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March 10 -- March 16, 2025
Issue No. 580
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The Court is now in Session! The Hon. "Final Four" Justice, Joe "Joey Brackets" Lunardi, has convened pre-trial motions for the Calendar. Fair and knowledgeable, his fluid rankings are a good source for potential seedings as the Tournament takes shape. A conservative approach has emerged, as SEC teams make up five of the top six seeds. Auburn, Alabama, Tennessee, et al., appear to be logical candidates to take home a trophy and speed, athleticism, NIL dollars and strength of schedule are indeed in their favor.
Nevertheless, Strength of Schedule will be a weakness! SEC teams have been in constant, internecine conference battles and have honed skills crafted to defeat similarly armed opponents. What happens when they leave the cocoon and face teams with different styles, skills, coaches and strategies? Perhaps not panic, but "above all else, confusion reigns."
I'll stick with my initial selections: Florida (my one SEC selection), Duke, Saint Mary's and Creighton. Beware, SEC.
https://gocreighton.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/ryan-kalkbrenner/8362
Stay tuned...
p.s. -- There is a basketball court in the U.S. Supreme Court. The fifth-floor houses the U.S. Supreme Court gym, which includes a basketball court named the "Highest Court in the Land".
Robert A. Moselle, Esq.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertamoselle
Marketing Director, Sports Today
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Nice Talking With You Saturday & Thanks | |
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Thanks for stopping by the Coliseum Kings booth last Saturday at the Oakland Ballers' Fans Fest. It was nice to see a good crowd with everyone so enthusiastic. I scanned your site (www.ultimatesportsguide.net) and was delighted to see Dave Newhouse as one of the contributors. Now that there is technically no more Tribune, its good to see him back....in between all of his book projects.
I've also attached a copy of my newsletter, the Potpourri, which covers the old Pacific Coast League. It comes out quarterly and there is currently no membership dues (since 2017). The issue pictured has a tie-in with Saturday's event.
Thanks also for including a photo of Mike "Smitty" Smith & myself in the last issue. (Sports Today #579.) Stay well & hope to cross paths at some point in the future.
P.S. -- For information about Potpourri, interested parties should write: mark_macrae@comcast.net
Mark Macrae
Castro Valley, CA
Bye-Bye, D-Bo
Way to go 49ers! As a life-long Ram fan I am so glad that twice next year the Rams defense will not see D-Bo.
The 49er pass offense is already deteriorating and the future of their running game is bleak. I couldn’t be happier! Thank you!
Rob Chain
Tarzana, CA
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A game at Seals Stadium in San Francisco (home of the Pacific Coast League San Francisco Seals and for two years home of the San Francisco Giants in '58-'59) probably smelled like heaven. Mixed in with the smell of freshly cut grass, hot dogs, peanuts and popcorn were the scents from the nearby Hamm's Brewery, the Hostess Bakery and Stempel's doughnut shop down by the left field gate. | |
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Contents
Games
Cal Bears (SB) 4, Boston College Eagles 3
Oakland Roots 2, Orange County SC 4
San Jose Earthquakes 0, Minnesota United FC 1
Features & Commentary
Butler Adds Completeness To Warriors, by Dave Newhouse
Enough is Enough, Way More Than Enough, by Howard Pearlstein
John Paye, from the Autograph Collection of Rich Yee
Newsletter, Image, Likeness, by Darren Heitner, Esq.
Organizations
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A's
Bay Area Falcons
Bay Area Panthers
Bay FC
Cal Bears
Cal State University East Bay
Golden State Warriors
Oakland Ballers
Oakland Roots SC
Oakland Soul SC
Oakland Spiders
Saint Mary's College Gaels
San Francisco 49ers
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San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Nighthawks
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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Stephen Curry after hitting another improbable 3-pointer | | |
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Butler Adds
Completeness
To Warriors
by Dave Newhouse
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Could the unlikeliest of scenarios happen, comparable to the odds of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie getting back together, and the Warriors wind up NBA champions this season?
Certainly, the odds are stacked against the Warriors, considering which teams stand in their way. But they've built up incredible momentum since Jimmy Butler came to town, thus you wonder how much better can they become?
So watch out, Oklahoma City! You, too, Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets! The vastly improved Warriors need to overtake those three in the Western Conference to face, likely, Boston or Cleveland in the NBA finals.
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The pairing of Butler with Curry has exceeding
everyone's expectations
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And to think the Warriors were dog meat before Butler arrived, but now they've become a big dog, with only the Lakers to catch in the Pacific Division. The Warriors ended a 4-1 road trip last week, making them 10-2 since acquiring Butler.
He has converted them into an ultra-confident team with his veteran’s moxie, most noticeably in getting to the free-throw line. Before his arrival, the Warriors were last in NBA free-throw accuracy. But over that 10-2 stretch, they were first, which factored into a 121-119 victory at Brooklyn on Thursday. The Warriors converted 29 of 32 free throws that night, with Butler 10-for-10 and Stephen Curry 9-for-9 on his way to 50 points.
The Warriors now are dangerous both at the foul line and in the full court. But in speaking of momentum, consider how much better they’ll be when Jonathan Kuminga (sprained ankle) returns. It’s best to be catching fire late in the season.
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Green and Butler championship bound? Warriors fans
would like to think so...
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Draymond Green already has predicted an NBA championship for his side. This kind of braggadocio could always backfire, but Butler has instilled a positive mind set inside Warrior heads. Thus Green could be more right than wrong.
