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August 31 -- September 6, 2026
Issue No. 657
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Caitlin Clark
January 22, 2002 --
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Note: 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
Write: theultimatesportsguide@gmail.com
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Get Your Kicks with 49ers Football
San Francisco 49ers vs. Las Vegas Raiders | 2026 Preseason Week 3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iR5hbAlVc7k
It was the Eddy Piñeiro Jr. Show as his six FGs were enough to carry
the Niners to an 18-12 victory over the Raiders, who could only muster four FGs. Rookie RB Kaelon Black has the quickness to lessen the predictability of CMC runs, while the abundance of talent on offense and defense should help lessen the number of injuries over the season. Time to hop over to Australia and
kick-start a successful season!
Robert A. Moselle, Esq.
https://www.cce-mcle.com/aboutus
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Athletics 5
Baltimore Orioles 8
Sutter Health Park, West Sacramento, CA
Sunday, August 30, 2026
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Athletics catcher Brian Serven celebrates with teammates after hitting a two-run home run in the third inning of the A's 8-5 loss to the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday, August 30th
at Sutter Health Park.
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Right fielder Lawrence Butler continued his hot hitting,
driving in two with a double in the first inning to give
the A's a 2-1 lead.
| Starting pitcher Jeffrey Springs suffered his 13th loss of the season, giving up seven runs over 4-2/3 innings. | Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson (right) leaps over Athletics right fielder Lawrence Butler (left) after a force out during the fifth inning at Sutter Health Park. | Fans in right field sit in the shade of a tree to avoid the sun as seen during the second inning of the game between the Athletics and the Baltimore Orioles at Sutter Health Park. | |
Athletics third baseman Zack Gelof (20) takes infield practice before the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Sutter Health Park. To view a photo album, visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net.
All photos and captions by Darren Yamashita.
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by Andy Dolich
The Los Angeles Lakers were recently valued at $12.5 billion dollars. The record-setting team sale agreement occurred in August 2026. The buyers, Venture capitalist Josh Kushner and former Disney CEO Bob Iger.
- Previous Value: The new price tops the team's previous $10 billion valuation from earlier transactions.
- All-Time Record: This valuation sets the highest price ever paid for a North American professional sports franchise.
The Haas Family purchased the Oakland A's team from Charles O. Finley in November of 1980 for an estimated $12.5 million dollars. I was hired by the team in December. These days 168 Major Leaguers are making more than that per year!
We all know about inflation but I decided to trace the elevated mountains of money that our local franchises have been summiting since they set up business in the Bay Area.
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The 1995 Super Bowl Champion San Francisco 49ers celebrate with Mayor Frank Jordan, team owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr.,
and coach George Siefert.
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San Francisco 49ers
The value of the San Francisco 49ers has grown massively from $13 million when purchased in 1977 to $8.6 billion today, representing an increase of over 65,000% driven by soaring media rights, stadium revenue, and league-wide financial growth.
Historical Growth Milestones
- 1977 Purchase: Edward J. DeBartolo Sr. bought the franchise for $13 million.
- 2002. The team was valued at $302 million by Forbes.
- 2024 Value: The franchise worth climbed to $6.8 billion.
- Current Value (2025/2026): Valued at $8.6 billion (ranking fifth in the NFL) according to reports from Forbes and Sportico.
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NBA champion Stephen Curry celebrates at the parade in San Francisco. The Golden State Warriors became the 2022 champions after defeating the Boston Celtics in Game 6
of the NBA Finals. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle
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Golden State Warriors
The value of the Golden State Warriors has skyrocketed from $315 million in 2009 to $11 billion, making them the most valuable franchise in the NBA. This massive growth is driven by on-court championship success, global brand expansion led by Stephen Curry, and the opening of the Chase Center in 2019.
Key Valuation Milestones
- 2009–2010 (Pre-Sale & Pre-Curry): Valued at $315 million when Joe Lacob and Peter Guber agreed to purchase the team for $450 million in 2010.
- 2015–2018 (First Championships): Valuation climbed past $1 billion and hit $3.1 billion by 2018 as the team won multiple titles and turned into a Hoop dynasty.
- 2019 (Chase Center Opening): Moving from Oracle Arena in Oakland to the privately financed Chase Center in San Francisco supercharged local and luxury event revenue.
- 2025–2026 (No. 1 in the NBA): Valuations by Forbes and CNBC place the team at an estimated $11 billion.
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San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner, named both the NLCS and World Series MV, is mobbed by teammates after defeating the Kansas City Royals in Game 7 of the
2014 Word Series.
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San Francisco Giants
The value of the Giants has surged over the decades, rising from the $100 million purchase price when the current ownership group bought the team in 1993 to a $4.05 billion in 2026, ranking them as the fifth-most valuable franchise in Major League Baseball.
Historical Growth Milestones
- 1993: Purchased by an ownership group led by Peter Magowan and current primary stakeholders for $100 million.
- 2015: The franchise value hovered around $2 billion, having already benefited significantly from their 2010, 2012, and 2014 World Series titles and the opening of Oracle Park (then PacBell Park).
- 2022: Valued at $3.5 billion, cementing their place consistently in the top five most valuable MLB clubs.
