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Plummeting temperatures in the Windy City already have Chicagoans thinking about summer again. One of Chicago's warm-weather staples is the Windy City Smokeout, a four-day country music festival located in the United Center parking lot. While fans await the aromas of barbecue and whiskey filling the air, they can prepare for the sounds of country music's hottest acts as the festival's 2024 lineup has been announced.
Windy City Smokeout typically features big-name headliners along with up-and-comers rising to stardom, and 2024 is no different. Here's who will be rocking the stage from July 11-14 in Chicago.
Thursday, July 11: Thomas Rhett
Openers:
- Chase Rice
- ERNEST
- Priscilla Block
- Adam Doleac
- Alana Springsteen
Friday, July 12: Parker McCollum
Openers:
- Lee Brice
- Corey Kent
- Red Clay Strays
- Jake Worthington
- The Castellows
Saturday, July 13: Cody Johnson
Openers:
- Billy Currington
- Ian Munsick
- 49 Winchester
- Wyatt Flores
- Lanie Gardner
Sunday, July 14: Carrie Underwood
Openers:
- Nate Smith
- Muscadine Bloodline
- Ashley Cooke
- Cooper Alan
- Rvshvd
- Summer Dean
Windy City Smokeout 2024 Lineup
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Green Bay Packers: Josh Jacobs’ 1-word reaction to Team’s RB Flex Before Colts Clash
The NFL has dropped a fresh batch of names for their NFL “Top 100” list for the upcoming 2025 season, and Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs is among the players revealed. The former Alabama Crimson Tide star tailback has been ranked No. 33 overall. The Packers, who will be playing against the Indianapolis Colts this coming Saturday in a preseason game, rightfully acknowledged Jacobs’ position on the list by flexing it on social media. “Another year, another Josh Jacobs sighting in the NFL Top 100 , ” the Packers’ post on Instagram read. Jacobs appreciates Green Bay Packers’ flex on his Top 100 re-entry This is a return to the list for Jacobs, who was not part of the Top 100 in 2024. Before that, he was 13th overall in 2023, his last season with the Las Vegas Raiders. So, what did it take for Jacobs to get back into the list? He rushed for 1,329 yards and 15 touchdowns on 301 carries in his first year with the Packers, who will be relying a lot again on his legs to deliver the offense on the ground. Jacobs also showed appreciation for the Packers’ post, as he reposted it via IG Stories with a caption that read: “Grateful.” The three-time Pro Bowler is 27 and will turn 28 in February, but his best season in the NFL could still be in front of him. Together with quarterback Jordan Love, Jacobs will look to carry the bulk of the Packers’ offense, which was eighth in the league in 2024 with 27.1 points per game. Love and Rashan Garry are also the other Packers players who made it to the Top 100 in 2025.
Tennessee's groundbreaking Adidas deal a game-changer for college sports in NIL era
The Tennessee Volunteers are going back to Adidas as its primary apparel provider after a decade of wearing the Nike swoosh. On Wednesday, Adidas announced a $100M, 10-year deal to be the exclusive apparel provider for the school's sports teams. The deal is set to begin on July 1, 2026, following the expiration of the current agreement with Nike. On the surface, it's just another apparel deal between two popular brands, but in the era of NIL (name, image and likeness) in college sports, it's a game-changing agreement. As part of the agreement, Adidas will establish a fund for NIL deals between the University of Tennessee and student-athletes. The German-based company will provide Tennessee with at least $10 million annually for the NIL deals, which, as of now, is about half of the $20.5 million that schools participating in the revenue-sharing model are allowed to give directly to student-athletes. That figure will almost assuredly increase with each passing year, meaning both current and future Tennessee Volunteers will benefit directly from this deal. Adidas will aim to make top student-athletes brand ambassadors by giving them national marketing campaigns and signature shoe lines. With NIL deals becoming a centerpiece of how college athletic departments attract top recruits, this deal is a bellwether for how apparel deals will be renegotiated across the world of college sports. Of course, at the center of this deal is football, as it remains the most popular sport in the country. According to The Athletic, the Volunteers' football program is estimated to be valued at $1.37B, the ninth-highest valuation in college football. It's only natural, then, that Adidas wants to get its logo back on Tennessee football jerseys. Adidas sponsored the team for 20 years before the university switched to Nike in 