Let’s look at the reasons why the Warriors just might be the team to beat this postseason. First off, depth.
The team’s roster, besides Butler, is so different from the early stages of the season, when the Warriors were flailing. Coach Steve Kerr began playing Quinten Post and Gui Santos, and also made Brandin Podziemski a starter, and all three have produced. Suddenly, the Warriors became a deep team, similar to Al Attles’ NBA champions of 1975.
Boston and Cleveland are similarly deep. The Lakers are more dangerous with LeBron James now paired with Luka Doncic. You can’t ever count out Denver with Nicola Jokic. And Oklahoma City has the league’s highest scorer. Shea Gilgeous-Alexander, and a strong supportive cast.
The Warriors are a long shot, granted, but they now have that big dog’s bite. They were down 22 points to Brooklyn midway through the first quarter and clawed their way back into a 10-point lead before holding on for dear life as the Nets scored five points within a single minute to make it close as the clock wound down. Thank heavens Curry hit that incredible 38-foot swisher just before halftime, providing the difference in the game’s outcome.
Meanwhile, the Warriors are in a current seven-game home stand that will be beneficial to their postseason plans, which plainly didn’t exist until Butler hit town.
You wonder how one man can have such a profound effect on a team, showing up halfway through a season. Keep wondering, because these Warriors will be loads of fun to watch from March into April….and beyond?
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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 4
Boston College Eagles 3
Levine-Fricke Field, Berkeley, CA
Sunday, March 9, 2025
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The Cal Bears began their inaugural ACC conference slate with a sweep of the Boston College Eagles after a 4-3 victory on Sunday, March 9th at Levine-Fricke Field. Left fielder Kaylee Pond (above) drives in the go-ahead run with a fifth inning single.
Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.
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California Golden Bears infielder Miranda Temple (21) reacts after a home run by first baseman Tianna Bell (photo above) against the Boston College Eagles during the fourth inning at Levine-Fricke Field. Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita. | |
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San Jose Earthquakes 0
Minnesota United FC 1
PayPal Park, San Jose
Saturday, March 8, 2025
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San Jose Earthquakes defender Rodrigues, #26, slows down Minnesota United FC forward Kelvin Yeboah, #9. Minnesota United FC defeated the San Jose Earthquakes, 1–0, in a MLS Matchday 3 game at PayPal Park on Saturday, March 8, in
San Jose, California. © 2025 Alex Ho.
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Minnesota United FC forward Tani Oluwaseyi #14 leaps
for the ball. © 2025 Alex Ho
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Minnesota United FC defender Jefferson Diaz #28 beats San Jose Earthquakes defender Dave Romney #12 to the header.
© 2025 Alex Ho.
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Tito Avila Jr., President (left) and Amaury Pi-González, Vice President, minutes before FanFest opened at Oracle Park
on March 8, 2025
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The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum at Giants FanFest ’25
by Amaury Pi-Gonzalez
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SAN FRANCISCO – A beautiful San Francisco day for the 2025 Giants FanFest at Oracle Park, around 10,000 to 15,000 people breathing the air of the Bay which already had the smell of baseball.
Yes, baseball is in the air, with about three weeks from the beginning of the regular season here in San Francisco’s Oracle Park, in my opinion the most beautiful baseball park in the world.
Thousands of fans with their favorite Giants bobble heads mingle with their favorite players while enjoying lunch. Many families descended onto the field to enjoy the day, fathers with their sons playing catch was fun for everybody.
For this year’s FanFest the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame was located on the third-floor Clubhouse Level. We met countless fans, and hundreds signed up for our museum list for the latest news and updates. It is always an enjoyable event, and the Museum has been a part of this experience with the Giants for over 20 years.
The president and founder of the museum, Mr. Tito Avila Jr., and yours truly, vice president and co-founder, and two of our staff museum members welcomed fans, many Spanish-speaking, proud to talk about their heroes.
I love to meet fans and talk baseball. Many of these fans I have known for years, including our president, Tito Avila Jr. In 2000 I called the first game ever at this place on Spanish radio when it was called Pacific Bell Park. It will always have a special place in my baseball broadcasting career. Without these fans, and the energy they bring, this park would be just another beautiful place in a beautiful city. With these enthusiastic and knowledgeable fans, the FanFest is always a memorable event.
The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame, which has been a traveling museum for years, feels closer than ever to having its first permanent location, steps away from Oracle Park at the Mission Rock project.
We know the Giants would be proud to have our museum as a permanent location in their neighborhood. It would be great for baseball, for the Giants, and the Hispanic community, especially San Francisco and the Bay Area. Over 33 percent of all major league players today are Hispanics/Latinos, and much higher in the minor leagues.
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Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame
THE HHBMHOF IS COMMITTED TO PRESERVING THE HISTORY AND PROFOUND INFLUENCE THAT HISPANIC PLAYERS HAVE HAD ON AMERICA’S FAVORITE PASTIME
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Stanford Continuing Studies | |
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Tuesdays, 6:00 – 7:50 pm (PT)
• 6 weeks • April 8 – May 27
Join Us Online!
Baseball isn’t just a game, it’s a national heartbeat. The most traditional, numbers-oriented, and nostalgia-inducing of our major sports, it offers a fantasyland for statisticians, an instrument for social change, a reprieve from the digital rush, and a source of lifelong memories. This course offers a behind-the-scenes look at the culture, history, and strategy that make America’s game so captivating.
