Impact Update for Friday, July 15
“Optionality is good, and we’re vetting through all of them. I think it’s fair to say I’ve received a lot of phone calls, a lot of interest. People understand the direction of the Big 12, and we’re exploring those levels of interest.”

-Brett Yormark, Commissioner
Big 12 Conference

See Big 12 story below...
Quote of the Day.

"You can't do ordinary stuff and expect unique results."

- Mike Tomlin
Pittsburg Steelers Head Coach
Around The Horn.


  • New Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark declared the league “open for business,” saying that while nothing is imminent all options will be considered as he takes over with conference realignment again shaking college sports.
  • The FC Series is the national expansion of the Florida Cup, the Sunshine State's largest annual international soccer and music event. The weeklong festival will also include additional ancillary events in Orlando featuring club legends and other celebrities, including a concert from Brazilian superstar Ivete Sangalo on Sunday, July 17, at Universal Orlando Resort.
  • On June 25 and 26, Full Sail University and XP League (XPL) partnered to bring the 2021-2022 North American Finals to the Full Sail University Orlando Health Fortress and Full Sail Live Venue. The two-day event featured 48 teams competing in Fortnite, Valorant, Overwatch, and Rocket League with an audience of over 10,000 spectators, making it one of the biggest esports events in Full Sail history.
  • As speculation percolates over when — not if — Rob Gronkowski will return to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the four-time All-Pro tight end remains adamant he’ll stay retired. Even if Tom Brady tries to lure him back.
  • At the 150th Open Championship, Tiger Woods gets to be 'The Man in the Arena' for perhaps one last run at St. Andrews. Woods is one of just five golfers in history who have lifted multiple Claret Jugs in the 29 Opens that have been played on the most strategic, complex golf course in the world.
  • After adding the University of New Hampshire to its 2024 non-conference football schedule this week, UCF football has made another change to its future football schedule. The Knights will face Sam Houston State for the first time on Sept. 7, 2024, at FBC Mortage Stadium, according to a Sam Houston press release.
  • NBA commissioner Adam Silver said he is "hopeful" there will be a change in the NBA's age limit in the next collective bargaining agreement, calling it "the right thing to do." This isn't the first time the idea of changing the age limit has come up in recent years, including negotiations between the NBA and National Basketball Players Association a few years ago that ultimately broke down.
  • A special ceremony welcoming 20 new American citizens into the country took place during the halftime of the Orlando City soccer game on Saturday. For those honored, this proud moment is something they’ve been waiting to accomplish for years.
  • NFL training camps are a few weeks away and players have been getting in shape so they are ready for the long season. UCF alumni and Buffalo Bills wide receiver, Gabe Davis, came back to the Sunshine State with a few friends to get some work.
  • The first female dancer from Brevard is heading to Juilliard. Even to the untrained eye, Jasmine Sinnott-Klenotich’s talent is crystal clear when she takes to the floor. But it was not the first sport that captured the focus of this 18-year-old natural athlete.
  • Simone Johnson, the daughter of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, made her first speaking appearance in front of fans during NXT’s live event Saturday night at Engelwood Neighborhood Center in Orlando. Simone, whose WWE-assigned ring name is Ava Raine, delivered a short promo in the center of the ring between matches at the live event.
  • The 27th season of the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Presented by Fuel Me is set to premiere starting with a two-hour episode Saturday, July 9, at 11 a.m. ET on CBS Sports Network. The 2022 Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit features a roster of the world’s best bass-fishing professionals competing across six regular-season events, each with a top award of up to $135,000.
  • The Winter Park women's crew team is back in Florida after making it all the way to the finals of the Junior Women's Eights of the Henley Royal Regatta. Winter Park now ranks second in the world after coming in behind St. Catherine's out of Australia in the race officially known as the Prince Phillip Challenge.
  • The Orlando Magic signed second-round pick Caleb Houstan, the team announced Sunday. Orlando drafted Houstan with the No. 32 pick in the June 23 draft. A Montverde Academy alumni, Houstan has played in the Magic’s summer league wins over the Houston Rockets on Thursday and Sacramento Kings on Saturday.
  • UCF head football coach Gus Malzahn will join Florida Citrus Sports members on July 27 for the latest installment of our Chalk Talk Lunch series presented by SouthState Bank. Guests at the event will enjoy a catered lunch in the Varsity Club at Camping World Stadium and hear firsthand from Malzahn as he discusses his life and career, as well as his goals for the Knights program as he enters his second season in Orlando.
  • Orlando Sentinel has compiled a list of Varsity Awards winners since the 2007-08 school year. It includes athletes, teams and coaches of the year, plus up and coming “breakout” athletes. Award winners were selected by the Sentinel staff.
In The News.