- 2026: Reached $4.05 billion according to Forbes, reflecting a doubling of value over roughly a decade and strong localized market and stadium revenue.
Key Drivers of Increase
- The Ballpark Effect: Moving into their downtown waterfront stadium turned the franchise into a financial powerhouse through ticket sales and real estate integration.
- Championship Success: The three World Series titles in the 2010s transformed the global brand equity and local sponsorship demand.
- Stellar Market Valuation: According to Forbes, the team commands a massive market component worth over $1.7 billion alongside a stadium valuation exceeding $1 billion.
| The San Jose Sharks reached the Stanley Cup Finals in 2016 before falling to the Pittsburgh Penguins. | |
San Jose Sharks
The value of the San Jose Sharks has grown, rising from a $45 million expansion fee in 1991 to an $1.5 billion enterprise value by late 2025, representing more than a 33-fold total increase over the history of the franchise.
Financial Milestones and Growth
- 1991 (Inaugural Season): Founders paid a $45 million expansion fee to launch the team in Northern California.
- 2002 (Ownership Change): Hasso Plattner purchased the franchise for $147 million.
- 2022–2025 (Recent Valuations): Driven by overall league growth, media rights, and local revenue, the team value jumped from $755 million (2022) to $1.06 billion (2023), and reached $1.5 billion by December 2025.
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The Golden State Valkyries have officially clinched a spot in the 2026 WNBA Playoffs, but they have not yet secured a place
in the championship series. Photo by Rich Yee.
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Golden State Valkyries
The value of the Golden State Valkyries has skyrocketed from an initial $50 million expansion fee in October 2023 to $1 billion dollars in 2026. This represents an increase of roughly 1,600% over a span of about two and a half years.
Valuation Milestones
- October 2023: To join the league cost owners Joe Lacob and Peter Guber $50 million as an expansion fee.
- 2025 (Inaugural Season): Reached a valuation of $500 million (a tenfold increase from purchase price), backed by a record $78 million in revenue.
- 2026 (Second Season): Climbed to $850 million according to Sportico and reached a $1 billion evaluation via CNBC. This is the highest valuation ever for a women’s pro sports franchise.
Drivers of Growth
- Record Revenue: Brought in a WNBA-best $78 million during their inaugural season.
- Massive Ticket Sales: Sold out their initial season ticket base of over 10,000, capping 2026 sales past 12,000. Have sold out every home game played at Chase.
- Lucrative Sponsorships: Secured major corporate partnerships including JPMorgan Chase, Sephora, and United Airlines.
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The Oakland Athletics won the 1989 World Series by sweeping the San Francisco Giants four games. The Series was also interrupted by the Loma Prieta earthquake, which postponed
the Series for ten days.
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Oakland/Sacramento/Las Vegas A's
Value of the Athletics franchise grew from $12.5 million when sold by Charles Finley in 1980 to $2 billion under John Fisher’s ownership driven by overall MLB revenue growth and stadium valuations.
Charles Finley to Walter Haas (1980)
- Price Paid: Charles O. Finley sold the team to Walter A. Haas Jr. for $12.5 million in late 1980.
- Value Change: Represented a modest baseline valuation for a struggling franchise at the dawn of the 1980s, though it prevented a planned move to Denver.
Walter Haas to Schott-Hofmann (1995)
- Price Paid: The Haas family sold the franchise to Steve Schott and Ken Hofmann for $85 million in 1995.
- Value Change: An increase of $72.3 million (roughly a 570% jump from the 1980 purchase price), reflecting general inflation in sports franchise values and the successful "Billyball" and Championship era cultivated by the Haas family, though sold at a discount with a pledge that the team would stay in Oakland.
Schott-Hofmann to John Fisher / Lew Wolff (2005)
- Price Paid: Lewis Wolff and John Fisher purchased the team for $180 million in 2005.
- Value Change: An increase of $95 million propelled by rising media rights, revenue-sharing models, and the "Moneyball" notoriety of the early 2000s.
John Fisher Era Growth (2005–Present)
- Current Valuation: Recent minority share offerings and market valuations place the Athletics franchise at $2 billion, largely driven by lucrative potential and asset appreciation tied to the club's relocation to Las Vegas.
- Value Change: An increase of approximately $1.82 billion over the purchase price paid by Fisher's group in 2005.
| As the brilliant sports economic expert John Beresford Tipton has said in relation to these ever rising team values, “If you don’t have moments when you go too far then you aren’t going far enough.” | |
# # #
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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Stanford Cardinal 37
Hawaii Rainbow Warriors 27
Stanford Stadium, Stanford, CA
Saturday, August 29, 2026
| Stanford sophomore wide receivers JonAnthony Hall #11 (L) and Liam Thorpe #13 (R) celebrate after Hall’s 57-yard reception in the first quarter. The Stanford Cardinal won their first game of the season over the visiting Hawaii Rainbow Warriors, 37–27, at Stanford Stadium, at Stanford University on Saturday, August 29, 2026 in Stanford, California. | |
Stanford junior running back Micah Ford #20 carries the ball for a 28-yard gain before being pushed out of bounds by Hawaii senior defensive back Matagi Thompson #25
in the second quarter.