Each week, you will join baseball insiders as they reveal the sport from unique perspectives: the journey of a player, the life of an umpire, the impact of analytics on team building, the evolving
media landscape, and more. We will also examine the business side of baseball, exploring everything from minor league operations to contract negotiations and stadium construction.
Luminary guest speakers, including major league players and executives, will show you how the game has evolved on and off the field.
Whether you’re a dedicated fan or just curious, join us this spring for an in-depth, entertaining look at what makes baseball an enduring part of American culture.
Register Now »
Course Instructors
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Andy Dolich
President, Dolich Consulting
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Andy Dolich has held executive positions in the MLB, NFL, NBA, and NHL with the Oakland A's, San Francisco 49ers, Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies, and Washington Capitals. He is the
executive vice president of Fan Controlled Sports and Entertainment. Dolich is a co-author of Goodbye, Oakland: Winning, Wanderlust, and a Sports Town's Fight for Survival with Dave Newhouse and of 20 Secrets to Success for NCAA Student-Athletes and LOL, Loss of Logo: What's Your Next Move? He is also the co-host of the podcast Life in the Front Office and a columnist for the Ultimate Sports Guide.
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Dave Newhouse
Columnist and Author
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Dave Newhouse has been a prominent figure in the Bay Area sports scene since the 1960s. He was an award-winning sports writer and columnist for the Oakland Tribune, a pioneer among sports talk show hosts on San Francisco radio, and is the author of 19 books. His most recent book, Goodbye, Oakland: Winning, Wanderlust, and a Sports Town's Fight for Survival, co-authored with Andy Dolich, explores the story of Oakland losing its professional sports teams. | |
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Guest Speakers
Dave Stewart, Former Oakland A's All-Star Pitcher and Baseball Executive
Larry Bear, CEO, San Francisco Giants
Ken Korach, Oakland A's Radio Announcer
Brian Murphy, KNBR Sports Radio Host
Scott Ostler, San Francisco Chronicle Sports Columnist
Mike Pinto, Manager, Joliet Slammers, Minor League Baseball
Daniel Rascher, President, Sports Economics and Faculty, University of San Francisco
Ted Robinson, National Sports Broadcaster
Bill Schlough, CIO, San Francisco Giants
Russ Stanley, Senior Vice President, Ticket Sale's Service,
San Francisco Giants
Please note: Guest speakers may be subject to change.
Register Now »
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If you enjoy our free publication, a
contribution to help defray costs
would be appreciated.
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Thanks to the following generous donors! | |
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A. Nonymous
Elisabeth (Betty) C.
Steve Chain
Harvey Cohen
Richard Cross -- Founder / San Francisco Nighthawks
Andy Dolich
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Robert Flammia
Bill & Nona Hool
Sheila Jordan
Arif Khatib
Mitchell Kim
David Larson
Ann McNaughton
Timothy Maroney
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Dave Newhouse
Timothy Palacios
James Reynolds
Ross & Vicki Robinson
Chloe Satterlee
Selina Satterlee
Robert Scheer
Leonard Schwab
Narda Zacchino
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Erik Miller, March 25, 2024, versus the Athletics.
Photo by Darren Yamashita.
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Will Miller be the Giants' only lefty option in the bullpen?
Maria Guardado
@mi_guardado
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.
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- For a while, Erik Miller felt like the universe was conspiring to keep him off the mound this spring.
He missed time early in camp due to left middle finger inflammation. Then he came down with the flu. Once he overcame those maladies, the Giants put him on the calendar to make his spring debut against the Reds on Friday afternoon. Miller hopped in his car and made the 32-mile drive to Goodyear Ballpark, only to find out the game had been rained out.
“It was like, ‘Dude, I can’t get on the mound.’ It doesn’t matter what it is,” Miller said. “I started to definitely feel a little bit of anxiety.”
Much to his relief, Miller finally got a chance to make his first spring appearance in the Giants’ 7-3 win over the Royals at Scottsdale Stadium on Saturday. The 27-year-old entered the game in the fourth inning and struck out three while working around a leadoff single to MJ Melendez and a hit-by-pitch to Cavan Biggio.
continued...
www.sfgiants.com
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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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Kurtz puts the hurt on his first spring homer
Martín Gallegos
@MartinJGallegos
This story was excerpted from Martín Gallegos' Athletics Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
LAS VEGAS -- When Nick Kurtz eventually makes his highly anticipated Major League debut with the Athletics, his road to The Show likely will have included a stop with the Las Vegas Aviators, the club’s Triple-A affiliate.
Before officially playing a game for the Aviators, Kurtz -- rated the A’s No. 2 prospect and No. 38 overall prospect in baseball by MLB Pipeline -- made himself comfortable in their home of Las Vegas Ballpark, where the A’s came away victorious, 4-2, on Saturday afternoon in the first of two exhibition games against the D-backs as part of Big League Weekend.
Getting the start at first base, Kurtz pounced on a 1-1 slider left up in the zone by Tommy Henry in his first at-bat. The wind blowing in from center field was no match for Kurtz’s 65-grade power, as the 21-year-old drilled his first spring home run – a Statcast-projected 441-foot solo drive to straightaway center that left his bat at an exit velocity of 110.3 mph.
continued...
www.athletics.com
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Star Power in Our Lineup
We're thrilled to announce that two of Oakland’s most iconic musicians, Too $hort and Billie Joe Armstrong, will be joining the Oakland Ballers ownership group. Their local roots and commitment to the Oakland community make them the perfect fit as we continue our mission to revolutionize sports ownership.
