The Sportsletter - Dog Days of Summer 🌭

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BY JEFF YODER & MARISSA KASCH

JUNE 12, 2024 |  SUBSCRIBE  |  WEB VIEW

Good Morning 👋

As the Finals near their crescendo this next week, the dog days of summer sports are getting closer. In that light, today’s weird A-1 story is a bit ironic, but we must(ard) relish the moment. Plus, our Marissa Kasch launches Part 1 of her Summer Series on team relocations (fascinating), and the Madden25 cover features… a running back?

Letter Rip!

  FINALS NEWS   🏆

🏀 NBA Finals: Porzingis Probable for Game 3

Celtics’ center Kristaps Porzingis has a rare tendon issue in his left calf that was suffered in Game 2. That diagnosis has him day-to-day, but he’s still expected to be available for Game 3 tonight in Dallas.

🏒 Stanley Cup Finals: No Penalty for Draisaitl

Oilers’ star Leon Draisaitl delivered a high hit on Aleksander Barkov in Game 2 Monday night. The NHL reviewed the play and decided not to fine or suspend Draisaitl, which would have been a massive blow to Edmonton’s Cup chances.

  HOT DOGS  

The Dog Days of Summer 🌭

Photo: Andrew Burton / Getty Images

Joey Chestnut ‘Gutted’ After Receiving Ban From July 4th Hot Dog Eating Contest Because of Deal With Rival Brand

A real gut-punch for Joey Jaws! Everyone’s favorite hot dog eating champion was hit with a bizarre ban for the annual Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest on July 4 in Coney Island. Joey Chestnut is the 16-time champion of the event over the past 17 years, and he’s world-famous for his hot dog eating record (76) set back in 2021. Chestnut was banned by MLE (Major League Eating) yesterday because of his marketing deal with a rival hot dog brand, Impossible Foods. They’re a food company that makes plant-based, vegan hot dogs, and they’re a competitor to Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs.

“It would be like Michael Jordan saying to Nike, ‘I’m going to represent Adidas, too.” — MLE Organizer George Shea

Take it easy, George. While that analogy might make you laugh your buns off, Chestnut took to Twitter/X to say he was “gutted” by the news. But we have to assume Joey has a pretty strong gut at this point. He’ll be back.

“Rest assured that you’ll see me eat again soon!” — Joey Chestnut

Read More

Rolling Stone: Wiener Wars: Joey Chestnut Banned From Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest Over Glizzy Grievances

NY Post: Joey Chesnut Out of 2024 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest in Beef Over Vegan Franks

  SUMMER SERIES  

Part 1: The History of Team Relocation

Illustration by The Sportsletter Team

The Sportsletter’s Summer Series Details the City-Swapping Teams That Changed Sports History (By Marissa Kasch)

When a team relocates, it’s almost always faced with backlash. Moving cities is a bold move that’s high risk, high reward. It means a gut-wrenching farewell for one city and new hope for another. In recent years, we’ve seen this phenomenon grow as teams follow money, fame, and championship dreams. Though it’s becoming more commonplace, relocation is nothing new. We’ve seen plenty of teams from each league move cities or rebrand, leaving fans heartbroken.

After recent moves by the Rams, Raiders, and Chargers in the NFL, two more West Coast franchises have been in the news this year. The Oakland Athletics (MLB) and the Arizona Coyotes (NHL) are bolting for greener pastures, but we’ll get to them later in the summer.

Here are some of the most notable, landscape-changing team relocations that shifted the scales for a generation of sports fans (the past 75 years).

Read the Full Story (Summer Series: Part 1)

  NFL  

McCaffrey → Madden 25 Cover 🎮

Image via Madden / EA Sports

49ers RB Christian McCaffrey Becomes 1st Running Back in a Decade to Earn Madden Cover Honor

Running backs are making a comeback! We’ve published a lot of stories about the ‘Death of the Running Back’ over the past few years, but Run CMC is reviving the position. After his record-setting contract extension last week, 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey is now the new cover athlete of EA Sports’ popular Madden 25 video game. He’s the first running back to grace the game’s cover since 2014 (Adrian Peterson), and the first 49ers player ever.

“Lifelong Dream Come True! 🙏 “ — Christian McCaffrey

Madden Curse Lifted?

Much has been made about the ‘Madden Curse’ dating back to the early 2000s — a notion that players who earned the cover spotlight got injured or declined soon after — but it hasn’t held up since roughly 2020. Michael Vick, Vince Young, Odell Beckham Jr. and Antonio Brown were some of the main culprits. The past four editions have featured Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Tom Brady, and Josh Allen. Here’s to nothing but good vibes for CMC in ‘25.