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Stanford head coach Tavita Pritchard is interviewed at half time. Pritchard, a 2009 Stanford graduate, was named head coach last November and the game against Hawaii
is his first as head coach.
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Stanford Football celebrated Pacific Islander
heritage at halftime
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Stanford tight end Aiden Black #87 (L) celebrates with running back Micah Ford #20 (R) after Ford’s touchdown
in the first quarter.
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Hawaii wide receivers Tama Uiliata #8 (L) and Devin Alves #11 (R) celebrate Uiliata’s touchdown reception
in the fourth quarter.
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Stanford junior safety Darrius Davis #6 celebrates after stopping Hawaii’s 2-point conversion in the fourth quarter.
To view a photo album, visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net.
All photos and captions by Alex Ho.
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Kent joins Giants royalty with number retirement, and has more than just a hug for Bonds
By Maria Guardado
SAN FRANCISCO -- New Hall of Famer Jeff Kent was greeted by a crowd of Giants legends when he stepped onto the field to have his No. 21 retired during a special pregame ceremony at Oracle Park on Saturday.
He shook hands with luminaries like Juan Marichal, Dusty Baker, Buster Posey and Will Clark, though his most notable exchange came alongside his old teammate Barry Bonds.
Kent and Bonds had a frosty relationship during their days in San Francisco, but the two embraced each other and seemed to poke fun at their past history by reenacting their infamous dugout scuffle in San Diego in 2002. Bonds leaned into the moment by grabbing hold of Kent and playfully shaking him, drawing laughs from both of the famed sluggers.
“I’ve said it many times,” Kent said before the the Giants' 7-2 win in the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader against the D-backs. “He and I have never gone out to dinner, but I’ll go to war with that guy any day of the week.
“If Bonds and I weren’t fighting in the dugout, we wouldn’t have what we’ve got, I guarantee you.”
continued...
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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
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Shea Langeliers has progressed well in his rehab. (Seen above on May 2, 2026 versus the Cleveland Guardians.
Photo by Darren Yamashita.)
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A's tentatively keeping window open for Langeliers (knee) to return in September
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by Martín Gallegos
This story was excerpted from Martín Gallegos’ A’s Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
WEST SACRAMENTO -- Shea Langeliers may not have played his last game for the Athletics this season after all.
After he underwent right knee surgery on July 28, the prevailing thought within the organization was that Langeliers would likely miss the remainder of the season. But the procedure -- a medial meniscectomy along with a PRP injection -- was less severe than what was originally expected to be a full repair of a torn meniscus, prompting the club to hold off on placing Langeliers on the 60-day IL to see how his recovery went.
About a month later, Langeliers has progressed well in his rehab, to the point where manager Mark Kotsay revealed before Friday night’s series opener against the Orioles that the A’s are leaving the door open for the All-Star catcher to return at some point in September.
“He and the doctors felt there was an opportunity for him to make it back,” Kotsay said. “He’s in line with that.”
Langeliers, who is slashing .263/.332/.497 with 23 homers over 93 games this season, would only return as a hitter, either getting some reps as the designated hitter or coming off the bench as a pinch-hitter.
continued....
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Ballers Fam,
2027 season tickets are officially on sale.
Lock in your seat at Raimondi Park for the entire season, with more flexibility when life gets in the way.
Your seat stays yours. Your tickets stay flexible.
Can’t make a game? Give us 72-hour notice and bank your ticket for later. Then use those banked tickets to bring friends and family to another game.
Same seat. More flexibility. More ways to experience Ballers baseball.
| |
Raimondi Park is home. Lock in your spot for 2027.
Let’s Go Oakland!
-- Ballers
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A Classic -- Enjoy!
Chef Myke's Musings are Priceless...
| More Than a Game: How T.H.I.N.K. Gold Is Building the Next Generation of Bay Area Women | |
There's a particular kind of confidence that gets built on a field, in a huddle, or in the quiet moment before a whistle blows. For young women and female student-athletes across the Bay Area, the San Francisco 49ers set out to grow that confidence, not just in sports, but in life. That was the mission behind the annual T.H.I.N.K. Gold Conference. Hosted at Levi's® Stadium, the conference celebrates its 16th year empowering young women in the Bay Area.
A Day Built on Five Pillars
T.H.I.N.K. Gold takes its name from five pillars: Training, Health, Inspiration, Nutrition, and Knowledge. Each one answered a question young women often ask themselves: Can I really do this? The conference was the 49ers way of saying yes, and showing them how.
The day kicked off with a hands-on skills clinic led by 49ers Youth Football coaches. Then the focus turned inward with a mental health and yoga session, led by local studio The Well and supported by 49ers Mental Health Clinician Dr. Joe Mattox. It offered something athletes rarely get permission for: a pause, and the tools to understand their minds as carefully as their bodies.
Voices That Look Like Them
Representation mattered here. This year's panel brought together 49ers Aubrie Toliver, Sofy Navarro, Angela Denogean, and Kaya Binetti, women whose paths through athletics and industry gave participants something rare: a mirror. Hearing from women who'd already walked a similar road can be the difference between giving up on a dream and chasing it harder.
That conversation carried into a Lunch & Learn session, turning inspiration into practical tools participants could use on the field, in the classroom, and in their communities hearing from more women in the organization.