Adding to that, you now have a new opportunity to join them!
In July 2024, we launched a community investment round that raised $1.234 million in just nine days, oversubscribed by more than 2,200 fans. Due to overwhelming demand, we’re now opening a new community investment round, with a goal of raising $2 million.
- Here’s what Hip Hop Superstar and Entrepreneur Too $hort had to say about the opportunity: “Oakland has produced some of the best athletes and sports fans in the world and The Ballers commitment to feeding that competitive fire is exciting for me as an Oakland native. I’m proud to be joining the Ballers ownership group, and excited for the impact we’re going to have on the community and the overall sports landscape in the Bay Area and beyond!”
- Billie Joe Armstrong, frontman of Green Day, added, “The Oakland Ballers and the Oakland Roots & Soul represent everything I love and grew up on in the Bay Area. The welcoming atmosphere, DIY attitude, and the people behind it make me proud to be an investor and support the next generation of teams kids in the Bay will be proud of.”
These two local legends were real supporters in our first season, and it’s great to now have them on board in a more formal capacity.
Our community-focused ownership model is reshaping the way fans interact with teams. For the first time ever, we introduced a fan owner to our board of directors. And now, we’re taking it even further, offering an unprecedented bundle of rights to our investors. This includes checks and balances on key decisions such as the team’s location, brand changes, and front-office hires.
This is a historic moment for sports ownership, and we want YOU to be a part of it.
Join us in redefining what it means to be a fan and an owner. Our community investment round is powered by DealMaker, a platform designed to make investing seamless for fans like you.
Become a shareholder while you can!
I personally look forward to having you on our squad as we transform Oakland sports.
Warm regards,
Paul Freedman
Co-Founder, Oakland Ballers
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Comeback Falls Short, Roots Fall 2-4 in Season Opener at
Orange County SC
It was a sluggish start for the new look Roots in their 2025 USL Championship season debut. While Oakland fell behind by three goals early in the second half, the squad never looked defeated, finding their footing late in the match and rallying just short of a comeback in a 2-4 finish in Irvine versus Orange County SC on Saturday night.
Both sides took time to adjust to the competitive pace of a new season early on in the match, trading possession often, but neither side generated any truly dangerous scoring opportunities.
It was Orange County who settled in quicker however, opening the scoring in the 28th minute when a counter-attack opportunity was taken well advantage of and OC’s Kevin Partida received a through ball into the Oakland box sending a shot just wide across the face of the goal past Roots keeper Kendall McIntosh. Waiting in the open area just in front of the right post was Ryan Doghman who tapped in the empty netter to break the deadlock.
Orange County doubled the lead just moments into the second frame when Cameron Dunbar found space just inside the top right corner of the Oakland penalty area and lasered a shot near goal that was redirected into the twine off a header from Ethan Zubak in the 47th minute.
Just a few sequences later in the 52nd minute OC added on again, this time a set piece strike from the left side just outside the top line of the box. Orange County’s Nico Benalcazar rocketed a shot that bent over the Oakland wall and inside the left post to make it 0-3.
While Roots were down, they never quite looked out, looking stronger and stronger as the match drew on. In the 71st minute Oakland stole one back as Panos Armenakas sent a gorgeous cross to the left side to find a sprinting Wolfgang Prentice. Prentice charged into the OC penalty area and cut back to free up space before firing one home to make it 1-3.
continued...
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 3/05/2025
Oakland Roots and Soul SC and KTVU Renew Partnership to Air All USL Championship and Jagermister Cup Games and One USL W League Home Game
Oakland, CA (March 5, 2025) - Oakland Roots and Soul SC and English language broadcast partner, KTVU, renew partnership for the 2025 season. KTVU will air all Oakland Roots SC regular season games on KTVU Plus both home and away. KTVU Plus will remain the designated flagship English language television station of Oakland Roots SC for the 2025 season. KTVU Plus will also air one select Oakland Soul home game on June 7th as part of a Roots and Soul doubleheader.
“Our partnership with KTVU over the years has been invaluable,” said Oakland Roots and Soul President, Lindsay Barenz. “The regular recaps and storylines on KTVU and games on KTVU plus have allowed us to extend our reach throughout the entire Bay Area. With a headquarters right here in Oakland the partnership has aligned perfectly with who we are here at Oakland Roots and Soul.”
KTVU Plus coverage area provides an opportunity for over 2.6 million potential viewers across the region to enjoy Oakland Roots and Soul SC games. The partnership will also see KTVU Plus air one Oakland Soul SC (Oakland’s Women’s Team) home game on June 8th.
"We are thrilled to renew our partnership with Oakland Roots," said Mellynda Hartel, Senior Vice President and General Manager of KTVU and KICU. "This club continues to make an impact both on and off the pitch, creating meaningful opportunities for Bay Area youth and uniting the community through the power of sport. We look forward to seeing the Roots' fan base grow even stronger this season."
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About Oakland Roots SC
Oakland Roots Sports Club seeks to harness the magic of Oakland and the power of sport as a force for social good. Whether on the pitch, in the stands, or within the community, Oakland Roots will represent our one-of-a-kind city with passion, pride, and commitment to all things Oakland. Player by player. Supporter by supporter. Resident by resident. One day at a time. One game at a time. This is about Oakland first, always.
