An incident on the sidelines during a crushing loss Thursday night, Dec. 12, to the Los Angeles Rams added insult to the San Francisco 49er’s injury. Linebacker De’Vondre Campbell refused to enter the game when coaches called his number. Afterward, as expected, his teammates, including team captain George Kittle, were furious.
“It’s one person making a selfish decision. I’ve never been around anybody that’s ever done that, and I hope I’m never around anybody who does that again,” said Kittle.
The controversy began in the third quarter when San Francisco coaches wanted to give linebacker Dre Greenlaw a break. Greenlaw was dealing with a sore knee in his first game action since suffering a different injury in the Super Bowl back in February.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan says the plan was to put Campbell in, but he declined to go into the game. After the game, a surprised media contingent peppered Shanahan with questions. His answers were brief.
“People noticed, but when someone says that, you move on,” Shanahan said. “That’s somebody who doesn’t want to play football. That’s pretty simple. I think our team and myself, we know how we feel about that, so we don’t need to talk about him anymore.”
When asked whether Campbell would be released, Shanahan said, “We’ll figure out something.”
A nine-year NFL veteran, Campbell walked to the locker room with a towel over his head. Teammate Charvarious Ward called Campbell’s actions unprofessional and may have foreshadowed his fate.
“It definitely hurt the team. Dee went down and we needed a linebacker. … So, for him to do that, that’s some sucka stuff to me, in my opinion,” said Ward. “He’s probably going to get cut soon, so it is what it is with that.”
Just 10 months removed from a Super Bowl appearance, the Niners’ playoff hopes hang by a thread after the 12-6 loss.
NFL unlikely to penalize players for performing ‘Trump Dance’ celebration
Several NFL players have recently adopted a new on-field celebration mimicking President-elect Donald Trump’s signature dance move, raising questions about whether the league would impose penalties for the gesture. However, NFL insider Jordan Schultz is now reporting on X that his sources have indicated the league will not step in to prevent the celebration.
“Since there has been speculation, President-elect Donald Trump’s signature dance, which several NFL players have adopted in celebrations, is not an issue for the league, according to sources,” Schultz wrote. “While the NFL has addressed celebrations in the past, my understanding is that they only take action against those deemed excessive or inappropriate. The Trump dance is good with the league office.”
This comes after San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa was fined earlier this month for wearing a pro-Trump hat during a postgame interview. The NFL made the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year pay out $11,255 over the incident, which the league claims violated their uniform and equipment rules.
Meanwhile, the dance move has become part of a broader trend with the Trump-inspired celebration having also been spotted in other major sports leagues, including the NCAA, UFC, LPGA and the CONCACAF Nations League.
NFL waits weeks to levy fine against Bosa for wearing MAGA hat postgame
In late October, San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa crashed a live postgame interview with his teammate Brock Purdy after a win against the Dallas Cowboys, showing off his “Make America Great Again” hat in support of now President-elect Donald Trump.
“I’m not going to talk too much about it, but I think it’s an important time,” Bosa said to reporters after the game when asked why he wore the hat.
The game was played on Oct. 27, and the NFL levied a fine of $11,255 against Bosa on Nov. 9, nearly two weeks after the incident took place.
Rule 5, Section 4, Article 8 of the NFL rulebook states that players are prohibited from wearing, displaying, or conveying personal messages while they’re visible to the stadium and televised audience. This includes political activities or causes.
Before receiving the fine, Bosa acknowledged he had broken an NFL rule, telling reporters it was “well worth it” to wear the hat.
Why did the NFL delay the fine?
The NFL did not want to interfere with the election, according to new reporting from The Wall Street Journal. The report suggests that issuing a fine against Bosa before the election could have been perceived as the NFL making a statement against Trump just days before Americans cast their ballots.
Trump has been an outspoken critic of the NFL, including in 2017 when he condemned former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick for kneeling during the national anthem in protest of police brutality.