Nourishing More Than Ambition
Nutrition showed up in a personal way. Every participant walked away with a $50 Safeway gift card, a small gesture with a big message: wellness starts at the kitchen table, long before game day.
Lighter moments rounded out the day, too. A flower bouquet-making activity gave participants a keepsake, while Nike gear and giveaways, including 4 pairs of tickets to a 49ers game, sent them home with a piece of the experience and some hometown pride.
A Bay Area Coalition
What made T.H.I.N.K. Gold resonate was its reach. This year, the 49ers launched the THINK Gold Collective, extending their investment in young women beyond the conference itself. Student-athletes traveled in from thirteen schools: Oakland, Andrew Hill, Wilcox, Vanden, Galileo, James Logan, Salinas, Las Lomas, Burlingame, George Washington, San Ramon, Kathleen McDonald, and Carlmont High Schools. Different campuses, different communities, one shared day, many of them standing shoulder to shoulder for the first time with peers who understood exactly what it's like to chase excellence as a young woman.
It would be easy to call T.H.I.N.K. Gold a nice gesture: clinics, giveaways, good intentions. But it was something more deliberate, an investment. The 49ers bet that the young women who left this conference would carry its lessons into locker rooms, classrooms, and boardrooms for years to come.
continued...
| Warriors Sign Free Agent Forward Georges Niang | |
August 25, 2026 5:39 PM PDT
The Golden State Warriors have signed free agent forward Georges Niang (George KNEE-yang), it was announced Tuesday. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not released.
Niang, 33, saw action in 79 games (three starts) during the 2024-25 season with the Atlanta Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers, averaging 9.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 21.5 minutes per contest. He missed the 2025-26 season while rehabbing a left foot injury (stress reaction in fourth metatarsal) as a member of the Utah Jazz and Memphis Grizzlies.
The 6’6” forward has appeared in 544 career games (32 starts) over nine NBA seasons, averaging 7.4 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 17.5 minutes per contests with the Hawks, Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers, Jazz and Indiana Pacers. Niang has seen action in 56 career postseason games, earning averages of 4.4 points and 1.5 rebounds in 13.8 minutes per contest with the Cavaliers, 76ers and Jazz.
Niang was originally selected with the 50th overall pick in the second round of the 2016 NBA Draft by the Pacers, after playing collegiately at Iowa State for four seasons.
He will wear #32.
continued...
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San Jose Sharks to hit the road for 4th annual "Sharks Around
the Bay" tour
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August 27, 2026
The San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) and the San Jose Barracuda (@SJBarracuda) announced today plans to kick-off the 2026-27 NHL Season with the Sharks Around the Bay community player tour. Players from the Sharks organization, including the American Hockey League (AHL) San Jose Barracuda, will travel to communities throughout the Bay Area to sign autographs, take photos, and engage with fans in their hometowns. The Sharks Around the Bay tour begins on Friday, September 4 and will conclude on Sunday, September 13.
Scheduled stops on the Sharks Around the Bay tour include Oakland (September 4), San Jose (September 5), Gilroy (September 6), Cupertino (September 8), Dublin (September 10), San Francisco (September 11), Mountain View (September 12), and San Jose (September 13). All dates and locations are subject to change.
2026 Sharks Around the Bay Schedule:
Friday, September 4
- 3-4 p.m.
- TBD Players
- Oakland - Sharks Ice Oakland, 519 18th Street Oakland, CA 94612
- 5-6 p.m.
- TBD Players
- Oakland - Oakland First Friday, 2633 Telegraph Ave., Ste. 109, Oakland, CA 94620
Saturday, September 5
- 2-3 p.m.
- TBD Players
- San Jose - Kristie Yamaguchi’s Family Literacy Festival, Children's Discovery Museum, 180 Woz Way, San Jose, CA 95110
Sunday, September 6
- 2-3 p.m.
- TBD Players
- Gilroy - Arteaga's Gilroy, 6906 Automall Pkwy, Gilroy, CA 95020
- 4-5 p.m.
- TBD Players
- Sharks Ice at San Jose, 1500 S 10th St, San Jose, CA 95112
(more options are listed...click link below)
Activities at each tour stop will vary but will include meet-and-greets, giveaways, and more. Each stop might include event ticket offers, information about upcoming Sharks and Barracuda games and promotions, offers to skate at one of the Sharks Ice facilities in the Bay Area, and information about upcoming events at both SAP Center and Tech CU Arena (@techcuarena).
Additional events will continue through the month of September around the Bay Area with the San Jose Sharks Street Team. Fans are encouraged to stop by for giveaways and gear up for Opening Night on October 1, when the Sharks host the Florida Panthers at 7 p.m. at SAP Center (@SAPCenter).
Please note that the tour schedule and player appearances, are subject to change.
continued...
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Veronica Burton Leads Valkyries With Season-High 13 Assists and 0 Turnovers in Win Over Liberty
Thu, Aug 27, 2026, 7:06 PM
Kalyb Champion
Thursday. Burton nearly had as many assists as the entire Liberty roster, which had 14 assists but committed nine turnovers. She battled through bumps and bruises throughout the night to finish a plus-17 in 27 minutes. The Valkyries led by as many as 19 points in the win and held the Liberty to a season-low in scoring.