Read More

B/R: Madden NFL 25 Reveals 49ers’ Christian McCaffrey Cover & Release Date

Yahoo! Sports: Christian McCaffrey Calls Madden Curse ‘Myth’ After Being Named Cover Athlete: ‘Whatever Happens, Happens’

  POWERED BY  

The Hoka Bondi 7s (From Hansen's Shoes)

Hoka’s Best-Selling Running Shoe Available for a Limited Time

It’s time to make your summer steps count. Hoka’s best-selling running shoe — The Hoka Bondi 7 — is now available for a limited time through our friends at Hansen’s Shoes. With a breathable memory foam collar and Metarocker Technology, your summer stride is about to be smoother than ever. The firm soles can handle faster paces, but walkers will notice the comfort, too.

I rock my Hokas every day and I can truly say there’s no better shoe for my feet, knees, and joints. I don’t feel sore in all the wrong places anymore, and Hokas are the reason.

👟 Make It a Hoka Summer With the Bondi 7s

  HIGHLIGHTS   🎥

⚾️ MLB

Yankees Smash Royals (10-1)

Aaron Judge Hits MLB-Best 25th Home Run

Rays Rally Past Cubs (5-2)

Brandon Lowe Hits Walk-Off 3-Run Blast

Padres Walk Off Athletics (4-3)

Kyle Higashioka Hits Walk-Off Homer to Save SD

Pirates Stifle Cardinals (2-1)

Paul Skenes Gets Road Ovation After 6+ Scoreless

Dodgers Demolish Rangers (15-2)

L.A. Hits 4 HRs, Scores 7 in Blistering 6th Inning

🏀 WNBA

Mystics def. Dream (87-68)

Washington Gets 1st Win of Season

Storm def. Sparks (95-79)

Nneka Ogwumike Scores Season-High (26 pts)

Lynx def. Aces (100-86)

MIN Shoots 55% From 3, All 5 Starters in Double Figures

⚽️ Soccer

Portugal def. Ireland (3-0)

Cristiano Ronaldo Scores Twice in Possible International Home Finale

International Soccer Break

Full International & FIFA World Cup Qualifying Scoreboard

  STORYLINES   

⛳️ Ranking the U.S. Open Field

It starts with Scottie Scheffler, of course, but who else is primed to win the U.S. Open? The next major challenge is waiting, and one look at the field shows which players have the right game to benefit at historic Pinehurst. (CBS Sports)

🇺🇸 Women’s Team USA Basketball Roster

After much speculation about who wasn’t invited, the Team USA Women’s Basketball roster was revealed yesterday. Diana Taurasi, A’ja Wilson, and Breanna Stewart headline the list of veterans heading to Paris next month. (Yahoo! Sports)

🏀 Laker Rejections: Is LeBron Next?

UConn head coach Dan Hurley made a judgment call on the Lakers’ future. It might be hard for LeBron James not to do the same. A critical stretch for L.A.’s front office lies ahead, and their new head coach will know he wasn’t the first choice. (The Ringer)

  NEWS   📰 

🏈 Bengals WR Tee Higgins Not at Minicamp After Franchise-Tag Dispute (CBS Sports)

⚾️ Phillies Catcher J.T. Realmuto Placed on IL With Knee Surgery Needed (Yahoo! Sports)

🏀 Celtics’ Kristaps Porzingis ‘Day-to-Day’ With Rare Calf Issue, Expected to Play Game 3 of Finals (AP News)

🌭 Joey Chestnut Scrapped From Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest Because of Deal With Rival Brand (ABC News)

⛳️ 2021 Champion Jon Rahm Withdraws From U.S. Open Due to Foot Injury (SI)

⚽️ Manchester United Opts to Keep Erik Ten Hag as Manager After Team Review (Guardian)

  SCHEDULE   🗓️

Today's Must-Watch List

🏀 NBA Finals

Gm 3: Celtics at Mavericks (8:30 pm ET, ABC)

BOS Leads Series (2-0)

⚾️ MLB

Guardians at Reds (7:10 pm ET, ESPN+)

Phillies at Red Sox (7:10 pm ET, NESN)

Rangers at Dodgers (10:10 pm ET, MLBTV)

⚽️ Soccer (Friendly)

🇺🇸 USMNT vs. 🇧🇷 Brazil (7:00 pm ET, TNT)

🏀 WNBA

Sun at Sky (8:00 pm ET, WNBA LP)

  POLL   📊

Question of the Day

In honor of the Joey Chestnut fiasco: What’s the highest hot dog count you’ve ever consumed in one sitting? (click to vote)

1 Hot Dog

2 Hot Dogs

3 Hot Dogs

4 Hot Dogs

5+ Hot Dogs

I met Joey once, actually. Cool guy.

Yesterday's Poll Results

Yesterday, we asked: Which coaching situation would you have chosen if you were Dan Hurley (Lakers or UConn)? In a stunner, more than 2/3 of respondents would’ve stuck with UConn like Hurley did. It’s a great sign for our audience — loyalty. But that extra $48 million? Phew. You’re all special.

GO: Lakers (32.8%)

STAY: UConn (67.2%)

  THE TEAM  

Writer & Editor: Jeff Yoder

Assistant Writer: Marissa Kasch

Social Media: Aaron Yorke

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