About KTVU
KTVU and KTVU Plus are part of the FOX Television Stations, which owns and operates 29 full power broadcast television stations in the U.S. These include stations located in nine of the top ten largest designated market areas (DMAs), and duopolies in 11 DMAs, including the three largest DMAs (New York, Los Angeles and Chicago). Of these stations, 17 are affiliated with the FOX Network. In addition to distributing sports, entertainment and syndicated content, our television stations collectively produce over 1,000 hours of local news every week. These stations leverage viewer, distributor and advertiser demand for the FOX Network’s national content.
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CELEBRATE THE DIVERSITY OF THE BAY THROUGHOUT THE SEASON | |
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Throughout the 2025 season, Bay FC is celebrating special occasions, including cultural and heritage theme nights, to honor our fans and the diversity of the Bay Area.
Each theme night, we turn a match into a full-on festival, featuring free giveaways, live entertainment and more!
Experience our first theme night of the season at our much-anticipated Home Opener presented by Sutter Health on Saturday, March 22nd at 7pm PT.
- Meet up with family and friends to participate in the Soccer Dart and snag co-branded poppy socks at the Sutter Health booth.
- Test your luck with Trader Joe’s Spin-to-Win wheel and check out more activities in FanFest.
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Plus, the first 13k fans in attendance receive a free
rally towel!
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Enough is Enough, Way More
Than Enough
by Howard Pearlstein
This week it was time to pull my old RESIST T-shirt out of the keepers box and see if it still fits. (It does!)
It’s not this or that, but damn near everything.
Politics? I don’t know what will or not be good for America in the long term, and anyway I can’t control that, even if I thought I had a clue.
But I can when the cable sites I pay for tell me I can’t record or even watch the Dubs games they broadcast unless I pony up an additional seventeen bucks a month for the privilege (which, until now, was a part of the cable package). That’s Sports Bay Area and Sports California. And also TNT, which is still free EXCEPT for Warriors games. It’s interesting timing how, now that they’re on a roll, and all the fans want to see them win.
I’ve often mentioned having been a Warriors fan since my father took me to games in the 50s.
Same time, the 50s in Philly, Bally pinball machine people were trying to break into the market.
Players loved the great action and better flippers of the Gottlieb machine, and the small business owners didn’t want to lose that little bit of extra income.
So the Bally people showed the shop owners how much more it cost to repair broken windows and burnt stuff after small fires. Repair vandalized counters, fix broken legs. They also did the same for jukeboxes.
And in case you’ve got a bit of WTF about the name The City of Brotherly Love, William Penn had never been there. It was one of those real estate labels they used to entice people.
“If we say it in Latin: Philos Adelphos, they will come and it’s a long boat ride to go back home."
But also, underneath the street gang attitude, it’s about knowing those guys in wigs and buckle shoes wrote the Declaration of Independence right down there on Chestnut Street. Even though they knew if a Redcoat looked in the window, they’d be hanging from rafters by sundown, just like hams in a smokehouse.
So, ok, this cable station shakedown might seem petty compared to all that, but it’s the same thing, the same historical protection racket game which sits like a tarantula on top of what you already have: “Pay us more or lose it.”
They’re pushing it now, knowing that we all really want to see the Dubs play with Jimmy Bullets in the rotation. And unless you’re wealthy enough to buy seats, sports are TV.
Who’s pushing it? The cable station owners? The NBA? The Dubs? I don’t know. I don’t do Investigative journalism any more. Got enough death threats in the 80s ands 90s. Now I do Urinarily Motivated Journalism, aka Pissed Off Complaining.
Long time ago, a man I knew, great guy, movie company exec, noticed how I was set up to record movies. And he said, “You know that’s not really legal.”
And I said: ”I paid for my tv and my recording equipment. I pay the cable bill to see those movies here in my own home. All I’m doing is time-binding – putting the movies into a more convenient time.”
Some time later at his home, I saw he had added the recording setup, and also sprung for the device that boosts color and sound. He smiled and wagged his eyebrows when I said: “More fun to be a pirate than a pissant.”
There are always some ways to get around things designed to keep you out.
* * *
Howard Pearlstein has been a few places and done a few things.
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John Paye -- from the Autograph Collection of Rich Yee | |
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I recently had the privilege of attending the Multi-Ethics Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Oakland California. Among the new inductees was former 49ers quarterback John Paye. Throughout the night, John was very friendly to anybody who wanted to speak with him. I've met him once before and he has always been very friendly to his fans. After the award ceremony, John signed the program booklet for me.
Rich Yee, Sports Today Photographer
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Newsletter, Image, Likeness Vol. 122: The School Supported NIL Contract Conundrum | |
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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, an ESPN investigation revealed something I've been warning about for months: the increasingly complex and potentially predatory nature of "NIL contracts" in college sports.
These aren't just contracts. They're sophisticated control mechanisms disguised as opportunities.
Imagine signing a document that gives an institution the right to your tattoos, dance moves, and entire personal brand, all while maintaining the fiction that you're not an employee.
The contracts -- claimed to be licensing agreements produced by schools -- I reviewed are a masterclass in institutional overreach. Transfer penalties that can cost thousands. Endorsement restrictions that would make professional athletes cringe. Clauses that allow schools to modify payments based on performance—while simultaneously claiming these aren't "pay for play" agreements.
Most critically, these contracts are being presented to young athletes who often lack the legal sophistication to understand what they're signing. It's exploitation wrapped in the language of opportunity.
One of my quotes in the piece says it all: "These deals are absolutely worthless to athletes. There's no reason to sign it. You're giving away rights and there's no guarantees for you in it." To be clear, that is my position unless the deals are sufficiently and thoroughly negotiated and redlined to the point where they are reasonable and fair for the athletes.