Cecilia Zandalasini scored a game-high 20 points and made a career-high eight field goals. Zandalasini and Gabby Williams each made a game-high-tying four 3-pointers as Golden State outscored New York by 18 points from behind the arc. The Valkyries also had an 18-point advantage in bench scoring. They completed the season series sweep of the Liberty, becoming the only team to accomplish that feat against New York this year.
continued...
| | FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Tournament 2026 | |
The Valkyries may be taking a break, but the
basketball never stops.
This September, the world’s best women’s basketball players will come together in Berlin, Germany for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026, and seven members of the Valkyries family will be there representing
five different countries.
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MATCH RECAP:
Earthquakes 0,
Houston Dynamo 0
Saturday, Aug 29, 2026, 08:23 PM
HOUSTON — The San Jose Earthquakes drew with Houston Dynamo FC 0-0 on Saturday night at Shell Energy Stadium in Major League Soccer regular-season play.
Playing with a three-man back line for the first time this season, the Earthquakes threatened first in minute 14. Paul Marie stole the ball in the right half-space and served a low cross for Ousseni Bouda, but the center forward’s sweeping attempt was jumped on by Houston goalkeeper Jonathan Bond. In the 32nd minute, Jamar Ricketts skillfully hauled in a long ball on the left touchline at full speed and then pushed forward before his low cross for Bouda was cleared at the last moment by the Dynamo’s Antonio Carlos. In the 41st minute, San Jose defender Dave Romney slipped in his own end but sprinted and tracked down Houston’s Mateusz Bogusz in the box, sliding and poking the ball away before a shot could be attempted. The half ended scoreless.
After intermission, the Earthquakes stayed dangerous.
Newly acquired midfielder Eduard Löwen uncorked a shot from the edge of the box that forced Bond to make a diving save in minute 57. Bouda and Niko Tsakiris almost connected moments later but the shot sailed over the crossbar. In the 77th minute, the ball ricocheted to Nick Fernandez in the box but his right-footed attempt was batted away by Bond. In the sixth minute of stoppage time, the Quakes had one last chance but hit the crossbar off a corner kick. The back line held strong through the final whistle and kept Houston from attempting a single shot on goal as goalkeeper Angus Gunn earned his first-ever clean sheet with San Jose.
The draw snaps a four-game losing streak for San Jose and keeps the Quakes in fourth place in the Western Conference (10-8-4, 34 points), while Houston remains in second (12-7-3, 39 points).
The full “Quakes Replay” of tonight’s match is scheduled to air Wednesday, Sept. 2, at 8 p.m. PT on KTVU Plus. For highlights, analysis and features, fans can also watch the new half-hour magazine show “Quakes Exclusive” on Friday, Sept. 4, at 7:30 p.m. PT on KTVU FOX 2 and the FOX Local app, as well as an encore presentation on KTVU Plus at 8 p.m. PT.
The Black and Blue will continue MLS regular-season play on the road against Austin FC on Saturday, Sept. 5. Kickoff from Q2 Stadium is slated for 5:30 p.m. PT with the match to be broadcast on Apple TV (English/Spanish), as well as via local radio on KSFO 810 AM (English) and La Kaliente 1370 AM (Spanish).
continued...
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Roots Pick Up a Crucial Point in
1-1 Home Draw Versus
Orange County SC
WATCH!
For just the second time in the 17-game history between the two clubs, Roots played visiting Orange County SC to a draw on Saturday evening at the Oakland Coliseum in a 1-1 final.
Roots began the match picking up where they left off in their victory versus San Antonio last weekend, dictating pace and looking aggressive with their intent to push the ball up the field.
Their aggression was exemplified by their earning three corner kicks within the first 12 minutes of the match, finding space in the attacking third and putting the Orange County defense under constant pressure.
In the 20th minute of the match, this aggression paid off as Florian Valot put Oakland up 1-0 with a long distance rocket from the right side that OC keeper Alexander Rando misjudged on the entry, allowing it to float over his fingertips and into the twine.
Orange County began to push back a bit after Roots' opening goal, building an attack of their own and nearly equalizing in the 35th minute when a second chance shot after a Kendall McIntosh save found the back of the net but was ruled offsides by the official.
Coming into the second half, Orange County began to hunt desperately for an equalizer, putting Oakland’s backline under immense pressure until finally breaking through in the 60th minute when a corner service led to a point blank shot on the far post. McIntosh made the initial save but the rebound found the foot of Yaniv Bazini who capitalized on the opportunity to make it 1-1.
Both clubs turned up the heat for the final third of the match, earning solid scoring chances until the final whistle, but failing to find another goal as the match ended in a 1-1 draw.
Roots will now get a break before returning to the Oakland Coliseum on September 12th at 7 PM PT to host Lexington SC.
continued..
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Match Recap: Bay FC Shows Well but Falls 1-0 in Tight Contest at Washington Spirit
WASHINGTON (Aug. 30, 2026) – Bay FC fell 1-0 Sunday at the Washington Spirit in a nail-biter from the nation’s capital. A wide-open contest saw Bay FC threaten throughout the day, outshooting their foes with an impressive 19 total shots and keeping the Spirit attack to just four attempts on target. A score in first half stoppage time by Washington served as the decider, even as Bay FC continued its streak of strong showings.