The NFL has not yet commented on the new reporting from The Wall Street Journal.
Georgia school shooting suspect was questioned over online threats: FBI
We have new details about the suspect and the victims in the deadly shooting at a Georgia high school. And Boeing’s troubled Starliner spacecraft is set to begin its trip back to Earth without its crew. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024.
FBI: Suspect in Georgia school shooting was questioned over online threats
Authorities have released more details about the shooter who opened fire in a Georgia high school on Wednesday, Sept. 4. Two teachers and two students were killed, and nine others were wounded.
Just before 10:30 a.m. ET Wednesday, gunfire was reported at Apalachee High School in a small town about 45 miles from Atlanta. A sheriff’s deputy working as a school resource officer engaged with the shooter, who has been identified as Colt Gray, and the teen immediately surrendered.
Officials said Gray will be charged with murder and tried as an adult.
The victims were two 14-year-old students, a 53-year-old math teacher, and a second math teacher, a 39-year-old who also coached as the defensive coordinator for the school’s football team, according to the school’s website.
The school will remain closed for the remainder of the week and crisis counselors are on school campus as students grapple with the tragedy they have now experienced.
“I was listening, and you can hear gunshots just ringing out through the school and you’re just wondering which one of those is going to be somebody that you’re best friends with or somebody that you love,” said Landon Culver, a junior at the school. “You hear about this kind of stuff and you never think it’s going to happen to you until it’s happening. And then once you’re in that, it’s like this really happened. It’s like a surreal experience.”
Authorities said Gray, then 13, was a possible suspect in connection with threats made online last year using photos of guns and threatening to shoot up a school. They said he denied making the threats and there was no probable cause to arrest him, however, local schools were told to “continue monitoring the suspect.”
Gray’s father was also interviewed a year ago over the online threats. Investigators said his father told them he had hunting guns inside the home, but his son did not have unsupervised access to them.
Trump holds town hall in PA; Harris talks economy in NH
During the interview, Trump highlighted Harris’ stance on fracking, saying in 2019 she would ban it if elected but she would not ban it now.
Trump was in Pennsylvania and kept much of the focus on the battleground state. Hannity asked Trump how the 2024 election differs from the election he won in 2016.
“It’s not that different,” Trump said. “It’s still about the forgotten man and forgotten woman. People are being treated horribly in the country. We’re a country that’s being laughed at all over the world. It’s very simple and it starts with make America great again, that’s what we have to do.”
Meanwhile, Harris was in New Hampshire discussing more of her tax plan if elected in November.
“My plan will make our tax code more fair while also prioritizing investment and innovation,” Harris said. “So let us be clear: billionaires and big corporations must pay their fair share in taxes.”
Harris is proposing an increase to the long-term capital gains tax rate but not as high as what was in President Joe Biden’s reelection agenda. Harris said she wants to raise the tax rate to 28% from its current 20% rate. Biden had called for a 39.6% tax rate.
Trump is looking to cut the corporate tax rate to 15% if elected for a second term.
Trump, Harris agree on rules for debate
There’s less than a week now until the first debate between Trump and Harris and they’ve now agreed on the rules. The debate, hosted by ABC, will be moderated by World News Tonight anchor David Muir and ABC News anchor Linsey Davis.
Trump won a virtual coin flip held on Tuesday, Sept. 4, and chose to make the last closing statement. They’ll get two minutes each.
Each candidate will also get two minutes to answer each question with a two-minute rebuttal and one additional minute for a follow-up, clarification, or response.
Because Trump got to choose the closing statement order, Harris chose the podium placement. She’ll be at the right podium on the screen.
CPSC wants to investigate Shein and Temu kids’ products
They want the commission to investigate how the websites comply with U.S. safety laws, citing “recent media reports” that dangerous products meant for kids are easy to find on both sites.
This is just the latest probe into the companies, both of which have been under scrutiny for how they’re able to sell things for such low prices and how much environmental waste they create, as well as concerns over the potential use of forced labor.
