the offense for the Gaels with 11 points, burying three threes, a new career-high. Harry Wessels and Paulius Murauskas each chipped in eight, with Wessels leading the team with six boards. Mikey Lewis was held relatively in check, with just six points at the break, but led the Gaels with four first half assists. 11 of the Gaels 13 made buckets came off of assists, in another demonstration of unselfish basketball.
continued...
Photo: Saint Mary's Athletes -- Tod Fierner
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Dons Outlast Golden Gophers for Fourth Straight Win
SIOUX FALLS, SD - The University of San Francisco (USF) men's basketball team (5-1) delivered when it mattered most on Saturday night as the Dons outlasted Minnesota (4-2), 77-65, at Sanford Pentagon.
The Dons had five players score in double figures, led by Ryan Beasley, who had 24 points, four assists, and two rebounds. Tyrone Riley IV added 14 points, six rebounds, and two steals while Mookie Cook finished with 14 points and four assists off the bench.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
- After jumping out to a 12-9 advantage, San Francisco went on a 5-0 run with 13:57 left in the first half to increase its lead to 17-9. Minnesota chipped away at some of that lead, but still the Dons entered halftime with a 34-27 advantage. USF relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down five shots to account for 15 of its 34 points.
- Following the halftime break, San Francisco kept widening that lead, expanding it to 68-60 before going on a 5-0 run, finished off by Cook's three, to grow the lead to 73-60 with 49 seconds to go in the contest. The Golden Gophers tied it up at 52-all with 9:08 remaining, but the Dons would outscore Minnesota 25-13 down the stretch to secure the victory on Saturday night.
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Photo: USF Athletics
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Women's Basketball Pulls Away in Fourth to Beat Fresno State
SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Santa Clara women's basketball pulled away late for an 81-63 win over Fresno State Sunday afternoon from Leavey Center. The Broncos (5-2) had a double-digit lead at the half before the Bulldogs (3-3) made it close in the third, but Santa Clara rebuilt its lead in the fourth to pick up the victory.
-
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Santa Clara started the game with back-to-back triples and scored the first 10 points of the day to build the early lead, but Ashlyn Rean stepped up and scored all eight in an 8-1 run for Fresno State to make it a three-point game. After some back and forth, the Broncos held an 18-15 lead after the first.
- The second started with Santa Clara stretching its lead out to eight with back-to-back bucket. A 3-pointer for the Bulldogs made it a six-point game with 4:15 left in the period before the Broncos scored the final eight of half to take a 40-26 lead into the break.
-
Fresno State turned it on in the third and used an 8-0 run early on to get within 42-36. The Bulldogs would score five in a row later in the period to get within 47-45 but Ashley Hawkins followed with five in a row and then scored the final three of the third to give her team the 55-48 lead heading to the fourth.
- Fresno State hung around to start the fourth, cutting the deficit to two three different times but couldn't pull even and Santa Clara finally started to put some distance between the teams with a 14-1 run that made it a 73-58 game with 1:58 to go. The Broncos would finish the game on an 8-2 run to put all doubt away..
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| | University of Pacific Tigers | |
Cold Fourth Quarter Sinks Pacific Against Cal State Fullerton
STOCKTON, Calif. – The Pacific women's basketball program was outscored 27-13 in the fourth quarter, leading to a 56-68 home loss inside the Alex G. Spanos Center on Sunday afternoon to Cal State Fullerton.
The Tigers (1-4) took a two-point lead into the final frame after largely solving the CSUF (2-4) press, outscoring the Titans 31-22 over the second and third quarters. Senior Sydney Ward was at her best during that stretch, scoring 12 of her team leading 16 points – a mark that also tied her career high. Like the last time Ward scored 16 points, she had a big day at the free throw line going 8-for-8 and nearly doubling her attempts at the line on the season (ten attempts entering today's game).
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UC Davis Wins The Big West Championship In 12-11 Victory Over Long Beach State
Score: UC Davis 12, Long Beach State 11
Location: Irvine, Calif. (Anteater Aquatics Complex)
Record: UC Davis 15-12, Long Beach State 17-9
The short story: A tournament MVP performance from Baxter Chelsom gave UC Davis men's water polo a victory in the Big West Finals over Long Beach State on Sunday, Nov. 23. The Aggies advance to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2022, the eighth appearance in program history.
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| | Cal State University East Bay Pioneers | |
Pioneers Drop CCAA Tournament Semifinals to Conclude 2025 Campaign
TURLOCK, Calif. — Cal State East Bay's postseason run came to an end Friday afternoon at Ed & Bertha Fitzpatrick Arena, as the No. 6 seed Pioneers fell to No. 2 seed Cal State San Bernardino in the semifinals of the CCAA Volleyball Tournament presented by Under Armour. The Coyotes advanced with a 3-1 victory (25-18, 25-21, 23-25, 25-16) in a match that featured momentum swings and spirited rallies from both sides.
The opening set saw East Bay trade points early before CSUSB seized control behind strong side-out efficiency and a late surge from Kacie Pedersen, who finished with a match-high 28 kills. The Pioneers battled to keep pace, with Barakat Adekola and Malayah Adams providing early offense, but the Coyotes closed the frame
25-18.
continued...
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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/
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2025/26 Schedules
San Francisco 49ers
Las Vegas Raiders
| | |
Weekly Bay Area
Sports Calendar
Monday, November 24, through
Sunday, November 30, 2025
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Monday, November 24
San Francisco 49ers vs. Carolina Panthers, 5:15 p.m.
Golden State Warriors vs. Utah Jazz, 7 p.m.
Sacramento Kings vs. Minnesota Timberwolves,7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, November 25
Wednesday, November 26
Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets, 7 p.m.
Sacramento Kings vs. Phoenix Suns, 7 p.m.
San Jose Sharks @ Colorado Avalanche, 6 p.m.
Thursday, November 27
Friday, November 28
Sacramento Kings @ Utah Jazz, 6:30 p.m.
San Jose Sharks vs. Vancouver Canucks, 1 p.m.
Saturday, November 29
Golden State Warriors vs. New Orleans Pelicans, 5:30 p.m.
San Jose Sharks @ Vegas Golden Knights, 7 p.m.
Cal Bears vs. Southern Methodist University Mustangs, tba
Stanford Cardinal vs. Norte Dame Fighting Irish, 7:30 p.m.
San Jose State Spartans vs. Fresno State Bulldogs, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, November 30
San Francisco 49ers @ Cleveland Browns, 10 a.m.
Las Vegas Raiders @ Los Angeles Chargers, 1:25 p.m.
Sacramento Kings vs. Memphis Grizzlies, 6 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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