We're watching the early stages of what will undoubtedly become a significant legal battle. The NCAA is attempting to create a system that looks remarkably like professional employment—without any of the protections professional employees receive.
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IMSA Race Weekend at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca to Feature Thrilling Support Series Action
MONTEREY, Calif., Mar. 06, 2025—WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca will host an exhilarating weekend of racing May 9-11 that is headlined by the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. The premier sports car race with its advanced GTP race cars competing with LMP2, GTD Pro and GTO together on the track at the same time makes non-stop thrilling action. Complementing the race are three prominent support series: the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America, and the Mustang Challenge Series, now in its second year.
IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge
The IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge showcases production-based sports cars competing in two classes: Grand Sport (GS) and Touring Car (TCR). The high-performance GS class features powerful GT4-spec machines, while the TCR class showcases nimble, front-wheel-drive touring cars that excel in close-quarters combat. Renowned for its door-to-door racing, with intense battles from the green to checkered flags, the series features vehicles from manufacturers such as BMW, Aston Martin, Audi, Porsche, McLaren and Hyundai. Drivers will navigate the challenging 2.238-mile circuit of Laguna Seca, delivering fans a spectacle of skill and strategy.
Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America
The Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America series brings the thrill of Italian engineering to the track, featuring the Huracán Super Trofeo EVO2 models. Known for high-speed duels and precision driving, this one-make series offers a unique platform for both professional and amateur drivers to compete on equal footing. The Laguna Seca round promises to be a highlight, with competitors pushing the limits on this iconic circuit.
Mustang Challenge Series
Entering its second season, the Mustang Challenge Series continues to grow in popularity and makes its first appearance at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Sanctioned by IMSA and organized by Ford Performance Racing School Motorsports, the series features the Mustang Dark Horse R, a track-ready variant of Ford's iconic muscle car. The competition is divided into two classes: Dark Horse and Dark Horse Legends, the latter catering to bronze-level drivers aged 45 and above. Each event includes two 45-minute sprint races, offering fans plenty of action and showcasing the performance capabilities of the Mustang Dark Horse R.
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Cal Earns First ACC Win
Bears Open Home Slate In Winning Fashion
BERKELEY – The California softball team (17-4) notched its first-ever ACC win in their home opener against Boston College, 5-3, on Friday at the Levine-Fricke Field in Berkeley, California.
The Golden Bears won their 11th consecutive game in the series opener against the Eagle, racking up 12 hits and two home runs.
The Eagles took the lead in the top of the first inning behind an RBI double by Jordan Stephens to tack on the game's first run.
Cal responded later in the frame with a two-run home run from Acacia Anders, her first of the season, to give the Bears a 2-1 lead heading into the second inning.
In the top of the second, pitcher Miranda De Nava quickly retired the side after recording three consecutive outs, including one strikeout. Mia Phillips found the gap in center field for a double to get the Bears started at the bottom of the second. Phillips advanced to scoring position in the next at-bat when Nailyn Marshall got on base with a base hit.
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Photo: Andrew Madsen/ KLC Fotos
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Cardinal Upends No. 4 North Carolina in ACC Opener
Stanford took the opener of a three-game series at
No. 4 North Carolina
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Tied at 6-6 in the fifth inning, Stanford (11-2, 1-0 ACC) got a solo home run from Jimmy Nati and a grand slam from Brandon Larson to plate six in the frame and blow the game open en route to a 13-9 victory over No. 4 North Carolina (13-1, 1-0 ACC) on Friday night in Stanford’s inaugural ACC contest.
The home runs were the second of the season for both players, with Larson having now homered in back-to-back games. The native of Rocklin, Calif. finished the contest 2-for-5 with a run scored, the homer and a career-high six RBIs.
In a game touted as a matchup between two of the top pitchers in the nation in Matt Scott and Jason DeCaro, both teams got off to strong offensive starts on Friday. The Tar Heels jumped out to an early 3-0 lead with three runs in the first, but Scott ultimately settled in and allowed the Cardinal offense to draw even with two in the second and one in the third. Freshman Charlie Bates provided the big hit in the second, lofting a two-RBI double off the wall in the left field, before Charlie Saum lined a sac fly to left to tie the game in the third.
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Spartans Shut Out Boston College
4-0
SAN JOSE, Calif.– No. 111 Cheuk Ying Shek, Carla Urchoeguia and Olaya Bances Iglesias each won both their singles and doubles matches to lead the San José State women’s tennis team (9-1, 0-0 MW) in a 4-0 win against Boston College (5-9, 1-3 ACC) on Wednesday evening.
- The last time the Spartans beat a current member of the ACC was in 2016 against SMU, marking a tremendous victory for them.
- This is the best start for the Spartans since the 2020-21 season when they started 14-0.
- No. 111 Ying Shek and doubles partner Urchoeguia vigilantly battled their opponents and eventually won, 7-6 (7-1)
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Duru Durgun and Bances Iglesias also went into a tiebreak in their doubles match and won, earning the Spartans the doubles point, 7-6 (7-4)
- Bances Iglesias quickly defeated her opponent in her singles match, 6-4, 6-3
- No. 111 Ying Shek won in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3.