  • Finally, here's the final group of Orlando Business Journal's 2022 Golden 100, Central Florida's largest privately held companies. These companies — many of which are legacy businesses — have proven their ability to withstand economic crises time and time again. Additionally, newer companies are proving they have what it takes to compete in this new, sometimes uncertain business environment.
  • For the first time in the history of the state, Florida restaurants have been ranked among those that have received a coveted Michelin star, including four Orlando restaurants. Congratulations to GO Sports board member Jon McGavin, who's Knife & Spoon restaurant at The Ritz Carlton Grande Lakes was awarded a star and restaurant Primo was awarded a recommendation. Congrats also to board members Jessi Blakely (Tavistock) and Kaleb Harrel (Hawkers), whose restaurants, Bacan at the Lake Nona Wave Hotel and Hawkers, received Michelin recommendations.
  • Congratulations to GO Sports board member Jesse Martinez, General Manager of The Alfond Inn, which was just named one of the 15 best resorts in Florida according to Travel + Leisure readers. Picking the 15 best resorts in Florida out of more than 4,000 properties is no easy feat, and T+L readers used their favorite activities to help choose — considering the hotels' proximity to white-sand beaches, family-friendly theme parks, and world-class golfing.
  • Longwood-based data analytics company BaseballCloud, whose software allows baseball players and coaches to analyze performance metrics, has acquired Aqueti, a North Carolina-based supercamera firm. This is BaseballCloud’s second acquisition in less than a year. The firm also acquired Michigan-based Yakkertech, an optical tracking company, in September 2021.
  • The UCF Athletics Association struck a deal with Playfly that will be a 13-year multimedia rights contract worth $125 million. 
  • TRON Lightcycle Run at Magic Kingdom is still under construction, and although Disney hasn't revealed an opening timeline, the company recently released more details about the attraction, including a new photo. The nighttime photo shows the ride vehicles, called Lightcycles, illuminated during a test run.
  • Students may be eligible for tuition Money-Back Guarantee Program. A new state initiative is now available to incentivize students to get educated and into a workforce in high-demand jobs. Sparks are flying at the Eastern Florida State College shop, home of the school's Welding Technology Program.
  • Potential projects that could total $14 million in local expenditures were approved by the House Appropriations Committee, according to a release by Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy. The total amount could be made up of 15 individual measures that are aimed at improving public safety, public health, housing accessibility, transportation, and the environment.
  • A UCF student has become Florida’s first winner of the Miss India Worldwide beauty pageant. Khushi Patel, who is currently a third-year Pre-Med student at UCF, took home the tiara June 24 at the Miss India Worldwide 2022 Grand Finale, held at Royal Albert’s Palace in New Jersey.
  • Animal care staff at Brevard Zoo shared news Friday that a second of their endangered Grévy’s zebras had given birth to a foal. The latest new mother, 11-year-old Iggy, delivered in the early hours of June 30, the zoo said. The foals were conceived as part of a Species Survival Plan breeding program for zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
  • The Orlando Science Center was selected as one of three educational institutions nationwide to be awarded funding from NASA to support STEM learning programs for youths. The partnership between NASA and OSC will span three years and includes a $795,000 grant that will be allocated to make STEM education accessible to demographics that are underrepresented in these fields.
  • Orlando police Chief Orlando Rolón recognized commendable officers and community members at the department’s Quarterly Awards Ceremony Wednesday afternoon. Among the praise lauded on the group, Rolón handed out the Good Citizenship Award, Unit Citation and Life Saving Award.
  • Leigh Shannon is an actor, comedian, entertainer and small business owner. The iconic Bette Midler impersonator has starred in sold-out comedy performances at Hamburger Mary’s in Orlando for many years. He decided to bring in medical-grade wigs to his consignment shop, and shortly after it was renamed “Ritzy Rags Wigs & More Orlando.”
  • The Conservancy of Southwest Florida discovered and captured the largest python yet found in the state, measuring nearly 18 feet long and weighing 215 pounds, according to a Wednesday news release. The female Burmese python, an invasive species in Florida, was found by a team of wildlife biologists at the conservancy.
  • Sparta Science, a movement performance company specializing in force plate data, has partnered with seven healthcare organizations. The most recent addition is Orlando Health, who are the official medical provider for MLB’s Tampa Bay Rays, Orlando City SC of MLS and NWSL’s Orlando Pride.
  • iHeartMedia’s Florida Division has new leadership as the company announced that Kim Guthrie would be taking over the president position from Linda Byrd, who will retire effective July 15th. As part of her new role, Guthrie will oversee the operations of the Florida Division for iHeartMedia and report directly to the president of iHeartMedia Markets Group.
Stay Engaged.