“I really feel for my team and my players today,” said head coach Emma Coates. “I didn’t think we deserved to lose. I thought we gave a real good account of ourselves. I thought in the first half we probably had some longer spells in possession. I thought our build and creating phase was very good. I thought in the second half we were probably the team that created more dangerous chances. We just then let the game get a bit transitional; they removed some of our ways that we were sort of like building and progressing. But as I say, I thought the game was in balance, [and] I probably thought a draw would have been a fair result.”
Action was end-to-end to open the match as each squad pushed downhill in transition. But both backlines stood tall in their structure to keep threatening moments from reaching goal. Bay FC had the half’s best chance just two minutes into the contest, when an open look at goal by forward Alex Pfeiffer after an intercepted pass in the attacking third was stopped by Washington goalkeeper Sandy MacIver.
continued...
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Chuck Liddell -- from the
Autograph Collection of Rich Yee
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UFC champion Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell was in San Francisco in 2016 to attend Super Bowl 50. During his stay, he made a special signing appearance at a local sports shop and I had to go. I had a few seconds to chat with him while he was signing this photo for me. He told me who he had just defeated in this photo but I have since forgotten. He looks very intimidating in person but was actually very nice.
Rich Yee, Sports Today photographer
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Newsletter, Image, Likeness Vol. 199: College Football's 'Pro Player' Panic, And Why The NCAA Set This Trap
For Itself
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by Darren Heitner, Esq.
Founder of Heitnerlegal -- Sports, Entertainment, Trademarks, Copyrights, Business, Litigation, Arbitration
The Weekly Longer NIL Thought
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Dan Wetzel wrote something for ESPN this week that I have been saying for a long time. Writing about Dae'Quan Wright, the tight end who signed with the Eagles in the spring, got released, signed with the Browns, got released again, and is now fighting to play for LSU this season under what could become a modified Louisiana court order, Wetzel put the blame where it belongs. "There is plenty of blame to go around here," he wrote, "but in the end this falls on the NCAA, which keeps getting caught flat-footed legally while pursuing pie-in-the-sky federal legislation rather than seeking practical solutions." What a sentence.
I have fielded thousands of inquiries in the past few weeks from athletes, families, agents, managers, financial planners, etc., trying to understand whether certain players qualified for a fifth year of eligibility. This is not only football and basketball players at flagship programs deciding whether to test their claims in courtrooms. It's soccer players, tennis players, volleyball players, baseball players, lacrosse players. It's additionally Division II players, which I just unfortunately don't have the capacity to take on.
None of those players' claims are born out of Wright signing two NFL contracts in one preseason. It is the direct and entirely foreseeable consequence of a decision the NCAA made a while back, when it chose to deny the high school class of 2022 a uniform extra year of eligibility after the pandemic scrambled everyone's clocks, and then chose to fight that decision in court rather than fix it in the rulebook. A federal court eventually ordered the NCAA to grant that class the extra year nationwide, an appellate court froze the order (see below this Longer Thought), and in the vacuum that followed, athlete after athlete went looking for a state court willing to grant relief on the same theory. They still are. The ones who did and found a judge willing to enjoin the NCAA are now playing, or trying to. The ones who did not are watching from the sideline in the same competitive and financial position. That patchwork, not Lane Kiffin's or Will Wade's roster strategy, is the actual scandal here.
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WeatherTech Raceway
Laguna Seca
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The NTT INDYCAR SERIES brings the fastest racing on earth to its grand finale at the Mission Foods Grand Prix of Monterey, September 4-6, during INDYCAR Championship Week
MONTEREY, Calif. (Aug. 29, 2026) - Labor Day weekend is about to get a whole lot faster as Championship Week roars into WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, September 4-6, for the Mission Foods Grand Prix of Monterey and the thrilling conclusion of the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season. Witha championship on the line and the stars of INDYCAR taking on one of the world’s most iconic circuits, fans can make the weekend their own with everything from elevated VIP hospitality and individual or group ticket options to track side camping for the ultimate race-weekend getaway. Car enthusiasts can join fellow owners in dedicated marque car corrals and even take their own cars on the legendary Laguna Seca circuit, while autograph sessions, track side forums, historic INDYCAR exhibitions and more bring fans closer to the drivers and action throughout the weekend. And there’s more to come, with additional Championship Week experiences and special announcements still ahead.
CHAMPIONSHIP STAKES ON THE LINE FOR INDYCAR STARS
The stakes could not be higher as the NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship battle comes down to its final rounds. Will two-time defending Mission Foods Grand Prix of Monterey winner and four-time series champion Alex Palou once again conquer Laguna Seca and add another championship to his remarkable resume? ChristianLundgaard, runner-up at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in2025, arrives riding a hot streak after another impressive second-place finish on the streets of Washington DC. Meanwhile, Kyle Kirkwood, currently second in the championship standings, has made it clear he intends to fight to the very end, coming off an incredible victory in the Freedom 250 - the longest street-circuit race in INDYCAR history at 250 miles, proving he has the physical and mental endurance to contend when everything is on the line.