- She is currently on a three-match win streak
- Urchoeguia clinched the Spartans' final singles point, winning 6-4, 6-3
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Saint Mary's College Gaels | |
Grace Travis (pictured) and Delaney Nicholls have won
three of their last four
BVB | Gaels Battle Tough Against Pair of Ranked Opponents
WAIKIKI, Hawaii — The four game winning streak for the Gaels (7-5) came to an end today in Waikiki, as Saint Mary's battled it out with a pair of ranked opponents, but fell to 15th ranked Hawaii Rainbow Wahine (4-7) and the 17th ranked Washington Huskies (6-6). The Gaels fell to Hawaii by a narrow 3-2 margin, and to Washington by a 4-1 scoreline.
Hawaii won the first three points to secure the victory in game one today, but the Gaels continued to battle, as the fives (Delaney Nicholls/Grace Travis) and the threes (Sedona Sherman/Angelina Bour) both forced a third set, before ultimately winning to earn the 3-2 scoreline. The Nicholls/Travis win was their third straight in the five spot, while the Sherman/Bour win was their second in a row.
Against Washington, the Gaels again fell behind 3-0, suffering the loss, but Allie Cataldo and Hannah Couch earned their first win of the day, bringing the final score to 4-1. Cataldo and Couch continue to be the Gaels most consistent pair on the year, now at 9-3 for the season.
The Gaels will take on Tulane tomorrow before starting bracket play of the Queen's Cup.
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Dons Falls to Bulldogs in Regular Season Finale
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - In the final game of the 2024-25 regular season, the University of San Francisco men's basketball team (23-8, 13-5 WCC) fought to the final buzzer, but ultimately fell to Gonzaga (23-8, 14-4 WCC), 95-75, at Chase Center on Saturday night.
San Francisco has clinched the No. 3 seed in the upcoming 2025 Credit Union 1 West Coast Conference Championship as the Dons have secured a triple-bye into the quarterfinal round of the tournament.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
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Tyrone Riley IV drew first blood for San Francisco as the freshman scored the first basket of the game, but the two teams exchanged field goals through the first three minutes of the ballgame, with the Dons leading 6-5 at 17:10.
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Gonzaga followed suit with seven unanswered points punctuated by a Graham Ike and-one to go up 12-6 with 15 minutes to play in the first half. Retaliating, Marcus Williams and Ryan Beasley scored back-to-back baskets to trim the lead to two, 12-10.
- The Dons kept the game within two points across the following four minutes, but a 10-2 Gonzaga burst, including five points from Khalif Battle, put the Zags up 29-19 with 8:34 remaining in the first half.
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Fighting back, San Francisco scored three consecutive buckets from Marcus Williams, Robby Beasley and Riley IV to narrow the deficit to four, 29-25, at 6:46.
- The Bulldogs quickly snuffed the Dons' run with a 17-6 burst to end the half, including a stretch of nine straight Gonzaga points by Ben Gregg, as Gonzaga took a 46-31 lead heading back to the locker room.
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Photo: Christina Leung
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Santa Clara Battles No. 12 Texas in Series Opener
Brandon Gomez threw five gutsy innings on the road
Friday at No. 12 Texas
AUSTIN, Texas — A couple of falling fly balls in the outfield made the difference Friday in a game that featured strong pitching from both sides, as No. 12 Texas took advantage to earn a slim, 4-2, victory over the Santa Clara University baseball team in game one of the teams' non-conference series at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.
How it happened:
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The No. 12 Longhorns (11-1) entered Friday averaging 8.5 runs a game and slugging .573 as a team, but the Santa Clara pitching staff held them in check. Starter Brandon Gomez (1-2) shut down Texas and its powerful offense for four innings, stranding five runners and throwing up zeros through the first four frames. Texas finally broke through in the fifth, but even that took some luck. A misplayed ball in center field that glanced off an SCU defender's glove, a hit-by-pitch, and a sinking fly ball in left-center that turned into a two-run double by Jalin Flores gave the Longhorns a 2-0 lead.
- Gomez posted a gutsy Friday night performance in front of more than 7,000 hostile Longhorns fans. The senior lefty threw over 100 pitches (103) while working through traffic in all five of his innings. He stranded seven runners – five in scoring position – and struck out four. It was his second start in a row of going at least five and allowing three runs or fewer.
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Santa Clara kept battling all night long, answering right back to Texas' first runs with one in the top of the sixth, and even bringing the tying run to the plate in the ninth. A leadoff single from Ben Cleary got the Broncos' rally started in the sixth. Four batters later, Tate Medicoff singled Cleary home with an RBI knock to short right field, cutting the Longhorns' lead in half at 2-1.
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University of Pacific Tigers | |
No. 13 LMU Gets Past No. 23
Pacific in Second Half
LOS ANGELES – The No. 23 Pacific women's water polo program played a strong first half, but No. 13 LMU responded in the second to take a 16-12 decision Friday at the Burns Aquatics Center.
The Tigers (7-6, 1-1 GCC) led by two goals at two different points of the second quarter and remained ahead 8-7 at the half after a buzzer beater by senior Ilyana Zlobinsky. Though, the Lions (12-9, 2-0 GCC) answered with a 6-2 third quarter to go up 13-10 and held on in the fourth.
Senior Addison McGowan led Pacific with three goals on three shots, and dished out two assists. It was her first hat trick of the season and she's up to 17 goals on the year.
A pair of goals came from junior Dora Alaksza, sophomore Ella Cowan and sophomore Anna Crum. Alaksza has scored in every game this year and upped her season tally to a team-high 54.
Zlobinsky, senior Natalie Johnston and senior Szamira Koppány each found the back of the net.