2014. While some fans were hoping Tennessee would re-up their partnership with Nike, fans who remember the 1998 National Championship team will probably feel good seeing the Adidas logo on the jersey again. Adidas also sweetened the deal by providing assurances that Tennessee athletics can design its apparel in-house, in collaboration with the company. Aside from nostalgia and big business, Tennessee and Adidas both know that for the school to remain one of the top programs in the country, they'll need star recruits. Before the ascendance of NIL deals, recruiting top talent was a mix of promising top-of-the-line facilities and flaunting the pedigree of the program. NIL money has changed that equation and already impacted Tennessee. In April, star quarterback Nico Iamaleava shocked the school by not reporting to spring practice and transferring to UCLA. Reports suggested part of the disagreements between Iamaleava and the school was over his NIL deal. How Iamaleava plays this season will make Tennessee wonder if it should've allocated more NIL money to keeping him happy. If that's the case, it's safe to wonder if Tennessee will tap into this deal as much as possible to keep future stars away from the transfer portal. This deal with Adidas certainly opens new doors for athletes to maximize their branding and will test the NIL distribution system over the next decade. Expect these types of deals to become the norm, too, as universities seek every competitive advantage against one another.
Tottenham are now ‘interested’ in Argentine prospect likened to Lionel Messi
Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly interested in signing the Argentine prospect Facundo Buonanotte this summer. According to journalist Sebastien Vidal, the Brighton attacking midfielder could be on the move this summer, and Tottenham are facing competition from West Ham for his signature. The player was on loan at Leicester City last season, and he was quite impressive for them. He is highly rated across Europe, and Tottenham would do well to secure his signature. It would be interesting to see if they decide to sign the player on loan or on a permanent deal. Buonanotte was linked with Spurs last season as well. Spurs need someone like Buonanotte They need more creativity and cutting-edge in the final third, and the 20-year-old could be the ideal long-term acquisition. He is capable of operating centrally as well as on the flanks. He will help create opportunities for his teammates with his vision, passing and technique. The 20-year-old is highly rated, and former Premier League star Carlos Tevez once claimed that Buonanotte reminds him of Lionel Messi. He said: “I watch football and it’s been a long time since I’ve seen someone play who gives me as much pleasure as Buonanotte. “When he brakes and accelerates, he reminds me of [Lionel] Messi. He is at a very high level.” Can Spurs sign Facundo Buonanotte? It will be interesting to see if the player ends up at Tottenham this summer. It could be an exciting opportunity for him. He would get to test himself in the UEFA Champions League. Tottenham need a deeper squad to do well across multiple competitions, and signing talented young players like Buonanotte would be a step in the right direction. Meanwhile, West Ham could use more creativity in the final third as well. Lucas Paqueta has been linked with an exit, and Mohammad Kudus has been sold to Tottenham. Buonanotte could help them improve.
Milwaukee Brewers outfield will be without two key contributors against Cincinnati Reds
The Milwaukee Brewers are set to head into a pivotal 19-game-in-18-day stretch short-handed as they open their series against the Cincinnati Reds. While no official announcement has been made, it was previously reported that outfielder Isaac Collins would miss the series for the birth of his child. Now, it appears Blake Perkins may also be unavailable. Outfielder Blake Perkins may be unavailable against the Cincinnati Reds Per Blake Perkin’s MLB transaction page, he was placed on the bereavement list on Aug. 14. The bereavement list is a temporary roster designation that allows a player to take time off due to a death or serious illness in their immediate family. The organization hasn't commented on the situation. Tyler Black and Steward Berroa have been called up by the Milwaukee Brewers With Collins and Perkins unavailable against the Reds, veteran reporter Francys Romero indicated that Tyler Black and Steward Berroa were called up to the big leagues. Black is primarily an infielder, whereas Berroa is a speedy outfielder who could make an impact over the weekend series, especially with Jackson Chourio still sidelined with a hamstring injury.
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