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Uncork The Fun: NASCAR Returns to Wine Country July 10-11, 2027
SONOMA, Calif. (August 26, 2026) – NASCAR racing returns to Sonoma Raceway July 10-11, 2027, bringing the roar of the NASCAR Cup Series to Northern California for a summer weekend of high-speed action, spectacular scenery and the unmistakable flavor of wine country.
Set among the rolling hills and vineyards of Sonoma Valley, the NASCAR weekend will feature two days of racing and entertainment, highlighted by the 38th running of the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday, July 11 and the 5th running of the Pit Boss/FoodMaxx 250 NASCAR O’Reilly Series race on Saturday, July 10.
Coming just one week after the Fourth of July, the 2027 NASCAR weekend offers fans the perfect opportunity to extend their summer holiday with a getaway to Sonoma. With long summer days, great weather, world-class wineries, outstanding restaurants and some of the most picturesque scenery in motorsports, there’s no better time to experience NASCAR in wine country.
“There’s simply nothing like NASCAR in Sonoma, and moving our weekend into the heart of summer makes the experience even more special,” said Brian Flynn, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Sonoma Raceway. “Fans can spend the Fourth of July with family and friends, then make their way to Wine Country for an incredible weekend of racing, food, wine and everything that makes Sonoma such a special destination.”
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TEST YOUR BEST AT THE 2026 ROLEX
BIG BOAT SERIES
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After a long summer of tuning up the boat, solidifying the team and locking in race maneuvers, sailors are now preparing to test their best at Rolex Big Boat Series on September 16-20, 2026.
“All the competitors in the Express 37 fleet, they bring their best—the best crew, the best sails, everything’s the best and everyone has their A game, and that’s really exciting for us,” says Michael Laport, owner and skipper of Express 37 Golden Moon.
A relatively new owner in a relatively old fleet—Express 37s have been lining up at this event for over 30 years—this year will be Laport’s third Rolex Big Boat Series at the helm. He just missed the podium last year, so sustaining an excellent performance over four days of racing is what he, co-owner Mike Spitz, and their team have been focused on in the lead-up to the race.
“Big Boat is the place that it all comes together and we can test our mettle against people who’ve been sailing Express 37s and sailing the Bay longer than we have, and we see that as a good measure of our competitiveness.”
If you race an Express 37, or any of the other boats eligible to enter, it’s not too late to turn your tiller toward San Francisco Bay and register for the 2026 Rolex Big Boat Series on September
16-20.
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Abby Zimmerman had the most
kills in a match by a Cal freshman since 2023.
Zimmerman's Memorable Night
Lifts Cal Past UCSD
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Freshman Records 24 Kills In Four-Set Victory
By: Cal Athletics
BERKELEY – Abby Zimmerman recorded the most kills in a match by a Cal freshman in three seasons and the Golden Bears won their second consecutive contest to open the 2026 campaign with a 25-16, 18-25, 25-22, 25-17 triumph over UC San Diego on the second night of the Gael Bear Classic at Haas Pavilion.
Zimmerman, the daughter of Cal Hall-of-Fame volleyball player Lisa Arce Zimmerman, recorded 24 kills while hitting for a blistering .477 percentage. She also registered five aces, three blocks and 10 digs for an all-around spectacular performance.
photo credit: Ariel Nava
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Stanford Gets Late TD
From Micah Ford in 37-27
Win vs Hawai'i
Stanford storms back with two scores in the final minutes to win season opener
STANFORD, Calif. (AP) — Micah Ford scored his third touchdown on a 2-yard run with 1:41 to play and Stanford rallied after nearly blowing a 16-point lead in the fourth quarter to beat Hawaii 37-27 on Saturday in the first game under new coach Tavita Pritchard.
“It’s been a theme throughout our entire early goings together through the offseason, in the spring, up until training camp is how we finished,” Pritchard said. “We finished tonight.”
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Spartans Rally Late Behind Weaver in Season-Opening Loss at
No. 14 USC
LOS ANGELES – Luke Weaver completed 21-of-32 passes for 234 yards and two touchdowns, to go along with 42 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown to lead San José State football (0-1, 0-0 MW) to a 42-26 season-opening loss to No. 14 USC (1-0, 0-0 Big Ten) on Saturday at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
USC controlled the opening half, scoring on four of its first five possessions to take a 28-0 lead at the break. San José State’s best first-half opportunity came on a 14-play, 66-yard drive in the second quarter, but the Trojans stopped the Spartans on fourth down at the USC 9-yard line.
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| | Saint Mary's College Gaels | | |
Anaya Thrower is one of six returners
and two returning starters for the Gaels
VB | Gaels Open 2026 Campaign Hosting Three Contests as Part
of the Gael-Bear Classic
MORAGA, Calif. — Volleyball season is officially upon us, as the Saint Mary's Gaels, now under the second year direction of head coach Tyler Hildebrand, will open up their 2026 season at home with a three games in three day stretch as part of the 2026 Gael-Bear Classic. This will be the first time that the Gaels will open the season at home since 2004. The Gaels will take on the likes of UC San Diego, Southern Utah and Cal to start the campaign, after not getting a chance to play in front of their home crowd until early October a season ago.