  • Iconic singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen, accompanied by The E Street Band, is headed on an international tour in 2023 with a stop in Orlando. The Grammy Award-winning musician will kick off his 31-date tour in Tampa on Feb. 1 before coming to grace the stage at Amway Center on Feb. 5.
  • Join GO Sports board member and General Manager of the Grand Bohemian hotel, Justin Williams, for an exclusive red-carpet experience, Boujee Ball, at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday, July 23. Tickets are on sale here. Proceeds to benefit MAN UP Mentoring Inc. 
  • The Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress in Orlando on July 16 is hosting the Qualatex Balloon Wonderland for one of their most uplifting fundraisers ever! Working together as a team, more than 400 balloon artists from around the world will construct a life-sized replica of Give Kids The World Village’s most iconic venues created from more than 500,000 balloons.
  • The Book Arts Guild of Central Florida is pleased to announce the opening of Books Are Everything: The Book Arts Guild of Central Florida 2022 Members Exhibition. For this second annual exhibition, guild members were asked to submit works which reflected their love for the book as a concept, symbol and/or way of understanding the world. This exhibition focuses solely on artists’ books– works of art based on the form and/or concept of “the book.”
  • Join the Art & History Museums for “en plein air” (in the open air) in the main garden for Little Creatives & Me. There will be a themed circle and story time plus an art activity especially for littles! A snack will be provided too! Recommend ages under 3, and their very special person (parent, grandparent, caregiver). Older siblings are always welcome!
  • The KidFest Summer Movie Series offers film fans and children of all ages the rare opportunity to experience an exceptional selection of family-friendly movies that are FREE for kids 12 & under! The movie Spirited Away will be playing on July 21 at 11:30 am-2:00 pm.
  • At the Florida Hero Trivia Night at Art & History Museums of Maitland, you can bring your friends, a Florida-themed superhero outfit, and your sense of humor to this fun Florida history trivia night! Form a team and win fabulous prizes.
  • TPD’s Putt N’ Pour is part Pub Crawl, part Miniature Golf and all fun! Golfers will be challenged by holes designed and built by multiple Thornton Park District bars and restaurants while enjoying beverage specials and prize giveaways. After the crawl, golfers and spectators converge at Cavo’s Bar & Kitchen for the official post party complete with drink specials, and raffles!
  • Like a passport specially for your palate, the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival is a magical taste tour—one that whisks you off on a fun and flavorful journey across six continents. So come sip and savor your way through EPCOT, as you delight in some of your favorite flavors, and try plenty of new ones along the way.
  • Milk Mixer is a quarterly business-after-hours networking event where you can rub shoulders with Milk District members! Network and meet new business owners & residents at H20 Church.
  • SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens are now offering military members and up to three guests complimentary one-day admission to the theme park. The offer is valid for qualified service members and veterans, including active, retired, honorably separated officers and enlisted personnel of the U.S. military.
  • Florida residents can save big while visiting Walt Disney World Resort theme parks. Click here to view the current list of special offers.
  • Universal Orlando's Florida resident specials include discounts on vacation packages.
In The Community.
WISE Greater Orlando hosted their annual Financial Fitness event this week at the Varsity Club at Camping World Stadium. The event was sponsored by AdventHealth, and GO Sports Board Member Marci Doyle spoke as a panelist.
GO Sports Executive Vice President Jennifer Lastik and Senior Director Kyle Sturley attended the WISE Greater Orlando Financial Fitness event, along with partner Lauren Poppe from Orlando Health.
The Florida Sports Foundation hosted the annual Florida Sports Summit at the Amway Center, with representatives from sports commissions all over the state of Florida in attendance. Vice President of ESPN Wide World of Sports and GO Sports Board Chairman Faron Kelley presented to the group along with President & CEO Jason Siegel.
Full Sail University and XP League hosted the 2021-2022 North American Finals at two venues on campus. GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel and Senior Director Shalisa Griffin attended.
Local Resources.