Boeing’s Starliner to return to Earth empty on Friday
The return will mark the final phase of a test flight that did not go as planned.
Starliner’s first crewed trip to space was supposed to prove Boeing could reliably bring astronauts to and from the International Space Station so NASA could certify it to do so.
But issues that popped up just after launch have left astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams stuck on the space station since June. Their mission was only supposed to last about a week.
The game will start a weekend of football action, including the first NFL game to be played in Brazil when the Philadelphia Eagles meet the Green Bay Packers Friday night. That game will be a streaming exclusive available only on Peacock.
Then the first Sunday of the NFL calendar, Sept. 8, will see 13 games played, with another first: Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin will be starting during the team’s game against the Arizona Cardinals. This will be Hamlin’s first start since suffering a cardiac arrest on the field in January 2023.
2 Israeli hostages rescued in Gaza raid; dozens of Palestinians reportedly killed: The Morning Rundown, Feb. 12, 2024
Israeli forces rescue two hostages during a raid in a Gaza town where over a million displaced Palestinians have relocated. And Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin transfers his duties after being admitted into a military hospital. The stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Monday, Feb. 12, 2024.
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The IDF said the “complex rescue operation” at an apartment building was based on “very sensitive and high-quality intelligence.” As part of the operation, the Israeli army launched airstrikes on the area near the apartment in the city of Rafah, where 1.4 million Palestinians have fled to escape Israel’s operation against Hamas.
According to the Hamas-run Health Ministry, 28,000 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the war. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told ABC News on Sunday, Feb. 11, that Israel is working out a “detailed plan” to evacuate those living in Rafah and move them to areas north of the city as Israel looks at sending more troops into the town.
In a phone call on Sunday, Feb. 11, President Joe Biden warned Netanyahu that Israel should only target Hamas terrorists in Rafah if it has a “credible and executable” plan to protect civilians. The war is expected to be among the topics discussed on Monday, Feb. 12, when the president hosts King Abdullah II of Jordan at the White House.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin hospitalized, transfers power to deputy
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was taken to the critical care unit at a military hospital in Washington on Sunday night, Feb. 11, after being hospitalized for symptoms related to a bladder issue. The Pentagon issued a series of statements describing Austin’s condition following widespread scrutiny over the secrecy surrounding a hospital stay in January due to complications from prostate cancer surgery.
Austin has transferred his duties to Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks. The Pentagon said it is not clear how long Austin will remain hospitalized this time, adding his cancer prognosis remains excellent.
Senate advances $95.3 billion Ukraine-Israel aid bill
The Senate’s standalone $95.3 billion foreign aid bill that would send funds to Israel, Ukraine, and other allies has passed a critical step. Senators voted during a rare Sunday, Feb. 12, session 67-27 to advance the bill, with 18 Republicans joining Democrats.
The bill would see $60 billion go to Ukraine, $14 billion to Israel, $8 billion to Taiwan and Indo-Pacific partners, and nearly $10 billion for humanitarian aid for Gaza. A final vote in the Senate could come by midweek.
The bill would then go to the Republican-led House, where the GOP has said any legislation would also need to address the migrant crisis at the U.S. southern border.
Woman killed after opening fire inside Joel Osteen’s megachurch
Two off-duty officers working security shot back, killing the suspect. A 5-year-old boy who was with the woman was critically injured in the incident. A man was also shot in the leg.
In a statement posted to X, Osteen wrote in part, “Our community is devastated by today’s events and grateful for the swift actions of law enforcement.” Police said the investigation into the shooting is ongoing.
Marathon world record holder dies in crash in Kenya
According to officials, Kiptum, a Kenyan native, was driving when his vehicle veered off the road into a ditch and hit a tree. Kiptum and his coach were pronounced dead at the scene; another passenger, a 24-year-old woman, is said to have survived with serious injuries.