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Photo by: Saint Mary's Athletics / Tod Fierner
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Volleyball Concludes
Wildcat Invitational, Falls to
San Jose State
OGDEN, Utah – The University of San Francisco volleyball team (1-2) dropped its final match of the Wildcat Invitational, falling to San Jose State (1-2) 3-0 Sunday morning at Swenson Gym.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
- San Francisco fell into a hole at the start of the opening set, dropping six of the first seven points as San Jose State led 6-1. Despite the Dons trimming the deficit to two, 8-6, the Spartans extended their advantage and earned a dominating 25-16 victory.
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The Santa Clara University women's volleyball team wrapped up its
two-day trip to Dayton, Ohio, Saturday.
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Volleyball Concludes
Weekend in Dayton
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DAYTON, Ohio — The Santa Clara University women's volleyball team fell to Dayton in a 3-1 (25-20, 19-25, 23-25, 21-25) result on Saturday at the Frericks Center. The Broncos recorded 49 kills and 44 digs in the match.
Morgan Hayes led the Broncos (0-3) with 19 kills on 37 attempts, recording four block assists. Cate Shanahan added 11 kills and one service ace. Macy Hinshaw orchestrated the offense with 43 assists, supporting the team's attack. Lexi Trapani collected 21 digs to anchor the back line.
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| | University of Pacific Tigers | | Men’s Water Polo Opens Up Season with East Coast Swing | | |
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Pacific men's water polo 2026 campaign begins with a tour of the Ivy League as the team will face Fordham and Iona on Saturday from the campus of Brown University before traveling to Cambridge to face Harvard and MIT on the Crimson's campus on Sunday.
Despite being located on opposite coasts, Fordham and Pacific have become regular fixtures in the other's schedule, with this being the fifth straight years facing the Rams. Within those four prior meetings, the schools have split 2-2 and digging deeper are tied 1-1 when playing in Providence.
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What A Comeback!
UC Davis Wins Opener At
Portland State, 31-24
HILLSBORO, Ore. — UC Davis (1-0, 1-0 Big Sky) scored 31 second-half points to erase a 21-point halftime deficit en route to a 31-24 comeback victory at Portland State (0-1, 0-1 Big Sky) in the season and Big Sky opener for both teams Saturday at Hillsboro Stadium.
Treynor Cleeland connected with Laviel Pickett for the 22-yard game-winning score with 0:27 seconds remaining and then a Vikings' Hail Mary attempt from the Aggies' 36-yard line on the game's final play was thrown out of bounds.
"I can't say enough about these kids, how hard they work, and the belief they had," head coach Tim Plough said after the game. "It's pretty special."
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Cal State University East
Bay Pioneers
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Pioneers Draw Even Before
Falling at UT Dallas
RICHARDSON, Texas — Cal State East Bay wrapped up its season-opening trip to Texas with a 3-1 loss to UT Dallas on Saturday evening at the UTD Soccer Complex.
The Pioneers created opportunities from the opening stages, generating six shots and five corner kicks during the first half.
Alejandro Zarate put East Bay's first shot on goal in the 15th minute, forcing a save, but UT Dallas responded less than two minutes later. Avery Brazzell broke through in the 16th minute to give the Comets a 1-0 advantage.
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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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Weekly Bay Area
Sports Calendar
Monday, August 31, through
Sunday, September 6, 2026
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Monday, August 31
San Francisco Giants @ Atlanta Braves, 3:05 p.m.
Athletics @ Texas Rangers, 5:05 p.m.
Tuesday, September 1
San Francisco Giants @ Pittsburgh Pirates, 3:40 p.m.
Athletics @ Texas Rangers, 5:05 p.m.
Oakland Ballers @ Yuba-Sutter Freebirds, 6:35 p.m.
Wednesday, September 2
San Francisco Giants @ Pittsburgh Pirates, 3:40 p.m.
Athletics @ Texas Rangers, 11:35 a.m.
Oakland Ballers @ Yuba-Sutter Freebirds, 6:35 p.m.
Thursday, September 3
San Francisco Giants @ Pittsburgh Pirates, 9:35 a.m.
Athletics @ Seattle Mariners, 6:40 p.m.
Oakland Ballers @ Yuba-Sutter Freebirds, 6:35 p.m.
Friday, September 4
San Francisco Giants @ New York Mets, 4:10 p.m.
Athletics @ Seattle Mariners, 7:30 p.m.
Oakland Ballers @ Yuba-Sutter Freebirds, 6:35 p.m.
Bay FC vs. Kansas City Current, 7 pm.
Saturday,September 5
San Francisco Giants @ New York Mets, 1:10 p.m.
Athletics @ Seattle Mariners, 6:40 p.m.
Oakland Ballers @ Yuba-Sutter Freebirds, 6:35 p.m.
Sunday, September 6
San Francisco Giants @ New York Mets, 10:40 a.m.
Athletics @ Seattle Mariners, 1:10 p.m.
Oakland Ballers @ Yuba-Sutter Freebirds, 6:35 p.m.
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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, Howard Pearlstein, Amaury Pi-Gonzalez, T. Buff, Shelia Young. Dave Newhouse (dec.)
Software Engineer / Sports Today! Editor: Medhavee Upadhyaya
Technology Advisors: Silas Everett, Gaurav Chaulagain
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
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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. | | |
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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