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Aggies Grasp Two Wins; Dominate Hawai'i and Sweep UTRGV
Score (Game One): UC Davis 4, Hawai'i 1
Location: Davis, Calif.
Records: UC Davis 7-4, Hawai'i 3-11
Score (Game Two): UC Davis 4, UTRGV 0
Records: UC Davis 8-4, UTRGV 2-12
Location: Davis, Calif.
The short story: UC Davis men's tennis showcased their dominance in a thrilling doubleheader, first overcoming Hawaii 4-1 with a strong all-around performance, and then sweeping UTRGV 4-0, securing two decisive victories in one action-packed day.
Courtside:
- The Aggies took the early lead in both matches, grabbing the doubles point.
- Senior Sam DeVries won both of his singles matches of the day.
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Ryan Torres and Ivan Savkin went undefeated as a doubles pair throughout both matches.
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Cal State University East Bay Pioneers | |
Pioneer Softball Splits Wednesday Doubleheader vs. Dominican
HAYWARD, Calif. - The No. 15 Cal State East Bay softball team split a non-conference doubleheader on Wednesday to Dominican University of California. The Pioneers were shut out 2-0 in game one, but responded in game two with a 4-1 win over the Penguins.
Game One: Dominican 2, Cal State East Bay 0
Kate Tabola led off the game with a solo home run to give the Penguins a 1-0 lead. In the same inning with two outs and the bases loaded, Dominican capitalized with an RBI single hit by Alicia Garcia for a 2-0 lead.
The Pioneers had runners in scoring position in the bottom of the first, third and fourth innings but were unable to capitalize, as the Penguins handed East Bay its second loss of the season with a 2-0 shutout.
Game Two: Cal State East Bay 4, Dominican 1
The Pioneers finally got on the scoreboard for the first time on Wednesday in the bottom of the second inning. Ysabella Cortez launched a solo home run to left field to start what became a three-run inning for East Bay. After the home run, Gabriela Rivera doubled, then two batters later, Ashlee Toy doubled to drive in Rivera for a 2-0 lead. And the doubles continued, as Annelise Garcia repeated Toy's hitting with her own RBI double as the Pioneers led 3-0 after two innings.
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Photo: Catharyn Hayne
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REGISTRATION OPENS FOR THE 2025 ROLEX BIG BOAT SERIES | |
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA—The Notice of Race is posted and registration is open for the 61st edition of Rolex Big Boat Series, hosted by St. Francis Yacht Club.
Scheduled for September 10-14, 2025, when conditions on San Francisco Bay are ideal for fast and thrilling competition, this legendary regatta rewards the best in West Coast racing with perpetual trophies and Rolex timepieces for select fleets.
The following are invited to compete in this year’s Rolex Big Boat Series:
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One-design boats of the J/88, J/105, Cape 31and Express 37 classes. Other classes with a minimum number of boats can be considered with application to the Organizing Authority.
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ORC Monohulls with a LOA ≥ 30 feet. Boats with an APH of 500 or lower are required to have an ORC International certificate. Boats with an APH higher than 500 may compete using either an ORC International Certificate or ORC Club Certificate.
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Classic boats built prior to 1955 with a LOA ≥ 48 feet and a current ORRez rating certificate.
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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, March 10, through
Sunday, March 16, 2025
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Monday, March 10
Golden State Warriors vs. Portland Trail Blazers, 7 p.m.
Sacramento Kings vs. New York Knicks, 7:30 p.m.
San Francisco Giants @ Colorado Rockies, 1:10 p.m.
A's vs. Chicago White Sox, 1:05 p.m.
Tuesday, March 11
San Jose Sharks vs. Nashville Predators, 7:30 p.m.
San Francisco Giants vs. Athletics, 6:05p.m.
Wednesday, March 12
San Francisco Giants @ Cleveland Guardians, 1:05 p.m.
A's vs. Arizona Diamondbacks, 1:05 p.m.
Thursday, March 13
Golden State Warriors v. Sacramento Kings, 7 p.m.
San Jose Sharks vs. Chicago Blackhawks, 7:30 p.m.
San Francisco Giants vs. Texas Rangers, 1:05 p.m.
A's @ Cincinnati Reds, 1:05 p.m.
Friday, March 14
Sacramento Kings @ Phoenix Suns, 7 p.m.
San Francisco Giants @ Milwaukee Brewers, 1:10 p.m.
A's vs. Los Angeles Angels, 1:05 p.m.
Saturday, March 15
Golden State Warriors vs. New York Knicks, 5:30 p.m.
San Jose Sharks vs. Washington Capitals, 2 p.m.
San Jose Earthquakes vs. Colorado Avalanche, 7:30 p.m.
San Francisco Giants vs. Seattle Mariners, 1:05 p.m.
A's vs. Texas Rangers, 1:05 p.m.
Sunday, March 16
San Francisco Giants @ A's, 1:05 p.m.
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Publisher: Christopher Weills
Marketing Director: Robert Moselle
Director of Sales: Ann Cooke; Representative: Ayiko Konopaski
Contributors: 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
Staff Photographers: Jeff Bayer, Alex Ho, Ed Jay, Ron Sellers, Darren Yamashita, Rich Yee, Kenny Karst (retired).
Artist: Carl Macki
Social Media & Production: Jenny Kim
Webmaster/Sports Today Editor: Medhavee Upadhyaya
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/
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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: $15 hardcover, $10 paperback, plus $4.95 shipping. Send check/M.O. to Christopher Weills, P.O. Box 4515, Berkeley, CA 94704 | | |
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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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