Kiptum currently holds the world record for the fastest marathon after he breezed through the Chicago race with a time of 2:00.35. That record was ratified last week by the International Track Federation World Athletics.
Kansas City Chiefs are back-to-back Super Bowl champions
Super Bowl LVIII is in the books, and for the first time in nearly two decades, a team went back-to-back. Yes, for the second year in a row, the Kansas City Chiefs are Super Bowl Champions.
It was only the second time in history the Super Bowl went into overtime. The Big Game also saw the longest field goal in Super Bowl history, twice, as the 49ers’ Jake Moody’s 55-yard field goal in the second quarter was topped by the Chiefs’ Harrison Butker’s 57-yarder a quarter later. The Super Bowl MVP went to Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, his third time winning the honor.
How Taylor Swift ‘shakes off’ her tour to make it to Super Bowl LVIII
Taylor Swift may not be Juliet, and Travis Kelce may not be Romeo, but a love story is unfolding nonetheless. The first hurdle in their romance may be Swift’s unconfirmed journey to Super Bowl LVII between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers in Las Vegas, Nevada. The award-winning artist has yet to announce her plans for travel.
Swift is scheduled for a show in Tokyo on Saturday, Feb. 10, a day before the Super Bowl, and in order to make it to the big game, she’ll need to beat the clock.
The Associated Press reports that Swift’s flight from Tokyo to Las Vegas would take 11-12 hours. If she left at midnight on Saturday from Tokyo, because of time zone differences, she would arrive in Las Vegas at 7 a.m.
To see her boyfriend, who stars for the Kansas City Chiefs, Swift is going to have to find a parking spot for her private jet, a Dassault Falcon 900. The aircraft ranges in price from $19 million to $47 million, according to PilotPassion.com.
However, money isn’t the problem; parking availability is what’s causing the dilemma.
All of the airports around Las Vegas have around 475 spaces combined, according to a report by the AP. Not a single parking spot for private jets remains at any of the four airports, as noted by spokesperson for the Clark County Department of Aviation, Heidi Hayes.
Air traffic is expected to be busy. Commercial airlines have added flights and the Las Vegas Airport reported Wednesday, Jan. 30, it accommodated nearly 60 million passengers in 2023, an average of 160,000 passengers per day.
As far as Swift’s travel, she is not shy about using her aircraft. The New Daily reported that Swift’s flights to NFL games this season have created 138 tons of emissions in just three months.
However, a representative for Swift defended her decision, saying the artist offset the pollutants by doubling down on the carbon credits required for her Eras Tour in March. Those credits are tradable units that represent one metric ton of carbon dioxide avoided or removed from Earth’s atmosphere, according to the investment site Sylvera.
Enough with the side talk, Swift needs to find her parking spot.
The AP reported that there are several airports within 100 miles of Las Vegas which allow for “drop-and-go” flights. Essentially, those flights allow pilots to drop off passengers at their destination and then fly to another airport to park.
If Swift were to go the drop-and-go route, she could choose the Mesquite Municipal Airport in Nevada, which is an hour and 13 minutes to Las Vegas, not considering the added traffic from Super Bowl LVII.
If Swift does “touchdown” in Las Vegas due to a spot opening up at one of the four airports, her parking may actually be cheaper than the average person who drives to the stadium. An official at Harry Reid International Airport confirmed to the AP that parking for private planes ranges anywhere from $20 to $150 per day, depending on the size of the plane.
However, it’s unclear if Swift will even make the trip to Super Bowl LVIII, as her journey remains up in the air. The multiplatinum artist had not confirmed whether or not she will attend the sporting spectacle as of Thursday, Feb. 1.
Schumer: Security bill on immigration, Ukraine aid to be unveiled soon: The Morning Rundown, Feb. 2, 2024
The details of a deal on border security and Ukraine aid is set to be released as the Senate gears up to vote. And the Vision Pro is here, with Apple looking to make ‘spatial computing’ a household phrase. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Friday, Feb. 2, 2024.