  • Visit these pages for the most critical local health and government updates:
  • City of Orlando: COVID-19 Homepage | Testing Sites | Vaccine Sites
  • Orange County: COVID-19 Homepage | Testing Sites | Vaccine Sites
  • Osceola County: COVID-19 Homepage | Testing Sites | Vaccine Sites
  • Seminole County: COVID-19 Homepage | Testing Sites | Vaccine Sites
  • Lake County: Homepage
  • City of Orlando:
  • The Downtown Development Board (DDB) and Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) created a webpage to assist with identifying grants and incentives that may be available to downtown businesses.
  • Orlando's City Council approved the Safety Awareness for Everyone (S.A.F.E) Program, creating an incentive for businesses and properties to purchase and install security measures that are intended to help deter crime and provide a safer environment for business owners, employees, and visitors. Entertainment businesses including, but not limited to, bars, nightclubs, and entertainment venues located within the City of Orlando’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) footprint shall be eligible for funding to purchase and install security measures which include identification scanners, security cameras, and metal detection systems. Other properties located within the CRA shall be eligible for funding to purchase and install security cameras only. Applicants are eligible to receive up to $10,000 or 50% of the total cost of eligible products, whichever is less. Click here for more info and to apply now.
  • Orange County:
  • Orange County’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program remains open for individuals who are behind on rent or at risk of being evicted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, more than $15.3 million have been approved to keep 2,635 families in their homes. Recently, the City of Orlando announced it has depleted its current federal funds dedicated to its Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Orange County is stepping in to bridge the gap and will temporarily offer assistance to Orlando residents, effective now until further notice. Eligible residents include those living in unincorporated Orange County, Apopka, Bay Lake, Belle Isle, Eatonville, Edgewood, Lake Buena Vista, Maitland, Oakland, Ocoee, Orlando, Windermere, Winter Garden and Winter Park. Residents can visit ocfl.net/RentalAssistance to review program details and to check if their address is eligible.
  • CareerSource Central Florida is helping career seekers and displaced workers apply for the Reemployment Assistance program through the Department of Economic Opportunity.
  • Osceola County:
  • Osceola County is currently accepting applications for emergency utility assistance for households impacted by COVID19. Funding is available for electric, gas, and water utilities only. If you reside in Osceola County and your household is impacted, please click here to complete the application.
  • Lake County:
  • For Lake County residents, United Way of Lake and Sumter Counties is able to assist with CARES/ERA/SHIP Federal funds for rent and utilities. For more information on eligibility and documents needed, or to make an appointment, please visit their Family Stability Services page.
  • Seminole County:
  • If you have been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis and live in Seminole County, The Sharing Center is currently accepting applications for rent/mortgage and utilities assistance. Click here for program criteria and to learn how to apply.
  • Additional Resources:
  • The US Small Business Association has compiled a database of private funding options to help small businesses. Browse the options available nationally, or input a zip code to explore location-specific funding.