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“Conversations are ongoing, and some issues still need resolution, but we are getting very close on the national security supplemental,” Schumer said. “The national security supplemental is so important to enabling us to address multiple crises around the globe.”
The agreement by a bipartisan group of senators would see tens of billions of dollars in aid for Ukraine and Israel and changes to border security amid a record number of illegal crossings. It remains to be seen how Republicans, who have sought to tie immigration reform to any additional funding for Ukraine, will respond to the bill.
Schumer said the bill will be made public, if not Friday, Feb. 2, by Sunday, Feb. 4, and added that will give members enough time to read it before voting.
Ex-CIA hacker gets 40 years in prison for leaking secrets to WikiLeaks
Former CIA software engineer Joshua Schulte has been sentenced to 40 years in prison after being convicted of carrying out the largest data breach in CIA history and for possession of explicit child sexual abuse content. Schulte leaked information released in WikiLeaks’ “Vault 7” in 2017.
He caused untold damage to our national security in his quest for revenge against the CIA for its response to Schulte’s security breaches while employed there.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams
“We will likely never know the full extent of the damage, but I have no doubt it was massive,” Federal Judge Jesse M. Furman said.
The “Vault 7” leak detailed CIA electronic surveillance and cyber warfare capabilities. U.S. WikiLeaks released sensitive information regarding the agency’s surveillance of foreign governments and extremists by hacking devices and computer networks. Attorney Damian Williams, who prosecuted the case, called the leak the most brazen crime of espionage in American history.
“He caused untold damage to our national security in his quest for revenge against the CIA for its response to Schulte’s security breaches while employed there,” Williams said.
CIA Deputy Director David S. Cohen said Schulte’s crimes “caused exceptionally grave harm to U.S. national security and the CIA.”
While prosecutors asked for a life sentence to be handed down, Schulte’s attorneys argued for a nine-year sentence, saying Schulte has been subject to “continuous torture” and is a “bright, kind young man.”
“We are very disappointed that Mr. Schulte received 40 years imprisonment, however, relieved that he did not receive life imprisonment as strongly urged by the government,” said César de Castro, Schulte’s attorney.
In a courtroom statement, Schulte said that this is not justice but vengeance taken by the government. The judge responded, saying he was “blown away” by Schulte’s “complete lack of remorse and acceptance of responsibility.”
Lloyd Austin apologizes for secrecy around cancer treatment
“I want to be crystal clear. We did not handle this right, and I did not handle this right. I should have told the president about my cancer diagnosis,” Austin said. “I should have also told my team and the American public, and I take full responsibility. I apologize to my teammates and to the American people.”
The defense secretary underwent surgery on Dec. 22, but after serious complications, he returned to the hospital on Jan. 1, the president was informed three days later. Austin said he is a private person but never directed anyone to keep his hospitalization from the White House. Austin said he is continuing to undergo physical therapy and is recovering well.
Several people killed after small plane crashes into mobile home park
Several people were killed when a small plane crashed into a mobile home park in Florida on Thursday night, Feb. 1. Emergency crews responded to the fiery scene in Clearwater, finding four trailers on fire, with the crashed plane inside one.
NEW: Footage shows firefighters and police responding to the scene of a small plane crash at a mobile home park in Clearwater, Florida. Fire officials say "several" people have been killed. https://t.co/8fyIcMTShNpic.twitter.com/bZZ9buhRxU
Apple’s latest invention, the Vision Pro mixed-reality headset, is hitting store shelves on Friday, Feb. 2. Apple hopes the Vision Pro has the revolutionary impact the iPhone did back in 2007, bringing what it’s calling “spatial computing” to the mainstream.
But at $3,500, its high price point may initially keep many away. Analysts predict Apple will only sell about 1 million or fewer devices this year. More than 600 apps have been developed specifically for the Vision Pro.
NFL player helps save woman’s life during flight home
In about one week, the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers will be looking to be heroes on the field at the Super Bowl, but one NFL player is already being called a hero for his quick-thinking actions, not on the field, but on a plane.
Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews was flying home to Phoenix on a Southwest flight when a woman had a medical emergency. Flight attendants, as well as a doctor and nurse who were on the plane, ran over to assist.
According to passengers, the woman had a weak pulse and trouble breathing. That’s when Andrews popped up from his seat and suggested the woman could be suffering from a blood sugar problem. Andrews, who has Type 1 diabetes, had his diabetic testing kit on him. He handed it over, showing the doctor and nurse how to use it, and soon the woman was stabilized. In a statement, Andrews thanked the flight attendants and said the doctor and nurse were the real heroes.
Biden: US will respond after 3 troops killed by Iran-backed militia in Jordan: The Morning Rundown, Jan. 29, 2024
President Biden said the U.S. will respond after three troops are killed in an attack in Jordan. And climate activists target one of the most famous paintings in the world. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Monday, Jan. 29, 2024.
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Biden says U.S. will respond after 3 troops killed in Jordan
President Joe Biden vows America will respond after three U.S. service members were killed in Jordan on Sunday, Jan. 28, in a drone attack the White House said was launched by an Iran-backed militia. This marks the first U.S. military deaths amid months of strikes in the region since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.
At least 34 American troops were injured in the attack on a military base near the Syrian border. According to U.S. Central Command, at least eight of the injured were flown to “higher-level care” outside Jordan.
The Pentagon has not identified the service members who were killed at this time, and officials have not yet said which Iran-backed group was behind the attack.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said America would take necessary actions to defend the U.S., our troops, and our interests. In a statement following the attack, the president called the three service members “patriots in the highest sense.” Speaking in South Carolina, he held a moment of silence for the troops, then added, “And we shall respond.”
Republican lawmakers reacted to the attack by calling on the White House to take action. Senator Lindsey Graham posted on “X” that the Biden administration’s “rhetoric is falling on deaf ears” and the U.S. should “hit Iran now.”
When the Biden Administration says ‘don’t’, the Iranians ‘do’. The Biden Administration’s rhetoric is falling on deaf ears in Iran. https://t.co/A5MwLWBsSj
GOP frontrunner for the 2024 presidential election, former President Donald Trump, blamed the attack on “Joe Biden’s weakness and surrender.”
US pauses funding to UN agency after Israel’s Oct. 7 claims
Fallout continues to grow for the main United Nations agency in Gaza after Israel accused 12 of its staff members of being involved in the terror attacks by Hamas on Oct. 7. After being notified of the allegations last week, the U.N. said it fired several employees of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency.
The UN is taking swift action following the extremely serious allegations against several UNRWA staff. These abhorrent alleged acts must have consequences. But the humanitarian needs of the desperate populations UNRWA serves must be met – @antonioguterreshttps://t.co/gy7cthapRa
The United States is among several countries to pause funding to the U.N. agency. The State Department said the U.S. “is extremely troubled by the allegations” as the agency plays “a critical role in providing life-saving assistance to Palestinians” in Gaza.
U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres said he is “horrified by the accusations” that agency workers helped Hamas stage the attacks. But he asked the countries suspending their aid to reconsider.
I condemn in the strongest terms this morning’s attack by Hamas against Israeli towns.
The U.S. is the biggest donor to the agency, providing $340 million in 2022 and several hundred million in 2023.
House Republicans introduce articles of impeachment against DHS secretary Mayorkas
On Sunday, Jan. 28, House Republicans released two articles of impeachment against Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. House Republicans accused Mayorkas of willfully refusing to comply with the law and breaching public trust as it relates to enforcing immigration laws at the U.S.-Mexico border.
The results of his lawless behavior have been disastrous for our country.
Chair Rep. Mark Green, R-Tenn.
House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green, R-Tenn., said they have “exhausted all other options to hold Secretary Mayorkas accountable.”
“The results of his lawless behavior have been disastrous for our country,” Green said.
Rep. Bennie Thompson, top Democrat on Homeland Security Committee, slams the Mayorkas impeachment process in a letter to Chair Mark Green as "unserious," "inept and inappropriate" and a "partisan sham." pic.twitter.com/fPdZH9cgPV
Ranking member Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., accused Republicans of using the impeachment effort to score political points.
“This unserious impeachment is a testament to partisan politics over rules and reason,” Thompson said.
The articles of impeachment will be reviewed in committee on Tuesday, Jan. 30, and would have to be adopted by the full House before a trial in front of the Senate.
Videos recorded at the Louvre in Paris on Sunday, Jan. 28, show two protesters hurling the liquid at the famous painting, splashing the armored glass that has protected the piece of art since 2005. Paris police took the two women into custody.
Environmental group Riposte Alimentaire said the protest was done to draw attention to unsustainable food production and hunger in France. Staff members at the Louvre evacuated the room which houses the painting for around 90 minutes while the glass was cleaned. The museum said it is lodging a complaint.
USA Hockey announces gear changes following ex-NHL player’s death
Three months after an American hockey player was killed from an ice skate blade cut to his neck, changes are being implemented for young hockey players. It was in late October when former NHL player Adam Johnson suffered a fatal neck injury while playing in England.
The USA Hockey Congress today approved legislation requiring the use of neck laceration protection.
On Sunday, Jan. 28, USA Hockey leadership approved legislation requiring all players under 18 to wear neck laceration protection to games and practices. USA Hockey recommends that adults wear neck protection, too.
In December, the International Hockey Federation mandated neck guards for all its tournaments, including the Olympics. Currently, the NHL has no such policy, though some players have chosen to wear neck protection since Johnson’s death.
Kansas City to meet San Francisco in Super Bowl LVII
On Sunday, Jan. 28, Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and the Chiefs defeated the Baltimore Ravens 17-10 to become AFC Champions on their way to the team’s fourth Super Bowl in five years. The Chiefs are hoping for back-to-back Super Bowl wins. And yes, Taylor Swift was there to celebrate.
Later in the day, Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, and the 49ers, down 17 points to the Detroit Lions at halftime, rallied historically to win the NFC championship 34-31. Super Bowl 58 takes place on Feb. 11 in Las Vegas.
NFL playoff hosts 49ers, Ravens fail to score financial boost for games
There are a lot of advantages to hosting an NFL playoff game but money isn’t one of them. In fact, making the playoffs can be a financial drain on a team.
The San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens are gearing up to host their second straight home playoff game on Sunday, Jan. 28, with Super Bowl dreams on the line. But as the home team’s fans fill the seats, the ticket sales go straight to the league.
Unlike other professional sports leagues, individual NFL teams do not pocket a dime of their playoff gate receipts up front. The NFL pools all of the money together and evenly distributes it amongst the 32 teams. That means there is no financial difference between the team bringing in all the revenue and the team sitting it out.
So how do teams pay for the playoff environment? The league gives stipends to home teams to pay for stadium operations and travel money to visiting teams.
Home teams do get to pocket concessions and parking, but that tends to be a drop in the bucket. It’s a $1 million to $2 million drop in the bucket, but still. Playoff teams can actually lose money over the whole ordeal when factoring into the equation coach and player playoff incentives.
So no, hosting its first home playoff games in 30 years was not a financial winner for the Detroit Lions this season, even with playoff tickets going for as high as $17,000. But teams like the Lions can parlay playoff success into long-term revenue growth.
Enjoying a game at Detroit’s Ford Field is one of the cheapest experiences in the league. But after clinching the division for the first time in three decades, fans found out season ticket prices are going up an average of 30% next season. And yes, teams do get to pocket a large portion of regular-season receipts.
In the 2022 season, the San Francisco 49ers scored the highest net ticket revenue in the league at $136 million, according to a Sportico report. The Las Vegas Raiders were second after topping the chart in 2021.